Palisades
Neighborhood Library

Invited and Inspired to Learn

For young and younger learners, with lots of visual elements

It may be back to, or the start of, school for your young learners, so here are a few creatively presented and beautifully illustrated books which enhance the presentation of content in appealing ways. They present messages and information using awe-inspiring visual images, and one of them offers twenty one hands-on activities. All of the topics are about enthusiastically accepting diversity.

Children

Books You Can't Read

ALA's Top-Challenged Books Since 2001

Banned Books Week, held every year typically during the final week of September, celebrates the freedom to read. Librarians, readers, publishers, teachers and others join together to support the freedom to seek information, express ideas and educate oneself.

Banned Books Week

Navigating Emotions

Exploring Emotional Topics Through Picture Books

Discussing emotions with children can be a difficult task to navigate. Children might not know exactly what’s causing these new feelings, or how to process and cope with them. Convincing them to open up can be challenging, but these books will alleviate some of that pressure and will help guide conversations about difficult emotional topics like death, family separation and anger.

Prime Time Bedtime

Reading aloud for sweet dreams

Make bedtime stories special with these unique page turners. I chose these for the high levels of interaction they encourage, and their subtle, or obvious, lessons in how to enrich those sleepy 20 minutes of the day. With images and words at times funny and always affirming, they can lead to pleasant thoughts of tomorrow. Some may become you and your child’s favorites.

Introduce that upcoming trip, the gentle reader's way

What to read with your youngsters before traveling to a different space, time zone or experience

Are you interested in preparing your youngest traveler for an adventure? The following titles, fiction as well as non-fiction, were chosen for their visual appeal, to share a simple travel plot or to celebrate the enormous variety of destinations by presenting facts in a fun format. Typical places to visit, as well as offbeat experiences (like lights out in a city apartment) are described, so preparing you and your youngster as you head off to a different space, time zone or experience. Bon voyage!

Love Fashion? Read These. Hate Fashion? Read Them Anyway.

Fashion is often seen as superficial and frivolous. Not to get all Devil Wears Prada here, but as a fashion lover, I can assure you there’s more to fashion than just “blue steel.” These reads will take you deeper into how impactful fashion can be, the nitty gritty logistics of creating a fashion show and even how history influenced the perfume industry. If you’re a fashion novice, this selection of books will hopefully enlighten you. If you’re a longtime fashion fan, these will likely feed your already flourishing infatuation.

Peace, Kindness, Unity, Fairness

Children's picture books

The Association for Library Service to Children, committee of the American Library Association, recently put out a list of books to share the message of “creating unity, acting with kindness towards others, and promoting peace." Here are a few of their picture book recommendations. I included one highlighting justice, or fairness, since without justice, there can be no peace.

Houses & apartments under 1000 square feet

Make the Most of Your Space in the City

Discover the best options for designing your small space

City-living sometimes means cramped-living, and finding your ideal space at the perfect price can be nearly impossible. It can also provide the opportunity to work from home, which is appealing to some, and less than ideal for others. These reads will spark inspiration, help you redesign your small space and guide you in finding the perfect balance between comfort and functionality.

Picture Book Madness

Who will be Palisades' most beloved picture book character?

Some of the most beloved picture book characters are going head-to-head, and you get to choose the winner. Stop by the Children's Room, read books with each character and vote for your favorite at the Children's Desk. Check the bracket in the Children's Room every week to see who makes it to the next round, and who will be crowned Palisades' favorite picture book character. The madness begins on March 1 and the winner will be revealed on March 31.

It's the Year of the Dog

Celebrate Chinese New Year with these reads for all ages

The Chinese New Year is a time for fresh beginnings, celebrations with friends and family and honoring ancestors. These books will give insight into how Chinese New Year is celebrated, and how centuries-old traditions came to be. The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin

Palisades Neighborhood Library