Vooks A to Z

Be Kind

5 Minutes or Less

Family 

Brightly Storytime Presents

Little Jumbo just can’t understand why his dad is having such a bad day. It couldn’t be the raisins Little Jumbo spit out at the ceiling or the bath he refused to take–after all, Little Jumbo’s dad knew he hated raisins and had already taken a bath that week! Luckily, Little Jumbo is such a thoughtful elephant that he decides to turn his dad’s bad day around with some of his–ahem, his dad’s–favorite things.

How to Cheer up Dad is a standout picture book featuring a charmingly oblivious little elephant with serious pluck and staying power. It turns the parent-child roles upside down is a great book for dads and the kids who make them laugh.

Ms. Linda tells the story of Little Jumbo, who just can’t understand why his dad is having such a bad day. Through play and a little understanding, Little Jumbo learns that Dad's happiest when they spend time together. 

How to Cheer Up Dad

Seasonal - Winter

Animals

New Books

What will Little Bear grow up to be? Really, anything he chooses. Little bears can be kind, like when they help Grandad Bear shovel the snow out of their den. And little bears can be strong, like when they bravely help pull a cousin out of a snowdrift. Little bears can be fast and fearless, like when they race to the top of a mountain—and little bears can be slow and careful, taking care where they place their steps.

Come along with Mummy Bear as she leads her Little Bear on a journey. Because in the end, who we grow up to be is really about who we practice being now. And doesn’t it sound nice to choose to be happy?

Be Happy! embraces the many things children (and adults) can choose to be, and how every difference has a strength. By showing that parents lead by example, the story also highlights an important lesson: Who we become is the result of who we choose to be today. Written by Susie Linn and illustrated by Alex Patrick, Be Happy! is published by Imagine That.

What will Little Bear be when he grows up? Come along, little one. Mummy Bear will show you.

Be Happy!

Storytime Favorites

Main Carousel

Nothing seems to be going right for Sammy today. At school, he got in trouble for kicking a fence. Then the cafeteria ran out of his favorite pizza for lunch. After having to walk home in the pouring rain, Sammy finds his autistic little brother Benji is having a bad day too. On days like this, Benji has a special play-box where he goes to feel cozy and safe.

But while Sammy lovingly cares for Benji, Sammy doesn’t have a special place where he can feel protected. And he's convinced no one cares how he feels—or even notices him at all. But somebody is noticing, and they might have an idea of how to help Sammy feel a bit better.

A touching, heartfelt story about the ways we process frustration and emotion, Benji, the Bad Day, and Me explores the power of familial relationships—especially between siblings. The story tenderly handles topics like autism, sensory therapy, caring for loved ones, and honoring one’s feelings without judgment. Written by Sally J. Pla, illustrated by Ken Min, and published by Lee & Low Books Inc.

For Sammy and his autistic little brother Benji, today is a very bad day. Could anything help it get better?

Benji, the Bad Day, and Me

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage

When Carmela wakes up on her birthday, her wish has already come true–she’s finally old enough to join her big brother as he does the family errands. Together, they travel through their neighborhood, past the crowded bus stop, the fenced-off repair shop, and the panadería, until they arrive at the Laundromat, where Carmela finds a lone dandelion growing in the pavement. But before she can blow its white fluff away, her brother tells her she has to make a wish. If only she can think of just the right wish to make . . .

With lyrical, stirring text and stunning, evocative artwork, Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson have crafted a moving ode to family, to dreamers, and to finding hope in the most unexpected places.

Join Ms. Linda in reading! Carmela is finally old enough to join her big brother as he does the family errands. Together, they travel through their neighborhood, until Carmela finds a lone dandelion. But before she can blow its white fluff away, her brother tells her she has to make a wish.

Carmela Full of Wishes

Kid at Heart

Elementary

Be Brave

Everyone's Reading

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

Be You

Spork sticks out. In his kitchen, utensils have a single purpose. Even though he tries to act more spoonish or look more forkish, he never gets picked at mealtime. Instead, he sits and watches while the forks twirl knots of noodles and the spoons scoop up mountains of peas. They even get to enjoy a bubbly bath in the sink when dinner is over.

He seems destined for a life in the drawer … until one day, a messy guest arrives. This guest doesn’t seem to care about cutlery customs. Spork wonders—could this be his chance to find his way to the table? Could his uniqueness make him the best solution for this problem?

A metaphor-rich celebration of hybrid identities, Spork is a “multi-cutlery” tale for anyone who’s ever felt like a misfit. Exploring themes of purpose, conformity, diversity, and finding your place in the world, Spork is written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault. Published by Kids Can Press.

Spork never gets picked during mealtime. He seems destined for a life in the drawer… until an unexpected guest arrives.

Spork

Mindfulness

All Seasons

Otter’s story reminds little ones that families are connected by the love they feel in their hearts. This sweet story introduces the concept of family bonds and acceptance—teaching children that loved ones are held in their hearts. 

