Story Tags

Akissi

My Introduction to Graphic Novels

Shamefully, I have to admit that I read my first graphic novel two months ago. I wrote them off as childish and because of my ignorance I have missed out on great books over the years. As with most of the books I read, I look for characters that I see myself in: characters that are beautiful, smart, responsible and passionate about the world around them. What makes it extra special for me is finding these qualities in Black people across the African diaspora. Surprisingly, finding graphic novels with such specific criteria was not hard to find in our catalog.  

New Kid book cover

When You've Read All the Raina Telgemeier... (Part 2)

...try some of these.

I didn't want to overwhelm you with too many titles in my first Raina readalikes post, but boy do I have more. If you love Raina Telgemeier's books so much that the only ones you haven't read are the ones she hasn't published yet, there are so many other books you can enjoy in the meantime!

surf's up

A Whale of a Good Read

Whale-forward sea stories for younger readers

The beach without books to read is like the sea without whales. Kids and parents alike will love these creative and sweet whale tales this summer.     Surf’s Up by Kwame Alexander

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!

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