Books & Beyond
Latinx Voices in Picture Books
Here's a sampling of stellar, recent picture books by Hispanic American creators. The umbrella term "Hispanic Americans" encompasses Americans with roots in Mexico, Central America, South America, the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean, and Spain, a group far too numerous and diverse to do justice to in a short book list. That said, we've endeavored to highlight a wide variety of new titles in the hope that you find some books here to share with the children in your life.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Back to School
Here are some new picture books about starting school. Whether going to school for the first time or returning after more than a year at home, kids likely are feeling both worried and excited about the new school year. Sharing a book can help children learn what to expect at school, and it can also provide an opening for them talk to about their emotions.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Picture Books: Big Changes, Big Feelings
Starting a new school year, moving, swimming in the deep end for the first time -- big changes are often accompanied by big feelings. We've gathered some books for children about doing something new.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
When Death Happens
In addition to wonderful first experiences, children also have their first encounters with less positively-associated subjects, including death. While no book is a substitute for gentle conversations and listening to your child, these titles seek to provide some structure and support for navigating the challenges of a subject often ignored.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Nonfiction: Science Adventure
Here are some of our recent favorite nonfiction titles that explore the science of the earth, the solar system, the human body, feats of endurance and ingenuity, and more.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Disability Visibility
We've gathered together books for different ages that feature young people with disabilities. Many are memoirs or fiction that draw upon the authors' own experiences. We hope you find books here to share with your family that can serve as mirrors for children with disabilities and doorways to deepen understanding and empathy for all.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Early Graphic Novels
There are so many fantastic graphic novels for younger readers, and many more on the way. Want an introduction to this fun new world in kids' lit? Here are some titles to get you started!
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Color your World with Books and Art!
For summer reading we are celebrating all the ways that reading colors your world! Here's a selection of picture books about color, each with a unique take on the topic. We've also got lots of ideas for art projects to color your world.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Road Trip Listening
Hitting the road this summer? Check out our suggestions of listens great for the whole family. Whether you check out audiobooks on CD in the library, or download them through either of our digital services, you’ll be able to listen up while you travel out into the world.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Juneteenth: Honoring Black History and Culture with Picture Books
The Juneteenth holiday is a time to celebrate as well as a time to examine our history, to reflect on the legacy of slavery, and to look toward the future. Here are some picture books by Black authors and artists that celebrate African American culture, resistance and achievement.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
LGBTQIA+ Picture Books
Picture books featuring LGBTQ+ parents, children, and community
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Asian and Pacific Islander Chapter Books
Looking for some great chapter books by and about people of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage? Here are some of our favorites to get you started.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Honoring Beverly Cleary
Discover picture book biographies of women who made their mark on history.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Rhyme Time: Inclusive Picture Books
Discover some great new inclusive rhyming picture books!
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Asian and Pacific Islander Picture Books
Looking for some great picture book read-alouds by and about people of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage? Here are some of our favorites to get you started.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Modern Classics
What makes a book a "classic?" Here are some of my recent favorites that I imagine will be finding readers for many, many years to come.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Storytime At Home
Nothing can replace the experience of an in-person storytime, but there are some great alternatives to share stories, songs, and activities with your little ones. Here are some of the ones that we recommend to extend your reading time with your kiddo.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Non-Fiction to Share
So maybe your bedtime reading is more realistic than magical, it’s all good when it’s time spent reading together! Here are suggestions for exploring a range of topics, from the natural world to history, inventions to adventure.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Women’s History Month – Picture Book Biographies
Discover picture book biographies of women who made their mark on history.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
What About the Classics?
What happens when the books from our youth contain language, stereotypes, and situations that are problematic? As librarians, we don’t have all the answers for you, but here are our tips for approaching those classics that have ideas and ideals that may not match your current views.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Let’s Laugh!
Why do we love funny books? Because it feels good to laugh. When I'm reading a book that makes me crack up uncontrollably (I'm looking at you, Catwad!) I feel a kind of inner peace afterward, a happy glow that stays with me for awhile.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Black Voices: Chapter Books
We've gathered some stellar recent children's literature by Black authors, from early readers to chapter books. How about celebrating Black History Month by reading a title by a Black author that is new to you? And, keep reading Black books all year long . . . there are so great books!
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Black Stories: Picture Books
Discover recent picture books that explore and celebrate the richness and diversity of the Black American experience.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Just One More Chapter!
Here are some of our favorite family read alouds, great for preschoolers through 3rd grade or so. Included is a rough estimate of how many sittings it might take to finish them. Whether you read to your child at breakfast, before dinner or at bedtime, it's all good!
