Kids
Book Recommendations for Children
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How This Book Got Red
None of the panda books are ever about red pandas!
Red is going to do something about that.
When Red discovers a new book about pandas, she can't wait to read it! Except it's about only one kind of panda, and red pandas are completely left out. Red never gets to read stories about pandas like herself! So she decides to take matters into her own paws and write her own book.
But sometimes Red wonders if the only kind of pandas the world sees are the black and white kind. What if nobody wants to read her book? Red must find the courage to finish her story.
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Busy Betty & the Circus Surprise
Academy Award–winning actress, founder of Hello Sunshine, and bestselling author, Reese Witherspoon is back with a second picture book in the New York Times bestselling Busy Betty series!
"A sure bet for a kid-tested, puppy-approved storytime."-- Kirkus reviews
Busy Betty has always been busy. Every day she wakes up with a million questions and a billion ideas! And today she has an amazing idea: she’s throwing her mom a birthday party. Shhh . . . It’s a surprise!
Then Betty and her best friend, Mae, have the best idea of all: What if they threw Mom a circus surprise party?! It will be the greatest day in the history of the universe!
Everything is perfect until Betty realizes—oh, no!—Mom’s birthday isn’t today . . . it’s next month. Whatever will they do with their circus surprise now?
Reese Witherspoon’s Busy Betty is an exuberant, smart, and larger-than-life character who encourages young readers to tackle each obstacle with enthusiasm, excitement, and big ideas.
Praise for Busy Betty:
“A fun and high-spirited story for the fans of Fancy Nancy, Pinkalicious, or Freckleface Strawberry.”—School Library Journal
“Extreme angles effectively convey a sense of perpetual motion . . . Witherspoon’s rollicking text never holds back . . . As Betty says, “Being busy is a great way to be.” Young readers are sure to agree.”—Kirkus Reviews -
Maisy's Big Book of Kindness
Discover how kindness makes Maisy's world go around--and pick up a few ideas for spreading some joy.
Join Maisy and her pals as they explore everyday acts of kindness--from sharing toys to making cards or gifts, nurturing animals to caring for the environment, looking out for one another to taking care of themselves! Bold, bright, and buoyant, Maisy's oversize celebration of kindness will catch the eyes and hearts of everyone from loyal followers to new friends, while making an inspiring addition to the shelves of little ones and their parents, caregivers, and teachers. -
Finn's Little Fibs
What happens when one little lie turns into a big problem? From the creator of Ruby Finds a Worry comes the perfect picture book for helping children learn the importance of honesty.
Finn always looks forward to spending time at Grandma's house. But when he accidentally breaks her clock, he panics and tells a little fib, blaming it on his sister. Then-POP!-a little blob appears! As Finn's fibs start piling up, more and more blobs appear. All the fibs make Finn feel awful and upset, until staying at Grandma's isn't fun anymore! Can Finn get rid of the fibs and work up the courage to tell the truth?
Heartwarming and genuine, this book in the Big Bright Feelings series is the perfect starting point for helping children learn the importance of honesty, forgiveness, and responsibility.
The Big Bright Feelings picture book series provides kid-friendly entry points into emotional intelligence topics-from being true to yourself to dealing with worries, managing anger, and making friends. These topics can be difficult to talk about. But these books act as sensitive and reassuring springboards for conversations about mental and emotional health, positive self-image, building self-confidence, and managing feelings.
Don't miss these books in the Big Bright Feelings series!
Ruby Finds a Worry
Perfectly Norman
Ravi's Roar
Meesha Makes Friends
Tilda Tries Again
Milo's Monster -
Mostly Monty
A shy boy with asthma starts first grade -- and comes into his own -- in this appealing story for early chapter book readers.
Six-year-old Monty doesn’t have a brother, a sister, or a pet. What he does have is asthma, which sometimes makes it hard to breathe and often makes him feel like he’d rather be somebody else. And now that he’s starting first grade, he’s very nervous about being with all those kids he won’t know. Luckily, he loves to read -- even really hard books -- and has a talent for finding things, from a cocooning caterpillar to classmates who want to be in his very own club. With familiar situations and gentle humor, Johanna Hurwitz follows an endearing character as he discovers that being himself can be pretty great after all. -
The Tryout
STAND TALL.
BE LOUD.
GAME FACE ON.
This pitch perfect graphic memoir about courage and competition, friendship and belonging is perfect for fans of Smile, New Kid, Rollergirl, and Real Friends.
