Dusk Explorers and a Game of Sardines

The summer I was 10, tragedy struck. The large, vacant lot right next door to my house sold. And the buyers immediately broke ground to build a brand new, beautiful home. I was devastated. For 10 glorious years, the vacant lot had been the gathering place for the neighborhood children. Probably twenty kids would gather for bike rides over kid-made dirt jumps, kick the can, sardines, hide and seek, capture the flag, 007, kick ball, ultimate frisbee, and any other game we could imagine. We played with kids from 7 to 15, and no one cared about the age differences. We were all friends and we were all welcome. I had played with these kids for as long as I could remember.

Our soon to be neighbor knew that he had 20 little enemies before we even had a chance to get to know him. But he was smart. He promised to never leave any tools, nails, or other hazards behind at the end of the work day, and invited us to play inside the construction site each evening if we promised to be careful and not touch anything. The magic was back. We played some epic games in that framed house. And by the time it was completed, we realized that the fun could continue and we could accept our new friends. The magic of the vacant lot became the magic of the street. We continued to play and made wonderful memories. We were Dusk Explorers.

Given the joy of my childhood, I was beyond thrilled to received Lindsay Leslie's newest picture book, Dusk Explorers, illustrated by Ellen Rooney. Friends, it. is. beautiful. It is seriously my childhood in a picture book. As a group of diverse neighborhood children steal out into the evening, readers are captivated by the possibilities of summer magic. The language is inviting and beautiful in a way that is so rich and compelling, readers can't help but grin, longing to join the children as they run, climb, jump, discover, laugh, and play. Lindsay Leslie masterfully creates a text that is both lyrical and compelling. And the illustrations are so inviting and stunning that they draw you into the pages. You truly feel like you experience the entire evening along with the children ask dusk settles into night. Dusk Explorers is a triumph. My girls were thrilled by it and asked to read it again right after we finished the first time. How timely for a book to celebrate friendship, outdoor play, and exploration when we see so much greater dependence on technology.

I love to watch my girls play unscripted outside. It's amazing the games they come up with and the discoveries they make. They make "soup" out of leaves, dirt, twigs, and petals. They often set up an "ice cream shop" under their play place. Or they might create an obstacle course through the entire back yard. And of course, they love to bike, skate, swing, slide, jump on the trampoline, use sidewalk chalk, and swim (since were already over 105 in Arizona. Yipes!) But I realized with this amazing book that I haven't taught them some of the classic games of my childhood.

So this week, we played sardines. They thought it was so fun to play "backwards hide and seek" as they decided to call it. If you haven't played, it's simple.

Choose one person to go and hide.

Everyone else hunts for that person.

When you find them, you hide with them, trying to stay well hidden.

Soon, you will be scrunched into a small place like a bunch of sardines.

Last person to find the group hides first next round.

It was seriously so much fun, and such a simple family activity. And then we simply watched the kids play and relived the magic. Allowing kids to be outside without leading the activity is special. They truly do explore and discover differently than they ever do inside.

I hope you will all pick up this beautiful story and remember your own childhoods while encouraging your children to get outside. Thank you Lindsay and Ellen for such a gorgeous book and for reminding us all to be Dusk Explorers.

15 Picture Books to Teach Anti Racism to the Littlest Readers

As our country mourns, protests, and fights for reforms, I hope, pray, and advocate for real and lasting change to come to our communities, states, and nation. But I feel deeply in my heart that it needs to start in our homes. We must be more actively engaged at home to teach our children anti-racism. We must raise children who are willing to stand up against racism. We must be the examples and stand up against it ourselves. We must all take a stand if we are to see true and lasting change.

I want to share some picture books that have made an impact on our home and help even the littlest kids learn about anti-racism. Books that my girls love. I was hesitant to create this list because there are already so many great lists out there about picture books to teach anti racism. But I kept feeling the pull to get my own list out there. And I figure if only one of my friends sees this list who hasn't seen any of the other lists, it will be worth it. My list is specifically for the smallest kids. These are the books that have started great discussions with girls as young as 2 years old.

