The featured story from our collection of diverse video read alouds is wonderfully performed by the book’s author, Hannah Lee. My Hair takes a joyful look at the creativity, style, and love expressed in the care and appreciation of hair. My Hair is Hannah’s first book. Here is a video interview in which Hannah talks about what it was like to write My Hair.

The following stories also show creativity, style, and love about many things from purses to food, friends, and hula hoops! Pick one or pick many for an enjoyable afternoon! This listening library is available all day every day (and all night!) for returning to old favorites. “Read it again!” has never been easier!

Just click on a book cover to hear the story! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

Diverse Video Read Alouds:

title - Abiyoyotitle - Ada Twist, Scientisttitle - All Are Welcometitle - As Fast as Words Could Flytitle - Astronaut Annietitle - Be A Makertitle - Big Papa and the Time Machinetitle - Carmela Full of Wishestitle - The Day You Begintitle - Don't Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Tabletitle - Emma and Julia Love Ballettitle - Fry Breadtitle - Game Changerstitle - Grandma's Pursetitle - Hair Lovetitle - Happy in Our Skintitle - The Hula Hoopin' Queentitle - Lost and Found Cattitle - Lotus & Feathertitle - Mama's Bellytitle - Maria Had A Little Llamatitle - Mary Had A Little Glamtitle - My Hairtitle - Overground Railroadtitle - No Mirrors in My Nana's Housetitle - Pedro Goes Buggytitle - Peter's Chairtitle - Pridetitle - Radiant Childtitle - Rent Party Jazztitle - Señorita Mariposatitle - The Snowy Daytitle - The Sound of Silencetitle - Waiting for the BiblioBurrotitle - Welcome to the Partytitle - We're Amazing 1, 2, 3!title - When the Cousins Cametitle - White Socks Onlytitle - The Word Collectortitle - You Matter

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

  • Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 10:30am
  • Location: College Avenue Branch
  • Description: 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: Harp Music & Stories
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 11:00am
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Babies and toddlers will be introduced to the music of a concert harp in this program with Arts for Learning teaching artist Melissa Gallant. Join us to learn that music brings stories to life through feelings and emotions!
  • Register Here
  • Event: Explore STEM + More
  • Date & Time: Saturday, September 23, 1:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Come join Media Learning Specialists in the Learning Curve! Children and their families are welcome to check out some of our technology, toys, and games.
  • No Registration Required.

According to the American Society of Deaf Children (ASDC), “Research shows that reading and signing stories together helps promote essential literacy skills for ALL children: deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing.” This page highlights some favorites! Just click on a book cover to enjoy the video read alouds in American Sign Language. To keep up-to-date on new releases and see a more complete listing, The ASDC maintains a running list of signed stories in their ASL Stories Directory. Use it to quickly find stories by a child’s age or by the book’s title.

Stories that are both Read Aloud and Signed (ASL):

title - Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Daytitle - A Birthday Basket for Tíatitle - Black Is A Rainbow Colortitle - Chester's Waytitle - Click, Clack, Splish, Splashtitle - David Goes to Schooltitle - Un día de nievetitle - The Family Booktitle - Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bedtitle - Good Night, Gorillatitle - Heckedy Pegtitle - Imogene's Antlerstitle - It's Okay to Make Mistakestitle - The Little Red Hentitle - Lola at the Librarytitle - The Snowy Daytitle - La sombrilla grandetitle - Tektitle - Tu mamá es una llama?

Stories Signed (ASL) Only:

title - The Book With No Picturestitle - Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?title - Clifford the Firehouse Dogtitle - D.W. Flipstitle - Dinosaur Roar!title - The Duckling Gets A Cookie!?title - Duncan the Story Dragontitle - I Stink!title - I Went Walkingtitle - If You Plant A Seedtitle - Nita's First Signstitle - Planting A Rainbowtitle - Purplicioustitle - There's An Alligator Under My Bedtitle - Where the Wild Things Are

Where to Find More Video Read Alouds in American Sign Language:

Online and @Home Activities:

Learning a second language is not only good for your brain, it also lets you communicate with a new group of people. American Sign Language (ASL) is spoken by around 1,000,000 people in the United States. Introduce your children to the world of signing with the books in this collection.

Title - Can Bears Ski?Title - Hands & HeartsTitle - Baby SigningTitle - The Sound of All ThingsTitle - The Mitten StringTitle - The William Hoy StoryTitle - Friendship GoalsTitle - Moses Sees A Play

When you are on vacation, running errands or just away from home, free video read alouds are a great way to fill what can be hours of waiting into a lot of fun! These are convenient stories for families on the go. View them on a computer, tablet, or phone. If you have a few minutes you have time for a story! The playlist below includes more than 100 video read alouds from old classics like Where the Wild Things Are to newer favorites like Little Jumbo. Featured readers include actors, performers, celebrities, and oftentimes the author themselves. This listening library is available all day every day (and all night!) for returning to old favorites. “Read it again!” has never been easier!

Also, join us for regular episodes of online storytime! Children 3-6 are invited to a virtual Library visit in Indianapolis! Tune in from home to sing along, listen to a story, see new places, and meet amazing people! Sign up for upcoming sessions or watch our archive.


