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Vooks at a Glance

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage

5 Minutes or Less

Early Childhood

Storytime Favorites

Elementary

Be Brave

Vooks A to Z

Build Confidence

Two fuzzy friends take a trip to the amusement park and one thing is for sure: they are definitely not scared! After all, there are much scarier things out there than a roller coaster. Like snakes! Or hairy spiders! Or aliens with pink eyes and furry teeth! The friends soon discover that sometimes being scared isn’t quite as “scary” as it seems–and it’s even pretty normal too. With endearing illustrations and hilarious dialogue, I Am (Not) Scared is sure to be a hit with the entire family!

This giggle-inducing, silly tale about (not) being scared features the characters from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small. I Am (Not) Scared is written by Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher Weyant and published by Two Lions. Keep an eye out for other books in the fun-filled (Not) series coming soon to Vooks!

Hairy spiders! Aliens! Hot lava! A ROLLER COASTER! Absolutely nothing to be scared of here…right?!

I Am (Not) Scared

Be Resilient

Animals

Mozzie the mosquito lives near a pond, down in the meadow. The most beautiful butterflies flutter there all day long. And everyone adores the butterflies—Mozzie most of all. One day, Mozzie builds up her courage, takes a deep breath, and approaches the butterflies. “Can I flutter around with you?” she asks.

But the butterflies don’t hang out with mosquitos, they say. They only like to be around other butterflies, who look and act like they do. So Mozzie came up with a plan—a plan to become a butterfly herself. But when the unexpected happens, being a butterfly might not be so great. Mozzie might need to simply embrace who she’s been all along.

An inversion of the classic Ugly Duckling narrative, The Mozzie with a Sharp Snozzie is a sweet, non-threatening story about self-confidence, bullying, and feeling comfortable in one’s own skin. It also touches on the nature of true friendship and acceptance. Written and illustrated by Irina Goundortseva. Published by Big Sky Publishing.

Mozzie the mosquito adores the butterflies who flutter near the pond. So, Mozzie comes up with a plan to become one of them.

The Mozzie with a Sharp Snozzie

Slumberkins Presents

Mindfulness

Follow Yeti on an emotional journey of self discovery, as she meets her feelings - scared, mad, sad, worried and calm - and learns how to take care of them. This moving story helps little ones become more aware of their emotions, recognize them as healthy and normal and offers tools to help regulate and support them. 

Social and emotional development topics include:
Emotional Well-being
Emotion Identification
Coping Skills

The Feels is just one of many groundbreaking storybooks from the creative and highly celebrated minds behind Slumberkins. Their mission is to provide parents and caregivers with resources that promote early emotional learning skills for young children, while strengthening the parent child bond. Each Slumberkins book uses an interactive story time approach infused with therapeutic techniques and skill-building exercises.

Be on the lookout for even more Slumberkins storybooks coming to Vooks soon!

Follow Yeti on an emotional journey, as she meets her feelings and learns how to take care of them.

Slumberkins Presents: The Feels

Numbers and Counting

Main Carousel

New Books

Blue is a quiet color. He enjoys gazing at clouds and going with the flow. Sometimes, he wishes he was sunny, like Yellow, or bright like Green. But overall, he likes being Blue—except when he’s with Red. Red is a hothead who likes to pick on Blue. Yellow, Orange, Green, and Purple don’t like what they see, but what can they do?

When no one speaks up, things get out of hand—until One comes along. He shows the other colors how they can count on each other. In the end, when just one stands up for what’s right, it makes it easier for everyone else to stand with them.

One is a story about how bullying doesn’t go away when it’s ignored—it only gets worse. And yet, when just one person takes a stand, it makes it easier for others to take a stand with them. The narrative touches on themes of individuality, gentleness, kindness, and bravery. Written and illustrated by Kathryn Otoshi. Published by Ko Kids Books.

When Red starts picking on Blue, things get out of hand—until One shows the colors how they can count on each other.

Dream Big

Read Along With Vooks

Kid at Heart

Biographies

Celebrate Black History

Vooks Originals

Ronnie Lott has always been tough. As a kid, when he fell down, he felt something inside him start to rumble. That something was a voice called Grit. On the court or off the field, no matter where he went or what he played, Grit was there. When he tumbled, Grit said, “Get back up!” When he fumbled, Grit said, “Let’s try again!”

When Grit helps Ronnie become a professional football player, he’ll have a shot at achieving his dreams. But just how far can Grit take him? Join Ronnie as he pushes his limits and answers the question: Is Grit living in all of us? If so, how can we learn to hear its voice?

Ronnie and his Grit is based on the true-life story of NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott. A tribute to the power of courage, respect, self-restraint, and unflinching resolve, Ronnie and his Grit is a 2021 Vooks Original. Written by Ronnie Lott and Leslie Harter and illustrated by Jonathan Sundy.


Ronnie has an inner voice named Grit, and it pushes him to achieve his dreams. But just how far can Grit take him?

Ronnie and His Grit

Camp Vooks

Familius Presents

Sick Day Stories

It's not just people who can change the world, but animals too! These amazing stories introduce children to the real life animals who changed history. From a cow that helped save millions, to a dog who captured a spy, to a bear that inspired stories known the world over; Amazing Animals Who Changed the World teaches that you don't have to be big (or even human!) to make a difference.

With beautiful illustrations and fun and engaging stories, Amazing Animals Who Changed the World is sure to entertain and inspire! Amazing Animals Who Changed the World is written by Heidi Poelman, illustrated by Kyle Kershner, and published by Familius.

These incredible stories introduce children to the real life amazing animals who changed history!

