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 Primary
Britannica Elementary
New Picture Books
-
Evil Spy School the Graphic Novel
The New York Times bestselling Spy School series continues in graphic novel form with the third book as Ben gets kicked out of the CIA’s spy school and enrolls with the enemy.
During a spy school game of Capture the Flag, twelve-year-old Ben Ripley accidentally shoots a live mortar into the principal’s office—and immediately gets himself expelled. Not long after going back to the boring real world, Ben gets an offer to join evil crime organization SPYDER. And he accepts.
Ben can tell he’s a key part of their sinister plan, but he’s not quite sure what the plan is. Can Ben figure out what SPYDER is up to—and get word to the good guys without getting caught—before it’s too late?
Follow Ben as he crosses over to the dark side in action-packed, full-color panels. -
Partly Cloudy
What do you see when you look at clouds?
Two curious bunnies enjoy watching clouds go by. But when they look at the sky, they each see something completely different! While one bunny likes to use his imagination and sees cotton candy or whipped cream, the other bunny can only see the science behind them. Together they learn that cloud watching is much more fun when they can see it through each other's eyes.
With extensive back matter about the many kinds of clouds and the water cycle, celebrated author and illustrator Deborah Freedman once again combines the educational with the whimsical, while introducing young readers to two irresistible characters who see the power of possibility. -
You Are Part of the Wonder
Meditative and enchanting, this beautifully illustrated picture book encourages us to explore, connect, and find wonder in nature.
"A lovely invitation to children to see themselves as part of the larger world around them." Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
There's a bird outside your window
with a song that's full of sky,
and it wonders why you stay inside
when you are free to fly?
You Are Part of the Wonder is a tranquil celebration of nature, mindfulness, and joy. -
Oops! Rabbit
Rabbit on. Oops! Rabbit off . . . With some endearing misadventures, Jo Ham's international sensation hops into the pages of a picture-book series.
Big waves and sandcastles, paint cans and tippy chairs--accidents happen! And with cheeky, curious, and sweet-toothed Rabbit, they're almost inevitable. The creation of Jo Ham, whose art celebrates the magic of everyday life, Rabbit has been spotted everywhere from the Centre Pompidou in Paris to the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston and on mugs and nursery decorations in homes around the world. Now the iconic black-silhouetted bunny appears in a series of children's books--fun, playful, and irreverent stories in striking and stylish packages that beg for a place on children's bookshelves.
-
When You Have to Wait
A mindful, gentle picture book about patience and learning to find beauty in the act of waiting.
Sometimes, you have to wait.
For the line at the public pool on a hot summer day.
For mom to come home after being away.
For your legs to grow just a bit longer to ride a new big kid bike.
The seconds drag on... each one feels like forever. Why can’t you have it now?
But while you wait, you might notice things: a possible new friend who is also in line, why homecoming hugs are extra special, and how beautiful the world is when you’re not racing by.
Sometimes, when you have to wait, you find the good in the moments between now and later. -
Mamas and Babies
A collection of nonfiction anecdotes about the love between animal mothers and their babies.
Thirteen pairs of animal mothers and their babies are presented in this loving nonfiction picture book. From polar bears to alligators to orangutans, this unexpected and deeply tender book reflects the fierce love and natural connection between a mother and her baby. Each animal mother shows a uniquely protective characteristic, providing a snapshot of motherhood and childhood in nature that invites personal connection and reflection. The watercolor portraits mirror the soft text and bring the affection and love to life, further connecting us to our fellow animals. This is the perfect lap-time, bedtime, or snuggle-time read-aloud for mother and child. -
Little Seasons: Spring Seeds
A funny and informative nonfiction picture book introducing the life cycle of seeds and exploring the season of spring, including interactive back matter.
Discover how seeds spring into action! As winter warms into spring, the amazing life cycle begins—seeds root and sprout and start to grow. From tiny carrot seeds to big avocado seeds and everything in between, discover what seeds can do in this pitch-perfect picture book for younger readers. With clear, informative text and bright, charming illustrations, as well as lots of hilarious interjections from the seeds themselves, this is an exciting start to a new nonficton picture book series exploring life cycles and the seasons. -
Albert's ABCs
Over the course of a day, big brother Albert manages his interactions with his little brother Baxter and the feelings that result, in this relatable romp through the alphabet.
Big brother Albert gets increasingly frustrated with little brother Baxter. Crying! Diaper! Hungry! Irritated! A normal day and a familiar sibling interaction escalate alphabetically until Grandma resolves all the problems, with an X for a kiss goodnight, followed by Yawn, and, of course, ZZZZ. -
1 to 20, Animals Aplenty
Fun to read, look at, and educational to boot! 1 to 20, Animals Aplenty depicts each number with a specific amimal species: both numerically and as a visual quantity. This visual format is key to teaching children the building blocks of math. Young Readers will count and laugh at the semi-absurd animal moments, snakes with cakes? Chickens reading Dickens? 1 to 20, Animals Aplenty will help any new-to-counting reader remember their numbers.
