1000 Books Before Kindergarten
1000 Books Before Kindergarten is an early literacy program designed to encourage children to read at least 1,000 books before they enter kindergarten, with some fun incentives along the way! Just follow these four easy steps:
- Register for the program below or in-person at either library
- Keep track of your reading on a reading log (download a reading log)
- Turn in your reading log for every 100 books read
- Read until you reach 1,000 books
Early Literacy Kits
Early Literacy Kits are designed for pre-readers ages 0-5 and focus on developing early literacy skills through sharing concepts like words, rhymes, sounds, songs, and more. Each kit contains books, games, toys, and more, as well as songs and rhymes all based on the five best practices of early literacy: Reading, Talking, Singing, Playing, and Writing.
STEAM Kits
Build, play, experiment, and explore with our collection of STEAM Kits! These kits allow children of all ages to explore topics in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics in the comfort of their own home.
Recommended Reads for Youth
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Young Hag and the Witches' Quest
New York Times bestselling and award-winning author/illustrator Isabel Greenberg's Young Hag and the Witches' Quest is a unique YA graphic novel about an epic quest through Arthurian legends and a girl's journey to believe in magic again after the loss of her mother.
Once there was magic in Britain. There were dragons and wizards and green knights and round tables and kings that pulled swords out of stones. But now, the doors to the Otherworld have closed, and the magic is gone. All that is left are the stories of those bygone days. Young Hag, her mother and her grandmother, Ancient Crone, are the last of the witches in Britain. At least, that's what Ancient Crone says.
Young Hag has grown up hearing those tales and believing in her the power of her Grandmother. But when tragedy strikes, and their world is shaken, Young Hag turns her back on magic. She is sick of the tales of family curses, faerie doors, lost magic, and ancient swords. If they are witches, where is their magic when they really need it?
And then one day they find a changeling baby in the woods. Confronted with real magic at last, Young Hag has no choice but to believe. She sets off on the greatest quest of her life; to bring the magic back to Britain. But when faced with magic and myth, can Young Hag put aside her doubts and fears? Or will she simply become a forgotten footnote in the tale of famous kings and wizards? -
You Are Fearless
This uplifting read-aloud is a heartfelt wish for all children and a timeless introduction to the Grammy Award-winning and multi platinum singer and songwriter. YOU ARE FEARLESS presents Taylor Swift’s inspirational journey, encouraging children to be fearless, defy limits, and follow their hearts.
Perfect for Taylor Swift fans of all ages! -
Trim Saves the Day
One small kitten learns about the great big world as he sets sail with his fellow shipmates, animal and human, in this historical fiction intermediate reader.
Trim likes being part of the ship’s crew. The captain says that everyone has a jobs they do alone and other times they help each other out. And if there’s a big problem, then it’s all hands on deck.
But what is Trim’s job? He really wants to help, but everyone is very busy. Penny is helping the sailors mop the deck, so Trim decides to mop too. Swish! Swish! SWISH! Trim gets water everywhere. Jack is helping the captain steer the ship, so Trim thinks he can steer too. Whee! Whee! WHEE! But there’s not enough room on the wheel. Doesn’t anyone have a job for a kitten who really wants to help? -
Three Summers
An epic middle-grade memoir about sisterhood and coming-of-age in the three years leading up to the Bosnian Genocide.
Three Summers is the story of five young cousins who grow closer than sisters as ethnic tensions escalate over three summers in 1980s Bosnia. They navigate the joys and pitfalls of adolescence on their family’s little island in the middle of the Una River. When finally confronted with the harsh truths of the adult world around them, their bond gives them the resilience to discover and hold fast to their true selves.
Written with incredible warmth and tenderness, Amra Sabic-El-Rayess takes readers on a journey that will break their hearts and put them back together again. -
Spider in the Well
This cheeky picture book debut from author-illustrator Jess Hannigan tells the darkly dry and utterly hilarious tale of fibs, cons, and JUSTICE! Perfect for fans of Jon Klassen, Ryan Higgins, and stylized cinema--from Orson Welles to Wes Anderson.
Breaking News: Wishing Well Broken!
The townspeople of Bad Göodsburg are up in arms. With their beloved well busted, none of their important, generous, kindhearted wishes are coming true! Time to send that good-for-nothing Newsboy to investigate. . . .
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Kids' Indie Next List *
"I don't trust anyone in this book." --Jon Klassen, award-winning creator of I Want My Hat Back
★ "A fun read for children, but also for their adults. A masterful debut that reads like a well-loved classic. Will be great fun to share." --School Library Journal (starred review)
★ "Is this cheeky storybook technically an entertaining endorsement of blackmail? It sure is, and it's very funny. A splendidly silly story for all ages." --ALA Booklist (starred review)
★ "Dramatic pacing and sly humor. Terrific fun with a shrewd hero." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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Six Truths and a Lie
Six Muslim teens are falsely accused of a deadly attack in this timely and harrowing examination of America's justice system, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas and Samira Ahmed.
As fireworks pop off at a rowdy Fourth of July bonfire party, an explosion off the California coast levels an oil rig-resulting in chaos and worse, murder.
At the center are six Muslim teens - six patriots, six strangers, and six suspects.
An old soul caught in the wrong place. An aspiring doctor. An influencer with a reputation to protect. A perfect daughter with secrets to hide. A soccer star headed for Stanford. An immigrant in love. Each with something to hide and everything to lose.
Faced with accusations of terrorism, The Six are caught in a political game that will pit them against each other in exchange for exoneration. They must choose: frame each other to guarantee their own independence or expose their secrets to earn back freedom for them all. -
Plain Jane and the Mermaid
From Anya's Ghost and Be Prepared author Vera Brosgol comes an instant classic graphic novel that flips every fairy-tale you know on its head, and shows one girl's crusade for the only thing that matters—her own independence.
