Vooks A to Z

Nature

All Seasons

5 Minutes or Less

Brightly Storytime Presents

Seasonal - Winter

"Winter’s almost here!” says Little Owl, as he observes leaves falling, animal friends hibernating, and a chill from his feathers to his feet. And just as he and his friend racoon are watching their breath make fog in the cold air, it happens: Snow!

Read along with Ms. Linda as Little Owl experiences his first snow and first winter! 

Little Owl's Snow

New Books

Be Resilient

Animals

Bear loves to dance. But when he tries to dance with the other animals, he can’t seem to get the moves right. He’s too clumsy for ballet with the giraffes. He’s too stiff for breakdancing with the monkeys. The rhinos say he’s too slow for tap-dance—and Zebra claims he’s too strong for swing. Even synchronized swimming doesn’t click!

But when Bear notices a poster for a bears-only ice skating competition, he decides to sign up. He’s very nervous. Will he be able to stay on his feet? Will ice skating be something he’s good at? Or will the ice prove just as challenging and awkward as everything else?

Written and illustrated by Monika Filipina, The Bear Who Never Gave Up is a book for every child (and adult) who struggles to find their groove and gets singled out as a result. The story touches on themes of self-expression, individuality, conformity, and discovering one’s place. Published by Willow Tree Books.

Bear loves to dance—but he’s too clumsy to jive with the other animals. Is there any dance he’s good at?

The Bear Who Never Gave Up

Family 

Today, Hiku feels grumpy. The ice is too bright, the sun is too hot, and his mummy woke him up too early. Then Hiku remembers his whole family is coming for a visit—which is the last thing he wants right now. He doesn’t feel like smiling, being polite, and getting teased by his aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins. He wants to be alone.

But when Hiku sneaks off to his special snow hole, he starts to think about all the fun times he’s had with his family. Will Hiku realize he’s missing out on having fun and making memories? And if he does, will he make it back in time for the family photo? Come along with Hiku and find out!

Hiku is a story about how, with a little space and time to think, even grumpy days can get better. The narrative shows that feeling unhappy can be normal, and that it’s okay to take time for oneself when you’re not feeling up to socializing. Written by Nicole Snitselaar, illustrated by Coralie Saudo, and published by Top That! Publishing.

Today, Hiku’s whole family is coming for a visit. But Hiku doesn’t feel like being with family—he wants to be alone.

Hiku

Be Caring and Kind

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!

Early Childhood

Friendship

Elementary

Storytime Favorites

A boy's lost mitten is discovered by a group of curious woodland animals in this sweet retelling of the classic Ukrainian folk tale. Follow along and see what happens as each animal attempts to make the mitten their new home. Charming illustrations of snow covered hills and gentle falling snowflakes, conjure feelings of winter outings on cold crisp days. The festive music is sure to put anyone in the holiday mood. And, the merry cast of critters will surprise and delight imaginative young minds.

Animated from a deluxe pop-up book, The Mitten combines elements of the pop-up style with unique three dimensional puppet-show like visuals. The Mitten: A Classic Pop-up Folktale is written by Jessica Southwick, Illustrated by Pippa Curnick, constructed by award-winning paper engineer Yevgeniya Yeretskaya and published by Jumping Jack Press.

A lost mitten is discovered by a group of curious animals in this retelling of the classic tale.

The Mitten: A Classic Pop-Up Folktale

Celebrate Black History

Kevin is making decorations to celebrate a special African American holiday: Kwanzaa! This year, he got to decorate the unity cup. His mom lays a mat on the table, adds the candleholder and candles, and sets out an ear of corn for each kid. There are also presents. Tonight, grandpa will light the first candle. In six days, at the end of Kwanzaa, Kevin will light one too!

Come join Kevin as he learns important Swahili words, thinks about his community goals, and attends a Kwanzaa party full of drumming, dancing, and eating. You might know all about the importance of Kwanzaa—or maybe this will be your first chance to attend.

Kevin’s Kwanzaa offers an introductory peek into Kwanzaa, the African American holiday that’s now celebrated around the world. Written by Lisa Bullard, illustrated by Constanza Basaluzzo, and published by Millbrook Press.

Kevin can’t wait to set out the unity cup, light the candles, and dance, drum, and eat. It’s time to celebrate Kwanzaa!

