In “The Haunted Wood,” author and journalist Sam Leith tells the history of children’s literature and how it changed as culture changed.
Poets and Poems: Emily Patterson and “So Much Tending Remains”
In “So Much Tending Remains,” poet Emily Patterson watches her child grow from birth to toddlerhood, reflecting what parenthood means.
By Heart: ‘Listening to Peter and the Wolf’ by A.E. Stallings
The music is loose! Face your fear and learn a poem by A.E. Stallings about listening to “Peter and the Wolf” By Heart.
Crow Stories: “Rainbow Crow” by Megan Willome and Hasani Browne
“Rainbow Crow” by Megan Willome and illustrated by Hasani Browne tells crow stories in poetry for young readers.
Time for The Midnight Ball—A Gold Medal Winner!
A new children’s book ‘The Midnight Ball,’ by Sara Barkat, combines a delightful story and illustrations with poetic device and telling time. Can you find the double meanings?
Forgotten Classics: “Understood Betsy” by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
In “Understood Betsy,” Dorothy Canfield Fisher wrote a timeless children’s story about growing up and self-reliance.
When Your Phone Dies: “A Hurricane in My Head” by Matt Abbott
In “A Hurricane in My Head,” Poet Matt Abbott has a suggestion for what to do when your young teen’s phone dies.
Pooh, On Poetry
Author Megan Willome takes poetry advice from Winnie-the-Pooh and revises a poem.
A Ritual to Read to Each Other: Reading Aloud
Join author Megan Willome as she enjoys reading aloud in the new column, A Ritual to Read to Each Other. This month, the gifts unique to audiobooks.
‘The Little Prince’: Not for Grownups
To find the wisdom of ‘The Little Prince,’ author Megan Willome says don’t look directly at the story or it will blind you, like sun on desert sand. And don’t be a grownup.
Top 10 Reasons Why “Grandfather” Is the Best Job in the World
Being a grandfather is the best job in the world, and here are the top 10 reasons why. It’s also possibly the easiest, because your grandchildren teach you.
Children’s Book Club: ‘Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime’
Grab your mushy gushy Valentines! Join author Megan Willome for the Children’s Book Club as she reads ‘Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime.’
Top 10 Holiday Books for Children and Children at Heart
Author Megan Willome shares her Top 10 list of holiday books for children. Adults with childlike hearts will love them too.
Naomi Shihab Nye: Young People’s Poet Laureate
Author Megan Willome takes a trip to the library with Young People’s Poet Laureate Naomi Shihab Nye. Refreshments will be served.
Children’s Book Club: “Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs!”
Author Megan Willome gets serious about some silly dinosaurs in an opposites book by Sandra Boynton for this month’s Children’s Book Club.
A Story in Every Soul: Bedtime Stories
When we read a bedtime story to a child, something happens in their soul. What exactly? Well, it depends on the story.
Fear is a Luxury You Can’t Afford: Just Make Art
Are you engaging in the luxury of fear? Take a cue from illustrator Susie Jaramillo, and learn the secrets to making art despite the self-doubt that picks at your artistic heart.
Take Your Poet to School Week: Eugene Field, the Poet of Childhood
Eugene Field is perhaps the perfect poet for Take Your Poet to School Week. It was the schoolchildren of St. Louis who saved his house from demolition.
The First Poetry for Children: “Divine Emblems” by John Bunyan
In 1686, the English Puritan minister and writer John Bunyan published what we know today as “Divine Emblems,” the first book of poetry for children.
Children’s Book Club: “One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale”
Math can be beautiful, especially with tigers and elephants and gold. Join us as we read ‘One Grain of Rice’ with Megan Willome as our guide. Plus, get more great math title recommendations!