Story Tags

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

A Short History of Harry Potter Events with Tolonda Henderson

The DC Public Library first hosted Harry Potter scholar Tolonda Henderson in 2015, with the presentation “When Fandom Wears a Cap and Gown: Academic Perspectives on Harry Potter,” which took place at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library. Since then, Mx. Henderson has presented lectures at Tenley-Friendship Library, Southeast Library, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on the significance of birthdays in Harry Potter, banned books and information in Hogwarts’ library, plus “Ask a Harry Potter Scholar.” Mx.

Mission Save the Planet cover. A photo of earth in space with the title superimposed.

Let's Care for the Earth!

Books to build environmental stewardship in kids and tweens

With the Washington Post reporting that DC's climate is going to match that of Mississippi's 60 years from now, it can feel like building environmental stewardship in the next generation is critical and urgent. Fortunately, it can also be fun! Try these books for your budding environmentalist to encourage a sense of gratitude and responsibility for our planet.  Younger Children (birth to 2nd grade)

Sunny Side Up book cover

When You've Read All the Raina Telgemeier... (Part 1)

...try some of these.

You may know and love Raina Telgemeier (listen to her pronounce her name here) from her graphic novels Smile, Sisters,

Chicken in the Kitchen

Children’s Picture Books Set in Africa

I chose this topic for my eight-year-old self who wanted to read books with characters that came from where she came from, ate the foods she ate, and looked like her.     Baby Goes to Market by Atinuke and illustrated by Angela Brooksbank

How Kind!

Kindness and Community

Building Empathetic and Kind Readers through Picture Books

The world always needs a dose of kindness. In these books, ordered from books appropriate for babies and toddlers to older elementary school children, explore how being kind, including others and learning about other people can make our world a better place.

Penderwicks

Read Aloud Chapters

Longer stories to read to young children

Picture books are a great resource for stories to read aloud to your child -- short, engaging and lusciously illustrated they are quite literally made to be shared together. However this list is for the reader and listener who are looking for something a bit more involved than a picture book but thematically still appropriate for younger listeners. (For picture book suggestions here is a link to a list I made of some of my favorites.) 

All Summer Long by Hope Larson

Feels Like Summer

YA and Children's fiction with summer vibes for all ages

Summertime, and the livin’ is easy… The weather is starting to warm up, but it’s not quite summer yet. If you’re yearning for those hot-hot days and warm nights around the campfire, visit June, July and August through these stories. These YA and juvenile reads are great for their target audience -- and adults too!

Lovely cover

Learning About Differences

Not just for adults any more!

In cities like Washington, D.C. there are so many people and they are all unique. This curated list contains a variety of protagonists and thoughts about differences. Let's celebrate the beautiful diversity of our city with diverse reads! Picture books for early readers Lovely by Jess Hong

Girls Who Code logo

Get Reading, Get Coding!

And Get Ready for Girls Who Code at Woodridge

Girls Who Code is an organization founded by Reshma Saurani with the mission of closing the gender gap in technology. Since 2012, Girls Who Code has worked with schools, libraries and other public institutions to bring coding to girls in all 50 states, and several US territories. And now - Woodridge gets to be a part of it! Open to all interested children in Grades 3rd-5th, here are some books to get you and your child acquainted with the world of coding before or after our first meeting on Wednesday, March 6:

Lost and Found Cat

The Shelter of Each Other

Picture Book Stories of Resilience and Hope Amidst Displacement

War, climate change, persecution and economic hardship are forcing many children and families worldwide from their homes to seek refuge elsewhere. Leaving behind a home and country, often never to return nor knowing where the journey will lead, can be traumatic. These picture book stories about displacement, all of which are true stories or based on true events, will resonate with children who have had similar experiences. They also introduce children without such experiences to the plight of refugees, in a way that fosters understanding and empathy.

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