Students, parents, and teachers alike would largely agree: 2020 was the most challenging year that the world of education has seen, likely ever. But 2021 brings great promise: teachers are being prioritized for vaccines, schools are reopening with strong safety results, and even the most reluctant of learners are seeing school more favorably given the experience they have to compare it to. So what, then, happens to online learning? Despite the challenges that nearly all families have seen with remote learning, and what is sure to be a joyful return to classrooms and playgrounds across the country, it remains inevitable that online learning is here to stay.
As with anything, moderation may be the key, but families have seen enough advantages to learning online that remote learning is bound to be a healthy part of most students’ educational diets, largely because of three undeniable factors:
1. Convenience & Comfort
While few elements of the COVID-19 era could be described as convenient, online learning has shown families that keeping up with students’ needs and interests doesn’t require an endless array of carpools and logistical hassles. Online tutoring sessions allow for after-school help at the click of a button and are even recorded for students and parents to review later. A whole array of enrichment and social activities are available from the comfort of home, too: book clubs, chess clubs, writing groups, music lessons, and more can all be joined remotely, allowing students the freedom to dabble in several interests and affording parents the luxury of coordinating that schedule without assuming chauffeur duty.
But convenience doesn’t just mean saving time and gas mileage. Students have seen that online learning provides many other conveniences, too. Online lessons allow for several modalities of communication, meaning that a shy student can participate frequently through anonymous polling or group chat without having to speak out in front of a large group until they’ve built up that level of comfort and confidence. Scheduling particular times and durations is much easier, too. Group study sessions aren’t restricted by library study room availability, and tutors are willing to schedule quick meetings without having to justify the time they spent commuting to and from such a short appointment for a minimal payday.
Even within sessions, there’s great convenience: when classes and tutorials meet online, the educator has access to a massive array of visual aids, practice content, video libraries, content recording, and more to make sessions come alive in just a few clicks. Simply put, online learning is a convenient way both to teach and to learn.
2. Personalization
For better or for worse, we’ve all seen technology personalize our daily experiences for us. The ads we see are personalized, our social media feeds are curated just for us, Netflix recommends what we should watch next, and our phones are constantly offering suggestions on what we may want or need. During the COVID era, families have begun to see how personalized online learning can be.
For one, personalized assignments and assessments can provide acute recommendations and minimize the time a learner spends in a state of boredom or frustration. Adaptive assignments can move students to new challenges before they get bored, and prompt students for self-reflection and course-correction—or deliver necessary baseline review—before they begin to cement bad habits or become demoralized by being in over their head. And while education traditionalists often respond to adaptivity by extolling the virtues of repetition, quality adaptive programs add the benefit of spaced repetition, serving review content in appropriate intervals at appropriate doses for each student.
Personalization extends beyond just adaptive homework. Geography has always forced some level of one-size-fits-all learning. Without a minimum number of interested students, for example, a school may not be able to offer a particular language, or AP class, or elective course. Or it may broadly group similar-but-different subjects into an overview course, meaning that a promising painter gets a few weeks on watercolors in a general “art” class, or an aspiring app developer dabbles shallowly in several languages and projects in her school’s only computer science class.
Online, however, meeting that minimum threshold to hold a class is easy because you’re not drawing from a neighborhood or region, you’re drawing from the world. Students can be grouped based on interest or proficiency, and elective classes can be as general or specialized as students have the capacity for. This has made a massive difference in the realm of special education, where students with learning differences can finally meet in groups of students the same age with the same challenges, all moving together in the same activities and realizing that they’re far from alone.
3. Access & Adoption
Proponents of remote learning have been touting all of the convenience and personalization benefits for years, but for many reasons adoption has been slow. For some families, it may have been access limits, such as bandwidth or available devices for each student. Others may have had trouble envisioning how a young learner would take to an online teacher and classmates, or been concerned how learners would adapt to extended screen time. And many would-be online teachers were in similar situations, struggling to write legibly on an online whiteboard with a keyboard trackpad or concerned about their webcam background.
Over the past year, however, those logistical and adoption hurdles have nearly all been cleared. Students have ready-made remote learning workspaces and devices, teachers have their favorite hardware and software tools down to second nature, and even while all-day, everyday online learning has been a grind for many, virtually all parents have seen their students click with an online lesson, a virtual field trip, or a remote extracurricular activity. And one thing is always true of technology: it never goes backward. Most teachers who spent the last year optimizing their online workspace and repertoire will seek out continual opportunities to evolve it. Families who invested in laptops and wifi upgrades will be open to online enrichment. And the companies that developed state-of-the-art learning tools will continue to improve them.
Which is not at all to say that online learning is an educational panacea; as we’ve seen over the past year, it’s quite clearly not. Absence may not always make the heart grow fonder, but in the case of schools, it certainly has. We’ve seen how much kids need to be around other kids, not just for socialization but also to whisper questions to each other, to compare answers from a homework assignment, or to turn a recent lesson into an inside joke (which really is just applying new knowledge to new situations, a hallmark of the “constructivism” concept they teach in ed school).
We’ve come to truly appreciate the value of teachers and the micro-engagements they have—quick, informal conversations; knowing glances across the room; seemingly-spontaneous encounters in the hallway to provide friendly-but-candid feedback or counsel—throughout the day with each student.
Ed-tech companies love to call their classrooms and self-study portals “learning environments” but despite generations of being called archaic, school buildings really are the effective learning habitats where pods of desks and spirit weeks and postered walls all serve the purpose of an immersive, collective learning experience that was missing, and truly missed, the past year.
So the virtual learning model isn’t the total technological disruption some may have predicted, here to destroy the paradigm of learning forever. Rather, it’s here to supplement it and enhance it.
Students won’t spend all day in front of a screen, but they may well spend an hour each school day taking an AP or elective course that their school wouldn’t have otherwise been able to offer. They won’t submit all their essays online to be graded by AI, but they’ll likely do some adaptive homework to ensure that the time they spend studying after school is challenging but not overwhelming, built from foundational principles without being too boring. And they’ll still spend plenty of time with friends from the neighborhood, but once or twice per week, they may meet to delve deep into their favorite books or hobbies with new friends from around the world.
Online learning isn’t coming to replace homeroom, homecoming, and every hour in between; it’s here to make a few hours a day more personalized, convenient, and accessible for learners and their families. Online learning is here to stay; you might even say it’s just getting started.
Brian Galvin is the Chief Academic Officer for Varsity Tutors. A lifelong educator with a Master's in Education, Brian's been teaching and developing online classes since 2009. He most recently helped design Virtual School Day, a free remote learning program that includes live, online classes to help students during coronavirus school cancellations.
We took a cue from Mr. Rogers and looked for the helpers, and when we did, we found some truly inspiring parents. Theses local moms and dads remind us that simple ideas really can make a big difference in the lives of others. Read on to discover Seattle parents who are making a difference and keep the good vibes rolling!
It wasn’t the pandemic that inspired Alison Scott to try her hand at entrepreneurship. It was her years of experience as a pediatrician, watching parents share the same questions and concerns that lead her develop babydocbox. This northeast Seattle mom of two launched babydocbox in November. It’s a thoughtfully curated subscription box that puts a pediatrician’s expertise at parents’ fingertips. Each themed box focuses on a different first-year developmental milestone, like sleep, feeding and illness to name a few. The boxes are filled with high-quality, safe, practical and fun products from local small businesses (and a few big ones too), alongside practical tips and advice straight from the pediatrician’s mouth. There’s a little something for moms in there too. (As a doctor, Scott realizes the seriousness of postpartum depression and includes postpartum resources and information in each box.) A year’s subscription includes six boxes, but parents can jump in any time during those first twelve months to get in on the action.
When the pandemic first hit, Tara Clark decided to call three friends each day just to check in on them. It was the call to her friend Vikki Cha that set things in motion for these three Seattle moms. Vikki was concerned about the impact the Pike Street Market’s closing would have on her parents, both farmers who sell their flowers there. So Tara offered to help, imagining she could sell the famed flowers on the sidewalk outside her Capitol Hill home. She spread the word through her social network and within five hours had pre-sold 50 dozen flowers to be picked up the next day. The next day she sold 100 dozen…then 200 dozen… then 250 dozen…and things blossomed from there.
Vikki, Tara and Xee worked non-stop those first few months coordinating with the Hmong farmers, and they saw first hand how excited people were to support the growers. As Tara explains, things came together organically, from the Mercer Island friend who sold over 100 dozen flowers on the island in a day, to a man who volunteered to build the group’s website, to connecting with Matt Galvin, co-owner of Pagliacci Pizza, who helped them set up pick-up spots in Madison Park, West Seattle and on Mercer. In the end, 53 Hmong growers sold with them and the season isn’t over yet.
Extra impact: Tara is also the force behind the Believe Love Unite signs you’ve probably seen (and possibly have) around town that start,“In this house, we believe…” Since she started selling the signs just three short years ago, she’s donated over $75,000 to non-profits like KUOW, The Village of Hope Seattle, Planned Parenthood, International Rescue Committee, It Gets Better Project and more.
