Recommendations

Fall in love with a disarming picture-book hero in this quirky ode to spirit, identity, and the joy of having (or being) a library card.

In the world of cards, each one has a special job to do. Big Card keeps important papers in order. Tiny Card can be exchanged for a prize in an arcade. Round Card hangs out in a glamorous boutique. But is any card as lucky as Little Card? He’s going to school to become a birthday card — in other words, to sing, play games, eat cake, and be happy all day long. But wait! On the day he’s supposed to take his talents into the world, Long Card tells him there’s been a mix-up and they need to trade jobs. How can Little Card bring his exuberance into a library, a quiet place of books and rules and hushing? Offbeat and utterly endearing, this tale of a little guy who gives it all he’s got is complete with a sweet twist and a surprise ending.

In this lyrical picture book, world-renowned poet, New York Times bestselling author, and Coretta Scott King Honor winner Nikki Giovanni and fine artist Erin Robinson craft an ode to the magic of a library as a place not only for knowledge but also for imagination, exploration, and escape.

In what other place can a child "sail their dreams" and "surf the rainbow" without ever leaving the room? This ode to libraries is a celebration for everyone who loves stories, from seasoned readers to those just learning to love words, and it will have kids and parents alike imagining where their library can take them.

This inspiring read-aloud includes stunning illustrations and a note from Nikki Giovanni about the importance of libraries in her own childhood.

When Lydia was five years old, she and her family had to leave their home. They hopped from Grandma's house to Aunt Linda's house to Cousin Alice's house, but no place was permanent. Then one day, everything changed. Lydia's mom took her to a new place — not a house, but a big building with stone columns, and tall, tall steps. The library.

In the library, Lydia found her special spot across from the sunny window, at a round desk. For behind that desk was her new friend, the librarian. Together, Lydia and the librarian discovered a world beyond their walls, one that sparkled with spectacular joy.

Paired with warm art by newcomer Romina Galotta and a foreword by Ira Glass, Dear Librarian is a "thank you" to anyone who has offered a child love and support during a difficult time.

A young Black girl pens a love letter to libraries and books, powerfully expressing the need to see herself represented in stories. From the author that brought you M Is for Melanin.

"A rousing call to action for more racially diverse children's literature." -Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

There was just this one thing, this nagging suspicion, that I didn't meet the criteria for a heroine's condition.

In the books that I read, an absence of melanin was a clear omission.

A voracious young reader loves nothing more than going to the library and poring through books all day, making friends with characters and going off on exciting adventures with them. However, the more she reads, the more she notices that most of the books don't have characters of color, and the only ones that do tell about the most painful parts of their history. Where are the Black heroines with Afros exploring other planets and the superheroes with 'locs saving the day?

From books to puppet shows, from author signings to computer research and from special collections to very important rules, readers learn about libraries and the value of reading, sharing and community in this beautiful book.

Generations of children have fallen in love with Amelia Bedelia, the housekeeper so literal-minded that she puts sponges in her sponge cake and pitches a tent by throwing it into the woods.
 
Now fans can find out what Amelia Bedelia was like when she was a little girl just starting school. In the picture book Amelia Bedelia's First Library Card, young Amelia Bedelia and her classmates visit the library. Exploring the shelves of books, volunteering at the front desk, and meeting the librarians is so fun! But Amelia Bedelia’s favorite part is getting her very own library card.
 
Amelia Bedelia’s First Library Card is a love letter to reading, libraries, librarians, and books.
 
Author Herman Parish is a nephew of Peggy Parish, the creator of Amelia Bedelia.

An NPR Books We Love 2023 selection.

The story of one incredible library book and all the children who've borrowed it. Fun, rhyming text from Caroline Crowe and bright, joyful illustrations from New York Times-bestseller John Joseph celebrate a love of books and libraries. Readers will pore over the clever details - hot chocolate rings, a hastily taped page and an accidental splash.

