Monthly Archives: March 2020

27 posts

Billy Goats and Trolls

One of my all-time favorite stories is the Three Billy Goats Gruff. It has the classic plot of good outwitting evil, plus lots of interesting and rhythmic language. The predictable plot helps new readers make guesses about what will happen next, reinforcing reading comprehension skills. It’s one of the best […]

Free Online College Courses!

Check out these two websites to sign up and audit online courses from top tier colleges for free – https://www.edx.org and https://www.coursera.org. Keep checking our teen social media (@ftplteens on Instagram and Snapchat) for more #boredombusters!

The Original Cinderella?

Did you know that at one time folklorists had counted over 2,000 Cinderella stories from cultures around the world? The earliest known version is believed to be the story of Rhodopis, a Greek slave girl who married an Egyptian king, which was recorded early in the 1st century. A Chinese […]

Free Hoopla Borrows

Out of Hoopla borrows for the month? Looking for more stuff to check out but don’t want to use one of your limited borrows? Introducing Bonus Borrows from Hoopla Digital! This special collection of titles will not count against your monthly borrows. Enjoy some yoga with Rodney Yee or go […]

Mike’s Hoopla Picks (Movies)

Hoopla borrows reset on March 31st! There’s still time to check out some great content. Don’t have a Hoopla account yet? Register today with your library card and PIN to enjoy these great movies and more: 1.) What We Do In the Shadows (2015, R) 2.) I Kill Giants (2017, […]

Picture Book History … and Cats

Did you know that the oldest American picture book still in print isĀ  Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag? It was published almost 100 years ago, in 1928. The story is about a lonely couple who decide to adopt a cat – but unfortunately, the husband can’t make up his […]

Baking Soda Fun and a Story

Baking soda is a cool thing, and most people have some hanging around in their kitchens. Sometimes it’s used to absorb odors in the refrigerator. Lots of times it’s used to make quick breads that don’t use yeast. You use it when making cakes and cookies “from scratch” and can […]