Connect:Order flowers from the Pike Market growers through the end of the fresh flower season and get your Believe Love Unite merch here.
Donte Felder
courtesy Donte Felder
Award-winning teacher and father of four, south Seattle dad Donte Felder is the force behind the innovative South End Stories arts program. Funded by a Best Start Kids grant, the program focuses on engaging kids in four-dimensional learning experiences through the arts. Kids in the program make films, write poems and produce plays that are culturally-relevant and meaningful to them. Now going in to its third year, the program started at Orca K-8. It has since expanded to include partnerships with Pathfinder, Center School and Chief Sealth High School, and this summer it included free classes open to everyone. The programming was an invaluable resource for many kids during the pandemic, as they learned the basics of music production, how to create great characters and even got to deconstruct Hamilton, the musical. The team behind South End Stories’ innovative trauma-informed arts practice will offer another iteration this fall when students are engaged in distance learning.
Connect: Learn more about South End Stories, its programs and how to support it here.
Jane Park
Jane Park
When Jane Park, Queen Anne resident and mom to two teens, started Tokki in October of 2019, she had no idea where her next entrepreneurial adventure would take her. Then Covid hit, and in April she got a call from fellow entrepreneur Lisa Sun, CEO of Gravitas, saying her frontline worker friends were in need of fabric masks. Jane and Lisa put two and two together—Lisa’s sewing and design resources, and Jane’s 100% tight weave quilter’s cotton fabrics—and started making masks. Within a few hours, they had hundreds of orders. As Jane explains, they “wanted to do some good in these crazy times,” so the pair decided to donate one mask to a frontline worker in need for every mask purchased as a way to give back. To date, over 14,000 masks have been given away, many to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
Extra impact: Everything about these masks is made is the USA, and the cotton fabrics are eco-friendly. They biodegrade in five months, compared to synthetic fabrics that take 20-200 years. Find out more about Tokki’s commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and being socially responsible.
The day the statewide school closures were announced, South Park resident and mom to two teens, Lashanna Williams got things together to cook hot breakfast for the kids in her community. As the Covid safety measures evolved, Lashanna realized she needed a way to feed people outside, where they could stay socially distanced. This is how the Neighborhood Pantries came to be. Lashanna and four neighbors—Shawna, Robin, Brad and Tim—got to work. They set out tent-covered tables in four different spots, started taking donations and planned buying trips using Tim’s truck to make deliveries. Each Pantry is stocked with food and other necessities, like soap, menstrual products and masks. For over 200 days the group has kept the tables going using 100% community-donated funds. Lashanna, working with organizations like Food Lifeline and Urban Fresh Food Collective, has also arranged food box pick-ups (about 300 each Friday) and hot meals for kids (about 400 weekly) at the South Park Community Center. Although the Neighborhood Pantries will scale back their offerings at the end of this month, the South Park Community Center efforts will continue.
Connect: Contribute to the Neighborhood Pantries and Fridge by Venmo-ing Lady Lashanna or help with area rent-assistance efforts online.
Erin Ashe & Rob Wiliams
Jackie Hildering
If you and the kids tuned in to the Virtual Marine Biology Camp last spring, you’re probably familiar with Seattle-based whale researchers, Erin Ashe and Rob Williams. When schools closed, they wanted to do something fun and engaging for their six-year-old daughter and her friends, so Rob texted 10 families asking if they wanted to join their virtual marine biology camp. And that's where it all started. When the camp ended in May, over 30,000 kids had tuned in twice weekly on the Elevenses, from at least 10 different countries, to learn with Erin, Rob and their colleagues. The scientist parents loved connecting with curious kids and found their enthusiasm for all things whales and dolphins to be a bright spot in the early days of the pandemic. When the research season started, they had to close up camp, but they have plans to bring it back this fall.
Extra impact: Erin and Rob’s friend and colleague, Karen Sinclair spent hours transcribing episodes and combing through kids' questions to create this downloadable ebook everyone can enjoy.
Connect: Support Erin & Rob’s marine conservation efforts and get caught up on episodes of the Marine Biology Camp online. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see where and what they're studying around the Sound. Psst... they'll be at the Ballard Locks until September 14 using a cool underwater sound device to protect the salmon, if you want to stop by.
Parents of the West Seattle BLM Mural
Erik Bell
In the heart of West Seattle you’ll find the collective work of this group of parents who are concerned about racial justice and are working for change. From the artists and organizers, to the volunteers, financers and vendors, the West Seattle Black Lives Matter mural is truly a group effort. One of the group’s organizers, Mary, noted that the mural is a way to amplify the voices and value the work of the artists who painted it (they were paid to work on this community project). It’s also, as art often is, an accessible point where anyone concerned about racial justice can reflect, interact and share their thoughts using a QR code. The group hopes the mural continues to be a focal point for racial justice and community building. They plan to keep up with the mural’s maintenance and will host a commemoration next year, with some community activities in between.
It was while on a walk in his West Seattle High Point neighborhood, passing signs congratulating graduating seniors, that Andrew Mead had an idea. He wanted to do something to help launch the neighborhood kids into their next life chapter, and he knew from experience that something as seemingly simple as a $500 scholarship could do just that. So Andrew is organizing a $10,000 fund to be divided into 20, $500 scholarships for High Point’s class of 2020. His scholarship goal is inspired in part by the High Point community vision that strives to “foster the development of a vibrant and caring community in High Point, committed to service, inclusiveness, lifelong learning and well being” and in part by the Martin Luther King, Junior scholarship, offered through the Mount Baker Community Club. Andrew and his wife, both local business owners, are parents to three young kids, and they want the seniors to know the community has their backs. His hope is to make this an annual award, and he plans to hand out this year’s scholarships in early October.
It was on a trail in upstate New York that Elisabeth Lepine stumbled upon a StoryWalk with her daughter. She was instantly struck by how engaged her kiddo was, running excitedly from sign to sign to see what happened next. When she returned home, she knew she needed to bring this same exciting literary outdoor adventure to her local community. She recruited friends Jasmin Thankachen and Beth Yost, and together these Eastside moms started PopUp StoryWalk. They see the PopUp StoryWalk as a way to bring the community together. From working with local publishers, writers and illustrators, to highlighting local indie bookstores on each book’s end panel, these moms are thoughtful in their approach to making literature accessible and equitable. This fall (and beyond) families can find PopUp StoryWalks at nearby parks and libraries in Seattle and on the Eastside.
Connect: See where the PopUp StoryWalk will be next or make a donation online.
Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman
courtesy Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman
Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman, who calls the Laurelhurst neighborhood home, has always been passionate about fashion and about helping refugee and immigrant women. An immigrant herself, this pharmacist mother of two teens was able to bring her passions together in 2016 when she started the non-profit Refugee Artisan Initiative. The program gives women artisans the chance to use their sewing skills to earn money and support their families, with the end goal of helping them become entrepreneurs. When Covid hit, Ming-Ming knew the RAI could help. She started a Go Fund Me and was able to raise enough money to make 75,000 masks for healthcare providers in the PNW.
The group has also started sewing BLM and Vote masks so people can wear what they believe. Twenty percent of these sales go to support the ACLU. Other innovative mask designs include the window mask, designed with people who are deaf and hard of hearing in mind, and the newly launched Sip ‘n’ Snack mask that will allow people to eat and drink without removing their masks.
For more than seven years, Redmond resident, Dhaarmika Coelho has been actively working to spread kindness in her community. She’s the mom of two daughters and the founder of Camp Kindness Counts, an Eastside non-profit working to “empower kids and families to embrace kindness as a core value to community building.” The program started as a summer camp for 15 kids in 2012, and has grown to include camps, family service days, partnerships with local school districts and more. It also led her to partner with University of California Berkely’s Greater Good Science Center to develop the Kind World Explorers guidebooks. Part of the Families Building Communities of Compassion initiative, these guidebooks bring research-based practices to parents, with a focus on fostering specific character traits like gratitude, generosity, forgiveness, authenticity and flexibility. In the time of Covid, Dhaarmika has continued the kindness summer camps virtually.
Extra impact: Families can download the free kindness curriculum developed by Camp Kindness Counts to enhance distance learning.
Connect: Learn more about Camp Kindness Counts or make a donation here.
When Seattleite Julie Keegan, mom of three, set out to start a leotard company over two years ago, she knew very little about the fashion and manufacturing industry. What she did know was that if she was going to bring a product to market, it would have to follow ethical practices, use organic materials and be sourced locally. Thus Beautiful Uproar was born. Julie’s company makes adorable striped leotards (sizes 2-14), with as little impact on the environment as possible. She’s considered everything about this product, from the California-grown cotton and 100% organic liners, to the eco-friendly packaging that’s fully compostable and recyclable (psst…even the backing on the sticker labels can be recycled). To further reduce the environmental impact, Julie uses a family-owned, Seattle business to manufacture the leotards, and that’s good for our local economy, too. What’s up next for this mom-prenuer? Giving back to the community through charitable donations.
