BKLYN Kids
Fun books and activities for kids from our children's librarians.
Book World Episode 3: Read, Play, Grow!
Grown-ups, you’re going to love this episode! You’ll learn simple things you can do to help children become great readers. We’ll even talk about how you can get babies ready for reading. But as always, this will be fun for children as well!
BKLYN Kids Presents: Great Podcasts for Kids & Grown-ups!
Are you a person who cannot start their commute without that favorite true crime or comedy podcast downloaded and in your queue? Whether you are a public radio nerd or just now discovering podcasts for yourself, I’m here to tell you that your kids can listen to podcasts, too! The children's podcast industry is growing, and a lot of them are educational and designed to be listened to as a family. So, you don’t have to put in your own headphones when you turn on these pods for your kiddos!
BKLYN Kids Presents: Summer Reading 2022!
On Saturday, June 4th we kicked off Summer Reading at Brooklyn Public Library! This year is extra special because it's also BPL's 125th birthday, and You're Invited!
Talking About Gun Violence with Children: Supporting Early Conversations
Talking about and understanding the news with young children can be hard, especially when the news is as scary, confusing, and heartbreaking as it has been in recent weeks. In this post you will find a list of helpful strategies you can use to engage with your young ones about recent tragic events, booklists, and a video from our friends at Sesame Street.
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month so we will be sharing resources: information, books and programs all about mental health for children. Information: Mental health is important at all ages!
Kids Create: Pipe Cleaner Daffodils
Spring has sprung here in Brooklyn! And in honor of all the growing new plant life, we are making some beautiful flowers out of pipe cleaners.
BKLYN Kids Presents: National Library Week 2022
This week we celebrate National Library Week! National Library Week runs from April 3-9 this year, and it's a special time when we recognize libraries, library workers, and all they do for us and our communities every day. The theme for this year's National Library Week is "Connect With Your Library," which promotes libraries as places where people can connect.
Exploring Online Resources: ScienceFlix
Today we are exploring another online resource that patrons can access using their library card. We will be looking at all of the exciting features of ScienceFlix!
BKLYN Presents: Black History Month Books to Celebrate
During the month of February, we celebrate Black History month and invite you to join the celebration! Carter G. Woodson, an African American historian and former slave, began the celebration in 1929 to celebrate the contributions of African Americans to the United States of America. At first, it was a two week-long celebration. Imagine a two week-long birthday party! He decided on February because it was the birthdays of two men who were very important in the lives of African Americans: Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
BKLYN Kids Presents: Celebrating the Year of the Tiger
Tuesday February 1st is the first day of the Lunar New Year. It is considered one of the most important and festive holidays in East Asia, and is celebrated by a number of countries, the largest of which is China. The Chinese zodiac calendar consists of 12 different animals, with each year cycling through a different animal. This upcoming New Year will be the Year of the Tiger. Festivities begin on January 31st, the Eve of the new year, kicking off a 15-day long celebration filled with fireworks and dances.
DIY Holiday Crafts Using Creativebug
Today I will be sharing how to access one of BPL's newest online resources for kids and adults and highlighting some great crafts that kids can make! These crafts are an excellent way to make indoor activities fun, form a creative practice and give some DIY gifts this holiday season.
BKLYN Kids Presents: Hanukkah Books to Feast Upon
Hanukkah Books to Feast Upon The year 2013 was a special year as the first night of Hanukkah coincided with Thanksgiving. Although the two holidays do not fall on exactly the same night this year, Hanukkah celebrants this year are looking forward to turkey and pie, followed by latkes and donuts in the same long weekend. Here are some Hanukkah books that are worth checking out after feasting on all your holiday favorite foods:
BKLYN Kids Presents: New Books for a New Year!
Books for Toddlers, Tweens and Everyone In Between By Samantha Owen, Marlene Michalek and the BPL New Books Committee -- Youth and Family Services
A Day of Mourning, Protest and Thanksgiving
No one knows when the "first" thanksgiving occurred. People have been giving thanks for as long as people have existed. Indigenous nations all over the world have celebrations of the harvest that come from very old traditions; for Native peoples, thanksgiving comes not once a year, but every day, for all the gifts of life.
Helping Your Child Through Vaccine Jitters
Now that kids 5 years and up can get the COVID-19 vaccine, we thought we would pull together a few tips and resources from BPL staff parents and children’s librarians for making it through the shot. Step 1: Educate yourself We know every parent wants what is best for their child and all of us have questions about any medication our child takes. Some parents we know got the vaccine the first week and others were more cautious and wanted to wait see. If you feel like you want a bit more information, here are some good sources to check out:
BPL Presents: Read to a Therapy Dog
Calling All Dog Lovers! Here at Brooklyn Public Library, we love dogs (and reading, of course!). That is why we are super excited when we get to combine the two. At the Central Library, we are fortunate to partner with the therapy animal organization PET PARTNERS to offer a monthly therapy dog program.
Kids Explore: Map Your World
Recently the Carroll Gardens Library hosted Community Word Project for an outdoor program called “Map Your World”. The program was led by teaching artist, Libby and it was a great opportunity to use maps as a way to discuss our communities and the things we value in them. We started by exploring a variety of different maps with the group.