Jane is incredibly plain. Everyone says so: her parents, the villagers, and her horrible cousin who kicks her out of her own house. Determined to get some semblance of independence, Jane prepares to propose to the princely Peter, who might just say yes to get away from his father. It’s a good plan!
Or it would’ve been, if he wasn’t kidnapped by a mermaid.
With her last shot at happiness lost in the deep blue sea, Jane must venture to the world underwater to rescue her maybe-fiancé. But the depths of the ocean hold beautiful mysteries and dangerous creatures. What good can a plain Jane do? -
Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon: The Graphic Novel
Even when her best friend is moving away, Amber Brown is always bold, bright, and colorful. And now she's in a graphic novel!
Third graders Amber Brown and Justin Daniels have been best friends since the day they first met in preschool. How great of a team are they? Amber helps Justin with his handwriting, and Justin helps Amber with her fractions. They sit next to each other in class and hang out together after school every day—that’s just how it’s always been.
But when Justin finds out his family is moving away, everything starts to feel different. Amber gets sad whenever she thinks about Justin leaving, and Justin seems overwhelmed by all the change to come. Can the two besties figure out a way to say goodbye that will keep their friendship strong, no matter how far apart they are?
This graphic novel adaptation of Paula Danziger's classic chapter book adds layers of nuance to all of Amber's ups and downs, making her story burst from the page even more than before. -
The Partition Project
In this engaging and moving middle grade novel, Saadia Faruqi writes about a contemporary Pakistani American girl whose passion for journalism starts a conversation about her grandmother's experience of the Partition of India and Pakistan--and the bond that the two form as she helps Dadi tell her story.
When her grandmother comes off the airplane in Houston from Pakistan, Mahnoor knows that having Dadi move in is going to disrupt everything about her life. She doesn't have time to be Dadi's unofficial babysitter--her journalism teacher has announced that their big assignment will be to film a documentary, which feels more like storytelling than what Maha would call "journalism."
As Dadi starts to settle into life in Houston and Maha scrambles for a subject for her documentary, the two of them start talking. About Dadi's childhood in northern India--and about the Partition that forced her to leave her home and relocate to the newly created Pakistan.
As details of Dadi's life are revealed, Dadi's personal story feels a lot more like the breaking news that Maha loves so much. And before she knows it, she has the subject of her documentary.
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Orris and Timble: The Beginning
From beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo comes the first book in a warm and funny early-reader trilogy about a misanthropic rat and a naive owl--and the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Orris the rat lives alone in an old barn surrounded by his treasures, until the day his solitude is disrupted by a sudden flutter of wings and a loud screech. A small owl has gotten caught in a trap in the barn. Can Orris "make the good and noble choice" (as the king on his prized sardine can might recommend) and rescue the owl, despite the fact that owls and rats are natural enemies? And if he does, will he be ready for the consequences? With humor and tenderness, two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo brings us this first of three tales celebrating unlikely friendship and the power of sharing stories and doing the right thing--a soon-to-be classic brought to expressive life by the full-color illustrations of Carmen Mok. -
Only
In the tradition of The Quiet Book, this book tells the story of a bird who likes being alone, but doesn't want to be lonely.
Only likes quiet time, and they definitely like being alone. All the other birds are too loud and too rough! Only decides to create a peaceful space that's just for them, but when a friend shows up wanting to try some quiet time too, the two birds must figure out a way to be sure no one feels left out.
In this companion title to Neither, Airlie Anderson shows readers that it's okay to sometimes be noisy, to sometimes be quiet, to sometimes be together, and to sometimes be alone--as long as no one is made to feel lonely. -
The Night War
From the two-time Newbery Honor-winning author of The War That Saved My Life and Fighting Words comes a middle grade novel set at the border between freedom and fear in World War II France, at the Chateau de Chenonceau, where a Jewish girl who has lost everything but her life must decide whether to risk even that to bring others to freedom.
“We don’t choose how we feel, but we choose how we act.”
It’s 1942. German Nazis occupy much of France. And twelve-year-old Miriam, who is Jewish, is not safe. With help and quick thinking, Miri is saved from the roundup that takes her entire Jewish neighborhood. She escapes Paris, landing in a small French village, where the spires of the famous Chateau de Chenonceau rise high into the sky, its bridge across the River Cher like a promise, a fairy tale.
But Miri’s life is no fairy tale. Her parents are gone—maybe alive, maybe not. Taken in at the boarding school near the chateau, pretending to be Catholic to escape Nazi capture, Miri volunteers one night to undertake a deadly task, one that spans the castle grounds, its bridge, and the very border to freedom. Here is her chance to escape—hopefully to find her parents. But will she take it? One thing is certain: The person Miri meets that night will save her life. And the person Miri becomes that night could save the lives of many more.
In her return to the era of The War that Saved My Life and The War I Finally Won, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley brings a new and different story, one with a mystical twist, that explores a little-known slice of World War II history, a highly unusual friendship, and the power of choosing courage even when—especially when—there are no good choices to be had.
* Map and detailed author's note included. *
“Compelling [with] a hint of magic [that] becomes as satisfying as the whole of this fine novel.” —Booklist
"Historical fiction at its finest. [A] masterpiece . . . Readers will be wholeheartedly rewarded." —SLJ (starred review)
"Poignant . . . A gripping, humane tale." —Kirkus (starred review)
“A deeply sympathetic character facing increasingly dangerous and suspenseful circumstances.” —PW
“Engaging [and] imaginative [with] emotional weight and contemporary appeal.” —The Horn Book
"A must-read." —YA and Kids Books Central -
My Dog and I
My Dog and I is a delightfully imaginative picture book about a little girl who's always wanted a dog, showing us that love knows no bounds, from award-winning creators, author Luca Tortolini and illustrator Felicita Sala.
