Books to help talk about school shootings

Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash

This is one of those posts that we all wish we didn't need, but unfortunately, in the United States, this post is an important one. Book Riot has put together a short list of children's books to help adults talk with kids about school shootings.

You can find the list of Book Riot's suggested titles here.

In a list from Doing Good Together, the focus is on healing after tragedy. They found books that remind kids that, "they are not alone and that caring communities exist even in the wake of tragedy." 

View their list here.

Do you have any suggestions to add?

[Children's Books to Help Adults Talk about School Shootings with Kids. Winchester, K. April 27, 2026. bookriot.com.] https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/5698499139166697976/8514595036616213124

[7 Children's Books to Encourage Healing After Gun Violence. Retrieved April 28, 2026. doinggoodtogether.org.] https://www.doinggoodtogether.org/bhf-book-lists/kids-books-to-encourage-healing-after-gun-violence

Meet the the 2025 South Asia Book Award Winners

Join University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for South Asia for the 2025 South Asia Book Award Meet the Author webinar series as they celebrate the award-winning authors and titles of 2025.

• South Asia Book Award Presents: The Partition Project
• Thursday, December 4 at 7:00 PM CST
• South Asia Book Award Presents: The Spice Box
• Monday, December 8 at 4:00 PM CST
• South Asia Book Award Presents The Salt Thief
• Wednesday, Jan 14 at 4:00 PM CST

The Meet the Author webinar series is free to attend but you do need to reserve your spot. 

Full event details and registration available here.

Children’s Book Project Grant Now Open

 Thanks to WVLS' Kristie Hauer for the tip found at their Youth Information Exchange Facebook page !

The Pilcrow Foundation supports rural public library communities through its Children’s Book Project. The foundation provides a 2-to-1 match for libraries that contribute $200-$400. This means that if a library is awarded a grant, it qualifies to receive up to $1,200 worth of new, quality, hardcover children’s books. Libraries must be in a rural area within the 50 United States, have an active children’s department, and raise $200-$400 through a local sponsor. Libraries can apply for the grant twice a year, with deadlines on April 1 and October 1.

For complete details, please stop here.

YSS Social at the CCBC

Socializing at the YSS Social at the CCBC

On October 25 during the WLA Conference in Middleton, YSS collaborated with UW-Madison's Cooperative Children's Book Center to make our annual YSS Social an even more special event. Over 20 youth services library staff and other interested people registered for this delightful event. The YSS board and CCBC librarians were on hand for the evening fun.

Discovering all the CBC has to offer

The evening opened with a very brief - but very interesting verbal tour of the CCBC's space. We found out about the many 4th floors that the CCBC has occupied during its existence; discovered the difference between "current" and "basic" collections; found out WHERE ALL THE BOOKS COME FROM; discovered that there are ARCs (advanced readers copies), bookmarks and other interesting book-related pieces sent by publishers that are given away FREE; were reminded of the amazing intellectual freedom services provided; learned about the Charlotte Zolotow Award and Lecture and were clued in to how using the CCBC can save selectors a ton of money with hands-on book examination to help separate the wheat from the chaff.

Scavenger hunt selfie taking

But that's not all. Attendees heard some great booktalks from CCBC librarians Tessa Michaelson Schmidt and Merri Lindgren. I don't think I was the only one putting those books on hold (via my phone's handy Library app) as Tessa and Merri regaled us with the plots.

There was plenty of time to look more closely at the collections and visit with each other as the evening went on. As a bonus, the staff had prepared a scavenger hunt for interested youth sleuths. For those who chose to participate we needed to find five items on the list and take a selfie of ourselves with each book or item found. Those that completed the hunt went home with a free book!

Picking out a scavenger hunt prize book

It was an excellent evening and an excellent way for YSS folks and other youth library staff to visit a nearby state treasure and get more familiar with it - and each other!

Thanks CCBC for the great evening!

Tomie dePaola Stamp!

 

The USPS announced that one of it's new series in 2023 will be Tomie dePaola!! That is really something special to celebrate this author and children's literature.

They write: "This stamp honors prolific children’s book author and illustrator Tomie dePaola (1934-2020), whose extraordinarily varied body of work encompasses folktales and legends, informational books, religious and holiday stories, and touching autobiographical tales. The stamp art features a detail from the cover of “Strega Nona” (1975), the Caldecott Honor winning first book in the series. Set in southern Italy, the gently humorous story focuses on Strega Nona, “Grandma Witch,” who uses magic to help with matters of the heart and to cure her neighbors’ ills. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp with Tomie dePaola’s original art."

You can read the full press release with all the 2023 series subjects (including John Lewis) here.

