• Autism is called a “spectrum” because it includes a wide range of strengths and challenges—no two people with autism are exactly the same.
• About 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, according to recent estimates.
• Many people with autism have special strengths, such as strong memory, attention to detail, creativity, or deep knowledge about topics they love.
• Signs of autism often appear in early childhood, sometimes as early as 2 years old, but some people aren’t diagnosed until they are older.

Autism is a way some people’s brains work that makes them experience the world a little differently. It’s called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and it affects how a person communicates, learns, and interacts with others. About 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism. Some people with autism may talk a lot, while others may use fewer words or communicate in different ways. Many have strong interests and talents or enjoy routines, and some can be extra sensitive to sounds, lights, or textures.

Autism Acceptance Month, celebrated in April, is a time to learn about autism and advocate for more support for people with neurodivergency and autism in our communities. It encourages kindness, understanding, and celebrating differences.

You might have seen a puzzle piece symbol connected to autism. It was first used in 1963 by the National Autistic Society in the United Kingdom. At the time, it was meant to show that autism was a complex condition that people were still trying to understand. Over the years, other symbols have become popular too. Today, many people use the rainbow infinity symbol, which represents the wide range of experiences and diversity of people with autism.

Additional Information and Resources:

https://autismsociety.org/autism-acceptance-month/

https://thearc.org/blog/autism-acceptance-month-celebrate-differences/

https://autisticadvocacy.org/

https://thinkingautismguide.com/

• Crystal comes from the Greek word “krystallos”, or ice.
• Crystals are not alive but they appear to grow as more atoms connect and form.
• The Cave of Crystals, or Cueva de los Cristales, in Chihuahua, Mexico contains the largest natural crystals ever found.
• Sometimes crystals grow in hollow spaces inside rocks, forming beautiful crystal-lined pockets called geodes.

Crystals are special kinds of solids where the tiny particles inside, called atoms or molecules, are arranged in repeating patterns. Because of this orderly structure, crystals often grow into beautiful shapes with flat sides and sharp edges. You can find crystals in nature in rocks and minerals such as quartz, salt, and even snowflakes. Some crystals are clear, while others are colorful and shiny.

Crystals form when liquids cool or when water evaporates and leaves tiny particles behind that slowly lock together in a pattern. This process can take a long time in nature—sometimes hundreds or even thousands of years! Deep inside the Earth, heat and pressure help many crystals grow.

People use crystals in many everyday things. For example, quartz crystals help keep time in watches and clocks. Salt crystals are used to flavor food, and some crystals are used in electronics.

Besides being useful, crystals are also admired for their beauty and are often made into jewelry and decorations. Gems are mineral crystals that have been cut and polished, and are often selected for their brilliant color.

Make crystals at home with these guides!

https://learning-center.homesciencetools.com/article/crystal-growing-science/

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/FoodSci_p005/cooking-food-science/growing-rock-candy-crystals

• Adinkra symbols come from Ghana and are used by the Akan people of West Africa.
• Each symbol has a special meaning, often teaching a lesson about life, character, or values like wisdom, courage, or unity.
• They are often printed on cloth, carved into wood, or used in art, buildings, and jewelry.
• Many symbols are inspired by nature, animals, plants, or everyday objects that help tell important stories.

Denkyem is an Adinkra symbol from West Africa, especially used by the Akan people of Ghana. The word “Denkyem” means crocodile. Crocodiles are very special animals because they can live both in water and on land. Because of this, the Denkyem symbol teaches an important lesson about adaptability—being able to change and adjust when situations change.

The symbol reminds us that life is not always the same. Sometimes things are easy, and sometimes they are hard. Like the crocodile, people must learn how to survive and succeed in different environments. Denkyem also teaches wisdom and cleverness, because crocodiles are patient and know when to act.

For kids, Denkyem means it’s okay to grow, learn, and change. If something doesn’t work the first time, you can try a new way. Being flexible, calm, and thoughtful can help you handle new challenges and become stronger every day.

