Kids Book Lists

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Garden to Table

May 17, 2021 | kasarak

                           

      Gardening does not simply allow one to be mentally old,

      because too many hopes and dreams are to be realized.

                            - Allan Armitage

 

The Earth gives us the opportunity to cultivate and enjoy its offerings. Trees, flowers, and gardens can all flourish under our care. What gardens offer in exchange is the ability to take the end result right to our table. For ideas and inspiration on what the garden to table experience can look like for you, check out the activities, books, and resources listed below.

Activities

Read Amazing Biographies for Kids!

May 17, 2021 | Michelle

A Biography tells you all about someone's life. In these fantastic new additions to our JBIO collection, be prepared to be taken to other places, times, and lifestyles. Who knows? Maybe it will be your Biography or Memoir that we have on the library's shelves to share with a new generation of kids and adults.

JoJo Siwa : fan favorite by Heather E Schwartz

Fans of JoJo Siwa-or as she calls them, Siwanators-know JoJo's personality is as colorful as her bows. Learn all about how JoJo danced, laughed, and sparkled her way to fame and her own business empire.

Have a Picnic

May 17, 2021 | durbinm

Break up your mealtime routine this summer with a picnic!

Head to a park, walk right out into your backyard and lay a blanket out on the grass, or have a picnic on the floor inside your house if the weather is bad. Visit one of Canton's parks, or check the Take a Ride or Go For a Hike squares for more ideas of where to picnic. 

 

Enjoy Yourself

Keep it simple. Avoiding too much fuss will promote relaxation and give you time to enjoy yourself.

  • Let the kids help with preparations
  • Play some no sweat games like "duck, duck, goose" or  "I spy."  Check out the Backyard Fun square for more ideas
  • If you are able to picnic outside, take some time to Observe Nature 

 

Get Creative

Snap a Photo to remember your picnic or capture the beauty around you, or for something more involved, make your own picnic blanket.

Veggie Stamp Picnic Blanket by Creativebug

Check out this Creativebug class to create a Veggie Stamp Picnic Blanket. While you're there, look at Creativebug's Summer Picnic Ideas

Poetry Explore

May 17, 2021 | durbinm

Did you know that reading and writing poetry is actually good for your health? Reading poetry can help sharpen your brain with insight and critical thinking, while writing poetry can be therapeutic and help you be more self-aware. Appreciation for poetry is beneficial for all ages, whether you're a senior citizen, or a kid.  Some poems may make you ponder, while others will make you laugh together. Some may take you awhile to read, while others can be a "quick fix" to your reading time. No matter your reason for reading poetry, it can be extremely fulfilling and gratifying. The variety of topics that poems cover is vast. Take some time to explore the endless variety out there. The library offers some awesome poetry books as well. There is something for everyone, kids and adults alike. Head back to 62 days of summer for more ways to participate in the summer program.

Explosive Summer Reads

May 17, 2021 | strande

Explosions can be both cool and terrifying. If you're not interested in the hazards of explosive science experiments, try one of these titles where you can experience different kinds of explosions and high-pressure situations from a distance. Titles intended for older audiences are at the bottom of the list.

Alfred Nobel : the man behind the Peace Prize by Kathy-jo Wargin

Alfred Nobel invented dynamite, and became very wealthy from his invention. Saddened by its use for harmful destruction, Nobel left his fortune to create yearly prizes for those who have rendered the greatest services to mankind: The Nobel Prizes.

The day the universe exploded my head : poems to take you into space and back again by Allan Wolf

With poetry that is equal parts accurate and entertaining -- and illustrations that are positively out of this world -- this book will enthrall amateur stargazers and budding astrophysicists as it reveals many of the wonders our universe holds. Don't let your head explode with the awesomeness within.

Virologists, Epidemiologists, and Public Health, Oh My

May 17, 2021 | strande

Throughout history, humans have fought against invisible bacteria, viruses, and fungi that make us sick. There are many people who have made incredible discoveries that helped us learn about the diseases that plague us and how to vanquish them; learn about some of these people, and others involved in fighting off these public health threats.

Titles are listed with those intended for older audiences toward the bottom.

The polio pioneer : Dr. Jonas Salk and the polio vaccine by Linda Elovitz Marshall

The child of immigrants who never learned to speak English, Jonas was struck by the devastation he saw when the soldiers returned from battle after WWII. Determined to help, he worked to become a doctor and eventually joined the team that created the influenza vaccine. 

