Special Collections
District List: NYC Reads 365 - Kindergarten
Description: NYC Reads 365 is a literacy initiative of the New York City Department of Education to create a new generation of readers. This list of high-interest titles is curated by NYC school librarians for children in Kindergarten and is updated each school year.
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This is My Book!
by Mark PettThe author explains how to make a book with the help of a panda he has drawn—who has his own ideas about how to make a book.
More-igami, First Edition
by Dori KleberA creative young boy with a passion for practicing origami finds a surprising source of encouragement on his diverse city block.
Knit Together
by Angela DominguezDrawing is fun, but knitting is better—because you can wear it! Knitting isn’t easy, though, and can be a little frustrating. Maybe the best thing to do is combine talents. A trip to the beach offers plenty of inspiration. Soon mom and daughter are collaborating on a piece of art they can share together: a special drawing made into a knitted beach blanket.
For every mom and daughter, this is an arts-and-crafts ode creative passion and working together.,/p>
Bunny Slopes
by Claudia RuedaTime to tackle the bunny slope! Shake to help Bunny make it snow, tilt to help Bunny ski down the slope, and turn to help Bunny escape a cliff in his path. Is there any obstacle Bunny can't conquer? Bringing grins and guffaws with each turn of the page, readers will find Claudia Rueda's innovative bookmaking as entertaining as the twists and turns of a ski slope—and as satisfying as a cozy cup of hot cocoa.
The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read
by Curtis ManleyIt’s not easy to teach a cat to read, but one boy tries to anyway in this sweet and silly picture book debut that captures the challenges and rewards of learning to read.
Nick loves to read books—and he loves to play with his cats, Verne and Stevenson. So naturally Nick decides it’s a great idea to teach his cats to read. But Verne and Stevenson don’t appreciate when Nick wakes them up with a flashcard that says NAP. Nick finally piques Verne’s interest with words like MOUSE and FISH. But not Stevenson’s. While Nick and Verne go to the library, Stevenson hides under the porch. Will Nick ever find a way to share his love of reading with his feline friends?
"Oh, No," Said Elephant
by A. H. BenjaminAll the animals want to play hide-and-seek, but– “oh, no!” –Elephant isn't very good at that. He's too easy to find. What about leap-frog? He's not good at that, either. What about hopscotch, or skipping, or tag? No, no and no. Poor Elephant isn't very good at many games, and the animals are starting to get frustrated with him. Luckily there is one game Elephant loves to play, and the animals oblige him, though they may have to say "oh, no!" themselves when he wants to play it again. This rollicking, silly, repetitive text will have young readers laughing out loud and asking to read it again.
When Green Becomes Tomatoes
by Julie FoglianoThis is a book of poetry that moves through the different seasons of the year.
Extremely Cute Animals Operating Heavy Machinery
by David GordonJust because you’re extremely cute, doesn’t mean you can’t operate a bulldozer! From author-illustrator David Gordon comes a fun, funny, and whimsical take on believing in yourself and telling bullies who’s boss! Karen and the other extremely cute animals just want to build sand castles. But the terribly mean bullies Skyler, Mike, and Trent keep knocking them down! So Karen and her friends get another idea. They’ll build something the bullies can’t knock down, something even bigger and better than a sand castle...It’s a good thing being excessively cute doesn’t prevent you from operating heavy machinery!
Monster Trouble
by Lane Fredrickson and Michael RobertsonNothing frightens Winifred Schnitzel—but she DOES need her sleep, and the neighborhood monsters WON'T let her be! Every night they sneak in, growling and belching and making a ruckus. Winifred constructs clever traps, but nothing stops these crafty creatures. What's a girl to do? (Hint: Monsters HATE kisses!) The delightfully sweet ending will have every kid—and little monster—begging for an encore.
Stella Brings the Family
by Miriam B. Schiffer&“A tender story about the variety of people that make children feel loved and supported.&” —Bulletin of the Center for Children&’s Books Stella&’s class is having a Mother&’s Day celebration, but what&’s a girl with two daddies to do? It&’s not that she doesn&’t have someone who helps her with her homework, or tucks her in at night. Stella has her Papa and Daddy who take care of her, and a whole gaggle of other loved ones who make her feel special and supported every day. She just doesn&’t have a mom to invite to the party. Fortunately, Stella finds a unique solution to her party problem in this sweet story about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of family. &“Told with both a light touch and an astute eye toward a child&’s perspective and heartfelt concerns.&” —School Library Journal &“A raucous happy ending.&” —The New York Times
Over the Ocean
by Taro GomiRenowned children's book creator Taro Gomi has created another masterpiece. In this beautiful testament to wondering, a young girl gazes out to where the water meets the sky and wonders what lies beyond the waves. Boats filled with toys? Skyscrapers filled with people? Houses filled with families? Or, maybe, over the ocean stands someone not so different from the girl herself, returning her gaze. In this celebration of imagination's power, young readers will find joy in the mystery of the faraway, the unknown, and the just-beyond.
Traveling Butterflies
by Susumu ShinguTraveling Butterflies indulges monarch’s life cycle, progression from an egg the size of a dewdrop through growth, metamorphosis, and preparation for their journey south. Illustrations in a vibrant color palette bring the butterflies to life and depict the rural and urban landscapes through which they fly and factual text about monarchs and their migration.