Connect: Get your organic leotard from Beautiful Uproar online.
Ivan Kerbel
Ivan Kerbel
Like many parents in his Mount Baker neighborhood, Ivan Kerbel, father of two young kids, found himself in a familiar rock vs. hard place situation when schools shut down in spring—how to support kids' social, emotional and educational needs while trying to work. So he sat down and created the Nano School Project, aimed at connecting families based on geography, interests and kids’ ages as a way to solve this overwhelming problem. Since he started, he’s had more than 1,500 families fill out the group’s basic survey. With the help of a couple of UW computer science professors, he’s recently been able to pair families into nano groups of three to five kids. His model relies on things like safety, scheduling and pay for tutors being coordinated and decided hyper-locally. It’s here that groups are also addressing issues of equity, with many groups including one student in need and absorbing the cost. For Ivan this is about setting the right frame of mind around a real problem, understanding that doing something, whatever that may be, and using technology to bridge distances and gaps, is an important legacy we leave for our kids.
Radical! Today, American Girl announced the launch of its first historical character in three years, Courtney Moore. She is a total ‘80s girl whose big, bright and bold ideas inspire today’s girls to find their inner hero to accomplish great things.
Growing up in 1986, Courtney’s story reflects the pop culture of the decade from sky-high hair, neon-colored fashions, music television and video gaming to major historical moments surrounding women in government and space exploration, as well as larger cultural shifts around blended families and emerging technology.
Courtney comes to life via an 18-inch doll with curly sandy-blonde hair that can be worn in a high side pony with scrunchie, plus accessories like a pretend cassette player and tape, colorful bangle bracelets, and pretend Lip Smacker lip balm. The Courtney doll arrives wearing a high-waisted denim skirt, a bright blue off the shoulder crop top, plus white faux-leather slouchy boots. Girls can add tons of new looks with Courtney’s 13-piece mix-and-match ‘80s fashion collection and spend hours playing with Courtney’s Bedroom Set with over 25 pieces—including a hot pink bunk bed, two rainbow comforters and pillows, and a see-through phone that lights up and rings.
Courtney’s world also includes several licensed products of ‘80s classics—including Courtney’s Caboodles and Hair Accessories Kit with a real mini Caboodle, plus Courtney’s Care Bears Pajamas for both girls and dolls and Courtney’s Care Bears Sleeping Bag Set. Fans can also level up with Courtney’s doll-sized PAC-MAN Arcade Game that plays like the real thing with multiple levels.
Any 80s girl can tell you how obsessed they were when American Girl launched in 1986. Courtney is no different. She has her own mini American Girl Molly doll, one of the first three historical characters released by the then newly-founded Pleasant Company. Molly comes in a replica of a Pleasant Company doll box, a mini version of the original Meet Molly book, and even a mini 1980s Pleasant Company catalog.
“The ‘80s are back, and we’re thrilled to celebrate this pop culture-defining decade with girls and their parents through Courtney,” says Jamie Cygielman, General Manager of American Girl. “For nearly 35 years, American Girl’s historical characters have helped to bridge the past and present, while providing inspiring role models through immersive storytelling and imaginative play. Likewise, Courtney’s story illustrates how to create positive change by standing up to fear, finding strength in every challenge, and developing empathy for others—qualities that are timeless and more important than ever. And to further our mission to help build girls of strong character and confidence, we’re partnering with Girls Who Code to help change the game when it comes to influencing female leadership in the fields of computer science and technology.”
Written by Kellen Hertz, the two-book series introduces girls to Courtney Moore, an avid gamer growing up with her blended family in the fictional town of Orange Valley, CA. Courtney loves going to the mall, especially the arcade, where she’s one of the top-scoring PAC-MAN players. But Courtney doesn’t only play video games, she’d like to create them and bring more girl characters to the forefront. When given a chance to create her own video game, Courtney looks to real-life heroes—like her mom, who’s running for mayor, as well as the astronauts on the Space Shuttle Challenger—as inspiration to invent a female superhero who’s bold, brave, and gives Courtney the courage to speak up for the people and ideas she believes in.
American Girl is partnering with Girls Who Code, a leading nonprofit that’s on a mission to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a computer programmer looks like and does. From now through Dec. 31, 2020, American Girl is matching customer donations dollar for dollar up to a maximum of $50,000 to support the organization’s programming and outreach to girls, including those from historically underrepresented minority groups. In addition, American Girl is providing a $5,000 scholarship to four deserving Girls Who Code members to help further their education in computer science or a related field. To learn more about how American Girl is helping Girls Who Code, visit americangirl.com/gwc.
“Girls are constantly online, using apps, playing games and more, that’s why it’s so important that they also see themselves on the other side of those products, actually building them,” says Reshma Saujani, CEO of Girls Who Code. “It’s our goal to show girls the power of learning this skill set so that they can code the future they want to live in and, ultimately, change the world.”
Other Courtney-themed activities and events include the following:
A 25-minute stop-motion “Meet Courtney: An American Girl Movie;” a new Courtney ‘80s-inspired music video; new Dolled Up episodes—featuring all the big hair fun Courtney and friends can handle; plus rad ‘80s DIY crafts on the brand’s popular YouTube and YouTube Kids Channel.
Visitors to American Girl retail stores on September 25 will receive a free Courtney craft and giveaway. And in early October, fans can “relax to the max” in an all-new ‘80s-themed immersive experience at American Girl Place-New York, featuring a Courtney-inspired bedroom with bunk beds and a revolving closet that mixes-and-matches her outfits, plus an ‘80s arcade with two real PAC-MAN video games to play.
A dedicated Courtney play site, goes live on Oct. 1, and includes free games and activities, like Courtney’s Mall Madness interactive experience; an ‘80s-inspired dance challenge tutorial; Courtney wallpapers and much more.
The Courtney collection is available Sept. 15, 2020, at americangirl.com, and starting Sept. 25, 2020, at all American Girl retail locations nationwide. Courtney products will be available on Oct. 1, 2020, at American Girl specialty boutiques at select Indigo and Chapters locations in Canada and online at Indigo.ca. The Courtney doll and book retails for $110 and the Courtney books ($7.99 each) can also be purchased through retail and online booksellers.
Girls Scouts is so much more than selling cookies.The organization equips girls with the knowledge they need to take action on issues they believe in. Girl Scouts of the USA has just announced 24 new badges designed to help girls practice leadership skills in civics, entrepreneurship, STEM career exploration and automotive engineering.
Civics (Grades K-12)
The Civics badges help girls gain an in-depth understanding of how local, state and federal government works. (Funded by the Citi Foundation).
Entrepreneurship (Grades K-12)
Girls will create and pitch a product or service that solves a real-life problem and build a business plan that explores about topics like production, cost, profit, marketing, and competition. (Funded by Susan Bulkeley Butler and designed in collaboration with VentureLab).
STEM Career Exploration (Grades 2-8)
Explore computer science, nature/environmental science, engineering, design, health, and agriculture. (Funded by IF/THEN, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies).
Automotive Engineering (Grades K-5)
Girls will learn all about designing, engineering, and manufacturing vehicles, as well as the future of mobility. (Funded by General Motors).
“The world has changed drastically this year, and now more than ever, it’s imperative to have strong leaders who can make informed decisions,” said GSUSA CEO Sylvia Acevedo. Our new badges will continue to build the world-changing female leaders of today and the future, particularly in key industries that propel our country forward: automotive engineering, entrepreneurship, civics, and STEM.”
Also beginning this summer, all councils will also have the opportunity to host their own Girl Scout Cyber Challenge sponsored by Raytheon Technologies. Middle and high school girls will learn cybersecurity skills as they compete in challenges such as running traceroutes and identifying phishing schemes. The Cyber Challenge prepares girls to pursue careers in computer science and cybersecurity.
Researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science may have a way to predict a mother-to-be’s risk for gestational diabetes—and it’s all thanks to some serious math!
The study, which was published in the journal Nature Medicine, analyzed data on almost 600,000 pregnancies from Israel’s Clalit Health Services. Using a computer algorithm, the researchers were able to find nine parameters that could predict the risk for gestational diabetes.
So what does this mean for you and other pregnant mamas? It’s possible with nine questions (the nine parameters) medical providers could accurately pinpoint risk for the disease well before the expectant mother shows signs of gestational diabetes.
Of the research, senior author Prof. Eran Segal of the Computer Science and Applied Mathematics and the Molecular Cell Biology Departments, said, “Our ultimate goal has been to help the health system take measures so as to prevent diabetes from occurring in pregnancy.”
We’ve been reading like madwomen (and children) to keep up with all the amazing books that came out in 2019. From bilingual board books to books that help kids deal with tough subjects like racism, cancer and more, this year showed a celebration of diversity, resilience and hope. We read every one of the books on this list (or our kids did) so this curated collection may not be all about the bestsellers, but it’s definitely a list to keep for years to come.
