FDPL Kids
Looking for book recommendations, information about upcoming events, or our resources for kids? Learn more about our services for children and families on this page, or contact us by phone at 515-573-8167 ext. 6242 if you have any questions!
FDPL Bird Ambassador
FDPL has had a Bird Ambassador in the Children’s Department for more than 50 years. Be sure to stop by the Kids’ Reference Desk and say “Hi!” to our current Bird Ambassador Blueberry.
AWE Kids Computers
We have four AWE Learning All-in-One computer workstations with software programs geared toward kids ages 2-12 in the Children’s Department. Featuring preloaded educational games that are STREAM-aligned, kids can sit and play at any one of the workstations up to 30 minutes per visit.
Interactive Play Touch Table
FDPL has two interactive play touch tables by the Kids’ Reference Desk. These interactive gaming tables are geared toward kids ages 3-14 and feature 12 fun games. Most games can be played by a single child or by up to four children. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join their kids for this unique experience. Play at the touch tables is limited to 30 minutes per visit.
Vincent House Puppet Theater and Busy Blocks
Kids are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild by engaging in creative storytelling through play with our puppet friends in the Vincent House Puppet Theater. Our busy blocks encourage motor skill development through engaging play and our collection of big books allow kids and their caregivers to share stories in a whole new way.
Featured Resources for Kids
AtoZ Food America
Brainfuse HelpNow
Educate Station
Learning plans, worksheets, and activities for students to do at home or at school created by educators from across the country. Log in with your library card.
New Easy and Picture Books
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Life Hacks, Tips and Tricks
Did you know that placing a wet paper towel near an onion will stop your eyes from watering? Or that putting plastic wrap in the freezer makes it easier to use?
Packed with over 200 shortcuts and tricks, this might just be the most helpful book you will ever own.
In this enlightening collection of life hacks, social media sensation Sidney Raz shares the mind-blowing tips and tricks that make life so much easier. From cooking and household chores to making life in general more efficient, the TikTok star offers his life-hacking discoveries in this beautifully illustrated collection of eye-opening tips.
Make your journey through adulthood so much easier!
- SAVE TIME AND MONEY: These insightful tricks can make household jobs more efficient, reduce waste, and stop food from spoiling
- BECOME A DOMESTIC LEGEND: Learn how to make chores, cooking, and cleaning much, much easier
- SHARE THE FUN: It's all stuff you wish someone had already told you...and now they have. Share these life hacks with everyone you know!
When Sidney Raz turned 30, he realized there was so much advice no one had ever bothered to tell him. So, he went on a mission to make his life as easy as humanly possible.He began posting his discoveries online and quickly built a following of millions, all eager for his next hacks. This book combines that work in one place, presenting Sid's greatest tips in one stunning package.
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Solstice
Explore the daily lives of children around the world through through the lens of a single, special day in June, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere and the shortest in the southern hemisphere.
The rising and setting of the Sun is one of the few truly common experiences in our diverse world. This book places that shared experience at the heart of its global story.
Every year, during the June solstice, the Earth tilts towards the Sun, creating either the longest or shortest day of the year. Across the world, people celebrate this day in different ways, from bonfires and banquets to firework festivals and ancient rituals. In this book, you will celebrate the solstice alongside 14 fictional characters from 14 real places around the world. You will be transported to Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Ecuador, Indonesia, Nigeria, Nepal, Morocco, China, Turkey, America, the United Kingdom, and Norway. Each account is both a personal story and an informative narrative, full of cultural insight, geographical information, and words from each native language. Meanwhile, specially commissioned artwork, by illustrators from each place, bring familiarity and warmth to every page.
The solstice is both a symbol of global unity and a celebration of cultural diversity. Here, this unique event takes center stage in a fascinating account of children's lives around the world.
Glossary and index included.
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Welcome to Unicorn School
From the author-illustrator team of Welcome to Dinosaur School comes a story that will help prepare your little unicorns for their own first day at school!
Rocky is very excited. It's his first day of school and he just can't wait! Racing to the school gates with all the other little unicorns, Rocky walks proudly through the corridors to his new classroom.
But when he makes a mistake with his assignment, he starts to worry if he'll be allowed to stay. Once Rocky gains the confidence that comes from finding a new friend, he is able to face his fear together as they inspire each other to be brave. Join Rocky as he discovers the magic of friendship and teamwork.
Packed with adorable illustrations and easy-to-read rhyming text, this picture book is perfect for sparking conversations about first-day worries. -
Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure
A New York Times Bestseller
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Maren Morris and former schoolteacher Karina Argow have together written their picture-book debut, Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure. This delightful story of one little ant's journey for independence while realizing when to ask for help, is set against the backdrop of a vast and abundant garden inhabited by some very helpful insect friends.
Addie Ant travels from one garden bed to another on her first solo adventure. As she forges her own path, she gets lost along the way and finds help from her trusted garden pals, Lewis Ladybug, Beatrix Butterfly, and Cleo Cricket, in finding her way back home.
A celebration of friendship, this sweet book is a collaboration by renowned, musical artist Maren Morris and former schoolteacher and close friend Karina Argow. Artist Kelly Anne Dalton brings the delightfully written characters to life with colorful and charming illustrations.
