Unleash your imagination June 1 – July 31!
Participate in the Indianapolis Public Library’s Summer Reading Program to explore great stories and earn prizes for reading! Prizes are earned at 1 hour, 5 hours, 10 hours, 15 hours, and 20 hours of reading. Plus, earn a bonus prize when you complete seven Discover Activities. Prizes can be redeemed at any Indianapolis Public Library location. Go to the Library, show your progress, and choose your prize. Registration is now open!
Parents, don’t miss out on the fun! We’ve got an Adult Summer Reading Program that is just for you!
Picture Books My Cats Would Recommend
…That is, if my cats could read books and then talk about those books. I’ve got two tabbies: Moose (18 lbs of pure teddy bear, sits in the bathtub and screams, hates wet food) and Marble (sits in front of the garage door and screams, often somehow gets on top of door frames, loves wet food). Here are some books I think they’d recommend.
Animal Themed Crafting for Kids
Get inspired by your favorite animal friends! Each entry comes with a list of materials needed to get started with your chosen activity, though extras may be needed depending on the project.
Check Meowt!
“Pets” is the theme for IndyPL’s Summer Reading 2024! The list below has both fiction and non-fiction cat-related offerings to satisfy your cuteness curiosity for the eventual long hot days ahead.
Kids Love Tongue Twisters!
Do your kids love tongue twisters? The items in this list are bursting with amazing tongue twisters they can share with friends or even tell a librarian at any of the IndyPL branches. That’s one of the Discover Activities kids can complete to earn bonus prizes during Summer Reading Program this year. We look forward to discovering which tongue twisters your kids’ love to say.
Pet detectives
Many of the world’s greatest detectives have four legs and a cold, wet nose. Meet these crime-solving animals who, sometimes assisted by their human allies, crack the toughest of cases.
Pets With Jobs For Kids
Everyone loves their pets! Some pets are more than just a cute face and best friend, some pets have important jobs in the community. Find out more about these special pets and their jobs.
Picture Books in Paris
Baguettes, gargoyles, fashionistas, ballerinas and the Eiffel Tower, …ooh la la! Petit enfant, meet the City of Lights.
Purrrrrr-fect Kitty Cat picture books
Don’t cats have the friendliest and funniest picture books (and videos)? Check out these fresh feline reads!
Shelter Pet Love
These stories will encourage you to visit a shelter, to consider volunteering, or even to consider taking home a new member of the family.
We Love Pets
May is National Pet Month! There are so many wonderful picture books about adopting and taking care of pets. Here you can find a list of titles on pet dogs, cats, and more! These make great titles for story times and displays!
Robots are SO MUCH FUN!
Do your kids want to learn about robots? The books in this list can get them started. If they want to get their hands on robots they can build and code (or if they’d like to try out other STEM activities), bring them to Central Library during Explore STEM + More on Wednesdays and weekends. Check the IndyPL website for dates and times. While you’re in the Learning Curve, be on the lookout for the new Robot display in one of our ‘portals’ on the 2nd floor.
We’re Here to Burgle Your Turts!
Turtles, tortoises, terrapins = totally terrific toddling entities. Don’t be shellfish, check out this list! And slap me some fin if you agree that turts are totes, like, righteous, dude. The list below has both fiction and non-fiction turtle-related offerings to go completely shell over fin for during the eventual long hot days ahead.
Lost Pets and the Enduring Human-Animal Bond
Our neighbors at FACE (The Foundation for Animal Care and Education) created a list of some children’s books they have read with their families or friends about pets who get separated from their humans. The pets try to find their way back to loving humans through adoption or clever letter-writing campaigns.
Kindergarten Jitters
Starting school for the first time can be scary or overwhelming! Covering topics from leaving parents and siblings at home, to riding the school bus, to meeting new classmates and eating lunch in the cafeteria, these picture books help new students understand what to expect on their first day, and teach them to cope with nervousness or anxiety.