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Nobel Prize Day

Mahatma Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize five times between 1937 and 1948. Nobel Prizes are rarely given posthumously, and upon his death in 1948 Gandhi was no longer considered eligible to receive the Prize.  Over the past 120 years many remarkable people have been nominated for a Nobel Prize but never recognized as Nobel Laureates. Books celebrating some of these outstanding individuals are shared below. Read More

Jazzy’s Nobel Prize Day Bookshelf

 Five different Nobel prizes have been awarded almost every year since 1901 to individuals and organizations deemed to have made the most important contributions to world peace, physics, chemistry, medicine and literature. A sixth prize, for economic sciences, was added in 1968.  Jazzy’s Nobel Prize Day Bookshelf celebrates a number of well-known Nobel Laureates, as well as Alfred Nobel -- the man who made the Nobel Prize possible.  Read More

Books About Scarecrows

Scarecrows have been used by farmers to protect their crops for thousands of years. Europeans who emigrated to the US during the 18th century brought their custom of making scarecrows that resembled humans. They dressed their scarecrows in worn-out pants, shirts and coats, placed old hats on heads stuffed with straw, and tied red handkerchiefs around their necks. They called these scarecrows bootzamon or bogeyman. While today’s farmers no longer rely on scarecrows to protect their crops, the scarecrow has become a symbol of the fall harvest season. Celebrate the season with some of these fun stories featuring scarecrows: Read More

Jazzy’s Picture Book Month Bookshelf

In honor of Picture Book Month, enjoy these beautiful picture books by illustrators Leuyen Pham, Dung Ho, Jon Klassen, Guojing, Peter Brown, Aram Kim, Josh Morgan, Jerry Pinkney, Ross Burach, E.B. Goodale, Amber Ren, Micah Player, Jay Fleck, Nabi H. Ali, and Jason Chin. Read More

Happy Picture Book Month!

Since 1938, the Caldecott Medal has been awarded every year by the American Library Association to the “artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.” We Are Water Protectors, illustrated by Michaela Goade and written by Carole Lindstrom, was the Caldecott winner in 2021. The entire Caldecott collection can be found here. The Caldecott Medal is named for English illustrator Randolph Caldecott (1846-1886). Caldecott is credited with originating the modern picture book by using his colorful illustrations to help tell the story rather than simply reflect the written words. Created by Rene Paul Chambellan in 1937, the bronze medal’s design is based on one of Randolph Caldecott's illustrations for The Diverting History of John Gilpin. It features the image of a man riding a runaway horse surrounded by geese, dogs and children.  To celebrate Picture Book Month, enjoy some of these gorgeous nonfiction picture books illustrated by Christian Robinson, Josh Cochran, Shane W. Evans, Floyd Cooper, Peter Sís, Yuval Zommer, Sylvia Long, Frané Lessac, Evan Turk, Luisa Uribe, Teresa Martinez, Kadir Nelson, Marta Álvarez Miguéns, Chris Sasaki, and Sarah S. Brannen.  Read More

Edgar Quiroz-Medrano’s Bookshelf

A community is where we come together to work, play, and get to know each other. It is a vibrant environment filled with the love and complexity that is our humanity. We share tender moments with those we love and those moments spill into our streets as we call for justice and peace. As we work together, we use our individual stories to build a stronger community where we are rooted in love, joy, and laughter. Please enjoy a special discount of 15% off the titles of your choice using the code Edgar15. Read More

Native American Heritage Month

The Navajo People, or Diné, welcome a baby into their community by celebrating the baby’s first laugh. As part of the celebration, the baby often receives a special gift of turquoise, and the meal might include rock salt, symbolizing a connection with the earth. Who gets to host this celebration? The person who first made the baby laugh!  You can read more about the Navajo People’s first laugh celebration, and the traditions and experiences of other Indigenous Americans, in the books below.  Read More