Enjoy our series of recorded Shadow Puppet Theatre and Storybook Theatre storytimes and art project videos brought to you by the generous grant for technology from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Humanities Texas.
“Because” by Mo Willems
Enjoy this musical reading by Miss Jan of “Because” by Mo Willems. This wonderfully illustrated book was generously donated by The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. It honors Mrs. Mitchell and her love of the arts on what would have been her 100 birthday. #BookReading #StoryTime #ChildrensBook #Educate #Empower #Excite
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“Frida” by Jonah Winter
When her mother was worn out from caring for her five sisters, her father gave her lessons in brushwork and color. When polio kept her bedridden for nine months, drawing saved her from boredom. When a bus accident left her in unimaginable agony, her paintings expressed her pain and depression – and eventually, her joys and her loves. Over and over again, Frida Kahlo turned the challenges of her life into art. Now Jonah Winter and Ana Juan have drawn on both the art and the life to create a playful, insightful tribute to one of the twentieth century’s most influential artists. Viva Frida! #BookReading #StoryTime #ChildrensBook #Educate #Empower #Excite
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“The Seed of Compassion: Lessons from the Life and Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama” by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate His Holiness the Dalai Lama shares lessons of peace, kindness, and compassion with children through stories from his own childhood. Children are never too young to learn these important life lessons.
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Click to watch how to create the art project.
Click for printable instructions to create this project.
“Gazpacho for Nacho”
by Tracey C. Kyle.
Nacho will only eat Gazpacho for every meal and snacks! However, a visit to the market with an array of yummy veggies opens his eyes to maybe trying something else. This delicious story is perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15).
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Click to watch how to make recipes.
Click for printable recipes.
“Max Found Two Sticks”
by Brian Pinkney.
Max discovers the joy of making music when he picks up two twigs that fall to the ground. He begins to tap out the rhythms of everything he sees and hears around him. This foot-tapping story is just in time for “National Hug a Drummer Day” (October 10)!
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Click to watch Mr. Tom from Tom’s Fun Band play the drums.
“Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music” by Margarita Engle.
This story is inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl in Cuba, who achieved her dream of drumming in spite of being told girls can’t drum!
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🍞 “Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story” by Kevin Noble Maillard.
November is Native American Heritage Month. This beautiful story highlights a modern Native American family observing the old traditions and making new memories.
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🍜 “Thank You, Omu!” by Oge Mora.
The whole neighborhood dreams of tasting Omu’s yummy stew, and she shares her meal with them until nothing is left for her! This beautiful story of sharing and community is perfect for the Thanksgiving season and has a delightful ending.
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🐻🔯🕎“Hanukkah Bear” by Eric A. Kimmel.
The delicious aroma of Bubba Brayna’s famous latkes attracts a bear on the first night of Hanukkah. Not seeing or hearing very well, Bubba Brayna mistakes him for her rabbi and invites him inside her home to play the dreidel game, light the menorah, and enjoy a delicious meal. After the bear leaves, imagine her surprise when the real Rabbi and all her friends show up for dinner!
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🎅🏻🍪“A World of Cookies for Santa—Follow Santa’s Tasty Trip Around the World” by M. E. Furman
This multicultural celebration of Christmas Eve around the world introduces children to the variety of special treats and beverages children leave out for Santa such as Anzac biscuits and milk (plus hay or carrots for the reindeer) in New Zealand and puto seko cookies and salabat (ginger tea) in the Philippines.
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Click to see how to make these delicious cookies.
Click to see this amazing recipe.
“One Leaf Rides the Wind” by Celeste Davidson Mannis.
This beautiful counting book follows a young girl exploring a Japanese garden and also introduces children to haiku poetry.
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“Gus & Me—The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar” by Keith Richards.
Before there was a rock band called the Rolling Stones, there was a young boy who had the love of music instilled in him by his grandfather, who gave him his very first guitar. This true story about the childhood of Keith Richards shows the special connection between grandfather and grandson and the musical and artistic gifts of the Richards family.
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“Tikki Tikki Tembo, ” retold by Arlene Mosel
This is the story about a little boy in a far-away land who has a very long name (Tikki tikki tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo). This lengthy name puts him in danger after he falls down the well, but his little brother saves the day!
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“Ohana Means Family” by Ilima Loomis
Children are introduced to the land and culture of Hawaii through the traditions of a luau celebration.
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“Mela and the Elephant” by Dow Phumiruk
This beautiful story set in Thailand is about Mela, who ventures outside her village to explore but encounters trouble when her little boat is swept downstream into the jungle. She is unsuccessful in getting help to return home from the jungle creatures she encounters until an elephant appears and teaches Mela a lesson about kindness.
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“The Bug Girl ” by Sophia Spencer with Margaret McNamara.
Seven-year-old Sophia Spencer loved bugs since she was two. However, children began teasing her in first grade because of this. Sophia tells her own story in this heartwarming book and shares how many women scientists became aware of her story and encouraged her to continue to pursue her interest and be who she is!
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Click to enjoy Texas Wildlife Association’s insect information.