Saying thank you to a mail carrier is an easy and thoughtful way to share the holiday spirit with others
Through snow and rain, heat, and gloom of night, your local mail carriers deliver your letters and packages directly to your door (or at least your nearest mailbox). And, during the season of goodwill and cheer, they deserve major props. From mail carrier thank you cards to gifts for mail carriers, here are six ways to thank your mail carrier. The best part? All of these are easy for kids and fun, too (think baking cookies!).
Write a letter!
Even if you don't know your mail person by name, you can still address them in a general way, such as "Our Favorite Mailman" or "Our Faithful Carrier." A simple note that says how much you appreciate the hard work they do (extra cute if your kids can write it out) will go a long way in making your postal worker feel special. Put it in an envelope and use stickers instead of stamps. (After all, they love mail, right?) You can also nab this free, downloadable template if you need a little help!
As always, a thank you card is a lovely gesture. Let the kids draw a little picture or get creative or use a printable like this one to make a little note to attach to the flag of your mailbox. If you can afford it, add a $10 or $15 gift card for somewhere like Amazon or a nearby coffee shop in the envelope. Be sure and do something OBVIOUS to make it clear it's not a regular piece of mail.
Include a Gift Card
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If you can afford it, add a $10 or $15 gift card to somewhere like Target or a nearby coffee shop with the letter or the card. Be sure and do something obvious to make it clear it's not a regular piece of mail. Mail carriers are not legally allowed to accept single gifts valued at over $20 so keep that in mind.
A thoughtful gift (again, under $20) is another simple way to let them know you're thinking of them. Consider things like warm gloves, an insulated mug, cozy socks, or a new water bottle.
Bake Something Special
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Leave cookies in the box or on the doorstep with a clearly marked sign. Be sure to seal them in something, even a ziplock or paper bag decorated with stickers works, and attach a note that says thanks! It's a good idea to list the ingredients in case of allergies or food sensitivities.
Say It Out Loud
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Shout it out! If you're home when the mail comes, be sure to say, "Thank you!" Get the kids in the habit of saying it, too. You can always throw open a window and shout it out. A little gesture of kindness and gratitude like this can go a long way on a long day.
Spoiler alert: If your kids can read, do not let them read about how to send letters to Santa. Read this post in secret!
You stay up late wrapping presents in secret and make a show of setting out cookies and milk, but there’s one more thing you can do to prove Santa is real. This year, take the classic letter to Santa to a new level by not only sending it but also making sure your kiddos receive a response from the Jolly Old Elf himself. The USPS has an awesome program in place and if you’ve never done it before, this is your year. Here’s what you need to know.
Step 1: Write the letter to Santa!
First things first: write the letter to Santa. Kids that can’t write yet can dictate to parents and spend a little time decorating the letter with stickers or a drawing. If your kiddos are learning their letters, you can always have them trace over some of the words. For kiddos that can write, make sure they have enough paper on hand but try and keep it to one page. Remember, this does not have to be a list of all the things they want for Christmas. They can also just send a letter thanking Santa for his hard work or asking him what his life is like. Be creative!
Have them put their letter in an envelope, addressed to:
Santa Claus North Pole
Try to avoid sealing this envelope without being too obvious.
Step 2: Write a response to your child.
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Okay, here’s the spoiler part! Using your stealth parenting-in-the-night skills, the same ones that power you to wrap presents and fill stockings undetected, you will need to write out the response from Santa (disguise your writing if you think necessary) and place it in an envelope addressed to your child with a return address of Santa Claus, North Pole.
Make sure you put a stamp on this envelope: The current rate is 66 cents, or use a Forever stamp.
Tip: USPS suggests writing the response from Santa on the back of your child’s letter to save space and to make sure your kiddo will remember what they wrote (plus this way you get to keep it without giving anything away!).
Place everything into a larger envelope (like a Priority Mail Flat Rate or manilla envelope) and make sure there is adequate postage. A flat rate is great because you can buy the postage online and print the label, saving you a trip to the post office.
Remember, in your envelope, you will have:
1 letter to Santa in an envelope addressed to Santa
1 response from Santa in an envelope addressed to a child with an actual postage stamp (and Santa’s return address)
Address this larger envelope to:
North Pole Postmark Postmaster 4141 Postmark Dr. Anchorage, Ak 99530-9998
The rest is up to Santa’s busy elves at the Postal Service.