Dr. Fauci : how a boy from Brooklyn became America's doctor by Kate Messner

This narrative follows Anthony from his Brooklyn beginnings through medical school and his challenging role working with seven US presidents to tackle some of the biggest public health challenges of the past fifty years, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meet a Mathematician

May 17, 2021 | strande

Meet some of the people who represent the "M" in STEAM. The mathematicians and math-whizzes who calculate and crunch the numbers. Titles are arranged so that those intended for older audiences are last, the first titles might be of interest to most readers.

Maryam's magic : the story of mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani by Megan Reid

Introduces trailblazing mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani from her unexpected interest in geometry as a young girl to becoming the first woman to win the world's most prestigious honor in mathematics.

The boy who dreamed of infinity : a tale of the genius Ramanujan by Amy Alznauer
Also available in: video | e-video

If Ramanujan could crack the number 1 open and find infinity, what secrets would he discover inside other numbers?

Read Around the World Kids Nonfiction

May 17, 2021 | Michelle

Have you ever wanted to see the Great Pyramids of Egypt? What about the Amazon River? Or the Great Wall of China? While it is difficult to travel to so many far off places, we have some amazing books you can read that can transport you there in your imagination. Someday you may stand at the foot of the Parthenon in Greece, but for now fill your mind with images, stories, and facts of places far away and in your own backyard.

 

After you have had your fill of travel, head back to 62 Days of Summer for more ways to participate in the summer program!

Race to the bottom of the Earth : surviving Antarctica by Rebecca (Rebecca E.) Barone

In 1910, Captain Robert Scott prepared his crew for a trip that no one had ever completed: a journey to the South Pole. He vowed to get there any way he could, even if it meant looking death in the eye. Then, not long before he set out, the telegram arrived: "Proceeding to Antarctic - Roald Amundsen." What was to be an expedition had become a race. One hundred and eight years later, Captain Louis Rudd readied himself for a similarly grueling task: the first solo crossing of treacherous Antarctica. Then came the Instagram message: "On Nov. 1, I depart for the ice - Colin O'Brady." What was to be a journey had become a race. For fans of Michael Tougias' The Finest Hours, this gripping tale of two history-making moments is perfect for budding scientists, survivalists, and thrill seekers.

Read Michigan Travel for Kids

May 17, 2021 | Michelle

It's another great day in the Mitten State! There are so many great places to visit and fun things to see and do all over our great state that hopefully you will get to enjoy at least one or two of those items this summer. Hopefully, these books will give you some great ideas!

 

Then, head back to 62 Days of Summer for more ways to participate in the summer program.

Moving ice : how the Great Lakes formed by Theresa Emminizer

Almost 20,000 years ago, Earth's climate began to warm. Because of the changing temperatures, a miles-thick ice sheet started to shift. As the ice sheet moved, it carved deep pits in the land and left water in its wake. This melted ice filled the new cavities. This is the story of America's Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Enriched with stunning photographs and informative fact boxes and sidebars, this educational text sheds light on the scientific history of some of our nation's most treasured geological features.

Scrapbooking 101

May 17, 2021 | Michelle

So you've taken tons of pictures, whittled the pile down to your absolute favorites, now what? Other than putting photos in frames and hanging them on the walls, there is a wide world of creative ways to display and keep photos for years to come. Enjoy!

Ultimate papercraft bible : a complete reference with step-by-step techniques by Marie Clayton

The book covers all the basic papercraft techniques, many of which can be achieved using only paper, scissors and glue. There is even a chapter on materials as well as a useful tools section for more advanced papercrafting techniques.

Once you've got the basics covered, you will be amazed at the variety of paper techniques there are to explore. Various paper treatments are covered in the sections on colouring, decorating and texturing. You will learn how to make beautiful cards for family and friends in the cardmaking chapter, and add a special personal touch to gifts by making your own envelopes, giftwrap and gift boxes. The scrapbooking chapter is packed full of ideas on ways to preserve memories of trips and events. Decorative techniques can be found in the papercutting and origami chapters, and there is a final chapter on other papercrafts which includes techniques such as papier maché, decoupage, quilling and advice on the best ways to make your own paper.

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