Brooklyn Public Library offers books and programming for children of all ages and their families. From storytime to STEM, and from live entertainment to a children's librarian at every branch, BPL helps establish a love of reading and learning at every age.
Learn how to share books with babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Find out about BPL programs and services for your little learners.
Birth—18 months Enjoy great books for babies, learn fun songs and rhymes, and meet other families
18 months—3 years Hear great picture books read aloud, discover delightful fingerplays, and play during this time dedicated to active toddlers
3—5 years Experience new and classic picture books, enjoy favorite songs and more
Birth—5 years Hear wonderful stories, discover amazing toys, and meet new friends in this fun, informal program
Inclusive Programming
BPL offers unique programs for children with and without disabilities. Learn more about these events and resources.
5 Simple Practices that Promote Early Literacy
- Talk to your children even if they aren’t talking yet.
- Talk with your child as you go through daily routines. Explain things and ask questions.
- Talk with your children in the language you know best.
- Singing slows down language so children can hear sounds and syllables. This will help them sound out words when they begin to read.
- Don’t worry if you are not a good singer. Your children will love singing with you!
- Sing with your child in the language you know best.
- Read with your child every day!
- Read with your child in the language you know best.
- As you read together, point to letters and words on the page.
- Have crayons, markers, and paper in your home.
- Scribbling leads to writing. Give your child plenty of time to scribble and draw
- Let your child see you write in the language you know best.
- Play = Learning!
- Children learn and use language by playing with one another
- Give your child time for free play during the day.
Get your game on with traditional board games. Find an upcoming event.
From beginner to expert skill, BPL offers chess classes and workshops for kids across the borough.
Build, color and create! At Kids Create, make a special craft or a Lego creation. Start creating.
from our blog...
Book World, Episode 5: Songs and Rhymes
La, la, la! Singing is not only fun but also important for helping children become great readers. In this episode, Sheneatha teaches...
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Staff Picks
- Baby’s First Books
- Spanish Picture Books
- Soothing Stories for Bedtime
- Celebrating Diversity
- All About the Moon
Big fat henKeith Baker
Row, row, row your boatJane Cabrera
Peekaboo morningRachel Isadora
Quick duck!Mary Murphy
Tickle, tickleHelen Oxenbury
Smile!Roberta Grobel Intrater
American babies
Moo, baa, la la laSandra Boynton
My first baby games
Baby danceAnn Taylor
Where is baby's belly button? : a lift-the-flap bookKaren Katz
Are you my mommy?Mary Murphy
On the move : a touch and feel book.
I kissed the baby!Mary Murphy
Look at the animals!Peter Linenthal
Black on whiteTana Hoban
El camioncito azulAlice Schertle
Oso polar, oso polar, qué es ese ruido?Bill Martin
De la cabeza a los piesEric Carle
Oso pardo, oso pardo, qué ves ahí?Bill Martin
¿Dónde está el pollito de RosalíaPat Hutchins
Oso panda, oso panda, ¿qué ves ahí?Bill Martin
Lola le lee al pequeño LeoAnna McQuinn
La llama llama rojo pijamaAnna Dewdney
El Ratoncito, la fresa roja y madura, y el gran oso hambrientoDon Wood
The little mouse, the red ripe strawberry, and the big hungry bear = El ratoncito, la fresa roja y madura y el gran oso hambrientoDon Wood
Un dia de nieveEzra Jack Keats
Un día de nieveEzra Jack Keats
La biblioteca nocturnaKazuno Kohara
Otra vez!Emily Gravett
Un amigo de veras maravillosoSuzanne Bloom
Los pollitos dicen : vamos a cantar en inglés y español = The baby chicks are singing : sing along in English and Spanish
Dónde está Spot?Eric Hill
La semilla de zanahoriaRuth Krauss
De colores = Bright with colors
Bear snores onKarma Wilson
Dinosaur vs. bedtimeBob Shea
Llama llama red pajamaAnna Dewdney
Time for bedMem Fox
Pajama time!Sandra Boynton
Goodnight, goodnight, construction siteSherri Duskey Rinker
The house in the nightSusan Marie Swanson
Diddle diddle dumplingTracey Campbell Pearson
Margret & H.A. Rey's Sweet dreams, Curious GeorgeCynthia Platt
How do dinosaurs go to sleep?Jane Yolen
Tickle my earsJörg Mühle
Goodnight moonMargaret Wise Brown
Little Owl's nightDivya Srinivasan
Ten, nine, eightMolly Bang
Hush, little babyJ Brian Pinkney
Twinkle, twinkle, little starJane Cabrera
Everyone sleepsMarcellus Hall
Baby bedtimeMem Fox
Baby BornAnastasia Suen
Jacob's new dressSarah Hoffman
I'm like you, you're like me : a book about understanding and appreciating each otherCindy Gainer
Chocolate me!Taye Diggs
I am Latino : the beauty in meSandra L Pinkney
I love my hair!Natasha Tarpley
Mixed meTaye Diggs
Last stop on Market StreetMatt de la Peña
Happy in our skinFran (Author) Manushkin
Shades of peopleShelley Rotner
One familyGeorge Shannon
Global babies.
It's okay to be differentTodd Parr
Kitten's first full moonKevin Henkes
A big mooncake for Little StarGrace Lin
MooncakeFrank Asch
The moon book
The MoonLaura Hamilton Waxman
Moon : a peek-through picture bookBritta Teckentrup
MoondayAdam Rex
City moonRachael Cole
Moon! : Earth's best friendStacy McAnulty
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