Amazing Animals Who Changed the World

Foundational Reading

Brightly Storytime Presents

A little girl invites us into her ballet class, and later performs onstage (gulp!) in her first recital. Young readers will enjoy seeing what happens in a class, and young ballerinas will see themselves in this book.

Ms. Linda reads the story of a little girl who invites us into her ballet class, and later performs onstage (gulp!) in her first recital.

I'm a Ballerina!

In the City

In the great city of New Orleans, Cornelius keeps the streets sparkling clean. When his truck rolls up to each home, Cornelius sashays to the curb. He flings bags over his head, behind his back, between his legs—and they land in the hopper in a perfect pyramid. Just like the garbage can lids he whirls on his fingers, Cornelius spins and twirls. And everyone dances along.

But then the storm comes. The city fills with water. People, parks, and playgrounds wash away. Can Cornelius alone tackle the mountains of ruins, stacked as high as the steeple of St. Louis Cathedral? Or will it take millions of people like him to put the great city back together?

Marvelous Cornelius is an ode to a real man who embodied the true spirit of New Orleans—full of energy, vibrance, and gusto. The story highlights themes of perseverance and the power of the human spirit. Written by Phil Bildner, illustrated by John Parra, and published by Chronicle Books.

In the great city of New Orleans, Cornelius keeps the streets sparkling clean. But then the great storm rolls in.

Marvelous Cornelius

Family 

Papa is a soldier. And because he’s a soldier, sometimes Papa has to go away for a while, so Little Bear can stay and play in safety. But it’s not easy for Little Bear to be left behind. He misses the way Papa holds his hand, and touches his hair, and kisses his face and eyes. He misses Papa’s strong, warm arms.

Little Bear starts to wonder: What would it be like to stow away in Papa’s backpack? So he could stand side-by-side with Papa, and they could face the storms together. So Little Bear could whisper in Papa’s ear and see the things that Papa sees. So that he could be sure that Papa finds his way back home.

A tender, heartfelt story about the difficulties of separation, Papa’s Backpack abstractly works through the complicated emotions that come with a parent leaving for deployment. In an age appropriate way, the narrative approaches the subject with sensitivity, avoiding specifics on the complexities of a soldier’s duties. Written by and illustrated by James Christopher Carroll and published by Sleeping Bear Press.

A tribute to the bond between a child and military parent. Papa Bear is a soldier. When Papa has to go away, Little Bear wonders… what would it be like to go with him?

Papa's Backpack

Seasonal - Spring

Nature

All Seasons

Women Who Changed the World

Wangari, grew up in Kenya, surrounded by beautiful trees. Years later, after returning home from college, she is shocked to see entire forests cut down. The land is barren and the people in the villages are suffering. She knows that if trees could return, then the land and people would flourish once again. Starting small, Wangari plants nine seedlings in her own backyard. Soon, women from her village, and beyond, are joining in! The movement grows. Despite being mocked, and even thrown in jail, Wangari’s determination and vision inspire change across Africa and even the world. 

Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa, is a message of strength, determination and responsibility for the environment around us. The empowering true story of Wangari Maathai, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is sure to inspire future generations. Through Wangari’s example we learn that one person can truly make a difference and impact the world. 

Wangari's Trees of Peace is written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.


Through Wangari’s example we learn that one person can truly make a difference and impact the world.

Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa

Back to School

Storybook Genius Publishing

All summer long, Beatrice has dreamed about her first day of first grade. Now that it’s here, she’s a little worried something could go wrong. What if she gets lost? What if her teacher isn’t nice? Her brother already told Beatrice that she can’t wear her favorite blue tutu to school. She’s not in kindergarten anymore.

But before Beatrice can feel too upset, someone unexpected shows up—a secret friend, who might be the thing she needs to make it through the day. Will fitting in mean keeping all of her thoughts and feelings to herself? Or will her secret friend help Beatrice overcome her fears, giving her the confidence to Be Big?

Written and illustrated by Katie Kizer, Be Big! Beatrice's First Day Of First Grade tells the story of being yourself even when you’re nervous—of overcoming your fears and being comfortable taking up your own space. The narrative inspires talks about self-expression, bravery, and life transitions. Published by Storybook Genius.

Beatrice is about to start her first day of first grade—and she’s bringing a secret friend along for the ride.

Be Big! Beatrice's First Day of First Grade

It be the first day of kindergarrrten. It also be the bus driver’s first day drivin’ a bus. No, don’t be scared. Pirates don’t get scared. There be rules here to keep things in ship shape—the Pirate’s Code. First, ye’ll meet the driver’s parrot, Polly. Then ye’ll stay in yer seat. There’ll be no yellin’. And ye’ll keep yer hooks—er, hands—to yerself!

But when Polly goes missin’, what then? What will ye do when the bus driver starts blubberin’? Because it’s not okay for a pirate to be scared, not even if his Polly has flown away. Right? Or maybe… maybe bein’ brave doesn’t mean bein’ fearless, but doin’ what needs doin’ even when yer scared. Eh? Blimey.

Kindergarrrten Bus is a hilarious and clever tale about how we deal with fears and uncertainties, and how our children are impacted by the coping skills we do (or do not) possess. The book not only makes the transition to kindergarten feel fun and exciting, it also shows that anxieties are a normal part of new experiences. Written by Mike Ornstein, illustrated by Kevin M. Barry, and published by Sleeping Bear Press.

It be the first day of kindergarrrten. High time for little scoundrels to board the ship—err, the bus. All aboard!

Kindergarrrten Bus

These storybooks feature bravery, courage and perseverance.