1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Track progress online with Beanstack or a printable log. If you have 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!
ComicsPlus for Kids
A growing collection of digital comics, graphic novels, and Manges specially curated for kids!
Explora for Kids
New Picture Books
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Camping Fun
Emma and her family want to try new things this summer. The first activity on their list is camping. Will this adventure be family fun or a family disaster? Emma is Deaf and often uses sign language to communicate. This early chapter book includes an ASL fingerspelling chart and a sign language guide.
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Heartfelt
From the creators of the “wonderfully evocative” (BookPage) Thankful comes a cozy picture book about a child who finds that small acts of kindness can change the world.
A child makes paper hearts to give to her teacher, to a friend, at the library, and more. As she spreads kindness around her neighborhood, she soon finds that sharing love is the best gift of all. With Samantha Cotterill’s stunning diorama illustrations, this loving story is sure to capture hearts and inspire acts of kindness. -
Happy Mother's Day from the Crayons
In a wonderful celebration of Mother's Day, the hilarious crayons from the #1 New York Times bestselling The Day The Crayons Quit love their moms--and mother figures in their lives--so much, they wrote a book about it!
Red Crayon loves his mom because she works extra hard, especially on the holidays. Yellow and Orange Crayons love their grandma who has a been like a mom to them. And White Crayon loves his mom a ton, even if he can't always see her. In this inclusive celebration of all kinds of families, the Crayons from The Day the Crayons Quit show how much the crayons love celebrating their moms--and other family members--on Mother's Day. -
Lily's Dream
A flightless fairy befriends a human girl and discovers her magic in this enchanting picture book from the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Parker Looks Up.
Lily is a young fairy determined to learn to fly just like the others who soar on shimmering, jeweled-colored wings, but she’s worried her own colorless wings will never lift her off the ground. Then she meets a young girl named Willow who helps her not only discover her special magic, but the truly magical gift of friendship. -
To See an Owl
An endearing story about a girl’s efforts to spot an owl from the Caldecott Medal winning creator of Wolf in the Snow. This gorgeous picture book that encourages patience and perseverance will resonate with readers of all ages who have longed to see one of these elusive creatures in the natural world.
When will I find you?
Where could you be?
What will it take?
To see an owl.
Silent and wide-eyed, owls are hidden creatures of the night. Janie has always dreamed of finding one. She searches everywhere for signs of an owl – on the open prairie for short-eared owls, on the beach for snowy owls, and for great horned owls in the woods near her home. But months go by, and she sees no owls. She wonders, what will it take to see an owl?
Her teacher, Mr. Koji, a fellow bird-lover, shares that he, too, waited a long time to see an owl. He assures her, “If you are very quiet and very patient, and if you look very close, you might just find them.”
When the snow begins to fall, Janie and her mother head into the woods again, and as she looks carefully, hidden high up in the trees, what she sees is pure magic.
From Matthew Cordell, the creator of Wolf in the Snow that was awarded the Caldecott Medal, comes this beautiful story about quiet perseverance that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the anticipation of discovering a rare treasure in the wild. -
Cranky Makes a Friend
In this second picture book from the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of the Food Group series, Pete Oswald, and acclaimed picture book author Phuc Tran's bestselling Cranky series, Cranky is feeling extra cranky when a new crane joins the crew.
There's a new crane on the construction site! His name is Lefty and he's the opposite of Cranky--smiley, talkative, and a jokester. Everything Lefty does makes Cranky feel extra cranky. But everyone else seems to love him. What if Cranky's friends like Lefty more than him
Find out how self-acceptance and a supportive crew help one cranky truck make a new friend in this humorous story about big trucks, big feelings, and even bigger friendships. With Phuc Tran's hilarious text and Pete Oswald's bold, expressive illustrations, this read is perfect for fans of Grumpy Monkey and construction vehicles.
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Me and Other Bunnies
Mo Willems, #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author-illustrator creates a hare-larious picture book about bunnies.
There are ME bunnies.
There are YOU bunnies.
There are US bunnies . . . and WE bunnies . . . and THEM bunnies.
There are a lot of bunnies in Me and Other Bunnies. -
Wee Unicorn
Fresh, cotton-candy-colored illustrations and important messages about being yourself and kindness towards others makes this adorably cute unicorn story a tasty treat kids will love.
A fun read-aloud for fans of The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn and for anyone that’s ever felt different or misunderstood will fall for this winning picture book.
Wee Unicorn isn't what everyone expects in a unicorn. She's noisy, and she's not magical. She feels misunderstood. Then she meets another misunderstood creature—a monster others are scared of—and she reacts in an unkind way. Will she be able to make things right?
A bright, inviting world of colors and creatures, Wee Unicorn is pure eye candy—it dazzles and sparkles with its messaging of not making assumptions and loving who you are.