All Ages/Activity Books
1. Cakes for Kids: 40 Easy Recipes That Will Wow!
Gibbs Smith
Paris-based baker, food artist and cookbook author Juliette Lalbaltry's latest book starts with teaching kids (and their grown-ups) four basic cake recipes (lemon, yogurt, chocolate and rolled sponge). From these four bases she offers dozens of ideas for clever, totally doable decorations that will guarantee you'll never need to order another party cake.
Where's the Llama: An Around-the-World Adventure Book is a wonderfully illustrated, seek-and-find activity book that is not only fun, it helps build a child’s visual and cultural vocabulary. Follow the llamas as they travel around the world to a Dia de los Muertos parade in Mexico, the world-famous tulip festival in the Netherlands, explore jungles in Cambodia and so much more. By Paul Moran & Gergely Forizs.
3. Snackable Science Experiments: 60 Edible Tests to Try and Taste
Page Street Publishing
Scientist, educator, mom and Chief Experimenter Science Sparks, Emma Vanstone's new book will delight kitchen helpers and bored kids everywhere! From chemistry to structural engineering, kids can play with their food and learn new concepts all at once. The perfect antidote to winter break brain drain!
Ages: All ages, recommended for ages 6-11 but younger kids can get in on the fun with a little more help. Some adult supervision required.
4. Plantology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Plants
Chicago Review Press
Budding botanists and curious collectors alike will adore Plantology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Plants by science educator and author Michael Elsohn Ross. From plant skeletons to prop roots and all the mosses in between, this super cool book will have your kids looking at the natural world in a whole new way.
Ages: 7 and up (but younger kids may enjoy activities with parents/older siblings)
5. Easy Paper Projects: 60 Crafts You Can Wear, Gift, Use and Admire
Page Street Publishing
London-based Maggy Woodley, the imagination behind the popular craft blog Red Ted Art, has created a clever collection of paper craft projects that any kid can do. Use printer paper, construction paper or even old homework to make cute, exciting, adorable, silly and delightful projects, all by following easy step-by-step instructions with ots ofo photos to show you the way.
Ages: 4-11 (some grown-up help may be necessary for younger kids).
Looking for bilingual board books that stand out in a crowd? These two charmers, Lejos/Far and Cerca/Close, both by author Juan Felipe Herrera and illustrated by Blanca Gómez, definitely fit the bill. Clear, bold illustrations go beyond just words to include beautiful, poetic phrases that will embed themselves in your child's brain while helping them to learn the concept of "far" and "close."
El árbol de limones está lejos de mi casa. The lemon tree is far from my house.
Seven Van Gogh Geckos, 3 Lichtenstein Llamas...learn to count with animals reimagined in iconic artist's style with this adorable board book from Grace Helmer. From Warhol's warthogs to Kandinsky's kangaroos and more, you'll love reading this one to bébé!
Two board book versions of Brad Meltzer's best-selling Ordinary People Change the World series are now available for toddlers and preschool kids. I Am Kind, about Abe Lincoln and I Am Unstoppable, about Amelia Earhart, are a lovely addition to your child's first library.
It's never too early to teach kids about empathy, kindness and acceptance. This board book by Chana Ginelle Ewing, the Founder and CEO of Geenie, a women's empowerment platform, makes learning about concepts like gender, immigration and ability accessible to even the youngest of readers. Flip through the colorful pages to find letters like D is for difference or J is for justice explained in a way anyone can grasp. For any parent hoping to teach their child about multiculturalism and acceptance, this book is for you.
Ages: 3+ (as recommended on Amazon but this book is suited for any reader)
This month's Be Bold, Baby series releases include spotlights on Sonia Sotomayor and J.K. Rowling. These board books will teach your kids resilience, patience and fairness like these female leaders. Each book ends with a special message (and cool mirror): just be you.
Anyone with a toddler knows that they experience some big feelings, sometimes all in a span of five minutes! Turn to this book by Alice Le Henand and illustrated by Thierry Bedouet to explore all the emotions and feelings toddlers experience. They'll identify with Little Crocodile's sadness and Little Bear's fearfulness, as your kids pull the tabs in and out to bring these animals to life.
Babies put everything in their mouths and even the most sturdy board books can fall prey to a toddler's destruction. New this month is three titles from the popular Indestructibles series: The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Row, Row, Row Your Boatall by Amy Pixton and illustrated by Maddie Frost. All of these books are chew proof, rip proof, nontoxic, 100% washable and are super thin and light so they make for great reads to throw in your diaper bag.
Each book in this charming board book series follows a vehicle on its journey, introducing new readers to a host of words. Die-cut pages mean there's an interactive component, engaging those chubby little fingers in the story. This charming board book and its companion,Look, There's a Tractor (both out this April) are wonderfully illustrated by Dutch artist, Esther Arts.
We love this book for its innovative way of introducing colors to tots. Author Jacques Duquennoy uses die-cut pages and printed acetate to engage young readers as friends Zoe and Zack paint different colors and shapes. Find out what they're creating by turning each acetate page.
This new series from Mr. Boddington's Studio—a vibrant stationary store in Brooklyn—now includes San Francisco (the first one was NYC ABCs, released in May of this year). We love this clever way to teach kids the alphabet and explore a city in an off-the-beaten path way.
For kiddos into everything dump truck, demolition and building, this book is a real winner. Each page focuses on one aspect of construction like setting up, building a road and demolition. The book explains what happens during each stage and it's peppered with cool tactile experiences like raised bumpy rubble and sticky surfaces where paint is "drying."
This adorable lift-the-flap board book teaches kids all about shapes in the context of a vibrant food truck. Illustrator Lucia Gaggiotti's images are reminiscent of Richard Scarry books and bring life to the page.
Classics are reimagined in this new series of board books that take famous books and re-tell them with inclusive and charming illustrations. Two of these sweet books are available now, and there's more to come in 2020.
This book is part counting books, part funny tale about worms. Written in the same vein as The Book with No Pictures, the simple but brightly colored illustrations follow the adventures of 10 worms, And, although author/illustrator Will Mabbitt claims he can only draw worms, you'll still feel like it was a story about so much more. On sale March, 19th 2019.
How far will one mother shrew go just to help her sick son? She'll go to the moon, and back. This beautifully illustrated book by amazingly self-taught author/illustrator Kenneth Kraegel is as touching and moving as it is visually pleasing.
This gorgeous picture book from celebrated illustrator and artist Oliver Jeffers (of The Day the Crayons Quit fame) is a tale of a greedy man named Fausto and his journey to claim everything belonged to him. From claiming a flower to facing the sea, this simple but important story reminds us all of the power of kindness. Illustrated in traditional lithographic printmaking techniques, the images alone make this a must-have addition to your bookshelf.
Kids will learn the history of one of America's most celebrated band from A to Z in this gorgeously illustrated book. Young fans and adults will enjoy this fantastic journey of Metallica and with each purchase a portion of the proceeds will benefit Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation, "which is dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services."
Teach your kids about gender expression, kindness and inclusion in this new book from Sarah and Ian Hoffman. Jacob, the central character in this story, wears a dress. But, when he enters the boys bathroom the older kids make fun of him and tell him he isn't allowed. Jacob's friend, Sophie has a similar experience in the girl's bathroom. Discover what Jacob and Sophie—along with their teachers and classmates—do to teach inclusion and respect to others and how they shape their school's perception about gender expression. With colorful illustrations, a storyline kids and adults can follow and a positive, inclusive message both parents and kids can get behind, this new book is a must read.
Oh, Hey Grandude! The adventurous new tale from musician Paul McCartney followers a super cool grandpa as he takes his four grandkids on the trip of a lifetime. Told with beautiful illustrations, the whimsical story is great for your little wayfarers.
Dave Eggers is at it again with his newest release for kiddos ages 3-5, Tomorrow Most Likely. Publishing this month from Chronicle Books, this new read illustrated by Lane Smith reinvents the classic bedtime book. Instead of focusing on what happened that day, the little boy protagonist focuses on the future and imagines all the fun, dreamy and whimsical things that might happen tomorrow.
One dad faces the ultimate challenge: convincing his daughter that the weed on his perfectly manicured lawn must go. From trying to snip the dandelion at naptime to sneaking behind his daughter's back when he thinks she's not looking, Dad does everything to try to convince his daughter, Sweetie that the dandelion (which she lovingly names Charlotte) is not fit for his perfect yard. Find out what happens in this endearing and funny tale from Ame Dyckman and illustrator Charles Santoso in this book debuting this month.
In this endearing and funny picture book by Mike Boldt, find out what happens when a little girl REALLY wants a dog but ends up with a pet cat instead. Her pet "dog" Rocky doesn't behave like other dogs so what's a girl to do? Join along as she discovers that maybe a pet dog isn't all that it's cracked up to be.
This quirky but fabulous tale features a donkey, yam and ewe. Follow along as hilarious homonyms take center stage as the animals try to discern who is "ewe" and who is "you." Grammarians and little kids alike will laugh out loud at this hilarious story by Cece Bell.
