We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library collection for children up to 5 years old and their families.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Take the library’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten pledge and instill the foundation for a lifelong love of reading with your little one. The program, designed to promote reading to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, encourages parents and caregivers to bond with their children through shared reading experiences and provides structure and incentive for reaching the 1000-books-before-kindergarten goal. If that sounds like a lot, consider that if you share just three books a day for a year, you’ve already read 1095 books together. Plus, any book counts, even if it’s the same favorite read over and over again. You can count books your child hears at library storytimes (virtual or in-person), at preschool, as well as reading with a sibling, caregiver, or grandparents. It all adds up. It’s also an opportunity to explore the bounty of wonderful books for the very young, many discovered through lists of recommendations by our librarians, as well as our Storytime At Home resource. To learn more about how to register, track your progress and earn incentives, visit the library’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten webpage.
Outdoor Storytime
We are continuing our Outdoor Storytime series through mid-October this autumn by offering two storytimes a week instead of one. Join Youth Services staff Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. on the courtyard lawn of Princeton Shopping Center for an interactive program featuring books, songs, rhymes and movement for kids ages 18 months and older with their accompanying caregivers. Be sure to bring a blanket to sit on. No registration is required, but participants are encouraged to check the library’s website before arriving in case we have to cancel due to inclement weather. This series runs from September 7 – October 14, 2021.
What Does Little Crocodile Say? By Eva Montanari
What sounds does Little Crocodile hear on the first day of preschool? The alarm clock goes “ring ring.” The car goes “vroom vroom.” The elephant teacher says, “Good morning!” The drum goes “rat-t-tat.” The food goes “nom nom nom.” And the crocodile says…”WWWAAH WWWAAH!” Told mostly in sounds, this sensitive and reassuring picture book serves as a familiar comfort to the very young beginning school or daycare for the first time.
Time For School, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
Ride along to school with the #1 New York Times bestselling “Little Blue Truck” and meet Blue’s new friend: a bright yellow school bus. Beep-beep! This new addition to the popular picture book series featuring everybody’s favorite blue truck is a fun read during the back-to-school season, especially for children entering preschool and kindergarten.
Great Books for Babies and Toddlers and Great Books for Preschool
To discover even more wonderful books for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, be sure to check out our newly updated staff recommendations, “Great Books for Babies and Toddlers” and “Great Books for Preschool.” These lists include a sampling of our favorite books, both old treasures and new gems, to share with your little ones. Happy reading!