Additional information:

https://www.adinkrasymbols.org/symbols/denkyem/

• Snowflakes can be shaped like columns and needles, not just pointed stars.
• Light reflects off the many facets of the snowflake to make it appear white, but it is actually clear!
• It takes about 1 hour for a snowflake to reach the ground.
• Snow can make sounds quieter because it absorbs noise instead of bouncing it back.

Snowflakes are tiny pieces of ice that fall from the sky when it is cold. They begin with a small speck of dust or pollen that a water droplet attaches to high up in the clouds. When the air is cold enough, these drops freeze and slowly grow as they move through the cloud. Snowflakes form six sides, called arms, because of how water freezes. No two snowflakes are exactly the same, even though they may look alike. This happens because each one travels through different temperatures and moisture. Not all snowflakes look like six pointed sides. They can look like crystals, needles, and plates. Snow gives the illusion of appearing white, but it’s actually transparent. As snow melts, it supports life by providing drinking water and irrigating crops. Much of the world’s population has never seen snow up close!

Check out this cool guide to identifying snowflakes!

Sources and additional information:

https://www.snowcrystals.com/facts/facts.html

https://www.noaa.gov/stories/how-do-snowflakes-form-science-behind-snow

https://www.bbcearth.com/news/17-surprising-facts-about-snow

• Hanukkah lasts for eight nights because of a miracle in which a tiny bit of oil—just enough for one day— kept the Temple’s lamp burning for eight whole days.
• Dreidels have four letters—Nun, Gimel, Hey, and Shin—that stand for a phrase meaning “A great miracle happened there."
• Hanukkah is also called the Festival of Lights because families light a special candleholder called a menorah (or hanukkiah) to brighten each night of the celebration.
• The gold foil wrapped chocolate coins that are handed out at Hanukkah are called “gelt”.

A dreidel is a small spinning top that people play with during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. It has four flat sides, and each side has a special Hebrew letter. These letters stand for a phrase that means “A great miracle happened there,” reminding everyone of the Hanukkah story. Long ago, when Jewish people weren’t allowed to study their traditions, children would pretend to play with a dreidel to hide what they were really learning. Over time, the dreidel became a fun holiday game.

To play, each person starts with a few pieces of candy, chocolate coins, or other small treats. Players take turns spinning the dreidel, and the letter it lands on tells them what to do—like take a piece of candy, give one away, or do nothing at all. The game continues until one person has all the treats. The dreidel helps make Hanukkah joyful, playful, and full of friendly excitement.

This year, Hanukkah is celebrated from the evening of Sunday, December 14 to December 22. Happy Hanukkah!

Sources and additional information:

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/how-to-play-dreidel/

https://www.history.com/articles/8-things-you-should-know-about-hanukkah

• Each ear of corn has an even number of rows—most often 16 rows, but always an even number!
• Native American tribes honored corn as a sacred gift. Many held corn festivals and dances to celebrate good harvests and thank the Earth for its abundance.
• Only one type of corn can make popcorn—it has a special shell that traps steam inside until it bursts open with a pop!.
• Corn comes in many colors—not just yellow! Some varieties are red, blue, purple, white, and even multicolored, often called “Indian corn.”

Corn has a wild ancestor called teosinte, a grassy plant first grown by Indigenous peoples in southeastern Mexico about 8,000–10,000 years ago. Teosinte looked very different from modern corn—it was a spiky grass with tiny cobs—but scientists say it only differs by about five genes. Early farmers carefully saved and replanted seeds from plants with the best traits, slowly turning teosinte into the corn we know today.

As Indigenous peoples traveled north and south from Mexico, they carried corn seeds with them, spreading it across the Americas. Corn, also known as maize, became one of the most important foods for Native American tribes. It was often grown together with beans and squash in a traditional planting method called The Three Sisters. Many tribes celebrated the early corn harvest with a special ceremony called the Green Corn Dance.

When Europeans arrived in the Americas, Indigenous peoples shared their knowledge and corn seeds with them, and corn was likely enjoyed at the first Thanksgiving in 1621.

