Loch Ness monster, Bigfoot and Yetis, what do they all have in common? They are all part of a mysterious group called cryptids. Never fear though, where there’s cryptids, there’s always an adventure! This list of books shows the not so scary side of these wondrous creatures as the kids in the stories will find out. Grab your magnifying glass, it's time for cryptid hunting!
The Loch Ness Monster by Jacqueline Laks Gorman
A long neck and flippers disappear under the water…read The Loch Ness Monster to learn about sightings and the many searches to…
Celebrate the special grown-up in your classroom: Your teacher! No matter who they are, (be it a 50-foot person or new to a class) you’re in this together, from the first day to the last day of the school year. Check out one of these books that features teachers and the adventures they have with students just like you!
Thank you, teacher from the very hungry caterpillar by Eric Carle
This sweet and colorful book lists all the ways that teachers help and inspire their students, as told by Eric Carle’s brightly drawn animals. Have fun…
Want your next read to feature mental health as a topic? Check out one of these staff-recommended titles! This list has titles for adults, teens, and kids.
Kids
How to Train Your Pet Brain by Nelly Buchet
With heart and humor, How to Train Your Pet Brain welcomes kids to explore how their bodies and minds work together to process emotions. Lighthearted illustrations paired with grounded language help kids understand why their brain does what it does, that big feelings are OK, and a strategy to help feel calm.
My Monster and Me by Nadiya…
Want to read a new twist on a classic fairytale or myth? Check out one of these staff recommendations!
Adults
Darling Girl by Liz Michalski
In this beautiful, grounded, and darkly magical modern-day reimagining of J. M. Barrie's classic, to save her daughter's life one woman must take on the infamous Peter Pan--who is not the innocent adventurer the fairy tales make him out to be . . .
Fables vol. 1: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham
When a savage creature known only as the Adversary conquered the fabled lands of legends…
Whether you’re participating in our Summer Reading or looking for a new book, check out these new releases on Hoopla without venturing out into the heat. You’ll find new books for adults, teens, and kids.
eBooks for Kids
Chickadee: Criminal Mastermind by Elina Ellis
Not all super-villains are scary and tough, some can be as simple as the bird perched outside your window. Better keep a close eye on that Chickadee, because it just might have a plan…
My Life at the Bottom by Linda Bondestam
This whimsical story about life is told…
Emotions are a normal part of life for all humans, even and especially for little ones. While children do not yet have much practice understanding and dealing with anger in healthy ways, this list of picture books tackles the topic of different approaches for children to think about this common emotion. The positive message of these books is “It’s Okay to be angry and it's possible to still be you by learning to approach and understand your anger.”
The pout-pout fish and the mad, mad day by Deborah Diesen
There are many things in life that…
While quizzes can feel like homework, the early reader books in this list prove that learning to read isn’t just about recognizing words. These books do more than help with recognizing words, they also provide quizzes for reading comprehension. Each quiz is specifically made for the story and gives readers a chance to think about what they have read. Teach your child that reading can be fun and not just a chore by checking out one of the books below.
Sheep on the Run by Alice Hemming
There’s a lot to remember when taking care of sheep,…
Poetry has the power to open up our emotions and is a beautiful outlet to express ourselves. It can lighten us, renew us, and encourage us. The following list is filled with books to inspire you.
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
In this uplifting coming-of-age novel told in accessible verse, Atta chronicles the growth and glory of Michael Angeli, a mixed-race kid from London, as he navigates his cultural identity as Cypriot and Jamaican as well as his emerging sexuality.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
In vivid poems that reflect the joy…
Encourage your child to be part of the story!
You’ve heard of books without pictures, but what about picture books without words? These unique tales require something special from their readers to tell their stories: a big imagination! When reading the books on this list, let your child be a storyteller by asking them what they see, what is happening or what might happen. These books provide the pictures, you and your child bring the story to life!
Since these special books rely on a reader, we can only tell you a few things about their stories like who is…
Time for bed but not sleepy? These books show how different animals, people, dinosaurs, and even mermaids get ready for bed. Create a bedtime routine, and help your little one wind down by reading and bonding with your child with these bedtime stories.
Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by Nikki Grimes
A parade of noisy animals help a little boy get ready for bed in this colorful bedtime story.
Bear Can't Sleep by Karma Wilson
Oh no! Bear can't sleep, what can he do? Find out how Bear's friends help him prepare for…