Click on a book cover to hear a story!

title - Abiyoyotitle - Ada Twist, Scientisttitle - All Are Welcometitle - Are You My Mother?title - Areli Is A Dreamertitle - Arnie the Doughnuttitle - Arthur's New Puppytitle - Being Franktitle - The Case of the Missing Carrot Caketitle - Arthur's Pet Businesstitle - As Fast as Words Could Flytitle - Astronaut Annietitle - Baby Brainstitle - Baby Penguins Everywheretitle - A Bad Case of Stripestitle - Balloons Over Broadwaytitle - Be A Makertitle - Beach Day!title - The Bear Ate your Sandwichtitle - Bear Came Alongtitle - Bear Snores ontitle - Bedtime Bonnettitle - Bee Calmtitle - Before John Was A Jazz Gianttitle - Big Papa and the Time Machinetitle - Bits & Piecestitle - Blank Entrytitle - Bright Eyes, Brown Skintitle - Bright Startitle - Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?title - Carla's Sandwichtitle - Carmela Full of Wishestitle - Charlie the Ranch Dogtitle - Chester's Waytitle - Chicken Soup With Ricetitle - Chicks Rule!title - Blank Entrytitle - Clark the Sharktitle - The Coal Thieftitle - Cock-a-doodle Oops!title - The Crayon Mantitle - Dad and Me in the Morningtitle - Danbi Leads the School Paradetitle - The Day You Begintitle - Don't Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Tabletitle - Blank Entrytitle - Duck! Rabbit!title - Eat Pete!title - Edmund Unravelstitle - Elbow Greasetitle - Emma and Julia Love Ballettitle - The Empty Pottitle - Enemy Pietitle - Bonjour, Butterflytitle - Farmer Ducktitle - Fry Breadtitle - The Fuzzy Ducklingtitle - Game Changerstitle - The Gingerbread Mantitle - The Giving Treetitle - Goldilicioustitle - The Goodbye Booktitle - Goodnight, Daniel Tigertitle - Goodnight, Numberstitle - Grandma's Pursetitle - A Greyhound, A Groundhogtitle - Grumpy Monkey up All Nighttitle - Guji Gujititle - Hair Lovetitle - Happy in Our Skintitle - Harry, the Dirty Dogtitle - Hatch!title - Hello Lighthousetitle - Hello Neighbor!title - Here Comes Teacher Cattitle - Here Comes the Garbage Barge!title - Here We Aretitle - Hey, That's My Monster!title - Hey, Who Made This Mess?title - Hildie Bitterpickles Needs Her Sleeptitle - Hooray for Fish!title - Hoot & Honk Just Can't Sleeptitle - Hoot and Peeptitle - The House That Jane Builttitle - How Do Penguins Play?title - How I Learned Geographytitle - How I Met My Monstertitle - How to Cheer up Dadtitle - How to Get your Teacher Readytitle - The Hula Hoopin' Queentitle - I Am Harriet Tubmantitle - Blank Entrytitle - I Am Peacetitle - I Can Flytitle - I Need My Monstertitle - If I Ran for Presidenttitle - I'm A Ballerina!title - I'm A Trucktitle - I'm Going to Give You A Bear Hug!title - Imani's Moontitle - Blank Entrytitle - It's Okay to Make Mistakestitle - Joan Procter, Dragon Doctortitle - Kate, Who Tamed the Windtitle - Blank Entrytitle - The Kissing Handtitle - Knots on A Counting Ropetitle - Ladybug Girl at the Beachtitle - Blank Entrytitle - Library Liontitle - Lion Lessonstitle - Little Elliot, Big Citytitle - The Little Engine That Couldtitle - Little Excavatortitle - Little Owl's Snowtitle - Little Treetitle - Llama Llama Mad at Mamatitle - Love You, Hug You, Read to You!title - Llama Llama Loves to Readtitle - Llama Llama Misses Mamatitle - The Loraxtitle - Lost and Found Cattitle - Lost for Wordstitle - Lotus & Feathertitle - Louise Loves Arttitle - Maddi's Fridgetitle - Madelinetitle - Mama's Bellytitle - Maria Had A Little Llamatitle - Marlotitle - Martí's Song for Freedomtitle - Mary Had A Little Glamtitle - Max and Marlatitle - Milk Goes to Schooltitle - Millions of Catstitle - Miss Maple's Seedstitle - The Mittentitle - Miss Rumphiustitle - Molly of Denalititle - Blank Entrytitle - Monster Needs A Partytitle - A Moon of My Owntitle - My Brother Charlietitle - My Friend Maggietitle - My Hairtitle - My Rotten Redheaded Older Brothertitle - The Mysteries of the Universe

For more help keeping children hearing and enjoying great stories you can find even MORE Free Video Read Alouds or try IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home. Because reading aloud to kids—even after they know how to read independently—benefits kids of all ages. Video read alouds are a great tool to help create a culture of reading. They don’t replace reading aloud together in-person, but they are a fun alternative and supply key early literacy benefits.

Click on a book cover below to hear a story read aloud! Featured readers include actors, performers, celebrities, and oftentimes the author themselves. This listening library is available all day every day (and all night!) for returning to old favorites. “Read it again!” has never been easier! Don’t miss the first 100 at Free Video Read Alouds or Video Read Alouds for Kids in American Sign Language (ASL). When you are on vacation, running errands or just away from home, read along stories are a great way to fill what can be hours of waiting into a lot of fun! It’s story time online! View these stories on a computer, tablet, or phone. If you have a few minutes you have time for a story!

For more ideas to help keep children hearing and enjoying great stories try our online storytimes to enjoy even more free video read alouds. Because reading aloud to kids—even after they know how to read independently—benefits kids of all ages. Video read alouds are a great tool to help create a culture of reading. They don’t replace reading aloud together in-person, but they are a fun alternative and supply key early literacy benefits.

