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C.R.E.A.T.E. with Dev Petty

In All, CREATE, Videos by Brian Gonsar1 Comment

Take a peek behind the creative curtain with author Dev Petty and find out what inspires her, where she goes to write, and her funny superstition. The C.R.E.A.T.E. series explores creativity with children’s book authors and illustrators.

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A Different Pond: Sky/Pond Reflection Paintings

In Crafts by Katey HowesLeave a Comment

The illustrations of A Different Pond show the beauty and magic of a starlit sky reflected in a body of water. No matter how simple the activities taking place – gathering sticks, laughing at jokes, catching fish – they all seem more special and significant against the gorgeous backdrop. With a few simple art supplies, your little readers can create their own Sky/Pond reflection paintings.

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Transform Your Neighborhood

In Crafts by Katey HowesLeave a Comment

Bloggers and book-loving-moms Lauren Davis and Katey Howes have teamed up to offer parents, teachers and caregivers this list of simple, actionable ways you and your children can transform your community into “something beautiful.”

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Make Your Own Little Card

In All, Crafts by Matthew WinnerLeave a Comment

National Library Week 2016 is April 10-16, and we want to help promote this great opportunity to sign up for a library card, see what’s going on at your local library branch, and tell those hard-working library employees how much you appreciate their dedication to reading and access to great literature for all. That’s why we invited A Big Surprise for Little Card illustrator Anna Raff to help us create a Little Card of our own!

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Swap! Pirate Ship Snacks

In Crafts by Katey Howes1 Comment

One of the super things about SWAP! (that I’m pretty sure author/illustrator Steve Light never suspected as he wrote it) is that it is packed with snacking potential. After all, what does any average group of kids do when they sit down in the cafeteria and open their lunch boxes?
They SWAP!

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HOME by Carson Ellis: Mini Houses Craft

In Crafts by Danielle DavisLeave a Comment

Home is a beautiful book. It’s a meditation on where we live. City and country. Splendid and simple. Real and imagined. This craft is less instructional and more inspirational. Do you want to make a mini home like one from the cover of the book? Or would you rather dream up your own? Please do!

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Something Extraordinary Tissue Paper Dandelion

In All, Crafts by Danielle Davis2 Comments

The cover of Something Extraordinary contains a wish. A boy blowing on a dandelion, as you do. The first page tells us what the wish is: to fly. In fact, everything the boy wishes for is extraordinary like that. But as the book goes on, the boy learns that extraordinary stuff is in the every day too. Wish granted!

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Leo: A Ghost Story Popsicle Stick Puppets

In Crafts by Danielle DavisLeave a Comment

Leo: A Ghost Story is a book that reflects a child’s imagination with its pretend-play, the way a ghost feels commonplace, and the fact that Christian Robinson’s illustrations are created out of imperfect cut-paper. Also, knights of the round table and sidewalk chalk drawings!

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Make Your Own Clay Alien

In All, Crafts by Danielle DavisLeave a Comment

YOUR ALIEN by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Goro Fujita, will make you want your own alien. In fact, because the book is written in second person, it says you will see an alien out your window and you will want to keep him. Of course you will!

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Little Tree Embroidered Leaf Patch

In All, Crafts by Danielle DavisLeave a Comment

Loren Long’s LITTLE TREE is a sweet, sweet book. It’s about a tree who hangs on to its leaves, who can’t let go. I think of this craft as a merit badge. It would be a really neat way to recognize a recent or future achievement for a kid. Letting go of something in order to take a step toward growth? Embracing a new challenge? Being brave? We’ve got a patch for that.

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Jarrett Lerner & the Most Anticipated Books of 2018: Books Between, Episode 41

In All, Books Between, Podcasts by Corrina AllenLeave a Comment

Share this PostJarrett Lerner & the Most Anticipated Books of 2018Book Talk – Most Anticipated Middle Grade Books of 2018Typically in this segment, I share with you a few books …

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Pace, Zenz & Hendra – Picturebooking, Episode 93

In All, Picturebooking, Podcasts by Nick PattonLeave a Comment

Picturebooking FriendshipToday’s show features three books that have a friendship theme. First, Sue Hendra introduces us to NORMAN THE SLUG WITH THE SILLY SHELL. Norman longs to be a snail-if …

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Home Book Trailer

In Videos by Matthew Winner1 Comment

Artist Carson Ellis has shared a beautiful story through her art and words in HOME. Each dwelling tells a tale and this book trailer Carson created with Central Office is a look into the studio and the life of the artist.