Hidden Figures is a must-watch Women’s History Month movie
March is Women’s History Month! Here are 12 fact-based films about women that can spark great conversations with your kids. From a 1960s classic about Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan to new documentaries chronicling women and girls all around the world, these powerful Women’s History Month movies are an excellent way to celebrate the strong females of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
A Ballerina’s Tale Misty Copeland was the first African-American principal dancer for New York's American Ballet Theater. Copeland's place in ballet history—and American history—comes to life in this engrossing documentary.
Recommended for ages 9 and older
Directed by Nelson George
(Sundance Selects, 2015)
Anne Frank Remembered Through interviews with schoolmates, relatives, camp survivors, and the family's heroic protector, Miep Gies, this powerful documentary completes the story of young Anne Frank’s last days.
Recommended for ages 9 and older
Directed by Jon Blair
(Columbia Tristar, 1995)
Hidden Figures Based on the nonfiction book by Margot Lee Shetterly, Hidden Figures is the true story of three brilliant African-American women who worked for NASA in the 1950s and '60s as "human computers.”
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Starring Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughn, Janelle Monae as Mary Jackson, and Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson.
Directed by Theodore Melfi
(Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, 2016)
The Miracle Worker This outstanding classic is based on the true story of two of the great figures of American history, Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan Macy.
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Starring Patty Duke as Helen Keller and Anne Bancroft as Annie Sullivan
Directed by Arthur Penn
(MGM/UA, 1962)
RBG This riveting documentary chronicles the extraordinary life and career of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, highlighting the esteemed jurist's lifelong fight for gender equality.
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Directed by Julie Cohen and Betsy West
(Magnolia Pictures, 2018)
Amelia A historical biopic about the famed female pilot Amelia Earhart offers an uplifting message and a strong role model for preteen girls and boys.
Recommended for ages 11 and older
Starring Hilary Swank as Amelia Earhart
Directed by Mira Nair
(Fox Searchlight, 2009)
Betty & Coretta This is a poignant tribute to the courage and fortitude of two lesser-known civil rights heroes: Dr. Betty Shabazz and Coretta Scott King, the widows of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Recommended for ages 11 and older
Directed by Yves Simoneau
Starring Angela Bassett as Coretta and Mary J. Blige as Betty
Directed by Yves Simoneau
(Lifetime, 2013)
Speed Sisters Spirited, inspiring documentary teaches kids about the first all-female car racing team in the Middle East and the stark realities of Palestinian life on the West Bank.
Recommended for ages 11 and older
Directed by Amber Fares
(Dogwoof Global Sales, 2017)
A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story This moving documentary is about a woman who was born with a very rare congenital disease that makes her look unlike anyone else. The inspiring story is a must-see for anyone who's ever felt like they just didn't fit in, and Lizzie—who has fought tirelessly against bullying—is an amazing role model.
Recommended for ages 12 and older
Directed by Sara Hirsh Bordo
(Cinedigm, 2015)
Girl Rising Girl Rising is an informative, educational documentary about the lives of impoverished girls living in countries where education for girls isn't a priority. It’s the kind of stirring film that parents should watch with their mature tweens or teens and then discuss the ideas it raises—girl empowerment, education, and equality.
Recommended for ages 12 and older
Directed by Richard Robbins
(GathrFilms, 2013)
He Named Me Malala This inspiring and deeply affecting documentary explores the life of iconic teen Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai.
Recommended for ages 12 and older
Directed by Davis Guggenheim
(Twentieth Century Fox, 2015)
On the Basis of Sex On the Basis of Sex is another 2018 film about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, this one a biographical drama that covers her time as one of a handful of women attending Harvard Law School in the late 1950s to her first groundbreaking gender-discrimination case in the early '70s.
Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out our ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org.
From artists to astronauts and writers to politicians, many great Hispanic history makers have inspired the world
September is National Hispanic Heritage Month, making it the perfect time to introduce the kiddos to historical figures who changed the world. After all, celebrating the contributions these Latinx and Hispanic heroes have made to our country helps us find unity in our diversity. This list includes social activists, scientists, and artists who have made a lasting impact.
The Nicaraguan-born Bianca Jagger is a former actress and lifelong human rights activist. She founded the human rights foundation that bears her name, which fights to support indigenous people, address climate change and end violence against women and girls. In 1981 she was part of a US congressional delegation that chased after a Honduran death squad to liberate 40 captured refugees.
Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American neo-expressionist artist of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent. His art was overtly political, attacking systemic power structures and racism. This Latinx hero's work is still shown globally, years after his death, as the themes he tackled still feel relevant today.
Elizabeth Martinez held many roles during her life—writer, editor, publisher, social activist, and feminist, to name but a few. She helped define the Chicana movement and was one of the early voices to discuss overlapping systems of oppression before the term intersectionality became mainstream. Martinez’s book 500 Years of Chicano History in Pictures is widely taught in elementary and secondary schools.
Luis Alvarez was a physicist who worked on several World War II-era radar projects, including a system that helped guide planes used during the Berlin airlift of 1948. In 1968 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his development of the hydrogen bubble chamber.
Engineer Ellen Ochoa is a hero who made history as the first Hispanic woman to go to space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. She would later go on to become the first Latinx director of the Johnson Space Center.
Franklin Chang-Diaz is a physicist who became the first male Hispanic-American astronaut selected by NASA to go into space. He flew seven space shuttle missions and worked on fusion propulsion projects with Mars mission applications.
Juan Felipe Herrera was the 21st United States Poet Laureate from 2015 to 2017. His early experiences as a migratory farm worker in California have strongly influenced his creative works, such as 187 Reasons Mexicanos Can’t Cross the Border.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States Congress. Her victory over Joe Crowley is widely regarded as one of the biggest upsets of the 2018 midterm primaries. Since taking office, this Latinx hero has worked on issues around climate change and low-wage workers' rights.
