Women of the Periodic Table

Ever since reading The Disappearing Spoon, I’ve had a minor obsession with the periodic table. Each element has its own quirks and its own story. Those stories, of course, involve the people who discovered and studied the elements. For Women’s History Month, I thought it would be interesting to explore the women of the periodic table. Two of them have elements named for them — you probably know a few things about Marie Curie. Others you may never have heard of.


Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners: Not Just For Kids

The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given out yearly to “outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.” Since 1970, the award named for Martin Luther King Jr.’s wife has honored such authors as Toni Morrison, Sharon Draper, and Walter Dean Myers. Although the books receiving the award are written for a young audience, many of them are also great reads for adults. Take a look at some of these winning titles.


Gotta Have Faith

“Wham!” said the headline, “star George Michael dies.” And that’s how I read it. If you pretend for a moment that Wham! isn’t the name of a band, the statement … Continued


Helping Your Reluctant Reader

Some kids just don’t seem interested in books. So, how do you help your child get over their reluctance? Read on for suggestions and books to help your reluctant reader.


Grumping With the Very Best

We all get a little bit grumpy sometimes, right? Why not make it fun by harrumphing along with the internet’s favorite feline curmudgeon, Grumpy Cat? She’s not just a meme, she’s a celebrity, and we’ve got plenty of grouchy fun for you in the form of books and DVDs. There’s a whole world of grumpiness out there to explore.


“Time is a precious thing. Never waste it.”

With a distinctive voice and a sparkle in his eye, Gene Wilder lit up the screen whenever he appeared. He starred in several of my all-time favorite movies, including two of Mel Brooks’s best, Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles.


Let the Baby Games Begin!

Babies learn about the world through sight, sound, touch and other senses. Playing games with your baby is a fun and rewarding way to offer stimulation and, of course, to bond.


My Top 13 “Guilty Pleasure” Songs

There are some songs you can’t help but sing along with… as long as no one is around to hear you. Maybe you don’t deny that you like them, but you don’t exactly advertise it, either. Here are 13 of mine.


Comics and Cons

Get ready for the next comic book convention with digital graphic novel offerings from Hoopla.