Not Your Typical Dragon by Dan Bar-el
January 16 is Appreciate a Dragon Day 🐉, so we are reading a book from our Imagination Library collection. Crispin is having trouble being a dragon, but can a new friend help him out? In the story, Crispin breathes bubbles instead of fire! For our activity, we are going to make our own bubbles and wand.
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The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
For a lot of people, January means snowy days! 
We are going to explore a snowy city with our friend Peter in Ezra Jack Keats’ charming book, The Snowy Day. For our craft, we are going to make our own paper snowflakes that won’t melt.
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Shante Keys and the New Year's Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport
Shante Keys searches for the black eyed peas that her family eats on New Year’s Day. Along her way she learns how her friends celebrate the New Year.
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The 12 Days of Christmas in Tennessee by Alice Faye Duncan
Gather round as we read about a family and their holiday exploration of Tennessee. For our craft, we are going to make a Tennessee State ornament that looks like your favorite Tennessee symbol or place.
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The First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming
December 21 is the first day of winter, also called the Winter Solstice. On this day we will experience the shortest day and the longest night of the year. All over the world people celebrate the Winter Solstice in different ways. Some people light lanterns to help light up the night. To celebrate the Winter Solstice on December 21, we are going to make paper lanterns.
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Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf by Greg Wolfe
Learn about Hanukkah as we read this story. During the eight days of Hanukkah, a candle on the menorah is lit every evening. 🕎 Families and friends eat foods like latkes and jelly filled doughnuts. Children play with dreidels and try to win the most chocolate gold coins. For our craft this week, we are going to make a peek-a-boo dreidel picture. You will need a piece of white paper, a piece of construction paper, markers, scissors, and glue.
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Snowmen at Work by Caralyn Buehner
Welcome to December! ⛄ In Snowmen at Work, we get to see the many adventures that snowmen take at night. Do you think they would like to visit the Museum if they lived in Nashville? For science this week we are going to make homemade snow dough to build your own snowman, even if it’s not snowing outside! Remember, this project is not edible.
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Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes
This week is Thanksgiving, a time for families to gather around and celebrate all the things they are thankful for this year. In our story, we see all the things this family is thankful for like fall, food, and school. This week we are going to make thankful hearts! You will need paper, scissors, markers, and tape.
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At the Mountain’s Base by Traci Sorell
In the story, a Cherokee family who is waiting for a family member to return home. The pages of the book are covered in yarn that the grandmother is using in her weaving, holding the book together, just as she holds the family together from far away. We will use paper to complete our woven art. If possible, send it to someone who you haven’t seen in a while. Let them know you were thinking about them as you were weaving your art.
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Legend of the Indian Paintbrush by Tomie dePaola
In the story, Little Gopher made his paint brushes with the materials he had around him. Can you be like Little Gopher and make your own paint brushes? You can use the things you find around your house, or even outside. Once you have your paint brush, take a minute to paint a picture.
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Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty
In this story, we learn that no matter how old you are, you can impact your community. Seeing how hard Sophia worked to help them, her community believes she would make a fabulous president one day! For our art activity, we are going to make our own presidential poster. You need paper, markers, tape, and a stick. Tell your family why you would make the perfect president.
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The Day of the Dead by Bob Barner
Learn about the tradition of The Day of the Dead, also known as Día de los Muertos. In Mexico and other countries, people celebrate the lives of their family members and friends over several days. The celebration is filled with food, colorful banners, and flowers. After our story, we are going to make Papel Picados (Paper Banners). These colorful banners are traditionally hung around homes and the town.
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Nashville Boo by Ashley Crownover
In this story, we travel around the city of Nashville with a friendly ghost! 👻 After we read, let’s make our own friendly cotton ball ghost. You will need construction paper, cotton balls, and glue. When we're finished, you can find a place to hang your ghost!
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Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
The witch in our story uses her magic cauldron to make a brand-new broom. We are going to make our own bubbling magic cauldron! You will need a little help with this science experiment. Download the activity sheet for the ingredients to your magic potion. Remember NOT to drink your potion!
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Click, Clack, Boo! by Doreen Cornin
The animals are throwing a fun Halloween Party in the barn. Did you see all their fun costumes? One of the best things about Halloween is deciding what to wear! For today’s activity, design your own Halloween costume. You can draw it, paint it, or create it from any materials you have at home.
