The Light Within You written by Namita Moolani Mehra
Diya is excited to be going to India for Diwali, the Festival of Lights. That means she’ll get to spend time with Nani, her beloved grandma, who she hasn’t seen since her family moved from India . . . Once Diya arrives in India, she immediately feels at home with Nani. Together they go shopping at the bazaar and prepare for the festival. As Diya and Nani celebrate Diwali together, Diya’s heart soars. But all too soon, her trip will come to an end. Is there a way for Diya to take some of the light and magic of Diwali with her when she leaves?
It’s Diwali! Written by Kabir Sehgal
In this take-off of the counting rhyme One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, the wonders of Diwali are described.
My Diwali Light written by Raakhee Mirchandani
Devi, her family, and their friends boldly celebrate and proudly share their Diwali traditions.
Happy Diwali! Written by Sanyukta Mathur
Follows a little girl from dawn to dusk as she draws rangolis to welcome guests, cooks puris and chana masala, dresses up in beautiful colors, participates in the puja, and lights the diyas in honor of Diwali: the Hindu festival of lights.
Archie Celebrates Diwali written by Mitali Banerjee Ruths
Archie is worried that her school friends won’t like Diwali, her favorite Hindu holiday, and when a storm knocks out the electricity, it looks like the party may be ruined.
Binny’s Diwali written by Thrity N. Umrigar
Binny’s class is learning about different holiday traditions, and today it is time for Binny to share the story of her favorite holiday, Diwali, the Festival of Lights–and she even has some special treats to give her classmates. Includes information on the five days of Diwali, what it commemorates, and its special traditions.
Shubh Diwali! Written by Chitra Soundar
The festival of lights is here–time to celebrate the New Year!
Diwali has arrived! Rangoli art decorates the floor, and strings of flowers hang around the doors. Now it’s time to ring the bells, light the lamps, and welcome the New Year with family and friends. A sweet introduction to the Hindu festival of lights.
A dog named Haku: a holiday story from Nepal written by Margarita Engle
During a Hindu festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, brothers Alu and Bhalu search for a dog they can honor with food and gratitude. Includes glossary of Nepali words and suggested activities.
Nonfiction
Diwali written by Lisa J. Amstutz
It’s time to celebrate Diwali! Light lamps. Exchange cards and presents. Dance and watch fireworks. Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, reminds Hindu people of the story of Rama and Sita. It is a story of how good beats evil.
How This Book Got Red written by Margaret Chiu Greanias
When Red, a young red panda, finds her book about pandas completely omits red pandas, she decides to write a book herself.
Cindy and Panda written and illustrated by Benson Shum
When she returns home with ingredients for a pie– and a panda who wants to help– Cindy and Panda try out their freestyle recipe which results in messy deliciousness and a sweet new friendship.
Oh, Panda written and illustrated by Cindy Derby
Panda tries to follow a butterfly over a mountain, but the slippery, snowy slope makes it difficult to climb.
Stillwater and Koo Save the World written and illustrated by Jon Muth
Stillwater the giant panda’s nephew, Koo, has a dream about saving the world, and Stillwater shows him that sometimes saving the world starts with doing the little things, like cleaning your room, and feeding the cat.
Little Polar Bear and the Pandas written and illustrated by Hans de Beer
The little polar bear Lars experiences an adventure in China, including making friends with two pandas.
The Little Things written by Emma Dodd
In rhyming text, a mother panda and her baby learn how important it is to show kindness and help others.
Bear Meets Bear written and illustrated by Jacob Grant
When Bear’s new teapot is delivered by a charming lady Panda, he is unable to speak so he orders another teapot, and another, until Spider steps in to help.
When I Draw a Panda written and illustrated by Amy June Bates
A girl draws an unusual panda, who comes to life and draws all sorts of whimsical things with her, from a castle to a dragon and more.
We Love You, Mr. Panda written and illustrated by Steve Antony
Mr. Panda is wearing a t-shirt with the words “free hugs” on it, but it seems that none of his animal friends want his cuddles, they would rather hug each other–but he is in for a surprise.
Nonfiction
Pandas written by Julie Murray
A simple look at pandas, including their appearance and their habitat.
Giant Pandas written by Lisa M. Herrington
Did you know that a giant panda eats more than 600 bamboo stems a day but that it doesn’t stop these bears from being expert tree climbers? Be surprised and awed by every page of this captivating book! Features include stunning photography; a fact file which breaks down vital data points in an easy-to-follow and understand format; fast facts; a family tree to show the evolution of and how this animal fits into the wider category of its scientific order; a glossary and more.