1 to 20, Animals Aplenty is 2nd POW! title by Katie Viggers, who wrote and illustrated, Almost an Animal Alphabet.
1 to 20, Animals Aplenty teaches kids to count from 1 to 20 as they meet a menagerie of amusing creatures. Each number depicts a different animal species along with a funny rhyme to recognize the number connecte to the animal group. Katie's adorably detailed illustrations will have Young Readers laughing as they count-how-many! Young Readers will romp through the pages, learning their numbers all while receiving visually absurd entertainment with these silly animals and their many props. And it all rhymes, "3 llamas wearing pajamas," "11 dogs and their pet frogs," "12 racoons with the baboons's balloons" "19 snakes eating cakes!" -
The Kitten Story
When a cat-loving family decides to bring home a pet, their quest reveals the highs and lows of everyday family life in this heartwarming story—perfect for kitten lovers and everyone who’s ever longed for a pet.
Finally, it's time for this family to adopt a pet of their own! But big decisions remain to be made. The two children, Tulip and Rosie, definitely want a kitten. But Daddy insists an older cat is best. No one can agree about what name to give the new family member, either. When Mommy and Rosie visit a shelter to choose their pet, yet another problem arises and they must go home empty-handed. This deftly paced story from best-selling author Emily Jenkins—winsomely narrated by Mommy, who just wants to find peaceful solutions—highlights themes of finding family unity among realistic conflict and overcoming disappointment. Readers will rejoice along with the family as, finally, they welcome home their very own, absolutely wonderful kitten.
New Graphic Novels for Kids
-
Fairest of All: a Graphic Novel (Whatever After Graphic Novel #1) (Whatever After Graphix)
The magic of the New York Times and PW bestselling Whatever After series comes to life in this brand-new graphic novel adaptation that will appeal to fans of Raina and Wings of Fire alike! Fractured fairy tales have never been this fun.
Once upon a time, Abby and her little brother, Jonah, were ordinary kids. The next minute? The mirror in their basement slurped them up and magically transported them into the fairy tale of Snow White.
Yes, really!
When Abby and Jonah stop Snow from eating the poison apple, they think they're heroes. But wait! If Snow doesn't die, she won't meet her prince and get her happy ending. Oops.
Now it's up to Abby and Jonah-- with some help from Snow and the seven dwarfs--to outwit the witch and save the famous fairy tale in time.
But what if Snow's REAL happy ending is something else entirely?
Bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski and award-winning illustrator Anu Chouhan join forces to bring us this vibrant, action-packed, enchanting graphic novel adventure that will appeal to fans of fairy tales, Raina Telgemeier, The Land of Stories, and all magical, empowering adventures.
-
Timid: A Graphic Novel
A semiautobiographical middle-grade graphic novel about frenemies, fitting in, and finding your voice.
Cecil Hall and his family have just moved from Florida to Massachusetts, near Boston. Cecil is anxious about making friends because he doesn't know where he'll fit in. His older sister, Leah, thinks he should befriend the other black kids at his new school, but Cecil isn't sure how he'd go about doing that. He wants to be known for his comics-making talent, anyway. But the few kids who are impressed by Cecil's art aren't always nice to him. When one of his drawings is misused and gets him into serious trouble, can Cecil stand up for himself and figure out who his real friends are?
-
A Royal Fishing Scam
In this ninth installment of the Pup Detectives graphic novel series, the sleuths investigate a royal visitor with an epic fishing scam!
Pawston Elementary has a very special guest: none other than Prince Bubbles, royalty from New Sealand! However, the Pup Detectives are quick to notice there’s something a bit fishy about this prince...and it’s not just his gill-ty attitude. Could Bubbles be up to no good, or is he just a fish out of water? -
Zips and Eeloo Make Hummus
Zips and Eeloo are two aliens who think they are experts in all things human, like making hummus! But they aren't exactly the experts they claim to be. Will Zips and Eeloo have hummus after all, or just one big, mushy mess? This graphic novel is great for readers who are just beginning their graphic novel journey!
In this hilarious and colorful graphic novel, readers will learn how to make hummus alongside the two alien friends. They'll clap and cheer as Zips and Eeloo look for a bowl (but get it confused with a bowling ball!), need to go to the grocery store for lemons, and eventually, make some super yummy hummus. This full-color graphic novel also includes a recipe for hummus in the back!
