Check out these book recommendations from BCL Youth Services staff for babies through high school students as well as parents and teachers.
For additional books and items on this theme, ask your librarian or search the library’s catalog.
Note: Click on the title of each book to connect directly to it in BCL’s online catalog, where you can find details, check current availability, and place holds on items.
Search for list topics within this web page: press Ctrl+F; enter a keyword; press “Enter.”
Participation Stories
Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton
From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr
Preschool Picks
Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow? by Susan Shea
Panda Kindergarten by Joanne Ryder
Rhyming Read-Alouds
Goodnight, Veggies by Diana Murray
Round is a Tortilla by Roseanne Thong
A Giraffe and a Half by Shel Silverstein
Toddler Time
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin
Feast for Ten by Cathryn Falwell
Where is Tippy Toes? by Betsy Lewin
For additional books and items on these themes, ask your librarian or search the library’s catalog.
Easy Chapter Book Series
Anna, Banana and the Friendship Split by Anica Mrose Rissi
Geronimo Stilton Series by Geronimo Stilton
My Weird School: Miss Daisy is Crazy by Dan Gutman
Graphic Novels for Young Readers
Bird and Squirrel on the Run by James Burks
Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett Krosoczka
Pets on the Loose: The Great Pet Escape by Victoria Jamieson
Participation Stories
The Animal Boogie by Debbie Harter
Crash, Splash or Moo? by Bob Shea
Bunny Slopes by Claudia Rueda
Rhyming Read-Alouds
Have You Seen My New Blue Socks? by Eve Bunting
Silly Sally by Audrey Wood
The Donut Chef by Bob Staake
For additional books and items on these themes, ask your librarian or search the library’s catalog.
Easy Chapter Book Series
Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo
Katie Woo by Fran Manushkin
Notebook of Doom: Rise of the Balloon Goons by Troy Cummings
“Percy Jackson” Series (Rick Riordan) Read-alikes
Bearwalker by Joseph Bruchac
Ghost Squad by Claribel A. Ortega
Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
“Smile” Series (Raina Telgemeier) Read-alikes
Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter
Doodleville by Chad Sell
Chunky by Yehudi Mercado
For additional books and items on these themes, ask your librarian or search the library’s catalog.
“Smile” Series (Raina Telgemeier) Read-alikes
Jo: An Adaption of Little Women (Sort of) by Kathleen Gros
Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright
Go with the Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann
“Percy Jackson” Series (Rick Riordan) Read-alikes
The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities: New Stories About Mythic Heroes ed. Rick Riordan
Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young
Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee
For additional books and items on these themes, ask your librarian or search the library’s catalog.
Potty Training Books for Children & their Adults
Diapers Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick
Even Superheroes Use the Potty by Sara Crow
Ready, Set, Go! A Gentle Parenting Guide to Calmer, Quicker Potty Training by Sarah Ockwell-Smith
Death, Loss and Grief: Children’s Books
Always and Forever by Alan Durant
The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr
Sun & Spoon by Kevin Henkes
Discussing Difficult Topics: Race and Racism
I am Enough by Grace Byers
Under My Hijab by Hena Khan
Flying Lessons by Ellen Oh, et al
Books for Kids in Stressful Times
When Sadness is at Your Door by Eva Eland
Little Tree by Loren Long
Calm: Mindfulness for Kids by Wynne Kinder
Homeschooling Resources
Subjects that Matter Most by Pam Barnhill
The Joy of Relationship Homeschooling: When the One Anothers Come Home by Karen Campbell
The Unhurried Homeschooler: A Simple, Mercifully Short Book on Homeschooling by Durenda Wilson and Melinda Martin
For additional books and items on these themes, ask your librarian or search the library’s catalog.
Black History for Children
Circle Unbroken: The Story of a Basket and its People by Margot Raven
Dream March: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the March on Washington Nelson by Micheaux Vaunda
Dear America: With the Might of Angels by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Earth Day for Children
Earth Day, Birthday! by Maureen Wright
A Child’s Introduction to the Environment by Michael Driscoll
Recycle and Remake by DK
Garden Books for Children
Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals
A Backyard Vegetable Garden for Kids by Amie Jane Leavitt
300 Step-by-Step Cooking and Gardening Projects for Kids by Nancy McDougall and Jenny Hendy
Good Cents Kids (financial literacy)
26 Letters and 99 Cents by Tana Hoban
Just Saving My Money by Mercer Mayer
Amelia Bedelia Means Business by Herman Parish
Indigenous Authors for Children & Teens
We Sang You Home by Richard Van Camp
Mary and the Trail of Tears: A Cherokee Removal Survival Story by Andrea L. Rogers
Moccasin Thunder ed. by Lori Marie Carlson
LatinX & Hispanic Authors for Children & Teens
Islandborn by Junot Diaz
Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez
LGBTQ+ Books for Young Children & Their Adults
Glad, Glad Bear! by Kimberly Gee
My Rainbow by DeShanna Neal
Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story about Gender by Jess Walton
LGBTQ+ Books for School-age Children
Hazel’s Theory of Evolution by Lisa Bigelow
Spin with Me by Ami Polonsky
What was Stonewall? by Nico Medina
Wellness Books for Children
How Do You Wokka-Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle
It’s a Jungle Out There: 52 Nature Adventures for City Kids by Jennifer Ward
Jack and the Hungry Giant Eat Right with MyPlate by Loreen Leedy
For additional books and items on these themes, ask your librarian or search the library’s catalog.