Out for a walk one day, a girl stumbles upon a lost "dog." Having always wanted a dog of her own, she brings the "little" creature home and takes care of it in secret, hiding it from her parents. Proud of her new "dog," she plays with it, feeds it, and even takes it around town--much to the chagrin of the townspeople and other kids who have been mean to her in the past.
But one day, when her "little" friend gets the urge to chase something and ends up wandering off, she finds herself with too much sadness to bear. Will she ever find her "dog" again?
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Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
In the Remixed Classics series, authors from marginalized backgrounds reinterpret classic works through their own cultural lens to subvert the overwhelming cishet, white, and male canon. This bittersweet Pride & Prejudice remix follows a trans boy yearning for the freedom to live openly, centering queerness in a well-known story of longing and subverting society’s patriarchal and cisheteronormative expectations.
London, 1812. Oliver Bennet feels trapped. Not just by the endless corsets, petticoats and skirts he's forced to wear on a daily basis, but also by society's expectations. The world—and the vast majority of his family and friends—think Oliver is a girl named Elizabeth. He is therefore expected to mingle at balls wearing a pretty dress, entertain suitors regardless of his interest in them, and ultimately become someone's wife.
But Oliver can't bear the thought of such a fate. He finds solace in the few times he can sneak out of his family's home and explore the city rightfully dressed as a young gentleman. It's during one such excursion when Oliver becomes acquainted with Darcy, a sulky young man who had been rude to "Elizabeth" at a recent social function. But in the comfort of being out of the public eye, Oliver comes to find that Darcy is actually a sweet, intelligent boy with a warm heart. And not to mention incredibly attractive.
As Oliver is able to spend more time as his true self, often with Darcy, part of him dares begin to hope that his dream of love and life as a man could be possible. But suitors are growing bolder—and even threatening—and his mother is growing more desperate to see him settled into an engagement. Oliver will have to choose: Settle for safety, security, and a life of pretending to be something he's not, or risk it all for a slim chance at freedom, love, and a life that can be truly, honestly his own.
The Remixed Classics Series
A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee
So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Morrow
Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix by Aminah Mae Safi
What Souls Are Made Of: A Wuthering Heights Remix by Tasha Suri
Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore
My Dear Henry: A Jekyll & Hyde Remix by Kalynn Bayron
Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix by Caleb Roehrig
Into the Bright Open: A Secret Garden Remix by Cherie Dimaline
Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa -
Maya Plays the Part
A heartwarming middle-grade debut with autism representation and a musical flair.
Maya lives and breathes musicals. When her chance to finally be a part of the summer musical program at the community theater comes up, Maya is convinced she will get the lead. After all, who knows The Drowsy Chaperone better than she does? However, things don't turn out exactly the way Maya's planned, and the summer turns out to be jam-packed with problems: dealing with her best friend's move, her parents' busy jobs, and--since her autism diagnosis--the ongoing puzzle of how to be Maya in Public. But perhaps most important of all, Maya has to figure out how to play the part that truly feels like her own.
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Lucky Duck
From Geisel Award-winning author Greg Pizzoli comes a hilarious picture book about a duck who learns just how lucky she is.
Susan the duck has the worst luck. Her rollerskates are two sizes too big. She's lost her favorite marble. And she's run out of pickles.
But with each unfortunate discovery, Wolf shows up with a gift she's won. Her luck has turned around . . . hasn't it? Come see just how lucky Susan is, in this slyly funny story about finding luck when you least expect it.
Geisel Award-winning creator Greg Pizzoli delivers another rib-tickling picturebook that will have kids howling with laughter. -
A Knit and a Knot
Lionel is having a hard time learning how to knit with Granny Mutton. When Granny's wool goes missing, Lionel and his friend come together to catch the thief. Children will enjoy reading this leveled text.
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I Am More Than
You can be more than one thing--you can be anything!
A follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed picture book I Promise, this second slam-dunk picture book from NBA champion and cultural icon LeBron James motivates readers to remember they can accomplish their goals when they believe in themselves. Written in fun rhyming verse and illustrated by award-winning and bestselling artist Niña Mata, this book will help little dreamers dream BIG.
Perfect for shared reading in and out of the classroom, I Am More Than is also a great gift for graduation, birthdays, and other occasions.
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Hocus and Pocus and the Spell for Home
From award-winning author A. R. Capetta comes a new first-chapter-book series delivering plenty of puppies, magic, and charm.
Puppies Hocus and Pocus are still waiting to be adopted from the Shelter for Slightly Magical Pets. Even though Hocus can see two minutes into the future and Pocus can turn bad feelings into bubbles (which he eats!), nobody seems to want them. This could be because the two keep causing mischief so they won't be separated. When Jinx the witch uses a "spell for home" potion to help a color-changing tortoise find his match, the puppies know what to do: sneak both their hairs into the mixture to ensure they get adopted together. But with these two, anything can happen--from a shrinking spell to giant bees! Can the puppies, along with Jinx and her young apprentices--witch Archer (he/him), wizard Ofelia (she/her), and warlock Tam (they/them)--fix the magical mess? And will they finally find a home, maybe even right under their noses? This adorable new series takes readers to a vibrant world full of magic, community, surprises, and welcoming homes. -
Four Bad Unicorns
Frankie and her sister are unicorn crazy! Today, they're playing their favorite unicorn game, but when their bossy friend Ada arrives with her brother to play, she takes over the game--and takes over Frankie's wheelchair--putting them all in unicorn prison. There is only one thing to do--it's time to be bad unicorns!
The author deftly handles the subject of childhood play and disability from her own personal experience of growing up with a sister with a disability.
