1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Log progress in Beanstack or on a printable log. We encourage reading a favorite book several times, because each reading counts! Young readers earn milestone badges as they work towards 1000 books! Questions? Email us at 1000books@bcpl.org.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails one free high-quality, age appropriate book each month to children from birth to age 5.
Tales Birthday Club
Children up to 5 years old are eligible to register for the Tales Birthday Club. During the month of their birthday, children will receive a card in the mail! Bring your Tales Birthday Card to any BCPL location to get the card stamped and receive a birthday gift.
Access Video - Just for Kids!
Stream many favorite children's programs and PBS favorites, such as Sesame Street, The Electric Company, Arthur, Reading Rainbow, and much, much more!
Explora Primary
Britannica Elementary
New Picture Books
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One Blue Gnu
"When a box of cell phones is accidentally delivered to the zoo, one blue gnu quickly calls two white sheep, who plan a party - beep beep beep! Call by call, the party spreads around the zoo, but oh no! Who invited tiger, and who will he call on his new phone? A fun and colorful picture book romp, where we count from one to ten and down again in one huge party!"
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Girl Dad
A picture book celebration of girl dads everywhere by The Dad Gang CEO, Sean Williams!
A fun read-aloud written in upbeat rhyming verse, Girl Dad is a picture book that honors the loving men who raise, love, and uplift strong girls.
Share Girl Dad with the dads in your life, on Father's Day or any day.
Plus: Don't forget to check out Sean Williams's Boy Dad!
A Bank Street College of Education's Children's Book Committee's Best Children's Books of the Year pick!
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Namaste Is a Greeting
Discover namaste’s many meanings in a simple, lyrical text, paired with a charmingly detailed visual narrative about a little girl’s kindness.
Namaste calms your heart when things aren’t going right.
Namaste is saying “You matter.”
What is namaste? It’s found in a smile, a friendship, a celebration. It exists in silence; it can be said when you’re happy or when you’re feeling low. For one small girl in a bustling city, namaste (“I bow to you”) is all around her as she and her mother navigate a busy marketplace—and when she returns with a little plant and chooses to give it to an elderly neighbor, it can be seen in the caring bond between them. In a sweet, universal text, debut author Suma Subramaniam shines a light on a word with significance far beyond yoga class, while artist Sandhya Prabhat makes the concept of mindfulness come alive in delightful illustrations likely to draw children in again and again. -
Shoshi's Shabbat
The virtues of taking a break—and of being thankful—are extolled in the gentle story of a stubborn ox, an impatient farmer, and a day of rest.
Long ago, in the hills near Jerusalem, lived a young ox. For six days each week, she and her owner would toil in the fields, and on the seventh day both would rest. Then it came to be that this young ox was sold. For six days, she toiled in her new owner’s fields, and on the seventh day the farmer brought out the yoke and plow, expecting to spend another day hard at work. But Shoshi the ox had a different idea. In a warm, friendly narrative and vivid, humorous art, author Caryn Yacowitz and illustrator Kevin Hawkes bring to life a tale drawn from the ancient Jewish stories known as the Midrash, a story as relevant today as it was long ago. It’s a tale of encountering other cultures and learning from them, of paying attention to the world around you—sun, breeze, animals, people—and above all, of learning to slow down and take a break. -
Monkey Bedtime
How are you supposed to get ready for bed when there are a growing number of monkeys who just won't stop messing around?
Suddenly I heard an EEK, a TAP TAP on the pane.
A tiny little monkey face was peering through the rain.
I'm sure my mom won't mind, I thought. He's really very small.
One tiny pygmy marmoset could do no harm at all. . .
When a little boy lets a monkey in through his window, he doesn't expect it to bring all its friends!
But when he is followed by six red-handed howlers, six macaques, ten capuchins and two great big baboons there's going to be trouble! Surely mom will notice the banana skins, the toothpaste, the handprints on the walls . . .
Will he ever get to bed with all this monkeying around?
Alex's hilarious rhyming text matched with Pauline's expressive illustrations makes for the perfect bedtime read!