Important: The USPS recommends having the letters sent no later than Dec. 1 so that they can arrive at the Anchorage, AK office in time.
The USPS also operates Operation Santa, a letter-writing program for any kid in need. Children can write to a specific address and make requests. They even have a letter-writing kit. To learn more about this program, or to answer letters and donate to kids in need, click here.
Check out these helpful tips for how to teach kids to be grateful this year
As parents, guiding our kids toward living a life of gratitude is no easy feat. After all, how do we actually teach our kids what gratitude means and how they can demonstrate it on a daily basis? It starts with simple acts and words that even the youngest of kids can understand. (Also, try reading these books about gratitude.) Here are a few specific examples to get your little one in the habit—you can thank us later.
1. Give back to the community. Acts of service are great ways to instill gratitude in kids. Consider participating in a local park clean-up, donating canned goods to a food pantry, or giving away unused clothes and toys. There are also lots of ways you can volunteer right from your own home.
2. Ask your kids to name one thing they're grateful for every night. Starting this habit helps kids (and adults) remember what is good in our lives, and that we are grateful for even the smallest of things. This can be during a dinner conversation or before bed.
3. Make a good deed calendar. Use it in the holiday months as a countdown or year-round to inspire kids to pay it forward every day.
4. Teach them to "work" for a reward. I'm sure we've lost track of how many times our kids ask for a new toy or something fun. The next time your little one wants another hour of screen time, how about telling them to complete a household chore before getting the reward? Receiving a reward after work always makes the treat feel more well-deserved.
5. Integrate gratitude with holidays and special days. Thanksgiving and Christmas aren't the only holidays that are all about gratitude. Other days where it's equally important to teach kids the meaning of the holiday and how they can be grateful for it include Veterans Day and Memorial Day are teaching opportunities for kids to be grateful for service members.
6. Model saying "please" and "thank you." There's no substitute for good manners. Regularly using words like "please" and "thank you" gets little ones to remember to be grateful while demonstrating respect to others.
7. Gratitude goes both ways, so make sure to say "thank you" to your kids. As parents, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget to show appreciation to our little ones. So when they do something kind or follow directions, remember to say "thank you." It may seem like a small gesture, but they will know you're grateful.
9. Look for the positive in even the most difficult situations. It's easy to focus on the negative, especially when a situation doesn't go our way. Helping kids focus on the positive (even if it's a small positive) will go a long way in helping them feel grateful in life, even during difficult times like we are experiencing now.
10. Send notes of gratitude. Don't reserve your "thank you" notes for birthday gifts and holiday cards. Teach your kids the importance of gratitude by having them write a note or draw a picture for a special person each month. This could be a grandparent, a neighbor, a teacher or a community member.
11. Turn holiday gifting into an opportunity to give back. With the holidays approaching and kids making their wish lists of toys, try making a new kind of list. Have your kiddos write down a few gift ideas they'd like to give to others. So rather than focusing simply on the getting, it's also about giving. Check out also these gifts that give back with every purchase.
12. Gift experiences not gifts. Kids who get tons of presents for holidays might not appreciate it when another one comes along. Gifting experiences like museum memberships or a special day with mom or dad can be something they remember long after that last toy gets chucked under their bed.
13. Create a gratitude jar. A mason jar is the start of this fun activity the whole family can participate in. A few times a week have everyone write down what they are grateful for. Then, have a special night where you read them all aloud.
14. Try out Turkey on the Table. This one is specific to Thanksgiving but is a fun way to get the flood of gratitude going. The feathers of this festive turkey are things that each family member is grateful for. You add them in the weeks before Thanksgiving and then read them aloud after dinner. Check it out here.
15. Discuss "needs" versus "wants." This one's more for the older kids but you can get the discussion started even at younger ages. Thinking about what we need to survive versus everything else can help kids to be grateful when they get those little "extras."
17. Write down a reverse bucket list. Instead of focusing on things they want, have kids write down things they have done and loved. This shift in focus will reframe this time of year away from all the wants.
18. Be a grateful parent. Kids learn from observing. There's no better way to demonstrate gratitude than for you to show how much YOU are thankful in life.