Baruj Benacerraf was an immunologist who uncovered the process that the immune system uses to identify which cells belong in our bodies, and which should trigger an immune response. He, Jean Dausset, and George D. Snell earned a Nobel Prize in 1980 for their discovery.
Sandra Cisneros is a writer best known for her book The House on Mango Street. She is generally acknowledged as the first Mexican-American writer to be published by a mainstream publisher. She is a key Chicana literary figure both in Texas and among the Mexican diaspora.
Mexico-born soccer player Maribel Dominguez immigrated to the US in 2002 to play for the Kansas City Mystics and went on to play for the Chicago Red Stars during the 2013 season of the National Women’s Soccer League. She made international headlines in 2004 when she signed with Atletico Celaya (a men’s team in Mexico), but FIFA barred her from joining the club.
Jorge Ramos is a Mexican-American journalist for the Spanish-language news network Univision. Based in Miami, he is a trusted news source among the national Hispanic community. He earned the Walter Cronkite Award for excellence in television political journalism in 2017.
In 1992, when she was only 16 years old, Nicole Hernandez Hammer lost her South Florida home to Hurricane Andrew. It was a defining moment that led Hammer to study climate science and sea-level rise, which can disproportionally affect Latinx communities. Hammer served as a climate science advocate at the Union of Concerned Scientists and her work was so prominent that she was First Lady Michelle Obama's guest at the 2015 State of the Union address.
For many, Puerto Rican actor Raul Julia was best known for his role as Gomez Adams of The Addams Family. But his acting career spanned both screen and theatre, earning him a nomination for the Tony Award and two nominations for the Golden Globe Award. He won a posthumous Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for his work in The Burning Season.
Sonia Sotomayor is the first Latina to become a member of the US Supreme Court. Born in the Bronx in New York, she self-identifies as Nuyorican—a member of the Puerto Rican diaspora located in New York City. She has written dissenting opinions on issues of racial and ethnic profiling.
Sylvia Mendez is a Mexican-Puerto Rican American who played a key role in desegregating California schools. When the Westminster school district declined to admit the Mendez children into the local school due to their skin color, the family took the district to court. In the 1947 federal court case Mendez v. Westminster, the court ruled that forced segregation was unconstitutional, setting a precedent for ending segregation in the US.
Cesar Chavez is a Hispanic hero best known as the civil rights activist and labor leader who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with fellow activist Dolores Huerta. His work led to the passing of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, which granted farmworkers the right to collective bargaining. In 1994 he post-humously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Raffi Freedman-Gurspan is a transgender rights activist. In 2015 she became the first openly transgender person to work as a White House staffer for President Barack Obama. Freedman-Gurspan has worked on criminal justice and incarceration reform, homeless shelter policies as well as other issues facing transgender people of color.
A few things we’d be missing without them: Grand Central, Washington Square Park, and dozens of masterpieces in our major museums
International Women’s Day is March 8, and of course, we celebrate women’s history all month long. So, we’re taking some time to recognize some of the women who have had an incredible impact on our home, New York City. These incredible New Yorkers have blazed trails, saved buildings and neighborhoods, crashed through all kinds of ceilings and often made the country (even the world!) a better place. (Because when New Yorkers have an impact, it tends to be far-reaching.) Read on for our list of women who changed NYC forever.
Emily Warren Roebling
Public Domain
That famous bridge in Brooklyn? It wouldn't have happened without this lady. Married to Washington Roebling, the chief engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge, Emily took over when he fell ill and could no longer supervise the project. (Apparently he watched its progress from the couple's home in Brooklyn Height via telescope.) Roebling was one of the first people to cross the bridge when it was done, which she did from the Brooklyn side, holding a rooster as a symbol of victory. You can find a plaque at the base of the bridge celebrating her leadership and contribution.
Shirley Chisholm
Creative Commons
Brooklyn-born Shirley Chisholm was a trailblazer not just for New Yorkers, but for women and Black people around the country. An outspoken advocate for racial justice and women's rights, as a New York State Representative in 1968, she was the first African American woman in Congress, and later co-founded of the National Women's Political Caucus in 1971. In 1972, she sought the Democratic nomination for the office of President of the United States, becoming the first woman or Black person to do so for one of the two major political parties. In 1977, she became the first Black woman and second woman ever to serve on the powerful House Rules Committee.
Margaret Sanger
Library of Congress
Founder of the birth control movement, Margaret Sanger was a nurse who spent her entire career working to give women access to reproductive health information and contraception. Publisher of a feminist magazine and worker's rights advocate, she opened the first birth control clinic in 1916 in Brownsville, Brooklyn. In 1923 she opened a clinic staffed by women doctors and social workers, which went on to become the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Public Domain
While of course Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was known the world over as widow of John F. Kennedy, she became a New Yorker following his death and spent the rest of her life here. She is widely recognized as being a key force in saving Grand Central Terminal, which was slated to meet the same fate of the demolished Penn Station. As part of the Municipal Arts Society's "Committee to Save Grand Central Terminal" she was a vocal advocate for its preservation. The Committee's victory and its related Supreme Court decision, the New York City Landmark Law resulted in the protection of thousands of other historic buildings throughout the city.
Billie Holiday
Library of Congress
Born in Philadelphia and landing in New York City by way of Baltimore, Billie Holiday had no formal vocal training, but went on to become one of the most celebrated jazz singers in the world. She worked with bandleaders Count Basie and Artie Shaw, and collaborated frequently with saxophonist Lester Young, a partnership that produced some of the duo's finest work. Holiday helped integrate the nightclub community in the city in the 40s and 50 and around the country, and her style and voice had a profound effect on night life.