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One Boy Watching
Everyone knows what it feels like to be a passenger--and this book finally puts this universal feeling into words.
Climb aboard Bus Number Four as it travels along country roads and city streets, past train tracks and farm fields. Through the window, countless details rush by, just waiting to be noticed. What will you see today?
In this lyrical tribute to long rides and curious minds, author Grant Snider celebrates the extraordinary found within the ordinary, the fascinating hiding within the familiar, and the world of discovery awaiting all those who watch and wonder.
THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING A PASSENGER: An ode to staring out the window, to the daydream, and to observation. This thoughtful new picture book is a wonderful way for kids to think about their own commute to school.
COUNTING: Every morning, one boy watches . . . for two bright headlights, three big steps up, four rusty cars, and infinite wonders that can be seen along the way! Kids will enjoy counting the colorful worlds that slip by the windows on this journey.
READ ALOUD: With its contemplative and poetic lyricism, and bright, textured illustrations, this classic-feeling book is a beautiful read aloud.
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We Are Here (an All Because You Matter Book)
An empowering follow-up to New York Times bestselling picture book All Because You Matter that celebrates the rich history of Black and brown men and women throughout history with soaring language and stunning illustration.
Lyrical, affirmational, and bursting with love, We Are Here is a poignant story about Black and brown heritage and community. Full of assurance, tenderness, and triumph, this much-anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestselling picture book All Because You Matter offers an equally inspirational and arresting ode to all of the Black women and men throughout history who have made momentous contributions from the beginning of time.
Tami Charles shares the beauty and excellence in the history of the Black community, assuring Black and brown children of the extraordinary legacy from which they come. Charles's powerful and empowering text is accompanied with illustrations by renowned artist Bryan Collier, a four-time Caldecott Honor recipient and a nine-time Coretta Scott King Award winner or honoree. We Are Here celebrates readers with pride, joy, and love, reminding them of their roots, inviting readers to imagine a future that shines ever bright, and strengthening them for their triumphant days to come!
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In Every Life
A simple and profound meditation on the many wonders of life from two-time Caldecott Honor recipient Marla Frazee.
In every life, there is love and loss, hope and joy, wonder and mystery. With glowing art and spare, powerful text, Caldecott Honor–winning creator Marla Frazee celebrates the moments, feelings, and experiences, both big and small, that make up a life.
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This Little Kitty
With a bold, graphic style and a bouncy, rhyming text, this picture book catches rascally kittens being their adorable (and mischievous!) selves from morning to nap to night.
This little kitty starts the day and meows, “Wake up! It’s time to play! All the little kitties get out of bed. Their bellies grumble—it’s time to be fed."
Read along as these frisky felines pounce and play, claw and climb, and snack and sleep—until daylight fades and these little kitties are ready to receive some love and affection. Filled with bright and playful illustrations, here is an adorable picture book by debut author-illustrator Karen Obuhanych, featuring many delightful cats—all brimming with purrsonality—that will charm cat lovers and kids alike. -
Hope Is a Hop
Just in time for Easter, a moving exploration of hope, from its resilient roots to its sprouting—and surprising!—possibilities.
When Eva's hopes for a cheerful flower garden are dashed by a rascally—and hungry! —rabbit, she sinks into despair. But it's from this new vantage point that she discovers something surprising and wonderful about her four-legged-nemesis that reminds Eva of her own growing family and inspires her to try again.
Told in sweet, lyrical verse, and accompanied by the tenderest illustrations, Hope is a Hop shares a powerful message and the heart-tugging illustrations and bunny rabbit motif make it a natural pick for Easter gifting.
New Graphic Novels for Kids
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Dog Man 11: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea
DOG MAN IS BACK! The highly anticipated new graphic novel in the #1 worldwide bestselling series starring everyone's favorite canine superhero by award-winning author and illustrator Dav Pilkey!
Piggy has returned, and his newest plot is his most diabolical yet. WHAT other new villains are on the horizon? WHERE are they all coming from? And WHO will step forward to save the city when scoundrels sabotage our Supa Buddies?