Join Addie Ant in a vast and magical garden adventure full of insect friends, growing vegetables, blooming flowers, and the inspiring abundance of nature.
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Cesaria Feels the Beat
In this powerful and inspiring picture book, a deaf girl stands up for herself and takes off her shoes while dancing at her Carnival performance so she can feel the music through her bare feet.
Cesaria is going to perform for the seaside Carnival. She skips past the beach barefoot, dressed in her favorite peacock leotard.
But when her dance director tells her she must put on her shoes to go on stage, Cesaria signs, “Peacocks don’t wear shoes!”
You see, Cesaria hears the music through the soles of her feet, but no one seems to understand...
...That is, until all the dancers take off their shoes, and learn to feel the music, just like Cesaria.
Cesaria Feels the Beat is a lyrical and heartfelt story about deafness, community, and Carnival. -
How Do Dinosaurs Say Trick Or Treat?
It's trick or treat time for our bestselling dinosaurs! Roar with laughter in a Halloween adventure you will never forget!
How does a dinosaur say "trick or treat"
When walking down with kids down a Halloween street?
Does he stomp on the pumpkins and throw around bits?
Does he fear he will slip and then slide into splits?
It's Halloween time! The streets are filled with kids in costumes, the spooky decorations are out, but our inquisitive and rambunctious dinosaurs are not quite sure about trick or treating...
With a little practice, and some hilarious antics, our prehistoric friends learn some holiday tricks like carving smiling pumpkins, helping witches carry their brooms, and sharing some yummy treats. Join in the hilarity as the bestselling duo Jane Yolen and Mark Teague help young dinosaurs (and readers) have a great time at Halloween!
With over 23 million copies in print, each dino-mite How Do Dinosaurs book is a combination of hilarious situations and sing-song rhymes that show young children how to be more successful every day and in every way. The How Do Dinosaurs series will help children become confident readers while teaching them life lessons. And as an added bonus, the names of the dinosaurs are hidden on each page. Look for all the bestselling How Do Dinosaurs books by Jane Yolen with illustrations by Mark Teague!
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The Sun Never Hurries
Papa Jo loves to slow down and savor his day, but the excitable young Charlie may need some convincing...
Charlie's grandfather, Papa Jo, uses an hourglass to remind himself that every moment is precious. When Charlie asks Papa Jo what his hourglass is for, she doesn't really understand his answer. To teach Charlie the importance of taking her time and savoring her day, the pair spend their day at a leisurely pace, transforming every ordinary day into a wonderful time.
This gentle story reminds us to enjoy the precious moments we spend together. As young Charlie learns to slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature and everyday life, so too will your young reader. This affectionately illustrated book will work as a perfect bedtime story that will encourage children to reflect on their day and treasure the little things that make their life special.
In The Sun Never Hurries, Lucie Crovatto's rich and tender illustrations transport readers to a cozy day cooking and exploring the outdoors. Roxane Turcotte's writing showcases the special bond between a grandparent and grandchild.
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Somebody Needs to Do Something About That Monster!
A silly and ironic twist on “The Little Dutch Boy,” featuring a charmingly unaware monster who just wants to be kind and make a difference
Merv is a nice monster. He sits outside the village, snacking on plants and blissfully minding his own business. Until…the villagers start complaining about “that monster.” Merv assumes they must be talking about somebody else and decides to go take care of that nuisance himself! He asks for help from the witches, the troll under the bridge, and even the unicorns. But their assistance comes with strings attached, and poor Merv isn’t ready to meet their demands. Will Merv return to the village a failure, or might he have been helping everyone all along? -
A Best Friend for Bear
A charmingly earnest pair of bears find a friend where they least expect it in this heartwarming comedy of errors featuring the rich artwork of Petr Horácek.
Black Bear is feeling lonely, so he decides to look for a friend. Luckily, he meets Brown Bear, who is in the same situation! The bears decide to join forces, but finding a friend isn't easy. After helping each other through forests and over a brook, skirting a ravine and even practicing how to "find" with a slightly suspenseful game of hide-and-seek, their elusive friend is still nowhere to be found. Or has the perfect candidate been there all along? With deeply saturated colors and endearing characters, Petr Horacek offers a gentle reminder that the best things in life may be hiding in plain sight. -
Shy Robin and the First Day of School
A little hippo finds that looking out for a new friend can turn shyness into bravery in Jaime Kim’s sweetly illustrated story about the first day of school.
Mom always calls Robin a big, brave hippo, but on the first day of school she just wants to hide. Even though Mom gives her a pretty purple headband to make her feel confident, as soon as she enters the classroom she retreats to a safe, quiet corner. Before long, Robin spies a young otter named Marco who is wearing purple bracelets and who seems even quieter and more timid than she is. And when Marco falters while trying to say his name aloud to the class, Robin discovers that her voice can be strong when coming to a new friend’s aid. Might Marco do the same if she needed help? In a gentle story threaded with the familiar moments of a first school experience—seen through the eyes of a child for whom they can be more intimidating than most—Jaime Kim captures the warmth of finding a new friend and the ways that connection can make us all more courageous, no matter how shy we feel.