News & Updates

The June/July/August children’s program guide is now available to view! Registration will begin on June 11.


The April/May children’s program guide is now available to view! Registration will begin on March 19.
Check Out The Full Brochure Here

The Spinning Wheel Returns!
Visit the Children’s Department at the Main Library or at Barney Library February 14 – 19 to spin the prize wheel and earn a surprise!
New Fiction for Kids
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Falling Short
Ernesto Cisneros, Pura Belpré Award-winning author of Efrén Divided, is back with a hilarious and heartfelt novel about two best friends who must rely on each other in unexpected ways. A great next pick for readers who loved Ghost by Jason Reynolds or The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez.
Isaac and Marco already know sixth grade is going to change their lives. But it won't change things at home--not without each other's help.
This year, star basketball player Isaac plans on finally keeping up with his schoolwork. Better grades will surely stop Isaac's parents from arguing all the time. Meanwhile, straight-A Marco vows on finally winning his father's approval by earning a spot on the school's basketball team.
But will their friendship and support for each other be enough to keep the two boys from falling short?
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Operation Do-Over
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Unteachables, Gordon Korman, comes a hilarious new high-concept friendship story in the vein of Back to the Future. Perfect for fans of Korman's Restart.
Mason and Ty were once the very best of friends, like two nerdy sides of the same coin . . . until seventh grade, when Ava Petrakis came along. Now Mason can trace everything bad in his life to that terrible fight they had over the new girl. The one thing he'd give anything for is a do-over. But that can't happen in real life--can it?
As a science kid, Mason knows do-overs are impossible, so he can't believe it when he wakes up from a freak accident and finds himself magically transported back to seventh grade. His parents aren't yet divorced and his beloved sheepdog is still alive. Best of all, he and Ty haven't had their falling-out yet.
It makes no logical sense, but Mason is determined to use this second chance to not only save his friendship (and his dog!) but do other things differently--like trying out for the football team and giving new friends a chance. There's just one person he'll be avoiding at all costs: Ava. But despite his best efforts, will he be able to stop the chain of events that made his previous life implode?
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Hide and Geek
A puzzlemaker's last clue. A friendship's last chance.
The GEEKs-
Gina, Edgar, Elena, and Kevin have been best friends for as long as they can remember. So when their arch-nemesis points out that their initials make them literally GEEKs, they decide to go with it.
The problem-
The GEEKs' hometown of Elmwood was once the headquarters of the famous toymaker Maxine Van Houten. Her popular puzzle sphere, the Bamboozler, put the town on the map. But Maxine passed away long ago. Now the toy factory is shutting down, and Elena's mom and Kevin's dad are losing their jobs. They might have to move-and that would mean splitting up the GEEKs!
The quest-
Maxine left one final puzzle, a treasure hunt that could save the town and keep the friends together. But only those who know and love Elmwood best will be able to solve it. GEEKs to the rescue!
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Into the Wind
A character-driven novel about the unlikely friendship between a 10-year-old boy and an elderly woman. The old woman badgers the boy into taking her sailing, but when the weather turns bad, it becomes a wild sail. It becomes the last trip before she goes into the hospital where she dies: but not before the two of them share memories of their last sail together. Hazel helps build the boy's confidence during a tough time in his home life. Both moving and joyful, Into the Wind is a poignant story about loss and love in a boy's life, and the surprising and sustaining bonds that can grow between the old and young.
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The Song of the Nightingale
How did the nightingale get its golden voice? A beautiful creation story answers the question.
The mountains, trees, and plants are young and full of color, but the animals are dull and drab, so the painter gets to work. She dabs dots on ladybugs and spots on butterflies, stripes on zebras and pentagons on giraffes. Finally, she comes to the very last creature--a patient beetle--and uses her special pot of gold paint. The painter is about to pack up to go home when a little gray bird flies out of the forest. The paint box is empty, but on the tip of the painter's brush remains a tiny bit of gold, which she drops at the back of the bird's throat. And when the painter asks the bird to sing, golden notes tumble from its beak. This timeless tale, with its stylish and striking illustrations, will appeal to children and adults alike. -
Show the World!
A celebration of self-expression and the power of using your voice, centering Black children, and exploring the many things they can do, create, and say to make their mark.
Look around! Can you see?
The many spaces, places, and ways to
show the world all that you can be?From painting, music, and slam poetry, to engineering, protesting, and photography, a young narrator journeys through her neighborhood, encouraging readers to explore all the many ways they can express themselves. A gorgeously illustrated and powerful celebration of self-expression shows children that there are so many spaces and opportunities to use their voices--and show the world exactly who they are.