First, here are some much more comprehensive lists that you can enjoy.

31 Children's books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance

Black Girl Magic: 33 Picture Books Featuring Black Female Protagonists

Broadening the Story: 60 Picture Books Starring Black Mighty Girls

And for older readers, some chapter and MG books: 10 Children's Books With Black Girl Protagonists

Now, to add my voice to the need to teach anti racism to our children, here is my list of 15 picture books to teach anti racism in the home, even to the youngest readers.

First, books that directly lend to conversations about race and racism:

Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin and Ebony Glenn

This is a favorite book in our home. My girls love and ask for it. When Tameika wants to play Snow White in the school play, other students think she's "too tall, too chubby, and too brown." Tameika must learn that she is "just enough of all the right stuff" to truly shine. I love talking to my girls about how important it is to stand up for other kids when they see situations like this.

Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson and Frank Morrison

I literally cried the first time we read this book. A beautiful telling of the power of children in the civil rights movement, specifically the Birmingham children's crusade. I was able to talk to my kids about the difference they can make when they stand up for what is right. And all of the hard things that black children have to endure. And how to be a real ally.

Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o and Vashti Harrison

Sulwe is a beautifully written and illustrated story about learning to be comfortable and love yourself in your own skin. My girls were mesmerized by the illustrations and sad to learn that anyone might not want the skin they were born in. A great book to talk about helping others to always feel strong, confident, love, accepted, and important.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López

This book is wonderful to help kids recognize when others might be feeling uncomfortable or nervous in a new place. And that it's okay to feel that way too. That you can help each other and stand together, even through differences.

The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali and Hatem Aly

I loved this book so much. It's a beautiful story about being proud of who you are and standing strong, even when others don't understand. This book opens up a wonderful discussion with kids about loving and befriending people who are different. And seeking to understand, support, and respect each other's beliefs.

Little Leaders:Bold Women in Black History and Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison

These books are really wonderful and have so many great stories about multiple men and women in black history. I love that we can read just one story or multiple stories at a time. I think it is so important that my kids know these stories.

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly and Laura Freeman

Another great book about strong black women who made a huge difference in history. Unfortunately, these stories are not always told. A huge step towards change and equality is telling these stories and knowing the great history.

I Am Enough by Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo

I love that this book embraces and accepts differences. It does a beautiful job of teaching kids that we aren't all the same. But we are all enough and we should all be equal.

Island Born by Junot Díaz and Leo Espinosa

In this book with vibrant and engaging illustrations, we follow Lola as she tries to remember life on The Island. She hears the stories of many in her community, some beautiful and fun, others difficult and trying. I think this book is wonderful to open up conversations with kids about the difficulties that many kids have endured and how we can understand each other's experiences.

And now for some books that we love that don't necessarily tackle racism head on, but do have amazing black protagonists. I feel it is so important to read and love books with Black protagonists. I hear too many people say they "don't see color" or "don't see race." I understand that the desire behind that is good and true and I commend you for wanting total equality. However, not seeing race/color can be detrimental to racial identity and pride. It's okay, even wonderful and good to be different. The key is to love and stand up for each other regardless of color. To create equality while loving and embracing our racial, cultural, and personal differences. So as I've read these books with my girls, they are seeing strong and wonderful Black children. It doesn't even take much of a lesson. We just read together and the truth of beauty in all the people around us sinks in. In fact, when my daughters color, they automatically--without any prodding from me--use multiple colors for skin tones in their projects. To them it is natural and wonderful to have the diversity.

I Got The Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison and Frank Morrison

My girls love this book. With very sparse text, most of the story is found in the beautiful illustrations. A protagonist who is vibrant and comfortable in her skin shows us how wonderful it is to be alive and find joy.

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry and Vashti Harrison

This book is such a touching look into a daddy-daughter relationship as Zuri tries to find the perfect hair style for a special day. But her beautiful hair has a mind of its own sometimes.