title - Blank Entrytitle - Marlotitle - Max and Marlatitle - The Mysteries of the Universetitle - The Night I Followed the Dogtitle - Niño Wrestles the Worldtitle - Pete the Cat and the New Guytitle - Peter's Chairtitle - Please Please the Beestitle - No, David!title - Noah's Arktitle - No Mirrors in My Nana's Housetitle - No More Noisy Nightstitle - Max and the Won't Go to Bed Showtitle - Max Explains Everythingtitle - Me and My Cat?title - The Not So Quiet Librarytitle - Oh, the Places You'll Go!title - The Oldest Studenttitle - Oliviatitle - Once A Mousetitle - Overground Railroadtitle - Owl Babiestitle - Paolotitle - Pedro Goes Buggytitle - Peg + Cattitle - Mice Twicetitle - Muddy, Mud, Budtitle - My Awesome Summer, by P. Mantistitle - No Fits, Nilson!title - No Kimchi for Metitle - The Penguin Problemtitle - Peg + Cattitle - Pridetitle - The Princess and the Peatitle - Princess Penelope and the Runaway Kittentitle - Purplicioustitle - Quackensteintitle - R Is for Rockettitle - Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglassestitle - Penguintitle - Piper Green and the Fairy Treetitle - Radiant Childtitle - The Rainbow Fishtitle - The Poky Little Puppytitle - Read the Book, Lemmings!title - Remember to Dream, Eberetitle - Rent Party Jazztitle - Rocket Says Look Up!title - Romeow & Drooliettitle - Scribbles and Inktitle - Seaver the Weavertitle - Sebastian's Roller Skatestitle - Señorita Mariposatitle - Sheep Dog and Sheep Sheeptitle - Silly Suzy Goosetitle - Silverlicioustitle - Sisters Firsttitle - Six Little Chickstitle - Smash! Crash!title - The Snowy Daytitle - Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatchtitle - Sophie's Masterpiecetitle - The Sound of Silencetitle - Splish, Splash, Splat!title - Star Warstitle - Stellalunatitle - Stone Souptitle - The Straytitle - Strega Nonatitle - The Story of Ferdinandtitle - Sunny Daytitle - Supertrucktitle - The Tale of Peter Rabbittitle - Tawny Scrawny Liontitle - Tektitle - Ten Magic Butterfliestitle - Thank You, Mr. Falkertitle - That Is My Dream!title - There Was An Old Dragon Who Swallowed A Knighttitle - There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Flytitle - There's An Alligator Under My Bedtitle - Tea With Olivertitle - This Way, Charlietitle - Too Much! Not Enough!title - The True Story of the 3 Little Pigstitle - Uni the Unicorntitle - Velma Gratch & the Way Cool Butterflytitle - The Very Hungry Caterpillartitle - Viva Fridatitle - Waiting for the BiblioBurrotitle - We Are Water Protectorstitle - Welcome to the Partytitle - We're Amazing 1, 2, 3!title - We're Going on A Bear Hunttitle - What Would You Wish For?title - When A Dragon Moves intitle - When Pigasso Met Mootissetitle - When the Cousins Cametitle - Where the Wild Things Aretitle - Where's My Teddy?title - Where's Walrus?title - White Socks Onlytitle - Who Wet My Pants?title - Wild Dogs and Canines!title - Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridgetitle - With Any Luck, I'll Drive A Trucktitle - Wolfie the Bunnytitle - The Word Collectortitle - You Mattertitle - You're All My Favorites

In The King of Kindergarten a little boy’s parents encourage him and fill him with confidence in the time leading up to his first day of school. He can be the King of it, even if he doesn’t know everything yet! “It sounds like a lot, but you’re the King of Kindergarten. Piece. Of. Cake.” This joyful attitude about how to welcome new experiences helps him have a great first day of kindergarten! The parents in The King of Kindergarten helped by passing on the excitement of learning and the perspective that even if something is difficult at first – there will be a classroom of friends and a teacher to learn with. Learning will be fun! You can listen to The King of Kindergarten right now, read by Alvin Irby from Barbershop Books. Its starting school storytime online!

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

  • What did the boy eat for breakfast? What is your favorite breakfast?
  • What did the boy in the story do that was very brave?
  • How was the boy going to get to school?
  • What did the father use to measure how tall the boy was?

Read!

Another great idea to get ready for the first day of school is reading books about other kids and favorite characters who are ALSO worried about the first day of school. Stories featuring the Berenstain Bears, Amelia Bedelia, Curious George and more can help your child practice what it might feel like to be anxious about school and learn great strategies for having fun instead!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about starting school at any of our locations, or check out e-books and audiobooks about starting school from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more video read aloud stories about starting school right now! It’s starting school storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

title - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entry

Back to School Books to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

List Cover Images - Back to School is definitely here! Getting back into school goes hand in hand with eating healthy. As the learning is taking place ; it is important to have good nutrition.

Sing!

This sing-a-long will help you get excited to go to school! Watch Marshall, Skye, Chase, Blaze, Shimmer and Shine, Molly, Gil, Bot, and Geo reimagined as fuzzy felt friends singing about school.

Play!

Here are nine classic preschool games your new student is bound to play at school. Give them a heads up by pre-playing some of these crowd pleasers together!

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

  • Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 10:30am
  • Location: College Avenue Branch
  • Description: 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: Harp Music & Stories
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 11:00am
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Babies and toddlers will be introduced to the music of a concert harp in this program with Arts for Learning teaching artist Melissa Gallant. Join us to learn that music brings stories to life through feelings and emotions!
  • Register Here
  • Event: Explore STEM + More
  • Date & Time: Saturday, September 23, 1:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Come join Media Learning Specialists in the Learning Curve! Children and their families are welcome to check out some of our technology, toys, and games.
  • No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Gardening is a great opportunity to practice some planning and organization. Tune in online for a a Gardening Storytime – a great way to read up on beginning gardening projects for kids. When the weather is right, you will be glad you did! For kids, gardening offers a way to get messy and watch the payoff for their hard work, in the form of growing veggies and beautiful flowers. You can say, “Hey! I grew the thing! Look at the thing that I grew! Isn’t it pretty?” Imagine the Instagram fun! And maybe enjoy a little reading too!

Making a connection between gardening and food is an important skill for small children. Where does food come from BEFORE it is in the grocery store? We can help you get started learning about where food comes from. Gardening can supplement any family learning from home opportunities. Get started with Plant the Tiny Seed, by Christie Matheson.

Talk!

After listening to the gardening storytime, talk about some of the things that happened in the story.

  • Have you ever planted any seeds? Did the seed you planted grow? If they did, what did the seeds grow into?
  • Can you name any seeds that we eat?
  • Can you name the main parts of a plant?
  • How do bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds help plants?