Did you know that Frederick Douglass was nominated to be Vice President of the United States? Educate the kiddos (and re-educate yourself) on this founding father whose outstanding contributions to society broke ground, broke color barriers, and changed the course of history. Here are facts about Frederick Douglass you might not know. To continue the conversation with your kids, check out 25 Black history figures kids should know.
1. He chose the last name Douglass from a poem. Frederick Douglass was born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey. He was born into slavery in Maryland in 1818. Although both of his parents were enslaved people, Frederick never really knew his mother as she worked on a different plantation, and he never met his father. Later, when Frederick married, he chose the last name Douglass after the hero clan in Sir Walter Scott's famous poem, Lady of the Lake.
Tip: For younger kids who don't know the history of slavery in the United States, have a conversation with them on a level they will understand. We recommend reading a few (or all) of these books that encourage open discussion about racial injustice and inequality.
2. He taught himself to read and write. A widely known fact about Frederick Douglass is that although he did not attend school (Black children were not allowed), he understood the power and value of literacy. And so, he taught himself to read and write at a young age.
3. He disguised himself as a sailor to escape slavery. Young Frederick read avidly and educated himself on the rights of every person to be free. After several unsuccessful attempts to escape slavery, he finally managed to, thanks to a free Black woman named Anne Murray. She helped him pay for a train ticket north. Disguised as a sailor, he escaped on Sep. 3, 1838. He was 20 years old.
4. He picked his birthday. Here's a fact about Frederick Douglass you might not know: After he was freed from slavery, Douglass chose February 14th as his birthday.
5. He married the woman who helped him escape. Not long after his successful escape, Frederick married Anne Murray, and they took the last name, Douglass. They moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, and together had five children.
6. Douglass was an abolitionist. An abolitionist is a person who wants to get rid of (abolish) a practice or institution. Specifically, the abolitionist movement sought to be rid of slavery.
7. Despite the risk of recapture, he was an active speaker and employed by the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. He traveled throughout the northern and midwestern states, speaking on behalf of the anti-slavery movement. Once, he had to travel to Ireland and England to avoid being recaptured. But he never stopped speaking out.
8. He was a prolific author. Frederick Douglass was an excellent writer and wrote several works during his lifetime, including three autobiographies: The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845), My Bondage and My Freedom (1855) and The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1881). These are still considered today to be of unparalleled value to the historical narrative of our country.
9. He was also a publisher and an editor. In addition to being a speaker and author of books, he published a paper for more than 16 years. He owned his own printing press and started the publication of The North Star. (Remember, he taught himself to read and write!!)
10. He fought for women’s rights and desegregation in the North. While there was no active slavery in the northern states, segregation was rampant, and African Americans were still considered second-class citizens. Douglass challenged this in his speeches and his publications.
11. His second marriage broke ground, too. Sadly, Douglass’ beloved wife Anna died in 1881 of a stroke. Several years later, Douglass remarried activist Helen Pitts. Helen was white, and their interracial marriage was widely criticized. Undeterred, Douglass and Helen continued traveling and advocating on behalf of equality and justice everywhere. He died of a heart attack in 1895 at the age of 77.
12. He met with President Abraham Lincoln. During the Civil War—which erupted in 1861 over the issue of slavery— black soldiers were given lesser pay and non-equal treatment. Douglass met with Lincoln to advocate on behalf of the soldiers. Douglass had two sons who served in the Army, and he actively recruited African Americans to fight in the Civil War. Douglass, along with many others, spoke out for equal citizenship and the emancipation (freeing) of all slaves. After the war, Douglass fought for the 13th Amendment (which abolished slavery), the 14th Amendment (which granted citizenship to those born in the United States as enslaved persons), and the 15th Amendment (giving voting rights to men of all color—women would not gain the right to vote until the 19th Amendment in 1920).
13. There are plaques in his honor in Ireland and England. In 2012 the Imperial Hotel in Cork, Ireland, has a plaque commemorating Douglass’ visit. The Waterford City Hall (in Waterford, Ireland), where Douglass once gave a speech has a plaque. And in South Kensington, London, you can visit the Nell Gwynn House, where Douglass stayed during his visit.
