Picture Books About Women Serving in the United States Military

Women have been serving in the military since the inception of organized warfare, in both combat and non-combat roles. Over 200,000 women currently serve in the U.S. Armed Services. These picture books show what life is like for military families and mothers and daughters serving in the United States military. 

Missing Momma by Winsome Bingham; Illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell

This thoughtful picture book shows the real world-challenges of children in military families including when a parent is deployed far from home, lost time with family, and a mother's struggles with PTSD from a child’s perspective. The colorfully illustrated book also reveals the healing power of music and family. 

Author Winsome Bingham, a disabled army veteran, writes that Missing Momma is about a child who pays attention to her surroundings and the people in her life.   

Inspiring Illustrated Biographies for Women's History Month

The month of March serves as a time to honor the achievements and contributions made by women throughout the history of the United States. These biographies teach young readers about American women who are recognized for their unique contributions and groundbreaking achievements. 

The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne by Lesa Cline-Ransome; Illustrated by John Parra  

           

Young Ethel L. Payne had an ear for stories and courage to ask tough questions, earning her the distinction of being the first Black woman invited into the White House briefing room and the nickname, The First Lady of the Black Press. This inspiring picture book chronicles the joys and hardships of Payne’s early life and her professional achievements including reporting from across the globe and drawing attention to critical civil rights issues.

I’ve had a box seat on history and that’s a rare thing. 

Ethel L. Payne      

           

Halloween Books for Kids

Halloween is by far my favorite holiday, and I love to share the experience with my son. We spend more time outside playing in the fallen leaves and eating pumpkin spice rolls (his new favorite treat). He helps me decorate the house with bats, ghosts and skeletons, and he loves roaming the Halloween sections with me at the stores. One of my favorite things to do is bring home Halloween books from the library for us to read together. The following are the ones he requests the most. 

Cookie Boo by Ruth Paul

This rhythmic read aloud narrates the adventures of seven cookies who climb out of the cookie tin and go walking the neighborhood on Halloween. Their paths cross a monster with a sweet tooth. Can they return to the safety of their tin? 

Frankenslime by Joy Keller

“It’s ALIVE!!!” Victoria and her assistant, her dog Igor, love making slime and taking notes on their experiments. She is always on the hunt for better, more creative slime. One thunderous rainy night, she is struck by an amazing idea. But the experiment does not go as planned. Should they run for their lives or...could it turn out to be a good creation? You can’t go wrong with a book about slime and dogs, two things my son loves. 

Meet Author Emily Matheis! A Special Family Storytime: Opal's Springtime Birdhouse by Emily Matheis

 

Opal's Springtime Birdhouse by Emily Matheis

At Young Carpenter’s Camp boys and girls design creative birdhouses with pompoms, bells, and springs hoping to win the first-place blue ribbon prize. Opal uses a thoughtful strategy to design her simple, sturdy birdhouse, reading about birds and applying carpentry basics. She doesn’t impress the judges, but the pair of bluebirds who move into her birdhouse obviously appreciate her work. 

Opal’s Springtime Birdhouse shows boys and girls using STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) to design unique birdhouses and contains a positive message about handling unexpected outcomes. 

Emily Matheis, Author

I couldn’t be more excited to see Opal’s Springtime Birdhouse on our library shelves. Author Emily Matheis is a Sharon Forks Library patron and member of the Sharon Forks Writers’ Group who writes for children and adults. 

Sharon Forks Library will present Meet Author Emily Matheis! A Special Family Storytime on Monday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m. This program includes a story, craft, and Q&A with author Emily Matheis. 

Sign up for FCPL's Summer Reading Program and win prizes for reading and other activities. See all of the library's summer events on FCPL's event calendar.  

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist

Kids' Book Spotlight - Teen Collection - Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15th through October 15th. Celebrate the culture, heritage, and contributions of Hispanic Americans with these fantastic titles from our Teen collection.

Kids' Book Spotlight - Juvenile Collection - Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15th through October 15th. Celebrate the culture, heritage, and contributions of Hispanic Americans with these fantastic titles from our Juvenile collection.

Kids' Book Spotlight - Easy Collection - Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15th through October 15th. Celebrate the culture, heritage, and contributions of Hispanic Americans with these fantastic titles from our picture book and early reader collections. 

Kids' Book Spotlight - Teen Collection - Astounding Art

August is American Artist Appreciation Month! Check out these titles from our Teen collections to get inspired to create your own masterpieces.

Kids' Book Spotlight - Juvenile Collection - Amazing Art

August is American Artist Appreciation Month! Check out these titles from our Juvenile collections to celebrate and inspire your budding artists. 

Kids' Book Spotlight - Easy Collection - Awesome Art

August is American Artist Appreciation Month! Check out these kids' book titles to celebrate and inspire your young artists.

