1,000 Books Before Kindergarten (birth to 5 years)
All year!
Young readers earn milestone badges and prizes as they work towards reading 1000 books! Log progress in Beanstack or on a printable log. We encourage reading a favorite book several times because each reading counts! 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 for Kids
Britannica School
Choose from Elementary, Middle, or High for curriculum-relevant articles, images, videos, audio, maps, and much more!
New Picture Books
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Afikoman, Where'd You Go?
Help the children find the afikoman during their seder! It’s a rambunctious Passover hide-and-seek story for fans of Where’s Waldo? and The Gingerbread Man.
This lively, funny picture book brings to life the Passover tradition of searching for the afikoman—literally. When the mischievous piece of matzoh runs and hides during the seder, all the kids in the family (and even the pet dog!) go hunting for it, through every room in the house. Readers can join the hunt and find the sneaky afikoman in each bright and busy scene while enjoying the playful rhyming text. And they’re in for a surprise ending that’s as delightful as this favorite part of Passover. -
Cheeky Chick!
A curious and single-minded baby chick takes off to explore the farm.
Cheeky Chick can't help being cheeky--he just wants to explore. With a dollop of luck and under the watchful eye of the farmyard animals, he learns a valuable lesson that he can pass on to the next generation of eager chicks!
A funny, characterful picture book that children will want to read again and again. -
My Block Looks Like
A love letter to the hustle, the bustle, the joy, and the grit of city life by debut author and Bronx native, Janelle Harper, and two-time Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner, Frank Morrison.
"My block looks like
a collision of cultures
a melting pot of cool
a burst of life
my favorite groove
. . .No matter what happens
I’ve seen it for myself
my block looks like
the coolest place
I’ve ever been."
A lyrical and proud picture book that recognizes the beauty of the bodegas, subways, and playgrounds that characterize everyday life in the Bronx and pays homage to the ways that its residents have shaped pop culture through music, visual art, and dance. Perfect for fans of I Am Every Good Thing and Last Stop on Market Street, My Block Looks Like offers kids a reaffirming message to celebrate and uplift their communities in an energetic text that begs to be read aloud. -
A Happy Place
This enchanting picture book from award-winning author and illustrator Britta Teckentrup takes readers on a magical, moonlit adventure to inspire a child’s imagination. With peek-through pages and cutaways.
This beautiful picture book from award-winning author and illustrator Britta Teckentrup takes readers on a magical, moonlit adventure following a tiny star and invites all to dance with a host of animals. But is it all a dream? With peek-through pages and cutaways, the lyrical text and enchanting illustrations will inspire children’s imaginations. -
Sally's New Look
Sally is going to the groomer!
Lovable pup Sally is looking a little shaggy, so her owners are taking her to the groomer. It smells like a garden and Sally sees brushes and bows galore. Then it's time for a bath. Once she's squeaky clean and blow-dried, Sally gets brushed, snipped and clipped. When her owners arrive--surprise!--everyone has fancy new hairdos!
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This Baby. That Baby.
In this bouncy, playful picture book for very young listeners, follow two baby friends who live in facing buildings through their day--playing, singing, and napping--till they meet in the park!
Somewhere in the big, big city
two happy babies look out their morning windows
at the very same time.
Just what will these two babies do today? Well, this baby meows like his cat, and that baby barks like her dog. This mellow baby listens to a story, and that rambunctious baby sings a song.
Soon enough, both babies get hungry...and a bit cranky. How will this Mama and that Papa help them feel better? Perhaps a play date in the park will help!
Critically acclaimed and award-winning creators--author Cari Best and illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh--team up for this delightful read-aloud that will have listeners clapping and giggling right alongside this baby and that baby. -
The Overeager Egg
Beautifully illustrated picture book by an award-winning author-illustrator.
A little egg falls out of its nest and goes in search of its mommy. Can it find her? He asks lots of other animals for help--but eventually Daddy finds the egg and takes it back to the nest to hatch into a beautiful swan. -
Lost Stick
A delightful twist on a lost pet story that takes an adorable pup around the world to track down what he thinks is his best friend's prized possession--from the critically acclaimed creator of That's Not My Name!, Bilal Cooks Daal, and I Am Perfectly Designed.
Milo loves to make his owner Louise happy because she’s his favorite person in the world. While they’re strolling through the park one day, Louise picks a twig up off the ground and says to Milo, “This is Stick”. She throws Stick across the grass and Milo excitedly brings it back to her. Milo doesn't know why they do this over and over again, but he knows that he can put a smile on her face by running after Stick. So, when Louise throws Stick a little too far, Milo is determined to go the distance too.
