Simply Jaimie

 Home is one of the first places where our stories begin. It's where family traditions are created, everyday memories are made, and the people we love shape who we become. Whether we live in a farmhouse, an apartment, a busy city, or a quiet neighborhood, home becomes part of our family history. These six picture books celebrate home in different ways. Some explore the homes we live in, others remind us that home is found in the people we love, and a few invite us to discover how families around the world create places of belonging. Together, they offer wonderful opportunities to start conversations about your own family's story. The Blue House by Phoebe Wahl When Leo and his dad prepares to leave the only home he has ever known, he struggles to say goodbye to the rooms, the garden, and the familiar places that have been part of his everyday life. As he wanders through the house one last time, he realizes that while a house may be left behind, the love and memories created the...

There is something magical about looking at a map. It promises adventure, discovery, and places waiting to be explored. But what if a map didn't just show where to go? What if it showed what mattered? A Book of Maps for You by Lourdes Heuer is a beautifully illustrated picture book that invites readers to see familiar places in a whole new way. Through a collection of hand-drawn maps, children discover that every neighborhood, home, and community is filled with stories just waiting to be noticed. It is a gentle reminder that the places we visit every day can become some of our most treasured memories. The story follows a child who creates a series of maps highlighting meaningful places throughout their world. From the library and the park to the neighborhood streets and favorite hidden spots, each map is filled with observations, memories, and little details that make those places unique. As readers turn each page, they begin to see that these are more than ordinary maps—they are ...

 Teenagers often seem like they're in a hurry to grow up. Their interests change quickly, their dreams evolve, and sometimes it can feel like they're already looking toward the next chapter of life. That's exactly why this season is worth preserving. Family history isn't only about people who lived generations ago. It begins with the people we love today. The stories your teenager is living right now will one day become the stories their children and grandchildren wish they could hear. Imagine your grandchildren reading about what their parent dreamed of becoming, the music they couldn't stop listening to, the friendships that shaped them, or the traditions they hoped to carry on. Those ordinary moments will no longer seem ordinary—they'll become treasured pieces of your family's story. Asking these questions is about more than recording answers. It's about telling your teen, "Your story matters." It's about helping them see that their life...

One of the best parts of family history is discovering the little details about our ancestors that you would never know unless someone took the time to write them down. Birth dates and census records tell us where they lived, but it's the small stories that bring them to life. Thankfully, my great-grandpa Norman wrote his life history. He shared memories of his childhood, losing his mother, and eventually meeting my great-grandma, Elva. Just as they had started "going steady" and became engaged, Norman was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, leaving Elva behind. At the time, Elva was a single mother working to provide for herself and her young son. During his mission, they wrote letters back and forth. In one of those letters, Norman wrote that Elva told him she had learned to fix beans fourteen different ways. Now, Norman didn't like beans. That one sentence tells me so much about both of them. I can almost picture her smili...

My mum loves to play games as the evening is winding down. They're a relaxing way to spend time together away from screens. Growing up, our family favorites were Cards and Marbles (a version of the game, Sorry!) and Mexican Train. Recently, the game she plays more than any other is Yahtzee. Over the past few years, I've wanted to gently push her out of her comfort zone by introducing a few modern board games to add to her rotation. For a game to earn Mum's approval, it has to meet a few important requirements. First, it needs to be simple to learn and easy to play. She has no interest in sitting through a 20-minute explanation of the rules. She'd much rather learn as we go. Second, it needs to be light enough that she doesn't have to think two or three moves ahead. She enjoys making interesting decisions, but she doesn't want game night to feel like homework. Finally, it can't drag on for hours. If a game takes too long, she'll lose interest before it...

 One of my favorite places to find family history inspiration is the children's section of the library. Every week, I come home with a stack of books, hoping to discover stories that spark conversations about family, identity, memories, traditions, and the people who have shaped our lives. As a family historian, I am always looking for books that help children connect with their own story. Some books inspire meaningful conversations. Some introduce important family history concepts. Others are simply wonderful stories that help children see themselves and their families in new ways. That's what inspired this new series: Library Roundup: Buy, Borrow, or Leave on the Shelf . In each roundup, I'll share recent library reads and give my verdict about whether I would: buy, borrow again from the library , or leave on the shelf next time . Along the way, I'll highlight the family history themes, discussion opportunities, and activities that each book might inspire. Whether yo...