This is a guest post by Sasha Dowdy, a program specialist in the Literary Initiatives Office. It was originally published in the National Book Festival blog. The Young Adult stage was a busy spot at the National Book Festival this year, for both teens, adults and everyone in-between. Plus, we welcomed three teen moderators on …
This year, Hanukkah runs from December 18th to 26th. The winter festival of lights celebrates the 2nd century B.C. victory of the Jewish Maccabees over the Greco-Syrian King Antiochus and his forces. When the Jews sought to rededicate the temple in Jerusalem, the remaining one day’s supply of sacred oil miraculously lasted for a full …
The winter holidays are almost here! If you can’t face any more shopping, prefer to make gifts, or would simply like to brighten someone’s day, this post has suggestions for last-minute treats you can whip up yourself. Homemade candy is a welcome seasonal confection that’s perfect to share. It’ll mean a trip to the grocery …
This post was co-written by Monica Valentine and Alli Hartley-Kong of the Library’s Informal Learning Office On January 16, 2020, award-winning writer Jason Reynolds began his tenure as the seventh National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. While the role of the ambassador is to “raise national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature,” Reynolds …
This post was written by Sasha Dowdy, a program specialist in the Literary Initiatives Office. It was originally published in the National Book Festival blog. The National Book Festival has always welcomed families and children, and this year was no exception. On the KidLit stage, the stage devoted to middle-grade writers and their latest books. …
Growing up, having an Advent calendar was a fun part of my family’s holiday celebrations. Opening up a little cardboard door or window each morning from December 1st added a nice sense of anticipation and a handy visual countdown to how many days were left until Christmas. Later, my own children invariably squabbled over who …
This is a guest blog by Siobhan Miller, Teaching with Primary Sources intern at the Young Readers Center & Programs Lab. With thanks to Megan Harris of the Veterans History Project. For more information on the Teaching with Primary Sources internship opportunity, please follow this link. As Veterans Day approaches, many of us are reflecting …
This summer, I was inspired by our programs at National Park to explore my own family connections with baseball. This post is a follow-up to my colleague Lauren’s post, “Baseball History: Reflections & Family History Activities”. My grandfather grew up in Paterson, New Jersey, home of his baseball hero—Larry Doby. After serving in World War …
On Saturday, October 22, the Library of Congress hosted a Halloween Family Day, featuring Goosebumps author R.L. Stine and Magic Tree House author Mary Pope Osborne discussing 30 years of their series. The Library’s Informal Learning Office also hosted spooky art and reading activities for families in the Jefferson Building before the author program. One …