by Liz Gumbinner | Spawned Podcast, Books for Kids
When we talk about diversity and inclusion, people with disabilities are often left out of the conversation. We think about gender, race, sexuality, cultural heritage — but not always disabilities. So was I a wee bit excited to talk to Tony award-winner Ali...
by Cool Mom Team | Art + Decor
With my almost 17-year old graduating from high school this summer (WHAT?), I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about the things she needs to know before she leaves. Suddenly, I’ve got an urgency to make sure she remembers how to boil an egg or hang...
by Kristen Chase | Entertainment + Media
A couple of weeks ago, I was chatting with my friend, who also happens to be a therapist, about how hard it’s been to find ways to connect with my tweens and teens. I couldn’t quite put my finger on why, because if you’re like me, you’ve seen...
by Christina Refford | Toys + Playthings, Tips + Tricks
After such a long winter, it’s finally bike-riding season: Hooray! And, whoa are you all getting on those bikes! I’ve seen so many kids riding bikes in our neighborhood, that my son’s mountain bike team has doubled in size since last year. Bike shops...
by Cool Mom Team | Spawned Podcast
As parents, we have a general idea of the conversations we need to have with our kids before they to the throes of teendom – like the sex talk, and the drugs and alcohol talk – for example. But there are actually a whole lot more conversations that we...
by Cool Mom Team | Kids, Tips + Tricks
We keep looking for the silver lining in the past Year That Was Like No Other, and as we talk to other parents, one thing comes up over and over: “my kid discovered they really love _____.” Whether it’s manga or chemistry, dystopian fiction or...
by Kate Etue | Books for Kids
Readers, get excited! The 2021 ALA youth media awards have been announced, and it’s time to update our reading lists! In case you’re not fully in the book-nerd world like me, that means our 2021 Caldecott, Newbery, Coretta Scott King awards and more have...
by Kate Etue | Books for Kids
I don’t think our annual roundup of the best children’s books of 2020 could come at a better time. As we’re heading into a winter of quarantining in 2021, my goal is to turn off the TV more and open up more books. This is my sixth year compiling all...