Books

With so much emphasis on reading, writing and arithmetic in elementary school, it's easy to gloss over other academic subjects. Science especially seems to get short shrift these days, a shame since children are naturally inquisitive about things like nature, space technology.

Luckily all that focus on reading comes in handy here. since there's a slew of wonderful science books aimed at school-age kids. For this month's Little Lions post, Deborah D. Allman, Head of Children’s Services at the Bronx Library Center, picked out eight of her favorites, and they're all way more engaging than your average text book.

The back-to-school season is filled with all kinds of chores like things to buy, lunches to pack and clothing to label. But what really stresses elementary schoolers (and, let's face it, their parents) out is the prospect of transitioning into a new grade or going to school for the very first time.

Is it any fun at all? Will I make friends? How much homework will I have? Those are just a few of the questions kids have as the first day of school looms. A great way to ease their anxiety is to read a picture book about what it's like to go to school. So for this month's Little Lions post, Stephanie Whelan, the senior children's librarian at the New York Public Library's Stewart Park branch, shared her favorite kids' books that help kids transition into kindergarten or any new elementary grade.