Spring has arrived, school is winding down, help your kids finish the year strong. Stop by the library and pick up a book or two for them to read. Encourage them to read every day, even if just 15 minutes before bed. One, reading is a great relaxation activity that helps us all slow down and prepare for bed two reading every day is one of the best ways to build the skills needed to succeed in life. The ability to read opens doors and allows someone to learn anything they need or want to learn. Allow us to help your child find something they’d like to read.

The Annual Minnesota Book Awards that honor Minnesota authors were held recently. The award for Young People’s Literature went to Kate DiCamillo for The Magician’s Elephant. This short novel tells the bittersweet story of an elephant misplaced and an orphan reunited. The award for Children’s Literature went to Joyce Sidman for her beautiful picture book Red Sings from Treetops: a year in Colors.

Bunny Days by Tao Nyeu is a delightful story of the mishaps of six frolicking bunnies. From mud to dust to missing tails, follow the bunnies as they get help from bear for all their problems.

Do you have a bedtime routine that you have to follow every night to get the kids down? Do they milk that routine for every extra second they can? Everyone will enjoy Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Who doesn’t want five more minutes, one more story and the bedroom door open just the right amount? We can all identify with both the one going to bed and the one being put to bed.

Jacques Cousteau may not be a household name anymore, but it wasn’t that many years ago that his exploration of the oceans was the talk everywhere. A new generation can be introduced to the marvels of what he did through a new biography called The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau by Dan Yaccarino.

Comic books have appealed to generations of children. Today is no different, in fact today the variations and quality available are astounding. In fact, in 2008 the Caldecott was awarded to a graphic novel (The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick). There are some stunningly beautiful works available and one of the newest is Mouse Guard by David Petersen. So far, there are two titles Fall 1152 and Winter 1152. The mouse guard is formed because mice struggle to live safely among the world’s harsh climates and predators. The mouse guard fights intruders and serves as guides for common mice seeking safe passage from one village to another.

Green by Laura Peyton Roberts, where finding the key is just the beginning. Thirteen is such an explosive age, imagine it starting with a real explosion and leprechauns in your room. Lily, destined to be the keeper for the Clan of Green, must pass three tests, otherwise she may never get home.