What will you show the world?
"Thoughtful and inquisitory...Show kids the world is their oyster by giving them this thought-provoking book."--Kirkus Reviews
"Dalton's encouraging prose and Peoples' vivid illustrations will inspire young readers to explore various modes of self-expression and find an outlet to help them be themselves and also learn more about their community and the world. Readers of all ages will find comfort in this book."--Booklist
"Dalton cleverly permeates the narrative with sounds, giving the text a musical and poetic quality. Peoples's mixtures of technique and perspectives give the art a dynamism that harmonizes with the text throughout. A testament to Black excellence, this picture book will inspire readers to set no limits to their potential."--School Library Journal
"A rousing rallying cry for young creatives."--Publishers Weekly
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Freddy Vs. School, Book #1 (Library Edition)
There's something different about Freddy. And it might just be because he's a super-powered robot-which is pretty cool! But when his school clamps down on his powers, Freddy will have to figure out a way to act human without caving from the peer pressure. He has three strikes until expulsion. But what's so wrong with being himself?
Freddy is a superhero robot . . . stuck in school. Most robots get to build cars and save the world. But Freddy's mom says he has to go to school and learn stuff the human way. The only problem is that it's really hard to be human. And when he breaks the rules too many times, Principal Javid is forced to create a ROBOTIC CODE OF CONDUCT:
NO Super-Strength
NO Lasers
NO Rocket Boosters
Now Freddy has three strikes until game over: expulsion.
What will life be like with all of the pointing and whispering, but none of the fun? Will his friends even still like him? And who will be able to stop Henrik from terrorizing the other kids?
The only good thing about school was that it's where his friends are and now even that's changed. But Freddy being a superhero robot might be the only thing that could save everybody . . .
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Poet, Pilgrim, Rebel
The inspiring story of a Puritan woman whose passion for writing poetry broke barriers.
Late at night, with her children tucked into bed and her husband away on business, Anne Dudley Bradstreet composed poems by candlelight. She let her thoughts from the day tumble out, memorizing each poem line by line before daring to shape the words onto scraps of scarce parchment. Puritan women in the 1600s weren't allowed to be writers. But when the world learned about Anne's poetry, even she was astonished by what happened next.
This charmingly illustrated picture book tells the inspiring story of how a Puritan woman overcame the obstacles facing women of her era to become one of the most famous poets in history. A gifted writer of deep faith, Anne Bradstreet blazed a trail for the rights of women to study, write, and achieve.
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Mightier Than the Sword
Throughout history, people have picked up their pens and wielded their words--transforming their lives, their communities, and beyond. Now it's your turn! Representing a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, Mightier Than the Sword connects over forty inspiring biographies with life-changing writing activities and tips, showing readers just how much their own words can make a difference. Readers will explore nature with Rachel Carson, experience the beginning of the Reformation with Martin Luther, champion women's rights with Sojourner Truth, and many more. These richly illustrated stories of inspiring speechmakers, scientists, explorers, authors, poets, activists, and even other kids and young adults will engage and encourage young people to pay attention to their world, to honor their own ideas and dreams, and to embrace the transformative power of words to bring good to the world.
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Pete the Cat's Groovy Imagination
When a cloudy gray sky cancels Pete the Cat's beach day plans, a big box is all he needs to beat the rainy-day blues.
Pete the Cat wants to go surfing, but he looks outside and--oh no!--it's gray and rainy. Does Pete get sad? No, he doesn't! Instead, he finds a really big and GROOVY box. Find out in this epic adventure just where Pete's imagination takes him.
From the authors of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pete the Cat series, James and Kimberly Dean, this out-of-the-box picture book is reminiscent of Pete favorites like Magic Sunglasses and perfect for fans of Not a Box by Antoinette Portis.
Don't miss Pete's other adventures, including Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes, Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, Pete the Cat Saves Christmas, Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses, Pete the Cat and the Bedtime Blues, Pete the Cat and the New Guy, Pete the Cat and the Cool Cat Boogie, Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes, and Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party, and Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock!.
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My Heart Flies Open
Written and illustrated by Omileye Achikeobi-Lewis, My Heart Flies Open is an inclusive, empowering, and uplifting picture book for girls of color about yoga, meditation, and coming home to self-love. All children will be charmed by this book.
In every situation I can blossom. Breathing in and breathing out, I know...I AM PEACEFUL.