Milo starts searching all over the neighborhood for Stick—while Louise simultaneously searches for Milo—but there's one problem: all the sticks look the same! Which one is Louise's stick? Milo sets out on a grand adventure for a little pup, and while his quest takes him all over the globe, he learns that home is where he really wants to be. Anoosha Syed stretches her storytelling talents with this hilarious and tender friendship story. -
I Can Open It for You
From acclaimed author-illustrator Shinsuke Yoshitake comes a humorous picture book about the empowering possibilities of growing up and a child's imagination!
Akira has a problem: He is too small to open packages by himself. He still needs grown-ups to help him.
But one day, perhaps one day soon, he'll be able to open so many things without anyone's help--and not just packages. When that time comes, he'll make amazing discoveries and maybe even save the day with his new skills. There is so much to look forward to!
With humor and wit, acclaimed author-illustrator Shinsuke Yoshitake explores a child's feelings about growing up: the push and pull of relying on parents while striving to learn and do things by oneself. The youngest of readers will relate, while discovering the many ways that they can open up exciting new experiences at this very moment!
CELEBRATES THE PARENT-CHILD CONNECTION: Growing up means embracing so many exciting opportunities! Parents will appreciate the reassuring messages of love and support as they seek to open new doors for their children, just as kids learn to do so for themselves!
PROMOTES CURIOSITY AND CREATIVE THINKING: Laugh-out-loud and imaginative scenarios will inspire young readers to think about their own futures, dream up big ideas, and embrace the promise of tomorrow.
ENGAGING STORY: With a comic-like style, unique narrative approach, and fast pacing, kids will find humor and surprises on every page.
GO-TO READ-ALOUD: Smart, comedic pacing, imaginative scenarios, and a compelling voice will make this a favorite picture book.
Perfect for:- Fans of award-winning author-illustrator Shinsuke Yoshitake
- Parents seeking humorous children's books about growing up
- Gift givers seeking a laugh-out-loud picture book
- Fans of picture books from Japan
- Teachers, grandparents, and caregivers looking for a compelling read-aloud
- Readers who enjoy smart, funny story books by Oliver Jeffers, Andrea Beaty, Jon Klassen, Mac Barnett, and Dan Santat
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The Wrong Book
What if the narrator of the book you're reading is just...WRONG?! This hilarious book from the author of The Day the Crayons Quit will have you correcting what you're reading—and laughing!
Do bicycles say cock-a-doodle-doo? Do firefighters shout Ding Dong! before they put out a fire?
That’s what the narrator of this hilarious picture book thinks! Good thing there are some other characters in this book to set him straight…
With bright bold illustrations, this laugh-out-loud funny story, written by the author of The Day the Crayons Quit, is sure to give kids—and grown-ups—a serious case of the giggles.
Because a flower goes chugga-chugga-choo-choo. Right? Right?
New Graphic Novels for Kids
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The Great Explorer of Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave, a National Park in Brownsville, Kentucky, is the world's largest cavern with more than 400 miles of cavern space. The first to explore the cave was an enslaved Black man, Stephen Bishop. With bravery and a curious mind, Bishop became a popular tour guide and mapped out the extensive caverns, all while remaining enslaved. Learn about this respected explorer's work in this inspiring graphic novel.
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Hugo's Haunted Handbook
"Got ghosts? Then you've come to right book! Hugo is a ghost expert, and he can tell you exactly how to boot out your boo. After all, he got rid of his ghost, no problem! He knows everything there is to know about ghosts, he has the proper ghost-hunting equipment, and he can offer five handy tips to remove your ghost forever. But has Hugo really gotten rid of his ghost? And are ghosts really that scary? Would it be so bad to keep a ghost around? They might actually be good company if you just give them a chance ... A silly, laugh-out-loud graphic novel for very young readers that breaks the fourth wall. It's a lighthearted look at friendship and the meaning of true companionship. The relationship between Hugo and his ghost is irresistible. The reader watches Hugo deny his friendship with his ghost for the purpose of writing his Haunted Handbook about how to get rid of a ghost, until he finally succumbs and realizes the value of the camaraderie the two of them share."--
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Katie, Batter Up! The Graphic Novel
The bestselling Cupcake Diaries series is now available in graphic novel format! In this adaptation of the fifth book, Katie tries out for the softball team.