Social and emotional development topics include:
Family Bonding
Family Transitions
Acceptance

Slumberkins is on a mission 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 on Vooks!


A loving story of family bonding and acceptance. A family is something you hold in your heart.

Slumberkins Presents: Otter

Be Creative

Food and Cooking

Aneel loves when his grandparents visit. Most of all, he loves their stories. Today, Dada-ji tells Aneel the story of a lad from a village far, far away. The lad could wrestle water buffalo, tie two hissing cobras in a knot, spin trumpeting elephants by their tails, and touch the sky with his feet. The source of the lad’s tiger power? Hot, hot roti, prepared by Aneel’s Badi-ma herself!

Aneel asks his mother, father, Dadi-ma, and sister for help making roti for Dada-ji. But when no one can help, Aneel is left to make the recipe on his own. Will the roti turn out alright? And if it does, can it still give Dada-ji the power of the tiger? There’s only one way to find out!

Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-Ji tells the story of a bond between grandson and grandfather. The narrative features themes of cultural heritage, traditions, belief in one’s self, and the expression of love through cooking. Written by F. Zia, illustrated by Ken Min, and published by Lee & Low Books.

There once was a lad who could tie two cobras in a knot and touch the sky with his feet. His secret? Hot, hot roti.

Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-Ji

When Lucy’s new owners rescue her from the pound, the little girl shows Lucy around her new home. Then suddenly, Lucy starts to howl. “Wah-ooo-ooo-roo,” Lucy howls in the morning. She keeps howling in the afternoon, then on into the night. Dad tries showing Lucy a mirror, in case she misses other dogs. Mom makes Lucy special foods and treats. They even take Lucy to a dog psychologist, who prescribes classical music and lullabies.

Day after day, nothing can stop Lucy from crying. If she doesn’t stop soon, Mom says they’ll have to take her back to the pound. Then the little girl has an idea—an idea that just might rescue Lucy once more.

Lucy Rescued tells the story of an anxious pup who needs some friends of her own. The story shows the difficulties that come with adopting a pet, and how patience, love, and understanding can be just what an animal needs to feel at home. Written by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Barroux, and published by Blue Apple Books.

When Lucy is brought home from the pound, she begins to howl. Why is she crying—and can anything make her stop?

Lucy Rescued

Bedtime

Familius Presents

Early Childhood

Foundational Reading

Of all the children that ever could be, you are the one made just for me. From a child's first uttered "Dada" to his or her first unsteady steps, nothing can adequately convey the joy and awe of watching the birth and growth of a new child. Filled with adorable illustrations and the refrain, "You are the one made just for me," Made for Me is a winning presentation of tender moments that tie a father and his new child together—forever.

Made for Me is written by Zack Bush and illustrated by Gregorio De Lauretis. The bestselling book is published by Familius.

Of all the children that ever could be, you are the one made just for me.

Made for Me

Language and Vocabulary

Today, Mike and his sister Pam are going on a shopping trip with Daddy. They all pile into the car and head downtown. First, they get haircuts. Mike hops into the chair, and then Pam. Next, they head over to the shoe store. A man measures Mike’s feet, and then he measures Pam’s. Mike picks out blue shoes. Pam is a copycat and picks out blue shoes as well.

The shoe store clerk gives them each a balloon, and Pam picks the same color as Mike. But on the way to the car, Pam’s balloon pops. Daddy gives Pam his balloon—and then decides to make an unexpected stop. Can you guess where they go?

Shopping with Daddy gives young readers a simple overview of a shopping trip—to the barber, a store, and a restaurant. Themes of sharing, copying, and mild sibling rivalry show up throughout the narrative. Written by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Travis Foster, and published by Blue Apple Books.

On a shopping trip with Daddy, Mike and his sister Pam get haircuts and new shoes—and make an unexpected stop.

Shopping with Daddy

Science

It’s a sleepy Saturday morning for most people, but not for Iris. She has to feed her many pets before Aunt Mary arrives. Iris likes to call her Aunt Mary “Plant Mary,” because Aunt Mary is a plant scientist. They’re about to turn Iris’s kitchen into a bread lab. Today’s science experiment: Making whole wheat sourdough from scratch.

First, they mix the four ingredients needed to make the bread: flour, water, salt, and Flora the starter. Then, they knead the bread until it’s strong. What happens after they let the loaf rest? To find out, come along for a scientific bake-off featuring microbes, tasty aromas, and a crust-loving dog named Charlie.

Bread Lab! takes a close, step-by-step look at the process of using microbes to make a loaf of bread from scratch. The narrative features accessible scientific ideas and representations of girls in science. It also connects the dots between farming, plant science, and the foods we love to eat. Written by real-life plant researchers Kim Binczewski and Bethany Econopouly, illustrated by Hayelin Choi, and published by Readers to Eaters.

Iris is about to turn her kitchen into a bread lab with her Aunt Mary. Today’s experiment: Whole wheat sourdough.