Where They Gather By Teresa Rodrigues is a Beautiful Picturebook for Kids There’s something extra special about putting a friend’s book on Page Turner’s Bookshelf. The Where They Gather book, written by my friend and fellow critique-group member Teresa Rodrigues and illustrated by Nabi H. Ali, is a beautiful picture book about Black history, family, resilience, and hope. The story begins with a newly freed Black couple planting a pecan tree. As the tree grows, so does their f

Page Turner's Bookshelf Pick of the Week If you've followed me for any length of time, you know my answer to almost every big kid feeling — nerves, worry, the jitters, the "I don't want to's — is the same: tell a story about it. Stories are how I've always helped kids (and honestly, myself) work through the stuff that feels too big to say out loud. Wrap a worry in a dinosaur, a pirate, or a Storyologist on a quest, and suddenly it's something a kid can hold, laugh at, and wal

These simple activities use the power of story to encourage mindfulness as kids head back-to-school New teacher. New classroom. New routine. New kids. And sometimes, a whole lot of new WHAT IFS. What if I get lost?What if nobody talks to me?What if I make a mistake? When kids are worried, their brains can become incredible storytellers. Unfortunately, those stories aren’t always the kind with happily-ever-afters. That’s why I love using stories and imagination to help kids na

Storyologist Page Turner shares her Ten Favorite Back-to-School Read Alouds for Kids.

Does your child have back-to-school anxiety? Storytelling can help! Starting school after a break can stir up a lot of worries for young children. New teachers, unfamiliar routines, and meeting new classmates can feel overwhelming. Using imagination, storytelling, and creativity offers a gentle way to ease these anxieties. That's exactly what we do in our Less Stress Express Program. Check out some more fun storytelling techniques you can use to help kids cope with back-to-s

That's why helping kids notice where they carry stress is such a powerful skill. The better kids get at recognizing those signals, the better prepared they are to use healthy coping strategies before those feelings become overwhelming.

Imagination is more than just a fun escape—it’s a powerful tool that lets us visit futures that haven’t happened yet. When we ask ourselves "What if?" we open a door to possibilities. This simple question can spark hope and creativity, but it can also lead to worry and fear. What if I fail? What if everything goes wrong? These thoughts can feel overwhelming, but there’s a creative way to manage them using imagination itself.

Summer opens a world of possibilities for children, and libraries stand at the heart of this adventure. Far beyond just books, libraries offer a rich playground for imagination, learning, and creativity. Kids can explore stories, participate in activities, and discover new passions.

Help kids manage worries with this fun Worry Monster (ahem, Worry Wart!) Activity Meet Norbert. He's a worry wart. Okay, he's really a worry monster, but he worries that being called a monster is too scary. Hopefully, this worry monster activity will help him as well as the kids in your life. 🤣 Norbert loves to show up (especially at bedtime) to list every single thing that could go wrong. Sound familiar? Your kids—or the kids you work with—might not have a Norbert yet. But

Simple storytelling activities can transform passive screen time into creativity, imagination, and hands-on learning. Here are three easy ways to help kids move from simply watching stories to creating their own adventures.

Kids Will Gobble Up These Fun Holiday Cards! Unleash Your Creativity with Pop-Up Cards This is one of my favorite holiday crafts! Once you make one pop-up card, you can whip up a few more and turn them into a whole pop-up book that kids will absolutely gobble up! All you need is cardstock, scissors, crayons or markers, and a sprinkle of imagination. These pop-up projects are not just fun; they’re a fantastic creative literacy activity for kids. I first got hooked on making po

Did you know… Snakes smell with their tongues?🐝 Bees hear with their legs? These wild facts recently sent me tumbling down a rabbit hole of story ideas about how different creatures use their senses to explore the world. (Stay tuned—there may be a book called Taste with Your Feet in the works!) But in the meantime… Let’s talk senses—and how we can use them to help kids manage stress and anxiety. A Simple, Sensory Trick for Calming Nerves One of my favorite quick tools to s

Unleash Your Inner Storyteller! World Storytelling Day is the perfect time to help kids discover the magic of storytelling—and you don’t need a stage, a giant book, or even a perfectly planned story. All you need is a little creativity. So whether you’re a teacher, librarian, parent, or just a fan of a great tale, here are some playful ways to turn kids into fearless Storyologists! Get ready for giggles, gasps, and maybe even a talking pickle or two. 😊 1. The Magic Three Gi

August 12 - 16, 2024 If you’ve been reading my emails or posts these past few weeks, you’ve probably noticed that I’m sharing a lot of info about helping kids deal with stress. But, of course, it’s not just kids who are feeling overwhelmed. (Grownups, I’m looking at you! 👀) In fact, I had a really interesting conversation with my brother yesterday about how tough it’s been for him to support a child with learning difficulties while managing his own responsibilities. H

Some of my happiest childhood memories are when I stayed at my grandparents home for the night and curled up at my grandmother's side while she read fairytales to me. It‘s long been known that reading aloud to kids has many benefits in addition to the wonderful memories that are created. Here's that list of major benefits for kids mentioned in my last email. (THE LIST OF BENEFITS FOR ADULTS IS JUST BELOW.) Improved Literacy Skills: Reading aloud enhances children's vocabu