Drawing Feelings with “Niko” + extension activity at home

By Cornelia Beckett, Program Specialist

Niko Draws a Feeling
By Robert Raczka

Available on Hoopla

Everywhere Niko looks, he sees “something that inspired him.” Except instead of drawing what he sees, he draws the “feeling”— not the nest, but the swirl of activity as the hardworking mother bird builds her nest.

Not the ice cream truck, but the jangly swirl of its music; not the sun, but the “warm of the sun on my face.” Not everybody understands Niko’s art, but it’s beautiful and interesting just the same. 

This simple story introduces abstract art for elementary readers, and affirms the creative process. The “feelings” that Niko draws invites a prompt for children to complete an extension activity after, including drawing their own feelings or daily surroundings. Simple abstract coloring art is also adaptable for various ability and age levels. As long as a child can hold a utensil and put it to paper, they too can draw like Niko. Drawing can also be a comforting coping mechanism for uncertain times, strengthening imagination, abstract thought, fine motor skills and attention to a task. 

Some prompts inspired by the book to get your young artist drawing: 

  • Draw the sunny scene outside your window
  • Draw your favorite ice cream flavor
  • Draw a busy bird making a nest
  • Draw three things inside your house
  • Draw how you feel today.
  • Draw the feeling of the sun on your face
  • Draw how it feels to get your favorite ice cream
  • Draw what it feels like to be a bird
  • Draw three things you see outside your window

Looking for more books ideas for kids? Check out the Bonus Borrows for Read-Along Children’s eBooks section on Hoopla here.

Nonfiction Lucky Day Picks on Overdrive

Have you checked out the Pratt’s Lucky Day collection on Overdrive? In case you haven’t, here’s what you are missing out on! The Lucky Day collection offers many bestselling eBooks and eAudiobooks that are available to download with no holds and no renewals. That means in a matter of seconds you can read a book by your next favorite author.

Check out some of our favorite Nonfiction and Self-Help books in the Lucky Day Collection.

A Warning
By Anonymous

eBook | eAudio
The Hope of Glory
By Jon Meacham
eBook | eAudio
Becoming
By Michelle Obama

eBook | eAudio | Spanish eBook
Blowout
By Rachel Maddow

eBook
Finding Chika
By Mitch Albom
eBook
I am Malala
By Malala Yousafzai

eBook
Negroland
By Margo Jefferson
eBook
On the Move
By Oliver Sacks
eBook

One More Thing
By B.J. Novak

eBook

The Peanuts Papers
By Andrew Blauner
eBook
Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered
By Karen Kilgariff and Gerorgia Hardstark

eBook
The $100 Startup
By Chris Guillebeau

eBook
The Queens of Animation
By Nathalia Holt
eBook
Why Not Me?
By Mindy Kaling

eBook
Wild
By Cheryl Strayed
eBook

How to Complete the Census in 10 Minutes or Less

Prepare: 
If you received a letter from the Census Bureau, locate your Census ID inside. If you do not have your Census ID, that is ok, you can still fill out the census. Designate one household member to complete it.

Know everyone’s* names, date of birth, gender and race they identify with. By providing accurate, detailed information, you help decision makers meet the needs of diverse communities.

Take the Census:
The public is strongly encouraged to complete the survey online at https://my2020census.gov/. You may also submit responses via phone by calling 844-330-2020 (TDD 844-467-2020). Calling will connect you with a census enumerator who will guide you through the questionnaire.

Households that have not completed the census by late May will be sent a questionnaire to mail in. More information about responding by mail may be found here.

*Who to count? 
Anyone residing in the residence as of April 1, 2020, including tenants, roommates, and infants. College students who typically reside in dorms will be counted by their institution and individuals in correctional facilities will be counted by the institutions they reside in. More information about who to count may be found here.


  Things to remember: 

  • You can still complete the census without your Census ID.
  • For the questions on gender and race, choose the response that you feel is accurate. It’s also possible to leave questions blank, but you may be contacted by an enumerator to clarify. 
  • There are no questions about citizenship status and your responses are confidential and cannot be used against you. In fact, federal law prohibits any other government agency from accessing an individual’s response. Information can only be used to provide anonymous statistics.
  • In response to COVID-19 some deadlines have changed.  
  • Be wary of census scams. You should never be asked to provide your social security number, banking information, or political affiliation.        

Why your count matters:

  • The number of seats a state gets in the House of Representatives is determined by population.
  • Data is used by small businesses, nonprofits, and local governments, to determine services the local population wants and needs. 
  • Determines the amount and type of federal funds your community will get.
  • Information is used to analyze social trends, prepare for disaster assistance, and plan public transportation.