Thanks to funding from NASA<https://science.nasa.gov/learn/> through the Learning Ecosystems Northeast<https://www.learningecosystemsnortheast.org/> project, the Maine State Library<https://www.maine.gov/msl/> is proud to present the Severe Weather & Climate Engagement Toolkit<https://maine-msl.libguides.com/severeweather>.<https://maine-msl.libguides.com/severeweather> As the frequency of severe weather events increases around our world and we're all trying to figure out how to prepare for and recover from these events, those of us who work with younger children have seen a lack of resources to help share this topic with them. With funding from a NASA grant through the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and the Learning Ecosystems Northeast project, The Maine State Library has partnered with The Healing Library to create a brand-new toolkit for younger children and their caregivers to talk about severe weather events. The toolkit includes before, during and after sections. While this kit cannot make all the worries and experiences of severe storms go away, it can help families down a path to healing by: * Offering books to share and empathize with, * Guiding discussions to ensure everyone feels heard and understood, * Providing activities of emotional exploration for families, * Suggesting acts of kindness to take away the powerless feelings, * Sharing community helpers so families know where to start reaching out for continued help. Together, all these pieces start families down a path of healing of their own design, a path that will be different for everyone. The toolkit is available for FREE to download<https://maine-msl.libguides.com/severeweather> and the kits to circulate can be created at your library or purchased from The Healing Library<https://www.thehealinglibraryus.com/>. Any questions can be directed to Kara Reiman<mailto:kara.reiman@maine.gov?subject=Severe%20Weather%20&%20Climate%20Engagement%20Toolkit>, Youth Services Specialist t the Maine State Library. Thank you, Cathy Lancaster Youth Services Coordinator Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915 My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org<http://www.mypronouns.org/> to learn more. LancasterC5@michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov> | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan> Follow us: Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/libraryofmichigan/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/libraryofmich> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/libraryofmichigan/> Join the MiYouth<https://lists.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/miyouth> Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services. "The thing I remember best about successful people I've met all through the years is their obvious delight in what they're doing ... and it seems to have very little to do with worldly success. They just love what they're doing, and they love it in front of others." ~ Fred Rogers