This collection of book lists created by our staff can assist students with homework, help them find more books by their favorite authors, and aid parents in finding books for the youngest readers, among other things! We add new lists each month so returning readers can continue to find their next read! Find more reading recommendations for kids in our blog or enjoy storytime online.
Are you looking for MORE reading recommendations for kids? Your child’s new favorite book, handpicked for you! Hoosier Next Read is a personalized book recommendation service from The Indianapolis Public Library. Share your child’s reading preferences, and our Library staff will send you a custom list of 2–5 titles within 7 business days so you’ll always have their next great read ready. You can also visit us in person or online to get ideas for great reads for kids. For one-on-one help call or ask a Library staff member at any of our locations. You can also call, text, or email ask-a- librarian!
You can also get reading recommendations online from NoveList K-8 Plus or Book Connections. Read book reviews, see “read alike” lists, browse starred reviews, and more.
Winter Olympics
From ice dancing to hockey, the Winter Olympics captivate the audience and highlight amazing athletes and their incredible abilities. The list includes a few winter/Olympic-inspired fiction reads, but is largely non-fiction.
Staff Picks
2025 Best of Books for Beginning Readers & Transitional Readers
Learning to read is a difficult process and the transition from learning to read to reading for knowledge/comprehension is the next step. This list contains a few of our favorite in the “JZ and JE” selection of our catalog.
2025 Best of Fiction for Kids
We had eight different staff members send some of their favorite “J Fiction” titles. The list includes the newly named National Book Award winner for youth (Teacher of Nomad Land) and the surprise bonus entry in Jason Reynolds’ Track Series – Coach. Reynolds mentioned in a recent interview that he really was not going to write another book in this series, but his young fans wanted more and specifically wanted to know more about Coach.
2025 Best of Graphic Novels for Kids
Graphic Novels for kids has been an explosive market for publishers as well as authors and cartoonists alike. Anyone with a child around 8 years old already knows that the Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey has a new installment out. (Dog Man: Big Jim Believes). The list below provides a glimpse into some of our staff’s favorites that they read and were published in 2025 including The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier (Smile – a perennial favorite of hers that tweens still ask for) and the silly Cabin Head and Tree Head by Scott Campbell (Hug Machine – picture book).
2025 Best of Nonfiction for Kids
Bees, whales, octopus, oh my! From tiny creatures to large, this list has a little something for most readers. There are also a small selection of biographies of some amazing humans on the list.
2025 Best of Picture Books
Our overwhelming favorite vote getter from 2025 is the very sly and funny Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson followed closely by the adorable Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan.
See some beautiful art in several titles (Possible Caldecott contenders, we hope) such as: Cat Nap (Lies), Little Rebels (Morales), Fireworks (Burgess), and A Place for Us (Ransome). A couple of wordless or nearly wordless books – Pencil (Kim)and A Place for Us. Twisted or read like fairy/folktales such as Hansel and Gretel (by Stephen King featuring art by Maurice Sendak) and There’s a Bear Out there (Hannigan).
At the end of the list find a few favorites from previous years – one of which is a pretty funny potty book – How to Pee Your Pants *the right way.
Animals in Winter
Brrr… it’s finally winter! These stories about animals in winter (asleep or not asleep) will be informative and fun for your young children.
BK0025974131)
Birds in Winter
National Bird Day takes place January 5th.
This marks the end of the Christmas Bird Count (December 14th to January 5th), an annual conservation effort that has expanded internationally, where everyday people volunteer to join scientists and track what kind and number of birds they see outdoors. To celebrate our aves, cozy up with these children’s picture books (JPs) featuring birds in winter.
Diverse Winter Holidays
As we ease into our cold Indiana winter, here are some wonderful diverse children’s book celebrating different winter holidays and traditions. From the celebrations of a big Italian family, to flying latkes; holidays are a wonderful gathering of family and friends. They represent unity also called “Umoja”. Whether you light the Menorah, or Celebrate Harvest or wish each other a Feliz Navidad, the holidays are all about friends, family and love.
Foxes in Winter
Stories of foxes in wintertime abound. Perhaps this is because foxes are such elusive and mysterious creatures. Or perhaps their experiences evoke something we can all relate to. These stories touch on themes of loneliness, change, and the enduring power of friendship.
erc0000831544)
It’s Cold, But It’s Snow Much Fun!
It’s true, there’s no day like a snow day! Go out and play, and then cuddle up with some hot chocolate and a stack of these favorite winter tales.
Warming Up!
Playing in the snow is so much fun! It`s also great to come inside and cozy up with a steaming hot cup. These picture books will feature a cozy winter warm up.
Love Your Pet Day With Poetry
Friday, February 20th is National Love Your Pet Day! Whether they’re furry, fluffy, feathery, fishy, or festooned with scales, there’s a lot to love about what your pet brings to your life. The list below features several books of poetry in our Juvenile collection, and ends with a few selections for older readers that focus on the highs and lows of pets and animal companions.
Join Us for Storytime!
- Event: Storytime at Fort Ben – Baby & Toddler
- Date & Time: Monday, February 09, 10:30am
- Location: Fort Ben Branch
- Description: Children and their caregivers are welcome to join us for Baby & Toddler Storytime! We will read stories, sing songs, and enjoy a craft.
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Pajama Storytime at Lawrence
- Date & Time: Monday, February 09, 6:30pm
- Location: Lawrence Branch
- Description: Young children and their caregivers are invited to join us for stories, songs, and fun. Stay after stories are finished for some literacy activities and play time.
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Storytime at Southport – Preschool
- Date & Time: Tuesday, February 10, 10:30am
- Location: Southport Branch
- Description: Preschoolers ages 3 – 5 and an adult are invited for an active class featuring stories, songs and rhymes that focus on early literacy skills and school preparedness.
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Bilingual Storytime at Wayne – Toddlers and Babies – Spanish/English
- Date & Time: Tuesday, February 10, 10:30am
- Location: Wayne Branch
- Description: Babies, toddlers and caregivers will enjoy books, songs, and games in this bilingual storytime in English and Spanish! ¡Los bebes, niñitos y su cuidadores disfrutarán de libros, canciones y juegos en esta hora de cuentos bilingüe en inglés y español!
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Bilingual Storytime at Martindale-Brightwood – Spanish / Hora del cuento bilingüe – en español
- Date & Time: Tuesday, February 10, 10:30am
- Location: Martindale-Brightwood Branch
- Description: Young children will enjoy books, songs, and games in this bilingual storytime in English and Spanish! / ¡Los niños pequeños disfrutarán de libros, canciones y juegos en esta hora de cuentos bilingüe en inglés y español!
- No Registration Required.