"Welcome to the library�
A room packed with stories from ceiling to floor,
Shelves of adventures for you to explore.
But each book has two stories - the tale the words tell,
And the tale of the journey it's been on as well."

This library book is very special. It's been hugged, lost, torn, chewed by a dog and soaked in the rain. It's been read in apartments and in tents, by children wearing costumes and pyjamas, reading alone and with family.

Each time it returns to the library it's a little more worn, but a lot more loved. For every rip, scribble or stain there's a child who has found adventure or escape, comfort or excitement in its pages. That's the magic of a library book!

There is no better place in the world than a library. Especially a library that kids create! A million stories high? Sure. Bathtubs? Absolutely. A full-service sundae bar? Of course. Everything is possible in this library--just like in books! Author Lindsay Leslie puts the reader in charge as the architect of a fantastical library in this imaginative picture book celebrating libraries and the joys of reading.

A stray cat follows her love of books all the way to a new library home in this charming debut picture book that’s “catnip for librarians and young book lovers alike” (School Library Journal, starred review).

Clarisse is a clever cat who loves books. She may not understand the dark, squiggly lines, but she can’t get enough of the pictures. One day, she stumbles upon a magical building where people walk in empty-handed and come out with an armload of books. She has to find a way inside!

There’s just one problem: NO CATS are allowed in the library! That’s not going to stop clever Clarisse, though. Once she sneaks in, she stumbles upon exciting new stories and even helps a little girl practice reading aloud. But when the librarian comes looking, will Clarisse be allowed to stay?

Here is the library! Fifteen poems celebrate the thrill of getting your first library card, the excitement of story hour, the fun of using the computer, the pride of reading to the dog, and the joy of discovering that the librarian understands you and knows exactly which books you'll love.
The poems in this engaging picture book are compiled by noted poet and anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins.All pay homage to the marvels of books and reading. Accompanied by Jane Manning's colorful, imaginative illustrations, this collection celebrates the magic of libraries and is a must for every school and public library -- and it's ideal for anyone who loves to visit their local library, too!

Luna's parents live apart, but she loves library day: that's the day she spends with her dad. Exploring the shelves, they find magic, mystery and history, but the best is a book that seems to have been written just for them.

Where Is Our Library? is a companion to Lost in the Library and our second picture book in partnership with the New York Public Library.

Curious Patience and steadfast Fortitude wait every morning to greet visitors of the New York Public Library—and slip away every night to read in the Children's Center.

But one day, Patience and Fortitude find the Children's Center empty! The two lions set out into the city to locate their missing books and encounter some literary landmarks along the way.

Josh Funk's clever rhymes and Stevie Lewis's vibrant art take young readers into the heart of New York City in this latest adventure.

What’s the best way to cure a gloomy day? A trip to the library! Based on the hit song by Tom Chapin and Michael Mark, here is an affectionate, exuberant, uproarious celebration of books, reading, and—SHHH!—libraries!

The rain is pouring, Dad is snoring, and the same old stuff is on TV—boring.

What is there to do today?

Go to the library, of course!

Who will we meet there? Let's find out!

A Junior Library Guild Selection

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

A Bologna Ragazzi Awards Amazing Bookshelf Selection

A Bank Street Best Children's Book

From New York Times bestselling, Pura Belpré Award-winning author-illustrator Raúl the Third, ¡Vamos! Let's Go Read follows Little Lobo and friends as they explore their library's Libro Love Book Festival in this paper-over-board picture book from the World of ¡Vamos!

Little Lobo and his friends are excited for the out-of-this-world book festival the Guadalupian Library hosts every year!

Everyone has a special book they're looking for, but there's so much to see and do first. From cookbook demonstrations and comics workshops to mask making and language classes, this library has something for everyone. Can Little Lobo, Bernabé, Kooky Dooky, Coco Rocho, and La Chida each find the book of their dreams?

