Tag: Raising Readers

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✨Two Middle Grade Fantasy Must-Reads!

Highly recommend you check out these fun books:

🧵 The Memory Spinner by C. M. Cornwell
This book completely won me over with its Howl’s Moving Castle feel—cozy, strange, magical, and just a little melancholy. The magic system, though, felt original and memorable: the enchantress spins cloth from her own painful or unremarkable memories, then weaves it into items of clothing with magical powers. I loved the way the magic was tied so closely to the themes of the book of memory, loss, and identity.

🗺️ The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat
Sai is exactly the kind of main character I love reading about: scrappy, clever, and constantly trying to stay one step ahead of discovery. So much of the tension comes from the secrets everyone’s hiding, and I was completely invested in whether she could keep hers hidden aboard the ship. The voyage into uncharted waters gave the story such a strong sense of adventure, too!

Both of these books have adventure and magic, but they also have so much emotional depth underneath the fantasy elements—which is probably why they stayed with me long after I finished them.

✨ Which sounds more tempting to you: magical memory-spinning or sailing toward unknown lands?

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Poetry for Kids by ❤️Joyce Sidman❤️

📚 Have you discovered the dazzling poetry of Joyce Sidman?

If you’re looking for books that blend science, nature, and truly beautiful language, her work is something special. I love it so much! Lyrical, thoughtful, and rich with imagery, these books invite kids to slow down, notice the world, and see it in a whole new way.

Here are three favorites to explore:

🦉 Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Rick Allen
This Newbery Honor–winning collection reveals the hidden life of the natural world after dark. Each poem feels like a quiet discovery, paired with intricate scratchboard illustrations that glow with detail and mystery. 

🌅 Before Morning by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes
A gentle, hopeful poem about a child wishing for snow—woven with themes of patience, change, and wonder. The luminous engraved, wood-print illustrations, touched with soft color, makes this one especially magical. It truly tugged at my heart.

🌳 Dear Acorn, Love Oak: Letter Poems to Friends by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Sidman’s newest book just came out last year and it is full of clever, heartfelt poems written as letters between elements of the natural world. The mixed-media illustrations are bursting with texture, movement, and charm are just GORGEOUS!

All three books are a celebration of language, art, and the beauty of the world around us—perfect for curious kids (and grown-ups) who love to linger over words.

✨ Do you have a favorite poetry book to share with kids?

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🚀 The Artemis Buzz Is Real—Let’s Turn It Into Learning

Our house was glued to the Artemis mission updates…

There’s something magical about watching history unfold in real time—but for me, it was also deeply personal. My last vivid memory of a space mission growing up was the Challenger. So watching this new chapter in space exploration—and seeing the crew return home safely—felt especially meaningful.

And it’s made me realize how important it is that my kids understand the context of this moment. Why this mission matters. Why it’s exciting. Why it hasn’t always been guaranteed that astronauts make it home.

Kids are naturally curious right now—this is the perfect moment to lean in and help them explore that curiosity through great books. 📚✨

Here are a few we’re loving:

🌕 Who Owns the Moon? by Cynthia Levinson & Jennifer Swanson
A fascinating look at the big questions surrounding space exploration—who gets to go, who makes the rules, and what the future might hold.

🕵️‍♂️ Space Case by Stuart Gibbs (also available as a graphic novel!)
A fun, fast-paced mystery set on the moon—perfect for middle grade readers who like their science with a side of suspense.

🚀 Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca
A stunning picture book that captures the wonder, tension, and triumph of the very first moon landing.

☀️ Sun: One in a Billion! by Stacy McAnulty
Part of a fantastic series, this one gives the sun a big personality (a little cocky 😄) while sneaking in tons of fascinating space facts.

Moments like this don’t come around often—and they’re such a powerful opportunity to connect kids with science, history, and big dreams.

✨ Are your kids caught up in the excitement of space right now?

#BooksForCuriousKids #STEMBooks #SpaceForKids #ArtemisMission #KidLit #NonfictionForKids #MiddleGradeBooks #PictureBooks #RaisingReaders #CuriousKids