BPL "Shelfies" Tribute
The world recently lost two great Children's Author/Illustrators: Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert. Both masters of bright colors and collage, their books bring vibrancy to our bookshelves and joy to our storytimes. As a tribute to their prolific work, BPL staff (and family!) took "Shelfies" with some of their favorite titles! All featured titles can be accessed at the end of the post.
BKLYN Kids Presents: Summer Reading 2021!
Have FUN this summer with books, activities, and virtual programs from Brooklyn Public Library! This Saturday, June 5 is the official launch of Summer Reading in Brooklyn! You can find fun virtual and in-person programs throughout the summer to help you get excited about reading what you love in a favorite spot at the beach, park or cozied up at home. And to help you carry your books home from the library this summer, Brooklyn Public Library is giving away colorful tote bags to toddlers and babies, kids and teens! We will also have some free book giveaways!
Book Talk: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month! Since 1992, this is the month where we highlight the accomplishments and contributions of the AAPI communities in the United States. With the unacceptable rise of anti-Asian violence worldwide, it is even more important to bring attention to these amazing books written by AAPI writers.
BKLYN Kids Presents: StoryWalks® And Rhyme & Play On Your Way
StoryWalks® are coming! StoryWalks® are coming! StoryWalks® are picture books installed at outdoor locations. You can walk and read and enjoy them together as a family. They will be installed very soon, or you may find one at one of the many BPL Outdoor Events that are sprouting up around the borough with giant bubbles, family entertainment, and of course, storytimes
COVID Remembrance Day
NYC has designated March 14th as a Day of Remembrance for those we have lost to COVID-19. This is a time when families can reflect on the past year, honor those we have lost, and connect with loved ones who are separated from us. Here are some ways to acknowledge the day with your family:
Kids Create: Yarn Friends
The Kensington library loves crafts with yarn. This month we are making cuddly yarn friends!
Book Talk: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festival celebrated and observed in East and Southeast Asia and overseas. The festival is held on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Lunar year, typically between mid September and early October in the Gregorian (western) calendar, when it is believed that the moon is at its brightest and fullest size, celebrating family and friends gathering and reunion, Thanksgiving, and Praying.
Library Card Sign Up Month!
September is National Library Card Sign Up Month! While this year may look pretty different from past years, and your library experience may look different as well, there are still ways to celebrate all the wonderful resources you and your family can access with a library card.
Book Talk: Books for the Jewish High Holidays
Tonight, Jewish families around the world will be celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah can take place in September or October, depending on the Hebrew calendar. There are quite a few Jewish traditions to starting the Jewish New Year off right, but one of my favorites is dipping apple slices into honey to welcome in the sweetness of the new year.
Fly Guy's Castle
One of my favorite books on the 2020 Summer Reading list is Fly Guy Presents: Castles! (also available in ebook format) I love joining Buzz and Fly Guy on their field trips in the Fly Guy Presents series. In this book, they visit a castle and learn so many great castle facts!
Kids Explore: Magical Adventures with Fairies
Book Talk: Maps in Children's Books
You know how books are. They have covers. You open them up, and there’s so much stuff before the story even starts. The copyright page, other books by the author, the dedication. Maybe there’s a table of contents or an epigraph or a... oh my gosh, could it be?… yes! Yes it’s a MAP!
Kids Create: Pride Pom-Poms
June is Pride Month! If you are part of the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LBGTQIA) community or an ally, show your pride with rainbow pom-poms!
Imagining Your Story: Myth and Folktales from Around the World
As the school year ends and those long summer days inch ever nearer, planning how to fill those hours is no easy task. Luckily, the fine librarians of the Brooklyn Public Library are bringing Summer Reading to the virtual space with the Beanstack app and our eReader services, Overdrive and SimplyE.
BKLYN Kids Presents: Juneteenth
Tech Play Recipe: Record Me A Story
Record Me A Story
Kids Explore: Flag Day
National Loving Day
Helping Children During Unrest
There are a tremendous amount of resources flooding our timelines right now to help families navigate the challenges around us. There are no simple explanations for the pandemic, the police brutality & Black Lives Matter protests, or the curfew our city is currently under. We have identified some resources that could help your family navigate conversations around race, unrest, and grief, that I hope will help children be able to find their voice and find answers they have been looking for.
Summer Reading 2020: Imagine Your Story
Summer Reading 2020 has gone virtual! This year's theme is Imagine Your Story – a celebration of fairy tales, folklore, mythology, and sharing your own unique story and voice.
Author Spotlight: Cynthia Weill
Cynthia Weill treated students at P.S. 139 Alexine A. Fenty Elementary School to an inside look behind the creation of her popular "First Concepts in Mexican Folk Art" book series during a recent virtual author visit. In her presentation, Weill showed students examples of artwork from several of her books, including Animal Talk, which features colorful creatures known as alejbrijes. She described for students the process in which artisans in Mexico carve sculptures using wood from the copal tree to create the alejbrijes.
Tech Play Recipe: Color Hunt
Color Hunt with Khan Academy Kids
Tech Play Recipe: Sink or Float
Tech Play Recipe: Sink or Float You will need: Smartphone or tablet PBS Kids Play and Learn Science App Low bin with water (optional)
Library Lab: Paper Engineering
What kinds of tools do you use at home?
Celebrate May Day With Fun Activities
Every May 1, people around the world celebrate a spring festival known as May Day that once heralded the start of the growing season during Medieval times.