Full of easy-to-remember Spanish vocabulary and packed with fun details, this colorful celebration of books, libraries, and all forms of reading will bring joy to young bookworms everywhere!

The Berenstain Bears are always checking out books about outer space, medieval knights, cute animals, and more at the library. But then one day, the family finds out the library may be shutting down forever.

The cubs know they have to do something! But how can they save their precious library before it’s too late?

The Berenstain Bears We Love the Library is a fun addition to the classic New York Times bestselling series.

Peppa Pig and her brother, George, discover the wonders of the public library.

Peppa and George are tired of all their regular bedtime stories. The only book they haven’t read is Daddy’s library book, The Wonderful World of Concrete . . . what a snooze! It’s overdue anyway, so the family sets out for Peppa’s very first visit to a library. With so many books to choose from, how will Peppa ever decide which ones to borrow? Bedtime will never be boring again!

New York Times bestselling author and illustrator James Dean shows us how much fun reading can be in Pete the Cat Checks Out the Library. Includes over 30 groovy stickers!

It's Pete the Cat's first time at the library. He gets a fun tour of library and even reads a few super cool stories while he's there.

Without even leaving the library, Pete goes on so many groovy adventures. All Pete needs is a little imagination—and of course, his library card!

A great introduction to the library from everyone's favorite groovy cat.

Dinosaur is going to one of his favorite places: the library! On the way, he invites his friends--a lonesome turtle, a sad owl and more-- to roar along with him. But how will his roaring go over at the library? Has Dinosaur finally met his match in Storytime?/DIV DIVBy combining everyone's favorite feisty red dinosaur with a variety of animals and a celebration of reading, author-illustrator-designer Bob Shea has created another irresistable romp for toddlers and parents to enjoy together.

When the library closes, and the last librarian has gone home to bed . . . the books come alive and tell stories of their adventures. But Dusty the book has never been borrowed and dreams of finding someone to share his story with . . .Will he find his perfect reader?Carolina Rabei's gorgeous artwork bring this is magical story to life for children aged 3 years and up. Wonderfully capturing the magic of reading and sharing stories, this is a great book for encouraging reluctant readers and fostering a love of books.

Libraries are the keepers of the world's memory.

This series takes readers (Ages 8-12) on a historical journey, examining how people coped in the past and how they developed ingenious ways to make life safer and less unpleasant. Each book features full-color cartoon-style illustrations and hilarious speech bubbles to heighten interest, making the series attractive even to reluctant readers.

For 5,000 years and more, libraries have been gathering and preserving writings of all kinds. They're storehouses of knowledge, and imagination, and fun. Learn about how these places and their collections of written words allow us to check our facts, find important information, share stories, beliefs and ideas, build communities, make things, and learn valuable life skills.

An affectionate storybook tribute to that truly wonderful place: the library.

Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, is very particular about rules in the library. No running allowed. And you must be quiet. But when a lion comes to the library one day, no one is sure what to do. There aren't any rules about lions in the library. And, as it turns out, this lion seems very well suited to library visiting. His big feet are quiet on the library floor. He makes a comfy backrest for the children at story hour. And he never roars in the library, at least not anymore. But when something terrible happens, the lion quickly comes to the rescue in the only way he knows how. Michelle Knudsen's disarming story, illustrated by the matchless Kevin Hawkes in an expressive timeless style, will win over even the most ardent of rule keepers.

The Bad Seed borrows an awesome book from the library in this Level One I Can Read by the #1 New York Times bestselling duo Jory John and Pete Oswald!

The Bad Seed is in a good mood...for once. That's because there's a really cool book at the library available for checkout. The Bad Seed reads, and reads, until the book can't be read anymore.

But suddenly, he gets bad news: The book must be returned to the library so another seed can enjoy it. Will the bad seed return to his baaaaaad ways and keep the book Pick up this really cool book to find out!

The Bad Seed Goes to the Library is a Level 1 I Can Read book, which means it's perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts of Level One books support success for children eager to start reading on their own.

