Buttercup, the Main Library’s resident mouse, has been exploring branches, attending CuentaCuentos, and reading bilingual books. Join her favorite adventures as she discovers Spanish words, culture, and fun stories that make learning playful and engaging!
Writing books for adults and writing books for children are two very different things. Yet some writers for adults have also written for kids! Learn about picture book titles written by some of the titans of literature.
Come experience La La La: A Story of Hope, a brand-new puppet show by Wishing Chair Productions and based on a beautiful picture book written by 2023 Nashville Public Library Literary Award honoree Kate DiCamillo!
NPL is kicking off 2024 in a big way with our newest season of Nashville Reads. This new year we will be reading and celebrating the work of Jason Reynolds!
In the now 200 years since it was first published, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" has become a beloved staple of many a holiday celebration. You and your family can experience this classic poem in picture books, in oh so many ways!
Born in Northern Ireland, prolific children's book author Eve Bunting died last month at the age of 94, having published some 250 books over her career.
The first day of school can bring up all sorts of feelings for brand new Kindergarteners—and their parents. Picture books are always a great way to talk through big feelings. Here are some books Bringing Books to Life (BBTL) loves, perfect for sharing before the first day of school.
Beatrix Potter was not only a brilliant author/illustrator of Children's books, but also a conservationist, natural scientist, and a downright fascinating woman.
This year's Mildred L. Batchelder Award, given to an outstanding children's book translated into English, is the wonderful Italian middle grades memoir Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II. Sensitive and age appropriate, this standout book is an ideal shared read aloud for older children.
On January 30, the American Library Association (ALA) presented their annual Youth Media Awards, celebrating the best in literature for young people. Check out what NPL Children's staff have to say about this year's winners of the Caldecott, Newberry, and more!
This year’s Southern Festival of Books is October 14-16! The festival is in-person again this year and takes place at Nashville Public Library and War Memorial Plaza. It is free and open to the public.
Often working in a collage style, Thao Lam is the creator of several funny, touching, and thought-provoking picture books that tell stories true to her life and experiences.
Add some picture books in translation to your reading routine! Picture books by international creators offer different perspectives, and feature groundbreaking art and narratives.
During a career spanning over six decades, Ashley Bryan (1923-3022) illustrated more than 70 children's picture books in a variety of media and in several genres.
Writing at the intersection of politics, race, gender, and class, bell hooks (1952-2021) leaves us with a prolific body of work that also includes marvelous children's books.
Charles Ghigna states that 'to write for children, one must write from the child within." That philosophy has guided the work of this beloved Alabama author for many years.
The publication of a new book by Yuyi Morales is always a cause for celebration—and for immediately placing a hold on one's library account. Published in September of this year, Bright Star is an incandescently beautiful picture book about love, courage, and caring for one another
Looking for new favorites that support early reading skills like rhyme, repetition, colors, and numbers? Here is a list of books with diverse representation and inclusive themes for a young audience.
Luci Soars is the newest book by prolific author and illustrator Lulu Delacre. When you're different, it can seem like the whole world is against you. How can you rise above it?
Books that can grow with a child as they do are special. Authors who write them immediately end up on my “must own” list. Chris Haughton is one of those authors for me.
During these times of sheltering at home, patrons and staff alike are missing regular in-person library programming. Here at NPL in 2020, we also had to postpone special in-person library events for the year's Nashville Reads title, Dreamers by Yuyi Morales.
In my opinion, there's not much more that can raise my spirits than reading an amazing, uplifting picture book with a child I love in my lap reading along. Todd Parr is an author I highly suggest for these treasured moments.
Books can serve as both windows and mirrors. All children should have access to both. We provide curated lists featuring diverse children from varying backgrounds and experiences.
Mark your calendars! The Southern Festival of Books is October 11-13. The festival takes place at Nashville Public Library and War Memorial Plaza and is free and open to the public.
Although she is perhaps best known as the writer of The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood has also written several books for children. Take an opportunity to introduce your child to one of the giants of modern literature by reading some books written especially for them.
The news of Toni Morrison's passing on August 5 was met with tributes and gratitude for a life well lived. While she is best known as the author of such novels as The Bluest Eye and Beloved, Morrison also wrote several books for children. It is not yet too early to introduce the children in your life to the work of this incomparable writer.
