Every year, National Grandparents Day is celebrated the first Sunday after Labor Day. This holiday is not as popularly celebrated as Mother’s or Father’s Days, but that gives libraries an opportunity. More of our families might be available to attend a program honoring grandparents and other close older adults because they don’t have plans of their own. On Saturday, September 12, the Brooklyn Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library held an all-day financial-themed Grandparents Festival. Around 200 people enjoyed a variety of activities throughout the day, kicking off with a money-theme storytime courtesy of the children’s librarian, which included a special appearance by Mr. Monopoly (aka her 15-year-old son who volunteered his time that day). Mr. Monopoly was available for photo opportunities throughout the day. Crafts and play were also available. Children could press images onto a coin purse in the branch’s Innovation Center. A local organization, the Holden Arboretum,…
Author: Maria Trivisonno
A Tribute to Dolly
Libraries lost a staunch and much beloved ally with the death of Dolly Parton on August 25th. Parton founded her Imagination Library in 1995 in honor of her father. Though she considered him the smartest man she ever knew, he never attended school and therefore never learned to read. Robert Lee Parton lived to the year 2000 and loved that little children called his daughter the “book lady.”
Button Up! A Program That Clicks with Every Age
It is a truth universally acknowledged that kids of all ages love to make buttons. Apologies to Jane Austen, but my past library experience has shown that school age children and teens really enjoyed button-making. Getting to see up close how they are manually put together is fascinating for the science-minded who like to figure out how things work. Artists love the idea of designing their own buttons. Fans of…anything love to show their allegiance to the fandom. Button making hits a LOT of different interests.
Read, Learn, Connect: Disability Pride Month Reads
As we celebrate Disability Pride Month this July, here are a few recent books for youths that feature characters with disabilities.
Paws, Play, and Public Service
As a regular blogger, I’ve written before about Cuyahoga County Public Library’s (CCPL) FamilySpace program, and the ideas generated by the accompanying Family Advisory Committee (FAC). The most recent idea, however, was even more impactful than others as a community event. The South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch Library FAC wanted to have a Paw Patrol-based program, leveraging the interest many of their children have in that world. The dogs’ jobs are a great way to highlight community helpers, and we proceeded with planning the event. Considering that our participants would be between the ages of 2 and 5, the “Pup Rescue Training Camp” would be play-based and developmentally appropriate. Staff leveraged CCPL’s Toy Library and borrowed any toy that fit the pups’ service jobs—fire, police, construction, recycling, and air-water-snow rescue (real water was used in bins!), etc., along with dog-themed toys. Each was set up in its own area (although the toys…
Matters of the Heart: A Valentine’s Day with Pediatric Cardiology
As a regular blogger, this author has spoken before about the FamilySpace program at two branches of Cuyahoga County Public Library. Both branches’ Family Advisory Committees were interested in a Valentine’s themed program for the children as the holiday approached, and staff planned some fun activities, including playdough fun with heart cut-outs, keepsake handprints, and red paper shred sensory bins…with heart stickers inside to pick out. Much fun was had by all! However, at our South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch, there were some extra celebrations. The branch manager, the wonderfully fun Steve Haynie, who you will see in many photos below, was approached by the Cleveland Clinic’s Pediatric Nursing department to hold an event in support of Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Week, which yearly corresponds with Valentine’s Day. The Clinic wanted the event to be kid-friendly, so staff decided to do it in conjunction with the FamilySpace Valentine’s event. So…in addition to…
More Great Books for Young Readers
Monday was an unexpected snow day, as half the country was digging out of Winter Storm Fern, so I was lucky enough to watch the 2026 Youth Media Awards comfortably at home. If you are anything like me, your TBR list is now out of control as you added a bunch of titles.
Reading Resolutions and Anticipations for 2026
A new year brings new books to read and sometimes it’s fun to come up with reading challenges or, this time of year, reading resolutions to guide your adventures in storytelling this year. Here are some reading ideas for the youth librarian…and some personal anticipated books. Resolutions: And here are some upcoming releases about which I am excited, due to the authors! Upcoming Books Picture Books: The Future Book by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Shawn Harris Barnett’s books are always clever, and this promises to be equally unusual…having being written in the future. I admit…I’m curious! Because of a Shoe by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Marla Frazee I have thoroughly enjoyed Marla Frazee’s illustrations ever since Sarah Pennypacker’s Clemintine books and am very excited to see her collaboration with Fogliano. Chapter Books: The Mighty Macy by Kwame Alexander; illustrated by Kitt Thomas Wordsmith Alexander takes on chapter books with this…