Helping Kits: Anxiety

Needless to say, recent years have brought on plenty of anxiety.   

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 7% of children between ages 3 and 11 are impacted by anxiety. Symptoms of anxiety often begin to manifest around age six. Anxiety sufferers experience worry, anxiety, or distress out of proportion with a given situation. Sometimes the feeling is near-constant.  

FCPL’s Anxiety Helping Kit contains five picture books that feature characters dealing with various types of anxiety. The kits also include an anxiety activity guide and a list of online resources for parents and caregivers. I was really impressed with the thoughtful picture books in FCPL’s Anxiety Helping Kit.  

Kids' Book Spotlight - Teen Collection - Hilarious Hijinks!

April Fools' Day is right around the corner! Get hyped up with these titles full of hilarious hijinks!

Kids' Book Spotlight - Juvenile Collection - Ridiculous Reads!

April Fools' Day is right around the corner! Get ready for rip roaring laughter with these ridiculously funny titles!

Kids' Book Spotlight - Easy Collection - Silly Stories!

April Fools' Day is right around the corner! Start getting silly with these stories from our Easy Collection for young readers!

Kids' Book Spotlight - Teen Collection - Winter Olympics!

Are you a hockey fan? How about snowboarding? Slaloms more your speed? Get ready for the Winter Olympics with these titles from our Teen collections! Don't forget to cheer for Team USA (or your home country!) starting at the Opening Ceremonies on Friday, February 4th!

Kids' Book Spotlight - Juvenile Collection - Winter Olympics!

Are you a fan of speed skating? Or the luge? How about curling? 

Check out these great titles from our Juvenile collection to get ready for the Winter Olympics! Opening Ceremonies are on Friday, February 4th!

Kids' Book Spotlight - Easy Collection - Winter Olympics!

Are you excited for next month's Winter Olympic games? Check out these fun titles from our Easy and Early Reader collections to get our youngest readers excited to cheer for Team USA! Opening Ceremonies are on Friday, February 4th!

December 2021 Reading Challenge - Kids' Book Spotlight - Teen Collection

This month we challenge our patrons and staff to read a book from your "To Be Read" pile or give a book you didn't like a second chance. Finish off the year by reading a book from our Teen Collection that you have been meaning to read! Here are some selections from the staff at the Sharon Forks branch to get you started!

Teen Middle (Grades 6-8)

Pony

by R. J. Palacio

Twelve-year-old Silas is awoken in the dead of night by three menacing horsemen who take his father away. Silas is left shaken, scared, and alone, except for the presence of his companion, Mittenwool...who happens to be a ghost. When a pony shows up at his door, Silas makes the courageous decision to leave his home and embark on a perilous journey to find his father. Along the way, he will face his fears to unlock the secrets of his past and explore the unfathomable mysteries of the world around him.

Don't Tell the Nazis

by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch

It is June 1941 and after the brutal rule of the Soviets the people of Krystia's small Ukrainian village are inclined to look on the German invaders as liberators; but soon the Nazis start rounding up Jewish Ukrainians, and Krystia is faced with a terrible choice--risk everything by helping her Jewish friends and neighbors to hide, or save herself and her family by doing nothing.

Teen High (Grades 9-12)

City of Bones

by Cassandra Clare

Suddenly able to see demons and the Shadowhunters who are dedicated to returning them to their own dimension, fifteen-year-old Clary Fray is drawn into this bizarre world when her mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a monster.

Replica

by Jenna Black

Sixteen-year-old Nadia lives a privileged life in the Corporate States, formerly the United States of America, but when her betrothed is killed and then wakes up in the replication tanks, the pair sets out to find a killer while keeping the secrets of human replication technology from the dangerous people who run their world.

If you need help selecting a book for any of our Reading Challenges, you can Contact a Librarian or visit the Ask Us desk of any Forsyth County Public Library branch.

Check back soon for information on the 2022 reading program for all ages!

Stephani Lindsey

Youth Specialist

Sharon Forks Library

#WeKnowBooks

December 2021 Reading Challenge - Kids' Book Spotlight - Juvenile Collection

This month we challenge our patrons and staff to read a book from your "To Be Read" pile or give a book you didn't like a second chance. Finish off the year by reading a book from our Juvenile Collection that you have been meaning to read! Here are some selections from the staff at the Sharon Forks branch to get you started!

December 2021 Reading Challenge - Kids' Book Spotlight - Easy Collection

This month we challenge our patrons and staff to read a book from your "To Be Read" pile or give a book you didn't like a second chance. Finish off the year by reading a book to your little ones that you have been meaning to read! Here are some selections from the staff at the Sharon Forks branch to get you started!