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Strega Nona's Harvest by Tomie DePaola
Big Anthony grows too many vegetables! Strega Nona decides to have a feast for the whole town to share the harvest. We are going to make Three Sisters Soup! The Three Sisters is a First People’s tale about beans, corn, and squash and why they grow together. For this recipe we will be making a soup that includes these ingredients. 🌽
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The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Ferdinand is one special bull who just wants to sit and enjoy the flowers. 🌻🌷🌼 Just like at home on the farm, Ferdinand notices the beautiful flowers that the city ladies are wearing in their hair. Try making flowers out of paper like construction paper, tissue paper, or even a coffee filter! Once you are done, act like Ferdinand and admire your flower.
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Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book by Yuyi Morales
In our book, we meet a hard-working grandmother who tricks Señor Calavera into staying for her birthday party. Ask an adult to help you cut your four favorite fruits into bite-size pieces to create a colorful fruit salad. Grandma Beetle uses papaya, watermelon, cantaloupe, and pineapple. 🍉🍈🍍 Add your cut fruit to a bowl and enjoy!
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Baking Day at Grandma's by Anika A. Denise
In our book, the bears spend the day baking with their grandma. Sept 13 is Grandparents Day! Think about your grandparents and some of the fun things that you do with them. Do you bake like the bears in the book, or go fishing? Draw or write your favorite thing to do with your grandparents. If you can, send it to them!
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Rubia and the Three Osos by Susan Middleton Elya
Rubia wreaks havoc in the Three Osos’ house. After Rubia finds a way to help fix the mess she created, she and the Osos family become friends! For our art activity, draw your own teddy bear. Maybe it's a tie dye bear, or a black bear like the ones who live in the Smoky Mountains. Have fun with your teddy bear design!
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Born to Ride: A Story About Bicycle Face by Larissa Theule
In this story, we meet Louisa. She would like to learn to ride a bike like her brother, but at the time riding bikes was just for boys. Louisa doesn’t let that stop her from learning! Create your own bicycle wheel window art! You will need a paper plate, scissors, markers, a coffee filter, and tape. Once you have created your wheel, hang it in your widow.
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A is for Awesome by Eva Chen
In this story we learn about some amazing women who were trailblazers from all over the world. There are even two Tennesseans included in the book! For this story's art project, create a self-portrait. You could draw it or create it from recycled materials in your house. Be creative and have fun!
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Lily's Cat Mask by Julie Fortenberry
In this story, Lily’s dad buys her a fabulous cat mask! Lily wears it everywhere. Think about what kind of mask you would like to make. Maybe you want to make a dog mask, or maybe a superhero mask! You can make a mask from lots of different things you have around your house. Paper plates, paper, or even fabric can be used. Have fun making your own extraordinary mask!
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Dragon Night by J.R. Krause
In our story, a child and a dragon help each other with their fears. Think about a friend or family member and what makes them special to you. What is their superpower? Are they good at helping others? Are they the best cook? Draw or write a story about this person! If you can, give it to them. Sometimes we all need a little reminder of what makes us special. This week's story concludes our summer partnership with the the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF).
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Niblet and Ralph by Zachariah Ohora
In this story, the cats Niblet and Ralph go on an adventure. Think of an adventure your pet or your favorite toy could go on. Would they go to the park? Maybe explore outer space? Try writing and illustrating your own story! You can even tell it to your friends. This week's story continues our summer reading program in partnership with the the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF).
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Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld
This week's book has delicious cakes, cannoli, and other sweet treats. Food plays an important part in celebrations, especially birthdays, and brings people together! This week we are going to create a cookbook. Ask your family and friends to send you their favorite recipe. Once you have the recipes you can write or glue them into your cookbook. Pick a recipe and make it with your family! This week's story continues our summer reading program in partnership with the the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF).
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Otters Under Water by Jim Arnosky
After reading with Ms. Morgan, we encourage you, with your parents, to take a walk around your yard or neighborhood. As you walk, look for things like leaves, flowers, sticks, and rocks. Gather them up (make sure to ask before you pick another’s flowers) and bring them home. Now use these materials create a picture! This week's story continues our summer reading program in partnership with the the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF).
