Spring is springing! It's the best time of year to get outside and enjoy nature. What better way to spend time outdoors with children than birding?! There are so many brilliant children's books about birds. Read on to discover some picture books that share some amazing facts about our avian friends.

Naomi Shihab Nye's 1994 picture book, Sitti's Secrets, is about a young girl, Mona, and her Sitti, her grandmother, who lives in Palestine. This book captures the essence of the love that can persist despite being worlds apart. Mona remembers her visit to meet her Sitti, and the simple fun they shared together, although they did not share a language. Thirty years after the publication of this book, it is ever relevant. This beautiful read is just one of many children's books about Palestinian children and a tender longing feeling for one's distant homeland and loved ones. 

It wasn't just Cozbi Cabrera's beautiful illustrations that captured my heart the first time I read Me and Mama. The prose that filled the pages was so sweet and specific, and sounded just like something that could have come from a child's mouth. After reading several of her other works, I was amazed at Cabrera's level of artistry and sincerity. This post shines a light on Cozbi Cabrera's masterfully created picture books. 

Fractured fairy tales are classic fairy tales with a new spin. Children LOVE funny books and books with surprises, which are pretty much a given in these types of stories! Read on to discover some of our favorite fractured fairy tales!

Snuggle up with some of the coziest picture books published in 2023! Each of these wintery stories centers around nature, family, and a spirit of giving. As the days get shorter and the air gets chillier, shared read-alouds are such a fun way to relax and enjoy time with loved ones. 

Sensory Rooms are an excellent space of refuge for children who get overstimulated easily. Children on the Autism spectrum, with Down's Syndrome, and other sensory disabilities can become overwhelmed by spaces with lots of other children and noises. While we offer many interactive and play spaces in our Children's area here at Nashville Public Library, we felt it would be important to make sure ALL children feel welcomed and comfortable. Our new Sensory Room offers a quiet and peaceful retreat from the hustle-bustle of the Children's department. Come see for yourself!

Discover some brilliantly beautiful picture books by native authors that have recently come under the fire of book bans & challenges in the United States. These books were thoughtfully created for children and do not, in the least, contain ANY explicit content. Exposing our children to a variety of worldviews, cosmologies, and perspectives can be an enlightening and expansive experience for all involved. Check out these excellent reads and more here at NPL!

Hubo una multitud de libros fantásticos escritos por autores latines para niños publicados en 2023. ¡Aquí están mis favoritos, y una lista comprehensiva de unos más, para celebrar el Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispánica! There were a multitude of great children's books written by Latine authors published in 2023. Here are my favorites, and a comprehensive list of more books, to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

Many picture books celebrate the beauty of childhood. Being young and full of wonder is something adults often forget about, but children know better. Read on to discover two children's books that reclaim the magic of being a child, despite what other children and adults may think or say!

July is Disability Pride Month! Here are some excellent books for young readers that feature people with disabilities and neurodivergent characters. 

Beatrix Potter was not only a brilliant author/illustrator of Children's books, but also a conservationist, natural scientist, and a downright fascinating woman. On display at the Frist Art Museum in downtown Nashville until September 17th, "Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature" is an incredibly rich and engaging celebration of Potter's life and work. Both children and adults alike will enjoy this timeless collection, a beautifully curated and re-imagined collage of nature drawings, children's book illustrations, photography, and interactive activities!

Pride month is upon us! Discussing LGBTQIA+ issues with kids can be a challenge, especially if you don't identify as a part of this community. Here are some tips for starting a conversation around gender identity and sexual preference! It is never too early to open a child's heart and mind, and doing so can foster empathy and compassion, for themselves and for others.

Sometimes selecting books for your child can seem overwhelming and intimidating! There are so many options. Which ones are the best? Nashville Public Library has thousands of picture books to choose from, and so many of them are absolute gems. Find out how to discover the perfect books for the children in your life!

Not all of us are gifted with a green thumb. However, getting our hands dirty in the garden (or with whatever space you have) can be a fantastic opportunity for you and your child to learn about the natural world. Here are a few books and resources to inspire a love of plants this spring! 

Hygge, pronounced "hoo-ga" is a Danish word which seeks to capture the satisfaction of being cozy. Denmark has consistently been named one of the happiest countries in the world, despite the chilly weather! Getting cozy with a good book is the perfect way to cultivate hygge! Here are some Children's books that spread this unique type of joy that we can all tap into during the darkest days of the year. 

On January 19th (Dolly's birthday!), Nashville Public Library launched a week-long registration drive for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. This incredible program provides a free book every month to children, from birth until the age of 5. Without a doubt, the Imagination Library has become an integral part of the movement to boost early literacy and foster a love of reading among young children!

Feeling restless just staying indoors? There are SO many free events and activities for you and your child to enjoy here at NPL, and in the community beyond! Here are a few great ways to pass the chilly minutes this month. 

November is Native American Heritage month. Here are some Children's books that give voice to modern indigenous communities, who have humbly withstood the many challenges and violences of Western colonization. 

Diwali, or Deepawali, is a 5-day holiday celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. Beginning on the new moon in October, popular festivities include the lighting of diyas, beautiful clay candles, a great cleaning of the living space, honoring of deities such as Lakshmi and Ganesh, and creating rangoli, decorations from colored sand, inside each room in the house. Check out some books from Nashville Public Library that shine a light on these radiant celebrations!

Here are some fabulous oportunidades to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th-October 15th) with your children, at NPL and beyond!

Pronouncing someone's name correctly is a conscious choice, regardless of whether it is normalized in the United States. Check out these beautiful Children's books that create empathy around the idea of misnaming and celebrate diverse names!

B.B Cronin's Lost series is an enchanting exploration through a world of color and beautiful scenery. Join Granpa and his grandchildren on their quests to find all the things (and people) they lost! These Seek and Find picture books are fantastic for readers of all ages.

Cooking with children is a great summer past-time and can help build motor skills and vocabulary! Here are some fabulous cookbooks for kids available at Nashville Public Library. WARNING: Reading this blog post may cause hunger and salivation.

The whole family can celebrate Pride Month with two fantastic children's books about same sex couples and their families' lives. Bathe the Cat is a hysterical tale about a feline friend who causes all kinds of mayhem in efforts to avoid his bath. Dad and Daddy and the whole family are thrown out of sorts trying to prepare for Grandma to arrive! Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle is an endearing story of a child and her Mama who spend a whole week together while Mommy is travelling for work. 

Storybook Trails provide a wonderful opportunity for children to engage with print in the natural world. Spread out over 19 different state parks in Tennessee, this project shares stories from picture books about the natural world! What better way to transform a short hike into a learning experience?!