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Flap Your Hands
This fascinating, groundbreaking picture book by an autistic creator celebrates stims--the repetitive movements that provide focused stimulation to people on the autistic spectrum.
When you're feeling overwhelmed
And the world's too much to bear...
If your feelings bubble over
But they have no place to go...
Maybe it would help to move!
Want to try a stim?When four neurodivergent kids face some stressful moments, they use body movements called stims to self-regulate their emotions. One boy tickles the space next to his face; a girl flutters her fingers by her ears; another boy kicks his feet like splashy flippers; another girl directs her hands like a conductor! As the children say fun words, flap their hands, and engage in other stims, their actions build in energy and joyousness until their inner calm is restored.
Delightful text and color-drenched illustrations by debut author-illustrator Steve Asbell invites other neurodivergent readers to join in on the action. Flap Your Hands is a wonderful celebration and reminder that stimming is a natural and healthy thing to do!
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Find Him Where You Left Him Dead
AT DAWN HE’LL BE GONE AND YOU’LL BE HERE FOREVER.
Kristen Simmons's masterful breakout horror novel that's "Jumanji but Japanese-inspired" (Kendare Blake) about estranged friends playing a deadly game in a nightmarish folkloric underworld. This edition includes a beautiful foil case stamp.
“Twists, turns, and genuine palpable emotion.” —David Levithan • “Haunting and unforgettable.” —Melissa de la Cruz • “A nightmare I didn’t want to end.” —Terry J. Benton-Walker • “Absorbing.” —C. L. Herman • “Bone-chilling.” —Lauren Shippen • “Heart-pounding.” —Margaret Rogerson • “Twisted.” —Lish McBride • “Won't let me sleep!” —Chelsea Mueller • "Full of surprises." —C. J. Redwine • “Intense.” —Kendare Blake
Four years ago, five kids started a game. Not all of them survived.
Now, at the end of their senior year of high school, the survivors—Owen, Madeline, Emerson, and Dax—have reunited for one strange and terrible reason: they’ve been summoned by the ghost of Ian, the friend they left for dead.
Together they return to the place where their friendship ended with one goal: find Ian and bring him home. So they restart the deadly game they never finished—an innocent card-matching challenge called Meido. A game without instructions.
As soon as they begin, they're dragged out of their reality and into an eerie hellscape of Japanese underworlds, more horrifying than even the darkest folktales that Owen's grandmother told him. There, they meet Shinigami, an old wise woman who explains the rules:
They have one night to complete seven challenges or they'll all be stuck in this world forever.
Once inseparable, the survivors now can’t stand each other, but the challenges demand they work together, think quickly, and make sacrifices—blood, clothes, secrets, memories, and worse.
And once again, not everyone will make it out alive. -
Paper Dragons
A 12-year-old girl wins an invitation to train as an apprentice to immortals in the first book of the new must-read magical series destined to take the world by storm—perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers, Skandar and Eragon. Let the competition begin!
“A new classic fantasy adventure.” — Eoin Colfer, author of the internationally best-selling Artemis Fowl series
An outsider in her village above the cloud sea, 12-year-old orphan Yeung Zhi Ging’s only hope of escape is to win the single invitation to train as a Silhouette: an apprentice to the immortals. After her ill-fated attempt to impress the Silhouette scout leads to a dragon attack on the jade mountain, Zhi Ging is sure that her chances, and her life, are over. But the scout spots her potential and offers her protection and a second chance. She’s in.
In her lessons in Hok Woh, the underwater realm of the immortals, Zhi Ging must face the challenging trials set by her teachers to prove that she’s worthy of being a Silhouette—despite her rivals' attempts to sabotage her. But as Zhi Ging’s power grows, so do the rumours of the return of the Fui Gwai, an evil spirit that turns people into grey-eyed thralls.
When the impossible happens and the Fui Gwai attack the Silhouettes, can Zhi Ging use her newly uncovered talents to save her friends and the world beyond? Or will the grey-eyed spirit consume them all?
“A soaring, luminous new world." —Jessica Townsend, New York Times bestselling author of The Nevermoor series -
The Eyes and the Impossible
NEWBERY MEDAL WINNER • #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An enthralling middle-grade novel by award-winning author Dave Eggers, told from the perspective of one uniquely endearing dog— featuring beautiful color artwork with illustrations by Caldecott honoree Shawn Harris.
“Johannes is a highly engaging narrator whose exuberance and good nature run like a bright thread through the novel’s pages.” —The New York Times
Johannes, a free dog, lives in an urban park by the sea. His job is to be the Eyes—to see everything that happens within the park and report back to the park’s elders, three ancient Bison. His friends—a seagull, a raccoon, a squirrel, and a pelican—work with him as the Assistant Eyes, observing the humans and other animals who share the park and making sure the Equilibrium is in balance.
But changes are afoot. More humans, including Trouble Travelers, arrive in the park. A new building, containing mysterious and hypnotic rectangles, goes up. And then there are the goats—an actual boatload of goats—who appear, along with a shocking revelation that changes Johannes’s view of the world.
A story about friendship, beauty, liberation, and running very, very fast, The Eyes & the Impossible will make readers of all ages see the world around them in a wholly new way. -
Don't Trust Cats
Chip the dog from Don't Eat Bees is back, with more "wisdom" to share, including some hard-won life lessons about cats. From the favorite picture book comic duo of Dev Petty and Mike Boldt.
Chip has been described as very smart and also a dog. And because he's a very good boy, he's going to share his tips on how to live your best life, namely: Don't trust cats. Not even the little, fluffy ones with big eyes. Nohow, no meow.
Trust the squirrel you always chase, trust grandpa (sure, he cheats at cards but he always has treats), and trust that skunk (he seems nice. What could possibly go wrong?). Do NOT trust cats, especially not Mittens.
