Read, Discuss, Bake: Books about bread!

  One of my favorite memories from my childhood was my dad’s baking. He’d often bake a simple white bread, which we would use for sandwiches or snacking. He’d sometimes turn some of it into cinnamon rolls, which came in second only to my mom’s chocolate chip cookies. On special occasions he’d whip up a batch of Orange Cinnamon Swirl, a loaf of mildly orange flavored bread with a swirl of cinnamon and sugar in the center, glazed with an orangey icing. In my mind, there was no better treat. And it wasn’t just the eating of the bread that was enjoyable, but the anticipation. And the smells. Is there any better smell than bread baking in the oven? My dad taught me how to bake bread, and I still have the copy of  Bernard Clayton’s New Complete Book of Breads  that he gave me nearly 30 years ago. I bake from it often. Bread is a staple all around the world. And bread, like books, can do wonders to foster human connection. So our hope with this list today is that it will inspire...

Ten Story Time Activities to Pair with Fall Books

by Rebecca J. Gomez

There are so many things to love about fall, especially in a place where the seasons clearly change, and the landscape along with them. Because of the cooler temperatures, many people like to spend more time outside in the fall. Others take advantage of the coolness to bake more or to cook hearty, warm meals like chili and stew. And, of course, there's nothing quite like curling up with a book on a cool fall afternoon. 

Whether you live in an area where the seasonal changes are stark or not, now is the perfect time of year to enjoy some books about fall. Read some old favorites or discover some new fall books at your library to pair with some fun fall activities. These suggestions for fall activities to pair with books don't necessarily have to happen during story time, but can be great opportunities to foster discussions, build relationships, and create connections between books and daily life. With that in mind, here are some ideas for how you can enjoy some bookish fun with your kids this fall:

1. Make leaf art, such as rubbings, prints, or a leaf collage. Here's a tutorial for making leaf prints with real leaves and paint.

2. Crunch in fall leaves.

3. Look for fallen nuts like acorns and walnuts.

4. Take a walk and try to spot elements from your favorite fall books in your neighborhood.

5. Enjoy a book inspired snack, such as leaf or pumpkin shaped cookies. See our previous post for an easy haystacks recipe.

6. Print coloring pages to color. If you can't find printable pages for your favorite fall books, have your child create their own!

7. Carve or paint a pumpkin to look like a book character. Need an idea? Here's how to make a What About Moose? jack-o-lantern

8. Play book character dress up.

9. Visit a pumpkin patch or apple orchard.

10. Tell (or retell) spooky stories by firelight. 

What is your favorite fall activity? What are some favorite fall books? 


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