Knightly News

Are you still searching for that ideal holiday gift for your little Knight? Lower School Librarian Sara Gomez makes shopping easier with fun and educational gift giving ideas. Check her list twice because you are sure to find something just right.

Subscription Boxes

You’ve most likely heard some buzz about the many subscription boxes out there.  It’s easy to see why they're so popular and there’s no shortage of options which are great for kids.  My favorites are KiwiCo and Little Passports, but you can find several other great suggestions here:  https://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/cool-subscription-boxes-for-kids/

Cool Toys and Craft Kits

Kids love sensory toys. This type of play stimulates the body, mind, and imagination while often providing a calming effect. It also develops their sense of motivation and ability to focus while strengthening their coordination and problem-solving skills.  The Shashibo Shape Shifting Box and Cubidi Original Rainbowball are available on Amazon, and using their “You might also like…” suggestions makes it really easy to find other unique sensory toys.  Other things to consider are gem art crafts and 3d puzzles which allow kids to create and the array of National Geographic Kids kits which provide fantastic experiences from gem mining to fossil discovery.

SHASHIBO Shape Shifting Box

CUBIDI Original Rainbowball

National Geographic Kits

Books!

Loads of great new titles and anxiously awaited series releases have been published in the past year.  Don’t forget to load up your children with some great reads.  Not sure which to choose?  Go for a Cavalier House Book Fair Gift certificate, easily purchased online at https://www.cavalierhousebooks.com/episcopal!

Our school-wide book fair starts January 24th and all of these titles plus many more will be available for purchase. 

Everybody Books (Picture Books)

"Bright Star" by Yuyi Morales 4.26
"Change Sings" by Amanda Gorman & Loren Long 4.6 
"Jack Horner: Dinosaur Hunter" by Sophia Gholz & Dave Shephard 4.98
"Lila Lou’s Little Library" by Nikki Bergstresser & Sejung Kim 4.65
"The Creature of Habit" by Jennifer E. Smith & Leo Espinosa 4.41
"The Littlest Yak" by Lu Fraser & Kate Hindley 4.53 
"The World is Awake for Little Ones" by Linsey Davis, Joseph Bottom, & Lucy Fleming 4.33
"I Am Love: A Book of Compassion" (Series) by Susan Verde & Peter H. Reynolds 4.41

Fiction

"Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate (Fantasy, Grades 3-6)
"Investigators" series by John Patrick Green (Graphic Novels, Grades 2-5)
"In the Meantime" by Jason Reynolds & Raul the Third (Realistic Fiction, Grades 4-6)
"Total Mayhem" (New Series) by Ralph Lazar (Action/Adventure, Grades 2-5)

Popular Series New Releases

"Narwhal’s School of Awesomeness" by Ben Clanton (Humor, Grades 1-4)
"Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories" by Jeff Kinney (Humor, Grades 4-7)
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid 16: Big Shot" (Humor, Grades 4-7)
"City of Spies 2: Golden Gate" by James Ponti (Action/Adventure, Grades 4-7)

Nonfiction

"Barefoot Books: Water" by Christy Mihaly & Mariona Cabassa (Grades 3 and up)
"Einstein" by Torben Kulmann (Grades 2-5)
"Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls" series (Grades 3-6)
"Planet Power" by Stacy Clark and Annalise Beghelli (Grades 1-5)
"Highlights 2022 Almanac of Fun" (Grades 1 and up)
"Highlights Book of Things to Do" (Grades 2 and up)

Lower School Librarian Sara Gomez has worked in education since 2008. She previously taught social studies in East Baton Rouge Parish and English/Language Arts at Denham Springs Junior High School. Most recently, Gomez was the librarian at Central Middle School. While at Central Middle, Gomez organized a Battle of the Books reading competition involving 100 Central students and a regional competition with area schools. In addition, she managed the implementation of a school-wide Accelerated Reader plan and oversaw the Louisiana Student of the Year, Scripps Spelling Bee and National Geographic Bee competitions. Gomez organized book fairs, reading challenges, author visits and maker-space events. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University. She is certified in teaching English and social studies and earned a Louisiana school library certification for K – 12th grade from Louisiana State University. She is a Google Certified Educator.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.