Family 

Be Caring and Kind

Happy Holidays

Animals

New Books

Vooks A to Z

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!

Max and his little sister Sarah are playing hide-and-seek. Sarah is good at the game. She’s so good that Max has to search the entire house—and he still can’t find her! Finally, Max gives up. The pair decide to play a different game. They want to head out into the snow to build snow siblings—one for Max, and one for Sarah.

What do Sarah and Max need to do to get ready for the snow? Ski pants, boots, and hats, for starters. Come along as two siblings keep each other entertained during the winter months, both inside and out.

A simple vocabulary primer, Max and Sarah Build a Snowman shows two siblings playing games and having a little fun. Written by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Ekaterina Trukhan, and published by Brain Food Kids.

After playing hide-and-seek, Max and his little sister Sarah decide to head out into the snow.

Max and Sarah Build a Snowman

Sick Day Stories

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

Biographies

Elementary

Mindfulness

Kid at Heart

All Seasons

Drift gently through a winter wonderland as pillowy snowflakes and sparkling ice crystals flutter off the page. Explore the beautiful and mysterious world of snowflakes, and learn the true story of the Snowflake Man, Wilson A. Bentley, who revealed the true beauty of snowflakes to the world. Full of wondrous imagery and a real life story, Snowflakes will engage and fascinate curious minds!

Originally created as a deluxe pop-up book, Snowflakes is full of beautiful, frosty illustrations and an engaging true story. This cool title is a flurry of winter wonder. From Jumping Jack Press — a division of Up With Paper — Snowflakes: A Pop-Up Book is written by Jennifer Preston Chushcoff and illustrated and engineered by Yevgeniya Yeretskaya.


Explore the beautiful and mysterious world of snowflakes, and the true story of the Snowflake Man!

Snowflakes: A Pop-Up Book

Nature

5 Minutes or Less

Brightly Storytime Presents

"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

Above the snow, a girl and her father glide on skis in a world washed in white. They see a story in the snow—of a deer on her way from a napping spot, or a bushy-tailed fox hunting for dinner. Below, a secret kingdom hides beneath the winter blanket. Cuddling deer mice and slumbering frogs, hungry beavers and tunneling voles, drowsy bears and busy squirrels.

The girl and her father aren’t here to stay—they’re headed home, to marshmallows and hot dogs, to blankets and beds. But the world under the snow is waiting. Dreams of summer feasts and warm ponds fill each mind as they snuggle deep and drift off to hopeful promises of spring.

Over and Under the Snow tells a story of slowness, patient cycles, and how the whole world bends to the changing of seasons. The narrative also shows how different insects and animals react to cold weather, some hibernating, some adopting a new way of living beneath the snow. Written by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal, and published by Chronicle Books.

Over the snow is a story of tracks—while a secret kingdom lies beneath, where the smallest creatures stay warm.

Over and Under the Snow

Early Childhood

Friendship

Storytime Favorites

Vooks at a Glance

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

Familius Presents

Numbers and Counting

H-E-L-P! Some VERY cold numbers are in danger — it's so cold outside, they're almost frozen! But, YOU can help. Count the numbers out loud and see if you can warm them up. Hurry!

This playful adventure of a story teaches numbers, counting, colors, seasons, patterns and even differences in climate. Little ones will love being a part of the story as they help save the day! 

The Very Cold, Freezing, No-Number Day is another hit storybook from family-focussed publisher Familius. Written by Ashley N. Sorenson and illustrated by David Miles.

Some VERY cold numbers are in danger, and YOU can help. Count out loud to warm the numbers up!

The Very Cold, Freezing, No-Number Day

Be Resilient

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

Bedtime

Everyone's Reading

S.T.E.A.M.

Little Red the fox and Hazel the gray dormouse are the very best of friends. They play together every chance they get. Fall is the perfect time to play hide-and-seek. Yet as winter approaches, Hazel starts to get ready for hibernation. Little Red doesn’t want their fun to end. He wants to play all winter long, not wait until Hazel wakes in spring.

Can Little Red find a way to keep her up? To make the sun stay high, or make the forest hold its fruit? Maybe he can trick her into staying awake by telling her a story. Come along as two friends settle in for sleep—even if they might prefer to play the season away.

A tender story of friendship and the joys of playtime, Before We Sleep is a metaphor for the ritual of going to bed each night. Throughout the narrative, reluctant sleepers are reassured that their loved ones will be there when they wake. Written by Giorgio Volpe, illustrated by Paolo Proietti, translated by Angus Yuen-Killick, and published by Red Comet Press.

With winter on the way and hibernation around the corner, a fox and a gray dormouse prepare for the long sleep.

Before We Sleep

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

Cozy up and enjoy these festive favorites!