Left Bank Books

Author Nick Bruel Brings “Bad Kitty” to St. Louis for a Special Reading

When I told my seven-year-old I was going to be talking with children’s author Nick Bruel, she squealed like Shawn Mendes just walked in the room with a giant bag of Twizzlers. As a child who struggles with reading issues, my little one was taken in by Bruel’s slightly sarcastic, always funny Bad Kitty books. 

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Celebrity Storytime: The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake

Author Deborah Zemke will read from her new book, The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake during this free story time at Left Bank Books. In the story, when food goes missing on Ed's farm, Detectives Wilcox and Griswold do what it take to track down the thieves. In this case, Miss Rabbit's carrot cake has disappeared. Has it been stolen? Eaten? Or both? And who did it?

10:30 a.m. at Left Bank Books in the Central West End. Free.

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The List, Some Nerds, and An Awesome Giveaway

Like most married couples I know, my husband and I have a celebrity “list.”

You know, that special list of celebrities where, if the opportunity arises, we can totally blow off dinner plans and dump the kids on the other to go to a book signing. No questions asked.

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5 Questions For the Bloggess

A pet raccoon with a hand-washing obsession. A giant metal chicken with a filthy mouth. A homicidal monkey with mange. If you have a crush on any of these characters, you might just be a fan of writer and mom Jenny Lawson, known to the world as The Bloggess.

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Teen Author & YouTube Sensation Headed to St. Louis for Book Signing

Just a little over a year ago, Zach Wahls stood before the Iowa House Judiciary Committee, introducing legislators to his family, which includes his two moms, Terry and Jackie. Through his three-minute, heartfelt testimony against a proposed amendment which would reverse the right of gay couples to marry in Iowa, the 19-year-old honored his parents’ commitment, became an icon in the fight for equality, and changed how people define the word “family.”

Wahls' testimony quickly became an Internet sensation, with more than 16 million views on YouTube. While his speech touched millions, it particularly resonated with children of same-sex parents whose message of tolerance was now broadcast worldwide.

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7 Ways to Celebrate Children's Book Week in St. Louis

This week marks the beginning of our country’s longest-running literacy program, Children’s Book Week. It is an annual celebration with a simple and powerful message: Books change lives, so let’s share them with our kids. Started in 1919 by the librarian of the Boy Scouts, who sought to improve the standards of children’s books, Children's Book Week is now administered by Every Child a Reader.

Children’s books hold a particularly special place in our culture. In fact, I probably enjoy them more than most of the adult books I read. They are deceptively simple, and the memorable ones tickle our imagination. They are full of the play and discovery characteristic not just of being a child but, well, of being human. And the element of illustration adds a whole other dimension to storytelling.

Here are some activities you can do with your child to celebrate this week.

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Things to Do

Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Sunday, August 3, 2025

See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.

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Sunflower Festival at Eckert Farms in Belleville
Saturday, August 2, 2025
Sunday, August 3, 2025

Immerse yourself in a vibrant sea of sunflowers at Eckerts Sunflower Festival. There will be a variety of activities for all ages, like mini photo sessions, face painting, local vendors, a coffee truck, and of course, wandering through the beautiful 2-acre sunflower fields.

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Baby Art Crawl
Saturday, August 2, 2025

Your baby can paint and scribble with other babies and create a big fun mess at the Baby Art Crawl. This free, one-hour event is sponsored by the St. Louis County Library.

 

 

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