During the COVID pandemic, the start of a school year has felt a little different. Whether your kids are going to class wearing masks and unable to hug friends, or moved completely to homeschooling, school time has required adaptations from all of us. Find some inspiration in these stories of different school situations, across time and around the world.
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This Is My Home, This Is My School For young Jonathan and his sisters, Mom is the teacher and a whole lot more, and Dad is the best substitute any kid could want. From math, science, and field trips to recess, show-and-tell, and art, a school day with this intrepid, inventive family will seem both completely familiar and totally unique. |
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by Katy Beebe & Sally Wern Comport A boy growing up in Ancient Egypt begins his first day of scribe training by traveling the Nile to his school. A twist on the first-day-of-school story that shows readers that feeling nervous is universal, even for kids growing up in an ancient civilization. |
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Steamboat School: Inspired By a True Story by Deborah Hopkinson & Ron Husband In 1847 St. Louis, Missouri, when a new law against educating African Americans forces Reverend John to close his school, he finds an ingenious solution to the new state law by moving his school to a steamboat in the Mississippi River. |
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The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard & Oge Mora In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. At age 15, she was freed, and by age 20, she was married and had her first child. By age 68, she had worked numerous jobs, including cooking, cleaning, babysitting, and selling sandwiches to raise money for her church. And at 116, she learned to read. An inspirational story of a woman whose long life and determination proved that you're never too old to learn.
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Off to Class: Incredible and Unusual Schools Around the World Education is not readily available for kids everywhere, and many communities are strapped for the resources that would make it easier for kids to go to school. In short, it's not always easy getting kids off to class -- but people around the world are finding creative ways to do it. In this book, travel to India, Burkina Faso, Brazil, Uganda, and a dozen other countries, to visit some of these incredible schools, and, through personal interviews conducted by author Susan Hughes, meet the students who attend them too. |
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Every morning, a young girl walks her grandmother to the Aajibaichi Shala, the school that was built for the grandmothers in her village to have a place to learn to read and write. A moving story about the power of education.
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Youth Services Librarian Allison
Bring home a fun new project! Sign up from our Library Calendar and pick up a kit at the Youth Services desk or through our Parking Lot Pickup service between August 9-20.
Toddler & PreK: Cotton Swab Painting
Use a cotton swab to dip, dot, and dash paint until your work of art is complete. Register for the August Toddler & PreK Take-and-Make Kit here.
Your kit contains:
- Cardstock
- Cotton swabs
- Five containers of paint
Directions:
1. Take all of your items out of the box.
2. Use a cotton swab to apply paint to a sheet of cardstock.
3. Let dry.
4. Enjoy your beautiful masterpiece!
Extension Questions/Discussion
- Talk to your child about the different colors of paint. What are they? Can they be mixed to create new colors? Do you see anything else in the room that is the same color?
- Experiment with different application techniques. Try dotting the paint, or dragging the swab across the paper. Does it feel different? Can you make the same shape, once using dots and once using dashes?
Show us what you created! Send us pictures at youthservices@balibrary.org.
Grades K-2: Shaving Cream Marble Painting
Use shaving cream and paint for a sensory art experience. Register for the August Grades K-2 Take-and-Make Kit here.
Directions:
1. Spray a layer of shaving cream into a shallow container or tray.
2. Using the pipettes, drip paint onto the shaving cream.
3. Swirl the colors together with a small popsicle stick.
4. Press a piece of paper down onto the top of the shaving cream.
5. Lift paper up and scrape all of the shaving cream off with a large popsicle stick.
6. Repeat! You may not need to add a new layer of shaving cream every time.
Show us what you created! Send us pictures at youthservices@balibrary.org.
Grades 3-8: Birdhouse Painting
Paint a house for our tiny feathered friends, then fill it with birdseed and display it in your yard. Register for the August Grades 3-8 Take-and-Make Kit here.
Allergy Warning: The Birdseed in this kit is manufactured in a facility that handles major allergens including peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish, and soy products. Therefore this product may contain such allergens.
Your kit contains:
- 1 wooden birdhouse
- 3 bottles of acrylic paint
- 1 foam paintbrush
- 1 nylon hair paintbrush
- 1 bag of birdseed
Directions:
1. Find a good spot where you can get a little messy while painting your birdhouse.
2. Spend some time thinking about how you’d like to design your birdhouse.
3. Start painting! There’s no wrong or right way to paint your birdhouse. The foam brush will work well painting a larger surface, while the nylon hair brush will help you to paint smaller details, like a flower or sun.
4. Once you’ve finished painting, let your birdhouse dry overnight.
5. Scoop some bird seed into your birdhouse, and find a good place to hang it outside.
6. Now you can admire the beauty of your birdhouse, while also doing some backyard birdwatching!
Bonus! All Ages Kit: Summer Reading Badge Display
Create a place to display and admire all of the badges you worked so hard to earn during Summer Reading. Register for the Bonus! All Ages Take-and-Make Kit here.
