Erin M.

  • Communicating with Kids Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing about COVID-19

    Finding the right words and communicating with children about COVID-19 may be difficult right now. Not all the resources out there meet the needs of all children. So, below are some resources that may help with communicating with deaf and hard of hearing children. The Washington State Department of Health has created an eight-part American… Continue reading

  • Bringing the Outside In: Resources for Families Missing the Great Outdoors

    This past weekend, major parks, beaches, and many trails were closed in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. But fear not, many of our favorite parks and organizations are offering fantastic online content to help satiate our appetites for natural beauty, park history, and more. First, be sure to check out this book… Continue reading

  • Children’s Authors Lead the Way in Creative Online Programming

    “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” ― Fred Rogers I have seen so many helpers stepping up during this pandemic but, as a children’s librarian, I’ve been so uplifted… Continue reading

  • Reconnect Virtually with Seattle Museums 

    Connecting virtually with our friends, families, co-workers, classmates – this new way of life is quickly becoming the norm. The way we interact with the world will forever be changed by this pandemic.  What seems to always be true in times of national crisis is the rise of creativity and ingenuity among people and communities.… Continue reading

  • Favorite Picture Books of 2017

    The “Best Books of the Year” lists are out in abundance, and your Children’s Librarians from the Seattle Public Library are eager to share some of their favorite books of the year as well. Picture books will always be my favorite format for children’s books. There’s so much variety, so much invention, and they simply… Continue reading

  • Seattle Public Library’s Favorite Picture Books of 2014

    Posted by Erin M. Can we all take a moment to celebrate the magic of a picture book? I am constantly amazed by the artistic and literary talent brought out in what is perhaps my favorite book format. The interplay between illustrations and prose found in a great picture book creates a special impact found… Continue reading

  • The Power of Truth: Easy Biographies for Kids

    Sometimes a book that tells a true story of a fantastic adventure or a monumental idea that changed the world can overshadow any picture book or work of fiction, simply because the story is true. There is something very powerful about telling a child, this story actually happened. Done well, children’s books can bring events… Continue reading

  • Emotional Picture Books: Picture Books about Feelings

    Posted by Erin M. Children experience a range of emotions every day. They can go from happy to frustrated to angry in mere moments, and every child experiences and expresses their emotions differently. Helping children understand and communicate those emotions is a big task, but sharing picture books with children may be one way to start.… Continue reading

  • Find the Zoo at the Library!

    A visit to the zoo is a great family outing during the summer months, and sharing a book or two with your kids before, during, or after your visit can be a great way to infuse literacy and learning into a fun filled day with the animals. There are so many great books about the… Continue reading

  • Family Reads: Trains and Trails

    Summer is finally here! Kids are out of school and vacations are under way, which means it’s a great time for kids to stock up on some great summer reads. I always love to start summer with a grand adventure, and I think many kids will as well. Kenneth Oppel’s The Boundless fits the bill… Continue reading

  • Summer of Learning: Zone in This Summer!

    On June 23rd, the Seattle Public Library will be launching a brand new Summer of Learning program! Zone In: Explore, Create, Connect! So, what’s so new and exciting about this summer program? This year, SPL is taking reading to whole new level! Many of you may have heard about a new focus in education and… Continue reading

  • Found in a Book

    Posted by Erin M. Recently, the Greenwood Branch of the Seattle Public Library displayed a remarkable collection of bookmarks in their front window, an assortment of tickets, photos, bumper stickers, stamps, playing cards, feathers, postcards, really anything that could fit easily between two pages. Individually, these objects aren’t terribly interesting or important, but when brought… Continue reading