Readers young and old will very much relate to feeling different and misunderstood while falling hard for this irresistible unicorn read-aloud! -
One Day at a Time
Poppy and Robin learn to adjust to their family's new circumstances in this thoughtful story about divorce told over the course of a year of healing.
"Tender and empathetic--and a road map for families undergoing similar shifts." --Kirkus Reviews
When Poppy and Robin's parents separate, everything starts to transform around them. But as their new everyday lives take shape, the two slowly discover that even the biggest changes get easier with time. And just like a garden, it takes love and patience before seeds of joy begin to grow.
This heartfelt and honest picture book can be a springboard for discussing the emotional topic of divorce with children. It's a gentle and hopeful reminder that happiness can bloom from even the toughest days.
"...Allows readers to connect with and reflect their own feelings about changes that might be taking place in their lives, now or in the past. Illustrations capture the emotional journey; these brim with love and reassurance . . . a story that is clear and honest without being didactic." --School Library Journal -
Bruce Saves the Planet
From unwitting mother to unwitting . . . environmental activist?
Save the planet with #1 New York Times best-selling author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins's beloved Mother Bruce.
Bruce was a bear who liked to be by himself. But that wasn't easy for him, as mother to four geese and three mice. Luckily, he could enjoy a day of peace and quiet while fishing.
But his quiet haven is full of beetles stealing his lunch. And protestors loudly trying to save the forest from the construction of a factory. Will Bruce and the residents of Soggy Hollow manage to save the planet?
This book is part of the Disney Planet Possible Books program, aiming to inspire and empower young readers to take care of planet Earth through amazing stories and kid-friendly environmental activities. Books are manufactured with care in the United States.
New Graphic Novels for Kids
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Sophie: Jurassic Bark
". . .harkens back to those heady days of Calvin and Hobbes " -- School Library Journal "Sophie is the perfect mix of heart, humor, and hilarity!" - Lincoln Peirce, creator of Big Nate
From the creator of the much-loved webcomic Dog Eat Doug, Sophie is a hilarious new graphic novel series. It is a sendup of family life from the perspective of one snarky dog who wants nothing more than to have everything--without ever having to share.
Life is good when you're a dog and you have humans all to yourself. But what about when a new baby enters the picture . . . along with a couple of cats intent on taking over the world?
Full of mini-adventures, pop culture spoofs, sharp jokes, adorable illustrations, and a sneaky dose of heart, Jurassic Bark and Frankenstein's Hound are the perfect introduction to these characters and their world. Just right for the pet-obsessed among us no matter the age, while simultaneously appealing to the kids who love to giggle at Big Nate, Dog Man, Garfield, and Snoopy.
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The Snips: a Bad Buzz Day (a Graphic Novel)
For readers of Dog Man and The Bad Guys comes a fun and zany early graphic novel series starring a crew of scissor-wielding hairdresser superheroes saving the city from evildoers bent on creating havoc and bad haircuts.
The Snips is a superhero series filled with action, adventure, comedy, and hijinks for readers who love Dav Pilkey and animated television shows like Scooby-Doo and Guess Who. The Snips aren't your average heroes - Casco, Patty, Letty, Nubes, and Flealix the Dog make up Scissor City's beloved crew of crime-fighting, mystery-solving barbers! But not everyone in Scissor City is a fan of their dazzling dos and wacky hair inventions. Buzz and Boffo Buzzington, the descendants of the creator of the buzz cut, have been desperately trying to find a way to overthrow the Snips, restore Buzz Corp--their family's company--to the top of the hair-cutting world, and finally earn the respect of their father Biff Buzzington Sr. Can the Snips keep the citizens of Scissor City safe from the hijinks of the Bad Buzz Boyz and still give amazing hairdos?
This easy-to-read graphic novel series will be perfect for kids 7-10, those who are reluctant readers or newly independent readers, as well as kids who just like jokes, puns, and outrageous humor.
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Hilo Book 11: The Great Space Iguana
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Get ready for adventure, friendship, and lots of laughs with the New York Times bestselling graphic novel series kids love! Hilo may be the boy who crashed to earth...but when a Space Iguana shows up D.J.s backyard, it turns out it's D.J. who might be the key to saving the universe!
"An action-packed page-turner with heart!" --Dav Pilkey, creator of DOG MAN
AHHHHH! A GIANT SPACE IGUANA has landed in D.J.’s backyard. Where did she come from? And why is the whole universe out to get her?! D.J., Hilo, and Gina will have to RACE through space to get her home! Iif they don’t, the whole universe will be in DANGER! But there’'s a galaxy of TROUBLE—(not to mention one super annoyed alien dad, some very cranky monsters, and a warrior match combat challenge (um, what?!?!)—in their way. Can they make it?! (And how is D.J. at driving a spaceship, anyway?) -
Prudence Under Suspicion
The year is 1692 and Salem, Massachusetts, is filled with dangerous tales of witchcraft. Twelve-year-old Prudence is shocked when she and her cousin Elizabeth visit neighbor girls who claim to be bewitched. By the next morning, Elizabeth appears to be under a spell too, and she is placing the blame on a local woman. When Prudence questions her cousin's accusations, she is suddenly suspected of practicing witchcraft herself. Will Prudence prove her innocence, or will she be jailed or even put to death?