With themes of friendship and doing good, Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea is packed with action and hilarity. Featuring "Chomp-O-Rama," a brand-new song, a monstrous Mighty Mite -- and so much more than ever before! IT'S HEROIC, IT'S EPIC!
For more creative, heartfelt adventures, join Flippy and Li'l Petey in the Cat Kid Comic Club series. And don't forget the series that started it all: Captain Underpants! A new edition of The Adventures of Captain Underpants includes a brand new Dog Man comic! Look for Dog Man with Love: The Official Coloring Book, too!
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Officer Clawsome: Lobster Cop
Dog Man meets SpongeBob in Officer Clawsome: Lobster Cop, a fast-paced and funny middle grade graphic novel series about the crimefighting duo Clawsome, a lobster, and his partner Stariana, a starfish, as they fight such denizens of the deep as the Catfishburglar, Chowderhead, and the Brain Sturgeon.
Crime doesn't pay in Caper Cove with Officer Clawsome and his partner, Stariana, on the case. Just ask the notorious Catburglarfish--she'll confirm.
But when the beloved bakery Kelpy's Kelpcakes goes missing and rumors begin swirling about shark sightings for the first time in a hundred years, the duo is about to find themselves claw-deep in a mystery for the ages.
Will this dynamic duo save the day yet again, or have the citizens of Caper Cove eaten their last Kelpcake...for good?
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I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived Graphic Novel #7)
Could an entire city really burn to the ground? One brave boy finds out in this graphic novel adaptation of Lauren Tarshis's bestselling I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871, with text adapted by Georgia Ball and art by Cassie Anderson.
Oscar Starling never wanted to move to Chicago. The smog, the stench, the thieves around every corner -- it's so different from his old life on the farm. Will the big city ever feel like home? But shortly after Oscar arrives, a huge fire breaks out. All of Chicago is ablaze and one thing is clear: the city is like a powder keg, ready to explode. An army of firemen tries to help, but this fire is a ferocious beast that wants to devour everything in its path. Will Oscar -- and his new city and new friends -- survive one of the most famous and devastating fires in history? Lauren Tarshis's New York Times bestselling I Survived series comes to vivid life in graphic novel editions. Perfect for readers who prefer the graphic novel format, or for existing fans of the I Survived chapter book series, these graphic novels combine historical facts with high-action storytelling that's sure to keep any reader turning the pages. Includes a nonfiction section at the back with facts and photos about the real-life event.
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Super Pancake
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a . . . pancake? Here is a delightfully clever and endearingly funny graphic novel about a pancake named Peggy, who accidentally develops superhero abilities and must defend her home of Breakfast Town.
Life in Breakfast Town is pretty uneventful for Peggy Pancake. Her parents are always on her case, she's stuck in her perfect brother's shadow, and she just can't seem to avoid the Bacon Bullies at school. That is until one day, after an accidental mixup, Peggy finds herself with superhero abilities. . . . Now Peggy can flip! She can fight! She can FLY!
With the help of her new friend, Luc Croissant, Peggy must master her newfound skills. But danger is lurking in the Maple Mountains, where the evil Dr. Breakfast Sandwich and his wicked Henchtoasts are plotting something sinister. Can Peggy harness her powers and save all that is dear? Find out in: SUPER PANCAKE! -
Scurry
A group of house mice struggle to survive a long and strange winter. The humans are gone, the sun is rarely seen, and a cold, dark rain befouls everything it touches.
The mice, long dependent on humans for food, stubbornly cling to their old ways, looting the nearby abandoned houses for any scraps they can find. Once, there was plenty to eat, but now the scavengers return empty-handed, or not at all.
Food is scarce, but danger is everywhere. Poison and traps wait for the unwary in dark cupboards, and a gang of feral cats relentlessly chase the mice whenever the rodents leave the safety of their nest. Now there are even rumors a hawk has come to join the hunt.
