Spotlight on FLIP: "Press Here" by Herve Tullet

Have you noticed the black bags with blue or green labels at your local St. Louis County Library branch? Those bags are part of an awesome program called FLIP (Family Literacy Involvement Program). FLIP was developed by the Houston Children’s Museum in partnership with the Houston Public Library. SLCL received a grant to create a limited number of kits for six branches in 2011. The kits proved to be so popular we had to create more! Now FLIP kits are in all 20 SLCL branches. And we are creating more every year!

FLIP kits contain everything needed for parent and child to have a great shared literacy experience. Each kit contains a book, activity sheet and supplies.

FLIP KIT: Press Here by Herve Tullet

Ages: PRESCHOOL (3-5 years)

This kit contains the book “Press Here” by Herve Tullet. After reading the book with your child use the activity sheet to get ideas for creating his/her own 'magic' book. The kit also contains a small notebook, dot stickers and pencils/crayons to help your child create their own book to keep for themselves.

Book Trailer: "Counting Crows" by Kathi Appelt

We are not talking about the nineties-tastic band when we talk about "Counting Crows." We're talking about a picture book by the always fantastic Kathi Appelt. If you like the trailer below, click on the link to reserve a copy today, and get counting!

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Octopus Ahoy!: Exloring the Ocean with "The Octopus Scientists" by Sy Montgomery

If you don't know anything about octopuses, you really should fix that. Right now. They are a brilliant and little-studied mollusk that has captured the imaginations of people everywhere for centuries. Now you have a chance to look in-depth at what it's like to hunt down octopuses in the ocean for study. Did you know that octopus scientists administer personality tests? Or that an octopus is colorblind, but can change it's skin color to blend in wherever they are? So amazing! You can read all about it in "The Octopus Scientists" by Sy Montgomery. Follow a group of scientists as they hunt down and research some eight-legged oceanic wonders. With beautiful photographs along the way, you'll feel like you're right there with them. Best for third grade readers on up.

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Kids Music Friday: "Robot Dance" by the Pop Ups

Having a bad day? Here's a video from the Pops Ups that's guaranteed to make you smile . . . and dance! "Robot Dance" may be the catchiest version of a freeze dance that I've ever heard. Be careful, or you just might split your pants! If you love it, you can check out their album "Appetite for Construction" and listen to it everywhere!

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Dewey Discoveries: "Edible Numbers" by Jennifer Vogel Bass

Have you ever taken a minute to think about how beautiful vegetables are? If you haven't, you now have a great opportunity to not only admire the variety and beauty of vegetables, but to count them as well. Check out "Edible Numbers" by Jennifer Vogel Bass and get counting with your young one, then pick out your favorite veggie and cook something delicious! Appropriate for preschoolers to grade one.

Dewey Number: 513.2



--Andrea W., Headquarters

Summer Science: Explore Missouri's Geography!

Summer is the perfect time to explore and learn fun new things about the world around us! Take advantage of the longer days and (hopefully!) more free time to get outside with the kids in your life and celebrate science.

Geography is so much more than memorizing states and capitals, and Missouri is full of interesting geography. With a plethora of rivers, hills, and even some canyons, our state has plenty to see and learn about. So get out a map and go exploring with your little ones this summer! Check out the books below to help you get started on your journey.

"Maps and Geography" by Ken Jennings

This is a fun and kid-friendly geography guide to get you started

"Geography: a visual encyclopedia" by John Woodward

With beautiful photographs, this book covers all things geography related.

"60 Hikes within 60 Miles: St. Louis" by Steve Henry

Grab your compass and this guide book and go find geography off the page!








Happy exploring!

--Andrea W., Headquarters

Celebrating African American Children's Literature: Bryan Collier

Bryan Collier is a master storyteller and artist and each of his works represents children’s literature at its best. His very first book, “Uptown”, won two prestigious awards -- the Coretta Scott King Award and the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award. “Uptown” feels like a school field trip to Harlem with the young narrator as our guide. 

A handful of my favorite Collier books includes two biographies: “Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, and Slave”, the story of an artist who lived in the mid-1800’s and “Rosa”,a biography of Rosa Parks.

“I,Too, Am America” celebrates the poem of Langston Hughes.  

“Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream For Me”, is an emotional and heartfelt story of a young boy’s longing for his father who has been unexpectedly imprisoned.

Bryan Collier continues to create meaningful, tender, beautiful books that are enjoyed by readers of all ages.

--Teresa R., Sachs