"A captivating middle-grade gem." -- The New York Times Book Review
★ "Funny, relatable, and genuine." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Captures every nuanced emotion." -- School Library Journal, starred review
★ "Genuinely nail-biting." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "Cringe-worthy in the best possible way...inspiring and insightful." -- Shelf Awareness, starred review
"Delightfully expressive...a standout." -- Booklist
When cheerleading tryouts are announced, Christina and her best friend, Megan, literally jump at the chance to join the squad. As two of the only kids of color in the school, they have always yearned to fit in--and the middle school cheerleaders are popular and accepted by everyone. But will the girls survive the terrifying tryouts, with their whole grade watching? And will their friendship withstand the pressures of competition?
Hilarious and highly relatable, The Tryout by two-time Newbery Honoree Christina Soontornvat and shining new talent Joanna Cacao will make you laugh, cry, and cheer!
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Drama
Raina Telgemeier, the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of the Eisner Award winner, SMILE, brings us her next full-color graphic novel . . . DRAMA!
Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon Over Mississippi, she's a terrible singer. Instead she's the set designer for the stage crew, and this year she's determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn't know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen, and when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier! Following the success of SMILE, Raina Telgemeier brings us another graphic novel featuring a diverse set of characters that humorously explores friendship, crushes, and all-around drama! -
Girl Power
You are kind. You are smart. You are strong. Believe in the power of girls with this inspiring picture book for kids!
Join Abby, Rosita, Zoe, and their Sesame Street friends as they discover all the remarkable things they are and can do every day. This empowering book for little girls features bright art, positive affirmations, and sweet rhymes full of encouragement while touching on themes of kindness, courage, perseverance, and more. A celebration of their extraordinary potential, this heartwarming story reminds young girls that they are treasured, always enough, and change the world...just by being themselves!
Why readers love Girl Power:
- A wonderful read aloud to encourage toddlers and kids ages 3-7 to dream big and believe in themselves
- The perfect book gift for birthdays, graduation, basket stuffers, or any occasion celebrating a special girl in your life!
- Includes a bonus spread of daily affirmations to promote self-esteem, self-love, and confidence
- Great for bedtime or sharing a special moment between moms, grandmas, and girls
Dear remarkable girl, this story's for you!
Let's celebrate all of the things you can do.
No matter what happens, you get to be you.
Just find what you love and go see it through!
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Toilet-bound Hanako-kun
When Nene is invited by enigmatic playboy Natsuhiko to a sketchy yet oddly enjoyable tea party, she meets Hanako-kun's "girlfriend" and his "little brother"...?! On top of that, she learns that one of her classmates might actually be a School Mystery, but she doesn't know who! Hanako offers to help -but just how far will he go to lure this supernatural out of hiding? -
Toilet-bound Hanako-kun
Nene steps into the spotlight! The mermaid kingdom hasn't forgotten her, and they're back to claim what's theirs! Can Hanako protect her from becoming permanently fishy? Meanwhile, Kou makes friends with an odd ghost haunting the entrance to the middle school division. Kou has no idea who this guy was when he was alive, but that doesn't mean he can't help him solve his unfinished business! Will the junior exorcist be able to help this friendly ghost pass on...?
Learning Tools
ABCmouse

ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy is a free subscription-based digital education program for children ages 2–7, created by Age of Learning, Inc. (Library facility access only)
Accelerated Reader

Provides reading level and point value information to help with a student's reading goals. Tip: For best accuracy, search by the ISBN number typically found on the back cover or behind the title page of the book.
Goodreads

Discover and share books you love on Goodreads, the world's largest site for readers and book recommendations! Find new and interesting books by browsing personalized recommendations based on books you've read and your favorite genres.
Lexile
The Children's Book Review

The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is a resource devoted to children’s literacy. The site offers reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages.