Murphy is a delightful French bulldog who watches his boy be taken away by a big yellow thing (a school bus). He has a range of feelings and coping strategies during his action-packed day of waiting. Murphy is very happy after his reunion with his boy. I would love this book even if my name wasn’t in the title!
Calling all bug lovers! Are you ready for a challenge? In this brightly illustrated puzzle book, you can search for bugs hiding right beneath your fingertips! Learn about the names of a lot of different bugs such as painted lady butterflies and frog beetles. Explore the many environments that bugs can live in, from sandy deserts to underground caverns to garden sheds! Practice counting skills as you round up the bugs one by one until you've found them all. Good luck, and happy searching!
Junior Genius Guide to Greek Mythology by Ken Jennings
Recommended by Katherine, best for ages 8+
Prepare to become an expert on all things Greek Mythology! Written by famous Jeopardy! host and champion, Ken Jennings, the Junior Genius Guide to Greek Mythology is filled with stories, illustrations, trivia, and quizzes. This Junior Genius Guide is a go-to guide for kids who want to expand their knowledge about Greek Mythology while also serving as a guide for kids who want to start their knowledge quest! Want to be a Junior Genius but not interested in Greek Mythology? Ken Jennings’ Junior Genius Guide series features books on Outer Space, The Human Body, Dinosaurs, and more!
What happens to an aircraft carrier after the job is done? For the USS Oriskany, this meant a transformation from a floating city launching and catching planes around the world to a new kind of underwater city for all sorts of fish, coral, and other sea life. This book tells you all about what Oriskany did in the navy as well as all the work done by all sorts of ocean scientists, alongside construction workers, engineers, and more to make sure that “The Mighty ‘O” would be safe for not only the new residents but also the delicate webs of life that fill our oceans. Don’t worry about getting bored by words because this book is full of amazingly detailed pictures highlighting the entire process as well as plenty of information and deep dives to learn more in the back pages of this title, like why would people go to all this trouble to make an artificial reef?
How the Forest Feels: Sensory Play Nature's Way by Wendi Silvano
and We Go Slow by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie
Recommended by Ms. Cheryl, best for ages 3+
These two books are wonderful in their own right and also complement each other. In How the Forest Feels, a grandfather and his grandson explore a forest together. They pay attention to the sounds they hear, the way things look, and how they feel. The pictures convey their delight in the world around them and in each other. In We Go Slow, a grandfather and his granddaughter also go exploring – but this time in a busy city neighborhood. They hear and see very different sights and sounds, but they are every bit as excited by what they experience and being able to spend time together, holding hands and exploring. Reading these books together is a great way to highlight how different the world can be – and how similar!
Disney music is the best, but a lot of the original versions are more exciting than relaxing. What do you do if you love Disney, but also need something calming? Listen to this album of lullaby-style arrangements of favorite songs! These gentle versions of twenty classics are perfect for sleeping, studying, or just having a peaceful moment. Sign into the Freegal app using your library card, where you can listen to or download the entire album!
Scooby Doo on Zombie Island was the only Scooby Doo movie to ever scare me as a kid, because for once... THE MONSTERS WERE REAL!
Some of the best Scooby Doo movies were made around the early 2000s and this is one of them. In this movie, the Mystery Incorporated gang was tired of mysteries always ending up with a bad guy in a costume and had decided to pursue other careers, but fate had other plans for them.
They reunite for Daphne’s birthday and while scouting haunted locations for her new show, the gang gets invited to Moonscar Island, an island allegedly haunted by pirate ghosts. Once there, they receive several warnings to leave from resident ghosts, but the gang chooses to stay overnight, and things take a turn for the worse.
Will they make it off the island alive, and okay? Watch to find out!
This fast-paced family card game is all about color-recognition, paying attention, and not bee-ing last! As each player sets down a color card, they announce the color before the next person takes their turn. Sometimes, a bee card will be added to the pile, and everyone needs to slap the angry bee! The last player to slap must add the whole pile to their hand! Enjoy this dynamic game with the whole family; you’ll be playing and laughing together and making memories!
I used to read this book all the time when I was younger. Looking at it again as an eighth grader, the story is still excellent. A stranded robot learning to survive and raising a baby goose is a great concept. The chapters are very brief. That keeps the pacing quick and makes it a genuinely enjoyable book for any age.
Anne of Green Gables is about a young orphan girl who is adopted by the Cuthberts. The story is about Anne growing up, facing school, self-doubt, and lots of other adventures.