Jane Jacobs
Public Domain
Activist and urbanist Jane Jacobs' influence on New York was, and continues to be, profound. Author of the now-seminal urban planning text The Death and Life of Great American Cities, she famously went head-to-head with New York official Robert Moses to combat his program of "urban renewal." A resident of Greenwich Village, she is credited with helping to preserve its character and was a fierce advocate for quality of life and community-building in cities. She was instrumental in preventing the construction of the Lower Manhattan Expressway, which would have run through several downtown neighborhoods, radically changing them.
Sonia Sotomayor
United States Government
Like her fellow Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor was born in New York City (she's from the Bronx, Ginsburg hails from Brooklyn). And while Ginsburg did do some work in NYC (she taught at Columbia), Sotomayor spent the bulk of her career prior to joining the Supreme court working in The Big Apple. Under the city's District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, she prosecuted cases for crimes such as robbery, assault, murder and police brutality. Later in her career, she served as a U.S. District Court judge for the Southern District of New York City, and helped educate the next generation of legal practitioners as a professor at New York University and Columbia Law School. After serving on the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, Barack Obama appointed her to the Supreme Court, where of course she wields incredible influence on not just the people of New York City, but the entire country. She has played a key role in upholding the Affordable Care Act and same-sex marriage in the United States.
Edith Wharton
Wikimedia Creative Commons
Born into a life of privilege, Edith Wharton used her gift as a writer to chronicle and critique the world of high society in New York. In 1921, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize, for Age of Innocence. She was subsequently nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1927, 1928 and 1930. Other works of Wharton's include House of Mirth and Ethan Frome.
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney
Public Domain
Born into the wealthy Vanderbilt family in 1875, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney was a sculptor and art collector. She became a champion of contemporary American artists, and when the Metropolitan Museum of Art refused her donation of her considerable collection of American work, she established the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1930. She was the leading patron of American art at the time of her death in 1942, and her personal collection of more than 600 works remains the core of the celebrated museum's holdings. Currently, the influential Whitney Museum of Art is home to more than 24,000 works by over 3,500 and is a major force in the art world internationally.
Gloria Steinem
LBJLibrary
Activist and journalist Gloria Steinem has been a leading voice in the women's movement for more than 50 years. She co-founded New York magazine, as well as, in 1972, the trailblazing Ms. magazine, where she was an editor and writer for 15 years. She has been a leading voice for women's issues and rights including reproductive health and gender equality.
Dorothy Parker was one of the founding members of the Algonquin Roundtable, a group of writers, critics an intellectuals known for their keen observations and sharp wit—Parker, especially. A writer for the New Yorker, Vanity Fair and other publications, she penned fiction, poems, plays and more. Her wry, sometimes brutal takes on modern life exemplify an certain New York sensibility, and her influence is felt to this day.
Brush up on your DC trivia with this list of fun facts about the Nation’s capital. Want to know why so much of the city is built in white granite? Look up fact #5. Ever wonder how many windows and doors the White House has? Check fact #59. Curious what was originally planned for the Lincoln Memorial? Scroll down for fact #7. Whether you’re a tourist or live in town, there is something new to learn below.
7. Both the site of the Lincoln Memorial and the design were controversial. Other proposals included a Mayan temple and an Egyptian pyramid.
8. Sculptor Daniel Chester French used actual molds of Lincoln's hands when creating the memorial.
9. Rumor has it that Lincoln is signing his initials in American Sign Language. This was the intention of French, but it sure looks like he's loosely flashing an "A" and an "L".
10. The statue of Lincoln was originally supposed to only be 10 feet. As plans for the monument expanded so did the statue, which wound up being 19 feet.
11. There is a typo in the Gettysburg Address on the north wall. Instead of “future” the word was inscribed “euture.” Though the typo has been corrected, the original spelling is still visible.
12. The same team that designed the Lincoln Memorial also designed another DC landmark: Dupont Circle. The fountain in the middle of the circle was state-of-the-art in 1921 when it boasted an electric water pump.
13. The Patterson House at 15 Dupont Circle served as a temporary residence for then-sitting President Calvin Coolidge while The White House was being restored.
14. The United States Supreme Court is a relative "newcomer" to the city. It was completed in 1935. Before then, the Court used the Old Senate Chamber, as well as spaces in the basement of the Capitol and even Philadelphia’s Old City Hall.
15. While becoming a Supreme Court Justice is the dream of many lawyers, you don’t need to have a law degree to be on the court. In fact, a majority – 57 percent - didn’t have law degrees.
16. Talk about a resume! William Howard Taft is the only person who has served as both President and Chief Justice.
17. There’s a gym with a basketball court on the top floor – meaning that there’s a high court inside the Highest Court in the Land.
18. A fruit or a vegetable? Everyone knows that tomatoes are actually fruits – not vegetables – but that didn’t stop the Court from arguing the point in an 1893 case. The Court ultimately decided that tomatoes are vegetables because they are served during the salad or main course and not during dessert.
19. Across the street from the Supreme Court is the US Capitol, which is topped by a statue officially called the Statue of Freedom. She weighs in at 15,000 pounds.
20. Plans to bury George Washington in a crypt in the basement were scrapped. Visitors, however, can still see where the tomb was going to go and browse the gift shop.
21. While GW isn’t under the Capitol, its own subway system is.
22. The Capitol is literally strewn all over the Capital – original stone blocks litter Rock Creek Park and the original columns stand in the National Arboretum.
23. If you head west from the Capitol you will arrive at the National Mall. Before this National Park was dotted with Smithsonian museums a train ran down the strip of ground.
24. Trees have always been part of the Mall. Today there are over 9,000 of them.
25. The Mall continues to grow and change – with the Martin Luther King Jr. and World War II memorials being the most recent additions. A World War I, Disabled Veterans, and Eisenhower Memorials are all scheduled to open on the Mall in the near future.
26. While sometimes used synonymously, the Smithsonian and the Mall are two different things. The Smithsonian is a group of 19 museums only some of which are on the Mall.
