Close
Search
Close this search box.

BLOG

Filter
A graphic with the text "Celebrating Black History Month Part Three: Children's Books for Black History Month" with the Image of a Young Black Girl Reading a Book

Children’s Books for Black History Month

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. Yesterday, we shared a list of Washington-based Black-owned places to buy books. Today, we have a wonderful list of books for young readers

Read More
A graphic featuring a background of fruit and a plate with an orange slice with the words Books to Enjoy with a Snack

Picture Books to Enjoy With a Snack

Kids love a good story and a good snack! Here are some fun picture books to read out loud during snack time, and snack ideas to go with them. Crocodile Hungry, by Eija Sumner, illustrated by John Marz Kids will giggle as Crocodile causes chaos on his quest for the perfect snack. Make quick and easy mini-pizzas using biscuit dough for your kids and crocodiles with this recipe from Pillsbury. Paletero Man, by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player A little boy dreams of

Read More
A graphic with a cartoon image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the words "teach kids about Dr. King and civil rights"

Teach Kids about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights

Monday, January 15, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year. Kids are never too young to learn about civil rights and how to treat others with kindness and respect. Here are some resources for teaching kids about this important holiday. Watch In this segment from “Sesame Street,” Elmo, Abby Cadabby and their friends learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and dream. The characters work together to decorate a Peace Treaty showing how they can be part of Dr. King’s

Read More
A graphic featuring pink and purple fireworks in the text "celebrate the new year with picture books"

Welcome 2024 with Picture Books Celebrating New Year’s Traditions

Soon, people around the world will be celebrating the start of a fresh, new year. Count down to 2024 with these fantastic picture books about New Year’s traditions across countries and cultures. Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport, illustrated by Marion Eldridge Shante’s grandmother is out of black-eyed peas — and the family always eats them on New Year’s Day for good luck! As Shante goes out to search for peas, she learns about her neighbors’ traditions and celebrations

Read More
A graphic that has three penguins holding presence and a book with the title Penguin Picture Books for Winter Weather

Stay Warm This Winter With Picture Books About Penguins

Winter snow and ice are on their way. Snuggle up somewhere warm and enjoy these picture books about everyone’s favorite cold-weather bird: penguins! Lost and Found, by Oliver Jeffers When a penguin arrives at a boy’s door, he decides to help it find its way back to the South Pole. On the way, he learns about what really makes a home. The penguin and boy return in Up and Down. Seals are Jerks, by Jared Chapman Lorelei is sure that penguins and

Read More
An image that reads "books to read's cookies and milk" over a background of cookies

Classic Books to Read with Milk and Cookies

Everyone loves a reason to eat dessert — and November is National Cookie Month! Here are some classic cookie-themed picture books to enjoy with your favorite sweet treat. The Cow Loves Cookies, by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Marcellus Hall Every creature in the barnyard has a favorite treat — but the cow wants to share the farmer’s cookies instead of eating hay. Little ones will love to bounce along with the cheerful rhymes in this book. The Duckling Gets a Cookie?!, by

Read More

Bilingual Books to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

Happy National Hispanic American Heritage Month! Celebrate from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 with this collection of Spanish-English bilingual books for kids. De Colores, translated by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein, illustrated by Citlali Reyes Little ones can sing along to a classic Spanish folk song with this bright board book. Wepa, by J. de la Vega Some grownups think Mia Emilia Lucia Renata is loud, but her grandma says she’s full of wepa — a joyous Latin American slang term that

Read More

First-Day-of-School Books Help Kids Face Familiar Fears

Back-to-school time can mean big emotions for kids. These picture books tell stories of first-day fears and feelings, whether children are starting preschool or kindergarten, entering a new grade, or moving to a new community. How to Get Your Octopus to School, by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett Kids who are feeling nervous about school will relate to the stubborn little octopus in this book. Caregivers will appreciate the gentle reminders of morning routines during the school year. Everyone will laugh!

Read More

Picture Books to Inspire Summer Fun

The heat has hit the Pacific Northwest and pretty much everywhere else. Stay inside and read a great summer picture book — or use these books as inspiration for fun activities. Blackout, by John Rocco When the lights go out in the city, a family finds ways to enjoy a summer night without power. Activity: Go out and stargaze! If the lights are too bright, see what else you can observe in your neighborhood at night. Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey

Read More
THe cover of the picture book Pink Blue and You, which features cartoons of diverse children and a dinosaur

Pride Picture Books for Kids of All Ages

Pride Month is a great time to celebrate the beauty and diversity of humanity with a good book. Here are some LGBTQIA+-friendly picks for kids of all ages. BOARD BOOKS Federico y Sus Familias / Federico and All His Families, by Mili Hernández, illustrated by Gómez A neighborhood cat has many families, and all his families are different! The original text is in Spanish, and an English version is available, too. Love Makes a Family, by Sophie BeerThis sweet book celebrates many kinds of

Read More
A graphic with the text "Celebrating Black History Month Part Three: Children's Books for Black History Month" with the Image of a Young Black Girl Reading a Book

