In August 2021, Anchorage Imagination Library made an important service announcement. Due to limited funding, Best Beginnings has made the decision to end service in the following zip codes: 99505, 99506, 99515, 99516, 99567, and 99577. Children who are currently enrolled in those areas will be receiving their last book soon, and we will not be accepting new registrations Read More
Fun Books for Practicing How Books Work
Off to See the Sea by Nikki Grimes (Toddler, Preschool) With phenomenal mixed-media illustrations, this story is about a reluctant bath-taker and his mother who weaves a magical and persuasive tale to convince her child to get clean in the tub. The story is simple, but the creative way the words swirl on the page Read More
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
We’re right in the middle of Hispanic Heritage month that runs this year from September 15 to October 15. As you might know, during this month we honor and recognize the achievements and contributions Hispanic and Latinx peoples have made in the United States and around the world. Many of us have experienced Latino cultures Read More
Ways to Teach How Books Work
As you read with your child, take time to point out various features. You don’t need to do it every time you read aloud, but try to add them in when your child is in the reading zone: Book parts: front, back, spine Title of book, name of author/illustrator, where you begin reading Language: a Read More
How Books Work
Do remember learning how a book works? Not how to read the words, but do you remember learning which direction to turn pages, how to know the front from the back, or how to scan the words across a page? These rules are language based and vary. It may sound funny, but we all need Read More
Ways to Build Narrative Skills
What can you do to encourage your child to build their narrative skills? Ask open-ended questions that encourage conversations and have no right/wrong answer Talk about the order things happened during the day (first, then, last) Use a wordless book that your child can use to tell you a story After reading a book, mix Read More
Changing the World
“What if I was to tell you that a game of peek-a-boo could change the world?” asks 7-year-old Molly Wright, one of the youngest-ever TED speakers. Better informed about early brain development than many adults much older than she, Molly both tells and shows viewers of her TED talk how positive interactions between adults and Read More
Tell Me About It!
We are all wired to be storytellers. This means it’s easy to lay the foundations needed to understand and retell stories in your child from a young age. By reading together, your child learns to use descriptive words as well as the different parts of a story (beginning, middle, end). These narrative skills not only Read More
Books for Kid Experts
Let’s Build by Julie M. Fenner (Infant, Toddler) Young children are fascinated by building sites and the big pieces of equipment necessary to change the landscape and raise new structures. This interactive book lets your child play along and help this critter crew build a brand-new park for everyone to enjoy. ▸ Get it at the Read More
Activities for Your Kid Expert
Following your child’s interests in key to encouraging your kid expert! Engage with your child’s interest in various ways sing songs that fit the topic play games including their favorite things make a themed snack help them become an author by creating a book together Take a field trip! For example, if your child is Read More