Beautifully and brightly illustrated, My Heart Flies Open takes readers on a yoga journey of mindful reflection, self-discovery, and self-love. Starting with Easy Pose (I AM LOVE) and moving through Mountain Pose (I AM STILLNESS), Triangle Pose (I AM ME), and more, My Heart Flies Open guides young readers through a grounding sequence of 15 yoga poses and affirmations.
More than just another yoga or mindfulness book, My Heart Flies Open transports young readers to a magical world where they learn to overcome negative emotions and move dynamically through their feelings--shining bright and connecting to the peace, laughter, love, grounding, and spirit that live inside all along.
With every yoga pose, each breath in, and each breath out, My Heart Flies Open brings young readers home to themselves: they are life, love, joy, and kindness; bold, fierce, peaceful, and whole. Written for children, and especially girls of color, ages 4 - 8.
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ADA and the Galaxies
Stargazers rejoice! In his first book for children, renowned physicist Alan Lightman and collaborators, with help from the Hubble telescope, light up the night sky.
New York Times best-selling author Alan Lightman, in collaboration with Olga Pastuchiv, brings galaxies close in a stunning picture-book tribute to the interconnectedness of the natural world. Layering photographs taken from the Hubble telescope into charming and expressive art, illustrator Susanna Chapman zooms in on one child's experiences: Ada knows that the best place for star-gazing is on the island in Maine where she vacations with her grandparents. By day, she tracks osprey in the trees, paddles a kayak, and hunts for shells. But she's most in her element when the sun goes down and the stars blink to life. Will the fog this year foil her plans, or will her grandfather find a way to shine a spotlight on the vast puzzle of the universe . . . until the weather turns? -
Fast Pitch
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone comes a challenging and heartwarming coming-of-age story about a softball player looking to prove herself on and off the field.
Shenice Lockwood, captain of the Fulton Firebirds, is hyper-focused when she steps up to the plate. Nothing can stop her from leading her team to the U12 fast-pitch softball regional championship. But life has thrown some curveballs her way.
Strike one: As the sole team of all-brown faces, Shenice and the Firebirds have to work twice as hard to prove that Black girls belong at bat.
Strike two: Shenice's focus gets shaken when her great-uncle Jack reveals that a career-ending--and family-name-ruining--crime may have been a setup.
Strike three: Broken focus means mistakes on the field. And Shenice's teammates are beginning to wonder if she's captain-qualified.
It's up to Shenice to discover the truth about her family's past--and fast--before secrets take the Firebirds out of the game forever. -
Pax, Journey Home
From bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes the long-awaited sequel to Pax; this is a gorgeously crafted, utterly compelling novel about chosen families and the healing power of love.
It's been a year since Peter and his pet fox, Pax, have seen each other. Once inseparable, they now lead very different lives.
Pax and his mate, Bristle, have welcomed a litter of kits they must protect in a dangerous world. Meanwhile Peter--newly orphaned after the war, racked with guilt and loneliness--leaves his adopted home with Vola to join the Water Warriors, a group of people determined to heal the land from the scars of the war.
When one of Pax's kits falls desperately ill, he turns to the one human he knows he can trust. And no matter how hard Peter tries to harden his broken heart, love keeps finding a way in. Now both boy and fox find themselves on journeys toward home, healing--and each other, once again.
As he did for Pax, Jon Klassen, New York Times bestseller, Caldecott medalist, and two-time Caldecott Honoree, has created stunning jacket and interior illustrations.
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Black Boy Joy
THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * FIVE STARRED REVIEWS
Celebrate the joys of Black boyhood with stories from seventeen bestselling, critically acclaimed Black authors--including Jason Reynolds, Jerry Craft, and Kwame Mbalia!
★ "Pick up Black Boy Joy for a heavy dose of happiness." --Booklist, starred review
Black boy joy is...
Picking out a fresh first-day-of-school outfit.
Saving the universe in an epic intergalactic race.
Finding your voice--and your rhymes--during tough times.
Flying on your skateboard like nobody's watching.
And more! From seventeen acclaimed Black male and non-binary authors comes a vibrant collection of stories, comics, and poems about the power of joy and the wonders of Black boyhood.