Children’s Books for Black History Month

Throughout the month of February, we are sharing posts written by Imagine Institute training program assistant Lourdes Flores about Black History Month. This series will follow the long history of Black History Month, Black History in the United States, and how we can all celebrate Black History Month in a way that is supportive, healthy, and, most importantly, empowering. Yesterday, we shared a list of Washington-based Black-owned places to buy books. Today, we have a wonderful list of books for young readers

Read More
A graphic featuring a background of fruit and a plate with an orange slice with the words Books to Enjoy with a Snack

Picture Books to Enjoy With a Snack

Kids love a good story and a good snack! Here are some fun picture books to read out loud during snack time, and snack ideas to go with them. Crocodile Hungry, by Eija Sumner, illustrated by John Marz Kids will giggle as Crocodile causes chaos on his quest for the perfect snack. Make quick and easy mini-pizzas using biscuit dough for your kids and crocodiles with this recipe from Pillsbury. Paletero Man, by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player A little boy dreams of

Read More
A graphic with a cartoon image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the words "teach kids about Dr. King and civil rights"

Teach Kids about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights

Monday, January 15, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year. Kids are never too young to learn about civil rights and how to treat others with kindness and respect. Here are some resources for teaching kids about this important holiday. Watch In this segment from “Sesame Street,” Elmo, Abby Cadabby and their friends learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and dream. The characters work together to decorate a Peace Treaty showing how they can be part of Dr. King’s

Read More
A graphic featuring pink and purple fireworks in the text "celebrate the new year with picture books"

Welcome 2024 with Picture Books Celebrating New Year’s Traditions

Soon, people around the world will be celebrating the start of a fresh, new year. Count down to 2024 with these fantastic picture books about New Year’s traditions across countries and cultures. Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport, illustrated by Marion Eldridge Shante’s grandmother is out of black-eyed peas — and the family always eats them on New Year’s Day for good luck! As Shante goes out to search for peas, she learns about her neighbors’ traditions and celebrations

Read More
A graphic that has three penguins holding presence and a book with the title Penguin Picture Books for Winter Weather

Stay Warm This Winter With Picture Books About Penguins

Winter snow and ice are on their way. Snuggle up somewhere warm and enjoy these picture books about everyone’s favorite cold-weather bird: penguins! Lost and Found, by Oliver Jeffers When a penguin arrives at a boy’s door, he decides to help it find its way back to the South Pole. On the way, he learns about what really makes a home. The penguin and boy return in Up and Down. Seals are Jerks, by Jared Chapman Lorelei is sure that penguins and

Read More
An image that reads "books to read's cookies and milk" over a background of cookies

Classic Books to Read with Milk and Cookies

Everyone loves a reason to eat dessert — and November is National Cookie Month! Here are some classic cookie-themed picture books to enjoy with your favorite sweet treat. The Cow Loves Cookies, by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Marcellus Hall Every creature in the barnyard has a favorite treat — but the cow wants to share the farmer’s cookies instead of eating hay. Little ones will love to bounce along with the cheerful rhymes in this book. The Duckling Gets a Cookie?!, by

Read More

Bilingual Books to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

Happy National Hispanic American Heritage Month! Celebrate from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 with this collection of Spanish-English bilingual books for kids. De Colores, translated by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein, illustrated by Citlali Reyes Little ones can sing along to a classic Spanish folk song with this bright board book. Wepa, by J. de la Vega Some grownups think Mia Emilia Lucia Renata is loud, but her grandma says she’s full of wepa — a joyous Latin American slang term that

Read More

First-Day-of-School Books Help Kids Face Familiar Fears

Back-to-school time can mean big emotions for kids. These picture books tell stories of first-day fears and feelings, whether children are starting preschool or kindergarten, entering a new grade, or moving to a new community. How to Get Your Octopus to School, by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett Kids who are feeling nervous about school will relate to the stubborn little octopus in this book. Caregivers will appreciate the gentle reminders of morning routines during the school year. Everyone will laugh!

Read More

Picture Books to Inspire Summer Fun

The heat has hit the Pacific Northwest and pretty much everywhere else. Stay inside and read a great summer picture book — or use these books as inspiration for fun activities. Blackout, by John Rocco When the lights go out in the city, a family finds ways to enjoy a summer night without power. Activity: Go out and stargaze! If the lights are too bright, see what else you can observe in your neighborhood at night. Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey

Read More
THe cover of the picture book Pink Blue and You, which features cartoons of diverse children and a dinosaur

Pride Picture Books for Kids of All Ages

Pride Month is a great time to celebrate the beauty and diversity of humanity with a good book. Here are some LGBTQIA+-friendly picks for kids of all ages. BOARD BOOKS Federico y Sus Familias / Federico and All His Families, by Mili Hernández, illustrated by Gómez A neighborhood cat has many families, and all his families are different! The original text is in Spanish, and an English version is available, too. Love Makes a Family, by Sophie BeerThis sweet book celebrates many kinds of

Read More