Read!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about gardens at any of our locations, or check out gardening e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more video read aloud stories about gardening right now! It’s garden storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

title - Blank Entrytitle - Miss Maple's Seedstitle - Miss Rumphiustitle - Blank Entrytitle - La señorita Runfio

Gardening Books for Kids to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

List Cover Images - How Does Your Garden GrowThis list contains stories and information books all about growing your own garden and then using what you grow…to eat!

Sing!

Watch how cooperation makes garden grow and sing along, “Together we can make a pretty garden grow!”

Write!

Find some crayons or makers to color a picture, practice writing the letters, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

Play!

Take a walk and read a story, it’s gardening storytime on the go! We invite you to visit StoryWalk® in Ruckle Street Park at 3025 Ruckle Street. Stroll through the park and read a book displayed in mounted frames. Or Skip. Or gallop!

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

  • Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 10:30am
  • Location: College Avenue Branch
  • Description: 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: Harp Music & Stories
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 11:00am
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Babies and toddlers will be introduced to the music of a concert harp in this program with Arts for Learning teaching artist Melissa Gallant. Join us to learn that music brings stories to life through feelings and emotions!
  • Register Here
  • Event: Explore STEM + More
  • Date & Time: Saturday, September 23, 1:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Come join Media Learning Specialists in the Learning Curve! Children and their families are welcome to check out some of our technology, toys, and games.
  • No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Children Ages 0 to 5 Vote!

The Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award is given by the Indiana Center for the Book. Every year children listen to the nominees and vote for their favorite. Watch a video read aloud of each of the five nominated books even though voting this concluded on July 31, 2023.

Add to the fun with activities prepared by Indiana Center for the Book and the Indiana State Library as well as this Indiana Early Literacy Firefly Award activity sheet.

Nominations for 2023-2024

Nominations are currently being accepted from for the 2023-2024 Award! This is YOUR CHANCE to influence what books appear on the ballot. See more details on criteria for nominating at the Firefly Award

Research shows that reading aloud to young children can significantly improve their chance for success in kindergarten and beyond. You can also help kids enjoy books and stories by joining 1000 Books Before Kindergarten. Caregivers log books and receive incentives for reading outloud to kids. At 1000 books, every child receives a hardback picture book. Or check out a Bunny Book Bag, grab-and-go bag of 15-20 books for caregivers on the move. Are you in the mood from some stories right now? Enjoy online storytime at The Library!

2023 Nominees to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

Your children can help choose the Firefly Award winner. Read all five books and have them pick their favorite one. Go to the online ballot in this list to submit their choice. The last day to vote is July 31, 2023. Every child in Indiana, ages 0 to 5, can vote once for the award. You can also print a paper ballot and turn it in to a library branch. #indyplkids

Title - A Good PlaceTitle - Bathe the CatTitle - Mel FellTitle - Paletero Man

Reading Ready is an Indianapolis Public Library early learning initiative that encourages the five practices that help children get ready to learn how to read: reading, singing, writing, talking, and playing.

Storytime with Dad is a great way to spend part of Father’s Day! Listen together to Hair Love, a story about a daddy daughter duo who work together to come up with the perfect hair style for a special day. They don’t know at first exactly which hair style will work, but as they try each one, they know which ones won’t! Follow along as they keep their cool and don’t get discouraged as they try and try again. You will also find below more free online read alouds, e-books, and online activities. It’s Father’s Day Storytime Online! Don’t miss our list of favorite books to check out for Father’s Day!

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

  • Why was Zuri so excited about her day? Why was it important to her to have her hair done?
  • How would you have felt if you couldn’t get your hair ready for a special event?
  • Have you ever had a hard time combing your hair? How did you feel when you were struggling with it? Did you ask for help?
  • Why does Zuri look at her ipad?
  • What ae some of the things that Zuri and her dad did do to figure out how to style her hair?
  • How did Zuri feel when her mother saw what they had done.

Read!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about Father’s Day at any of our locations, or check out Father’s Day e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device. If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more Father’s Day video read aloud stories right now! It’s Father’s Day storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

title - And Tango Makes Threetitle - Big Papa and the Time Machinetitle - Brick by Bricktitle - Blank Entrytitle - Hair Lovetitle - How to Cheer up Dadtitle - I [heart] Dad With the Very Hungry Caterpillartitle - Jabari Jumpstitle - You Made Me A Dadtitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entry

The Best Dads in Picture Books to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

List Cover Images - The Best Dads in Picture BooksThey teach, play, protect, tease, feed, and adventure from dawn to dark. These picture book dads show how it’s done from sweet to ornery to laugh out loud! They are great fun for Father’s Day and every day!

Sing!

Enjoy this sing along from Miss Linky. “Dads are special and they deserve some love on Father’s Day. Sing this song for your daddy and practice the moves to let your him know that he means the world to you!”

Write!

Find some crayons or makers to color a picture, practice writing the letters, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

Play!

Take a walk with your dad and read a story as you go! We invite you to visit StoryWalk® in Ruckle Street Park at 3025 Ruckle Street. Stroll through the park and read a book displayed in mounted frames.

Find Ways to Play with Dad! searchable activities database from PBS Kids Results include printable activities, crafts made with things found around the house, online games, recipes, experiments, and more. You can search by age, favorite PBS kids show character, or by keyword.

Join Us for In-Person Storytime

  • Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 10:30am
  • Location: College Avenue Branch
  • Description: 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: Harp Music & Stories
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 11:00am
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Babies and toddlers will be introduced to the music of a concert harp in this program with Arts for Learning teaching artist Melissa Gallant. Join us to learn that music brings stories to life through feelings and emotions!
  • Register Here
  • Event: Explore STEM + More
  • Date & Time: Saturday, September 23, 1:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Come join Media Learning Specialists in the Learning Curve! Children and their families are welcome to check out some of our technology, toys, and games.
  • No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

In Mommy’s Khimar, a young girl’s mother has a closet full of beautiful flowing scarves called khimars. A khimar is a veil or scarf worn in public by some Muslim women. The little girl in the story likes to play dress-up with her mom’s beautiful khimars. While dressed in them she uses her imagination to be a queen, a superhero, and her mom! She feels her mother’s love in each scarf as it covers her. You can listen to this story below read aloud by the author, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow. Enjoy Mother’s Day storytime online!