Sneak Peek at Upcoming Coronavirus Books for Youth

When the pandemic started a year ago, many books were published - most in freely available digital form. Many of these small press books quickly answered important questions for families.  We blogged about them last April and connected everyone to a great curated list of ebooks on the pandemic from Patricia Sarles of the New York City Department of Education.

Now, a year into the pandemic, some of the bigger publishers have books just about ready to go. They address the coronavirus, life during the pandemic and there are even about some of our s/hero scientists. 

Travis Jonkers, who blogs at 100 Scope Notes in School Library Journal, recently gathered together a list of upcoming titles. He writes: "Now that we’re fully into 2021, more books that talk about the coronavirus pandemic are starting to pop up. There’s fiction, nonfiction, middle grade, and books for the earliest of readers."

To check out the list of 2021 titles and get them on order, stop here!

Kids Resources YSS blog COVID-19 series:

• Books to Help Kids Cope with COVID Changes  11/22/20
• Back to School Picture Books for Teaching Coronavirus Procedures 8/11/20
• ALSC’s #Looktolibraries Resources 8/4/20
• Curated List of Free COVID-19 EBooks for Kids 4/27/20
• Tips on Safe and Inclusive Gaming/Livestreaming for Families 4/6/20
• Talking to Kids About COVID-19  3/28/20
• Ear Ticklin’ Listening/Viewing for Kids at Home 3/30/20

Children's Books for Pandemics by Stephanie Trilling

 

Sometimes, during these tough times when it all just seems too much, it's good to take some time to laugh. Or if laughing is hard, it's good to appreciate someone's creativity! Lately, you may have seen some of the children's parody book covers that Stephanie Trilling has created during the pandemic on Facebook. SHe describes herself as a "multimedia parodist finding the best in a collectively bad situation."

To see them all of her parody covers and keep track of the new ones added, head over to her Children's Books for Pandemics Facebook page!

Curated List of Coronavirus Kids Books

Patricia Sarles, Library Operations and Instructional Coordinator, for New York City Department of Education,  Department of Literacy, Library Services, and AIS (whew!) has been doing incredible work finding and sharing free downloadable books for kids about COVID-19. 

We have been following her work on the ALSC listserv and were soooo happy to see that she has gathered these shared resources into a curated list of books (which include books in multiple languages).

Stop here to access the whole Free eBooks about COVID-19 for Kids list

For more information and resources on resources for kids/families, please see earlier posts in our 

Kids Resources YSS blog COVID-19 series:

Booksto Help Kids Cope with COVID Changes    11/22/20

Back to School Picture Books for Teaching Coronavirus Procedures 8/11/20

ALSC’s #Looktolibraries Resources 8/4/20

Curated List of Free COVID-19 EBooks for Kids 4/27/20

Infographic to Help Parents with Tech Time During COVID-19 4/2/20

Tips on Safe and Inclusive Gaming/Livestreaming for Families 4/6/20

Talking to Kids About COVID-19  3/28/20

Ear Ticklin’ Listening/Viewing for Kids at Home 3/30/20

Coronavirus: A [Free Digital] Book for Children

Here is a link to a full-text 24-page book for children about the coronavirus from the publisher, Nosy Crow.  They write: "Nosy Crow is an award-winning, small, independent children’s book publisher. We made this free digital book because we felt that children and parents might find it useful. We publish lots of different kinds of books for children aged 0-12. You can find out about them here: www.nosycrow.com.

Nosy Crow made this book quickly, to meet the needs of children and their families. No one involved was paid anything for their work. We would like to thank the following people for their generous and knowledgeable input: Axel Scheffler Professor Graham Medley Professor of Infectious Disease Modelling, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Sara Haynes Headteacher, Arnhem Wharf Primary School, London Alex Lundie Deputy headteacher, Arnhem Wharf Primary School, London Monica Forty Headteacher, Ben Jonson Primary School Doctor Sarah Carman NHS Clinical Psychologist specialising in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Neurodevelopment First published in the UK in 2020 by Nosy Crow Ltd The Crow’s Nest, 14 Baden Place, Crosby Row London, SE1 1YW, UK www.nosycrow.com ISBN 9781839941467."

Thanks to Patricia Sarles of the New York City Dept of Education for sharing this link.