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Chloe Vol. 7
Chloe and her family suit up for a cruise! The family is celebrating Chloe's grandma's new marriage. So Chloe gets to meet some new family! But can they all get along? And how do we define family? Plus, the cruise stops in Italy - where Chloe's ex-boyfriend lives. Will Chloe and Alex reconnect?
Then, Chloe is having trouble being honest. But can Chloe's new friend, Camille, help Chloe deal with her feelings and, more importantly, communicate with the people that matter? -
It's about Time!
Award-winning author-illustrator Don Brown explores the science of time in It's About Time!, part of the Big Ideas That Changed the World graphic novel series
In It's About Time!, narrator Albert Einstein takes kids through time--literally. Measuring time is explored, from the stone circles and giant pyramids of ancient cultures to hourglasses and sundials to early time pieces and watches to atomic clocks.
This fun and fast-moving graphic novel for young readers explains why there are 12 months a year, 24 hours in a day, 60 minutes in an hour, and 60 seconds in a minute. And seven days in the week.
From Stonehenge to Greenwich Mean Time to James Hutton's Deep Time, the book helps kids understand the passage of time, and why sometimes it seems so slow and other times way, way too fast.
Also includes: Time Timeline, Who was Albert Einstein?, endnotes, and a bibliography.
Big Ideas That Changed the World is a graphic novel series that celebrates the hard-won succession of ideas that ultimately changed the world. Humor, drama, and art unite to tell the story of events, discoveries, and ingenuity over time that led humans to come up with a big idea and then make it come true.
Big Ideas That Changed the World series:
Rocket to the Moon! (#1)
Machines That Think! (#2)
A Shot in the Arm! (#3)
We the People! (#4)
All Charged Up! (#5)
It's About Time! (#6)
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Yokai Cats Vol. 9
WHICH YOKAI CAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Meet more yokai cats! The itsumade can talk, but only knows how to say "how much longer?" And the kanadama finds all of the coins in the house, especially the ones that get lost under furniture. Maybe they'll come to your house too! -
Pizza and Taco: Coolest Club Ever!
Join Pizza and Taco's afterschool club in the next installment of this hilarious graphic novel chapter book series! What happens when these foodie besties have to compete with a video game club for members ?
Pizza and Taco are serving up more awesomeness with a cool new club! They can't wait to talk about all their favorite interests...including making comic books. Lots of people signed up, so they know it's going to be popular! Then why does everyone go to Cheeseburger's video game club instead?! Pizza and Taco have no choice but to check it out. They just might learn that kids want to make comics just as much as they want to play video games!
This hilarious young graphic novel series—with chapters—will tickle the funny bones of kids ages 5-8 and bolster their reading confidence. It's the perfect stepping stone for those who are transitioning to longer chapter books and graphic novels.
Readers will be hungry to read all eight books in the series! Here are just a few:
Who's the Best?
Super-Awesome Comic!
Too Cool for School
Dare to be Scared! -
Very Bad at Math
From New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning author Hope Larson comes a middle grade graphic novel full of hijinks, unexpected friendships, and pizza, perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Kayla Miller.
Verity "Very" Nelson can do it all.
She's student body president, debate club whiz, and first chair clarinetist. You could say she's pretty much the best at everything...Well, almost everything. Everything except math.
And it's not like she doesn't try. Math just doesn't make sense in her brain. But it better start soon, or else she can kiss her presidency--and her campaign promises--goodbye. Soon Verity finds herself enrolled in a remedial math class where, despite her best efforts, failure persists. All seems lost until a teacher helps her discover the truth: Verity has dyscalculia, a learning disability that causes her to mix up numbers.
Armed with a new diagnosis and improved grades, Verity is confident her math struggles will remain secret. But when a gossipy podcaster dismantles her perfect image, Verity must choose: remain part of a broken system or fight to fix it.
A Children's Book Council Hot Off the Press Feature!
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I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919
One hundred years ago, a killer wave of molasses struck a crowded Boston neighborhood. Discover the story of this strange disaster in the next book in the New York Times bestselling I Survived series.
It's been four years since Carmen and Papa moved from Italy to Boston. Life here is exciting, but not always easy. And then there's the massive metal tank that rises up over their crowded North End neighborhood. The ugly tank, filled with sticky brown molasses, has always leaked. But nobody imagined that it could one day explode apart, sending a tsunami of molasses into the streets.
Caught in the flood, Carmen must fight for her life - the life that she and Papa built together in America. But where will she find the strength?