Market Maze
by Roxie MunroWhere are 1 fish truck, 1 apple truck, and 1 dairy truck headed? Follow 8 vehicles through 11 intricate mazes to find out, and along the way look for surprises hidden in the pictures. Roxie Munro mixes fun and facts in a book that will amuse readers and explain where food comes from and how it gets to their tables.
I Hear a Pickle
by Rachel IsadoraCaldecott Honor winner Rachel Isadora’s sweet and simple introduction to the five senses is perfect for the youngest children, who will recognize themselves in charming vignettes portraying a wide range of childhood activities. Hearing, smelling, seeing, touching, tasting--our five senses allow us to experience the world in so many ways! With our ears we hear the birds sing; with our nose we smell the stinky cheese; with our eyes we see the moon and stars (and sometimes glasses help us see even better!); with our skin we feel the rain (and learn not to touch the hot stove!); and with our tongue we can taste our favorite foods.
Plants Can't Sit Still
by Rebecca E. Hirsch and Mia PosadaDo plants really move? Absolutely! You might be surprised by all ways plants can move. Plants might not pick up their roots and walk away, but they definitely don't sit still! Discover the many ways plants (and their seeds) move. Whether it's a sunflower, a Venus flytrap, or an exotic plant like an exploding cucumber, this fascinating picture book shows just how excitingly active plants really are.
Egg
by Steve Jenkins and Robin PageHatching a plan for survival isn’t always easy in the wild. And how animals lay, protect, and even use each other's eggs as a food source help reveal the life cycle of the natural world. Eggs come in all shapes and sizes. The ostrich’s is the largest, but some are so small, you need a microscope to spot them. Animals hide them and disguise them in smart and surprising ways, too. Some abandon their eggs, while others protect them fiercely and carry them wherever they go. There are as many kinds of eggs as there are animals that depend on them, because in the animal kingdom, the fight for survival begins with the simple, but extraordinary, egg.
I am Harriet Tubman
by Brad MeltzerThis volume focuses on Harriet Tubman's brave heroism as part of the movement to abolish slavery. As one of the key players in the Underground Railroad, she helped enslaved African Americans escape and find freedom.
I am George Washington
by Brad MeltzerLearn all about George Washington, America’s first president. George Washington was one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known. He was never afraid to be the first to try something, from exploring the woods around his childhood home to founding a brand new nation, the United States of America. With his faith in the American people and tremendous bravery, he helped win the Revolutionary War and became the country’s first president.
I am Abraham Lincoln
by Brad MeltzerAbraham Lincoln always spoke up about fairness, and thus he led the country to abolish slavery. This book follows him from childhood to the presidency, including the Civil War and his legendary Gettysburg Address.
I am Lucille Ball
by Brad Meltzer“Kids always search for heroes, so we might as well have a say in it,” Brad Meltzer realized, and so he envisioned this friendly, fun approach to biography—for his own kids, and for yours. Each book tells the story of one of America’s icons in a vivacious, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers, those who aren’t quite ready for the Who Was biography series. Each book focuses on a particular character trait that made that role model heroic. For example, Lucille Ball could make any situation funny. By making people around the world laugh, she proved that humor can take on anything.
This engaging series is the perfect way to bring American history to life for young children, providing them with the right role models, supplementing Common Core learning in the classroom, and best of all, inspiring them to strive and dream.
I am Albert Einstein
by Brad MeltzerEven when he was a kid, Albert Einstein did things his own way. He thought in pictures instead of words, and his special way of thinking helped him understand big ideas like the structure of music and why a compass always points north. Those ideas made him want to keep figuring out the secrets of the universe. Other people thought he was just a dreamer, but because of his curiosity, Einstein grew up to be one of the greatest scientists the world has ever known.
What makes a hero? This lively, fun biography series by best-selling author Brad Meltzer answers the question, one great role model at a time.
Max at Night
by Ed VereMax is done being brave, and now it's time to sleep—all he has to do is say good night. But something's wrong! When Max goes to say good night to the moon, it's nowhere to be found. Unable to sleep without finishing his nighttime ritual, Max embarks on a journey to find the moon and wish it a good night.
I am Amelia Earhart
by Brad MeltzerWe can all be heroes. That’s the inspiring message of this lively, collectible picture book biography series from New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer.
“Kids always search for heroes, so we might as well have a say in it,” Brad Meltzer realized, and so he envisioned this friendly, fun approach to biography – for his own kids, and for yours. Each book tells the story of one of America’s icons in an entertaining, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers, those who aren’t quite ready for the Who Was series. Each book focuses on a particular character trait that made that role model heroic. For example, Amelia Earhart refused to accept no for an answer; she dared to do what no one had ever done before, and became the first woman to fly a plane all the way across the Atlantic Ocean. This book follows her from childhood to her first flying lessons and onward to her multi-record-breaking career as a pilot.
This engaging series is the perfect way to bring American history to life for young children, and to inspire them to strive and dream.
Max the Brave
by Ed VereMax is a fearless kitten. Max is a brave kitten. Max is a kitten who chases mice. There's only one problem-Max doesn't know what a mouse looks like! With a little bit of bad advice, Max finds himself facing a much bigger challenge. Maybe Max doesn't have to be Max the Brave all the time...