For your non-fiction lover, this new book from author and photographer Walter Wick is just the thing. In A Ray of Light, Wick's stunning images are combined with easy-to-understand text. Kids will learn all about the speed, color, the spectrum and all the other complex secrets to light.
We're not sure what is the best part of this amazing new book; the original story based on mythology from the artists' native Mombai or the stunning illustrations created by Hari & Deepti, two paper-cut artists who bring the words to life. Both elements combine to make hands-down one of the most beautiful and unique books of 2019. The story about two children who learn that Silver Fox and Fire Wolf are anything but myths.
36. The End of Something Wonderful: A Practical Guide to a Backyard Funeral
Dealing with the death of a family pet can be a hard topic to get right when it comes to kids. This new book from author Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic is a practical guide to burying something wonderful that is now something dead. What could be an awkward topic turns into something delightfully empathetic with Lucianovic's prose and the charming illustrations of artist George Ermos.
Kiki Prottsman doesn't just know all about coding, she knows how to encourage, teach and get kids excited about learning to code...by reading. No small feat, getting kids to learn about greats like computer science pioneers Katherine Johnson and Alan Turing along with gleaning new skills, this impressive (and very colorful) book from DK is sure to be a hit.
This new picture book by Cedella Marley, inspired by one of Bob Marley's most loved songs, will inspire your kids (and you) to stand up for their rights and the rights of others. "When you meet someone talking big and thinking small...and their stinging words push your back against the wall...When their words bite, STAND UP for what's right." Beautifully illustrated by John Jay Cabuay, it's a perfect antidote in a bully-ish world.
This endearing little picture book is about love, acceptance and understanding that one sister, Piper the crow, has for her brother Otto. Otto is on the autism spectrum and this book is a beautifully-illustrated and thoughtfully-written way to teach children about differences and acceptance. Otto does some things and likes some of the same things his sister does. But he also does some things differently, and other kids don't always understand this. The author, Meg Raby,holds a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a certification in Autism Spectrum Disorders from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and has several years of experience working with children ages 2–17 on the autism spectrum.
Everyone has a bad day once in a while, kids and grown-ups alike. So when you're feeling overwhelmed, grab this book. When you have a bad day even small things seem like a big deal, and that's just what's happening for little Hennie in Ruby Roth's newest book, Bad Day. But guess what? With a little time to take deep breaths and a little space to oneself, anyone can change their bad day to good. A great story of resilience, validation of feelings and how normal it is to not always feel great.
Five minutes can fly by (when you're having fun) and it can be an eternity (when you're waiting in line). This adorable book, by Audrey Vernick and Liz Garton Scanlon, and illustrated by Olivier Tallec, will be as relatable to parents as it is for the kids.
Tiny T. Rex is well, tiny. So, what will Tiny T. Rex do when his friend, Pointy needs cheering up and a hug? Follow along Tiny's adventure in this sweet book written by Jonathan Stutzman and illustrated by Jay Fleck.
Written by Kenyan-born actress Lupita Nyong'O, this is as much her personal story as it the story of young Sulwe, a girl whose skin is the color of midnight. The stunningly gorgeous illustrations by Vashti Harrison are reason enough alone to want this book in your library, but the story itself is beautifully told; it's about differences, acceptance of oneself no matter how we think others see us, it's about wanting to fit in and yet being unique. A vital message for every kid out there, regardless of race or gender. Read it today with your kids.
Did you know that 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in NYC? Despite the passage of time, there's still much progress to be made for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community. Take a step to be a part of the solution and empower your kids with knowledge with this book by M.L. Webb. Each page features vocabulary and poems like "A is for Ally" and "N is for Non-Binary." Educational and informative, this book will teach your kids all about inclusivity.
When author-illustrator Sara Olsher was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 34, she struggled to find a way to tell her then 6-year-old daughter about it in a way that was true but not scary. Since she couldn't find the resource she need, Olsher wrote and illustrated Cancer Party—for her daughter and for all the parents out there struggling to explain cancer in a scientifically accurate but not-too-terrifying way. The illustrations are bright and colorful and the entire book strikes the right balance between the facts and the feelings. Buy this book right now for anyone who you know who is struggling with cancer, or as a resource for your school library. Our resident 8-year-old book reviewer read this book again and again, even though he doesn't know anyone with cancer right now, and his mom says it has made him more aware and empathetic to cancer in general.
This hilarious but also touching story by Max Amato about a Type-A Eraser and his goofy nemesis, Pencil, will garner plenty of giggles (Eraser gets tossed away in a tornado, gets smudgy, etc.) but it'll also spotlight why imperfection is actually the best way to find the truly amazing in the world. Kids will also see a pair of opposites learn to work together in order to create something even better than what was there before.
Written by Parker Curry (age 4) and her mama, Jessica Curry, with an afterword by Michelle Obama. Illustrated by Brittany Jackson. This is the sweet story of Parker Curry, a young girl, who went to the National Portrait Gallery one afternoon with her mom. She saw prancing horse, blooming flowers, a bushy mustache...but before she went twirling off toward home, Parker Curry looked up. There on the wall she saw the magnificent portrait (by Amy Sherald) of Michelle Obama. Parker didn't just see the First Lady of the United States. She saw a queen, a woman with regality, beauty, truth and self-assurance, a woman who looked like her. This moving story will delight any young dreamer. A great addition to any home library or classroom.
This hilarious book written by Joh Lieb and illustrated by Kevin Cornell, invites the reader into the story to help solve a mystery. You see, Detective Irene McGarringan is busy preparing for the release of her book only to discover that (you guessed it) chapter two is missing. There's also other strange things afoot: a bunch of Ms hiding in Chapter 5 and there's a Chapter 45 that doesn't seem to belong to this book at all. Help her solve the mystery!
This sweet and funny story about a little polar bear with his shoe untied is the perfect pick-me-up for when you are having one of those days. And it’s a great lesson, sure to invoke grins, for kids learning that it’s okay to ask for help. Because, like Bear, we all need a little help sometimes!
Fans of Richard Scarry will appreciate the lively details of this Mexican-American story by award-winning illustration Raúl the Third. This bilingual book teaches kids new words in Spanish while traveling through the bustling, border-town marketplace. Inspired by the author-illustrator's own life growing up between El Paso, Texas and Cuidad Juarez, Mexico, this exciting new book is a must-read for April and beyond.
Written by Newbery Medal winner Susan Cooper and illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner Carson Ellis, this magnificent book based on Cooper's "The Shortest Day" a poem written for John Langstaff's Christmas Revels. It is the story of the shortest day, of the Solstice, and how our Yuletide traditions have evolved from the desire to burn against the impending darkness of winter. Absolutely gorgeous.
For an uplifting, positive bedtime read turn to this book by artists and illustrator Jessica Hische. Now in board book form, this popular title will motivate your kids to see the bright side of their day. Turn each page to find hand-lettered inspiring words, all with a reminder that tomorrow is a new day full of opportunity.
Written in allegory form by Zoë Tucker with gorgeous illustrations by Zoe Persico, this picture book retells the story of Nobel Peace Prize nominee Greta Thunberg and her global movement to raise awareness about the climate crisis. Greta lives in a beautiful forest, threatened by Giants who chop down trees to make their homes. Then they chop down more trees, to make bigger houses, leaving little forest left. But Greta has an idea...
Includes a back section that helps kids learn how they can help Greta in her fight. Printed sustainably on 100% recycled paper.
Hospitals can be scary for kids, especially when they are the patients. This book helps to reassure children who are suffering from cancer as they navigate the road ahead of them, from medicine and treatments to side-effects, written from the point of view of a sweet black lab who is joining a young boy going through cancer treatment. It's also an excellent resource for parents to know how to talk to kids about tough issues like this. Written and illustrated by Ulrike Szalay, founder of the nonprofit Canines-N-Kids Foundation, aimed to help fund research and treatments for cancer in both children and dogs.
Andrea Zuill (author illustrator of Wolf Camp) has done it again with this wonderful story about Sweety, the naked mole rat who is not like all the other naked mole rats. She's very unique, and is even called "a square peg." She's awkward, likes collecting fungi and is a passionate young mole rat—sometimes her peers look at her like she's another kind of creature altogether. But with the help of her cool Aunt Ruth, Sweety learns to be herself and that one day she will find her people. And they will want to do a secret handshake. A great story about acceptance, diversity and love of self.
56. Let's Learn Japanese: First Words for Everyone
Chronicle Books
Aspiring Japanese speakers will love this thoughtfully-designed book by Aurora Cacciapuoti. Flip through to pair words and characters with fun illustrations. The book covers the three main Japanese writing systems: Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana.
Author F. Anthony Falcon had these thoughts when he first held his son: "Be brave, be brave, be brave." He and his wife were in the middle of Hurricane Harvey's landfall in Corpus Cristi Texas when she went into labor. This book, a meditation on what it means to be brave, is also the author's reconnection with his Lakota roots. It is both the story of little Lakota's perilous arrival into the world as it is about Falcon describing what it is to be a Native American man today. Beautifully illustrated by Trisha Mason.