27. Today's most visited museums almost didn't exist. The Smithsonian’s founder and namesake, James Smithson, never set foot in the United States and because of this Congress was skeptical of accepting Mr. Smithson’s gift.
28. The Smithsonian’s collection is HUGE! Remember those 19 museums? Together they display only about 1 percent of their Institute’s collection at any given time.
29. There are nearly 30 million visitors a year to the Smithsonian.
30. One of the most popular Smithsonian museums is the Museum of Natural History. Not only does the museum host roughly 8 million visitors a year, but it also employs close to 200 natural history scientists – the largest such group in the world. Even better, you can watch some of these scientists at work during a visit.
31. Aside from some of the most famous items in its collection – like the Hope diamond – the museum has unknown artifacts waiting to be discovered. One of these is a 20 million year old dolphin fossil that scientists only identified in 2016 because it looked “cute.”
32. Across the street from the Natural History Museum is another Smithsonian blockbuster: The Air and Space Museum. It is the most visited museum in the world!
33. While the glass façade looks solid, the East wing of the Air and Space Museum acts like a giant garage door opener that allows the museum’s artifacts to be brought in and out.
34. The museum has the largest collection of aviation artifacts in the world – ranging from the Wright Brothers’ flyer to a rock that was brought back from the moon (they also have the capsules that went to the moon).
35. The Air and Space Museum's artifacts are housed in not one, but two museums. The second campus, known as the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, is located in Dulles, VA.
36. While all Smithsonian museums are free, Udvar-Hazy charges for parking. You can score a free space after 4 p.m.
37. Though not on the Mall, the National Zoo is also part of the Smithsonian and is home to over 2,700 animals.
38. The zoo has been home to giant pandas since 1972, though they are officially “on loan” to the United States from China.
39. The zoo’s original location was behind the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall.
40. Pandas aren’t the only famous bear residents. Smokey Bear – yes, THAT Smokey Bear – was a resident from the time he was saved from a forest fire in New Mexico.
41. Like The Air and Space Museum, the National Zoo also has two campuses. The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is a 3,200 acre is located in Front Royal, VA. It is not open to the public.
42. The original plan for the Washington Monument called for it to have a flat roof. The pyramid on top wasn’t added until 1879.
43. Three future presidents – including Abraham Lincoln – were at the ceremonies at the start of construction of the Washington Monument in 1848.
44. When the Washington Monument opened on October 9, 1888, it was the tallest man made structure in the world. It only held the title for about five months until the Eiffel Tower opened the following March.
45. It is still the largest obelisk in the world.
46. If you look about a third of the way up the Washington Monument, there is a slight difference in color. That’s because construction was halted during the Civil War and had to get stone from a different quarry when construction started back up.
47. The Washington Monument might be made out of stone, but Washington’s home on the Potomac River, Mount Vernon is not. It is made out of wood that has been made to look like stone.
48. The home is approximately 10 times larger than the average home during the same period.
49. A weathervane with a bird of peace was commissioned by Washington for the mansion while he was presiding over the Constitutional Convention.
50. Despite what some movies say, there are no secret entrances out of Mount Vernon’s cellar.
51. The kitchen garden has been continuously growing herbs and vegetables since the 1760s.
52. George Washington never lived in the White House. The first to do so was John Adams, though it was still called the Executive Mansion then.
53.. The name wasn’t changed to The White House until President Theodore Roosevelt changed it in 1901.
54. The Oval Office wasn’t added until 1909.
55. The White House was burned by the British during the War of 1812. The White House almost collapsed a second time – in 1948 – when it was found that the wooden, load-bearing columns were rotted through.
56. The White House has been home to some unusual pets. Two presidents kept alligators at the people's house (Adams and Hoover).
57. Some other unique pets include a hyena (Roosevelt), bears (Roosevelt, Coolidge and Jefferson) and a zebra (Roosevelt).
58. Over 100 dogs have lived in the White House. President Joe Biden's dog, Major, was the first shelter rescue.
59. The White House has 412 doors, 147 windows, 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms.
60. None of The White House bathrooms are public. If you take a 45 minute tour, go before you go!
61. Washington is known for its cherry blossoms, but these trees aren’t a native species – they come from Japan and were first given as a sign of friendship between the two countries in 1912.
62. How seriously do Washingtonians take their 4,000 cherry trees? Very. It is considered vandalism of federal property to pick the flowers, so look but do not touch!
63. Originally, 3,020 trees were gifted. Most of the originals have died, but you can still visit the few remaining trees still stand near the John Paul Jones statues near 17th street.
64. While the average cherry blossom tree lives for 30 years, these gifted trees are now over 100 years old!
As most of us learned last year, you can’t stop Halloween in NYC—even if it means elaborate candy-delivery systems to keep things safe! (If you do decide to venture out this year, take precautions—like wearing a mask—to stay healthy.) Looking for some Halloween costume inspiration? We of course love a good New York City-themed costume, and have rounded up our favorite ideas for 2021. From family costumes to baby costumes and lots of easy costumes, this is how to show your NYC pride!
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Katy Walter
Channeling your inner RBG is never a bad idea. The Supreme Court Justice hailed from Flatbush, Brooklyn, and it's easy enough to pull together a costume on your own, but you can also get the basics here. Of course, another option is to go the Notorious RBG route and add a slightly askew gold crown. And for the first-timer? Can't go wrong with this.
P.S. Let's not forget that Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor is also an NYC native, who was born and raised in the South Bronx—so you have your choice of impressive jurists!
King Kong Tableau
photo: Ashley Bailey
Have a few trick or treaters you need to outfit? A trio of the Empire State Building, King Kong and damsel in distress (or not) is a formidable ensemble. This particular iteration is the work of Ashley Bailey, the inspired Atlanta area photographer and mom behind the site "Stellaween." The month-long celebration of October's biggest day started with Bailey dressing and documenting daughter Stella in a new homemade costume each day, with a pair of twins joining in a few years ago. (You can see Bailey's shots of other people's kids at her site, September Morn Photography.)