Links to YSS COVID-19 series:

Online Storytimes

Getting Started with Virtual Storytimes  5/27/20

Virtual Storytime – Tips on Fair Use & Kids’ Privacy 5/4/20

“How to Do a Virtual Storytime” Webinars 4/13/20

Tips on Doing Online Storytimes During COVID-19 Closures 3/16/20; updated 3/20/20

Storytime Goes Digital 3/20/20

Digital Storytimes- You Do You! 3/31/20

Digital Storytime, Screen Time and Intentionality – Oh My 4/6/20

Facebook Live Online Storytime Tips 3/24/20

Fixing "My Book is Backwards in Online Storytime!" on iPhone 3/22/20

SLP & Programming Resources

Summer Scavenger Hunt Fun 5/30/20

Digital Escape Rooms – the Holy Grail  5/26/20

SLP Virtual and Offline Program Ideas for Teens/Tweens  5/22/20

Virtual and Offline Programs for Summer and Beyond  5/6/20

“Grab-&-Go” Activity Kit Ideas  5/5/20

DIY Family Activities for SLP from CSLP 5/1/20

Offline and Feeling Fine: Ideas for Programming Unvirtually  4/29/20

Virtual Programming & SLP Ideas for YOU! 4/25/20

Beyond E-Storytimes: Virtual Services and Programs for Youth 4/22/20

Using Premier for Virtual Programming on Facebook 3/24/20

Re-Opening and Safety Issues

We’re Re-opening – Coping with Reluctant Patrons and Programming 6/1/20

We’re Re-Opening – Cleaning and Disinfecting Youth Areas  5/13/20

COVID-19 and Libraries: Your Questions Answered with Dr. Dipesh Navsaria 5/19/20

Permissions (Books, Authors and Music)

Want Permission? Current Info on Publishers and Authors 3/22/20; updated 4/23/20

      Music Permissions? Look No Further  3/27/20; updated 3/31/20

Professional Development

Webinar - Summer Learning Through Our Public Libraries in a Time of COVID-19  5/18/20

Confronting Xenophobia and Supporting Asian and Asian/Pacific Communities Webinar 4/21/20

Working From Home During COVID-19 4/19/20

Need to Keep Up? Free Online Professional Development  3/21/20

Webinar -Remote and Online Services & Resources for Youth Librarians  3/25/20

Free Children’s/Teen Professional Journal Access 3/28/20

Creating Accessibility in Your Online Programming 4/15/20; updated 4/23/20

Kids Resources

Curated List of Free COVID-19 EBooks for Kids 4/27/20

Infographic to Help Parents with Tech Time During COVID-19 4/2/20

Tips on Safe and Inclusive Gaming/Livestreaming for Families 4/6/20

Talking to Kids About COVID-19  3/28/20

Ear Ticklin’ Listening/Viewing for Kids at Home 3/30/20

WI Online Program Data

Data Collection for Virtual Programs 3/17/20

More Info on Data Collection for Virtual Programs 3/19/20

Friday FAQs with Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

4/10/20 recording       4/17/20 recording          4/24/20 recording        5/1/20 recording               5/8/20 recording