It’s Fall! Written and illustrated by Renée Kurilla
Colors bursting, shadows tall. There’s lots to celebrate — it’s fall! Break out your fuzzy socks and cozy scarves! Bring on the doughnuts, cider, and pies! It’s time for corn mazes, trick-or-treating, and all the Thanksgiving food you can eat… It’s fall! With playful rhymes and lively illustrations, this celebratory book shows the many ways we welcome and enjoy a special season.
A Very Big Fall written and illustrated by Emmy Kastner
Life as a leaf is pretty sweet. The weather is pleasant, the view is fine, and everything just feels fresh. But when autumn breezes begin to blow, adventurous Birch, nervous Oak, and grumpy Maple each have their own way of facing the new crispness in the air. The squirrels take pleasure in warning the leaves about the transformations to come: New colors! And more … an actual fall.
If You Find a Leaf written and illustrated by Aimée Sicuro
Every year, gusts of wind blow colorful autumn leaves to the ground. Some leaves make a crunch under foot, and others are so beautiful they deserve to be saved.
In this story a young artist draws inspiration from the leaves she collects and every leaf sparks a new idea. She imagines turning a Japanese Zelkova leaf into a boat to sail far away, a Honey Locust leaf into a swing to sway in the gentle breeze, and an American Basswood leaf into a hot air balloon to float high above the trees.
The Leaf Thief written by Alice Hemming
Squirrel enjoys looking at the beautiful, colorful leaves, but everyday more and more disappear which makes him think someone is stealing them. Includes information on seasonal leaf loss in Autumn.
Halloween is coming! Written by Cal Everett
Illustrations and easy-to-read, rhyming text lead the reader through all the preparations for Halloween, from first noticing signs of autumn, through picking a costume, to trick-or-treating.
Sweater Weather written and illustrated by Matt Phelan
On a crisp, fall day and evening, rambunctious bear cubs turn getting dressed into an adventure.
Nonfiction
Forest Club Fall: a season of activities, crafts, and exploring nature written by Kris Hirschmann
Welcome to Forest Club! Fall is always a good time to discover nature. Head outside and start exploring–what can you see? What can you smell? What can you hear? With outdoor activity ideas, creative crafts, and inspiring nature information, Forest Club encourages children to connect with the outdoors.
Jack the Library Cat written and illustrated by Marietta Apollonio
When a stray cat keeps turning up for story time at the library, he is always shooed away, but when he meets Pascal, a boy who needs a reading buddy, a friendship forms, and now Pascal along with the other children have Jack the cat to read to.
This is a Story written by John Schu
With a sea-horse kite in hand, a child heads out with Dad to the library. On the way they stop at a park, joining lots of people, some of whom are flying kites, too. At the library, a person toting a big pile of books hands over a story on a favorite subject: the sea horse. All around, there are readers poring over books, each with their own questions, ideas to explore, hopes for the future, and imaginations ready to spark.
The Loud Librarian written by Jenna Beatrice
When loud-voiced Penelope becomes student-librarian, she is determined to prove she is perfect for the job while staying true to herself.
The Library Fish written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
When Mr. Hughes finds a fish all alone in the library and names her Library Fish, she knows she’s found her true home. Library Fish makes friends in the library and on the bookmobile, checks that books are returned, and absolutely loves story time, when she can listen to all kinds of stories and poems, meet unforgettable characters, and travel around the world and even to other planets! But one day, everything outside is covered in snow and no one comes to the library. Will Library Fish be brave enough to venture outside her fishbowl for the very first time and explore the library she calls home?
The Library Fish learns to read written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Library Fish, who calls the library her home, decides it is time to learn to do what everyone around her loves doing–read.
This Book is my Best Friend written and illustrated by Robin Robinson
When Sunny and Aarush reach for the same book at the library, they try to resolve the conundrum by searching through the stacks to find something else for the other to read, but maybe what they find instead is even better.
Rocket says Speak Up! Written by Nathan Bryon
When Rocket finds out her town’s library is closing, she rallies support from her peers, and together they lead a peaceful protest that spreads awareness and raises enough money to save their beloved library.
There was a Party for Langston written by Jason Reynolds
A celebration of Langston Hughes and African American authors he inspired, told through the lens of the party held at the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in 1991.
¡Vamos!: Let’s go Read written and illustrated by Raúl the Third
Little Lobo and his friends are excited for the out-of-this-world book festival the Guadalupian Library hosts every year! Everyone has a special book they’re looking for, but there’s so much to see and do first. From cookbook demonstrations and comics workshops to mask making and language classes, this library has something for everyone. Can Little Lobo, Bernabé, Kooky Dooky, Coco Rocho, and La Chida each find the book of their dreams?
The Brilliant Ms. Bangle written by Cara Devins
“It’s a new school year, and something is different. The students’ beloved librarian, Ms. Stack, has retired. The new librarian, Ms. Bangle, is not the same! She has different ways of doing, well, everything! How will the students ever adjust? Change isn’t easy, but it can be a positive experience. With a bit of patience, and a lot of heart, it can be positively brilliant.