Little Island
Vy H. Via Yelp
A little high concept and definitely not for the crafting-challenged? Sure, but we think a whole bunch of plastic funnels with some little trees and people on them would be instantly recognizable.
Ghostbuster
Wikimedia Creative Commons
Genius sibling idea! Get a brown jumpsuit, a backpack, some hose and a DIY Ghostbusters patch and you're good to go. For a family costume, incorporate Slimer, the Stay-Puft Marshmallow man, Zuul, etc.
Even though it involves some potentially messy bronze face makeup and maybe spraypainting some clothes, we think it could be worth the trouble. We bet you know a fearless girl or two who could rock this costume hard. Bonus points if you do a family theme with other members taking on the roles of the Charging Bull, a tourist, stock trader, etc.
New York's Finest
photo: Ashley Bailey
We don't mean any disrespect. Of course cops don't just sit around eating donuts. But how cute is this costume? NYPD for the win!
Hipster
photo: Ashley Bailey
Another costume idea that's open to a lot of interpretation, the Hispter is a little more subtle. This is Bailey's take on it, and we think the mustache solution she came up with is genius.
An MTA train car is a quintessential NYC choice for Halloween, and it's a project, but an easy one. Nice touches include personalizing with your neighborhood's main line, or with your child's initial. (Yes, there can be an "H" or "T" train.) Pizza Rat really takes this version over the top.
Statue of Liberty
East Midtown Partnership
Another costume that's simple, easy, instantly recognizable, and can be worn with absolutely anything underneath. An aqua-colored sheet, foam crown and torch and you're done.
Sesame Street
Ashley Bailey
Why pick one character from the Street when you can be all of them and the Street itself?
Another, more subversive take on the Sesame Street crowd, the Times Square Elmo is easy to achieve. You just need an Elmo costume that looks a little...wrong. Thrift stores are filled with Elmo costumes that have seen better days. Give your child a five-dollar bill and a bad attitude and you're all set.
OK, obviously this is not a costume applicable to NYC alone, but we're going to claim it because A.) New Yorkers have to be some of the most phone-dependent beings and B.) this costume is so cute, easy, and a dream to get around.
We're betting at least one kid in the Bronx or Queens steps out in this. (If you see them, please send photos.) A hard sell? Maybe. But maybe not—AOC is pretty inspiring. A nice companion to Fearless Girl, this is super easy to pull together (especially if your kid has long dark hair). Still, some bright red lipstick, a House of Representatives Seal or Green New Deal material, and you're good to go.
Naked Cowboy
Wikimedia Creative Commons
Easy. Hilarious. Cute. What more could you ask for? Obviously an indoor costume only, this one is perfect for your diaper-wearing tot. Just scrawl "Naked Cowboy" on his (or her) butt, throw on some kiddie cowboy boots, a hat and ukulele and call it a night.
The evolution of Women’s History Month spans nearly five decades, beginning with International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8. Over time, congressional resolutions led to presidential proclamations and by 1995, March had become the designated month to honor women’s contributions to American history—to celebrate stories of remarkable women whose historic accomplishments had largely been relegated to the footnotes of history books. Early celebrations focused on the U.S. suffrage movement and highlighted contributions of a galaxy of pioneers—from Abigail Adams to Harriett Tubman—as well as women who were “firsts:” the first Supreme Court justice, first astronaut, first female Nobel Prize recipient, and so many more!
A century after the nineteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave women the right to vote, and decades after that first weeklong celebration of women’s history, Women’s History Month celebrations have evolved to include recognition of contemporary women heroes—a new generation—as well as their predecessors, the pioneers. It is in that spirit that we curated this month’s book selections—stories about women and stories by women: a beloved children’s book author whose most famous work was once “banned” from the library, an astronaut inspired by the first woman astronaut, and a Supreme Court Justice. Our list includes two compilations of short biographies of remarkable and inspiring women—Michelle Obama among them. Finally, inspired by Korean mythology, Dragon Pearl is the story of Min, a superhero on a mission, who overwhelms the vengeful with cleverness and bravery.
We hope you will enjoy reading these books with your children or perhaps hearing the stories retold once they have finished.
Grades Kindergarten to Second
The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Sarah Jacoby
Once upon a time, most children’s books began with that sentence. And once upon a time, wonderful books that did not fit a certain mold were banned from libraries.
Children’s book author Margaret Wise Brown wrote stories that were different—books that helped children understand their own feelings. She fervently believed that children deserved important books. Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny paved the way for contemporary writers to create books such as The Book With No Pictures, and Sam and Dave Dig A Hole. Margaret Wise Brown did not accept the New York Public Library’s decision to ban her book and staged a peaceful protest on the steps of the library to make sure that she was heard.
Mae Among the Stars written by Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington Mae Among the Stars is a beautifully illustrated picture book that will inspire other young girls to reach for the stars and aspire for the impossible. When Mae Jemison was a child, she wanted to be an astronaut and dreamed of dancing among billions of stars. Mae Jemison’s curiosity, intelligence, and determination, matched with her parents’ encouraging words, paved the way for her incredible success at NASA as the first African American woman to travel in space.
Grades 3-4
I Dissent : Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark written by Debbie Levy, illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley
Get to know celebrated Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg! This picture book biography of Justice Ginsburg traces her achievements in the field of law back to her girlhood years as she proves that disagreeing does not make you disagreeable. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has spent a lifetime disagreeing: disagreeing with inequality, arguing against unfair treatment, and standing up for what’s right for people everywhere. I Dissent demonstrates how her fearless objections to the inequality not only led the way to her career as a Supreme Court justice but also contributed to dismantling many discriminatory laws that prevented equal treatment.
