Story Tags

Friendship is the best ship

Picture books about friendships

Whether they last for a day or for a lifetime friendships are some of the most important relationships we have. Here are some great reads that explore the magic of friends.

Help your child learn about and celebrate the Fourth of July as you read these patriotic picture books together! The books tell why and how we celebrate the Fourth of July, and some of the books show how the holiday is celebrated differently in different parts of America. Red, White, and Boom by Lee Wardlaw

Tales of Summer

Picture Books on Family, Fun and Adventure

Summer can be a great time to enjoy a story or create one through experiences. Below is a book list inspired by summer and the National Building Museum’s upcoming exhibit, Lawn. Free admission is available to D.C. residents on their ward day, beginning in July.

Roaring Reads

Picture books for every dino lover

One of the most common reference questions I get asked is "Where are the dinosaur books?" It's easy to point to the non fiction dinosaur section and leave them to browse but there are also so many good dinosaur picture books if you take the time to look for them. Here is a list of some of my favorites.

#OwnVoices in Indigenous Picture Books

While there’s a wealth of picture books depicting the Native American experience, many of them are by white authors. The importance of #OwnVoices works, particularly when it comes to pieces for children who may not yet have the skills to determine what is an accurate portrayal of Native life and culture, is clear.

Children’s Picture Books Set in Africa

I chose this topic for my eight-year-old self who wanted to read books with characters that came from where she came from, ate the foods she ate, and looked like her. Baby Goes to Market by Atinuke and illustrated by Angela Brooksbank

Kindness and Community

Building Empathetic and Kind Readers through Picture Books

The world always needs a dose of kindness. In these books, ordered from books appropriate for babies and toddlers to older elementary school children, explore how being kind, including others and learning about other people can make our world a better place.

Award Season

Award Winning Children's Books 2019

Welcome to (picture book) award season! Winners of the Randolph Caldecott Medal have been announced so put on your fanciest attire and settle in with one of these award winning children’s books. Check a copy out today or log in to get on to the wait list for one of these in-demand titles.

Picture Books

The Shelter of Each Other

Picture Book Stories of Resilience and Hope Amidst Displacement

War, climate change, persecution and economic hardship are forcing many children and families worldwide from their homes to seek refuge elsewhere. Leaving behind a home and country, often never to return nor knowing where the journey will lead, can be traumatic. These picture book stories about displacement, all of which are true stories or based on true events, will resonate with children who have had similar experiences. They also introduce children without such experiences to the plight of refugees, in a way that fosters understanding and empathy.

Science Fun 101

Engaging intros to science topics for preK-2nd graders

Why is the sky blue? Why do dogs wag their tails? Why don’t I float away when I hold a balloon? Why? WHY? WHYYYYY? If you have a kiddo in your life, you probably encounter questions like these all the time. These questions are beautiful proof that children are budding scientists, eager to explore how and why things work. But, um, they’re really dang tough to answer.