Have you ever thought about bringing your dragon to the library? Don't do it! You might have the best intentions, but that dragon will cause nothing but trouble. Using rhyming text and a diverse cast of characters, this charming picture book will provide some important--and some not so important--library etiquette in a very entertaining way.

A little librarian with a larger-than-life voice finds her place in this sweet and uproarious picture book about being true to yourself—no shushing required!

Penelope is perfect for the job of student-librarian. Friendly? Check. Helpful? Check. Book lover? Check. There’s just one snag. Penelope is...LOUD. Bookcases may topple and the ground may quake at the sound of her voice, but Penelope is determined to prove she’s perfect for the job and stay true to herself. Can a little librarian with a big voice find a place where she belongs?

Overdue for some fun?

If so, check out everyone's favorite-minded housekeeper, Amelia Bedelia. Nothing makes Amelia Bedelia happier than helping people and doing exactly as she's told. And what could be more satisfying than a day spent volunteering at the library?

But Mrs. Page, the librarian, is surprised when Amelia Bedelia steals away in the bookmobile for a bookstore visit. Can Amelia Bedelia explain that she was just trying to go by the book? Or will she have the book thrown at her for this latest misunderstanding?

When Bear finds a book in the woods, his world is changed. His friend Owl teaches him to read, and Bear wants more! Bear decides the city will offer him what he's looking for, but when he reaches the busy streets, he's sad to discover that some people think that "Books aren't for bears!" Can Bear find a place where books are for everybody?

Find out what happens to a beloved book sent to a new home in this sweet and hopeful picture book from award-winning author of Warning: Do Not Open This Book!, Adam Lehrhaupt.

When a little girl outgrows her favorite book and it is donated to the library, Book worries it will never be read again. It sits alone and neglected on a library shelf, and one unlucky day, Book falls from its perch and lands behind the shelf out of sight. How will anyone find it now?

Young readers will delight in following Book’s journey and the chance encounter that saves it from being forgotten.

Winner of the 2021 Northern Lights Book Awards--Historical Category

Books By Horseback is a breathtaking adventure of a heroic Pack Horse Librarian who braves the harsh terrain of rural Kentucky to bring books to children who need them.

"Capturing one librarian's breathtaking fictional journey is a riveting way to showcase and honor the risky work of these real librarians, and the text communicates a deep reverence for their mission-and their tremendous fortitude. Educational and inspiring." -Kirkus Reviews

"The fictional narrative proves captivating as young readers learn the lengths real-life librarians went to serve their communities during the Great Depression." - Publishers Weekly

"This is an excellent forum for bringing history and literacy together while broadening the experiences and perspectives of young ­readers."-School Library Journal

"Vibrant illustrations anchor this tale . . . of intrepid female librarians delivering books to far-flung isolated homesteads in the rolling hills of Kentucky. The pictures are eye-popping and fill each page right to the edges." - Jon G. Bradley, Historical Novel Society

During the Great Depression, food, education, and opportunities were scarce. Kentucky had fallen behind its neighboring states in electricity and highways, and the folks who lived in the craggy, mountainous, Appalachia region were struggling to survive. But courageous librarians were up to the challenge!

Edith, a young Pack Horse Librarian, and her faithful horse Dan, adventure through rough terrain and a pending storm in order to deliver books to kids who desperately need them in this richly illustrated tale. Edith, like all Pack Horse Librarians, heroically risked their own safety to serve the most vulnerable members of their community. Librarians like Edith helped an entire generation learn to read and gain lifesaving knowledge in a critical time in history.

Books are awesome Reading's free...Let's go to the library

Hippo is looking for a new book. There are so many to choose from. There are books about pirates, bears, superheroes, and more And as Hippo looks around the library, she imagines the stories inside each book. How can Hippo choose just one? Maybe she doesn't have to...Sue Fliess's sing-song text combines with Mike Laughead's adorable illustrations for a fun celebration of finding just the right books.