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
-
Shivi's Big Leap
In this bold and colorful picture book about tapping into your courage, a young boy has to channel the Hindu monkey god Hanuman to reach the top of a climbing wall.
Shivi can't wait to return to the activity center with his mom and dad. Today is the day - he's finally going to reach the top of the climbing wall.
But when he arrives, the climbing wall is much higher than he remembered. How will he ever reach the top?
When Shivi realizes he can channel his favorite Hindu god, Hanuman, to summon the courage to scale the wall, he starts to imagine exactly how Hanuman would reach his goal. Hanuman is brave - bold - fearless. Shivi can be all of those things too - right?
With bold and colorful illustrations and an Indian-American protagonist at its helm, Shivi's Big Leap is the perfect read for kids who have found themselves wondering, "Am I brave enough?" -
Flower Girls
From magnetic sister duo New York Times bestselling Fancy Nancy illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser and author Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman comes an endearing picture book about sisters, the gardens they nurture, and the people they'll grow into.
Everything blooms in its own time.
Lily's garden is perfect and precise, while her sister Poppy's garden is eccentric and wild. Now that their youngest sister, Daisy, is old enough to have a garden of her own, the question is what will this flower girl choose to plant, and will her sisters stand back and let her bloom, or will they get in the way in the name of being helpful?
From the talented sister duo behind Gloria's Promise and You Can't Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum, writer Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman and bestselling Fancy Nancy illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser bring us a tale of the bonds of sisterhood and the flourishing roots of individuality.
-
Bath Time for the Crayons
The hilarious Crayons from the #1 New York Times bestseller The Day the Crayons Quit are ready to make a splash in the bath in this mini hardcover book perfect for bath time, bedtime, or any time!
Bath time is an adventure for the Crayons! Red likes to relax in the bath. Esteban likes to pretend to be a pirate. And Beige actually prefers a shower! Make bath time the best part of the day with this laugh-out-loud mini hardcover book from the bestselling team behind the international Crayons sensation.
Featuring Drew Daywalt’s giggle-inducing characters and bold, bright illustrations from Oliver Jeffers, Bath Time for the Crayons is squeaky-clean fun that’s sure to keep children—and grown-ups—laughing. -
Rumpelstiltskin
In the follow-up to the highly acclaimed, instant bestseller, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, comes the second brilliant and highly anticipated fairy tale retelling from the New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Award-winning creators, Mac Barnett and Carson Ellis.
Once upon a time there was a clever girl with a not-so-clever father. When her father claims she can spin straw into gold, the king forces the girl to perform this impossible task. She has no other choice than to accept a strange deal from a mysterious little man. But when he arrives and attempts to collect the debt, the fiendish trickster Rumpelstiltskin discovers that he is the one who has been tricked! This is the second in the groundbreaking new collection of masterfully retold fairy tales crafted by one of today's most celebrated and esteemed authors, Mac Barnett, paired with the stunning illustrations of the acclaimed and award-winning creator, Carson Ellis.
With Barnett's signature pacing and wit, his subversive storytelling style and narrative voice, and Ellis's stunning folk-art style, this retelling of Rumpelstiltskin will introduce this classic story to a new generation of readers!
-
Zenguin
Learn about mindfulness and calm with the help of ZENGUIN!
From New York Times bestselling illustrator Sydney Hanson and Danna Smith comes a sweet and calming picture book that helps instill life skills in young readers with basic, age-appropriate concept learning.
Penguin is anxious amidst the hustle and bustle of his busy colony. He wishes to feel calm inside, but he doesn't know how! Thankfully, a few of his Antarctica friends teach him their strategies for finding inner peace. Before long, Penguin can use his own zen techniques to handle a stressful situation, earning him his new name--Zenguin!
"A gentle, calming story that shows young readers different ways to stay peaceful in a noisy world." --School Library Journal -
Welcome, Spring!