Show us what you created! Send us pictures at youthservices@balibrary.org.
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Alyssa
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Thank you to everyone who has checked out a DIY Seek-and-Find Photography Kit, inspired by our Book of the Summer, Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake. Here are some photos you all captured and shared. See if you can find Skunk, Badger, and one little chicken in each of these kid-created tableaus! |
From Cooper:
From Duncan:
From Lyla:
From Molly and Maddy:
Find activity ideas, discussion questions, and booklists on our webpage all about Skunk and Badger. You can also earn the Book of the Summer badge in our Summer Reading program!
Youth Services Librarian Allison
The Library's new Teaching Garden is now officially open. To celebrate, we created a special kit that was given away at the grand opening. We still have plenty left, and can be picked up at the Youth Services desk as a first come first served basis. The kit is a build your own bird feeder, that includes instructions on how to make them. Adult Services will also have a kit available in the Atrium of the library for adults.
Allergy Warning: The Birdseed in this kit is manufactured in a facility that handles major allergens including peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish, and soy products. Therefore this product may contain such allergens. Wash hands after handling birdseed.
Video Instructions for the Cookie Cutter Bird Feeder:
Inspired to learn more about gardening? Check out these gardening books available to check out from the library.
Looking for more recommendations? Fill out our form to get a custom list of reads or a Book Bundle for pickup.
Youth Services Specialists MaryJo
Whether your aspiring environmentalist is looking to make small changes in their little corner of the world, or one day hopes to write world-changing legislation, there's something here for everyone.
Looking for more recommendations? Fill out our form to get a custom list of reads or a Book Bundle for pickup.
Youth Services Specialist Stefanie
Here’s a not-so-secret secret we librarians count on during Story Time: underpants always work. Kids love the silliness of seeing underwear or even bare bottoms in picture books. Here are some recent books celebrating the joys of the posterior.
Sign up for our monthly newsletters to learn about the latest and greatest books coming to the Barrington Area Library.
Youth Services Librarian Allison
Bring home a fun new project! Sign up from our Library Calendar and pick up a kit at the Youth Services desk or through our Parking Lot Pickup service between July 12-23.
Toddler & PreK: Tape Resist Art
Use tape to create shapes on your canvas. Paint over it, then remove the tape to reveal your masterpiece. Register for the July Toddler & PreK Take-and-Make Kit here.
Your kit contains:
- one canvas
- one paint brush
- one roll of masking tape
- three containers of paint
You may also need a cup of water to rinse your brush and paper towels to wipe the brush off between colors.
Directions:
1. Take all of your items out of the box.
2. Remove the plastic from the canvas.
3. Create a shape, letter, or design of your choice with the masking tape on the canvas.
4. Use your brush to apply paint all over the canvas. Don’t worry about covering the masking tape.
5. Let dry.
6. Remove the masking tape from the dried canvas.
7. Enjoy your beautiful masterpiece!
Extension Questions/Discussion
- Talk to your child about the different shapes they can make with the tape. How many sides should the shape have? How many different shapes can you make?
- Ask your child if they can make the first letter of their name with the tape.
- Talk to your child about the different colors of paint. What are they? Can they be mixed to make new colors?
Show us what you created! Send us pictures at youthservices@balibrary.org.
Grades K-2: DIY Bubble Wand
Create your own bubble wand, then mix up some bubble solution for tons of fun. Register for the July Grades K-2 Take-and-Make Kit here.
Making your bubble solution:
- Pour 3 cups of water into a large container
- Pour the blue dish soap into the container. Slowly stir until the dish soap is mixed.
- Pour the corn syrup into the container and mix slowly. The bubble solution can be used immediately, but it will improve if it sits overnight.
Creating your bubble wands:
1. String beads on pipe cleaner.
2. Form pipe cleaner into a shape, and twist around dowel rod.
3. You may need to spread the beads around the pipe cleaner to distribute the weight.
4. Multiple pipe cleaners can be put on the dowel rods, if you desire.
5. Dip pipe cleaner into bubble solution and blow bubbles.
Bubble Snakes:
1. Place the sock over the bottom of the cut water bottle and wrap the rubber band around it. It’s okay if the bottle gets a little crunched.
2. Squeeze food coloring onto the bottom of the sock. You can use multiple colors. The food coloring can stain clothing.
3. Dip the bottle with the sock into the bubble solution. Blow bubbles through the opening at the top of the bottle.
Show us what you created! Send us pictures at youthservices@balibrary.org.
Grades 3-8: Mini Zen Garden
Take a mindful moment as you design your mini Zen garden and enjoy the calm. Register for the July Grades 3-8 Take-and-Make Kit here.
Show us what you created! Send us pictures at youthservices@balibrary.org.
In addition to our popular Read-Along Picture Books and Beginning Readers, we now offer Chapter Books with a built-in audio player! These are perfect for elementary kids who are gaining confidence and fluency, or any kids who just enjoy hearing a book read aloud.