In this fabulously funny pet story, dog AND cat lovers will enjoy seeing their own fur-friends in Chip's earnest yet ridiculous guide to life.
Also available: Don't Eat Bees (Life Lessons from Chip the Dog) -
Don't Blow Your Top!
Everybody gets angry sometimes, even a little volcano. But with some rock-steady advice, Little Volcano finds a way to process their steamy emotions.
Spend a day in paradise with Little Volcano and Big Volcano. Everything is beautiful and calm until an out-of-control bird drops a coconut on Little Volcano's crater. Will Little Volcano blow their top? Can Big Volcano help?
Don't Blow Your Top! is a hysterical and explosive read-aloud story that will have kids of all ages erupting with laughter as Little Volcano and Big Volcano try to deal with their anger and go with the flow. The book features some tips for kids and volcanoes of all ages to help them navigate their fiery emotions and learn to be cool when things get a little out of control.
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Bunny and Clyde
From New York Times best-selling author Megan McDonald, creator of Judy Moody, and lauded illustrator Scott Nash comes a droll comedy for early readers about an endearingly inept pair of outlaws.
Get ready for a wild ride with Bunny and Clyde! These by-the-rules buddies, a rabbit and a chipmunk, are sick and tired of being good. For once, they want to know what it's like to be baddies--rotten to the core! They want thrills and excitement! But to get really good at being bad, they're going to need some experience. What if the dastardly duo started returning library books late on purpose? Or borrowing markers without asking? Everyone knows it's a swift downhill slide from there--as long as there's an unprotected piggy bank in town! Unless, of course, their best attempts at mastering bad deeds are strangely misconstrued . . . Author Megan McDonald brings her quick wit and ear for dialogue, matched by Scott Nash's deft animal characterizations, to a hilarious caper of criminal intentions gone awry. -
Bright Red Fruit
An unflinching, honest novel in verse about a teenager's journey into the slam poetry scene and the dangerous new relationship that could threaten all her dreams. From the award-winning poet and author of HOME IS NOT A COUNTRY.
Bad girl. No matter how hard Samira tries, she can’t shake her reputation. She’s never gotten the benefit of the doubt—not from her mother or the aunties who watch her like a hawk.
Samira is determined to have a perfect summer filled with fun parties, exploring DC, and growing as a poet—until a scandalous rumor has her grounded and unable to leave her house. When Samira turns to a poetry forum for solace, she catches the eye of an older, charismatic poet named Horus. For the first time, Samira feels wanted. But soon she’s keeping a bigger secret than ever before—one that that could prove her reputation and jeopardize her place in her community.
In this gripping coming-of-age novel from the critically acclaimed author Safia Elhillo, a young woman searches to find the balance between honoring her family, her artistry, and her authentic self. -
The Book That Can Read Your Mind
Prepare to be amazed by this magic trick in a book!
This is not an ordinary book--it's a magical one! Lady Rabbit goes beyond pulling a rabbit out of a hat or making herself disappear. For her next act, she will READ YOUR MIND! That's right: You pick a member from the magician's adorable audience--don't tell which one you've chosen--and this book will guess who it is!
Inspired by 17th‑century magic books, this interactive game in a book will enchant readers of all ages, compelling them to pick among many intriguing, illustrated characters and play over and over (and over) again. Now, without further ado . . . let the magic show begin!
A MAGIC TRICK--AND GAME!--IN A BOOK: This book is pure fun--perfect for fans of Press Here, Bunny Slopes, and Tap the Magic Tree. Turn the pages and prepare to be amazed! Kids will interact with this book and experience many different and delightful outcomes.
CELEBRATES THE MAGIC OF BOOKS: This picture book is brimming with energy and interactivity. An ideal alternative to screens, it is a celebration of the book as "an experience." Kids won't want to put it down!
PERFECT FOR INDEPENDENT READING AND SHARING: Kids who are reading independently will find joy in interacting with this book, trying to outsmart it, and delighting in what it does. Parents will find joy in reading it repeatedly with their children and sharing in the book's literal magic. And, speaking of "sharing," kids will also enjoy sharing this book with their friends!
A STANDOUT GIFT: With its magical hook, irresistible illustrations, and delightful interactivity, this picture book is the perfect gift.
Perfect for:- Kids who love magic and magic tricks
- Parents, grandparents, and teachers seeking a fun and interactive picture book for young children
- Fans of critically acclaimed author-illustrator Marianna Coppo
- Gift givers looking for a game in a book
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The Bedtime Book of Magical Creatures
Get to know more than 100 mythical creatures from around the world with this delightful illustrated introduction.
This is the must-have first book on the most fantastical creatures from around the world, filled with beautiful illustrations and storybook text on every page.
The Bedtime Book of Magical Creatures features an amazing variety of magical creatures, from fairies and mermaids to dragons and unicorns. Children aged 3-5 can get to know more about their favourite creature from myths, legends and storybooks.
Inside the pages of this exciting mythical creatures book, you'll find:
- An introduction to different types of magical creatures brought to life by bright and colorful illustrations.
- Engaging text for young children that can be read aloud - perfect for parents, carers, and children to enjoy at bedtime.
- Beautiful illustrations combined with introductory reference text and core terms highlighted on each page.
- Information on more than 100 mythical creatures - an essential addition to every 3-5 year old's library.
This exciting bedtime book helps to develop an early understanding of different fictional creatures for little ones and clearly explains each one. A timeless gift book, this is a must-have for parents, carers, and educators who want to introduce core fairytale and folklore knowledge at a young age in a fun and engaging way.
More in the series
If you enjoyed The Bedtime Book of Magical Creatures, why not try our other bedtime books? The Bedtime Book of Animals provides a charming introduction to the animal kingdom and The Bedtime Book of Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Life introduces children to fascinating prehistoric lifeforms through a gentle bedtime story. -
Hide and Seek History: Ancient Greeks
With more than 80 lift-the-flaps, this engaging book introduces readers to incredible stories, supersititions, and astonishing aspects of ancient Greece.