Horseback Librarians written by Jane Yolen
In 1930’s rural Kentucky, Anna Mary, rhymes with library, and her horse, Sand, go from farm to farm to deliver books to the delight of both children and adults.
Nonfiction:
Library Girl: how Nancy Pearl became America’s most celebrated librarian written by Karen Henry Clark
Nancy Pearl loved books and spent so much time in her school library that her grade school classmates teased her, calling her “library girl.” When she discovers her neighborhood public library is open on Saturday, she begins the adventure of her lifetime. There, an inspiring librarian recognizes her abilities, recommends books that ignite her vivid imagination, and provides experiences to bolster her burgeoning self-confidence. As she loses herself in the books she finds herself in their pages and comes to recognize her strengths. Her self-discovery brings a realization at a young age that she wants to become a librarian so she can help children discover their dreams.
Pura’s Cuentos: how Pura Belpré reshaped libraries with her stories written by Annette Bay Pimentel
Pura’s abuela always has a cuento to share. She crows ¡Qui-qui-ri-quí! for Señor Gallo, booms Borom, Borom for Señor Zapo, and tells of a beautiful cockroach who loves a mouse. Pura clings to these stories like coquíes cling to green leaves.
When Pura grows up and moves from Puerto Rico to Harlem, she gets a job at the library, where she is surrounded by stories–but they’re only in English. Where is Señor Gallo? Where is Pérez the mouse? Where is Puerto Rico on these shelves? She decides to tell children the tales of her homeland in English and in Spanish.
Meet a Librarian! Written by AnnMarie Anderson
Join Emma and Theo as they meet a librarian in their community!
Emma and Theo were working together on a class project about shark’s teeth. A trip to their school library and the local branch put the kids in touch with two librarians who were more than happy to help. Share the excitement as their school librarian and Ms. McMahon help Emma and Theo find all the information they need-and gives the kids a first-hand look at a librarian’s job.
A raccoon narrator embarks on a big adventure in this exciting exploration of maps for the youngest readers. Traditional maps of cities, roads, and parks are joined by some less conventional ones such as inside the body, each one methodically introduced with humor and clear explanation.
The Boy Who Loved Maps written by Kari Allen
The Mapmaker loves maps. He loves to collect them, to study them, and most of all, he loves to make them. But when a girl asks for a map of a perfect place, the Mapmaker is perplexed.
Mapping Sam written and illustrated by Joyce Hesselberth
An adventurous cat named Sam explores her neighborhood at night, and maps of all types reveal her journey, illuminating different points of view and the various spots Sam visits.
My Heart is a Compass written by Deborah Marcero
Rose wants to bring something truly unique for show-and-tell, so she creates maps to explore her imagination in search of something no one has ever seen before.
Quest written by Aaron Becker
In the Caldecott Honor-winning Journey, much of Becker’s energy was devoted to the story’s exquisite backdrops. Now, in the second wordless book of his planned trilogy, the focus is on his characters. On a rainy day in a city park, the girl who starred in Journey and the boy introduced at the end take refuge by a doorway under a bridge. To their surprise, a king emerges from the door just long enough to pass the two a map before soldiers apprehend him. Returning to the magical Pallonezia, they find the walled city in flames, under siege. Becker includes wonderfully evocative set pieces – a submerged city, a Mayan temple – as the pair follows the map to collect chalk markers in all the colors of the rainbow to free the king and save the city.
Henry’s Map written by David Elliot
Henry, a very organized pig, frowns at the untidy farm where he lives, but after making a map to show where everything belongs, he and the other farm animals discover a big problem.
Nonfiction
Manhattan: mapping the story of an island written and illustrated by Jennifer Thermes
An innovative look back through time, Manhattan Maps follows the history of Manhattan Island from its natural formation to the bustling city today. It explores the ways in which nature and people are connected, tracking the people who lived on Manhattan from the Lenape Indians to Dutch settlers hunting for beaver pelts to early Americans and beyond, and how they’ve (literally) shaped the island (and vice versa). Jen Thermes highlights watershed moments where nature demanded action of New Yorkers–the Great Fire of 1835, the Great Blizzard of 1888, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
City atlas: travel the world with 30 city maps written by Georgia Cherry
Take a tour of Toronto, look around Lisbon or hot-foot it to Helsinki with this global adventure in a book! 30 best-loved cities from around the world are brought to life with illustrations by Martin Haake, which show in fabulous detail key landmarks, famous people, iconic buildings and cultural icons for all the family to enjoy. A search-and-find game on every page helps young readers to explore every city and spot the hundreds of details that makes each place unique.
Science in Storytime 