14. In 1965, Douglass was honored on a USPS stamp. The stamp was designed during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s by Walter DuBois Richards and was based on a photograph provided by Douglass' family.
15. Washington Douglass Commonwealth? Although Washington D.C. is part of the United States, it is not considered a state. In November 2016, voters passed a measure that would petition for statehood. The new state would be known as the State of Washington D.C., but D.C. will no longer stand for the District of Columbia. It will stand for Douglass Commonwealth (named after Frederick Douglass).
16. He never gave up. Douglass worked tirelessly for justice. He served council in many prestigious positions, including legislative council member of the D.C. Territorial Government, President of Freedman’s Bank, Recorder of Deeds for D.C., Minister Resident, and Consul General to Haiti.
17. He worked for five different U.S. Presidents. Starting with President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877, he then worked for Presidents Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland, and Harrison as the U.S. Marshal for D.C.
18. He was once nominated for Vice President. In 1872, he found himself on the ballot with Victoria Woodhull, who picked him as her Vice Presidential running mate for the Equal Rights Party—without his knowledge. He never acknowledged he was even chosen to run, likely because he had already backed another presidential candidate.
19. There are over 160 different portraits of him. Another interesting fact about Frederick Douglass was that he was the most photographed man of the 19th century. He called photography a "democratic act" and gave away his pictures at lectures he held to normalize seeing Black people as humans rather than possessions.
1. Identify injustice. Ask your kids to find an issue they feel is unjust or an instance where someone has been treated unfairly. Talk about how it makes them feel and what they can do to change it.
2. Write a speech. Have the kiddos write or recite a few words advocating their point of view on an issue they feel strongly about.
3. Read to them. Douglass knew his key to freedom was education. Spend some time reading and writing with the kids. Here’s our current list of Black History books for kids; a great place to start.
4. Talk with Douglass. Ask your kids to imagine they can ask Frederick Douglass a question. What would it be? What do they think the answer would be?
5. Draw Douglass. There are several excellent photos you can find of Douglass online. Look at the ones in this post or draw a scene of Douglass giving a speech.
6. Find an Example. Is there a modern-day Frederick Douglass your kids can identify with? Talk about the qualities that make someone a fearless leader and activist.
7. Visit Living History. Rochester, NY, was home to Douglass from 1847 to 1842. This is where he published his newspapers and where you will find his grave (in the same cemetery as Susan B. Anthony). Click here to learn more about finding Frederick Douglass in Rochester. You can also visit the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C.
If you can dream it, you can put it on your vision board for the new year.
It’s almost 2023, yikes! Spend an afternoon focusing on dreams and goals for the year (hello, travel!) by making a vision board with the kids. From learning a new skill to going on a fantastic trip, there’s no end to the awesome things you can manifest for yourself and your family.
What You’ll Need to Make a Vision Board for Kids
Painting canvas in any size
Old magazines
Mod Podge (or similar decoupaging paste)
Scissors
Paintbrush
How to Get Started
If you can see your aspirations on a daily basis, they are more likely to become a reality. Start by writing down goals and ideas, and have your kids do the same!
Browse old magazines for words, phrases, and images representing each goal.
Use the Mod Podge to paste each clipped item onto the blank canvas. Be sure to brush a coat of gloss over each image. Don’t worry, it will dry clear!
Have Them Show Off Their Vision Board
Once it's done, your kids can decide where to hang or place their vision board, and remember, it should be a place they can see clearly!
The magical world of George Lucas’ Willow is returning to the small screen! The epic fantasy adventure set in an age of swords, sorcery, myths and monsters is making a comeback in the form of a Disney+ and the plot will take place years after the time period of the original film. The first full trailer was released this week, along with the news that Christian Slater will be joining the cast.
Willow introduces all-new characters to the enchanted realm of fairy queens and two-headed Eborsisk monsters and welcomes back its namesake hero, sorcerer Willow Ufgood, performed once again by the unmatchable Warwick Davis. And that’s not all. Executive producer Jonathan Kasdan has also confirmed to Yahoo! that Val Kilmer’s character, Madmartigan, will also be a part of the show. As for Slater, Variety reports, “Slater’s character is somehow tied to Madmartigan as a ‘friend,’ but more will be revealed later.”