Muslim Girls Rise: Inspirational Champions of Our Time written by Saira Mir, illustrated by Aaliya Jal
These nineteen inspirational snapshots of modern Muslim women doing extraordinary work in their fields will inspire and motivate your young reader! While overcoming many obstacles, each earned in their given field—among them science, fashion, and sports. Shirin Ebadi, won the Nobel Peace Prize, only to have it taken from her by the government because she is a woman. Yet she remains outspoken. Ilhan Omar fled Somalia at the age of eight, spending years in refugee camps. She found ways to get involved in her community, then made history as the first Somalia-American to the United States House of representatives. The complicated situations surrounding some of the women are described in a way that is easily digestible by children.
Grades 5-8
Dragon Pearl written by Yoon Ha Lee Dragon Pearl is a fast-paced Korean-inspired space adventure. It follows Min, a teenage fox spirit, who leaves a backward poor world to find her missing space cadet brother, Jun, as well as a powerful relic, the Dragon Pearl. Like all fox spirits, Min has Charm—the ability to influence minds and shape-shift into whatever she wants. Her quest involves leaving the comforts of home, hitching a ride on a spaceship, impersonating a space cadet, and going to a ghost planet. Min will be forced to use more fox magic than ever before, and to rely on her cleverness and bravery to defeat vengeful beings and find her brother.
Become a Leader Like Michelle Obama—Work It, Girl Series written by Caroline Moss, illustrated by Sinem Erkas
This chapter book is part of a new series of biographies written for children about modern, inspirational women in various areas, including astronaut Mae Jemison and author J.K. Rowling. Michelle Obama’s life is detailed with everything from her humble beginnings in South Chicago, to her hard work at Princeton and Harvard Universities, leading up to her role as the first African American First Lady. The artwork, accompanied by inspiring quotes, has a unique and powerful cut-out style.
Keira Pride is the Head Librarian at Stratford School, the leading independent private school founded with a vision of creating a unique, multi-dimensional, educational foundation for children. As Stratford's Head Librarian, she manages the library services department across campuses throughout Northern and Southern California.
Our first book list for 2021 is intentionally eclectic: poetry and prose, fantasy and biography, a graphic novel, a suspenseful account of a Navy Seal rescue operation, and a classic “summer friendship and self-discovery” story. Several choices representing multiple voices—something for every reader.
We curated this diverse set of books to reinforce and support what we know to be true:
The more children read, the more they will enjoy reading
The way to get kids hooked on reading is to give them books they enjoy!
Among our aspirations for our children are a high degree of literacy and a love of learning. Those aspirational paths are lined with books, for it is only by reading—and more reading—that children build their reading “muscle” to a degree that scanning the pages becomes nearly effortless, and they can lose themselves in the narrative.
Neil Gaiman, prolific author of books for children and adults, loves libraries and seizes every opportunity to promote reading, literacy, and this value of “reading choice” for children.
“The simplest way to make sure that we raise literate children is to teach them to read, and to show them that reading is a pleasurable activity. And that means, at its simplest, finding books that they enjoy, giving them access to those books, and letting them read them.”
“…We need our children to get onto the reading ladder: anything that they enjoy reading will move them up, rung by rung, into literacy.”
Our list of recommended books for your children comes with a recommendation for you—encourage your children to read by helping them find books they like—fiction or nonfiction, traditional or graphic novels, books that seem too easy, or repeated selections from a single genre. Let their choices be based on their taste and let them lead the way, after all, reading should be pleasurable. As children become better, faster readers, the universe of books they enjoy will naturally expand.
Our New Year’s resolution will be to populate our monthly lists with a variety of readings, with hopes of introducing the young readers in your house to books they will love.
Here are our favorite books to begin your challenge:
Grades Kinder to Second:
Just AskWritten by Sonia Sotomayor, Illustrated by Rafael Lopez
United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor celebrates the different abilities kids have in this book set in a lovely garden. In the same way that different types of plants and flowers make a garden more beautiful and enjoyable, different types of people make our world more vibrant and wonderful. When we come across someone who is different from us but we’re not sure why, all we have to do is Just Ask.
The Seed of Compassion: Lessons from the Life and Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai LamaWritten by Dalai Lama XIV, Illustrated by Bao Luu This child-friendly introduction to Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama, is part life instruction, and part auto-biography. Through examples, he reminds children that compassion is something that must be nurtured, that you may not have all the answers of how to act compassionately in a certain situation, but that “you can build compassion day by day. It takes practice. And even when you slip and don’t make a compassionate choice, tomorrow presents the opportunity for you to try again.”
Grades 3-4
A Hatful of Dragons: And More Than 13.8 Billion Other Funny Poems Written by Vikram Madan
This is a quirky collection of poems are designed to be read aloud, with rhyme, meter, alliteration, and page turns all used quite effectively. The illustrations are also funny, as repeated characters create a bit of a search and find feel. The subtitle comes from a “Mad Libs” style page with 7 options for each of 12 blanks. What a great discussion piece as children are introduced to some fantastic language.
Max & the Midknights Written & Illustrated by Lincoln Peirce
In this lighthearted graphic novel hybrid, Max wants nothing more than to be a knight! He soon gets his chance when his uncle Budrick is kidnapped by the cruel King Gastley. Joined by a band of brave adventurers—the Midknights—Max sets out on a thrilling quest to save Uncle Budrick and restore the realm of Byjovia to its former high spirits! If you love this one, check out the sequel, Battle of the Bodkins.
Grades 5-8
The Line TenderWritten by Kate Allen
Summer in her hometown of Rockport, MA, changes drastically for Lucy when a local fisherman accidentally catches a great white shark. Suddenly, Lucy is confronted by images of her late mother, a marine biologist who specialized in sharks. This sends her on a journey of science and self-discovery. Since her father is always working, Lucy must navigate these strange waters with just her best friend Fred by her side. Lucy’s story is one of redemption, not just for her, but for those around her, especially the people whom she cares about the most.
