Recommendation Lists for Kids

Jewish American Heritage Month 2022
May is Jewish American Heritage Month where we celebrate the rich history of Jewish Americans. Celebrate with us by reading stories that feature Jewish characters, culture, and history. Click the image to find the item in the library catalog!

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2022
This month, we are celebrating all of the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout history and today. One way we are celebrating is by uplifting stories that feature Asian and Pacific Islander characters, culture, and history. Click the image to find the item in the library catalog!

Nature Drawing for Kids
Did you know that many scientists rely on art to study the world around us? This reading list includes some of history’s greatest scientists who used art to study and document amazing scientific discoveries. Click the image to find the item in the library catalog!

Poetry Month 2022
April is Poetry Month! Get into the groove by picking up a middle grade novel in verse. These powerful stories that will change the way you think about poetry. Click the image to find the item in the library catalog!

Celebrate Earth Day
These middle grade novels prove that you are never too young to become environmentally conscious! Click the image to find the item in the library catalog!

First Love: Middle Grade Books about Dating
Celebrate Valentine’s Day by enjoying these middle grade chapter books where characters navigate all matters of the heart. Click the image to find the item in the library catalog!

Black History Month: Middle Grade Fiction
This Black History Month, we want to highlight these amazing chapter books that feature Black characters written by Black authors! Celebrate Black voices this month and all year long. Click the image to find the item in the library catalog!

Lunar New Year
Get ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year in 2022. Learn how this holiday is celebrated in different countries with these great books for young readers. Click the image to find the item in the library catalog!

Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.
This year, honor the work and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by sharing his story with readers of all ages. Click the image to find the item in the library catalog!

Cinderella Around The World
This classic fairytale is well known around the globe. Share in reading different versions to see how they are similar and unique! Click the image to find the item in the library catalog!

Native American Chapter Books, Native American Picture Books, Native American Biographies
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with these selections of titles that feature Native or Indigenous characters, folklore, histories, languages, and authors. Click the image to find the item in the library catalog!

Scooby-Doo Mini Mysteries
Get on the Mystery Machine!    Join Scooby-Doo and all the gang for these great mini mysteries.  These short early chapter books are perfect for the beginner reader.

Talking to Kids About COVID-19
These age-appropriate materials give younger readers an introduction to several aspects of this pandemic. Whether it’s learning about healthy habits or managing big feelings related to COVID-19, this resource can benefit kids and their caregivers. Learn more by clicking the image to put materials on hold through the library catalog.

Read the Rainbow for Kids
This Pride month, we are celebrating LGBTQIA+ families through stories! Find stories that uplift and amplify LGBTQIA+ voices and history. Simply click on the image of the book to put the item on hold through the library catalog! 

Black History Month: Author Highlights
Celebrate Black History Month by discovering some of the biggest names in kids and teens literature. Featuring some of the most distinguished Black authors & illustrators whose bodies of work have greatly contributed to the advancement of children’s literature. Simply click on the image of the book to put the item on hold through the library catalog! 

Black History Month: Picture Books That Celebrate Black Children
These picture books are perfect for celebrating Black History Month this year! These uplifting, vibrant picture books prominently feature Black children and their families as they go on adventures, make new discoveries, and celebrate the skin they’re in. Simply click on the image of the book to put the item on hold through the library catalog! 

Black History Month: Amazing True Stories
This Black History Month, discover stories about Black artists, scientists, athletes, civil rights leaders, politicians, & poets. These children’s non-fiction works illustrate the amazing lives of many Black icons throughout history and today! Simply click on the image of the book to put the item on hold through the library catalog!

Best Picture Books of 2020
In 2020, librarian Rachel set out to read as many new picture books as she could. She read over 200 new releases, most of which She took home to share with her kids, ages 8 and 5. She asked them to help compile a list of the best books, and these are their choices!

Gift Guide for Kids & Teens 2020
Not sure what to get your young readers this year? Try the gift of a good book. These curated selections are new and exciting picture books, chapter books, non-fiction, and young adult books from 2020. Not sure which book to pick? Click on the book covers to learn more about each title and even put books on hold to see them in person!

2020 Kansas Notable Books
See this year’s selection of 15 notable books by a Kansas writer, set in Kansas or about Kansas.  The list features nonfiction, fiction and children’s titles.

1000 Books BEYOND Kindergarten (Elementary School)
1000 Books Beyond Kindergarten is a resource for parents and children looking for age-appropriate books to read outside of school. These lists cover Kindergarten to 5th grade readers and are a mixture of genres and formats, both fiction and non-fiction. Follow our list of recommendations to read 1000 different books by the end of high school!

1000 Books BEYOND Kindergarten (Middle School)
1000 Books Beyond Kindergarten is a resource for parents and children looking for age-appropriate books to read outside of school. These lists cover 6th to 8th grade readers and are a mixture of genres and formats, both fiction and non-fiction. Follow our list of recommendations to read 1000 different books by the end of high school!

1000 Books BEYOND Kindergarten (High School)
1000 Books Beyond Kindergarten is a resource for parents and children looking for age-appropriate books to read outside of school. These lists cover 9th to 12th grade readers and are a mixture of genres and formats, both fiction and non-fiction. Follow our list of recommendations to read 1000 different books by the end of high school!

Caldecott Award Winners
The Caldecott Medal is awarded to the most distinguished picture book from the previous year by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association since it began in 1938. Click the images to find these award winning titles in the library’s online catalog!

Coretta Scott King Award Winners
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. This list highlights the winners of this award since it began in 1970. Click the images to see this books in the library’s online catalog. Some items may need to be delivered through inter-library loan. Discover amazing stories and learn more about this prestigious award!

