Books hold memories. Children and adults make friends, share excitement, visit places that seem unreachable, laugh, and so much more in books. So, meet an old friend or find a new one here in these classics for all ages.
These stories celebrate libraries, librarians, and everyone who loves to visit the library! These books will remind you of the many reasons why our libraries are special places.
February is month of celebrations. It’s often thought that a groundhog can reveal how much longer winter will last. This short month provides a special time to show affection with or without a Valentine. February also is a time to celebrate leaders, past and present; presidential or simply stalwart.
It may be the zoo, a science museum, an art exhibit or a natural wonder — but a field trip is always an adventure! Even if you’re not boarding a school bus, you can still take a trip through a book. Take a look at the ones recommended here. Get whisked away on that magic school bus called reading!
Long ago, storytellers used words and pictures to share tales within a community. Visit some of these communities to meet familiar or fresh characters. You may find that these stories are as inventive and relevant today as when they were first heard.
Explore your neighborhood, town, and the world through maps! Young readers will learn about geography, measuring and scale, longitude and latitude, the points of a compass, countries and cities of the world, explorers, and much more.
There’s nothing like a good laugh! We aim to please with this selection of recommended books for kids ages 0-9 that’ll have you laughing out loud. Whether it’s a giant pickle stuck in a roof or a writerly duck who tricks a farmer (again!), the unexpected situations and hilarious stories will bring you a smile.
The Emancipation Proclamation — that all enslaved people in Confederate states be freed — was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, but it took two and a half years for the news of freedom to reach everywhere. Juneteenth (June 19th) commemorates the day that federal troops finally arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free the enslaved people there. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, and families across the country celebrate “Freedom Day” with community gatherings, parades, freedom walks, festivals — and sharing books together. To learn more:
Teaching About Juneteenth with Children’s Books (Lee and Low)
How Juneteenth (and Other Celebrations) Can Be Meaningful For Your Family (PBS Parents)
There are incredible stories in history: tough tales, tales of bravery and resolve, of heartbreak and triumph. Some are told in poetry, others in prose, still others are told with pictures; some are true, others are fictionalized. Discover many more related titles with Book Finder.
Each family has a unique history and cast of characters — a combination of personalities, colors, shapes, and sizes. A collection of favorite books is a bit like like a family: each book has its own “voice” and personality that you enjoy spending time with again and again. In this collection of stories old and new, families of all kinds celebrate special days, ordinary days, and each other.
Relationship skills are the ability to form and nurture healthy, positive relationships. This includes communication skills as well as learning how to resolve conflicts and work together. These books celebrate friendships, honest talk, respect, and cooperation. This booklist is part of our Social-Emotional Learning series.
Look around! Have you ever wondered what clouds are made of? How a plant grows? Wondered about food groups or noticed how the sun’s angle changes with each season? Have you ever read a poem that makes you look at commonplace things differently? You can find out about these and more in your own community — but be sure to start with a book!
Books for young readers continue to be translated into films as they have been for decades. Like books, film can have lasting power. Just think of Judy Garland in movie version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The first film of the series of a boy wizard and his fight against evil came out in 2001. While the books are all recommended, keep a critical eye out for the movie version to decide if they are appropriate — sometimes the characters and presentations are very different. What’s most important is to share the experience together, whether it’s reading the book, seeing the movie, or both!
Discover the fascinating people and events of the American Revolutionary War era and the formation of our new nation, including the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Meet historical figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John and Abigail Adams (and other “ladies of liberty”), Crispus Attucks, and Nathan Hale — as well as lively characters of the time imagined through historical fiction.
Play with rhymes and words as you read these delightful picture books together with kids. You’ll find silly rhyme games, alliteration, palindromes, a cumulative story, short poems that encourage close listening — and more!
Go on a rollicking ride with a small, gray elephant with a big imagination (and no pants), your old friend Olivia (now embroiled in espionage), the young inventor Frank Einstein (and his invention the “evoblaster”) and more delightful characters in these picture books. Every young reader deserves something just for fun — so jump into these recommended books with a smile!
As the days get shorter, the longer evenings are just right to curl up with a good bedtime book. Even if you’re not ready for sleep, take the time to chuckle with a child whose parents give her a fit before slowing down for the evening. Or you can join the young owl who is simply not sleepy, or watch how energetic young squirrels hunker down after the day’s frenetic activities. These and more are in the pages of the books recommended.
Traditionally, we think of storybooks as a lot of words and only a few pictures. In this collection of books recommended for children ages 3-12, the pictures come first! Using a technique similar to comic books, graphic novels use visuals to guide the story, adding text only to fill in the gaps. More complex than picture books, graphic novels require young readers to have a certain sophistication — as well as strong comprehension skills — to appreciate them. Graphic novels can be read with an adult or independently, and are especially good for struggling or reluctant readers. Discover many more related titles with Book Finder.
Whether they call them Grandma and Grandpa, Nana and Pop Pop, or Abuelita and Abuelito, kids love their grandparents. By whatever name, grandparents are special to young children, always ready with a hug. You can read about and enjoy all kinds of grandparents in this list of recommended books for kids ages 0-9. After all, sometimes the best part of being a parent is getting to be a grandparent!
It’s fun to read and do lots of different stuff full of silliness and imagination. In these recommended books for kids ages 0-9, you’ll read about silly characters and learn to make green gooey goop and art you can eat. It’s fun to play and goof around with books!
Is there anything more fun than getting mail? Get kids interested in reading with a subscription to one of these magazines recommended for kids up to age 12. Pictures, short stories, and activities open the door for even the most reluctant readers. Magazines can be a way for kids to relax with a good story on their own time — at home, after school, or in the car. And it gives them something to look forward to in the mailbox! To learn how teachers can use magazines for instruction, please see Magazines Make a Big Impact in the Classroom.
It’s never too early to start reading to young children. Young children are building vocabularies long before they can say them or use them in conversation. Try one of these books with your favorite baby or toddler. It doesn’t matter if you don’t read every word, but it is important that you share your enthusiasm. You can even do some of the actions suggested by the words or pictures, or you can make up your own. Maybe you just want to talk about the pictures and point to them as you do. It’s the sharing that’s important!
See also: Great Read Alouds for Kids: Babies to Grade 3.