This blog post is part of a series examining classic children’s literature titles that have been deemed racist. Whether or not you choose to share classic books such as these with the children in your life, we encourage you to have open conversations with them on the topic of race.
Writer Pat Mora is a poet, an educator, an activist, and a storyteller who often borrows from her Chicana background to tell stories of family, heritage, and the joy that reading can bring.
As you have probably guessed, I read an incredible amount of young adult fiction and classic literature. But did you know personal essays are in my top 3 favorite genres? Check out some of my favorite writers.
The author of multiple books, Carole Boston Weatherford "mines the past for family stories, fading traditions and forgotten struggles" to write poetry, nonfiction, and picture books that give pride of place to the African American experience.
The announcement of the Caldecott, Newbery, and other recipients of the American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards is a cause for celebration! Did your favorites win? Or what books will now be on your reading list? Check out our round-up (with links to our collection) below
Born in Mexico City, author and illustrator Angela Dominguez grew up in Texas. Named several times as a Pura Belpré Honor for illustration, she now lives on the East Coast. Her friendly and open artwork invites the reader into a world where they can truly see themselves and others.
The award-winning creators of Last Stop on Market Street reunite for a beautifully poignant and timely book about family, what we hope for, and what is possible.
Every October, the Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word, turns our “it city” into “lit city.” With three days of thoughtful, exciting programming, this event has long been a fall-time favorite, appealing to more than just bookworms. I investigated the roots of this community-building festival using primary and secondary sources from NPL Special Collections.
One of the most marvelous writers and illustrators of children's literature today, Yuyi Morales mines her Mexican childhood for the magical words and riotous colors that inform her beautiful books. She has won numerous awards for her work, including the prestigious Pura Belpré Medal.
Pumpkin spice, hayrides, and sweater weather - oh my! Fall is just around the corner, and it's time to get cozy. Here are a few books I'm going to indulge in.
If you're looking for something exciting to read, I suggest browsing in the Young Adult section. Don't think reading about teenage drama is for you? Let me tell you, YA is so much more, and there is something for everyone.
By hearing about girls who face real life issues such as sadness, oppression, friend drama, and fear, we can perhaps investigate our own experiences and grow. Here’s a list of books to enjoy with your daughter that will certainly leave them feeling empowered!
David Sedaris is set to visit Music City next week. Before he comes, here are a few of his essays and collections I consider "Required Reading."
Published on March 13, Junot Díaz´s long awaited first book for children is a love letter to the children-both young and old- who carry in themselves the memories of the places that have shaped them and their communities.
Sue Grafton, author of the Kinsey Millhone alphabet mysteries and legendary pioneer for women in detective fiction, died last week at the age of 77.
A new picture book biography of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, whose enormous book collection formed the basis of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, is an artistic and literary achievement.
Welcome to Part #2 of my NaNoWriMo series. We are now nine days into NaNoWriMo, and at roughly 2,000 words a day, you should have written about 18,000 words. Are you keeping pace? Need help?
If the name “Paula Herring” sounds familiar, you may already know where this is going. If not, keep reading. This post explores the tragic 1964 murder of young Paula Herring, drawing from Michael Bishop’s new book, A Murder in Music City: Corruption, Scandal, and the Framing of an Innocent Man.
Sonia Manzano, better known to millions of children and adults as “Maria” from Sesame Street, is also the author of several books for young children. Discover them with Nashville Public Library!
It's been a rough week: we've lost some talented people. Longing to know more about Gwen Ifill, Leon Russell, Leonard Cohen, or Janet Reno? We offer these selections.
One of my favorite illustrators is Lauren Castillo. I love the playfulness in her art. The friendly, open faces of the girls and boys make her illustrations very accessible to both children and adults.
Children’s Day/El Día de los Niños, which is commonly referred to as Día, is a nationally recognized celebration created to emphasize the importance of literacy in children from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The Southeast Branch Library recently held a week-long 20th anniversary celebration for Día at the end of April.
Sue Grafton discusses her book X, with Tony Award-winning actress and narrator of the Alphabet Series, Judy Kaye. This event was part of the Salon@615 author series.