Join a Haitian grandma and her granddaughter in the kitchen as they make their traditional New Year's Soup, aka Freedom Soup, and learn the story of Haiti's independence. Includes a delicious recipe for you to try at home. Author Tami Charles pays homage to her heritage while Jacqueline Alcántara highlights the joy and richness of the culture with her gorgeous illustrations.
Beloved author Lemony Snicket teams up with Rilla Alexander for a brightly illustrated romp through one little boy's town as he mischievously chucks tomatoes and is followed by a swarm of bees. In spite of the funny, colorful tale it's really about feeling anger and other emotions, and figuring out where to put it.
Miranda Paul's Little Libraries, Big Heroes tells the backstory of an ordinary hero: Todd Bol, one of the founders of the Little Free Library movements. John Parra's beautiful illustrations celebrate the diversity of Little Free Libraries everywhere, and the many people who have come together to improve their neighborhoods, one little library at a time. We loved the author's note at the back telling her own story as it relates to Little Free Libraries.
The Reader is an ode to joy for young bookworms, celebrating the thrill of diving into a good book—especially when you really should be asleep. It is the story of a gender-neutral reader who chooses adventure over naptime, and you get to go along for the ride as the reader swims with whales, chases jaguars, and climbs dinosaurs as big as mountains.
Author-illustrator Simon James delights with this sweet story about a boy named Jim and a shelter dog named Mr. Scruff. All the other dogs have human companions whose names fit just right: Berry and Terry, Eric and Derek, Molly and Polly. But Jim and Mr. Scruff, although an unlikely pair, are made for each other. A sweet story you'll feel good reading to your kids again and again.
From Ezra Keats award-winning author/illustrator Micha Archer comes the next adventure for a young boy named Daniel. This time, as Daniel makes his way to grandma's, he ponders what makes it a "good day," and stops to ask various members of his community to find out. For his friend Emma, a steady wind for her kite makes it a good day, for the gardener it's bees on flowers, for the crossing guard, it's everyone home safe. Follow this charming tale to find out what makes a good, or better yet, a perfect day for Daniel.
Pulitzer-prize finalist Susan Choi has written her first picture book and it's a must-read for parents and kids alike. When a young boy goes camping at the end of the summer with his family, like they do every year, he's unsure that he's ready to stop being a kindergartner. All summer things his mom used to do for him, he's now doing for himself. When a tiger comes out of the woods and starts to talk to the boy, he helps the boy struggling with the changes to come. The illustrations by John Rocco are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and we're not going to lie: our mom-editor who reviewed this book said it made her cry a little.
Meet Georgia. She’s a budding scientist in a family of artists, and they all have an idea of how she can conduct her experiments. At first, Georgia doesn’t want their “silly imaginative ideas,” but after an afternoon spent trying to discover something new (and failing to re-create things that have already been proven as true), she realizes that sometimes, in order to be a scientist, you must think creatively. Accompanied by gorgeous illustrations by author Zoe Persico, this book is a perfect fit for any spunky kid who’s creatively curious.
A brand-new illustrated early chapter book by Newbery Honor Winner Cece Bell (El Deafo). In the vein of Elephant & Piggie, Chick and Brain's adventures will make your littles laugh out loud while learning a few manners along the way.
67. Women in Art: 50 Fearless Creatives Who Inspired the World
Ten Speed Press
This beautifully illustrated anthology of women artists from Rachel Ignotofsky, author of the New York Times bestseller Women in Science, features 50 pioneering female artists; some you'll recognize (Frida Kahlo, Georgia O'Keefe) and some you'll never want to forget (19th-century African American quilter Harriet Powers and Hopi-Tewa ceramic artist Nampeyo). For any kid out there with a love of art or history or both, this book is a gorgeous addition to any shelf. Makes a great classroom gift too!
68. Thanku: Poems of Gratitude, Ed. by Miranda Paul
Amazon
Edited by Miranda Paul (whose book Little Libraries, Big Heroes you'll also find on this list) these are poems from a diverse group of authors from around the world, on a diverse array of topics, utilizing many different forms of poetry, making it an excellent way to introduce kids to poetry as well as the beauty of being grateful. Beautiful illustrations from Marlena Myles make it a pleasure to read to your kids.
A portion of the proceeds from this anthology will be donated to We Need Diverse Books.
69. We Are the Change: Words of Inspiration from Civil Rights Leaders
Chronicle Books
"In diversity there is beauty and there is strength."—Maya Angelou This collection from Chronicle Books consists of sixteen award-winning children's book artists who have created stunning illustrations inspired by quotes from civil rights leaders and activists. Each artist also reflects on the artist they chose and what the quote means to them. Illustrator Selina Alko says, "I have always intuitively felt beauty and strength in representing different cultures, perspectives, and points of view. Life would be really bland if we only knew and told our own stories." Would make a beautiful graduation gift and a great read for young activists, artists or any kid (or grown up) looking for a little inspiration in a weary world. Includes an introduction by Harry Belafonte.
70. Marie Curie : A Graphic History of the World's Most Famous Female Scientist
B.E.S. Publishing
Part of the Great Lives series from B.E.S. publishing, this year brought us both the Marie Curie edition along with Albert Einstein, as well as Martin Luther King Jr. and Leonardo DiVinici. We loved this well-written account by Agnieszka Biskup illustrated by Sonia Leong, that recounts the key events in Curie's life, the challenges she faced being a woman in a male-dominated field, how she discovered two radioactive elements and ultimately became revered by her peers. Such a cool way for kids to learn history!
71. Becoming RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Journey to Justice
Simon & Schuster
This graphic novel will enlighten tween, teen and grown-up alike with the story of how RBG grew from a shy little girl to the Supreme Court. Written by NY Times bestselling author Debbie Levy, and illustrated by Whitney Gardner (Fake Blood).
Dog Man is back in Dav Pilkey's latest in the popular elementary series, and this time, he is working with the Supa Buddies to overcome his bad habits. But, when things don't go exactly as planned, Dog Man becomes the target of a brand-new villian. All the while, Petey the Cat is out of jail and trying to start over with Li'l Petey. Petey also manages to learn the difference between right and wrong when his father comes to call.
This graphic novel is filled with vivid illustrations that follow the mischievous Hermes: messenger of the Gods. Illustrated by Caldecott Medal-winner Mordicai Gerstein, read all about how Hermes steals his brother Apollo’s cows, tricks a turtle into giving up his shell and even gives humans common sense. A delightful way to introduce kids to Greek Mythology.
Acclaimed author R.J. Palacio is back with a new graphic novel based on the character Grandmere (introduced in Auggie & Me as Julian's grandmother). Palacio tells the story of how Grandmere, as a young Jewish girl, was hidden by a family in a Nazi-occupied French village during WWII. It's a story of triumph, kindness and true friendship, too, told in Palacio's unforgettable voice.
This middle grade comic follow-up Georgia Dunn's Breaking Cat News will have your kiddos giggling and smiling while they read up on the adventures of cat reporters Lupin, Elvis and Puck. They're breaking headlines on subjects that really matter to cats, and kids who love cats. We also love the "More to Explore" section which shows kids how to draw the BCN crew, expressions, your own pet as reporters and more. Available Mar. 5.
77. It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers
Quirk Books
From 1968 to 2001, Fred Rogers sang songs and taught valuable lessons of kindness and compassion to generations of kids. Now, you can hold those sentiments and lyrics in your own hand and heart with this collection with four-color illustrations by Luke Flowers. With topics like Caring; Curious; Imaginative and Reflective, the songs are written here for generations more to appreciate.
Find out how four different kids kids are helping the environment, inventing incredible medical devices, aiding the homeless, designing apps to make sure kids don't eat alone in the school cafeteria, and more. Your kids will be inspired to pursue their own best inventions after reading this easy-to-follow illustrated text by Sheila Sweeny Higginson (Author) and Alyssa Petersen (Illustrator). Available Feb. 12.
Number five in the popular series by Max Brallier (look for the Netflix show!) has Jack and his friends coming out of the first winter after the Monster Apocalypse. He’ll learn about the new powers of his Louisville Slicer and fight plenty of zombies, all while trying to help his friend Dirk deal with his issues related to the zombies. There’ll be a new villain to deal with too, and the question remains: will Jack and his friends be able to save the rest of the world?
Alice lives with her Aunt Patience, living a relatively quiet life since the death of Alice's mom when Alice was just seven-years-old. But when Aunt Patience sends Alice off to a boarding school in the Scottish Highlands, Alice embarks on an adventure of a lifetime. Alice makes two good friends at school who help her plot a way to find Alice's biological father, whom she's never met, and who lives on a remote Scottish island. Natasha Farrant's mischievous adventure story has a Harry Potter-ish element to the friendship and problem solving with the trio that includes meeting her biological father who lives on a remote Scottish island. Alice makes friends at school.