Kasdan shares “Val’s a huge part of this, and the first conversation I had, when Warwick and I got the greenlight to do this, was with Val. We wanted his character to be a part of the story. We wanted him to be in the show. Because we were shooting during [the COVID-19 lockdowns], he wasn’t able to come to Wales and shoot with us. But he is in the show in a big way. And we’re pretty excited about it… Madmartigan lives on.”
There are not a lot of details about how Kilmer will be involved exactly in the Disney+ series (since he wasn’t involved in any of the actual filming) but fans are regardless excited to hear his role plays a part in the new generation. Warwick Davis reveals “Val’s spirit is very much with the series. [He and I] have been in touch since we made the movie, and we’re good friends and he’s a terrific guy…Madmartigan lives on.”
Willow’s plot follows follows Kit (Madmartigan and Sorsha’s daughter!) as she brings together a team to save their world. And yes, Joanne Whalley will return as queen Sorsha.
Tune in Nov. 30, 2022 when the series drops exclusively on Disney+.
Every kid loves getting something addressed to them in the mail, but what if they received correspondence from a real astronaut? Thanks to NASA’s pen pal program, they can write and receive answers from real, live astronauts. It’s a great way to keep kids interested in science, and if a letter does come back, it’s a pretty cool item for the family “brag board.”
Step One: Pick an astronaut
Have your kids look through the list of astronauts on at NASA’s website and read through their bios to see what each one does. Maybe your kids want to know what it’s like to live on the Space Station. Maybe they are more interested in the engineering and problem-solving that goes into making a rocket fly. Picking an astronaut who deals with exactly your kid’s interests makes the NASA pen pal program process even more fun.
Step Two: Decide what to ask their astronaut of choice
Once you’ve picked your lucky astronaut, you should help your kids compose their letter (or have them write it on their own if they’re old enough). The best bet is to ask a specific question that an astronaut can answer. (Check out this amazing two-page letter one four-year-old received after her dad helped her write a letter to NASA scientist Dr. David Williams with a question about a probe headed to Jupiter’s moons.) Kids can think about what they’ve learned in school to help draft their questions. You can also make a request for an autographed photo from current astronauts who are in training or are assigned to an upcoming flight.
Step Three: Address and mail the letter to the NASA office
Any mail and photo requests can be sent to:
NASA Johnson Space Center
CB/Astronaut Office
Houston, TX 77058
You can make it easier on the astronauts by including a self-addressed and stamped return envelope.
Chicago has a rich literary history and is home to so many award-winning authors covering every genre under the sun. Introduce your little bookworm to Chicago’s brightest and best authors with our list of kid-approved, classic and contemporary children’s books. From a sweet new educational book about teeth to learning about Amelia Earhart, picture books to chapter books to graphic novels for advanced readers, these are the Chicago-authored tomes to add to your bookshelf ASAP.
The Truth About Tooth, Mistie Psaledas
The Truth About the Toothis written by Mistie Psaledas, a single Hinsdale mom of three after she created her own small tooth fairy company, Wiggle: Tooth Fairy Registry, while furloughed during the pandemic. In this delightful, educational book, tooth fairies reveal their secrets and share what happens to children's lost teeth around the world. The Truth About the Tooth is a story about diversity, creativity, and imagination of different tooth fairy legends—one from which the entire family can take inspiration.
Where the Sidewalk Ends, Shel Silverstein
Poet and author Shel Silverstein grew up in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. Beloved for his children’s books, his collection of imaginative, humorous yet insightful poems, Where the Sidewalk Ends, belongs on every kid’s bookshelf.
Bronzeville Boys and Girls, Gwendolyn Brooks
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks is a Chicago gem. Bronzeville Boys and Girls is a collection of thirty-four poems that celebrate the joy of childhood in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood and beyond.
It's Her Story: Amelia Earhart: A Graphic Novel, Kim Moldofsky
Chicagoland author Kim Moldofsky debuts her first graphic novel with It's Her Story: Amelia Earhart: A Graphic Novel. Discover Earhart’s incredible achievements before she disappeared on her attempted flight around the world.
The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros
The House on Mango Street is a Chicago children’s classic that has touched readers around the world. The story centers on Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago, who shares her hopes and fears in vignettes and poems. Fellow acclaimed Chicago author Gwendolyn Books said of Cisneros: “Sandra Cisneros is one of the most brilliant of today’s young writers. Her work is sensitive, alert, nuanced, and rich with music and pictures.”