Sources and additional information:

https://www.nal.usda.gov/collections/stories/three-sisters

https://nebraskacorn.gov/cornstalk/research/history-of-corn-from-ancient-grain-to-modern-maize/

https://www.britannica.com/plant/corn-plant

• Hot air balloons can’t be steered. Pilots use wind currents to control the journey.
• Hot air balloons can reach altitudes of 3,000 feet or more!
• Hot air balloons cannot fly well in the rain, so they limit their flights to sunny days.
• The largest hot air balloon festival in the world takes place every October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where hundreds of balloons take to the skies over the 9 day event.

Hot air balloons are big, colorful balloons that float high in the sky! They work by using hot air to lift off the ground. The balloon has three main parts: the envelope (the big fabric balloon), the basket (where people ride), and the burner (which heats the air). When the burner is turned on, it heats the air inside the envelope. Hot air is lighter than cold air, so it rises—and this makes the balloon lift off the ground!

People ride in hot air balloons for fun, and there are even festivals where many balloons take off together, filling the sky with bright colors and shapes. Pilots control the height of the balloon by heating the air to go up or letting it cool to come down. However, they can’t steer like a car—they float with the wind!

Riding in a hot air balloon is peaceful and quiet, offering amazing views from high above the ground.

Sources and additional information:

https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/balloonmuseum/documents/HowaHotAirBalloonWorksandItsMajorParts.pdf

https://www.balloonfiesta.com/about-us/history/hot-air-history/

https://www.napavalleyballoons.com/learn/hot-air-balloon-facts-old-fun-interesting-trivia

• Some dinosaurs, like the Microraptor, had feathers and could glide through the air!
• The Stegosaurus had a brain the size of a walnut—tiny for such a big body!
• Velociraptors were only about the size of a turkey.
• Dinosaurs lived on every continent —even Antarctica!

Dinosaurs were amazing creatures that lived millions of years ago, long before people. They came in all shapes and sizes—some were as small as chickens, while others, like the Argentinosaurus, were longer than three school buses! Some walked on two legs, others on four, and some even had wings. One of the most famous dinosaurs is Tyrannosaurus rex, known for its big teeth and strong jaws. But not all dinosaurs were scary—Triceratops had three cool horns and only ate plants. Did you know that not all dinosaurs went extinct? Scientists believe that birds are modern-day dinosaurs! Also, many dinosaurs had feathers, not just scales. Dinosaurs lived during a time called the Mesozoic Era, which lasted about 180 million years. No one knows exactly why they disappeared, but most scientists think a huge asteroid hit Earth and changed the climate.

Dinosaurs may be gone, but they still amaze us today!

Sources and additional information:

https://www.amnh.org/dinosaurs/dinosaur-facts

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/prehistoric

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/dinosaur/353055

• The first ice cream cone was made by accident at the 1904 World’s Fair when a waffle maker rolled his waffle to hold ice cream!
• It takes about 12 pounds of milk to make just one gallon of ice cream!
• Vanilla remains the most popular ice cream flavor in the U.S., with chocolate and cookies & cream often following close behind.
• National Ice Cream Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of July each year!

Ice cream is a sweet, frozen treat enjoyed by kids all around the world! Its history dates back thousands of years—people in ancient China mixed snow with fruit and honey, while Persian royals enjoyed icy desserts flavored with rose water. The idea of frozen milk treats spread to Europe, and by the 1600s, ice cream was being made for kings and queens!

Today, ice cream comes in many forms across the globe. In Italy, there's creamy gelato; in Mexico, colorful fruit paletas; in India, frozen kulfi flavored with cardamom and nuts. In Japan, kids enjoy matcha (green tea) ice cream, and in Turkey, there's stretchy, chewy dondurma. New Zealand consumes more ice cream per capita than any other country, with an average of 7.5 gallons per person per year, and the U.S. comes in second at 5.5 gallons per year a person!

Ice cream can be scooped into cones, served in bowls, or shaped into sandwiches and bars. It’s made by freezing milk or cream with sugar and flavorings. Have you ever made ice cream at home? Here’s an easy recipe to try out with just a few simple ingredients!

