Connecticut Parent Magazine

Children's Bookshelf - Archives

Open Sesame! A Look Inside the Arabian Nights February 2012
Long, long ago, far, far away — journey to the land of the Arabian Nights! You’ll travel to a place where wit and cleverness save the day and honesty and good-will are rewarded!

You Can’t Read Just One! January 2012
One of my favorite things to do on a cold winter day is to curl up with a good book and a chocolate treat to warm me up. There are so many great books for children featuring chocolate delicacies. Join the Oliver Wolcott Library’s annual winter Books and Chocolate program to warm up from the weather. Here are some suggestions for creating your own version at home.

Timeless Treasures to Read Together December 2011
During the busy December holidays, try to set aside some time to read to your children. When you give them the gift of reading you create a wonderful tradition that will be remembered for years to come. The books selected below are classics that have been popular over the years and are available at all libraries.

Great Books for Boys November 2011
November is a month when many of us pause to think about what we’re feeling most thankful for. Of course, here at the library we cherish readers of all types and sorts. This month, however, we’re especially grateful for caregivers who’ve come in to scope out the best books for their boys.

Picture Books are Filled With Art October 2011
Picture books are works of art that we can easily have in our homes and hold in our hands. One of my favorite mediums of artistic expression is photography. These past few years have seen an explosion of picture books using real pictures to tell the story.

Books About School are Oh, So Cool! September 2011
September has always been my favorite month. It’s time to ride on the ferris wheel and visit baby goats at the country fair. Connecticut maples begin their shimmery dances, until they are clothed in red and gold by month’s end. But, best of all, school begins! And there is always a new crop of colorful picture books at Hagaman Memorial Library in East Haven to delight our young patrons and program attendees

Animal Books are the Cat’s Meow! August 2011
It’s summertime and it’s hot, hot, hot out there! Come and cool off at Pequot Library in Southport and explore some amazing, real-life animal stories

Eric Carle – A Very Special Author July 2011
Many people have favorite children’s book authors, some from their childhood and others from works shared with children and grandchildren. As a librarian, I have read a lot of children’s books but, I have to say, Eric Carle is one of my favorite authors.

Birds Are Back June 2011
Are the sounds of chirps and peeps waking you up in the morning? That can only mean one thing — the birds are home for the season! While all of the robins, bluebirds and cardinals are busy making their nests, you can discover some amazing bird-themed books that are available at the Manchester Public Library.

Books that Rock the Summer! May 2011
Come on everybody, let’s rock and read! This summer, you can do just that by joining the Norwalk Public Library’s Rock & Read Summer Program — complete with live music concerts, make-your-own instrument craft sessions and some rockin’ good storytimes!

Parenting with Picture Books April 2011
Ah, the joys of parenting! There are many. Watching your children learn something new; developing an internal skill you both never knew about; seeing their brains make connections while they learn to stand, crawl, sit and walk; and the way they make you laugh and smile in a way nothing else can.

Is There Life After Diary of a Wimpy Kid? March 2011
Just ask any 4th, 5th or 6th grader, and they will tell you that the series by Jeff Kinney seems to have it all — that oh-so-sophisticated middle grade humor and pictures. But not just any pictures — doodles and comics drawn by the main character, Greg Heffley, himself.

Books to Read With Your Little Valentine February 2011
Valentine’s Day is February 14, and we’ve got book suggestions to get you in the spirit.

Teaching Math Concepts Through Literature January 2011
Story hour has been a staple in most libraries. Reading to the very young promotes phonemic awareness, comprehension and discussion. I believe, however, that discussion, or creating a real world connection, is most important — making it possible for children to relate to the story in a personal way.

Christmas Stories that Let the Imagination Soar December 2010
Christmas is almost upon us and in anticipation, children’s eyes are as big as saucers. Through books, they can read about the holiday, visualize all their dreams and hope they will soon come true.

Wordless Books Are Not Worthless November 2010
This special category of children’s picture books relies exclusively on illustrations to convey the story. As such, each re-reading can convey a different interpretation. The child, parent, caregiver or teacher can present a fresh view or can retell a comfortable story by adding her/his own words to the visual text.

Books that Give You the Shivers October 2010
The shivers, the willies, butterflies, heebie jeebies and the creeps — these are some of the reasons children come to the library looking for scary and scarier books to read.

Books That Make Your Heart Race September 2010
As school starts up again this fall, many families wonder what kind of activities they can do together on the weekends. What is better than heading to the park and playing some soccer, going on a walk around the block — or even checking out a family yoga class at a local yoga studio and heading to a high school football game to cheer for your favorite team?

Summer Books that are Doggone Good August 2010
It’s the scorching dog days of summer, so when your children are whimpering and whining that they’re bored, and you find yourself barking at them, it’s the perfect time to get your tails to the air conditioned library for some great books and programs! And speaking of canines and books, we have some terrific dog books at the Danbury Library to entertain children of all ages.

Summer Fun at the Library July 2010
Summertime is my favorite time of year! Vacations! Beaches! No School! You may not have realized all the great activities that your library can offer!

Reading is Fun in the Summer Sun June 2010
School may be out in the summer, but public libraries are hopping with activity. Youth departments in particular don’t stop during the summer — we support school summer reading lists, do story times and activities for all ages, and of course, we run our summer reading clubs.

Searching for that Perfect Book May 2010
Our numbers are shrinking, but many of us still remember the days when searching for a book at the public library — without the aid of the trusted librarian — meant a trip to the wooden box with lots of drawers called the card catalog.

Welcoming Home a New Sibling March 2010
Change can be difficult for the best of us, but for the naturally ego-centric little people known as toddlers — Queens of their Castles and Rulers of their Roosts — the thought of another tiny human being interrupting their daily routine and stealing all of the admiring stares is about as appealing as diaper rash in July.

Love is in the Library’s Air February 2010
February is a busy month at the Westport Public Library. While Connecticut’s wintry days keep everyone longing to cozy up inside, don’t forget about the warmth found inside the walls of our children’s library with offerings in great books, children’s programs, and programs designed for parents and caregivers.

Books Full of Belly Laughs January 2010
We’ve always heard that “laughter is the best medicine” and more than ever, we need to make sure there is laughter in our homes. With the stressful economic times, school, extra-curricular activities, and the threat of illness during the cold and flu season, we sometimes forget that children easily sense the worries of their parents and caregivers.

(Re)Discovering Old Favorites December 2009

The Rhyme and Rhythm in Books November 2009

Is it Really that Important to Read to Babies? October 2009

More Than Delightful: The Books of Mo Willems September 2009

Tips to Keep Kids Reading All Summer August 2009

Always an Adventure at the Library July 2009

Books That Hit a Home Run June 2009

All That is Magical May 2009

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words April 2009

2010 Nutmeg Book Award Nominees March 2009

Happy 200^th Birthday Abe! February 2009

A Reading Wonderland January 2009