A Thousand Feelings: An Anthology of Story Nuggets By Young Writers, K.B. Jensen
K.B. Jensen’s anthology of middle grade fiction stories is entirely written by tweens, many of whom are Chicago-born, as part of an online writing camp. A Thousand Feelings is a mix of adventure, horror, sci-fi, humor, and fantasy, with stories about a girl whose best friend is a stop sign, an intergalactic prison rescue, and a Martian bully who goes from breaking crayons to breaking bones.
Wolf in the Snow, Matthew Cordell
A little girl and a wolf cub find themselves lost in a snow-covered forest in Wolf in the Snow. How will they find their way home? Chicago author Matthew Cordell was awarded the 2018 Caldecott Medal for this heartwarming tale.
Dear Girl: A Celebration of Wonderful, Smart, Beautiful You!, Amy Krause Rosenthal
Amy Krause Rosenthal and her daughter Paris worked together to dream up the endearing Dear Girl, a love letter to the strong girl in your life: “Dear Girl, This book is for you. Wonderful, smart, beautiful you. If you ever need a reminder, just turn to any page in this book and know that you are special and you are loved.”
Thunder & Lightning: A Story for a Stormy Night, Tim Sheridan
When Oak Park-based writer Tim Sheridan’s daughter developed a fear of thunderstorms, he wrote Thunder & Lightning: A Story for a Stormy Night to teach her that thunder and lightning are our friends, not foes. This heartwarming tale of friendship is also available in a deluxe hardcover edition with downloadable songs by The Low Anthem.
Secondhand Dogs, Carolyn Crimi
What does it mean to be part of a family? In Secondhand Dogs, Author Carolyn Crim explores love and loyalty in this middle-grade novel.
The Wright Three, Blue Balliett
The Wright Threeshowcases Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie house via an exciting art mystery that two junior sleuths from the Lab School in Hyde Park set out to solve. Before becoming a full-time writer, Blue Balliet taught at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools.
Maya and the Robot, Eve L. Ewing
Award-winning author Eve L. Ewing's adorably illustrated middle-grade novel Maya and the Robottells the story of fifth-grade scientist Maya who finds a friendly robot just when she needs help on her science fair project. Ewing also penned the acclaimed Ironheartand Champions series for Marvel Comics.
The Magic of Maxwell and His Tail, Maureen Stolar Kanefield
Chicago author and lifelong educator Maureen Kanefield wrote the charming The Magic of Maxwell and His Tail (her first!) to encourage kids to find acceptance and tolerance within themselves. Maxwell is a young, intelligent mouse dealing with a body image issue: his tail is growing much too long, and he’s suddenly the target of teasing from his classmates. Learn how Maxwell manages to love himself, ultra-long tail and all, in this sweet tale about a tail.
The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade, Justin Roberts
You might have seen Chicago-based, American singer-songwriter Justin Roberts on stage here in the Windy City. Now he’s appearing on your local library shelves with The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade. Follow along with Sally, the smallest girl in the smallest grade in her big school, as she stands up against bullying on the playground.
I Hope They Understand, Juleya Woodson
Juleya Woodson graduated from Evanston Township High School in 2009 and works today as a family support specialist with the Childcare Network of Evanston. Her first-ever children’s book, I Hope They Understand, recognizes and celebrates racial and cultural differences and was a response to the lack of diversity in media. “All children deserve to see themselves in the books they read,” Woodson said in a recent interview. “Too often Black boys and girls do not see themselves reflected in the media’s portrayal of beauty.”
I Wish You More, Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld
Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld teamed up to write and illustrate the delightful I Wish You More that affirms wishes for curiosity and wonder, friendship and strength, laughter and peace.
Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All, Laura Ruby
Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All is the story of two Chicago girls trying to survive in America in the throes of World War II. Ruby was a National Book Award 2019 Finalist for this compelling young adult novel about finding hope in darkness.
