It can be hard to talk about uncomfortable things with children. Books are a great way to introduce different ideas and experiences and talk about them together. 

In the groundbreaking parenting book Nurtureshock, by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman, the chapter, “Why White Parents Don’t Talk About Race” taught me something about myself. The section explains that white parents often think that by ignoring race we will teach our children that race is not important and everyone is equal. In fact, they write, research shows that this does not work. 

I have a feeling that if Bronson and Merryman were writing this today, they might go a step further and say that white parents must actively teach children that it’s not enough to see everyone as equal. We must also see how people are not treated equally and actively work to change this inequality in our society. The following list of books for children, from toddlers to teens, goes beyond celebrations of diversity; these acclaimed books educate children about racism in our society and open conversations about social justice. 

It may be the holy grail of parenthood: Your toddler playing alone on the rug while you work on your laptop, chat with a friend, or just sip coffee. If you have a little one at home, you know what a dream this is (emphasis on the word "dream"). Getting kids to play independently is important for your sanity and for their development too. YOu can encourage toddlers to learn to play on their own. By developing the skills needed for independent play, they'll be able to access those skills throughout the day.

We polled parents, caught up with some of our favorite pediatric blogs, and came away with these seven tried-and-true ways to encourage toddlers to play independently. Our Big List To Keep Kids Busy While Mom and Dad Work and 30+ Toddler Activities to Keep Little Ones Busy (and Happy) at Home are full of more ideas for keeping kids busy while you are, too.

After being closed since mid-March, Central Florida theme parks are getting ready to reopen in the weeks and months ahead, making family summer vacation plans even better. In line with the Plan for Florida's Recovery, all theme parks have outlined their reopening plans for local and state approval.  So that guests can better plan their visits, we’ve highlighted the enhanced safety measures and important updates for each park below. Read on for details and be sure to check out what's currently open in Orlando and around Central Florida.

Nestled in the heart of Brooklyn's cultural district—only a few blocks from major arts resources like the Mark Morris Dance Center, Theater for a New Audience, and BRIC—MUSE Academy has put itself on the map with an academically rigorous, arts-enriched curriculum. Currently offering Pre-K3 to Grade 2, with plans to expand through 12th grade as current students advance, the co-ed independent school encourages kids to become lifelong learners, expressive artists, and active citizens in their communities.

As states begin to reopen, some favorite family resorts are starting to welcome vacationers back with new cleaning and social distancing protocols. Whether you're looking forward to spend your summer vacation lounging on a Florida beach, pitching a tent for few nights at a California campground, or heading on a suburban New Jersey safari, there are plenty of great family travel destinations open now or preparing to welcome guests back soon. So, before you think a great summer vacation is out of the question, consider booking a stay at one of these awesome resorts on the East Coast, our West or in the Carribean and Mexico

Rest easy knowing heightened safety protocols and social distancing measures are in place. As a bonus, many of these family-friendly resorts are also offering "welcome back" specials to get guests through the doors. If you're interested in booking, be sure to click through to the resort websites for details on the special packages available right now.

As always, check out our Family Travel Guide for loads of family travel destinations, whether you're looking for day trip inspiration or you are ready to book a long holiday at a family-friendly resort.

Summer camp 2020 is happening!

Yes, it's going to look a little different this year. And, yes, the options will vary from one state to the next. But both day camps and sleepaway camps are starting to get green lights, from Maine to Texas. We've pulled together the info you'll need to make camp choices this summer: Where camps are opening, how they're making it safe, how to find one that fits your needs, and what questions to ask before taking the plunge. 

What States Are Opening Summer Camps?

Currently, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and some counties in California have approved day camps, while Texas, Florida, Arizona, Maine, Vermont, and Rhode Island are allowing both day camps and sleepaway camps to operate. UPDATE: New York State has announced that day camps will be allowed starting June 29. 

Online Summer Camp Fair and Guides

New information is being released daily, and we're doing our best to keep you informed. To find out about camps that are moving forward this summer, register for our upcoming Online Camp Fair. You can attend live panels and info sessions with camps and explore virtual info booths for both online and in-person camps that are in session this summer. You can also explore our Directory and Camp Guides to find local programs. If you're looking for virtual programs in our Directory, make sure that no location is selected so you can see all offerings around the country. To see local camp guides only, select your local area at the top of the site.

RELATED: Giant List of Virtual Camps  

If ever there was a time we needed Mister Rogers, right? Chock full of inspiring messages about kindness, caring, and reliance on our neighbors, the classic TV icon is perfectly timely right now, as our communities and kids navigate the unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic. While some of our challenges have changed since the show first aired in 1968, Mister Rogers Neighborhood has always offered children and their families a way to understand and talk about difficult topics—all while finding hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to fill your home with the nostalgic comfort that only a certain man in a certain red cardigan can bring. Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell just released a brand new book called "Hello, Neighbor! The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers" (the only authorized picture book biography of Fred Rogers, by the way), which tells the tale of Fred Rogers' early life and the creation of his historic show. Brought to life with playful, scribbly illustrations and soft watercolors paired with exclusively published archival photographs, kids get a behind-the-scenes look at the thought, care, and hard work that went into the production, along with a much bigger lesson about what it means to truly come together.

Can't wait for the book? Make the most of your time at home with the activities below—brought to you by the team behind Matthew Cordell's beautiful book—from watching a classic episode of Mister Rogers Neighborhood, to writing a poem about being special, to printing out a sign to hang on your door when you're busy daydreaming. So, get to work, and make sure to place your order for "Hello, Neighbor! The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers"

Mandatory summer reading lists can be a bit of a drag in normal years, but let's face it: We all need ideas for great new kids' books now more than ever. With distance learning petering out, camp in question, and many kids stuck at home, it's the perfect time for kids to get lost in a book (or five). So we polled librarians, parents, and publishers for their top summer reading picks, and came up with 30 exciting new books published in 2020 to suit various age groups, including preschoolers, early readers, middle schoolers, and high schoolers.

When they're not escaping to lands of unicorns, purple people, a volcanic village, or the Hunger Games, kids can busy themselves with hundreds of boredom busters in our Stay-at-Home Guide for Summer.