Pura Belpre Award Winners
The Pura Belpré Award, named after the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library, was established in 1996 and is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. This list highlights the winners of this award since it began in 1996. Click the images to view the item in the library’s catalog. Discover amazing stories and learn more about this prestigious award!

William Allen White Awards
The William Allen White Awards is named after the famous Kansan who was well known for his work as an author, politician, and editor of the Emporia Gazette. This award is to encourage the children of Kansas to read good books. Click the images to view the item in the library’s catalog. Discover amazing stories and learn more about this prestigious award!

Back to School Books
Celebrate the start of another school year with this collection of board books and picture books that are all about starting school! Click the image to see the item in the library’s catalog!

Six by Six Ready to Read Guide
Is your little one getting ready to read? Check out our handy guide to the six literacy skills kids need before they turn six years old. Don’t forget to drop by any KCKPL location for a storytime to see these skills in action!

Favorite Picture Books
Love to read picture books, but don’t know where to start? Check out some of our most beloved books, characters, and series in picture books! Click the image to see the item in the library’s catalog!

Classic Picture Books 
Otherwise known as oldies but goodies, these classic picture books bring joy to readers of all ages! Click the image to see the item in the library’s catalog!

Wordless Picture Books
Why pick up a wordless picture book? Wordless picture books encourage your young reader to develop their imaginations and it gives them the opportunity to practice telling a story from beginning to end. With stunning images and easy to follow plots, these books are perfect for family storytime! Click the image to see the item in the library’s catalog.

Picture Books About Manners
These fun and engaging picture books introduce basic manners to young readers. Learn how to say please & thank you, how to use kind words, say excuse me, and much more! Click the images to find these books in the library catalog.

Getting Ready for Potty Training
Help the young reader in your life achieve this milestone with this selection of fun, encouraging books that teach about potty training basics! Click on the image of any book to find the item in the library catalog!

Dinosaur Books for Dinosaur Lovers!
Can’t get enough of dinosaurs? Check out this collection of dinosaur board books, picture books and non-fiction materials that will delight any dinosaur fan!

Stay Sharp with School Skills
These non-fiction suggestions will help younger readers to stay sharp on popular school topics such as math, grammar, and social studies. Click the images to find the titles in the library’s online catalog or via our eContent apps like HooplaDigital.

Geisel Awards for Beginning Readers
This award is named after Theodore Geisel – aka Dr. Seuss – and is awarded to books that creatively engage beginning readers. This list highlights each year’s winners and honor books since the start of this award in 2006. Click the images to find these titles in the library’s online catalog!

Sight Words & Picture Books
Learning sight words takes practice and what better way to practice than by reading some of these great picture books that are loaded with words beginning readers need to know at first sight. This brochure highlights great books to read as well as other important information for caregivers about sight words.

Popular Books for Beginning Readers
These beloved characters and series will inspire a love of reading,. With limited text per page, short sentences, and large illustrations these books are perfect readers who are starting to read on their own. Click the image to see the item in the library’s catalog!

Newbery Awards
The Newbery Award was established in 1922 and was the first children’s book award in the world. This award honors the most distinguished children’s book published the previous year. What book won the year you were born? Check out this list and discover some amazing children’s books from throughout history! 

Rick Riordan Presents : Chapter Books for Fans of Percy Jackson
Rick Riordan is the author of several popular middle grade fantasy series such as Percy Jackson, Magnus Chase, and The Kane Chronicles. This list is of new books that Rick Riordan has personally recommended for his fans.

Popular Chapter Books
Curious as to what your friends might be reading? There is a good chance it is something on this list of the most popular chapter books ever! Have you read them all? Click the link to find these popular books and series in the library’s catalog.

Beginning Chapter Books Sampler
These books are a natural transition from beginning readers to chapter books. These books have short chapters, a few helpful illustrations and typically around 100 pages total. The best part? These books often are parts of a series, so if you find one you like there will be plenty to read!

Science Fiction Chapter Books
Are you a reader who can’t get enough aliens and robots? These sci-fi chapter books are a great way to get more intergalactic adventures under your belt! Click the images to find these books in the library’s online catalog.

Superhero Chapter Books
Cape or no cape, these superhero books are here to save the day! Try these great reads about kids with superpowers. Click the images to find these books in the library’s online catalog.

Chapter Books for Gamers
Can’t get enough of Minecraft or Fortnite? Check out this list of video game inspired chapter books that will inspire any gamer to become a reader too! Click the images to find these books in the library’s online catalog.

Dear Diary Chapter Books
Can’t get enough “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” or “Dork Diaries”? Try the latest in diary-styled chapter books! Click the images to find these books in the library’s online catalog.

Sports in Chapter Books
Get your head in the game with these sports-filled books! Click the images to find these books in the library’s online catalog.

Classic Chapter Books
Here are books that have been celebrated for generations for their ability to amaze and delight readers of all ages. Click the images to find these books in the library’s online catalog.

Shelf of Horror: Scary Chapter Books
Get ready for the spooky season with this list of middle grade horror! Click the images to find these books in the library’s online catalog.

Kids Comics for Manga Lovers
Are you a kid that can’t get enough manga? Try some of these graphic novels that are just as fun, exciting, and addictive as your favorite manga series! Click the images to find these books in the library’s online catalog.

Graphic Novels for Kids
Not only can graphic novels foster a love of reading, but they also help to improve literacy skills such as being able to interpret information and to follow a sequence of events. These beautiful, funny, and exciting graphic novels will delight young readers. Click the images to find these books in the library’s online catalog.

Betwixt Books for Tweens
Betwixt is another word for between. Who knows better about what it means to be in between than tweens! These chapter books will inspire and delight tween readers over a variety of subjects. Click on the images to find these books in the library’s online catalog.