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Construction Site: Firefight! by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by A.G. Ford, brings a thrilling new adventure to the beloved Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series. In this 2026 release, familiar construction vehicles team up with a crew of brave firefighting trucks when powerful winds knock down electric lines and spark a dangerous blaze. As the night unfolds, Fire Engine, Foam Truck, Water Tender, and their heroic crew join forces with their construction site friends to battle...

Easel painting offers children a unique, full-body creative experience that goes beyond traditional tabletop art. Standing at an easel encourages proper posture, engages core muscles, and allows for broader arm movements, which helps develop gross motor skills and coordination. The vertical surface also supports visual tracking and hand-eye coordination, making it easier for children to control brush strokes and explore different painting techniques with confidence. Beyond the physical...

Georgia O'Keeffe, a pioneering female artist known for her bold, close-up paintings of flowers. O’Keeffe often painted flowers on a much larger scale, encouraging viewers to slow down and truly observe the beauty and details found in nature. Her famous poppy paintings are a beautiful example of how she transformed a simple flower into a vibrant and immersive work of art. To inspire the children, we looked at images of her poppy paintings, poppy flowers in a vase, and discussed the colors and...

We stepped into a world where space stretches endlessly and reflections linger, unfolding into infinity. Inspired by the luminous work of Yayoi Kusama, the Infinity Mirror Rooms transcend traditional art experiences. First introduced in 1965, these immersive environments use mirrors, light, and repetition to dissolve boundaries, blurring the line between self and surroundings. Rooted in Kusama’s exploration of infinity, self-obliteration, and interconnectedness, the rooms invite each viewer...

As part of exploring influential women in art, we introduced the children to Yayoi Kusama, a renowned artist known for her bold colors and signature polka dots. Yayoi Kusama’s artwork often features mushrooms, which she transforms into whimsical, dreamlike forms covered with her signature repeating dots and patterns. Inspired by nature, her mushroom paintings explore ideas of repetition and infinity, turning simple, familiar shapes into vibrant and playful works of art that invite viewers to...

As part of exploring influential women in art, we introduced the children to Yayoi Kusama, a groundbreaking artist known around the world for her bold use of color, repetition, and her iconic polka dots. Kusama has spent decades creating immersive installations, paintings, and sculptures that transform everyday spaces into vibrant works of art. Her work often explores the idea that small repeated elements like dots can grow and spread until they completely transform an object or environment....

The picture book The One & Only Googoosh tells the inspiring story of Googoosh, one of Iran’s most beloved performers. She began singing at a very young age alongside her father and grew into a national superstar known for her voice, style, and influence. At the height of her fame, the Iranian Revolution of 1979 forced her into silence, preventing her from performing for over two decades. Despite this, her music continued to live on in the hearts of fans around the world, preserving her...

Happy Chaharshanbe Soori! The Persian Festival of Fire marks the start of the Nowruz celebrations, bringing warmth, light, and a fresh start. On this special day, usually a Tuesday or Wednesday, you might see bonfires in public spaces, alleys, in front of homes, and sometimes parks. Jumping over the flames is a symbolic act: letting go of pain, worry, unhappiness, and sickness, while welcoming health, light, and joy. Children join in the celebration by singing traditional songs:...

Nowruz, meaning “New Day” in Persian culture, has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. Marking the first day of spring and the renewal of nature, Nowruz promotes values of peace, solidarity across generations, family togetherness, reconciliation, and neighborliness. It’s a tradition that nurtures cultural diversity and friendship among communities. During Nowruz, families set a Haftsin table featuring seven symbolic items representing life, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, patience, and...

I n honor of Women’s History Month , we invited the children to create like artist Ruth Asawa , a Japanese American sculptor whose work celebrated curiosity, nature, and the joy of making things by hand. Asawa was known for her intricate sculptures made from galvanized wire, stone, and bronze. Her organic, nest-like forms were inspired by traditional Mexican basket-weaving techniques she observed during a trip to Mexico. Her work shows how simple materials can be transformed into beautiful,...

Seven Magic Mountains is a colorful outdoor art installation created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. Located in the desert just outside Las Vegas, the artwork features seven tall towers made from large stacked boulders painted in bright neon colors. Rondinone created the installation in 2016 to bring a burst of color and creativity to the desert landscape and to explore the connection between nature and human imagination. The vibrant rocks stand out against the natural desert scenery, making...

Black History Month offers a meaningful opportunity to introduce children to conversations about race, civil rights, culture, artists, musicians, authors, food, & influential public figures, while celebrating the powerful impact of #Blackhistory on our world. When children are exposed to these stories & achievements early on, they begin to develop understanding, empathy, & respect for diversity in ways that shape their learning, attitudes, & sense of belonging. @kehindewiley is an...

We explored the vibrant and dynamic work of Reginald Laurent , a master colorist and one of the premier abstract artists in the United States. A self-taught, award-winning Chicago native, Laurent has been featured in numerous exhibits for his signature abstract style, filled with bright colors and detailed designs that seem to move and dance before your eyes. As he says, “My art imitates life because it is representative of the diversity and inclusion of every culture, the backbone of what...

We invited our children to create vibrant 3-D art inspired by Alma Woodsey Thomas —an American artist and educator known for her joyful, colorful paintings influenced by pointillism and abstract expressionism. At age 80, she became the first African-American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art . After reading A Blaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas and Alma's Art , and exploring printed images of her artwork, we set out a large 3-D canvas to...

During Black History Month, learning about Katherine Johnson, an extraordinary mathematician whose love of numbers helped change history & send astronauts safely into space at NASA during a time when both women & Black Americans faced unfair barriers in science & education; her courage, determination, & brilliant thinking remind children that they can dream big & make a difference, & the book Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 brings her inspiring journey to life by...