They are simple to use, have a long-lasting battery, and you can either listen with the built-in speaker or your own headphones. When you pause the recording, the device will hold your place for you.
Find all of our Read-Alongs at the Library, or request one from home using our online catalog.
Tip: Want personalized reading suggestions? Fill out this form and you’ll receive a customized list direct to your inbox!
Youth Services Librarian Allison
You danced, you read some good books, and you celebrated Pride Month with the Barrington Area Library! But there are so many fantastic LGBTQ+ affirming books in our collection, and you want to read them all! Here are some of our most recent favorites you can read during Pride Month, and any time of the year. And if you're looking for some recommendations for all ages, we have a list for that too.
Looking for more recommendations? Fill out our form to get a custom list of reads or a Book Bundle for pickup.
Youth Services Specialists Stefanie & MaryJo & Youth Services Librarian Allison
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, happens on June 19 every year. Juneteenth celebrates the ending of slavery in the United States.
On June 19, 1865, the Union troops went to Galveston, Texas, to announce the Emancipation Proclamation, and free the last state with enslaved Black people.
Juneteenth is now a Federal holiday. Celebrate Black history, excellence, and joy, and learn more about what makes Juneteenth a special holiday, with a book from our booklist.
Youth Services Specialists MaryJo & Stefanie
Inspired by our Book of the Summer, Skunk and Badger, we’ve created some special edition backpacks: Book of the Summer Kits! This is our DIY Seek-and-Find Photography Kit. Inside, you’ll find the tools to create your own image inspired by the art in books like I Spy and Find Momo.
Here’s a few I made around the Library. Can you find Skunk, Badger, and Chicken?
Try creating your own scene and hiding the skunk, badger, and chicken figurines. Send your photo to youthservices@balibrary.org and we’ll share it here on the Blog!
Find activity ideas, discussion questions, and booklists on our webpage all about Skunk and Badger. You can also earn the Book of the Summer badge in our Summer Reading program!
Youth Services Librarian Allison
Bring home a fun new project! Sign up from our Library Calendar and pick up a kit at the Youth Services desk or through our Parking Lot Pickup service between June 14-25.
Toddler & PreK: Paper Bag Kites
Decorate a paper bag and watch it soar as a kite. Register for the June Toddler & PreK Take-and-Make Kit here.
Instructions:
1. Decorate your paper bag with crayons and washi tape.
2. Glue 6 streamers to the bottom of your paper bag. You will need to overlap them to fit all 6 on.
3. Tie a piece of twine to the middle of one of the popsicle sticks.
4. Open the paper bag. Put the popsicle stick with the twine on it inside the bag and thread the string through the hole at the bottom of the bag. Your bag has two holes punched in it, but you only need to thread the string through the hole at the bottom of the bag.
5. The string will be your kite string and the popsicle stick will keep it in place in the bag.
6. Fly your kite by holding on to the string and running. If the string is too long for your child, wrap it around their hand. Enjoy flying your kite!
Show us what you created! Send us pictures at youthservices@balibrary.org.
Grades K-2: Make Your Own Kinetic Sand
Mix together the ingredients to make moldable sand that won’t stick to your hands. Register for the June Grades K-2 Take-and-Make Kit here.
Show us what you created! Send us pictures at youthservices@balibrary.org.
Grades 3-8: No-Sew Pillows
Spruce up your space with a DIY pillow — no sewing skills required. Register for the June Grades 3-8 Take-and-Make Kit here.
Your kit contains:
- two squares of fleecy fabric
- one bag of stuffing
- one ring-shaped paper stencil
- one piece of chalk
- one roll of tape (optional)
You will also need one pair of very sharp scissors.
Instructions:
1. Lay out one square of fabric on a table or desk. Place the paper stencil on top of the fabric. Optionally, use the tape to hold the stencil in place.
2. Using the chalk, trace both the outside circle and the inside circle on the fabric. It's okay if your work isn't super neat.
3. Set the first square aside.
4. Lay out the second square of fabric, put the stencil on top, and trace the same two circles (outside and inside edges) on the fabric.
5. Using your sharp scissors, cut along just the outside (larger) chalk line on both of the fabric pieces. Leave the inside (smaller) chalk circle alone for now.
6. Layer the two fabric circles on top of each other, as exact as you can.
7. Cut slits from the outer edge of the fabric circle to the inside chalk line. Cut through both layers of fabric at once. You're making fringe strips, about 1/2-1 inch wide. Keep your scissors pointing towards the middle of the circle as you cut slits all the way around.
8. Don't separate the two layers!
9. Take the top and bottom layers of one set of fringe, and tie a double knot, connecting the front and back of the pillow.
10. Continue to tie knots around the circular pillow.
11. Leave a few inches untied, enough space you can put your hand in the pillow.
12. Stuff the pillow with stuffing, as much or as little as you'd like.
13. Finish tying the fringe strips all the way around the pillow.
14. Trim any fringe if it looks too long or uneven.
Show us what you created! Send us pictures at youthservices@balibrary.org.