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

  • If you look at the page that shows mommy’s closet full of khimars, which one is your favorite?
  • Which khimar is the little girl’s favorite?
  • Do you like to play pretend? What kinds of things do you like to pretend to be?

Read!

Below are several more stories about amazing mothers. Each is a video read aloud, just click on a book cover to hear more Mother’s Day storytime online!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about Mother’s Day at any of our locations, or check out e-books and audiobooks about Mother’s Day from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more video read aloud stories about Mother’s Day right now! It’s Mother’s Day storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

title - Are You My Mother?title - Heather Has Two Mommiestitle - I've Loved You Since Forevertitle - Just Me and My Momtitle - Llama Llama Misses Mamatitle - Make Way for Ducklingstitle - Mama's Bellytitle - Mommy's Khimartitle - Owl Babiestitle - Soccer With Momtitle - Stelalunatitle - Welcome to the Partytitle - You're All My Favoritestitle - Blank Entrytitle - Blank Entry

Books for Kids that Celebrate Amazing Mamas to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

List Cover Images - Books for Kids that Celebrate Amazing MamasFrom poignant to laugh-out-loud these picture book tributes to all kind of moms leave no doubt as to the true definition of unconditional love – mamas themselves. Perfect stories for Mother’s Day and every day.

Sing!

Enjoy this sing along from The Laurie Berkner Band. “Everyone knows there’s nothing quite like a hug from their mom. In this sweet and cheery tune, Laurie Berkner lets kids in on the secret that for all the mothers, mamas, mommies, and moms out there, there’s nothing quite like a hug from their children, either!”

Write!

Find some crayons or makers to color a picture, practice writing the letters, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

Play!

Take a walk and read a story as you go! We invite you to visit StoryWalk® in Ruckle Street Park at 3025 Ruckle Street. Stroll through the park and read a book displayed in mounted frames.

Try the Are You My Mother? online memory match game. Try it set to easy, medium, or hard. Find more fun activities and home made gift ideas on the IndyPL Pinterest Board full of Mother’s Day Ideas.

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

  • Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 10:30am
  • Location: College Avenue Branch
  • Description: 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: Harp Music & Stories
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 11:00am
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Babies and toddlers will be introduced to the music of a concert harp in this program with Arts for Learning teaching artist Melissa Gallant. Join us to learn that music brings stories to life through feelings and emotions!
  • Register Here
  • Event: Explore STEM + More
  • Date & Time: Saturday, September 23, 1:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Come join Media Learning Specialists in the Learning Curve! Children and their families are welcome to check out some of our technology, toys, and games.
  • No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Picture book read along stories play like a movie and are great for listening practice as well as really fun! You can stream picture book videos free with your IndyPL library card. Illustrations move as you watch the narrated stories. Video picture books are especially convenient for car trips. You can check out several at a time and play them multiple times while you have them checked out. They are perfect for “read it again!”

To stream these videos for kids you will need a Hoopla account. Hoopla is the service the Library uses to deliver these videos to you.

Get Started Streaming Picture Book Videos on Hoopla

Here are a few favorites to get you started, or see Hoopla’s complete list of picture book videos for kids.

Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

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Meet Pete, he’s one cool cat! Pete plays baseball, scuba dives, and loves rocking on his guitar. This groovy feline also dresses well! Who wouldn’t want to borrow Pete’s tennis shoes or magic sunglasses?

You can listen to the video read aloud Pete the Cat and the New Guy right now! Watch the story below and then take a look at the fun activities and links to more books you can check out with your IndyPL Library card!

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

  • How did the new guy feel at the beginning of the story?
  • Can you describe how Pete feels about meeting the new guy?
  • What does Pete do to help Gus feel included?
  • Name two things you could do to help a new friend feel included.
  • Do you think you can be friends with people who like different things than you do?

Read!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out Pete the Cat books at any of our locations, or check out Pete the Cat e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more alphabet video read aloud stories right now! It’s alphabet storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

title - Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttonstitle - Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglassestitle - Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakestitle - Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party

Pete the Cat Books to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

List Cover Images - If You Like Pete the CatHere is a selection of books for kids featuring personality plus cats (and one dog!) just as cool and groovy as Pete! “If you want to be cool, just be you!” ~ Pete

Sing!

Get groovy and sing along with Pete!

Write!

Find some crayons or makers to color a picture, practice writing the letters, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

Play!

Take a walk and read a story as you go! We invite you to visit StoryWalk® in Ruckle Street Park at 3025 Ruckle Street. Stroll through the park and read a book displayed in mounted frames. Try skipping! Or gallop! See if you can do Pete’s Cool Cat Boogie Dance Along!

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

  • Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 10:30am
  • Location: College Avenue Branch
  • Description: 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: Harp Music & Stories
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 11:00am
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Babies and toddlers will be introduced to the music of a concert harp in this program with Arts for Learning teaching artist Melissa Gallant. Join us to learn that music brings stories to life through feelings and emotions!
  • Register Here
  • Event: Explore STEM + More
  • Date & Time: Saturday, September 23, 1:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Come join Media Learning Specialists in the Learning Curve! Children and their families are welcome to check out some of our technology, toys, and games.
  • No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Passover is an eight day festival that commemorates the freeing of Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. During Passover, families retell the Passover story and eat symbolic food from a Passover Seder plate. To learn more about the Seder plate, watch this video prepared especially for kids by the PJ Library, an organization that helps children learn about the Jewish experience through storytelling and other educational materials. Then read on for more Passover storytime online!

Our featured video read aloud story about Passover is called Welcoming Elijah a Passover Tale With a Tail by Lesléa Newman, winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award in 2021 for excellence in Jewish children’s literature. When the story opens a family has begun their Passover Seder and have gathered around their dinner table. While they prepare to welcome Elijah indoors, a hungry stray kitten waits outside in the cold.