Adorable animal friends share their favorite ways to welcome spring in this sweet picture book from the New York Times bestselling creator of the Coco and Bear series, Ruby’s Tools for Making Friends, and Almost Always Best, Best Friends.
On the first beautiful morning of spring, Bunny goes on a walk. She encounters Little Cow and Little Pig and asks, “How do you welcome spring?” Her friends share that they welcome spring by making flower crowns and ask her to join them.
As Bunny continues on, she meets new friends and joins in their different activities like dancing in puddles, eating strawberries, and making sailboats. Her friends finally ask, “How do you welcome spring, Bunny?” And she answers her favorite way to welcome spring is by playing with all her friends! -
Welcoming the Lunar New Year: Festivals of the World
Get ready to celebrate Lunar New Year with Ren and his family.
Ren and his family are preparing for the joyous New Year celebrations--cooking a feast and getting their home spick and span. When Ren accidentally ruins the dragon costume his mother was going to wear in the New Year parade, he turns to his neighbors for help. As they lend their assistance, Ren also learns about Lunar New Year traditions from around the world. Soon they are all celebrating and feasting together in this community-centered story from chef and food writer Lara Lee and richly illustrated by Natelle Quek. -
This Hair Belongs
A Kids' Indie Next Pick
With lyrical verse and dazzling illustrations, this joyful ode to Black hair will empower readers ages 4–8 to celebrate the historical, cultural, and emotional significance of their natural hair.
From the intricate coils of kings and queens to the cornrowed maps to freedom of African Americans, This Hair Belongs is a heartfelt poetic tribute to Black hair throughout history. Told through powerful verse, stunning illustrations, and fascinating back matter, this Black history picture book pays tribute to the African origins of Black hairstyles and will remind young Black readers that their hair is magical and beautiful and belongs.
JaNay Brown-Wood and Erin K. Robinson deftly weave African and American history into this powerful children's picture book about Black hair, making it an essential nonfiction title honoring Black cultural heritage. -
The Wildest Thing
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of The Wonderful Things You Will Be comes an enchanting picture book about a child finding their "wild" self.
What would you do if you let the wild in?
Eleanor loved wild things.
Every wing and wild sprout.
There was something wild inside of her,
waiting to come out...
With gorgeous illustrations, this book is the ideal addition to any bedtime reading routine or read aloud. The Wildest Thing beautifully expresses a timeless message about little ones unleashing their inner "wild" and encouraging their budding imagination and unique individuality.
New Graphic Novels for Kids
-
Wrong Friend
What happens when your BFF is no longer forever?
A fresh and honest graphic novel about friendships lost and found.
"Perfect for readers of Shannon Hale and Raina Telgemeier!" —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Charise and Casey have been best friends for years. It never mattered that Casey was older by two years—until she started high school. Now, the two barely talk, and Charise is on a mission to get a new best friend. But can she find that perfect person while navigating long-distance friendships, guinea pig allergies, and the embarrassing quirks of her family? -
The Sword in the Stone
Fans of Disney’s classic ‘The Sword in the Stone’ both young and old will delight at Arthur’s newest adventure. Embarking on a journey filled with magic, and wonder, Arthur, Merlin, and Archimedes must overcome the greatest threat they have ever faced to save the Kingdom of Camelot.
The Sword in the Stone: Arthur's Magical Kingdom is a grand continuation of Disney's beloved film, "The Sword and the Stone." This epic journey follows young Arthur, now the rightful ruler of Camelot, as he embarks on a transformative journey guided by the whimsical and wise sorcerer, Merlin. When the powerful and malicious sorceress, Madam Mim, comes back from the great beyond, she brings not only a heart of revenge but new and powerful allies. In this tale, Arthur must grapple with the challenges of ruling a kingdom, while an evil spell threatens to rewrite history and destroy Camelot as we know it. Through Merlin’s guidance, Arthur learns that magic cannot solve all of life’s problems and is reminded of why he was chosen by the sword in the first place. -
Beyblade X, Vol. 5
Who will rise to the top of The X in the ultimate Beyblade showdown?!