This middle-grade novel, by debut author and former software engineer Aimee Lucido, brings together STEM concepts with music for an enticing adventure for Emmy, a 12-year-old who is about to start a new school, in a new city. When Emmy takes her first coding class, she connects to the concepts and connects to a new friend. But when her beloved teacher delivers some bad news, Emmy's world seems upside down. For kids who love coding, music and can relate to the struggles of middle school friendships, this is a real gem.
Courtney Sheinmel introduces readers to a dynamic new duo in chapter books: a girl named Piper Maclane and her soon-to-be sidekick, Cosmo (her pet slime). When she's faced with a class assignment, petless Piper concocts some slime to bring to school. And through a strange turn of events, Cosmo comes to life. Take that slime craze to the next level. Illustrated throughout by Renée Kurilla.
Written by Gina Loveless with spot illustrations by Andrea Bell, this chapter book follows the adventures of ten-year-old Robin, who is about to start the 5th Grade at Nottingham Elementary. Her quest? Win back the friendship of her bestie, Mary Ann. To do this, she has to stand up to a bully and become a legendary outlaw of Nottingham. We can't wait to see more books in this series.
Celebrate the life and voice of poet Gwendolyn Brooks with this thoughtful story that combines both Brooks' legacy with her life story. Known for being one of the most foremost poets on the Black experience and the role of women in society, Gwendolyn Brooks went from a young child writing all the time to becoming the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize and authoring 20 books of poetry, two autobiographies and one novel. Celebrated author and children's librarian Alice Faye Duncan makes Brooks come to life on the page for the young reader.
86. The Math Kids: A Sequence of Events (Volume 2)
David Cole's second book in the Math Kids chapter book series is just as lively and entertaining as the first. The Math Kids Club is back and this time they're entering the district Math Olympics. But they need one key thing to win: the quiet, math genius in class Catherine Duchesne. But when Catherine's dad goes missing, her new math friends spring into action to use math to solve the mystery. For any kid who loves math, buy this book. And any kid who doesn't? Buy it to show them math is fun!
The third volume in these adventures just hit the stands in October and our kiddos were overjoyed to read it. Written by David Cole, a writer and math teacher, each volume follows the adventures of the Math Kids Klub—Jordan, Justin, and Stephanie as they work to crack the case of a bank robbery using a cryptic poem. Think Encyclopedia Brown meets STEM learning, your kids will have so much fun reading these adventures they won't even notice they're learning important math concepts!
This awesome series, which includes other books like From an Idea to Google, and From an Idea to Disney, is basically like a "How I Built This" for kids, in book form. We learned so many amazing things about LEGO including the beginning concepts and hardships, fun facts and so much more. The perfect book for little LEGO lovers who want to go beyond sticking bricks. In short, Lowey Bundy Sichol's books are brilliant and inspiring for inventors and innovators everywhere.
Another great book from Raina Telgemeier, our editor first noticed this book at her son's schools book fair. It sold out: every day multiple kids (boys and girls) were buying it and sharing it with one another. The tale of a Raina facing her fears--this time they manifest in the form of a stomach ache. For every kid that has dread or worries about school, friends, and more, this one is relatable and as well-written as Telgemeier's many other books.
A true story from Raina Telgemeier, the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award-winning author of Smile, Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts!
Ages: 8-12
Find your copy here, just $7.99 for the paperback.
90. & 91. Two New Amelia Fang Books
This summer brought us not one but two new Amelia Fang books: Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball(in which our heroine reluctantly attends her parents annual ball only to embark on an adventure to save her pet pumpkin, Squashy, from the evil clutches of a spoiled prince) andAmelia Fang and the Unicorns of Glitteropolis, where we find Amelia and her friends on a quest to rescue Queen Fairyweather from the terrifying Kingdom of Light. Both make a great read from author/illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson, the perfect celebration of the dark side in all of us.
Allan Woodrow's just-released, The Curse of the Werepenguin not only gets the summer award for best book title ever, it also gets kudos for creativity, humor and engaging writing. Oprhan Bolt Wattle's life takes a dramatic turn when he is sent for by a mysterious baron in far-off Brugaria. Baron Chordata seems a little odd—he wears tuxedos and refuses to answer any questions. Things get a lot worse when the Baron bites Bolt and turns him into a half-boy, half-penguin. For fans of humor and adventure, you can't go wrong with this middle-grade chapter book.
This debut novel from fifth-grade teacher and award-winning poet Sandy Stark-McGinnis tells the story of an eleven-year-old foster girl named December who is placed in a home with a woman who cares for injured birds. The story of heartbreak, hope and an unlikely home is one parents will love reading with the kids, too. Available Apr. 30.
Sam Wu is back in the third book in the series by Katie & Kevin Tsang. This time Sam Wu is most definitely not afraid of anything....not sharks...not ghosts....and not the dark! Actually, Sam is afraid of a lot of things (including ghosts and sharks) and when he goes camping in the woods with is friends and his cousin Stanley, his fear of the dark becomes pretty real. Find out what happens in this latest adventure!
Love the Story Pirates podcast? Then you’ll likely be as excited as we are to discover the new book in their written collection—The Story Pirates Present: Digging Up Danger. This new chapter book, inspired by a real kid’s idea, is both a spooky mystery and a creative writing guide for young writers. There’s a ghost hunting girl, a scientist mom who studies weird plants and the sudden disappearance of one of these plants...all the backdrop for a colorful romp in reading.
The adventures never end with 12-year-old Kassy O'Roarke, a wonderful character who is smart, thoughtful, clever and has real feelings that kids can relate to. Kassy is the class reporter and an investigator, and in this story she's trying to solve the case of a missing cougar cub. Written by bestselling author Kelly Oliver.
Written by Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author Brenda Woods, The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA tells the story of a unique friendship between a young white boy and a black WWII veteran. Mr. Meriwether Hunter returns to Jim Crow South in 1946. When he saves little Gabriel’s life during a bike accident, Gabriel’s father offers Meriwether a job as a mechanic at their family garage. Gabriel and Meriwether form a friendship that endures in spite of the extreme prejudices in the world around them. A beautiful read.
Cynthia Kadohata, author of the Newberry Medal-winning Kira-Kira, takes young readers back to the end of WWII in the US and Japan. The 12-year-old protagonist, Hanako, is forced to move from the only home she's ever known in America to her parent's native Japan. This story is a reality check for anyone who thinks of WWII as being on foreign soil: Japanese people were rounded up and imprisoned right in the US. And modern kids will relate to the pressure Hanako feels as a young kid giving up everything known for something entirely different. Beautifully written.
The third installment of the Magic Misfits has arrived! Neil Patrick Harris' beloved character, Theo Stein-Meyer is back with his trusty pals and in this adventure where they're chosen to combat the evil Emerald Ring. The magic-themed tale reinforces the power of friendship and adventure.
This historical novel by J. Albert Mann is based on the life of Margaret Sanger, a young activist for women's health and the founder of Planned Parenthood. The novel explores the early years of Sanger's life as she dealt with adversity to forge her own path: she grew up poor at a time when women had the choice of being wives and mothers, whose career choice was teacher (and that was usually just until you got married). But Sanger did none of the above and this spirited imaging of what her life was like will encourage children of all genders to go their own way.
Summer is coming to an end but we’re happy to report that book season is not! This summer, top children’s publishers and indie houses alike published some pretty exciting new reads. We spent the summer reading (a lot!) and we’ve culled our favorites that were published in the months of June, July and August. Scroll down for our top picks.
Preschool
Whizzy Wheels Academy Series
Kiddos obsessed with trucks will become enamored with two new reads in the Whizzy Wheels Academy series: Dylan the Dump Truck and Daisy the Digger by Peter Bently. Both titles, published in board book style, showcase life lessons in patience, perseverance and overcoming challenges.
Ages: 3-5
Dylan the Dump Truck available on amazon.com for $9.95 and Daisy the Digger available on amazon.com for $9.95.
I'm a Gnome
Author Jessica Peill-Meininghaus needs you to know that if you like magical creatures and beautiful, bright illustrations (by Polly Bernatene) this is the book for you! Follow one very chatty gnome as he teaches kids the difference between creatures like elves, gnomes, dwarves, trolls and fairies. This humorous tale is a sweet romp into another enchanted, woodland realm, perfect to activate imaginations.
Looking for a great intro the world of numbers and math? Is 2 A Lot, written by Annie Watson and illustrated by Rebecca Evans, aims to help kids understand numbers in the context of things they see every day. Head out on a road trip while a young kiddo asks his mom questions like, "Is one thousand a lot?" Mom's answer? "One thousand is not a lot of grains of sand, but it is a lot of hot air balloons!"
Ever feel like you don't fit in because of your name? Wakawakaloch feels your pain, which is why she wants to change her name to something others can easily pronounce. But when she discovers the origin of her name, Wakawakaloch's attitude takes a turn. Find out whether she embraces her name or decides it's just not working in this fun picture book set in prehistoric times by Chana Stiefel, with illustrations by Mary Sullivan.
