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July 29, 2026
Prehistoric Throwback Posters
August 28, 2026Celebrate Libraries + KidLit with 260 Days of Picture Books
Celebrate Libraries and KidLit with 260 Days of picture books! Here's the first 10 of a 260 book roll out. Each book will host a Summary, Big Idea, Discussion Questions, Activity plus at full printable Teacher's Guide.
Day 1 - Inclusion
Strictly No Elephants
by Lisa Mantchev
One great way to begin the year is a reminder that inclusion is needed in school classroom. It helps kids reflect on kindness and building that place, like the classroom, as a club where everyone is welcome.
Big Idea: Everyone belongs, and small acts of kindness can help build a welcoming community where all people are valued.
Discussion Questions
- Why did the Pet Club refuse the elephant?
- Was the club's rule fair? Why or why not?
- How did the boy respond to being excluded?
- Why did the girl become his friend?
- What makes the new club different?
- How does the parade show that everyone belongs?
- How can our classroom be more welcoming?
ACTIVITY: Create Your Own Pet
Invent an unusual pet. Describe its Appearance, Personality, Favorite activities, and share why it would make a great friend.
Day 2 - Name Calling
Don't Call Me Fuzzybutt!
by Robin Newman
Who doesn't love a great way to say, Name calling is not done here, and this here is a good reason why—with personality, loads of cool characters, sass, and sassy, and a great title to boot! go ahead, read it. I dare you not to find it a great, great, most fabulous read.
Big Idea: Our names are part of who we are, but the care, respect, and love we share with others are what truly define us.
Discussion Questions
- Why does the kitten dislike the nickname "Fuzzbutt"?
- Which name would the kitten have preferred? Why?
- How do the illustrations help make the story funny?
- How does the family's behavior show that they care about the kitten?
- What makes a good name?
- What lesson does the kitten learn?
- How would you have solved the kitten's problem?
- Why do you think the author chose such a funny title?
ACTIVITY: My Perfect Name
Students imagine giving themselves a new nickname. Students include the new name, why it fits, three personality traits, and an illustration.
Day 3 - Brainpower
Brains! Not Just a Zombie Snack
by Stacy McAnulty
Any book that starts out: "Brains. 78% water, 100% delicious" and features a zombie chef scientist extraordinaire gets my vote, plus this brilliant, brilliant illustrator (take a bow, please, Matthew Rivera) adds so much extra to this story. Your kiddos will be talking gray-matter like it matters for days. And they will remember a lot.
Big Idea: Your brain is an incredible organ that helps you think, learn, move, feel, and grow. Taking care of your brain helps you live a healthy, active, and curious life.
Discussion Questions
- Why does the author compare brains with zombie stories?
- What are three important jobs the brain performs?
- Which brain fact surprised you the most?
- Why is the brain considered the body's control center?
- How do neurons help the brain communicate?
- Why is it important to wear helmets during certain activities?
- How does humor make learning easier?
- What is the author's purpose for writing this book?
ACTIVITY: Amazing Brain Poster
Create an informational poster showing your favorite Brain: Major brain parts, their functions, interesting facts, illustrations and labels.
Day 4 - Spooky Friendship
Leo: A Ghost Story
by Mac Barnett
As a Library Director, I often shifted from a Middle School to an Elementary midday, and I often found it funny that both schools had those who craved Spooky Stories. But in the Elementary, this book often came to mind. I loved asking littles if they think, based on the cover if this will be a spooky Read. Hans would go up. But... then surprise would wave Hello!
Big Idea: When we look beyond appearances and welcome others with kindness, we discover friendship, understanding, and a place where everyone belongs.
Discussion Questions
- Why were the new homeowners afraid of Leo?
- How is Leo different from the ghosts we often see in stories?
- Why do you think Jane was able to become Leo's friend?
- What does Leo learn about friendship?
- How do the illustrations help show Leo's emotions?
- Why is imagination important in the story?
- What lesson does the author want readers to learn?
- How can we help someone feel like they belong?
ACTIVITY: Graphic Friendship Art
Draw Leo and Jane on one of their adventures together in six comic panes. Add speech bubbles showing their conversation.
Day 5 - Jaw-Saving New Job
Sharks Unhooked: The Adventures of Cristina Zenato, Underwater Ranger
by Patricia Newman
This inspiring nonfiction picture book tells the true story of Cristina Zenato, a conservationist, cave diver, and shark advocate who removes fishing hooks from sharks to help them survive. BIG QUESTION BEFORE YOU READ: Would you stick your arm in a shark's mouth to help them? (ASK AGAIN AFTER.)
Big Idea: Knowledge, compassion, and responsible action can help protect sharks and preserve healthy oceans for future generations.
Discussion Questions
- Why are many people afraid of sharks?
- How does Cristina challenge common myths about sharks?