With more than 80 lift-the-flaps and with flaps under flaps, this book introduces readers to the truth behind some of ancient Greece's most incredible stories and superstitions. Children will learn about the society of ancient Greece, its sports, social hierarchy, and so much more. This immersive book unearths some of the most astonishing aspects of an illustrious culture. -
¡Vamos! Let's Go Read
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!
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Top Story (Front Desk #5)
The New York Times bestselling Front Desk series continues!
Mia Tang is at the top of her game!
She's spending winter break with Mom, Lupe, Jason, and Hank in San Francisco's Chinatown! Rich with history and hilarious aunties and uncles, it's the place to find a great story--one she hopes to publish while attending journalism camp at the Tribune. But this trip has as many bumps as the hills of San Francisco . . .
1. Mia's camp is full of older kids, with famous relatives, fancy laptops, and major connections! Can she compete with just her pen and passion?
2. Lupe's thinking about skipping ahead to college! Will Mia ever get a chance to just chill with her best friend?
3. Jason's crushing hard on a new girl. For the first time ever, Mia is speechless...and jealous. Can she find the courage to tell Jason--gulp--that she has a crush on him?
Even for the best writers, it's not always easy to find the right words. But if anyone can tell a top story, it's Mia Tang!
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This Is Not a Unicorn!
Get ready for a magical and hilarious adventure about the most fantastic unicorn EVER!
This book is NOT about a unicorn! Well . . . OK, maybe it is! But THIS unicorn has a horn that can turn into the most incredible things - a magic wand, a helicopter, even a space rocket! Join the hilarious adventure and prepare to be amazed by your brilliant new friend.
With wonderful wordplay and a funny and sweet friendship at its heart, this is NOT a unicorn book to be missed!
This fabulously funny story has tons of appeal for all children -- watch out for rockets, rainbows, helicopters, massive fish, ice cream sundaes, and magical adventures. -
There Was a Party for Langston
New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jason Reynolds’s debut picture book is a snappy, joyous ode to Word King, literary genius, and glass-ceiling smasher Langston Hughes and the luminaries he inspired.
Back in the day, there was a heckuva party, a jam, for a word-making man. The King of Letters. Langston Hughes. His ABCs became drums, bumping jumping thumping like a heart the size of the whole country. They sent some people yelling and others, his word-children, to write their own glory.
Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, and more came be-bopping to recite poems at their hero’s feet at that heckuva party at the Schomberg Library, dancing boom da boom, stepping and stomping, all in praise and love for Langston, world-mending word man. Oh, yeah, there was hoopla in Harlem, for its Renaissance man. A party for Langston. -
Tap It!
How many things can we tap? Let's find out! The phonemes /a/t/p/i/ are featured in this title. Tap It! is part of Decodables by Jump!, a comprehensive library of decodable leveled readers that follow a sequenced approach to phonics instruction. Young readers will enjoy colorful, photo-packed nonfiction as they follow a prescribed format supported by the science of reading that encourages reading development.
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Something, Someday
The stunning new picture book by presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Christian Robinson
You’re told that
This won’t work,
But how will you know
If you never try?
Presidential inaugural poet and #1 New York Times bestselling author Amanda Gorman and Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor winner Christian Robinson have created a timeless message of hope.
Sometimes the world feels broken. And problems seem too big to fix. But somehow, we all have the power to make a difference. With a little faith, and maybe the help of a friend, together we can find beauty and create change.
With intimate and inspiring text and powerfully stunning illustrations, Something, Someday reveals how even the smallest gesture can have a lasting impact. -
The Skull
A #1 New York Times bestseller!
A Kirkus Book Prize Finalist!Caldecott Medalist and New York Times best-selling author-illustrator Jon Klassen delivers a deliciously macabre treat for folktale fans.
Jon Klassen's signature wry humor takes a turn for the ghostly in this thrilling retelling of a traditional Tyrolean folktale. In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night. Can brave Otilla save them both? Steeped in shadows and threaded with subtle wit--with rich, monochromatic artwork and an illuminating author's note--The Skull is as empowering as it is mysterious and foreboding.
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Invisible Things
New York Times Bestseller
This creatively wacky exploration of the invisible things that make up the human experience encourages readers to look past the visible and connect with the things that are not seen.
If we could put on a pair of magical invisible glasses and see all the feelings, ideas, and other invisible things that populate our world, what would they look like? Could you see an itch? Could you describe hope? From the sound of a dog barking to the rainbow-MAGIC taste of a lollipop, from gratitude to grit, this book will help you meet the many interesting sensations that follow you every day, even if you can't see them.
Explore the way a sad song can sometimes make you happy and discover that laughs--even fake ones--can multiply faster than you'd imagine. As readers give these unknown forces a name, they'll also find a gentle invitation to pause, take a deep breath, and reflect on the invisible things at work in their own lives.
VIRAL HIT: Drawn from Andy J. Pizza's original "Invisible Things" posts on Twitter that went viral, with 57,000 likes and 25,000 retweets, this book debuted on the New York Times bestseller list immediately upon its release. Andy's ongoing Instagram posts continue to receive thousands of likes and shares. It's clear people are ready to see INVISIBLE THINGS!
NAME THE INVISIBLE THING: There are hidden forces that impact our everyday, particularly for kids. Giving those forces a name, and even a face, helps kids to feel empowered.
PROMPT FOR CONVERSATION: Educators, therapists, and caregivers looking to have nuanced or challenging conversations with kids about their own experiences can use this as a jumping off point for conversation: What invisible things can you name in your life?