Bladers are ready to battle it out! They’ve set their sights on the top of The X tower and prepare to fight their way to victory. With new technology and powerful opponents entering the arena, Beyblades are pushed to their extremes as they race through a new era.
Jaxon finds himself feeling aimless after achieving a major life goal. Meanwhile, a mysterious Blader suddenly appears at Komaba Sushi. She is Tenka Shiroboshi, assistant instructor in the legendary Shiroboshi school. What is she really after? And can she really keep her promise to never lose? -
Blood City Rollers: Move It or Bruise It
Skates on. Fangs out. Let's roll. The stakes are high and the competition is tough in the sequel to the perfectly paranormal graphic novel about a 13-year-old ice skater who embraces the dark side and finds her light when she joins a vampire roller derby team.
“A refreshing balance between spectral sports romp and queer found family narrative.” —Publisher's Weekly starred review
Mina is ready to roll...but her new team is nowhere to be found. After a summer skating around town looking in every dark corner for the Blood City Rollers, Mina and her other human teammate Swan are finally reunited with their squad at an abandoned asylum. It's old, creepy, and has a basement full of zombies...perfect.
But if the asylum is going to be the new freaky forever home for the Vamps, they'll have to fight for it. A new team of outcast monsters are also looking for a new home, and the only solution to a turf war this bloodthirsty is a Sudden Death Scrimage.
Mina just wants to help her team win, but she can't help but feel like she still has to prove she belongs. And when the competition with Swan heats up, she'll have to learn that being a teammate isn't about being the best player...it's about being the best friend. -
It's Showtime, Sophie
This just in: Breaking Cat News is now Best Cat Wrestling - One night only!
It's slumber party time at the Breaking Cat News studio when Tommy, Sophie, and Beatrix visit the Big Pink House! Intrepid reporters by day, the cats have a secret life as professional wrestlers in Best Cat Wrestling, and they're hard at work putting together the best show ever! Sensitive artist Sophie says she doesn't want to play, but she confides to her diary that she longs to be included and make friends, she just doesn't know how.
Join the fun as Sophie, with some help from her new friends, steps into the spotlight on the grandest stage of them all: Tusslemania!
The fun doesn't stop there! The "More to Explore" section includes all new paper dolls of the cats of Breaking Cat News as their wrestling characters! -
Pencil & Eraser: New Friends Rule!
In the third book of this hilarious series—perfect for fans of Pizza and Taco—Pencil makes a new friend... and Eraser learns that three can be a crowd.
Pencil and Eraser complement each other perfectly, like any best buds should. Who else could help Pencil when she messes up her drawings in art class? But what if she didn't make any mistakes? Enter Ruler, a new friend who can easily help Pencil keep her lines straight, without any need to ever erase again...
When these school supplies learn a green crayon has gone missing, Pencil insists her new bud Ruler join their quest to save them. The two hit it off immediately, building off each other’s wacky ideas. And as the sole voice of reason, Eraser quickly starts to feel like the odd one out. With Stella and the rest of the students due back form lunch any minute, and each of their plans to rescue Green a bigger disaster than the last, can our dynamic duo learn to work as a trio before it’s too late? -
A Blurmp in Time (Catwad's Friend Blurmp #1)
It's Blurmp's turn in the spotlight in this hilarious Catwad spin-off!
From the New York Times bestselling author of Dear Dumb Diary and Franny K. Stein comes this hilarious companion to Catwad!
Peanut butter & jelly, macaroni & cheese, socks & underwear... Good things come in pairs, and Catwad and Blurmp are no different. This time, it's Blurmp's turn to shine! Join Blurmp as he travels through space and time, "helping" with the creation of the pizza in 18th century Italy, making friends with zombies, even venturing to a world full of other Blurmps, and much more. Full of laughs, the return of Blurmp (and Catwad) is not to be missed!