As supplies run low and many mice fall ill, desperation creeps in. With the colony at a breaking point, rumors of a wrecked truck filled with food give them hope, but it lies far beyond the forest, where even the cats won't go.
Included in Scurry, is a two-page READER'S GUIDE. The full TEACHER'S GUIDE can be found on SkyboundComet.com.
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The Last Comics on Earth
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
An Indie Bestseller
The Last Kids on Earth are creating THEIR OWN COMIC BOOK!
From worldwide bestselling author Max Brallier comes a full-color graphic novel spin-off series based on the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling Last Kids on Earth!
Jack, Quint, June, and Dirk are about to face a challenge unlike any they’ve faced before . . . At their local comic book store, the kids make a startling discovery: they’ve read every last issue of their favorite comic, Z-Man, and no new issues are coming...ever! (Thanks a lot, apocalypse.). Nooo!
Our heroes have but one choice: continue Z-Man’s legacy by writing and illustrating THEIR OWN COMIC BOOK! Step one? Knock off their beloved Z-Man and cast themselves as super rad, super goofy, superhero protectors of the mysterious city of Apocalyptia. What could possibly go wrong? Just about everything!
Fans are sure to love this hilarious, action-packed, four-color graphic novel series by the creators of The last Kids on Earth. -
Stick and Stone on the Go
Two stories in one graphic novel perfect for beginning readers, based on the bestselling Stick and Stone series by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld. For fans of the Narwhal series and Baloney and Friends.
Stick would go anywhere with his best friend, especially if they're planning a picnic. But when picnics involve lemons and bees and caves, Stone's not so sure . . .
Join Stick and Stone as they go spelunking. Accompany them as they meet all sorts of new friends, including a big, fluffy monster!
And laugh along with them in this new graphic novel series starring two best buddies who know that exploring is always more fun when you're together. Each story has a fun activity to make you feel part of the action.
Don't miss Stick and Stone's picture book adventures:
- Stick and Stone
- Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever!
Plus don't miss the young graphic novels:
- Stick and Stone Explore and More
- Stick and Stone on the Go
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39 Clues: The Maze of Bones: A Graphic Novel (39 Clues Graphic Novel #1)
The graphic novel adaptation of the mega-bestseller that launched a global phenomenon!
Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her descendants an impossible decision: "You have a choice - one million dollars or a clue."
Grace is the last matriarch of the Cahills, the world's most powerful family. Everyone from Marie Curie to Harry Houdini is related to the Cahills, yet the source of the family power is lost. 39 Clues hidden around the world will reveal the family's secret, but no one has been able to assemble them. Now the clues race is on, and young Amy and Dan must decide what's important: hunting clues or uncovering what REALLY happened to their parents.
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My Little Pony, Vol. 1
An exciting new adventure begins! Join the Mane Five as they explore a brand-new Equestria following the magical events of the hit Netflix movie!
With magic returned to Equestria, the ponies are more united than ever—at least, until one of the Unity Crystals is stolen! Can Sunny, Izzy, Zipp, Pipp, and Hitch—plus trusty sidekick Cloudpuff—find the culprit before magic is gone for good? And where's Cloudpuff leading them, anyway? Is this...Canterlot?!
Explore a new generation of magic and friendship, from writers Celeste Bronfman, Robin Easter, and Mary Kenney, with art by Amy Mebberson! Collects My Little Pony #1-5. -
Spy Camp the Graphic Novel
The second book in the New York Times bestselling Spy School series continues in graphic novel form as aspiring spy Ben Ripley must spend his summer in top-secret training—and is thrown back into danger.
Ben Ripley is a middle schooler whose school is not exactly average—he’s spent the last year training to be a top-level spy and dodging all sorts of associated danger. So now that summer’s finally here, Ben would like to have some fun and relax. But that’s not going to happen during required spy survival training at a rustic wilderness camp, where SPYDER, an enemy spy organization, has infiltrated the spies’ ranks. Can Ben root out the enemy before it takes him out—for good?
Venture into the perilous wilderness with Ben in action-packed, full-color panels.