Category: Resources

Check here for activity guides, promotional materials, and more.

Author Lydia M. Sigwarth shares the true story behind Dear Librarian + check out our Librarian Hall of Fame!

★ Dear Librarian Hall of Fame ★

Librarians provide so many vital services to their community and truly make a difference in the lives of their patrons, just like Lydia Sigwarth’s librarian Deb Stephenson. To celebrate the release of Dear Librarian, we asked readers to nominate a librarian who made a difference in their lives for their chance to win a grand prize! We received over 1,900 entries to our Dear Librarian sweepstakes, filled with stories of librarians going above and beyond for their patrons. We’re excited to share some of our favorite entries below! Thank you to these life-changing librarians for all that you do for your community!

Betsy Bird interviewed Lydia Sigwarth about the book, and how she and Deb Stephenson felt when they read these nominations: Lydia said, “We especially loved stories that reflected our own – kids whose lives had been changed by a special librarian in their life. It was also so inspiring to see all the amazing things librarians are doing all over the country. From rural communities to NYC to Alaska, librarians were making a difference in their communities and it was so, so hard to pick favorites when they all obviously deserved to be celebrated.”
Read the full interview on the Fuse 8 blog!

Learn more about Dear Librarian by Lydia M. Sigwarth, illustrated by Romina Galotta!

Praise for Dear Librarian:

“A gentle ode to the effect one person can have on another, and what a library can offer a community.” —Publishers Weekly

“A cogent, warming reminder that public libraries have always been more than just repositories for books.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A heartfelt tribute to the power of libraries, and the power of kindness.” —Mara Wilson, actress and author

Download the Dear Librarian activity kit here!

Storytime: Elisha Cooper reads Yes & No

From Caldecott Honor author/illustrator Elisha Cooper comes Yes & No, a timeless tale of friendship, adjusting your perspective, and the joys (and trials) of siblinghood.

Good morning, good morning. It’s time to wake up!

Join a cat and puppy pair through their day—the ups of being fed and romping through grass, and the downs of days that are too short and things that don’t go as planned—as they realize that sometimes the very best thing that can happen is just being together. Take a look inside the book here!

★ We’re celebrating Five Starred Reviews for YES & NO ! ★

Read a Q&A with Elisha Cooper here! →

Activity Kit: Dear Librarian

Download our new kit filled with activities that celebrate libraries, which can be used alongside the new picture book, Dear Librarian by Lydia M. Sigwarth, illustrated by Romina Galotta!

When Lydia was five years old, she and her family had to leave their home. They hopped from Grandma’s house to Aunt Linda’s house to Cousin Alice’s house, but no place was permanent. Then one day, everything changed. Lydia’s mom took her to a new place — not a house, but a big building with stone columns, and tall, tall steps. The library.

In the library, Lydia found her special spot across from the sunny window, at a round desk. For behind that desk was her new friend, the librarian. Together, Lydia and the librarian discovered a world beyond their walls, one that sparkled with spectacular joy.

Paired with warm art by newcomer Romina Galotta and a foreword by Ira Glass, Dear Librarian is a “thank you” to anyone who has offered a child love and support during a difficult time.

Download the Dear Librarian activity kit here!

Praise for Dear Librarian:

“A gentle ode to the effect one person can have on another, and what a library can offer a community.” —Publishers Weekly

“Galotta enriches the nostalgic undertones with glimpses of lush flowers, tiny robots, a dragon, and other imaginary elements… A cogent, warming reminder that public libraries have always been more than just repositories for books.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A heartfelt tribute to the power of libraries, and the power of kindness.” —Mara Wilson, actress and author

Join us for the Dear Librarian launch event on June 11 at 7pm ET!

Lydia will be joined by illustrator Romina Galotta, the team that brought her story to This American Life,
Ira Glass and Stephanie Foo, and the librarian who changed her life, Deb Stephenson. 

Register here for the Dear Librarian launch event here!

Stories to share with your community on Juneteenth and beyond

On June 19, 1865 in Galveston, TX, enslaved African Americans were finally informed of their freedom, despite the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation two years prior. Juneteenth is also referred to as “Freedom Day”, “Emancipation Day”, and “Juneteenth Independence Day.” The first celebrations of Juneteenth were about honoring former enslaved people. Today celebrations of Juneteenth consist of gathering with family, BBQs, parades, festivals, beauty contests, and other celebratory events to remember the lives of their enslaved ancestors.

For those who would like to learn more, we recommend reading “Juneteenth: The Growth of an African-American Holiday” and “So You Want to Learn About Juneteenth?”

Learn more about these books →

Rewild Your Life with Outdoor School!

Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Odd Dot are introducing Outdoor School, an immersive, eight title series from some of the most-recognized names in the outdoor community, encouraging kids to put away their screens and head outside. From rural to urban communities and from outdoor enthusiasts to cautious new adventurers, there is something for everyone! Click through to explore these books!

Learn more about the Outdoor School series + read educator case studies →

Books for Mental Health Awareness Month

These books for kids and teens sensitively deal with tough topics and big emotions. Perfect for SEL units, these stories normalize mental health issues, promote the importance of self-care, and provide more resources for young readers who are struggling to process big emotions like anger, sadness, anxiety, and loss. Share these stories with young readers to let them know they are not alone.

Find books for Mental Health Awareness Month here →

Books Featuring a Character with a Disability

  • What Stars Are Made Of – Twelve-year-old Libby, who has Turner Syndrome, enters a contest to raise money in prep for her sister’s new baby
  • Master of His Fate – a nonfiction title about FDR’s experience with polio
  • Not So Different – Shane Burcaw, who has spinal muscular atrophy, tackles many of the mundane and quirky questions that he’s often asked about living with a disability
  • My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay – Zulay, the main character, is blind and works with friends to reach her Field Day goal of running a race
  • How to Make Friends With the Sea – the main character has anxiety and selective mutism and discovers how friendship can help him overcome his fears
  • All He Knew by Helen Frost – a novel in verse about an institutionalized deaf boy during World War II who finds hope and friendship in the midst of oppression
  • The Brave by James Bird – a boy with OCD is welcomed by his new family and befriends the quirky neighbor
  • Marshmallow and Jordan by Alina Chau – Jordan, a girl in Indonesia who uses a wheelchair, finds a way to be an athlete again after her accident