This fascinating account of the most ambitious cave rescue in history is great for kids who have graduated from the I Survived Series. Even though we know that the boys were rescued, the narrative is suspenseful and creates a book that is hard to put down. The attempts from international rescue teams, including US Navy Seals, are explained in great detail. There are photos, maps, sidebars, scientific explanations, and graphics to help understand what the boys were going through. Anyone who enjoys reading about how people can rise to heroism during times of crisis will find this book a good choice.
Keira Pride is the Head Librarian at Stratford School, the leading independent private school founded with a vision of creating a unique, multi-dimensional, educational foundation for children. As Stratford's Head Librarian, she manages the library services department across campuses throughout Northern and Southern California.
Celebrate Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legacy with this new book aimed towards the preschool set. Ginsburg was an inspiration to generations of women and now a new generation of readers will learn her story. My Little Golden Book About Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be released on Dec. 1 and is available for preorder today.
My Little Golden Book About Ruth Bader Ginsburg written by Shana Corey and illustrated by Margeaux Lucas is a compelling biography which introduces your little one to the legendary life of the beloved feminist icon.
From a young age, Ruth Bader Ginsburg knew that she wanted to fight for girls and women to have equal rights. She studied and worked very hard and became just the second woman—and the first Jewish woman—to be a United States Supreme Court Justice. With her recent passing shaking the nation, politicians and lawmakers from across the political divide, as well as athletes and entertainers all paid tributes to Justice Ginsburg.
Justice Ginsburg has become a pop culture icon with two popular movies about her life story released in recent years: On the Basis of Sex and the documentary RBG. She has inspired many bestselling books, including Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark. As the latest addition to My Little Golden Books’ series of biographies, My Little Golden Book About Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a terrific and educational read for little future trailblazers and their parents.
Is it us or do you feel a Seattle baby boom coming on? Whether you’re expecting or you just want to see how your kiddo’s name stacks up, we’ve got a list of baby names honoring Seattle’s popular places and people. Scroll down for some PNW baby name inspiration!
If you liked the band, you'll love the name. Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s, selling over 30 million records worldwide.
Anne
Sitting on the highest named hill in the city makes the Queen Anne Hill neighborhood a geographic feature of Seattle. The neighborhood was a popular spot for the city's early economic and cultural elite to build their mansions and the name derives from the architectural style typical of many of the early homes.
Arthur (or Art)
If you’re looking for a name with a bit of history behind it, Arthur Armstrong Denny was one of the founders of Seattle and the acknowledged leader of the pioneer Denny Party. He went on to become one of the city's wealthiest citizens and Seattle's former Denny Hill was even named after him.
August
Set the stage for a dramatic childhood with this name. Famous American playwright, August Wilson moved to Seattle in the '90s where he worked closely with The Rep and continued to write plays examining the African American experience.
It's the third-highest mountain in Washington, the fifth-highest in the Cascade Range and visible from all the water and islands in Puget Sound. We think it would make an adorable middle name, too.
Beacon
Home to one of the most racially diverse neighborhoods in Seattle, this hill and neighborhood also boasts killer views of the city. We love the idea of naming a boy this or Bea if she’s a girl.
Blake
Only accessible by boat, Blake Island is the well-known home of Tillicum Village, a showcase of Northwest Coast Indian arts, culture and food. If you’re not sure what you’re having, this name works as both a first and middle name for boys and girls.
Burke
Thomas Burke was an American lawyer, railroad builder and judge who made his career in Seattle. He also served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Washington Territory from 1888 to 1889 and was the main representative of railroad tycoon James J. Hill. The Burke-Gilman Trail, Burke Avenue and the Burke Museum were all named in his honor.
Coleman (or Cole)
Colman Dock, also called Pier 52, is one of Seattle’s most important ferry terminals. The original pier is no longer in existence, but the terminal, now used by the Washington State Ferry system, is still called Colman Dock.
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Dahlia
You can't go wrong naming your baby girl after the city’s official flower. Bonus points if she’s born in August when the flower is in full bloom.
Douglas (or Doug)
It's the Northwest's most important timber tree because of its strength and versatility in home construction. We love the idea of naming a kid this and calling him Doug for short. It also makes a great middle name, too.
Eddie (or Edward)
Singer-songwriter, Eddie Vedder is best known as the lead vocalist and one of three guitarists of Pearl Jam. Formed in Seattle in 1990, Pearl Jam was one of the most influential bands of the '90s decade and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 7, 2017.
Kristina Moy
Elliott
More than just an iconic body of water, the city of Seattle was founded on Elliott Bay in the 1850s and has since grown to encompass it completely. The waterway it provides to the Pacific Ocean has served as a key element of the city's economy, enabling the Port of Seattle to become one of the busiest ports in the US.
Emerald or Esmeralda
What could be more Seattle than naming your kid after the city’s nickname? The name comes directly from the city and its surrounding areas filled with greenery all year round.
Everett
The largest city in Snohomish County also boasts the largest saltwater marina in the Pacific Northwest, houses one of the biggest pop culture figurine companies in the world and is home to the Boeing Plant. We love that the classic name has plenty of Seattle appeal.
Jacob
Choose a name with artistic flair when you name your kiddo after famous African American painter and UW Art Professor, Jacob Lawrence. He moved here in the '70s and spent 16 years teaching at UW.
Jimi Hendrix (born in Seattle as Johnny Allen Hendrix) went on to become an American rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. He was widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music and was one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century.
Kerry
You love this beautiful park on Queen Anne Hill and find yourself here every time your tourist relatives insist on snapping photos of the city. It also makes a great first or middle name for a boy or girl.
Luther
Want to give him a distinguished name? How about Luther after the famous horticulturist who developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants over his 55-year career. The popular park on Mercer Island took the name Luther Burbank in 1931 when the Boys Parental School was changed to Luther Burbank School.
