Family Read Alouds
Reading books aloud as a family is a perfect way to spend time together while also increasing children’s reading skills. Listening to stories helps kids who are learning, and who know how to read, by building their vocabulary and comprehension skills. And above all, there’s nothing quite like sharing a story with someone. Many of these titles also exist as audio books – ask a librarian if you need help finding a title. (Updated: November 2019)
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Powwow Day
Eight-year-old River is unable to dance at this year's powwow as she's recovering from an illness. Despite her disappointment, she is still excited to see her cousins and friends dance in this powerful picture book about connection and the healing power of community. Supplemental information shares the origins of the jingle dress and the cultural significance of powwows for Indigenous communities.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Tofu Takes Time
Stories about food and family are always a great choice for read-alouds. Tofu Takes Time is a charming story about Lin and her grandma, NaiNai as they tackle making tofu from scratch. Though Lin grows more impatient with each step, she eventually recognizes why tofu takes time. NaiNai, with Lin's help, turns a bag of soybeans into scrumptious tofu that is only possible with time, patience, and a lot of love.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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A Song of Frutas
This brightly illustrated picture book written by Belpré Award winning author Margarita Engle is a super fun read aloud with a musical rhythm and cadence. A small girl, visiting her Abuelo who is a pregoneros (singing vendor) in Cuba learns and sings all the songs he uses to sell his delicious fruit. The inclusion of Spanish text throughout makes this picture book an immersive experience.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Soul Food Sunday
Sundays are a celebration of family, and Granny wants her grandson to fully participate in putting together the meal everyone will share at the table. She keeps him engaged with tasks like grating cheese, cleaning the greens, and preparing the meat for the grill, but it's her grandson's own contribution that highlights this story's charm and appeal.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Kiyoshi's Walk
Kiyoshi wonders, "Where do poems come from?" And his grandfather helps him find the answer by taking him on a walk through their city. Kiyoshi slowly realizes that poems are often inspired by the everyday magic of the world outside of us. This intimate picture book is a perfect book to share as a family before a stroll through your own neighborhood.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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'Ohana Means Family
This poetic picture book is a wonderful celebration of Hawaiian land and culture, with a gentle cadence and poignant story about traditional Hawaiian lu'au traditions.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Einstein
An adventurous mouse has missed the world's largest cheese festival, and that is simply unacceptable! His only choice is to go back in time, but how? With the help of the worlds' most famous physicist, his attempt at time travel is successful...but he misses his target date by 80 years! Find out if he's able to get back in the fourth installment of the Mäuseabenteuer series.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Stella Diaz Has Something to Say
Stella Diaz has something to say, but her fear of embarrassment from mispronouncing words and accidentally using her native Spanish causes hesitation and anxiety. Her best friend is in another class this year, and making new friends proves difficult. On top of all this, she has a big oral presentation to prepare for, so she needs to find courage and confidence - fast.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Too Small Tola
Divided into three short stories, this collection offers rich details and vivid glimpse into life of a family living in the flats of Lagos, Nigeria. Tola's siblings often tease her about her size, but each of these stories reiterates that strength often comes in small packages.
Format: Book
Availability: All copies in use
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Ways to Grow Love
Ryan Hart returns in this second installment of stories exploring the challenges and anxiety of growing up. As she finishes up 4th grade, she is so excited about summer, but with a new baby on the way, things don't go as expected. But she tackles these challenges with grace, tenacity, and spirit that is sure to inspire young readers.
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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