Contributors include: B. B. Alston, Dean Atta, P. Djèlí Clark, Jay Coles, Jerry Craft, Lamar Giles, Don P. Hooper, George M. Johnson, Varian Johnson, Kwame Mbalia, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, Tochi Onyebuchi, Julian Randall, Jason Reynolds, Justin Reynolds, DaVaun Sanders, and Julian Winters
Spring Into A Good Book
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On a Snow-melting Day
Snowmen droop / Cardinals swoop, Rabbits bounce / Foxes pounce
In the early days of spring when the snow begins to melt, plants and animals stir to life. High-impact photos and simple, rhyming text make for an engaging read-aloud while back matter offers more detail about each of the creatures featured in this celebration of spring's arrival. -
Spring with Lily and Milo
These suggested general purchases for all libraries are well designed for language development and early reading. - School Library Journal
The thick, durable pages make this perfect for multiple readings and page turnings for the youngest listeners. - Kirkus Reviews
Bright colors, repetition of objects, and rounded corners and heavy pages make these books perfect for babies and toddlers - Kiwi Magazine
It's Spring! Lily and Milo go outside to plant a garden. In the grass, they find a beautiful egg. It's red with white stripes. Maybe the egg fell out of a bird's nest?
A simple, interactive story about springtime. For toddlers ages 24 months and up, with a focus on the child's world.
At Clavis, our focus is on what's best for children. We believe that books play an important role in each new phase in life. Our toddler books are tailored for every stage from 0 to 3 and focus on the five most important themes in their life: daily life, skills, emotions, the world, and language development. The age range and theme of every book in our toddler series can be found on the back cover in the form of a colored train.
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Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring
In a simple, cheerful conversation with nature, a young boy observes how the season changes from winter to spring in Kenard Pak's Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring.
As days stretch longer, animals creep out from their warm dens, and green begins to grow again, everyone knows—spring is on its way!
Join a boy and his dog as they explore nature and take a stroll through the countryside, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with everything from the melting brook to chirping birds, they say goodbye to winter and welcome the lushness of spring. -
The Spring Book
New York Times bestselling author Todd Parr captures the beauty of Spring with his signature blend of kid-friendly art and text in this sweet book about the wonders of a season.
Birds are singing and everyone is sneezing because Spring is here!
The Spring Book captures a variety of moments that encompasses this season. From rolling down hills or dancing in the rain, to celebrating mothers and honoring heroes everywhere, Todd Parr shows readers with simplicity and universal accessibility the delights of Spring.
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Happy Springtime!
When winter is at its coldest and darkest, take heart! Every day the sun shines longer, Spring is on its way!
All winter, the days grow a little bit longer,
The nights grow a little bit shorter,
until the day becomes exactly as long as the night.
On that day we say...
HAPPY SPRINGTIME!
This bright, bouncy, and deliriously colorful picture book is an ode to the joys of spring, encouraging everyone who waits out the slow lengthening of days through the end of winter. From earmuffed crossing guards to sweater wearing dogs, from painters of flowers to planters of seeds, Happy Springtime! celebrates the burst of life following the thaw of winter.
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honoree Kate McMullan's jubilant love-letter to this exciting time of year is the perfect book to bring in the season of birth and renewal, especially when accompanied by the riotous watercolor illustrations of Sujean Rim. -
Spring Stinks
This pint-sized LITTLE BRUCE BOOK is perfect for fans of the Mother Bruce board books.
Ruth the bunny is excited to share the smelly springtime smells of spring with Bruce! But what will Bruce think of all that stink?Higgins' sparse text is humorously juxtaposed with his signature, detail-packed, engaging illustrations. The mouse-sized treehouse and the despondent, dripping moose are especially delightful. Bruce's unibrow is practically a protagonist in and of itself. Ruth's exuberance plays off Bruce's disgruntledness like a sweet pear off gorgonzola. ---Kirkus Reviews
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Uni Brings Spring (Uni the Unicorn)
The Uni the Unicorn reader series has sold more than half a million copies sold, here's a new Uni the Unicorn for early readers! This Step 2 Step into Reading book is about Uni bringing back spring after a long, bleak winter. Everyone's favorite Unicorn is back for
Spring has sprung! Join Uni on this all-new adventure in the land of unicorns! Unicorns can fix things with their horns, and Uni needs to bring back the new growing things of spring.Will Uni be able to restore the signs of spring?
Uni the unicorn is a charming and relatable character! Fans of the picture books, as well as new Uni fans, will be excited to join this bighearted unicorn on an amazing journey. Look for all the Uni stories, including Uni the Unicorn Bakes a Cake, Uni the Unicorn Goes to School, Uni's First Sleepover and more!
Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.
Tumblebooks

TumbleBookLibrary is an online collection of animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they’ll love.
CreativeBug

Creativebug.com has more than 1,000 award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.
Libby (Overdrive)