Mayor Good Boy, Dave Scheidt
Mayor Good Boy is here to help Greenwood become a town filled with kindness, but he’s facing foes around every corner. Scheidt, born and raised in Chicago, highlights the benefits of positive civic engagement in his latest graphic novel, Mayor Good Boy, co-created by L.A.-based cartoonist and story artist Miranda Harmon. This charming tale reminds readers that everyone can make the world a better place, whether you’re a human or a dog.
Let's Meet Chicago: Real Kids in the Windy City, Alina Dizik
Veteran journalist Alina Dizik interviewed school-aged children around Chicago to learn about their likes, dislikes, and what they are really thinking. Dizik also celebrates the diversity of our city with tips on how to explore different neighborhoods in Let's Meet Chicago: Real Kids in the Windy City.
S is for Story: A Writer's Alphabet, Esther Hershenhorn
Esther Hershenhorn is a Chicago-based author and writing coach. In S is for Story: A Writer's Alphabet, Hershenhorn playfully explains the tools, techniques, and strategies to budding writers of all ages, from "A is for the Alphabet" to "T stands for Tall Tales," to "Z? It's for masked Zorro./His Z-signed tales brought fame.”
Sahara Special, Esme Raji Codell
Author Esme Raji Codell documented her first year as a CPS teacher in Educating Esme. In Sahara Special, she chronicles the 5th-grade adventures of Sahara Jones, who struggles with school until she encounters a one-of-a-kind teacher. If you have a reluctant bookworm in your life, check out Raji Codell’s How to Get Your Child to Love Reading, a book designed to help parents get their kids excited about reading.
These little ideas will help your kids make a big difference in the world
It’s so important to give back to our community, and this is a lesson we especially want to teach our kids now more than ever. If you can’t swing doing something in person, kids can still give back to their community through volunteering projects they can do at home. Whether they choose to befriend an elderly neighbor, send thank you notes to the military, or support their local animal shelter, these volunteer opportunities for kids will give them the chance to see how helping others will make them feel good, too!
1. Cook for your community. The organization Lasagna Love offers multiple ways to give back to families in, right in their neighborhood. Sign up to make monthly, bi-weekly, weekly, or even multiple lasagnas in a week to feed a family in need and deliver them via contactless delivery right to a local family. If you can't cook, you can donate to sponsor a family. Need a lasagna? They can help you with that, too.
2. Host a give-back birthday party or play date. Organize a birthday party or play date with their friends, and have each guest drop off something you can donate to a local food pantry or non-profit. You can also ask guests to purchase items off your favorite non-profit's wish list. Your kids will feel good knowing that they made a difference.
3. Quiz your kids for a good cause. Kids love playing computer games, and with freerice.com they can give back while they play. The site asks a variety of questions (English vocabulary is the best bet for kids); for every question you get right, 10 grains of rice get donated to the United Nations World Food Program. You can also create an account on the site, which makes it easy to see the total amount you've contributed. Helping others and learning new words? Sign us up!
Pumpkin Letters
4. Write letters to seniors. Kids who want to spread joy through the mail can participate in Pumpkin Letters, a program started by a Bay Area teen to combat loneliness in the senior population. Kids meet for zoom sessions to draw together (or you can do it on your own), and then letters are collected for distribution to senior centers.
5. Donate books to your local Little Free Library. Sharing a love of reading is an easy volunteer opportunity for kids. Have your kids go through the books they've outgrown and have them donate them to your nearest Little Free Library. You can look up the location of the one closest to you, or better yet, start your own Little Free Library in your neighborhood!
6. Make a comfy blanket. Linus from the Peanuts comic isn't the only person who knows the value a comfy blanket can bring. Project Linus understands too, and they make it their mission to provide homemade security blankets to kids in hospitals, shelters, or wherever they need a bit of comfort in their lives. You and your family can become "blanketeers" by creating a handmade blanket or afghan for kids in need. Not a sewing pro? No problem! Project Linus provides a no-sew pattern. Once you're finished, drop it off at one of the donation centers in your closest city.
6. Write a letter of thanks to a community hero. Have your kids write a letter to a first responder, teacher, or other community leaders. It's always nice to recognize the hard work and job they do for everyone.
7. Donate non-perishable foods in decorated paper bags. Food pantries always need non-perishable food donations, making this volunteer opportunity for kids one of the easiest to do. Have your kiddos look through the cupboards and pull out canned goods, cereal, and other items. Then, have your little ones decorate the paper bags you'll use to contain the donation items with pictures and positive messages. You can find a local drop-off center through this Feeding America food bank locator.