The story is read aloud by the author. In the opening minutes she explains all the special foods that are eaten during Passover from the Seder plate. She begins reading the story at the five minute mark.

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

  • Can you name one of the foods that is put on the seder plate?
  • What did the family dip in salt water?
  • Whose cup is on the table?
  • Why does the boy open the door? What is waiting when the door is opened?

Read!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about Passover at any of our locations, or check out Passover e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more Passover video read aloud stories right now! It’s Passover storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

title - The Passover Guesttitle - Welcoming Elijah

Passover Books for Children to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

List Cover Images - Passover for ChildrenThe Jewish holiday Passover centers around the Seder, a ritual meal at which the family gathers to retell the biblical story of how, in ancient times, the Jewish people escaped slavery in Egypt. This list includes fiction and non-fiction books and online information for children to learn about the meaning of the holiday and the symbolic, but fun Seder meal.

Sing!

Learn the words to this silly classic Passover song featuring Jason Mesches. Listen to more Passover songs like it here.

Write!

Find some crayons or markers to draw the foods you might find on a Seder plate, or draw a scene from the Passover story.

Play!

Here are some ideas for making Passover crafts and projects for kids. From the Jewish Children’s Museum of New York try making your own Afikoman bag, craft a beautiful Elijah cup, or try the printable card game: Who Knows About Passover?

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

  • Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 10:30am
  • Location: College Avenue Branch
  • Description: 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: Harp Music & Stories
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 11:00am
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Babies and toddlers will be introduced to the music of a concert harp in this program with Arts for Learning teaching artist Melissa Gallant. Join us to learn that music brings stories to life through feelings and emotions!
  • Register Here
  • Event: Explore STEM + More
  • Date & Time: Saturday, September 23, 1:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Come join Media Learning Specialists in the Learning Curve! Children and their families are welcome to check out some of our technology, toys, and games.
  • No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

In, The Easter Egg, Hoppi’s friends and neighbors are all working on creating eggs for an Easter contest. Each friend he visits is making a different kind of egg. It is fun to see the different ways Hoppi’s friends are making eggs. Some are predictable like the egg made of chocolate, but others are surprising, like an egg made of wood and a mechanical egg that has moving parts. Hoppi wants to make an egg to enter in the contest, but he gets sidetracked by kindness and becomes an Easter hero instead…at least mama Robin thinks so! You can listen to Hoppi’s story right now! It’s Easter storytime online!

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

  • What color was the egg Hoppi found?
  • Where do you think the egg was before Hoppi found it?
  • What was your favorite part of Hoppi’s story? Why?
  • Would you want to help hide Easter eggs?

Read!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about Easter at any of our locations, or check out Easter e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device. If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more Easter video read aloud stories right now! It’s Easter storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

title - Blank Entrytitle - The Easter Eggtitle - Eggtitle - The Fuzzy Ducklingtitle - The Golden Egg Booktitle - Hatch!title - Home for A Bunnytitle - It's Easter, Little Critter!title - Rechenka's Eggstitle - The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Easter Favorites for Kids to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

List Cover Images - Easter Favorites for KidsEnjoy these e-book and audiobook favorites for kids that highlight Easter traditions from family dinners, reading a child’s version of the Easter story in the Bible, or attending Easter services to dyeing and hiding Easter eggs.

Sing!

In this version of the traditional lullaby “Hush Little Baby” a father rabbit comforts his little baby bunny and keeps it safe. Listen to the music and sing along as the words appear on the screen. A tiny bunny hops along the words to help you with the rhythm. Based on the book Hush Little Bunny by David Ezra Stein.

Now singalong as Raffi sings “Five Little Ducks.” Would you like to make the sound of the mother duck? Raffi will sing “Mother duck says….” and you make the sound for him!

Write!

Find some crayons or markers to color an Easter picture, practice writing the letters in Easter words, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

Play!

Here are six play ideas about rabbits from Kevin Henkes, the author of Little White Rabbit and Egg. Scroll to the section Moving, Making, and Playing for several ideas to get your little bunny jumping.

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

  • Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 10:30am
  • Location: College Avenue Branch
  • Description: 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: Harp Music & Stories
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 11:00am
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Babies and toddlers will be introduced to the music of a concert harp in this program with Arts for Learning teaching artist Melissa Gallant. Join us to learn that music brings stories to life through feelings and emotions!
  • Register Here
  • Event: Explore STEM + More
  • Date & Time: Saturday, September 23, 1:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Come join Media Learning Specialists in the Learning Curve! Children and their families are welcome to check out some of our technology, toys, and games.
  • No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

In Dylan the Villain, by K.G. Campbell, Mr. and Mrs. Snivels welcome home a new baby, but Dylan isn’t just any baby, he’s the best and the cleverest baby. Dylan is also a super villain! He has a scary costume and a maniacal laugh. When Dylan goes to school for the first time he meets Addison Van Malice. Addison’s costume is even scarier and her laugh is even more maniacal than his! When the teacher announces a robot contest, the competition between these two pint sized super villains really heats up. Listen along as Miss Linda from Brightly Storytime reads this laugh-out loud story of one-ups-manship with super-sized consequences – it’s superhero online storytime!

Talk!

After reading the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

  • What did Dylan and the other students need to build to enter the class contest?
  • What are some of the things Dylan built into his robot? What are some of the things Addison built into her robot?
  • What happened to Addison?
  • What happened to Dylan after he won the trophy?

Read!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about superheroes at any of our locations, or check out superhero e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more superhero video read aloud stories right now! It’s superhero storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

title - Niño Wrestles the Worldtitle - Blank Entry

Books for Kids Who Love Superheroes to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

List Cover Images - First Books for Kids Who Love SuperheroesHave fun introducing your child to your favorite comic book characters in these early reader, picture book, and graphic novel versions of superhero stories for kids. Plus meet some new ones: Kung Fu Robot, Action Cat, and Robot Zot.

Sing!

