Tag: Picture Books

Storytime: Author Emmy Kastner reads Nerdy Babies: Weather

Nerdy Babies is a picture book series that will ignite curiosity in even the youngest readers and encourage them to ask questions and explore the world around them. With bright colorful art and easy-to-read text, the Nerdy Babies series encourages the youngest readers to explore the natural world around them from the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space!

In Emmy Kastner’s newest picture book, Nerdy Babies: Weather follow our intrepid babies into the eye of the storm. Experience sunshine, wind, rain, and other weather patterns. Plus, learn about how we predict the weather in this simple text written in question and answer format. Watch Emmy read from the book below:

Download the Nerdy Babies Activity Kit here, for more STEM-filled fun!

Watch more author storytimes here.

Storytime: Mahogany L. Browne reads WOKE: A Young Poet’s Guide to Justice

A great read-aloud for National Poetry Month! Author Mahogany L. Browne gives a read-aloud performance of WOKE: A YOUNG POET’S GUIDE TO JUSTICE, written by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood; illustrated by Theodore Taylor III; foreword by Jason Reynolds.

Woke: A Young Poet’s Guide to Justice is a collection of poems to inspire kids to stay woke and become a new generation of activists.


Praise for WOKE:
★ “Read it; gift it; use it to challenge, protect, and grow.”—Kirkus, starred review

★ “An important book that demands to be seen. It adds to the conversation of #OwnVoices and speaks to a young person’s need for expression and social justice.”—School Library Journal, starred review

Download a free National Poetry Month poster featuring artwork from WOKE and find more poetry books here.

Watch more author storytime videos here.

Storytime: Stacy McAnulty reads Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years for Earth Day!

“Hi, I’m Earth! But you can call me Planet Awesome.” Celebrate Earth Day with a special storytime reading by author Stacy McAnulty of Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years!

Stacy McAnulty’s fact and fun-filled Our Universe picture book series invites children to explore our solar system from the points-of-view of the celestial bodies that hang out among the stars. These charming and humorous “autobiographies” are beautifully illustrated by such artists as Stevie Lewis and David Litchfield.

Mars! Earthlings Welcome (Our Universe, Volume 5)
coming in 2021!







Find more books for celebrating Earth Day here.

Find more author storytimes here.

Storytime: Charles R. Smith Jr. reads BLACK JACK: THE BALLAD OF JACK JOHNSON

A great read-aloud for National Poetry Month! Author Charles R. Smith Jr. gives a read-aloud performance of BLACK JACK: THE BALLAD OF JACK JOHNSON, giving readers and listeners some fascinating historical insight throughout his reading.

Jack Johnson was one of the most renowned Black boxers of the twentieth century. Through hard work and persistence, he climbed the ranks, taking a swing and a jab and eventually busting the color barrier. As the first black man to win the Heavyweight Championship, there was more than a title on the line.

This beautiful picture book is an extraordinary marriage of poetry and fabulous collage artwork by Shane W. Evans.

“Charles Smith’s poetry surges along, with a forceful rhythm that joins ballad and rap, as he follows ‘a mighty, fightin’ man,’ challenging the color line as well as individual opponents around the world. Shane Evans’ illustrations make Johnson’s body a monument to intelligence and power.” —Chicago Tribune

★ “This book is sure to be championed by reluctant readers with energy and restlessness just like Johnson’s, but it is a strong selection for library and classroom read-alouds as well.” —School Library Journal starred review

★ “The elegant simplicity and rat-a-tat rhythms land some stunners . . . enhanced by Evans’ lithe and swaggering artwork, which lends a tremendous visual charisma, grace, and grandeur.” —Booklist starred review

Storytime: Jonathan Stutzman & Heather Fox read LLAMA DESTROYS THE WORLD

Join author Jonathan Stutzman and illustrator Heather Fox for MacKids Storytime, sharing one of our favorite dancing-filled read alouds, LLAMA DESTROYS THE WORLD! Grab a snack and your dancing pants, and tune in!

Tune in for new MacKids Storytime every Friday on Twitter! Watch more author storytime videos here.

For even more read-aloud fun–don’t miss llama’s second laugh-out-loud adventure in LLAMA UNLEASHES THE ALPACALYPSE!

Activity Kits: The Stead Collection

Explore the world of Philip C. Stead + Erin E. Stead through The Stead Collection activity kits!

Philip C. Stead is the author of the 2011 Caldecott Medal book, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, as well as Bear Has a Story to Tell, an E.B. White Honor Book.

Erin E. Stead is the illustrator of the 2011 Caldecott Medal book, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, as well as Bear Has a Story to Tell, an E.B. White Honor Book.






Download the activity kits here→

Celebrate National Poetry Month This April!

Download our new National Poetry Month poster, featuring WOKE written by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood; illustrated by Theodore Taylor III; foreword by Jason Reynolds

Historically poets have been on the forefront of social movements. Woke is a collection of poems by women that reflects the joy and passion in the fight for social justice, tackling topics from discrimination to empathy, and acceptance to speaking out.

We’re celebrating all month long on social media with our favorite poems and poets–follow along at #mackidspoetry!

Find more poetry books and download a free poster here →