8. Give your DVDs a new home. If you're like most families, Netflix has more than likely turned your DVD collection into a dust catcher. Work with your kids to pick out the discs you don't watch anymore, and give them a new home (Really, is your five-year-old going to watch Baby Einstein anymore?). Children's hospitals, libraries, and daycare centers would likely welcome your donations. Elementary schools may also take some of those G-rated gems.
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9. Befriend an elderly neighbor. We love this volunteer opportunity for kids: Befriend an elderly neighbor and see if they need any help with yard work or picking up groceries. You can also reach out to your local senior center to see if they have any residents who might want a pen pal. The organization Love for Our Elders also accepts handwritten notes to distribute to needy elderly. Get your kids practicing their handwriting and spreading some cheer at the same time!
10. Make handmade gifts for a charity to sell. Especially during the holidays, your kids will enjoy making sweet DIY gifts to donate to charity. They'll be able to see that something they make will bring joy to others. Find our favorite gifts kids can make on their own here.
12. Write a letter to the troops. Kiddos can get artsy and practice writing, all while doing an act of community service. Men and women serving overseas in the armed forces love notes of thanks from folks back home. Encourage your kids to write "thank you" letters or draw colorful pictures. Organizations like A Million Thanks have helped kids send more than 7.6 million letters! They tell you exactly where to send the notes, provide drop-off locations, and have suggestions about what to write if kids are stumped.
13. Send some love to your local animal shelter. If you're an animal lover with the time and space to spare, you can look into fostering a new furry friend. But even if you can't take that on, you can still find ways to help your local animal shelter. Shelters often accept gently used water and food bowls, leashes, collars, pet beds, cleaning supplies, and other necessities—check with your local shelter to find out what they need. You can also get the little ones involved in making your no-sew dog toys.
14. Create blessing bags. Mel from The Larson Lingo makes blessing bags for homeless individuals during the holiday season. But there's no reason your family can't participate any time of the year. Mel fills individual large Ziplock bags with items such as toiletries, snacks, new socks, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, a bottle of water, and many other things (she provides a list on her website with suggested items). Mel encourages families to shop for the items and have the kiddos draw cards to go inside. Families can then distribute the bags on their own or bring them to a local shelter.
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15. Volunteer time as a citizen scientist. Did you know you can donate your time to help scientists study all the living creatures in your area? Kids make great citizen scientists as they can use their observational skills and learn about plants and animals that live near us. SciStarter has a great search tool where you can look for projects that need volunteers in your area. Search for stinkbugs in your backyard, head to a nearby water source, listen for frog mating calls, and collect samples from your backyard for scientists. What a great way to learn and give back!
16. Gather the old toys and donate them to an organization. This volunteer opportunity for kids can be challenging, but it's a great way to keep the toys from taking over your house. Institute a one-for-one policy where one toy gets donated for every new one. First, have your kids go through their old toys to cull any that they've outgrown. Then, take those items to places you may not think of for donations. For example, daycare centers and churches/synagogues may like receiving children's books and games.
—with additional reporting by Leah R. Singer and Susie Foresman
Heading to Target with a tot in tow can be a blast for them; especially if everyone makes a pit stop for a cake pop (and a latte) at Starbucks. But for one lucky three-year-old, these two iconic stores took on a bigger role in her life. Read on to see how this little girl from Milwaukee got a big playroom makeover.
Ariah, an adorable 3-year-old from Milwaukee, loves her trips to Target so much that her mom, Renèe Doby-Becht decided to create a shopper’s paradise in her playroom. Complete with a Target checkout station, stocked shelves, and even a pint-sized shopping cart, this retail wonderland even has its own Starbucks.
Doby-Becht did not expect the photos of Ariah’s playroom to go viral when she posted them on Facebook.
“Ariah’s favorite store is Target and of course Starbucks are in most Target stores. Although this gift was really late, I wanted to do something different for Christmas this year,” Doby-Becht wrote in the post.
Since Doby-Becht shared the photos a little over a week ago, the post on her personal Facebook page has gotten more than 5,000 comments and over 9,000 reactions and shares.