Are you looking for reading recommendations for kids? We can help! Use these book lists created by our staff to find new and favorite books for kids of all ages covering a variety of topics and interests. Would you like to see more? Browse all of our staff recommendations for kids. Would you prefer one-on-one help? Call or ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email ask-a- librarian. For next step reading suggestions you can also browse What We’re Reading Teens.
Recommendations from Our Staff – October 2023
Stories of Modern Indigenous Life
Some people think that native culture is a thing of the past, but that could not be further from the truth! These books, some fiction and some nonfiction, explore the vibrancy and diversity of present-day culture across many different indigenous tribes and nations. Learn about things like family, food, and tradition and experience all the joy these indigenous authors and artists have put on the page!
Help kids celebrate/learn about Diwali – The Festival of Lights.
Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. Diwali, which for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. It is the most important holiday of the year for the millions who celebrate it. The dates change every year, but it usually falls between mid-October to mid-November. If you are interested in learning more about it, here are just a few of many books that you can share.
Books to Turn Halloween Fear into Halloween Fun!
Many small children don’t find Halloween fun at all! The masks, the jumping out surprises and all the ghosts, vampires & scary looking pumpkins can be too many surprises for little trick-or-treaters. Below are several stories that can help kids turn their Halloween fears into Halloween fun. If Arthur & Scaredy Squirrel can do it, so can your child! “It can be fun to be scared, as many of us will recall from Halloweens past. But if we think back, we’ll probably agree that there were two things that made it possible for that scariness to be fun. First, that we knew we were safe because someone we loved was nearby. Second, we knew that whatever was scaring us was only pretend.” Smart words from Mr. Rogers!
Folktales from Around the World for Preschoolers
These tales and illustrations will feed your imagination! Folktales from around the world help us to answer the many questions that preschoolers ask, and usually teach a lesson at the end. Come join us online for Reading Ready Time: Latin American Folktales with Marian University Theatre.
Middle Grade Horror
The nights are getting the longer, the wind is getting louder, and the trees are starting to look barren. Halloween is coming! Lovers of this spookiest of seasons know that sometimes being a little scared is the most fun of all! As the weather turns colder, curl up with one of these novels just for middle-graders who love all things creepy! From classics to new releases, this list has stories from the mildly spooky to the bone-chilling!
Latin American Comics: lighter reading
A list of comics made by people from or have some connection to South America. Some are educational, some are entertaining. A couple of them are both. When it came to more light hearted comics I was surprised at how few countries were represented. With the exception of one creator, almost all the other artists and writers are from Argentina.
Spanish Bilingual Preschool Books
Enjoy these colorful stories, rhymes, and poems in English and Spanish. Disfrute de estas coloridas historias, rimas y poemas en inglés y español.
Monkey’n Around!
Looking for fun stories about monkeys? We have a list for you of silly monkeys doing what monkeys do!!
Time for a Rest!
As Fall arrives, many creatures will move to their warm and safe homes to rest through the winter. Here are some books about animals who hibernate!
Music Legends for Kids
There are so MANY music legends whose lives and careers have changed the world. Here are a few books to help kids learn about and be inspired by musicians from a wide range of genres, cultures, and time periods. I hope these offerings spark kids’ curiosity.
Picture Books for Those of Us with a Weird Sense of Humor
Admittedly, these picture books may be more for adults than kids, but I know a few kids who also have a dark sense of humor. These books are not for those that believe every children’s book should have a moral to the story. Unless the moral is that life is full of unexpected events.
E.T. Phone Home: Gentle Alien Encounters
Here are a list of books, movies and television shows that show aliens as our friends!
Life in the City
Living in a city means big buildings, lots of people, and in some cases, a whole bunch of noise! These stories show what city life is like and are great to share with young children to see themselves represented in stories.