Kids Reads
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The following lists were compiled by the Children's Librarians at the Bernards Township Library.
For readers looking for e-book/e-audiobook options, check the spreadsheet linked below for titles available on Hoopla and/or Libby. Use the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet to switch between grades.
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Recommended Reading Archives
Check out more of our suggestions! The following lists were put together by the staff of the BTL Children's Department.
Native American Heritage Month
Tails & Tales- Summer Reading 2021 Early Literacy | Independent Readers | Middle Grade
Imagine Your Story- Summer Reading 2020
Asian/Pacific Heritage Month 2020
Here are some of the librarians in the M.A.I.N. consortium picks for best books of the year!
Also by E.B. Goodale
Soft, beautiful paintings in blueberry ink illuminate the way in which the past and present remain close through the memories of three generations.
Bathe the Cat by Alice McGinty
Dad gives everyone in his diverse family chores to prepare for Grandma’s visit, including bathing the cat. However, the mischievous cat has other plans.
Berry Song by Michaela Goade
Featuring informative back matter, this picture book follows a Tlingit grandmother and granddaughter as they gather berries like their ancestors before them. (A 2023 Caldecott Honor Book)
Endlessly Ever After by Laurel Snyder
Fun, detailed illustrations will enchant young readers as they decide how a variety of fractured fairy tales will play out.
Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall
Using detailed multimedia art—including materials from salvaged artifacts—and one long, rhythmic sentence, Blackall describes the daily lives of the large family that once lived in her old farmhouse.
Finding Fire by Logan Kline
This wordless picture book uses a bright palette to tell the story of a young member of a prehistoric community who volunteers to find fire when their source is doused by rain.
Fire Chief Fran by Linda Ashman
Rhyming sentences showcase the daily activities of Fran’s fire crew, from their varied emergency runs to how they spend their time at the firehouse in between.
The Flamingo by Guojin
In an exquisitely illustrated, nearly wordless graphic novel, a young girl’s lao lao (grandmother) shares the tale of a flamingo raised from an egg, inspiring the girl to continue the story back home.
Gigi and Ojiji by Melissa Iwai
Gigi’s excitement about meeting Ojiji, her Japanese grandfather, gives way to uncertainty when he arrives. After her mother reassures her, Gigi and Ojiji begin to settle into a new, warm relationship. (A 2023 Geisel Honor Book)
H is for Harlem by Dinah Johnson
Accompanied by gorgeously detailed illustrations, this alphabetical ode to Harlem's Black history and culture celebrates historical figures, buildings, institutions, works of art, and more.
Hello, Puddle! by Anita Sanchez
This nonfiction picture book introduces young readers to a puddle and the many animals that use it for shelter and sustenance throughout the seasons.
Honeybee Rescue by Loree Griffin Burns
When part of Mr. Connery’s bee colony moves to his shed, Mr. Nelson uses his expertise and homemade bee vacuum to rehome the bees without causing harm. Engaging photographs capture the process clearly.
Hot Dog by Doug Salati
City sounds and heat, brought to life with searing oranges, give way to cool, tranquil greens and blues, as a dog and its human sojourn to the beach for fun and relaxation. (The 2023 Caldecott Medal winner)
How to Say Hello to a Worm by Kari Percival
Conversational questions and answers help a group of little ones learn about the process of planting a garden and the wonders of the outdoors.
I Did It! by Michael Emberley
With determination and some help from friends, a little creature learns to ride a bike. (The 2023 Geisel Award Book)
John's Turn by Mac Barnett
Every Friday during assembly, one student performs a talent. When it's John's turn, everyone can tell he's nervous, but his ability to dance ballet surprises and delights his classmates.
Knight Owl by Christopher Denise
A young owl achieves his dream of becoming a knight, but his bravery and cleverness are quickly put to the test in this charming and humorous picture book. (A 2023 Caldecott Honor Book)
A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Paintersby Duncan Tonatiuh
A Mexihcah girl describes the beauty and importance of language, culture, and tradition to her younger brother in this tale about Mesoamerican storytelling and bookmaking. (A 2023 Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book)
Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion by Shannon Stocker
This picture book biography tells the true story of Evelyn Glennie, a deaf girl, who creates incredible music and becomes the world's first full-time solo percussionist.
Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang
In her class of English language learners, Luli creates community and breaks the ice by sharing a pot of tea, a ritual common across many cultures.
Me and the Boss: a Story About Mending and Love by Michelle Edwards
A little boy and his older sister learn to embroider at a library program. Although he struggles at first, he persists in finishing his project and surprises his sister by mending her teddy bear.
Out of a Jar by Deborah Marcero
A bunny bottles up his overwhelming emotions and hides them away. When storage becomes a problem, he learns to embrace difficult feelings in order to let them go.
Owl and Penguin by Vikram Madan
In three short chapters, Owl and Penguin support each other and find humor in sharing ice cream, attempting to fly, and enjoying a rainy day. (A 2023 Geisel Honor Book)
Powwow Day by Traci Sorell
Unable to dance at her local powwow due to a recent illness, a young girl finds hope for next year while watching her community dance for her healing. Back matter provides additional information about powwows.
A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portis
The lifecycle of a sunflower from seed to flower and back to seed is presented in minimalistic, lyrical text accompanied by richly textured images of the plant at each stage of development. (A 2023 Geisel and Sibert Honor Book)
Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Mara Rockliff
Exceptional writing and rich illustrations shed light on everyday civil rights hero Georgia Gilmore in this thoroughly researched picture book biography. (A 2023 Sibert Honor Book)
The Talk by Alicia Williams
This picture book highlights the sensitive conversation many Black and brown families must have with their children about safety because of their skin color.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Mac Barnett
Infused with clever language and humor, the classic tale of the “Three Billy Goats Gruff” is retold with delightfully surprising illustrations.
The Tower of Life by Chana Stiefel
Years after the Holocaust, Yaffa Eliach traveled the world to collect photographs from former members of her destroyed shtetl, which were used to create the Tower of Life memorial exhibit at the U.S. Holocaust Museum. (A 2023 Sibert Honor Book)
A Walk Through the Rainforest by Martin Jenkins
Realistically detailed, grayscale illustrations featuring splashes of color adorn this sophisticated seek-and-find, which conversationally describes the plants and animals one may see on a walk through a Malaysian rain forest.
Where Wonder Grows by Xelena Gonzalez
A grandmother helps her granddaughters discover and appreciate the natural elements of Mother Earth and the healing and strength found in intergenerational communities and families. (The 2023 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner)
The World Belonged to Us by Jacqueline Woodson
A flashback to a childhood "not so long ago" shows a time when a diverse group of kids were free to explore and play on their Brooklyn block during the summer.
Yellow Dog Blues by Alice Faye Duncan
Embroidered illustrations and lyrical language tell the story of a little boy’s journey along the Mississippi Blues Trail as he chases his runaway dog, who just wants to sing the blues.
Yes We Will: Asian Americans Who Shaped this Country by Kelly Yang
Yang partners with various Asian American and Asian artists to create an ode to Asian American changemakers. Biographical back matter complements the sparse text.
Yoshi and the Ocean: A Sea Turtle's Incredible Journey Home by Lindsay Moore
Following loggerhead sea turtle Yoshi’s 25,000-mile journey home after 20 years of captive rehabilitation, this informational picture book utilizes lyrical text, maps, and infographics.