Staff picks

Sometimes, the sense of place in a book is as important as the characters. You might remember more the feeling of being transported when you read than what actually happened and the world created might stick with you longer than the characters or plots.

In the 90s it was all about simple living. Somewhere along the way it morphed into minimalism. Now where are we?

Cooking with family can be a learning experience for everyone. Did you know you can learn math, science and new vocabulary words? Not to mention history and culture! And improve your motor skills, too?! Here are some books on bringing school into the kitchen, including the best homework ever, tasting your creations!

Eating nutritious food is very important, but sometimes Kids and family of all ages need a little help understanding why. Here are some books, to help get those conversations started, for babies on up.

Just because you're grown doesn't mean you can't have storytime.

Taking care of ourselves helps us take better care of our Kids and family, especially during times of extreme stress. This booklist is being created during the time of the Covid pandemic, when children are learning from home, grownups are struggling with work, people are scared, and stress is running high. It is these times, more than ever, that Kids and family and caregivers need to take care of themselves.

Cosmic horror has evolved! Here are some newish titles you might enjoy if you liked The City We Became or Lovecraft Country, or if you just want more tentacles in your life.

A collection of fiction and nonfiction titles to help start conversations with your Kids and family about stereotypes. These are listed youngest to oldest - from preschool (PreS) through high school.

Many picture books show peoples indigenous to North America in a historical context, but Native people aren't a relic of the past, and as these books show they are active members of the modern world.

Guías bilingües de estudio para el examen de ciudadanía Americana.

How can we all work together towards a relationship to the earth that is kind, just and sustainable? These books about Native ecological practices and the environment are for all ages, and are written by primarily Native American, Alaska Native, First Nations and Indigenous authors.

It can be hard to know how to talk to young children about voting. Here are some books for helping our littlest citizens learn about the government and elections!

Time travel with these books about Kids and family living in the different times and countries. 

Keep the lights on while reading these books!

Science experiments gone slightly wrong, creepy computer coding, and adventures in outer space and different dimensions. Find more reading lists with suggestions for 4th-5th graders at the end of this one!

What's it like to wear a hearing aid? How does a new kind of music start? Find some answers in nonfiction books for readers in grades 4 and 5.

Strange worlds, magic, talking animals and more.

Stories about real life with Kids and family like you or someone you know.