Happy New Year! Lunar New Year is an important holiday in China—and February 16 is the first day of the Year of the Dog. Unlike the Western calendar, which is based on the sun’s cycle, the lunar calendar tracks the cycles of the moon, meaning the Chinese New Year falls on a different Western date each year. This time of festivities, rest, and family goes back thousands of years. Read more about Lunar New Year

Krampus Night is almost here! The Krampus, a mythical horned creature of ancient Germanic legend, is often seen in folklore accompanying St. Nick and punishing wicked children. Its story—and the festivities surrounding it—has experienced a recent surge of popularity, with marches and parades throughout the winter holidays in Europe and the United States. Read more about Krampus Night

Leigh Bardugo returns to the Grishaverse with this collection of original fairy tales, whre she creates a mythical history that adds breadth and depth to her world. Read more about The Language of Thorns

September 8 is the 50^th anniversary of UNESCO’s International Literacy Day commemorating efforts to increase literacy rates throughout the world.  The day is also a call to action to continue making progress—and overcome the challenges that remain in closing the literacy gap worldwide. UNESCO sees increasing literacy as an important goal because it helps empower individuals and communities, and assists in closing the resource gaps in society by fostering a desire for lifelong learning. Read more about International Literacy Day

July is Park and Recreation Month, and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is challenging everyone to “Get Your Play On” at a local or national park. Their goal: to get everyone outside and engaged in play by hiking, taking an outdoor class, joining a sports team, or doing anything fun at the park. Read more about Park & Recreation Month