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Señorita Mariposa by Ben Gundersheimer
In this book the main character is a Monarch Butterfly. The author uses song lyrics to move the story along. Did you know you can find music all over the state of Tennessee? The Blues and Rock and Roll are in West Tennessee, Country Music and The Fisk Jubilee Singers are here in Middle Tennessee, and East Tennessee is the birthplace of Bluegrass. Let the music of Tennessee inspire you to create your very own song book. Use materials from around your house and write your own songs. This week's story continues our summer reading program in partnership with the the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF).
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If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen
Join us for a reading of If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen. Did you know that Tennessee can claim some of the coolest food inventions, like cotton candy, Goo Goo Clusters, and Moon Pies? Miss Morgan will tell you all about it, and hopefully inspire to create your own unique snack. Write down the ingredients, write the recipe, then draw it. If you need, have an adult help. This week's story continues our summer reading program in partnership with the the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF).
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This Book Is Magic by Ashley Evanson
Get your magic finger ready! This week is all about using your imagination. We encourage you to create a costume of your favorite book character. You could make a magic wand, or maybe a superhero mask. After you are done with your costume, put it on and read your favorite story to your family.
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Hello School by Priscilla Burris
Our third story in partnership with the the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) is "Hello School" by Priscilla Burris. In the book, Melinda takes the reader through her day at school. What did you do today? You can write about it and turn it into a story. Try practicing and reading to your friends and family.
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Don’t Eat That by Drew Sheneman
Today we'll be reading Don’t Eat That by Drew Sheneman, provided by the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) as part of our summer partnership to strengthen early literacy in Tennessee. In this story, Gertie and Bear use teamwork to hunt for the perfect snack. Think about when someone did something nice for you. Write that person a thank you note. A short note can make anyone’s day!
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We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
We're partnering with the Governor's Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) to strengthen early literacy in Tennessee. Throughout the summer, we will be reading books provided by GELF during our Storytime videos. First up is a GELF recommended title with today’s We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins. It’s hard for dinosaur Penelope Rex to make friends at school when her human classmates are so delicious! But maybe she isn’t at the top of the food chain after all? Get creative and keep track of all the books you read this summer with a reading journal. Have fun with it by using stickers, colorful pens, crayons or other materials.
The Quilt Story, written by Tony Johnston and illustrated by Tomie DePaola
Long ago, during the American frontier time period, a girl named Abigail stored her treasured patchwork quilt in her attic. Generations later, the quilt is mended to bring warmth to another little girl. Miss Morgan wakes up from a comforting nap with her quilt to share with you The Quilt Story. Look around your house. Are there things that have been passed down in your own family?
The First Strawberries, retold by Joseph Bruchac and illustrated by Anna Vojtech
The month of May is National Strawberry Month, and we have just the story to share! "The First Strawberries" retells the Cherokee legend that explains how the fruit was first created by the sun to mend a quarrel. At the end of the video, learn how to say "hello" in Cherokee.
The Voice that Won the Vote: How One Woman's Words Made History, written by Elisa Boxer and illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger
In August of 2020, it'll be 100 years since women got the right to vote! It may be scary, but just one person can stand up, say what's on their mind, and make a difference. Look around your house for supplies to make a "Votes for Women" banner and have your own parade!
When I Was Young in the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Diane Goode
The Appalachian Mountains are full of memories for the author, where she grew up with her grandparents eating okra and cornbread, splashing in the swimming hole, and sharing family times. Explore you five senses and use them to describe your own day!
Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors illustrated by Brooke Boynton Hughes
This heartwarming tale illustrated by Brooke Boynton Hughes is based on country music legend Dolly Parton's rural upbringing in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. The winter coat of many colors she wears may be made from rags, but there is love in every stitch.
Lorraine: The Girl Who Sang the Storm Away by Ketch Secor
Lorraine and her Pa Paw love to play music and sing songs. When a big Tennessee-mountain storm rolls in and their instruments are nowhere to be found, can Lorraine find the music inside herself to get through the fearsome thunder and rain? Look through your house and see what you can find to make your own musical instrument!
Good Night Museums by Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper
The book Good Night Museums takes you on a journey by introducing you to all kinds of museums, from aerospace to wax museums.
Count on Us: A Tennessee Number Book by Michael Shoulders and Illustrated by Bruce Langton
Join Ms. Morgan for a reading of Count on Us: A Tennessee Number Book while we learn about numbers and state symbols. How about drawing your favorite state symbol, place, or Tennessean? We would love to see what you create!