Sources and additional information:

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/books/article/ice-cream

https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2017/09/ice-cream-useless-facts

https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/ice-cream/275028

• Named after French inventor, Louis Braille
• Louis Braille began working on his system when he was just 12 years old
• World Braille Day is celebrated every year on January 4th, the anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille
• Each Braille character is made up of a pattern of up to six raised dots arranged in a rectangle, and the position of the dots represents different letters, numbers, or symbols

Braille is a special way of reading and writing for people who are blind or can't see well. It uses raised dots that you can feel with your fingers. Each letter, number, or symbol is made by a pattern of up to six tiny dots. Braille was invented by a French boy named Louis Braille in the 1800s. He lost his sight when he was young and wanted a better way to read and write. Thanks to him, many blind people can read books, take notes, and even use computers today!

Braille can be found in many places, like on elevator buttons, signs, and money. People read Braille by gently moving their fingers across the dots. Learning Braille takes practice, just like learning to read print, but it gives blind people more independence and helps them enjoy stories, learn at school, and communicate. Braille makes reading possible for everyone, no matter their vision!

Sources and additional information:

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Braille/352878

https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/informational-publications/about-braille

• Rainbows happen when sunlight hits raindrops in the sky and the light bends, splitting into different colors.
• There’s an easy way to remember the seven colors in a rainbow - “Roy G. Biv”: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet!
• The rainbow is a symbol of pride in the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating unity, acceptance, and people of all identities.
• June is Pride Month! It’s a special time when people around the world honor and support the LGBTQ+ community.

Rainbows are amazing colorful arches that appear in the sky when sunlight shines through raindrops. The light bends and splits into many colors, making a rainbow. You can see red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet—all in the same order every time! Rainbows usually show up after a rainstorm when the sun comes out, and they make the sky look magical. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you can even see a double rainbow!

Rainbows aren’t just beautiful—they also mean something special to many people. The rainbow is used as a symbol of Pride, which especially celebrates people in the LGBTQ+ community. The Pride flag has rainbow colors to show love, diversity, and acceptance. June is Pride Month, a time when people all over the world celebrate being themselves and support others in being who they are. Just like every color in a rainbow is important, every person is special and should be treated with kindness and respect.

Happy Pride!

Sources and additional information:

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/rainbow/

https://www.britannica.com/story/how-did-the-rainbow-flag-become-a-symbol-of-lgbt-pride

https://www.sfgmc.org/blog/pride-flags

• A guitar maker is called a Luthier.
• The origins of the guitar come from two instruments, the lute and the oud, and date back thousands of years to Egypt, Greece and Mesopotamia.
• Other string instruments in the same family as the guitar are guitarron, sitar, banjo, mandolin, and ukulele.
• Kids can play the guitar! It's one of the most popular instruments in the world and is super fun and easy to learn!

A guitar is a stringed instrument with a flat body, a long neck with frets, and usually six strings that are played with the fingers or with a pick. The exact history of the guitar is unknown, but it has been around in various forms for thousands of years. Acoustic guitars make sounds by the vibrations created when the strings are plucked and amplified through the hollow body of the instrument. In contrast, electric guitars use amplification to project their sound. In the 1930’s, two guitar pioneers, Les Paul and Leo Fender, invented the electric guitar and changed the course of music history. The word "guitar" derives from the Spanish "guitarra," which in turn traces its roots to the Arabic term "qītār." Today, the guitar can be found in genres and countries all around the world. It is commonly played in classical, folk, rock, blues, funk, jazz, country, bluegrass, R&B, flamenco, mariachi, and many others!

Sources and additional information:

“Guitar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guitar. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

“Guitary”. Britannica Kids, https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/guitar/390915. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "guitar". Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/art/guitar. Accessed 28 April 2025.

• The monarch butterfly has four distinct life cycles: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult.
• The monarch butterfly is the only known butterfly species that makes a spring and fall migration like birds do.
• The eastern population of North America’s monarchs overwinters in the mountains of central Mexico. In Mexico, the monarch butterfly is called mariposa monarca.
• Monarch numbers are declining. You can help this special butterfly by planting pesticide-free milkweed and native nectar plants, and sharing your love and knowledge of monarch butterflies with friends and family to spread awareness!

