Celebrate Hispanic Heritage

Storytime Favorites

Family 

Brightly Storytime Presents

Vooks A to Z

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

Back to School

Vooks at a Glance

Celebrate Black History

Friendship

Vooks Originals

Everyone's Reading

Elementary

Be Caring and Kind

New Books

Kid at Heart

Free Access

Little Craig loves birthday parties, even though he doesn’t get invited very often. That is until Craig gets invited to TWO birthday parties, on the same day. Joey’s the new kid in school, and he invited Craig to his party first. But Dan is Craig’s good friend, and he invited Craig to his party second. Little Craig is torn between keeping his word to Joey, or going to his friend Dan’s party instead. Craig’s mom reminds him “You’re only as good as your word,” and leaves the choice up to him. Little Craig has a tough decision to make, but with his mom’s encouraging words, he just might learn a valuable lesson that will guide him the rest of his life.

Based on a true story, this Little Craig book teaches the lesson of keeping your word. That’s the lesson Craig Robinson learned in real-life, when he was invited to two birthday parties on the same day. Craig’s mom Marian Robinson, always full of wisdom, helped him learn the valuable lesson that he still remembers to this day. The adorable illustrations bring Little Craig’s world to life, and a heartwarming retro-inspired soundtrack takes you back to the real-life era the story comes from. Little Craig: Balloons and Cake is the first book in the new Little Craig series, which teaches important lessons that kids can take with them for life.

A Vooks Original, Little Craig: Balloons and Cake teaches the lesson that keeping your word is important, even if it’s the hard thing to do. Based on a true story and a real-life lesson learned, the book is written by Craig Robinson and Leslie Harter, and Illustrated by Skylar Hogan.

Little Craig loves birthday parties! But when he gets invited to two parties on the same day, he has to make a tough decision.

Little Craig: Balloons and Cake

Nature

S.T.E.A.M.

Sick Day Stories

Seasonal - Spring

This stunning New York Times Bestseller introduces the kind, nature-loving Miss Maple, who celebrates the miracle in each seed—perfect for fans of Miss Rumphius!

What happens to seeds that don’t sprout? Fortunately, they have Miss Maple to look after them. Every year, she rescues orphan seeds, taking them to her cozy maple tree house. All winter long, she nurtures them and teaches them the ways of seeds and the paths by which they might find their new homes. And come spring, she sends them off to take root out in the wide world and to sprout into the wonderful plants she knows they’ll become. Celebrate every season with Miss Maple, from Earth Day to graduations to harvest festivals.

Join Ms. Linda to find out what happens to seeds that don’t sprout. Fortunately, they have Miss Maple to look after them. Every year, she rescues orphan seeds, taking them to her cozy maple tree house.

Miss Maple's Seeds

Nothing ever happens to poor Delia. Her life is dull, dull, dull. And yet, if Delia decided to look up or turn around, what do you think she’d notice? Probably not elephants marching through her house. And it’s unlikely she’d catch a pirate sitting behind her on the school bus. Really, what are the odds that a submarine would surface just as she gets out of the pool?

Come join Delia for the dullest day you’ve ever read about. There definitely won’t be any hot air balloons, astronauts, ostriches, tight-ropers, dinosaurs, or blasts of butterflies coming out of her tuba during band class. At least, none that Delia will see.

A (incredibly dull) story about how our perceptions shape our reality, Delia’s Dull Day reminds us that when we forget to pick our head up, we miss so many of life’s most exciting moments. Written and illustrated by Andy Myer, Delia’s Dull Day is published by Sleeping Bear Press.

According to Delia, her life is dull, dull, dull. But if Delia looked up, she might be surprised by what she’d see.

Delia's Dull Day

Dream Big

Early Childhood

All Seasons

Build Confidence

What happens when kindness and love are shared freely? Do they grow into something even more wonderful? Or, does the special gift eventually go bare? Little Miss is determined to find out. When she plants a kiss, and it grows into something extraordinary, she wants to share it with everyone she can—even if that means she won’t have any left for herself.

Plant a Kiss is an incredible story of unselfish giving. Filled with hope and optimism, the epic journey reminds us all of the power behind sharing joy with others. From acclaimed writer and illustrator team Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Peter H. Reynolds, Plant a Kiss is sure to spread love to all who see it.


When a kiss grows into something dazzling, Little Miss wants to share it with the world!

