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.
Staff Picks
Picture Books About Bookstores
While the public library is of course my go-to, and the place I most recommend finding books for your little ones, I also love bookstores!! Bookstores offer a cozy place to revisit classic stories and discover what’s new! They have such a special place in our community and we are so lucky to have so many diverse places to read and shop for books in Indy! Check out these picture books to celebrate bookstores!
Citizen Science – Observe the Nature Around You
YOU can contribute to knowledge about your world. Explore the natural world around you – and share what you find! This list starts with books meant for younger folks (but older folks will appreciate them too) and moves into books meant for older folks. You’ll even find some essays, prose, and fiction that may appeal to your Citizen Scientist Brain. Wrap up by registering for a City Nature Challenge workshop at a library branch near you!
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Books for Passover
Purim and Passover, two joyful Jewish holidays, will be celebrated this coming March and April. To help families prepare and get excited, the Jewish Community Library offers a wonderful selection of children’s and adult books exploring the stories, traditions, and themes of these holidays. Below is a list of selected titles to inspire learning, celebration, and meaningful holiday moments.
Reading to Your Newborn
Many new parents hear the advice that they should talk to their newborn, but they don’t know what to say. Read to them! It’s of course a little different than reading to a toddler or an older child who can follow along, or even to an older baby who can touch and play with the book. When my baby was a newborn in the NICU in an isolette, he was definitely not looking at pictures or touching the books. The perfect books for us were ones that were slightly longer, more text-focused, and fun for me to read aloud.
Picture Books to Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month
April is Arab American Heritage Month. These picture books are by Arab American authors and feature Arab and Arab American stories.
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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 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 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.
Join Us for Storytime!
- Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
- Date & Time: Friday, April 03, 10:30am
- Location: College Avenue Branch
- Description: Mother Goose is on the loose! Babies up to 24 months and an adult are invited for stories, songs, fingerplays, and fun! Each session is followed by playtime just for babies.
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Storytime at Nora – Move and Groove
- Date & Time: Saturday, April 04, 10:30am
- Location: Nora Branch
- Description: A story time that incorporates songs and dance, and will help start a great day. Encourages language development and physical activity. For toddlers and preschoolers, and their caregivers
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Paws to Read at Michigan Road
- Date & Time: Saturday, April 04, 2:00pm
- Location: Michigan Road Branch
- Description: Beginning or reluctant readers ages 6-11 are invited to read to a registered therapy dog who loves to listen to stories. Its a great way to improve a child’s reading skills and self-confidence. Register for a 15 minute session online or by calling the branch at 317-275-4370 ext. 4.
- Register Here
- Event: Storytime at Fort Ben – Baby & Toddler
- Date & Time: Monday, April 06, 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.