Vooks A to Z

Main Carousel

Kid at Heart

Be Creative

Mindfulness

New Books

Once, we were part of Outside, and Outside was part of us. Now, so many of us have forgotten that Outside is there. But Outside doesn’t mind. It reminds us that it’s here, waiting, just beyond the window, reaching in with shadows, sunsets, and slow magic tricks. Outside sings to us with chirps, rustles, and tap-taps on the roof. It beckons us with smells: sunbaked, fresh, and mysterious.

From the food we eat to the clothes we wear to the animals that snuggle in our spaces, Outside continues to cherish and sustain us. I’m here, Outside whispers. I miss you. And what will you answer in return? 

Outside In is a touching love letter to the world beyond our windows: the oceans, fields, and forests that amaze and sustain us. The story tenderly—and poignantly—shows readers how our indoor spaces rely on the outside world, even if the two feel disconnected. Written by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Cindy Derby, and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Once, we were part of Outside, and Outside was part of us. Now, Outside is kept out—so it reaches in.

Outside In

Be Kind

Elementary

Early Childhood

Storytime Favorites

Sam has a new pet. It’s a Temper, and he found it on the playground. At first, the Temper is great company—it shoves, trips, pinches, and stomps until the playground is cleared out just for Sam. But when it follows Sam home, the Temper soon becomes hard to handle. Sam starts to wish it would leave him alone.

When his Temper takes things too far at school, Sam knows he has to do something. But how does a person get their Temper to calm down? Can it be controlled, or will he simply have to live with it? Come along as Sam wrestles with his emotions and tries to rid himself of his pet Temper for good.

This funny yet touching story by Sangeeta Bhadra explores the concepts of handling frustration, taking responsibility, emotional learning, and recognizing that anger isn’t a part of our identities. Illustrated by Marion Arbona, Sam’s Pet Temper was published by Kids Can Press Ltd. in 2014.

Sam found a new pet on the playground. It’s a Temper—and before long, Sam starts to wish it would leave him alone.

Sam's Pet Temper

Dream Big

Be Brave

"And the People Stayed Home tells the story of the global Coronavirus pandemic, from a very different point of view. In a time of uncertainty and fear, this thought provoking story focuses instead on hope and beauty. This thoughtful poem about the pandemic, quarantine, and the future suggests there is meaning to be found in our shared experience of the Coronavirus. It also joyfully conveys an optimistic message about the possibility of profound healing for people and the planet.

And the People Stayed Home is the uplifting poem that swept the world during the global Coronavirus pandemic. Written by Kitty O’Meara in March of 2020, the poem immediately went viral. In a time where millions of people were undergoing quarantine, many feeling distant and unsure, O’Meara’s interesting perspective helped many see a brighter side. The poem has been so widely shared through social media, news media, and by influencers such as Deepak Chopra, Kate Winslet, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others, that O’Meara, a former teacher and chaplain and currently a spiritual director, has been called “the poet laureate of the pandemic.”

And the People Stayed Home is written by Kitty O’Meara and voiced by Kate Winslet. The best selling book is illustrated by Stephano Di Cristofaro and Paul Pereda, and published by Tra Publishing."

In a time of uncertainty, this story focuses on the hope and beauty of our shared experiences.

And the People Stayed Home

Familius Presents

Be You

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by...

Robert Frost’s classic poem, The Road Not Taken, comes to life like never before with this beautiful and touching companion presentation. Heartwarming illustrations accompany the original text, as we follow a young boy on his journey through a yellow wood. When a fork in the road arises, the boy is faced with a choice–the first of many in life. By journey’s end, the boy (now an old man) reflects on the sweet satisfaction of a life fully lived. 

The first children's book ever made of Frost's famous poem, this moving presentation is wonderfully illustrated by Vivian Mineker and proudly published by Familius, a values-driven publisher on a mission to teach, inspire, and bring families together.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by…

The Road Not Taken

Science

Animals

All Seasons

Sometimes bees can be a bit rude. They fly in your face and prance on your food. And yet… without bees, we might not have strawberries for shortcakes or avocados for tacos!

The Thing About Bees is equal parts love letter from a father to his two sons and step-by-step guide to understanding the bees that pollinate the foods we love. A visual and poetic masterpiece written and illustrated by Shabazz Larkin, this profound yet effortlessly approachable story promotes a message of love and respect for the things we might not otherwise fully understand.

The Thing About Bees is published by Readers to Eaters, whose mission is to promote food literacy through a better understanding of what and how we eat.

Sometimes the things we fear are simply the things we don't fully understand.

The Thing About Bees

Bedtime

When a young boy finds a strange stick in the park, his life completely changes. The stick fills his mind with imagination and wonder, helping him achieve his dreams and live a happy and full life. But it's not until years later that he discovers the full meaning of the stick and the true power of giving.

Imagination lives in you! This beautiful story, created by silhouette artist and children's author Clay Rice, celebrates imagination and kindness. The calming imagery, heartfelt story and soothing tone make it perfect as a bedtime story or to enjoy anytime of the day. Published by Familius, The Stick brings a warm story to life that is sure to inspire little ones to dream big and share the gift of imagination with others.

A young boy finds a stick in the park that completely changes his life forever.

The Stick

Slumberkins Presents

Alpacas are strong and have always shown that they can carry the weight, so you don’t have to alone...  

Sometimes life can be hard, fear and worries can be a heavy burden. But, Alpaca is here, to help carry the load! This calming book promotes stress relief, helping little ones during times of heightened anxiety. Through Alpaca's story, children learn to articulate their feelings and share their worries with others. 

Social and emotional development topics include:
Anxiety Management
Coping Skills
Stress Relief

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 coming to Vooks soon!

A calming story to promote stress relief and help little ones during times of heightened anxiety.

Slumberkins Presents: Alpaca

Some feelings are big,
some feelings are small.
Take a deep breath,
you can feel them all.
 
Join the Slumberkins friends for an adorable journey through the world of feelings! Using verbal and non-verbal cues, Creatures Full of Feelings helps little ones learn to identify and imitate each emotion. Children will love watching their favorite Slumberkins creatures express feelings in a safe, calm, approachable manner—promoting emotional intelligence and well-being from an early age.
 
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 coming to Vooks soon!


Some feelings are big, some feelings are small—join the Slumberkins friends as they feel them all.

Slumberkins Presents: Creatures Full of Feelings

Drift off to dreamland with Slumber Sloth. This gentle story encourages breathing and relaxation techniques, sure to calm and soothe restless little ones. The story can be used as a tool to promote sleep or manage anxiety. Using progressive muscle relaxation, children learn to relax their bodies and minds before bed.

Social and emotional development topics include:
Relaxation and Sleep
Mind-body Connection
Anxiety Management

Slumber Sloth 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!

Slumber Sloth uses breathing & relaxation techniques, perfect for little ones at bedtime.

Slumberkins Presents: Slumber Sloth

Family 

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

Unicorn isn’t sure where she fits in. Is she a horse? A deer? A donkey, perhaps? She thinks that blending in with a crowd will make her happy, but quickly realizes that being authentic is more important than being the same. In this one-of-a-kind story, little ones will discover that being true to themselves is one of the best, and bravest, things they can do.

Social and emotional development topics include:
Authenticity
Bravery
Friendship

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 coming to Vooks soon!

Unicorn learns that being true to yourself is one of the best, and bravest, things you can do!

Slumberkins Presents: Unicorn

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

Books that celebrate the power of being present. These stories are all about slowing things down and being calm—focusing your attention, and taking your time.