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING: One common exercise teachers use is to ask kids to point to their emotion on a chart and then name it, for which this book will be a powerful tool.
REVIEWED BY MENTAL HEALTH EXPERT: This book was vetted by a licensed independent clinical social worker specializing in mental health for kids!
POPULAR AUTHOR: Andy J. Pizza is one of the creative minds behind the bestselling A Pizza with Everything on It and also hosts the popular podcast Creative Pep Talk.
Perfect for:
- Anyone interested in social-emotional learning (SEL) and entertaining ways to explore emotions with kids
- Anyone looking for interactive or artful books about mental health
- Fans of classic children's books like Dr. Seuss's My Many Colored Days, Molly Bang's When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry . . ., and Judith Viorst's Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
- Fans of Pixar's Inside Out
- Fans of Andy J. Pizza, his original twitter post about "Invisible Things" that went viral, the Creative Pep Talk podcast, or A Pizza with Everything on It
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I Can Pat
I Can Pat
A toy cat is fun to pat. But what about a real cat? Mom Sat, Dad Sat
How long can you play before you get tired? And who has the most energy? The phonemes /s/a/t/p/i/ are featured in this title.
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Dogtown
From beloved authors Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko and with illustrations from Wallace West, Dogtown is at once an uplifting story and a page-turning adventure, sure to find a forever home in readers’ hearts.
Dogtown is a shelter for stray dogs, misbehaving dogs, and discarded robot dogs, whose owners have outgrown them.
Chance, a real dog, has been in Dogtown since her owners unwittingly left her with irresponsible dog-sitters who skipped town.
Metal Head is a robot dog who dreams of being back in a real home.
And Mouse is a mouse who has the run of Dogtown, pilfering kibble, and performing clever feats to protect the dogs he loves.
When Chance and Metal Head embark on an adventure to find their forever homes, there is danger, cheese sandwiches, a charging station, and some unexpected kindnesses along the way. -
Cat on the Run in Cat of Death! (Cat on the Run #1) - From the Creator of the Bad Guys
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Bad Guys comes another hilarious illustrated series starring a pampered cat who is way tougher than anyone realizes.
What happens when the world's biggest cat video star gets accused of a crime she didn't commit? She becomes a cat on the run, that's what.
But how do you avoid capture and prove your innocence when you are the most famous feline on the planet? Well, it ain't easy.
Follow Princess Beautiful -- for that is her name -- as she goes from meme megastar #1 to public enemy #1 and cheer her on as she fights to clear her name.
Is she a super villain? An internet-famous buffoon? Or a butt-kicking gal who's just been seriously underestimated?
YOU be the judge...
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The Case of the Missing Tarts
The Pigeon Detectives are looking forward to devouring a delectable platter of jam tarts--until the tasty treats are stolen from right under their beaks! With tummies grumbling, the PPD are on the hunt for clues, but can the detectives recover the tarts in time before they are all eaten--or worse--stale? As the list of suspects grows longer, our heroes wonder if they'll ever catch the thief jam-handed.
Pigeon Private Detectives: The Case of the Missing Tarts, Christee Curran-Bauer's author-illustrator debut, pokes fun at detective procedurals with kid-friendly humor!
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The Wild Robot Protects (The Wild Robot 3)
The enchanting new addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling THE WILD ROBOT series from award-winning author-illustrator Peter Brown, packed full of glorious illustrations.
Roz the robot has made an unlikely home for herself on an idyllic island dense with forests, wildflowers and friendly animal inhabitants - including her own young son Brightbill the gosling. Life on the island is perfect, until a dying seal washes ashore and warns of dangerous, cloudy waters that are flowing towards the island, bringing new dangers for the animals.
Forced inland they will have to fight over fewer resources - and Roz realises that she must march into the waves and undertake an incredible undersea adventure to find a way to protect her beloved island and all who live on it ...
From bestselling author and illustrator Peter Brown comes a heartwarming and action-packed third book in his New York Times bestselling The Wild Robot series, exploring what happens when nature and technology collide.
Praise for The Wild Robot
'An Iron Man style fable for our age' - Piers Torday, award-winning author of The Last Wild
'A modern-day classic in the making' - Booktrust
[Peter Brown's THE WILD ROBOT was a #1 New York Times bestseller w/c 11th June 2023.] -
Keeper of the Lost Cities The Graphic Novel Part 1
The first book in the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series is being reimagined as a graphic novel with the first half of the epic novel adapted to this new format with beautiful artwork!
Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has never quite fit into her life. She’s skipped multiple grades and doesn’t really connect with the older kids at school, but she’s not comfortable with her family, either. The reason? Sophie’s a Telepath, someone who can read minds. No one knows her secret—at least, that’s what she thinks…
But the day Sophie meets Fitz, a mysterious (and adorable) boy, she learns she’s not alone. He’s a Telepath too, and it turns out the reason she has never felt at home is that, well…she isn’t. Fitz opens Sophie’s eyes to a shocking truth, and she is forced to leave behind her family for a new life in a place that is vastly different from what she has ever known.
This stunning graphic novel retelling of the first half of the thrilling first novel comes to life with all the adventure and epic worldbuilding the Keeper of the Lost Cities series is known for. -
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: The Graphic Novel
The BESTSELLING book is now a full color, fun packed GRAPHIC NOVEL!
The Lemoncello books have spent over 100 Weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List and are on 44 State Award Lists!
Find out if game loving Kyle Keeley can escape from what James Patterson calls "the coolest library in all the world" in this fun-filled graphic novel from the much-loved co-author of Treasure Hunters and the bestselling illustrator of Last Kids on Earth!
* "A worthy successor to . . . Willy Wonka." --Booklist, Starred Review
When Kyle learns that the world's most famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, has designed the town's new library and is having an invitation-only lock-in on opening night, he's determined to be there! But the tricky part isn't getting into the library--it's getting out. Because when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must solve every clue and figure out every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route!