“S” is Superman’s favorite letter! “S” starts the word Superman, but also starts words like superhero and save! Can you think of any other “S” words?

Write!

Find some crayons or makers to color a picture, practice writing the letters, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

Play!

Play the classic game Hot Potato, but use a rock and call the game “Pass the Kryptonite!”

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

  • Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 10:30am
  • Location: College Avenue Branch
  • Description: 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: Harp Music & Stories
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 11:00am
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Babies and toddlers will be introduced to the music of a concert harp in this program with Arts for Learning teaching artist Melissa Gallant. Join us to learn that music brings stories to life through feelings and emotions!
  • Register Here
  • Event: Explore STEM + More
  • Date & Time: Saturday, September 23, 1:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Come join Media Learning Specialists in the Learning Curve! Children and their families are welcome to check out some of our technology, toys, and games.
  • No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

There are several organizations and publishers that regularly share stories on free video read aloud channels. Readers range from celebrities to astronauts to the authors themselves. These channels are a great way to enjoy online storytime if you are unable to join us at the Library. These are tories for families on the go! Listen along to old classics like Where the Wild Things Are or newer favorites like Jabari Jumps. If you have a few minutes you have time for a story! Browse IndyPl’s collection of online storytime.

Barbershop Books

To ensure young children have academically enriching, culturally responsive, and fun reading experiences, Barbershop Books leads weekly online storytime on Facebook and YoutTube.

Brightly Storytime

Listen along as Ms. Linda reads some of your favorite illustrated children’s stories, including The Snowy DayThe Princess and the Pea, and Uni the Unicorn on Brightly Storytime. Bite-sized listening anytime you and your little one have a few minutes to spare for a great story. In addition to the Youtube channel you can watch Brightly stories on Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsStitcherSpotify, and Anchor

Storytime from Space

Two libraries of free, family-friendly science videos are Storytime from Space and Science Time from Space. Watch astronauts on the Space Station read books and perform science demonstrations!

KidLit TV


Great Books Read Aloud on Kid Lit TV! Enjoy story time with authors at KLTV HQ! KidLit TV is a winner of the Parents’ Choice Gold Award, the Norton Juster Award for Devotion to Literacy, and one of the American Library Association’s Great Websites For Kids. Also available on Youtube.

Storytime Online

The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online, streams videos featuring actors reading children’s books. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more. Each story comes with a printable activity guide.

American Sign Language (ASL) Storytelling

American Sign Language (ASL) Storytelling 20+ signed video read alouds from the Educational Resource Center on Deafness. Stories include the classic favorites: The Snowy DayHeckedy Peg, Is Your Mama a LlamaThe Little Red Hen and more.

Brightly Storytime Flip-Alongs

Watch the pages turn as the story is read aloud on Brightly Storytime Flip-Alongs. Stories include I’m a TruckMy First Counting BookThe Color KittensColors Are Nice, and Madeline. A new story is released every week!

Unite for Literacy

Unite for Literacy is a collection of e-books that celebrate the languages and cultures and cultivate a life-long love of reading. These picture books include audio narration options in more than languages. The books are available on any device – computer, tablet or smartphone.

More free video read aloud channels:

Dr. Seuss characters and their stories have consistently been storytime favorites for kids all over the world. Snuggle up and listen to this video reading of the Seuss classic, The Lorax, read by Miss Linda from Brightly Storytime.  The Lorax is a timely fable about what happens when greed overtakes respect for nature. Several more stories you can enjoy online follow, it’s Dr. Seuss Online Storytime!

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

  • Who does the Lorax say he speak for? “I speak for …”
  • What were some of the animals that lived in the Truffula tree forest?
  • Do you remember what the Once-ler make with the Truffula tufts?
  • Picture in your mind a place you know that has trees, like your school’s playground, or a park, or your backyard. What would it look like if all the trees were cut down? What would you miss if the trees were gone?
  • What problems did the thneed factory cause?
  • What does the Once-ler give at the end of the story? Why did he give it?

Read!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out Dr. Seuss books at any of our locations, or check out Dr. Seuss e-books and audiobooks from Overdrive Kids right to your device. If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more Dr. Seuss video read aloud stories right now! It’s Dr. Seuss storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

title - Dr. Seuss's ABCtitle - The Cat in the Hattitle - Blank Entrytitle - Dr. Seuss's Spooky Thingstitle - Hop on Poptitle - Horton Hears A Who!title - How the Grinch Stole Christmastitle - The Loraxtitle - Oh, the Places You'll Go!title - One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fishtitle - Yertle The Turtle, And Other Stories

Dr. Suess Classics for a Rainy Day (or any day!) Marathon to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

List Cover Images -
“The sun did not shine, it was too wet to play, so we sat in the house all that cold, cold wet day.” Turn those frowns upside down with one of these sure winners from the king of zany rhyming. Available as e-books and e-audiobooks.

Sing!

Enjoy this sing along from Seussville’s YouTube channel. Is your tongue quick? Is your tongue slick? Now here’s as easy game to play, here’s an easy thing to say! Can you do it?

Write!

Find a pencil or pen, some crayons or markers to color a school picture, practice writing the letters, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

Play!

Take a walk and read a story as you go! We invite you to visit StoryWalk® in Ruckle Street Park at 3025 Ruckle Street. Stroll through the park and read a book displayed in mounted frames. You can even skip or gallop! Or plan a Dr. Seuss Field Day with outdoor sports, activities, and games straight out of Dr. Seuss’s books!

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

  • Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 10:30am
  • Location: College Avenue Branch
  • Description: 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: Harp Music & Stories
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 11:00am
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Babies and toddlers will be introduced to the music of a concert harp in this program with Arts for Learning teaching artist Melissa Gallant. Join us to learn that music brings stories to life through feelings and emotions!
  • Register Here
  • Event: Explore STEM + More
  • Date & Time: Saturday, September 23, 1:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Come join Media Learning Specialists in the Learning Curve! Children and their families are welcome to check out some of our technology, toys, and games.
  • No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Kids love dogs. Our librarians do too! When asked which book dogs are their favorite for storytime, Harry the Dirty Dog and Bark, George won by a landslide! Harry is the story of a pooch who doesn’t want to take a bath. George is about a puppy whose mother can’t seem to teach him how to bark. “Meow,” says George! Watch the video of Betty White reading Harry the Dirty Dog right now! It’s Dog storytime online!