Parker Looks Up by Parker and Jessica Curry and Brittany Jackson

This book is so inspiring. First of all, I adore Michele Obama. This book tells the story of Parker Curry's experience seeing a portrait of Michele in a museum. In the moment that she sees such a strong, incredible black woman, Parker knows. that she can be anything she wants to be.

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts

In this cute book, Ada has lots of questions. More than her parents know how to deal with. But they work together to find a way to support Ada in her quest for knowledge.

When Grandma Gives You A Lemon Tree by Jamie L. B. Deenihan and Lorraine Rocha

This book is a favorite in our house. I love the twist on the "when life gives you lemons" idea. Our protagonist wants the latest gadgets and gizmos for her birthday. But she comes to learn the beauty of planting, nurturing, and growing. In fact, the entire neighborhood is transformed by a lemon tree.

Mary Had a Little Glam by Tammi Sauer and Vanessa Brantley-Newton

I adore anything and everything by Tammi Sauer. She is truly an amazing author. And Mary Had a Little Glam is no exception. It's such a cute book about a fancy little girl who brings the glam wherever she goes. But also knows when to turn off the glam.

I'd love to hear any of your favorite books to teach anti-racism in the home. I truly believe that this is where it must start. We have to do better and be better. I hope that we will and I hope that these books will become staples in your homes.

And to my black friends, I hear you. I love you. If you ever need to talk, I am here to listen. I know that I will never fully understand. But I will always stand by your side.

Dino Day: Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug

Hi friends. How are you all doing? I hope you are well, healthy, and pushing through these trying times. I know it can be hard to keep the kiddos entertained and busy when our minds are on heavy things and our hearts are breaking. So I hope you can find some good ideas here on For Little Readers to fill your days. We've been doing theme days recently and I can't wait to share all of our ideas with you.

Last week, we had a Dinosaur Day. Of course, we had to start with a book.

Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug by Jonathan Stutzman and Jay Fleck is such a cute book. I love the message of determination to do the seemingly impossible to help a friend. And it's funny along the way, which is always a great bonus for me. My girls were cracking up at little T. Rex trying to hug an ice cream cone and a cactus for practice. The illustrations are fun and the text moves along quickly. It was a great start to our dino day. With libraries mostly closed, this is a good one that you can check out on Hoopla if your library supports that app.

Our dino day activities included this fun Dinosaur Paper Plate craft. I always have to talk myself into getting the paints out, because I know that it will be a fun, messy disaster with little ones. But it's literally always worth the mess.

You can print out the templates for this fun craft from Learn With Play At Home. My girls had so much fun with the sponge painting. They were a little patient on waiting for them to dry, so if your little ones aren't big on waiting, or they don't like getting messy, maybe go with crayons instead of paint.

After our dino craft and some dino shaped chicken nuggets for lunch, we went for a fossil dig. I had enough messy for one day with paints, so instead of filling my buckets with dirt/sand, I went with rice. Then I laminated some fossil print outs and burried them in the rice. You wouldn't have to laminate either if you want to skip that step. Then give the kids a paint brush and let them discover the fossils. Simple and fun.

I found this cute coloring page, free to download from Crayola.

We wrapped up the day watching "The Good Dinosaur" on Disney+. I admittedly had never seen it before, and it was *slightly* more intense than I was prepared for. My kiddos were okay in the end, but there were definitely moments that they were not feeling it.

I hope you have an awesome Dino Day and stay busy with meaningful moments with your kiddos. If you have the Libby app, there are lots of good dino books available there too.

Meet Kailei Pew

Kailei believes in books. She believes in imaginative play. She believes in having fun, getting messy, and being silly with her kids. Thus For Little Readers was born.​ Kailei also writes picture books and is currently seeking representation. She loves creating books that bring children and parents together. Kailei hopes that her own books will one day be featured in her blog. ​Prior to staying home with her children and writing picture books, Kailei worked as a reading teacher and middle school mentor. She was a 2019 Write Mentor Mentee and a finalist in Susanna Leonard Hill's 2019 Holiday Writing Contest.