Magnolia (or Mag)
Why choose Maggie when you can go with a totally Seattle variation, Magnolia? Seattle’s second largest neighborhood by area is also Seattle’s most isolated, connected only by three bridges over the tracks of the BNSF Railway.
This street in downtown Seattle takes you to one of the oldest year-round farmers market in the country. It also makes a pretty cool first or second name for a boy.
Puget
Puget is not only used to refer to the body of water that surrounds the city, but for the Puget Sound region centered on the sound. This local name couldn’t get more recognizable for either a boy or a girl and makes for a cool middle name, too.
Russell
Amazing athlete, father and humanitarian Russell Wilson has earned his place in the hearts of Seattlites for good reason. Who wouldn't want to name their kiddo after this superstar?
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Rain
Sure we get a lot of it, but Rainn is also the first name of Seattle-born funny man Rainn Wilson, and spelled differently, it's also the name of the area's kickin' women's football club, OL Reign. Consider this name a creative nod to lots of local faves!
Sue
For baby's set to take the world by storm, we couldn't find a better pick than this one. Name your soon-to-be-babe after Sue Bird, popular Point Guard for the Seattle Storm.
Wilson
Turns out it's not just a name for fence-obscured neighbors anymore. See Russell, August and Rain above.
If you’ve been reading your social media regularly during the Covid-19 lockdown, you’ve inevitably started theorizing about how your “couples” friends are coping: they’re going to be having a baby in nine or so months; they’re going to be separating; they are lying about how well they’re doing; they’re holding on for dear life, managing about as well as you are.
I don’t think many of us would be surprised at a post-Corona baby boom. I can see it now: every variation of the name king and queen you can imagine. After all, there are only so many things to do when you’re stuck in the house with no place to go. And, there are only so many things you can do over Zoom. Don’t even think of combining them. What is certainly surprising to no one, are the very real stressors on couples who’ve promised for better or worse, but not for lunch. And, are now stuck in close quarters without a single, solitary break from each other. Everywhere I go he’s there. Everywhere I go my child is there. But I digress. I kid. I kid. Save me.
After almost 25 years together, that’s 18 married in some eyes, with an additional seven married legally (thanks Supreme Court!), you might say that the husband and I have mastered staying out of each other’s way, at least long enough to avoid major eruptions. Sure, things have been incredibly difficult during this lockdown, especially with working from home and homeschooling a four-year-old. But, those 25 years have given us a few tricks beyond “don’t go to bed angry” that make our relationship work—even with a high-energy four-year-old in a lockdown situation. These work for us but your mileage may vary.
1. Live Your Best Instagram Life. You know all those moments that you share on social media? The ones that you stage and post? Whether they be of your kid in a ridiculously cute outfit, of your meal or of the toenail you just clipped? Stop photographing the moment and live it. Yes. Live it. Stop documenting and live. Today, we did an entire obstacle course in the backyard for the four-year-old to burn off some energy. We spent hours putting it together, running the course, laughing, playing. It was ephemeral, now living only in our memories—our shared family memories. I can still hear the laughter. I can still feel the soreness. It belongs to us.
2. Forgive, Like You Would Like to Be Forgiven. How many times have you done something incredibly stupid? I’ll wait while you count. How many times have you said something thoughtless? Again, I’ll wait. How many times would you have liked to push reset? Ah! You see where I’m going? We all want do-overs. We all do dumb things. Now, I want you to stop and think about all the pressure that we are currently under; these pressures are not ordinary pressures—these are not ordinary times. When you get into an argument—and we all get into arguments—ask yourself: if I had done this dumb thing, would I want to be forgiven? Is this thing so massive, that it’s worth holding on to? I’ll wait. I am not, by the way, advocating free Get Out of Jail cards. What I am advocating is grace. It’s all about degrees. Don’t set a standard for your partner that you’re not willing to set for yourself. Don’t set too high a standard for yourself either.
3. Do Spend Some Time Apart. Go into a separate room and read a book. Take a walk. Talk to a friend on the phone (and I mean talk, not text). Engage in a separate and distinct activity from those that are in lockdown with you. Whether you are an extrovert or an introvert, time away from those around you is essential to help you find yourself. Under regular situations, you would be alone and/or with different people for some part of the day. Try to mimic that as much as possible.
4. Vary Your Days and Routine. Do not engage in the same activities every single day. Take turns cooking, homeschooling, cleaning. Make sure you know what day it is. Set up schedules so that each of you do different things on different days. If your days start to run together and all feel the same, you are doing something wrong. Once routine starts to creep in, boredom is next followed by anxiety, stress, and well everything that comes along with it.
5. Get Out of the House. Go for walks. Run essential errands. Get some outdoor exercise. Spend time in the yard, go on a short hike. Even if all you do is take a walk around the block while you mumble to yourself, you’ve left the confines of the space you’ve been in. You’ve had a change of scene; with that change of scene, usually comes a change of perspective.
It’s funny (peculiar, not “ha, ha”), but among our friends, we are among the longest-married couples. Funny, because as a gay couple society does not normally look to us as an example of a successful marriage or partnership. Yet, 25 years later, we’re still chugging along. Yes, chugging. Marriage, partnership, coupledom (note, not martyrdom) is hard work—made harder by the addition of children; made harder still by the current lockdown. Yes, I keep using the word lockdown. To a lot of people, the term shelter in place simply does not fit the bill. When they are prevented from doing what they want to do, they can hear those bars swinging shut. At least this time, we’ve had some choice regarding who are fellow inmates are. And, we do get to decide, what’s for lunch.
Father, children's book critic, writer, judge, director, actor and amature photographer—together with his husband of 25 years—raising an energetic four-year old! "Parent is not just a noun, it's a verb. If you're ever in doubt as to what to do, substitute the word caregiver. It will steer you in the right direction."