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

  • What does Harry look like?
  • What does Harry do to avoid taking a bath?
  • Why does Harry decide to leave home?
  • What did Harry do to show his family who he was?

Read!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about dogs at any of our locations, or check out Dog e-books and audiobooks from Overdrive Kids right to your device. If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more video read aloud stories starring dogs right now! It’s dog storytime online! Did you like these? You can find even more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and IndyPL’s DIY Storytimes at Home.

title - Charlie the Ranch Dogtitle - Blank Entrytitle - A Greyhound, A Groundhogtitle - The Night I Followed the Dogtitle - The Poky Little Puppytitle - R Is for Rockettitle - Some Dogs Do

Picture Books for Kids in Puppy Love to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

List Cover Images - IndyPL Librarian Picks: Picture Books for Kids in Puppy LoveKids love dogs. Our librarians do too! When asked which book dogs are their favorite for story time, Harry the Dirty Dog and Bark, George won by a landslide! Here are some suggestions from them for little readers who can’t get enough puppy love. E-books and downloadable audiobooks are available.

Sing!

Are you ready for a PAW Patrol sing along? PAW patrol is on a roll with this compilation of PAW Patrol nursery rhymes!

Play!

Take a walk and read a story as you go! We invite you to visit StoryWalk® in Ruckle Street Park at 3025 Ruckle Street. Stroll through the park and read a book displayed in mounted frames. Or Skip. Or gallop!

Set up an outdoor hunt, but instead of Easter eggs, hunt for dog bones! Or, instead of “Simon Says” play “The Dog Trainer Says” so kids can sit, bark, stay, and fetch – just like their favorite dog storybook characters!

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

  • Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 10:30am
  • Location: College Avenue Branch
  • Description: 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: Harp Music & Stories
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 11:00am
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Babies and toddlers will be introduced to the music of a concert harp in this program with Arts for Learning teaching artist Melissa Gallant. Join us to learn that music brings stories to life through feelings and emotions!
  • Register Here
  • Event: Explore STEM + More
  • Date & Time: Saturday, September 23, 1:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Come join Media Learning Specialists in the Learning Curve! Children and their families are welcome to check out some of our technology, toys, and games.
  • No Registration Required.

Need Help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.

Naming the letters of the alphabet and knowing the sounds each letter makes is a critical pre-reading skill. Did you know that singing the alphabet song and books that say things like “a is for apple” are only the beginning? There are several picture books that make practicing the alphabet fun! One of them is R is for Rocket, by Tad Hills. Listen along with Tad as Rocket the dog, Bella the squirrel, Owl, and other friends read about alphabet letters and the sounds they make. From acorns to angry alligators, it’s alphabet storytime online, you can listen along right now!

Talk!

After listening to the story, talk about some of the things that happened in it.

  • What are the names of some of Rocket’s friends?
  • What is your favorite letter of the alphabet? Think of a word that starts with that letter and draw a picture of it.
  • R is for Rocket. Make a list of all the words you can think of that begin with the letter “R.”

Read!

Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books about the alphabet at any of our locations, or check out alphabet e-books and audiobooks from OverDrive Kids right to your device! If you have never used OverDrive before, you can learn how to use it for both e-books and audiobooks.

Click on the book covers below to listen to more alphabet video read aloud stories right now! It’s alphabet storytime online! Did you like these? You can find more stories at Free Video Read Alouds and enjoy even more themed reading and activity fun at IndyPL’s DIY Online Storytimes at Home.

title - Animalphabettitle - Chicka Chicka Boom Boomtitle - Blank Entrytitle - R Is for Rocket

Extraordinary Alphabet Stories to Check Out with your IndyPL Library Card

List Cover Images - Extraordinary Alphabet StoriesThese are not your average alphabet books. Behold the best picture books to spin entire stories out of the ABCs. Check out the charming and clever narratives! Marvel at the magnificent manifestations of metafiction! There’s fun for kids of all ages in these pages.

Sing

Sing!

Sing the ABC’s with Little i and all of his friends!

Write!

Find some crayons or markers to color a picture, practice writing the letters, or see if you can follow your way through a maze without getting stuck.

Play!

Take a walk and read a story as you go! We invite you to visit StoryWalk® in Ruckle Street Park at 3025 Ruckle Street. Stroll through the park and read a book displayed in mounted frames. Or Skip. Or gallop!

Dance along to Usher’s ABC Song. This alphabet song will have you on your feet and moving your body!

Join Us for In-Person Storytime!

  • Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Babies
  • Date & Time: Friday, September 22, 10:30am
  • Location: College Avenue Branch
  • Description: 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: Bilingual Storytime at Nora – Spanish / Hora del cuento bilingüe – en español
  • Date & Time: Monday, September 25, 10:30am
  • Location: Nora Branch
  • Description: Join Ms. Laura as she presents a bilingual storytime! Preschoolers will enjoy books, songs, and games in both Spanish and English. / Escuche a la señora Laura y su hora del cuento bilingüe en español e inglés. ¡Los preescolares se divertirán con libros, canciones y juegos!
  • No Registration Required.
  • Event: Bilingual Storytime at Nora – Spanish / Hora del cuento bilingüe – en español
  • Date & Time: Monday, September 25, 10:30am
  • Location: Nora Branch
  • Description: Join Ms. Monse as she presents a bilingual storytime! Preschoolers will enjoy books, songs, and games in both Spanish and English. / Escuche a la señora Monse y su hora del cuento bilingüe en español e inglés. ¡Los preescolares se divertirán con libros, canciones y juegos!
  • No Registration Required.

Need Help?


Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text, or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.