 Kevin's Kwanzaa

Foundational Reading

If there’s one thing Llama Llama doesn’t like, it’s waiting. He and Mama Llama rush around, shopping for presents, baking cookies, decorating the tree . . . but how long is it until Christmas? Will it ever come? Finally, Llama Llama just can’t wait any more! It takes a cuddle from Mama Llama to remind him that “Gifts are nice, but there’s another: The true gift is, we have each other.

Llama Llama can't wait until Christmas. Will it ever come? Find out with Ms. Linda!

Llama Llama Holiday Drama

Be Brave

Who’s the most famous reindeer of all? Why Rudolph of course! But, do you know the story of the Reindeer Games and the other eight reindeer? Well, here’s the whole story. Meet all of Santa’s trusty reindeer, and see just what it means to be on T.E.A.M. Rudolph!

From the beloved characters we all know and love, comes T.E.A.M. Rudolph and the Reindeer Games!

Enjoy the story of everyone's favorite reindeer, and learn all about the fun Reindeer Games!

T.E.A.M. Rudolph and the Reindeer Games

Kid at Heart

The beloved holiday classic The Nutcracker comes to life like never before. Drift off into a dream world filled with ballrooms and battles, magical lands and fairy ballets, as Marie and her dear sweet Nutcracker embark on a magical journey.

Enchanting illustrations dance off the page, in a wonder-filled pop-up style puppet show—brought magically to life along with the familiar and enchanting melodies the ballet is best known for. Originally created as a deluxe pop-up book, this magical adaptation of the classic holiday tale is published by Jumping Jack Press—a division of Up With Paper. The Nutcracker: An Enchanting Pop-up Adaptation is retold by Jessica Southwick, illustrated by Neiko Ng and paper engineered by Yevgeniya Yeretskaya.

The beloved holiday classic The Nutcracker comes to life like never before!

The Nutcracker: An Enchanted Pop-Up Adaptation

"Hop on an iceberg and travel to the arctic for a fun-filled and festive Christmas party! These merry northern critters love coming together to celebrate the holidays. Walrus bakes cookies and Ermine wraps gifts, Snowy Owl brings mistletoe and Narwhal helps hang the star on the tree—all just in time for southern penguin friends to arrive for the festivities. With all the festive friends together, it will be an Arctic Christmas to remember!

Originally created as a deluxe pop-up book, this festive holiday story is published by Jumping Jack Press—a division of Up With Paper. Arctic Christmas is written by Janet Lawler and illustrated by Pippa Curnick, with paper engineering by Yevgeniya Yeretskaya."

Hop on an iceberg and travel to the arctic for a fun-filled and festive Christmas party!

Arctic Christmas: A Very Cool Pop-Up Book

Vehicles

Familius Presents

"All aboard the Christmas Train! Join Santa and all his festive friends on a fun-filled train ride that teaches counting. Keep an eye out for all the seek-and-find holiday characters and items along the journey! Start in the North Pole with Santa’s elves and reindeer, then hop aboard the train and count your way through the night! Christmas train makes counting from 1 to 20 fun for all!"

Christmas Train is written by David Miles, and Published by Familius as a deluxe two-in-one board book that unfolds into a 56 inch train!

Join Santa and all his festive friends on a fun-filled train ride that teaches counting.

Christmas Train

Caleb is excited. Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday. Caleb’s relatives will come over soon—and when the sun sets, they’ll use the helper candle to light the first candle on the menorah. Each night of Hanukkah, Caleb and his family will light another candle. They’ll also eat latkes, open presents, and play the dreidel game.

How is the dreidel game played? Players spin the wooden spinning top, and depending which letter it lands on, they might win coins or chocolate. Tonight, Caleb hopes he’ll be the winner. But Hanukkah isn’t about winning—it’s about sharing and celebrating together. Come join Caleb and his family at the table!

An overview of the Hanukkah story and the traditions that sprang out of it, Caleb’s Hanukkah celebrates the basics of the eight-day Jewish celebration. Written by Lisa Bullard, illustrated by Constanza Basaluzzo, and published by Millbrook Press.

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah. Caleb’s family is about to light the menorah and spin the dreidel!

Caleb's Hanukkah

Cozy up and enjoy these festive favorites!