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Sharing Mindfulness with Children
These books encourage children (and their grownups) to slow down and bring their awareness to the present moment. Mindfulness for kids might mean taking time to explore a flower or to taste a single strawberry. Just like grownups, being mindful can support children in navigating strong emotions or worry. These mindful titles encourage us all to take a breath with awareness, to be in the moment, and to practice kindness to ourselves and others.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
You Can Never Read Too Many Comics
I like to think of certain comics as being so good, such instant classics with wide-ranging appeal, that they serve as entrance points into a lifetime of comics-reading for many a kiddo. Let's look at these as pathways through the world of comics - from around Kindergarten level up to upper elementary.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
New Baby – A Guide for New Siblings
There is so much excitement when your family grows. Making the transition from single child to more can be a monumental change, especially for the soon-to-be-no-longer-only child. Here are some of our favorite books for sharing with your child from pregnancy to becoming a big sibling.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Book Gift Giving
Don't know if you know, but librarians love books! We love sharing books and especially giving books as gifts. Books are great gifts on their own, but sometimes it's nice to make a whole bundle of fun to go with it.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Rethinking Native American Stories
We're sharing some wonderful books by Native authors. We've selected a few picture books that offer diverse perspectives on the contemporary Indigenous experience, some historical fiction for middle grade readers, and some alternatives to the traditional Thanksgiving storybooks.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Latinx Voices: Picture Books
Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 - October 15, celebrates the contributions to American society and culture of Americans with roots in Mexico, Central America, South America, the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean, and Spain. To celebrate, we're highlighting some recent books by phenomenal Latinx authors and illustrators.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Start a Family Book Club
Kids are starting school, but it doesn’t look or feel the way it usually does. The standard books about starting school just don’t apply this year. We've gathered some books about doing something new. We looked for titles that address the inner thoughts and emotions of children. We hope that that sharing one or two of these books with your child helps them to acknowledge and talk about feelings of excitement, fear, or worry accompanying the start of this school year. Searching for ways to make this time feel special? We’ve included books that celebrate growing up and being you!
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Politics for Kids
More and more families are having open conversations about big issues, including politics. We most often associate politics with big moments in history, things like presidential elections. But when you boil it down, politics is how people in groups make decisions, at many different levels. Here are some ideas of how to introduce this concept of politics, voting, and what it means to be a citizen to your kid.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Early Reader Levels…What Do They Mean?!
If you’ve ever browsed our Early Reader section, you’ve probably noticed numbers on the sides of many of the books, or friendly names or colors. To make it more complicated, your child might have really like a Level 1 of a particular series, but when you pick up a Level 1 of another series it’s way too hard or too easy. Why is it so difficult?!
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Very Beginning Readers
Is your kiddo ready to start reading? Each kid is ready in their own time, but sharing simple text with lots of repetition can help develop their literacy skills. The world of early readers can be a complex place with leveling (set by publishers), movie/franchise tie-ins (with complicated words), and lots of very little spines. Here are our suggestions of great first books to share with your kid.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Diverse Board Books: A Place to Begin
When should you start talking to your child about race? Today! Babies as young as 6 months old notice and categorize people by race. Ibram X. Kendi, in his new book, Antiracist Baby outlines nine steps to raise an antiracist child. Number one is, “Open your eyes to all skin colors”. Here is a list of board books that illustrate the beautiful range of skin tones in our world.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Weeding…Books
Parting with things, especially books, is never easy. Here are some tips on how to go through your book collection with your kids.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Rainbow Reads: Chapter Books
Looking for elementary and middle school books featuring LGBTQIA+ characters? We’ve got you covered! Here are a few new titles we love. Chapter Books with Lesbian Characters The Mighty Heart of Sunny Saint James by Ashley Herring Blake Hurricane Child by Kacen Calendar One True Way by Shannon Hitchcock Redwood and Ponytail by K. A. ...
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Rainbow Reads: Picture Books & Parenting
LGBTQIA+ Picture Books & Parenting Resources
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Social Justice for Kids
Parenting is hard. Having big discussions, even with other grownups much less kids, can feel daunting. Navigating what to share, how much detail and all of the other decisions can make you feel like it’s easier just not to talk about it. But kids know stuff happens. They hear it from friends, hear their grownups ...
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Asian & Pacific Islander Voices
We believe kids need to see characters who look like they do in stories, and we strive to have a collection that allows all children to see themselves in books. We hope that these titles can offer kids who may not often see themselves reflected in the media, the chance to imagine starring in their own adventures.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Podcasts for Kids
Podcasts can be completely overwhelming, but once you’ve found ones you like it’s great to have new episodes queued up and ready to go! Here’s some of my current favorites for sharing with my kids.
Read MoreBooks & Beyond
Time for Comics!
Hey kids! Do you miss coming into the library to check out what’s new in the comics section? I know I do.
Read More