The monarch butterfly is a migratory insect that is famous for its amazing journey every year. It flies between 2,000 to 3,000 miles from North America to central Mexico to stay warm during the winter. The butterflies travel together and use the sun to help them find their way. They can travel up to 50 miles a day! When they reach Mexico, they rest in large groups on trees until it gets warmer. In the spring, they start flying back north, stopping to lay eggs on milkweed plants along the way. The new butterflies that hatch from the eggs continue the long journey, making sure the butterflies come back every year. This extraordinary migration is one of the coolest things in nature and shows how strong and determined monarch butterflies are!

Sources and additional information:

Monarch Butterfly Migration and Overwintering: US Forest Service
The Phenomenal Monarch Migration: US Fish and Wildlife Service

• Ramadan began on Friday, February 28, 2025 and will end on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
• Ramadan begins with the sighting of the crescent moon and ends with the Islamic holiday Eid-al-Fitr.
• A fanoos is a shiny lantern that is used to decorate homes and streets during Ramadan, along with lights and banners.
• Dates, which are rich in nutrients and sugars, are traditionally eaten to break the fast during Iftar. 

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. It is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and is believed to be when the first verses of the holy book, The Qur’an, were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The exact date of the start of Ramadan varies year by year, but it always begins with the crescent of the new moon. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast (do not eat or drink) from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is done to focus on faith and to help with self-discipline. A meal called suhoor is eaten before the sun comes up, and the fast is ended at sunset with a meal shared with friends, family and community called Iftar. Ramadan is also a time for charitable giving, showing kindness and patience, extra praying, and deepening connection with Allah.

Ramadan Mubarak! Blessed Ramadan!

Sources and additional reading:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/ramadan
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/ramadan
https://www.history.com/news/ramadan-facts-muslims

https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/ramadan

• Lunar New Year is celebrated in many Asian countries, each with unique ways of honoring the holiday.
• The paper lantern is an iconic symbol of hope, celebration, and good fortune in many Asian cultures.
• 2025 is the Year of the Snake.
• Foods play an important role in the celebrations: long noodles for longevity, citrus for luck, fish for abundance, and pineapple for good fortune to name just a few!

The Lunar New Year is celebrated throughout the Asian diaspora to mark the end of winter and the start of spring. The traditional Chinese Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) is a 15 day celebration that begins on the first new moon of the year and ends with a Lantern Festival on the first full moon. Many countries follow the lunar zodiac calendar of 12 animals. 2025 is the year of the Snake. Different countries celebrate in different ways, but there are some common themes. Families are gathered and favorite traditional foods are prepared. Houses are swept clean to welcome the new year. Special clothes are worn, and firecrackers are lit to scare away bad spirits. Red envelopes are given with crisp, new money for good luck.

Here are some great resources and activities to check out for more information:

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/lunar-new-year/
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/which-chinese-new-year-animal-are-you-like
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/chinese-new-year

https://gracelin.com/bringing-in-the-new-year/#activities

Wishing you happiness and prosperity in the new year!

• Sacred symbol of the Zia Pueblo people
• The number four has a sacred significance to the Zia Pueblo people
• The Zia Pueblo is located in north-central New Mexico and is over 600 years old
• The symbol was officially adopted by New Mexico state legislature in 1925 without the consent of the Zia Pueblo people 

The image of the Zia Sun Symbol might be most recognized as the state symbol of New Mexico (perhaps you’ve seen the bright yellow flag with the red sun on it), but its history goes back over a thousand years as the sacred symbol of the Zia Pueblo people. According to the Zia Pueblo, “The Zia Sun Symbol originated with the Native Americans of Zia [pronounce it "tSEE-ah"] Pueblo (Indian village) in ancient times. The symbol has a sacred meaning to the Zia. Four is a sacred number that symbolizes the Circle of Life: four winds, four seasons, four directions, and four sacred obligations. The circle binds the four elements of four together.” Read more.

Learn more about the Zia Pueblo by visiting ziapueblo.org.

Anthologee! Book Box would like to thank the Zia Pueblo for its use of the sacred Zia Sun Symbol. We are honored to support the tribal community library.