- Why is it important to remove fishing hooks from sharks?
- What qualities make Cristina a successful underwater ranger?
- How do healthy shark populations help the ocean?
- What did you learn that surprised you?
- Why do you think the author chose to tell Cristina's story?
- How can young people help protect marine life?
ACTIVITY: Conservation Poster
Create a poster encouraging people to protect sharks and ocean habitats.
Include Facts, Catchy Slogan, Illustrations and Ways people can help.
Day 6 - National Crayon Day
The Crayons Go Back to School
by Drew Daywalt
Part of the Crayons Celebrate series, this book sketches out the excitement crayons have for their return to school, classroom, and friends.
Big Idea: Just as every crayon adds a unique color to a picture, every student brings valuable talents and ideas that help create a welcoming classroom.
Discussion Questions
- Which crayon did you relate to the most? Why?
- How are the crayons similar to students?
- What challenges did the crayons face at school?
- How did they solve their problems?
- What makes each crayon unique?
- Why is teamwork important in a classroom?
- What lesson does the story teach about learning?
- How do the illustrations add to the humor?
ACTIVITY: If I Were a Crayon...
Write from the point of view of a crayon. What's Your color, personality, favorite school subject, and how you help classmates?
Day 7 - Ode to Phenomenal Birds
Light as a Feather: Fifteen Phenomenal North American Birds
by Will Hillenbrand
Meet North America's most fascinating birds like nature's drummers (the woodpecker) to its most dynamic dancers (the sandhill crane) and flashiest fliers (the blue jay), niftiest nester (the oriole) and the science behind the skill! Explore the bird's habitats and experience every part of the birds' world!
Gamify this Read: Ask Students the Question, "Why are Feathers so Light? Let the guess. Three ideas. Then, read the opening paragraph on each spread.
Big Idea: How does understanding wildlife helps people appreciate and protect the natural world and encourage students to become "bird watchers" by observing and recording birds?
After Reading Discussion:
- Which bird surprised you the most? Why?
- What adaptations help birds survive?
- How do feathers serve different purposes?
- Which bird would you most like to observe in nature?
- Why is it important to protect bird habitats?
ACTIVITY: Be A Bird Detective
Assign each student one bird from the book. Students research what makes each bird unique: Habitat, Diet, Special skills, Interesting things they do!
Day 8 - Portal to Other Worlds
If You Went to the Bottom of the Ocean
by Brooke McIntyre
Take a deep-dive into second-person text and vibrant illustrations as this book takes you, the reader, on an adventure to the bottom of the ocean to explore each zone, the creatures that live there, and the science behind what might be experienced as creatures of the deep.
Big Idea: This book shows how curiosity, observation, and asking questions can lead to new discoveries about places we rarely get to see.
Discussion Questions
- How does point of view affect the way a story feels?
- What makes the ocean such a fascinating place to explore?
- How do text and illustrations work together to teach us?
- What might we discover if we kept going?
ACTIVITY: "Ocean Journey"
Create an "Ocean Journey" booklet of student writing and art. Choose a creature of the deep and draw and share what makes it most interesting.
Day 9 - Being Brave
Milton Makes A Move
by Jonathan Graziano
When Milton finds out he’s moving to a new home of his own, he packs his tiny suitcase (ball, duck, bone) and does his best to be brave. When he meets his new human, Jonathan, he's surprised his human seems nervous too! But this little similarity helps Milton embrace his brave and give new friends a chance.
Big Idea: Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to growth, new experiences, and meaningful friendships.
Discussion Questions:
- How did Milton change throughout the story?
- What did Milton learn from Dwayne?
- What was the biggest challenge Milton faced? How did he handle it?
- How did the ending make you feel? Why do you think the author ended the story this way?
- What is the message the author is trying to share?
ACTIVITY: Letter to Milton
Write a letter to Milton, sharing your advice about trying something new. What should he try and why?
Day 10 - What is a Tar Pit?
Stuck! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits
by Joyce Uglow
“Uglow’s rhythmic text traverses thousands of years as it tells the prehistoric tale of many fossils coming to exist in Los Angeles’s La Brea Tar Pits…." says Publishers Weekly. This book unfolds the brilliant, creative non-fiction, and poetical exploration surrounding the history and little-known origins of the Ice Age and La Brea Tar Pits―including what scientists are learning about climate change. Experience it for yourself!
Big Idea: The La Brea Tar Pits show how evidence from the past can help us understand ancient life, changing environments, and the world we live in today.
Discussion Questions:
- What was the most surprising or interesting thing you learned?
- How have discoveries at La Brea helped scientists?
- Would you like to be a paleontologist? Why or why not?
- Connect: How does this book show the importance of curiosity and perseverance?
ACTIVITY: Sticky Situation
Design a comic strip showing how an animal might have become stuck in the tar.
