https://www.midgeballousmith.com/gift-ideas-picture-book-pairings daily 0.75 2026-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a02047a307dfe72e7ce65c0/9193684a-ecba-42b6-8fe4-90f5535e4bac/mom+and+child+sit+in+bed+reading.jpg https://www.midgeballousmith.com/gift-ideas-picture-book-pairings/emily-saw-a-door monthly 0.5 2026-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a02047a307dfe72e7ce65c0/1778538044748-9OW196DS90A3PCD4SZDI/Emily+Saw+a+Door+by+Mel+Rosenberg.jpg Gift Ideas - Emily Saw a Door - EMILY SAW A DOOR by Mell Rosenberg & Orit Magia Official Blurb: In this story about inclusion and acceptance, a girl goes from door to door, hoping to find one that will welcome her inside. But when each one turns her away, Emily realizes that the only door that will open for her is the one she creates herself. Knock, knock. Who's there? It's me, Emily. May I come in? And so begins Emily's search for a door that will open. The first door is blue, and the voice behind the door tells Emily that she doesn't sound very bluish. The second door says it only opens for tigers, crocodiles, and snakes. But she is a girl named Emily-- and the animals are hungry--and so she moves on. The third is only for people who speak very quietly, and the door can hear Emily. Finally, Emily comes to a place without a door. She gets out her chalk and draws one, then adds a doorknob, and goes right in. And when someone knocks on her door, she says, "The door is open!" Here is a wonderful book about inclusion, acceptance, and opening doors for others. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a02047a307dfe72e7ce65c0/1778603806377-2LLBVR1B4J1BWV3LVWTZ/unsplash-image-StgZKNLVeJg.jpg Gift Ideas - Emily Saw a Door - Draw your very own door with Emily! Read the book with your child and then draw with sidewalk chalk. https://www.midgeballousmith.com/gift-ideas-picture-book-pairings/pew-the-stinky-and-legen-dairy-gift-from-colonel-thomas-s-meacham monthly 0.5 2026-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a02047a307dfe72e7ce65c0/1778537973952-9LWO03I9Q9WQV420YPEV/PEW+The+Stinky+and+Legen-Dairy+Gift+from+Colonel+Thomas+S+Meacham+by+Cathy+Stefanec+Ogren.jpg Gift Ideas - PEW! The Stinky and Legen-dairy Gift from Colonel Thomas S. Meacham - Pew! The Stinky and Legen-Dairy Gift From Colonel Thomas S. Meacham by Cathy Stefanec Ogren; illustrated by Lesley Breen In 1835, Colonel Thomas S. Meacham wanted to give the president of the United States a present that celebrated the achievements of his upstate New York farming community. Believing that big is always better, he decided a colossal, legen-dairy gift was in order: a wheel of cheese measuring four feet in diameter, two feet thick, and weighing 1,400 pounds. Transporting the cheese to Washington D.C. was another big undertaking. It traveled by wagon and by ship, before being delivered to the White House on New Year's Day in 1836. But with a big cheese comes a big smell, and after a year the president had a stinky situation on his hands. How can he get rid of this cheesy gift? Readers of all ages will enjoy this slice of American history. Back matter includes science facts on cheese making. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a02047a307dfe72e7ce65c0/1778785912357-D7Y3YETMFKGD1L3271N0/unsplash-image-Zrc_NGb3eAA.jpg Gift Ideas - PEW! The Stinky and Legen-dairy Gift from Colonel Thomas S. Meacham - Make Your Own Cheese! Pair Pew! with your own cheesy activity with Say Cheese! A Kid’s Guide to Cheese Making with Recipes for Mozzarella, Cream Cheese, Feta & Other Favorites https://www.midgeballousmith.com/gift-ideas-picture-book-pairings/little-dandelion-seeds-the-world monthly 0.5 2026-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a02047a307dfe72e7ce65c0/1778536611817-7HCCBXSZ36YWQTGWUTQP/Little+Dandelion+Seeds+the+World+Cover.jpg Gift Ideas - Little Dandelion Seeds the World - Little Dandelion Seeds the World by Julia Richardson; illustrated by Kristen & Kevin Ho Did you know dandelions thrive on all seven continents? The cheery blooms are among the most resilient and adaptable in the world. In this lyrical book, learn how the crafty plant travels on the wind and hitches rides in all manner of ways in order to spread far and wide. Includes a map and backmatter on dandelions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a02047a307dfe72e7ce65c0/1778786861731-5KIH640J0BU4K04U9O5Z/unsplash-image-m0l9NBCivuk.jpg Gift Ideas - Little Dandelion Seeds the World - Piece together the continents! With pieces the perfect size for children ages 3 - 8, learn the continents together with a puzzle of the world. https://www.midgeballousmith.com/gift-ideas-picture-book-pairings/category/Friendship monthly 0.5 https://www.midgeballousmith.com/gift-ideas-picture-book-pairings/category/Feelings monthly 0.5 https://www.midgeballousmith.com/gift-ideas-picture-book-pairings/category/Nonfiction monthly 0.5 https://www.midgeballousmith.com/gift-ideas-picture-book-pairings/tag/Geography monthly 0.5 https://www.midgeballousmith.com/gift-ideas-picture-book-pairings/tag/Art monthly 0.5 https://www.midgeballousmith.com/gift-ideas-picture-book-pairings/tag/American+History monthly 0.5 https://www.midgeballousmith.com/gift-ideas-picture-book-pairings/tag/Plants monthly 0.5 https://www.midgeballousmith.com/gift-ideas-picture-book-pairings/tag/Food monthly 0.5 https://www.midgeballousmith.com/gift-ideas-picture-book-pairings/tag/Rhyme monthly 0.5 https://www.midgeballousmith.com/home daily 1.0 2026-05-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a02047a307dfe72e7ce65c0/0376b10a-026b-4983-93fc-61cac0172ba5/children+sitting+in+a+line+playing+and+reading.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a02047a307dfe72e7ce65c0/dd8a4c0f-6625-4241-bd92-d048d61da3c9/Midge+Smith+headshot.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a02047a307dfe72e7ce65c0/72e2252c-a543-47cb-8925-df58d835fc1a/woman+typing+at+a+typewriter.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a02047a307dfe72e7ce65c0/4223f156-e0f9-4b34-80ac-20fc3b7201f5/two+kids+sit+back+to+back+reading+surrounded+by+books.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a02047a307dfe72e7ce65c0/10da8102-6d77-420b-b213-d0e6b42b7525/cat+sits+on+stack+of+books.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6a02047a307dfe72e7ce65c0/8f3b3e3e-340f-4f51-bfdb-aaf1c744beb0/open+children%27s+book+with+storybook+items+coming+out+of+it.jpg https://www.midgeballousmith.com/disclaimers daily 0.75 2026-05-14