Now a full color graphic novel! -
Kween
A searing, joyful YA debut about a queer Cambodian American teen's journey to find her voice and step into her legacy, perfect for fans of Ibi Zoboi and Elizabeth Acevedo.
Soma Kear's verses have gone viral. Trouble is, she didn't exactly think her slam poetry video through. All she knew was that her rhymes were urgent. On fire. An expression of where she was, and that place...was a hot mess.
Following her Ba's deportation back to Cambodia, everything's changed. Her Ma is away trying to help Ba adjust to his new life, and her older sister has taken charge with a new authoritarian tone. Meanwhile, Soma's trending video pushes her to ask if it's time to level up. With her school's spoken word contest looming, Soma must decide: Is she brave enough to put herself out there? To publicly reveal her fears of Ba not returning? To admit that things may never be the same?
With every line she spits, Soma searches for a way to make sense of the world around her. The answers are at the mic.
From debut author Vichet Chum comes a celebration of Khmer identity, queerness, and embracing the complicated histories that shape who we are and want to be.
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A Thousand Boy Kisses
"He kissed me until there was no part of me that didn't know who it belonged to. He kissed me until my heart again fused with his--two halves of one whole."
One kiss lasts a moment. But a thousand kisses can last a lifetime.
One boy. One girl. A bond that is forged in an instant and cherished for a decade. A bond that neither time nor distance can break. A bond that will last forever.
Or so they believe.
When seventeen-year-old Rune Kristiansen returns from his native Norway to the sleepy town of Blossom Grove, Georgia, where he befriended Poppy Litchfield as a child, he has just one thing on his mind. Why did the girl who was one half of his soul, who promised to wait faithfully for his return, cut him off without a word of explanation?
Rune's heart was broken two years ago when Poppy fell silent. But when he discovers the truth of her absence, he finds that the greatest heartache is yet to come.
This Bloom edition includes a special bonus epilogue.
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Rez Ball
This compelling debut novel by new talent Byron Graves tells the relatable, high-stakes story of a young athlete determined to play like the hero his Ojibwe community needs him to be.
These days, Tre Brun is happiest when he is playing basketball on the Red Lake Reservation high school team--even though he can't help but be constantly gut-punched with memories of his big brother, Jaxon, who died in an accident.
When Jaxon's former teammates on the varsity team offer to take Tre under their wing, he sees this as his shot to represent his Ojibwe rez all the way to their first state championship. This is the first step toward his dream of playing in the NBA, no matter how much the odds are stacked against him.
But stepping into his brother's shoes as a star player means that Tre can't mess up. Not on the court, not at school, and not with his new friend, gamer Khiana, who he is definitely not falling in love with.
After decades of rez teams almost making it, Tre needs to take his team to state. Because if he can live up to Jaxon's dreams, their story isn't over yet.
This book is published by Heartdrum, an imprint that publishes high-quality, contemporary stories about Indigenous young people in the United States and Canada.
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Ryan and Avery
From the New York Times bestselling author of EVERY DAY, this is a queer love story for the ages--told over the course of a couple's first ten dates.
When a blue-haired boy (Ryan) meets a pink-haired boy (Avery) at a dance--a queer prom--both feel an inexplicable but powerful connection. Follow them through their first ten dates as they bridge their initial shyness and fall in love--through snowstorms, groundings, meeting parents (Avery's) and not (Ryan's), cast parties, heartbreak, and every day and date in between. -
The Library of Shadows
Funny, moving, and heart-achingly real, this romantic romp and paranormal romcom debut--through a haunted library with trapdoors, ghosts, and memories--is full of great love that triumphs over even death, perfect for fans of Ninth House and Cemetery Boys.
Radcliffe Prep. The third most haunted school in the country, where a student disappearance isn't uncommon and no one dares stay in the library after dark. And Este Logano enrolls with the hopes of finding her dead father.
Not literally, of course. She doesn't believe in ghosts. Going to her dad's school just seems like her best hope at figuring out who he was.
But then Este meets Mateo, who is maybe--probably--definitely--a real ghost. And an annoying one at that.
When Mateo frames Este for the theft of a rare book from the library's secret spire and then vanishes, Este will have to track him down or risk being expelled and leaving Radcliffe early just like her father did.
Except following her father's footsteps might be more dangerous than Este ever anticipated. As she investigates the library with its secret passageways, hidden tunnels, and haunted halls, she learns that the student disappearances aren't just myth. And if she isn't careful, she'll be next.
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All the Fighting Parts
In the vein of Grown and The Poet X, Hannah V. Sawyerr's All the Fighting Parts is a searing and defiant young adult novel in verse about reclaiming agency after a sexual assault within the church community.
Sixteen-year-old Amina Conteh has always believed in using her voice as her weapon--even when it gets her into trouble. After cursing at a classmate, her father forces her to volunteer at their church with Pastor Johnson.
But Pastor Johnson isn't the holy man everyone thinks he is.
The same voice Amina uses to fight falls quiet the night she is sexually assaulted by Pastor Johnson. After that, her life starts to unravel: her father is frustrated that her grades are slipping, and her best friend and boyfriend don't understand why the once loud and proud girl is now quiet and distant. In a world that claims to support survivors, Amina wonders who will support her when her attacker is everyone's favorite community leader.
When Pastor Johnson is arrested for a different crime, the community is shaken and divided; some call him a monster and others defend him. But Amina is secretly relieved. She no longer has to speak because Pastor Johnson can't hurt her anymore--or so she believes.
To regain her voice and sense of self, Amina must find the power to confront her abuser--in the courtroom and her heart--and learn to use all the fighting parts within her.