Plant a Kiss

5 Minutes or Less

A Little Golden Book version of the timeless fairytale of a princess and her sleepless night.

Hans Christian Andersen’s classic The Princess and the Pea is a timeless story beloved for its bold princess and a little pea that ends up causing a big problem. Featuring beautiful illustrations filled with a bright array of colors, this charming Little Golden Book makes for a perfect bedtime read.

Read along as Ms. Linda tells the timeless fairytale of a princess and her sleepless night.

The Princess and the Pea

Enjoy this retelling of a true classic, where a young woman learns that sometimes those who have nothing, actually have the most to offer.

Cinderella was a sad servant girl who dreamed of going to the ball. Will her dream ever come true?

Cinderella

Animals

Be Creative

Louie is a dog. His young owner is an artist. To improve his skills, Louie’s owner paints each day—and Louie is there as his audience. But then it’s time for Louie’s owner to go to school. Louie watches him go, feeling upset. He doesn’t like to be alone.

One day, after Louie’s owner leaves for school, Louie feels inspired. After watching so many pictures come to life, maybe he could try his own paw at the canvas. Maybe Louie is an artist himself. Will Louie make a big mess of his owner’s studio? Or will he prove that anyone can capture a spark of genius—even an enthusiastic pup like Louie?

A charming tale about a child and his pet, My Dog Thinks I’m a Genius celebrates the idea that to become an artist, one must simply choose to be one. The story touches on concepts of self-confidence, self-expression, and supporting one another’s art. Written by Harriet Ziefert and illustrated by renowned artist Barroux, My Dog Thinks I’m a Genius is published by Blue Apple Books.

Every day before school, Louie’s owner paints a picture. Today, Louie might like to try his own paw at the canvas.

My Dog Thinks I'm A Genius

Read Along With Vooks

In the City

Be Brave

Be Resilient

For Little Sock, every day is the same. He gets worn, he gets dirty, he gets washed. His friends don’t seem to mind the routine, but Little Sock dreams of something new. So one night, Little Sock decides to leave his drawer in search of adventure…to find the fabled land known as Sock City!

Follow Little Sock on this adorable journey about bravery and aspiration. Little ones will discover that sometimes in order to fulfill a dream we have to be courageous and try things that might seem a bit scary at first.

Written by Kia Heise and Christopher D. Park (with illustrations by Christopher D. Park as well), this light-hearted tale published by Sleeping Bear Press is sure to delight!


For Little Sock, every day’s the same—until, one night, he leaves his drawer in search of adventure.

Little Sock

Little Sock lives in a drawer. He may look like the other socks, but he has a secret. Sometimes, late at night, he escapes to a marvelous place where everything is new and exciting: Sock City! But when Little Sock starts to wish he had someone to share all the fun with, he’ll have to do something truly brave. He’ll have to figure out… just how exactly does a sock make a friend?

The fuzzy hero from Little Sock returns for a new adventure beyond the dryer, into the magical world where all socks dream of going. Socks might not get there in pairs, but who’s to say they can’t make a friend once they arrive?

Written by Kia Heise and Christopher D. Park, Little Sock Makes a Friend is a sequel to the much-loved Little Sock. Published by Sleeping Bear Press in 2021, the book includes themes of friendship, overcoming social anxiety, and learning how to fit into a new community.

Little Sock loves to visit Sock City—but sometimes, he gets a bit lonely. Will he be able to find a new friend?

Little Sock Makes a Friend

Curious George®

George is thrilled to get a thank-you card in the mail from his friend Betsy. It makes him want to send thank-you cards to everyone he knows. Who can he thank? The mail carrier? The librarian? It will be fun! But, when George undoubtedly gets into some of his usual mischief, saying thank you might just be easier said than done. This lighthearted lesson in good manners shows that saying thank you never goes out of style!

Margret & H.A. Rey’s Curious George Says Thank You is published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, written by Emily Flaschner Meyer and Julie M. Bartynski, and illustrated by Anna Grossnickle Hines.

Curious George® Says Thank You. Copyright © 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Based on the character of Curious George®, created by Margret and H.A. Rey. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Curious George® is a registered trademark of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Giving thank you cards might be easier said than done for everyone's favorite curious little monkey.

Curious George Says Thank You

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 neurodivergent 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 neurodiversity and 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 neurodivergent little brother Benji, today is a very bad day. Could anything help it get better?

Benji, the Bad Day, and Me

Stories with strong narratives that engage all children.