Diwali (Festival of Lights) is a special holiday celebrated by many cultures around the world. Families gather together and light candles and clay lamps (diyas) and this year it is on October 24th.

Learn more about Diwali with these kids books:

-Kat

The Worcester Public Library will host entomologist (a person who studies insects) Professor Bugman on Friday, October 28 at 4:00 PM at the Main Library in the Pappas Children’s Center. View and learn about insects and bones up-close from animals native to New England. You will also have the opportunity to handle insects such as the Madagascar hissing cockroach and the armored darkling beetle…if you dare! 

The program is for ages 3-11 and you may register here: 

In the meantime, if you want to read some factual or just plain fun books about bones and insects I recommend checking out these! 

Little Kids First Nature Guide Bugs by Alli Brydon

Recommended ages 4-8 

Bone by Bone: Comparing Animal Skeletons written by Sara Levine and illustrated by T.S. Spookytooth

Recommended ages 5-10

Time to Shine Celebrating the World’s Iridescent Animals written by Karen Jameson and illustrated by Dave Murray

Recommended ages 3-6

A Good Place by Lucy Cousins

Recommended ages 3-7

Book of Bones 10 Record-Breaking Animals written by Gabrielle Balkan and illustrated by Sam Brewster

Recommended ages 2-6

I Love Insects by Lizzy Rockwell

Recommended ages 4-8

One Million Insects by Isabel Thomas and illustrated by Lou Baker Smith

 Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! (September 15-October 15)

"Reading is all about windows and mirrors! Just as it is so important to see ourselves in the stories we read, books allow us to get glimpses of life through windows into the way others live. 

Exploring cultures, religions, and ways of life that differ from our own is a phenomenal and important way to foster empathy and combat bias" Lauren Bercuson (Happily Ever Elephants).

By Juana Martinez-Neal

Also available in Spanish, Alma y cómo obtuvo su nombre, Wonderbook, and eBook 

By Hilda Eunice Burgos and illustrated by Gaby D’Alessandro

By Isabel Quniero and illustrated by Zeke Peña

Also available in Spanish, Mi papi tiene una moto, DVD, and eBook

By Terry Catasús Jennings and illustrated by Raúl Colón

By Laurenne Sala and illustrated by Zara González Hoang

By David Bowles and illustrated by Erika Meza

By Sili Recio and illustrated by Brianna McCarthy

By Nomar Perez

By Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson

By Yuyi Morales

Also available in Spanish, Soñadores, and DVD format.

By Tracey Kyle and illustrated by Mirelle Ortega

By Margarita Engle and illustrated by Rafael López

Also available in eBook, and eAudiobook formats

By Lucky Diaz and illustrated by Micah Player

By Margarita Engle and illustrated by Mike Curato

By Carmen Tafolla and illustrated by Magaly Morales

Also available in eBook format.

By Roseanne Greenfield Thong and illustrated by John Parra

This book is coming soon to Worcester.

By Samantha R. Vamos and illustratted by Sebastiá Serra

By Meg Medina and illustrated by Angela Dominguez

Also available in Spanish, Mango, Abuela, y yo, and Wonderbook format.

By Yamile Saied Méndez and illustrated by Jaime Kim

By Emma Otheguy and illustrated by Ana Ramirez González

-Iris