5/15/20 recording       5/22/20 recording; 5/29/20 recording

Taking Care of You 

Human Connections in a Time of Pandemic  3/27/20

Feeling Stress? Keeping Calm in a Difficult Time 3/21/20

ALSC Blog Post - Best of the Decade: Children's Librarianship

Best of the Decade: Children’s Librarianship by blogger Emily Bayci It is time to look at the best of the decade in children’s librarianship and literature, because what a decade it has been! There’s been highs and lows from drama in publishing to people holding one another accountable for better books, better representation, better [programming and better everything. Let’s take some time to celebrate the good that has happened. And strive to do even better in the decade to come! These awards are solely my own opinion, not the opinions of ALSC and are completely for fun! Best Newbery Award Winner: I’m very partial to Merci Suarez Changes Gears (the last and best Newbery winner of the decade!) but have to admit that I’m of course biased because that was my year on the committee. From Rebecca Stead starting the decade strong with When You Reach Me, to a sports book in verse winning with The Crossover by Kwame Alexander in 2015- I have to give the cake to the picture book Newbery Medal Winner of Last Stop on Market Street Matt de la Peña: a book that truly exemplifies all six of the Newbery criteria in a very short word count! Best Caldecott Medalist: This category was a tough one. I loved the wordless art in the 2010 winner, The Lion & the Mouse,and who can not appreciate the dark humor in This is Not my Hat, or the beauty and creativity in The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend.Since I am making the rules for these “awards” on my own, I’m declaring a draw for this winner and asking for people’s votes in the comments. Because I can! Help me make a decision please! Best Programming Trend: From learning a digital language in coding programs, to finding the inner zen with yoga, to cuddling away with therapy dogs, to making it out of the library in escape rooms, to a surge of makerspaces and sensory programming… the list goes on and on and on!  I am going to call Makerspaces the trend of the decade, they have been booming and evolving in nearly every library from big to small! Most Unique Circulating Items: Circulating Technology, Library of Extraordinary Things, the name changes depending on the library but libraries aren’t just for books anymore. You can get laptops, iPads, phone chargers, umbrellas, cupcake tins- but my favorite item would be how you can get a borrowed stroller with a baby doll from the Elmhurst Public Library. So. Awesome. Best Change Made: With a new decade, comes changes in the field, and this decade was one for the books. From the new Early Learning Digital Media Award, to lifelong donations from the ,1876 Club, I think a most momentous change is ALSC’s noteworthy decision to rename the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award to the Children’s Literature Legacy Award. Will this pave the way for award name changes in the future? Only time will tell. Best “serial” Series: We’ve seen Magic Treehouse, rebrand and renumber with Merlin Missions, we’ve watched Scholastic’s Branches make great strides in fun beginning chapter book series, we’ve seen the Princess in Black band together with her allies, we’ve watched Geronimo and his clan take over the universe and our dear Wimpy Kid have awkward exploit after awkward exploit. But I have to give it to Dav Pilkey’s latest creation: DOG MAN!!!!!!! A series where truly every book gets better than the last! Most Exciting Substance: Is glitter a thing of the past? Is slime the new silliest item? Are rubber band balls making a comeback? Do ukuleles count as a material? With an increase in books, programming, and fun- I give the most exciting substance to SLIME! Because who doesn’t want to have a slimey time in the library? KidLit Adaptation: There’s nothing new about movies being made from children’s books, but TV shows and now Netflix shows have taken a new rush. Netflix has gone on a spree buying rights to children’s books . To All the Boys I Loved Before, Dumplin, Series of Unfortunate Events, the controversial 13 Reasons Why series, I have to give it to Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf and A Series of Unfortunate Events. Such a well done series, that actually sticks to the booms surprisingly well. I need to watch this again. And read them all again. Best library “buzz words”: New trends, new phrases, new hashtags take over the world: computational thinking, racial equity, social innovation, big body play, digital divide. I’m not sure if #weneeddiversebooks counts, but it’s my winner- keep those #ownvoices coming! Best interactive picture book: In 2011, Herve Tullet published “Press Here,” a book with an engaging and fun concept that kids could be involved in the story. The book had huge success and was later published in big books and more formats. Tullet has written several others and started a trend of interactive picture books from Christie Mathesons, Tap the Magic Tree, Plant the Tiny Seed, and Touch the Brightest Star.  Jessica Young’s Play This Book and Shake the Tree by Chiara Bignocchi, and Get Out of My Bath! by Britta Tecktentrup! There’s the Dinosaur Vs. Series, and It’s a Tiger! and Don’t Push the Button and Olaf 1-2-3! My winner is Tap the Magic Tree, because it can be timely in all four seasons- pretty impressive! Can this come out in big book format yet? This post has been fun, but the decade was definitely a lot to cover- thanks for an amazing decade in children’s literature and librarianship.  Let me know more nominations and more best ofs. We could recap 2010 for the whole new decade, but  I cannot wait to see what’s to come! These awards were solely my own opinion, not the opinions of ALSC and are completely for fun! The post Best of the Decade: Children’s Librarianship appeared first on ALSC Blog.

ICYMI: An Ordinary People Change the World-Inspired TV Series, Now on PBS!

Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, inspired by the book series Ordinary People Change the World, is one of the newest offerings on PBS. 

(What's that?  Did someone say DISPLAY OPPORTUNITY?!)

The series tells the ongoing story of three children who, with the help of historical heroes, learn to overcome problems and discover that the power to be a hero--whether on a grand scale or a smaller one--resides in all of us. 

"Xavier Riddle fits that concept into an encompassing story with recurring characters. In each episode, Xavier, his sister Yadina, and their friend Brad encounter some sort of problem. To resolve their issue, they visit a secret museum, where a robot curator named Berby sends them back in time to meet a historical figure whose example will help them with their problem."

"The goal of the series is for kids to understand that they have the power within themselves to be heroes,” Eliopoulos says. “We all have these qualities that these historical figures had. They just use those qualities at the right moment. And that’s why we have them as kids. They’re not grand statues. Abraham Lincoln was once a kid who probably did the same things kids today do: he probably skipped rocks in a pond, just like you. So we’re hoping that kids can relate to these heroes and see that that’s inside them, too."

Click HERE to read more from Christopher Eliopoulos, illustrator for both the book series AND the show!

25 Best Children's Books of 2019 - New York Times Edition!

The New York Times recently revealed its 25 Best Children's Books of 2019!

Click HERE to start exploring!  How many do you have on your shelves?