We love our kids' wild imaginations but when those imaginations conjure up images of monsters under the bed and prevent your little from falling asleep at night, it's time to bring in reinforcements. Turn to this magical book by Jordan Chouteau with illustrations by Anat Even Or, to help your kiddo conquer her fears. With goofy monster illustrations and even a real no-more-monsters patch your child can wear to bed, this book is sure to drive away those monsters in no time.
NY Times bestselling illustrator Brigette Barrager brings Vlad, a high-energy young vampire, to life in this adorable picture book. Not only does Vlad love skateboarding (because he's rad!) he also loves schoolwork! Which makes this a great back-to-school, fall read!
A wonderfully silly story that will inspire your little literati to get creative, Sally Lloyd Jones' new book is a great choice for teachers, classrooms and families that love to read and write together. Illustrated by Neal Layton.
We're not sure what is the best part of this amazing new book; the original story based on mythology from the artists' native Mombai or the stunning illustrations created by Hari & Deepti, two paper-cut artists who bring the words to life. Both elements combine to make hands-down one of the most beautiful and unique books of 2019. The story about two children who learn that Silver Fox and Fire Wolf are anything but myths.
If you could build a school what would it include? Hover desks? Pop-up textbooks? Author/illustrator Chris Van Dusen is an E.B. White Read-Aloud winner and this book reminds you why. Read it aloud as the new school year begins and ask your kiddos to imagine the school they'd build. A fun, rhyming read, and a great one for early readers to practice reading out loud to their grown-ups!
This sweet story by Richard T. Morris is told in rhyme is about a boy and his brother—who happens to be a dog. A wonderful reminder of the importance of a family pet. (Hint: don't read this to your kids if they've been begging you for a dog and you can't have one). You'll love the illustrations by Jay Fleck.
Kiki Prottsman doesn't just know all about coding, she knows how to encourage, teach and get kids excited about learning to code...by reading. No small feat, getting kids to learn about greats like computer science pioneers Katherine Johnson and Alan Turing along with gleaning new skills, this impressive (and very colorful) book from DK is sure to be a hit.
This awesome series, which includes other books like From an Idea to Google, and From an Idea to Disney, is basically like a "How I Built This" for kids, in book form. We learned so many amazing things about LEGO including the beginning concepts and hardships, fun facts and so much more. The perfect book for little LEGO lovers who want to go beyond sticking bricks. In short, Lowey Bundy Sichol's books are brilliant and inspiring for inventors and innovators everywhere.
David Cole's second book in the Math Kids chapter book series is just as lively and entertaining as the first. The Math Kids Club is back and this time they're entering the district Math Olympics. But they need one key thing to win: the quiet, math genius in class Catherine Duchesne. But when Catherine's dad goes missing, her new math friends spring into action to use math to solve the mystery. For any kid who loves math, buy this book. And any kid who doesn't? Buy it to show them math is fun!
This summer brought us not one but two new Amelia Fang books: Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball(in which our heroine reluctantly attends her parents annual ball only to embark on an adventure to save her pet pumpkin, Squashy, from the evil clutches of a spoiled prince) andAmelia Fang and the Unicorns of Glitteropolis, where we find Amelia and her friends on a quest to rescue Queen Fairyweather from the terrifying Kingdom of Light. Both make a great read from author/illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson, the perfect celebration of the dark side in all of us.
Allan Woodrow's just-released, The Curse of the Werepenguin not only gets the summer award for best book title ever, it also gets kudos for creativity, humor and engaging writing. Oprhan Bolt Wattle's life takes a dramatic turn when he is sent for by a mysterious baron in far-off Brugaria. Baron Chordata seems a little odd—he wears tuxedos and refuses to answer any questions. Things get a lot worse when the Baron bites Bolt and turns him into a half-boy, half-penguin. For fans of humor and adventure, you can't go wrong with this middle-grade chapter book.
Early detection is critical when it comes to fighting cancer. A new tool developed by MIT can anticipate the development of breast cancer in women up to five years in advance.
In a recent blog post, MIT announced the collaboration between MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab and Massachusetts General Hospital. The team has worked together to develop a new deep-learning model that can predict from a mammogram if a patient is likely to develop breast cancer as many as five years in the future.
This new diagnostic tool is based on over 60,000 patients’ mammograms and known outcomes, discovering subtle patterns in breast tissue that are precursors to malignant tumors. It has already placed 31 percent of cancer patients in the high-risk category, compared to 18 percent from traditional modes of diagnosing.
Because this tool is based on actual hard data, rather than suggestive behaviors, it allows for a more comprehensive approach that is free of bias. This means that it is equally successful in predicting a diagnosis in women of color as in caucasian women—and it is also risk-based and not age-based as in previous models.
MIT and MGH hope that this new tool can lead to accurate, early detection of breast cancer for more women and that it might be applied to other types of diseases that face similar detection hurdles.
University of Washington researchers recently revealed a new app designed to help parents detect ear infections. We’ve all been there—your tot tugs on their ear, gets a major case of the crankies and you’re left wondering if they actually have an infection or not. While the app doesn’t replace a doctor’s diagnosis, it may help parents decide when a trip to the pediatrician’s office is necessary.
So how could an app detect your child’s ear infection? The tech is based on sound wave deflection from the ear back to your smartphone’s microphone. In other words, the app sends a sound out, it bounced off your child’s eardrum and the app interprets the noise. Using a simple paper funnel to focus the sounds and a smartphone’s microphone, this app is a real game-changer.
Ear infections typically come with fluid buildup. When sound waves (in the case of the app, a chirp) travel through this fluid they bounce back differently than when they travel through a fluid-free ear canal. The research on the app, which was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, found that the method was 85 percent effective at detecting fluid in the child’s ear.
Shyam Gollakota, co-author of the study and University of Washington associate professor at the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, said in a press statement, “Designing an accurate screening tool on something as ubiquitous as a smartphone can be game-changing for parents as well as healthcare providers in resource limited regions.” Gollakota went on to say, “A key advantage of our technology is that it does not require any additional hardware other than a piece of paper and a software app running on the smartphone.”
It should be noted that the app (which isn’t available to the public yet) isn’t a replacement for your child’s doctor. Surgical resident in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the UW School of Medicine, Dr. Sharat Raju, said, “If parents could use a piece of hardware they already have to do a quick physical exam that can say ‘Your child most likely doesn’t have ear fluid’ or ‘Your child likely has ear fluid, you should make an appointment with your pediatrician,’ that would be huge.”
A simplified definition of computational thinking is “a set of problem solving methods that involve expressing problems and their solutions in ways that a computer could execute.” Upon further exploration, you may find the specifics of this definition a bit intimidating. Let me quickly further summarize it for you:
It is not simply the computer science; it is the related “thought process.” Computational thinking is breaking down a complex problem into smaller parts, looking for similarities within these parts while focusing on only relevant information and developing a step-by-step solution to the problem in a way that a computer and/or person can understand. Although there are literally hundreds of activities your children can pursue to develop both their problem-solving and logic, learning to code is a wonderful way to teach children computational thinking skills.
Why are coding and computational thinking skills so important? I would argue that both coding education and computational thinking should not simply be viewed as important to our children’s intellectual development, but as necessary life skills. Current research continues to show that in the near future, this type of knowledge will be important to our children in anything career path they want to pursue. Computational thinking skills are fundamental skills for all, not just computer scientists.
Coding is a tool that both encourages and cultivates so much in our children. Creativity, analytical ability, critical thinking and collaboration are some of the soft skills that learning to code will enhance. Current research underscores that students who have learned to code are significantly better prepared for the challenges of their personal and professional lives. It is as simple as that!
It is also of critical importance to urge BOTH our girls and boys to learn to code and develop their computational thinking skills. In many cases there remains a discrepancy in these abilities with regard to gender, but recent studies have shown that this imbalance is not related to aptitude but rather cultural factors. As parents, we need to make sure we educate and encourage our girls that the development of these skills is equally important to them! They, too, should be interested and engaged.
Our job remains to encourage our children’s interest in these areas to help prepare them for today as well as the future. Starting early, as with the development of any skill, is critical. We are fortunate that, currently, there variety of products and activities available to help expand our children’s knowledge. I also continue to feel that whatever avenue you pursue for your child to learn these skills, that learning through play and “by doing” is one of the most effective paths to productive learning. I have found that entertaining AND educational is the most effective combination in any sort of curriculum.
It is my belief that computational thinking skills and coding education is critical to our children today and for their future. Currently, our children’s technology knows much more about them than they know about it. As an innovator in the tech space and a mother of a ten year old, my personal mission remains to enable a new generation to feel empowered by technology and feel comfortable in being proactive with it, rather than being beholden to it and consuming it passively. Teaching our children to code and cultivating their computational skills is invaluable to achieving this.
Roberta Antunes is a visionary trailblazer who is motivated by big challenges. Roberta, a prominent female entrepreneur is slated to take the STEM industry by storm. Moved by the desire to make a difference in society, she is determined to make STEM technology available to children across the United States, and thus created Hack.