"Simple yet energetic dialogue by Boukarim (Hello Goodbye Little Island) combines with deliciously bright artwork from Lopez (LankyBox: Epic Adventure!), making the events of this goofy early reader graphic novel offering practically bounce off the page. It's a warm and madcap meditation on teamwork, patience, and new experiences told through a comestible escapade starring cartoonish pseudo-siblings finding common ground in their love for chickpea paste." - Publisher's Weekly
"A mix of simple comedic ingredients with a few twists as garnish makes for a funny, fast read." - Kirkus Reviews
"Lopez's expressive, witty artwork is full of comedic, slapstick energy and really complements the characters and the overall story. In addition to the playful, inviting story, Zips and Eeloo actually follow some good directions, and a recipe at the end will give kids a chance to try it on their own. Delicious fun." - Booklist
"With a heaping splash of side-eye, a dash of alien confusion, and a whole lot of garbanzo beans, Boukarim and Lopez have created the perfect recipe for a hilarious adventure that readers are sure to devour!" - Tara J. Hannon, author of Birtle and the Purple Turtles -
Alterations
For fans of Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese and Svetlana Chmakova's Awkward, this funny yet poignant middle-grade coming-of-age story highlights the struggle of feeling invisible while yearning to be seen by all.
Kevin Lee is having a really bad week. Although he lives in a crowded Toronto apartment above the family's alterations and dry-cleaning store, he mostly goes unnoticed. School isn't exactly an oasis either--being one of the few Asian kids makes for some unwelcome attention. But when Kevin's class plans a trip to Thrill Planet, a spectacular theme park, will he finally have a chance to turn his life around, or will it just be another day for Kevin Lee?
Fans of middle school graphic novels exploring identity and self-esteem will appreciate the poignant yet humorous journey of finding one's place in the world, and readers who are looking for Asian representation in books will connect with Kevin's story of racism, bullying, and the immigrant experience. With its mix of family relationships, friendships, and a thrilling amusement park climax, this inspiring read is perfect for fans of humorous middle grade fiction with diverse characters overcoming obstacles.
Praise for Alterations"A funny and heartfelt story that beautifully communicates the honest and awkward relationships we have with life and our immigrant parents."
--Dan Santat, Caldecott Medal winner and creator of A First Time for Everything
"A busy, evocative slice of school life and the trials of a second-generation immigrant."
--Kirkus -
Anti/Hero
Piper Pájaro and Sloane MacBrute are two 13-year-old girls with very different lives but very similar secrets. Popular, outgoing Piper is strong. Like, ripping-the-doors-off-cars strong. She longs to be a superhero, even if she tends to leave massive messes in her wake. Snarky Sloane, on the other hand, is super smart. Like, evil-genius-smart. To help her family, she has to put those smarts to use for her villainous grandfather.
When a mission to steal an experimental technological device brings the two girls face to face with each other, the device sparks, and the two girls switch bodies! Now they must live in each other's shoes as they figure out a way to switch back.
Anti/Hero is a story that explores what makes a hero, how one can find friendship where it's unexpected, and what it means to walk in another person's shoes...literally!
Authors Kate Karyus Quinn (Another Little Piece, The Show Must Go On) and Demitria Lunetta (The Fade, Bad Blood) make their graphic novel and middle grade debut alongside artist Maca Gil to introduce two new and exciting characters to DC Comics! -
Science Comics: Elephants
Have you herd? There's a new volume in First Second's STEM graphic novel series: Science Comics: Elephants!
Did you know elephants are the world's largest land animals? Male African elephants can reach ten feet tall and weigh up to 16,500 pounds! These endangered animals are beloved for their massive ears, thick skin, and flexible trunks, as well as their remarkable intelligence and empathy. And despite their size, the more you get to know them, the more you'll realize humans and elephants have a lot in common! -
Ant Story
Insect-extraordinaire Jay Hosler is back, this time exploring how we seek to understand ourselves and the world around us through the eyes of one of our world's tiniest creatures: the ant.
Meet Rubi, a tiny ant with a big personality and an even bigger love for stories. Who knew the small world of her colony could be full of unexpected friendships, epic adventures, and death-defying escapes
Follow Rubi on the journey of a lifetime as she uncovers the mystery and wonder of one of the world's tiniest, mightiest insects.
-
I Survived the Battle of D-Day, 1944 (I Survived Graphic Novel #9)
A bold graphic novel adaptation of Lauren Tarshis's bestselling I Survived the Battle of D-Day, 1944 with text adapted by Georgia Ball and art by Brian Churilla.
A battle that changes the course of the war...
Paul Colbert's French village has been under Nazi control for years. His Jewish best friend has disappeared. Food is scarce. And there doesn't seem to be anything Paul can do to make things better.
Then Paul finds an American paratrooper stuck in a tree. When Paul helps the soldier, he discovers a secret resistance movement--and he learns the Allies have a plan to crush the Nazis. But first, the resistance needs Paul's help.
This is Paul's chance to make a difference. Soon he finds himself in the midst of the largest invasion in history. Can he do his part to turn horror into hope?
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.