Katie’s Cupcake Club friends all have other activities besides making cupcakes. So Katie sets out to find her extracurricular niche. When Katie makes the softball team, it’s batter up…but is this the kind of batter Katie really wants to be dealing with? What if she makes a mistake and her team loses? By stepping up to the plate, Katie realizes that doing what you love always makes the batter sweeter.
Fun, bright, full-color graphic panels tell the story with the same humor and heart as the original novel. -
Who Was Her Own Work of Art?: Frida Kahlo
Discover how Frida Kahlo became one of the most recognizable artists in the world in this powerful graphic novel written by award-winning author Terry Blas and illustrated by Ignatz Award-winning artist Ashanti Fortson.
Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: an exciting addition to the #1 New York Times best-selling Who Was? series!
Explore Mexican painter Frida Kahlo's rise to stardom as she travels from Mexico to New York City for her first-ever solo exhibition and sets the art world aflame. A story of independence, determination, and finding beauty within one's scars, this graphic novel invites readers to immerse themselves into the incredible power of one of the greatest artists of all time—brought to life by gripping narrative and vivid full-color illustrations that jump off the page. -
In Disguise on the Underground Railroad
Anna Maria Weems was just a teenager when she was given the opportunity to escape her enslaver in the mid-1800s. The journey would be dangerous, but she would have the help of abolitionists along the way. One of those supporters had a novel idea--Anna Maria would escape to freedom disguised as a boy. Learn about her brave journey on the Underground Railroad in this inspiring graphic novel.
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Tiana and the Magic of Harlem (Disney Princess)
This hardcover graphic novel stars Princess Tiana from Disney The Princess and the Frog in an original story! Perfect for children ages 8 to 12!
Tiana sets off to New York City for an apprenticeship at the most celebrated restaurant in Harlem. But can she juggle the dueling demands of her mentor, Chef Leroy, while experiencing Harlem’s exciting cultural scene? This hardcover graphic novel contains beautiful full-color comic panels, as well as pages taken from the princess’s very own journals of her adventures.
Check out these other Disney graphic novels!- Ariel and the Curse of the Sea Witches
- Anna and the Mystery of the Mountains
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Spider-Ham: a Pig in Time
The Spectacular Spider-Ham is back and just in TIME to save the past, present, and future in this original graphic novel for younger readers!
It's just a normal day in the life of Peter Porker, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Ham! Keeping New Yolk City safe from dastardly villains is no easy feat, especially when the Green Gobbler from the year 2099 travels back in time to team up with his present-day counterpart. Talk about a pair of rotten eggs! What's worse, Spider-Ham gets flung into the future, making it impossible to stop the duo's evil plot. He'll have to team up with heroes from all across time if he wants to make it back and save the day. But what is New Yolk City to do without its greatest defender? Luckily for everyone, Mary Jane Waterbuffalo and Black Catfish are here to pick up the slack while Peter Porker is messing around in the time stream. Can the two hold out long enough for Spider-Ham to return, or will the Green Gobbler finally claim his spot at the top of the roost?
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Disney Wish: The Deluxe Graphic Novel
This paperback full-color graphic novel retells the exciting story of Disney Wish—coming to theaters fall 2023!
Walt Disney Animation Studios Wish is set to release Fall 2023, during the Studio’s 100th year. A film that could only come from Disney Animation, the epic animated musical is inspired by the legacy of films from the studio and asks the question: “How did the wishing star, upon which so many characters wished, come to be?” The story, set in Rosas, the kingdom of wishes where wishes can literally come true, follows Asha—an optimist with a sharp wit who cares endlessly about her community. In a moment of desperation, Asha makes an impassioned plea to the stars, which is answered by a cosmic force, a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, they face the most formidable of foes to save her community and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Children ages 6 to 9 will love this paperback graphic novel that retells Disney Wish! -
The Circuit Graphic Novel
Poignantly told from a young boy's perspective, the popular and award-winning memoir centered on a Mexican family working California's fields is now a powerful graphic novel that will appeal to readers of Illegal and They Called Us Enemy.
An honest and evocative account of a family's journey from Mexico to the fields of California--and to a life of backbreaking work and constant household moves--as seen through the eyes of a boy who longs for education and the right to call one place home.
A popular choice for community reads, as well as school curricula and curriculum adoptions, Francisco Jiménez's award-winning memoir, now brought to life in Celia Jacob's beautiful and resonant artwork, is a powerful story of survival, faith, and hope.