Children are never too young or too old to start visiting their local public library. There they will

find a wealth of learning resources including books, magazines, videos. computers, and other

resources, as well as story-time and craft programs. Listed below are fun and educational picture

books and teacher resources that you may want to check out from your local library. Be sure to

ask the children's librarian for some help finding these and other developmentally and age

appropriate book titles. To find the library nearest you, check your local telephone directory.

List compiled by Pam Chamberlain Kringel, Children's Services Coordinator, South Dakota State Library

Letters of the alphabet are paired with color photographs of objects that begin with that letter.

Can you guess which animals are pictured in the stunning black and white photographs by using

the letters of the alphabet as clues?

A young girl takes a ride around the farm on her horse and discovers lots of things starting with

all the letters of the alphabet from A to Z.

Zoo animals from an angry anteater to a playful pig to a zany zebra exhibit different emotions

from A to Z.

Based on a playground game, this silly picture book equates each letter of the alphabet with an

animal and a place.

Illustrated by Martha Alexander, this darling version of the 1948 alphabet song by Buddy Kaye

lets children know just how special and unique they are.

Three animal friends celebrate all the wonderful things they can do from A to Z.

Color photographs show kids demonstrating words that start with every letter of the alphabet.

A young dinosaur with a hearty appetite gobbles up the 26 letters of the alphabet.

Albert, the school maintenance duck, is under orders to build an alphabet for the kids around the

walking path by 3:00 p.m. Will he have enough time and materials to complete his task?

Alfie and his little sister, Annie Rose, joyfully work their way through the alphabet by finding

everyday objects and people that start with every letter.

Animals from A to Z arrive bearing appropriate food for a Thanksgiving Day feast.

Bright photo collages and a simple text invite the young reader to search for objects that begin

with each letter of the alphabet.

A grouchy old woman known as the “Alphabet Keeper” makes the mistake one day of letting the

letters out of their cage. Once free, the letters have some fun with their keeper by mixing

themselves up and turning old words into new ones.

out of any and all materials that he can find.

Black and White Rabbit’s painting of a picture is explained using words that begin with the 26

letters of the alphabet.

26 lively and brightly colored letters decide to scale the nearest coconut tree, but will there be

enough room for all of them?

This pull-the-tab book is full of interactive alphabet fun, such as jovial jaguars and sneaky

snakes. Can you guess what is hiding behind each letter tab?

Join Clifford, the Big Red Dog, as he discovers everyday and holiday objects that start with the

different letters of the alphabet.

Learn the alphabet along with everyone’s favorite monkey, Curious George.

Laughter and learning abound in this beginning alphabet book by Dr. Seuss.

Did you know that it is possible to eat your way through the alphabet? This story highlights

healthy fruits and vegetables that begin with the different letters of the alphabet.

A young girl carefully packs her suitcase with everything she needs to spend the night at her

grandfather’s house.

Firefighters need everything from alarms to some restful “zzzzs” in order to carry out their jobs.

This book is a celebration of the animals that start with different letters of the alphabet.

Twenty-six children joyfully celebrate their names which begin with different letters of the

alphabet.

Each letter of the alphabet is represented by its corresponding American Sign Language hand

sign and everyday objects that begin with that letter.

26 animals, from anteater through zebra, pose beside the American Sign Language hand signs

representing the first letters of their names.

Can you find all the objects that start the 26 letters of the alphabet? This photographic treasure

hunt is a fun feast for young eyes.

From anemones to zooplankton, explore the alphabetical wonders of the sea.

From “all ready for bed” to “zzzzz,” a cast of children eagerly participates in familiar bedtime

rituals.

Kipper and his friend Arnold have fun trying to come up with different items that start with each

letter of the alphabet.

Each letter of the alphabet is gently represented by a different human emotion.

Once upon a time all 26 letter blocks were safely stored in their box until one by one they got

the missing letter blocks?

From A to Z, this book takes a look at the many Native nations and cultures of America.

Miss Bindergarten and her twenty-six alphabetical students prepare for their first day of

Kindergarten.

From ants to a zebra butterfly, Miss Spider’s friends gather to help her celebrate her birthday.

Young Zachary describes where everyone, from Aunt Allison to Dog Yancy, sleep in his very

full house over the Christmas holiday.

A young child discovers all the things from A to Z that can be bought on Market Street. Can you

guess who will be the lucky recipient of all these newly bought alphabetic goodies?

From atlases at the airport to zodiacs at the zoo, the world is full of fun materials and places to

read.

A young girl and her brother discover all the fun they can have with words by changing letters

around to make new words out of old ones.

This nicely illustrated volume contains animal art ideas and fingerplays for every letter of the

alphabet.

Turn each letter of the alphabet into a whole day’s lesson with this fun teaching guide. Included

for each letter, are corresponding literature, science, math, and art lessons.

activity volume.

activity volume.

This book contains over 100 reproducible alphabet sound and letter games, activities, and

patterns.

Children will delight in the silly antics of George, the dog, who just can’t seem to bark. He can

meow, moo and quack though.

What can you do with a book? You can wear it as a hat, and you can read it with a cat. Join this

enthusiastic boy as he learns just how special a book is.

Looking for a good book to read, the barnyard animals make a trip to their local library. Will the

librarian be able to find them the perfect story?

A lyrically rhythmic and repetitive text and bright, vivid collage pictures introduce youngsters to

the concepts of animals and colors.

Max is sent to the store for various cake ingredients, including milk, eggs and flour, but what he

really wants is Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters! How will Max be able to let the grocer know

what he wants?

A group of school children eagerly await their school bus. Will it ever come?

This gentle story explores all the wonderful things you can do with toes, including writing in the

sand and digging in the mud.

By Esphyr Slobodkina

A tired hat peddler decides to take a nap in the shade of a nearby tree. When he awakes, he finds

that all of his caps are gone. Can you and your young one help find them again?

Carlo’s mom helps Carlo learn to read by labeling all of the objects in the house.

A young boy plants a carrot seed and tenderly cares for it while eagerly awaiting the grown

plant.

The rooster’s got a sore throat. Will the cow be able to help him wake the other farm animals?

While a little duck waits for the ice to melt in her favorite frozen pond, she dreams of a warm

springtime.

A younger brother describes why he loves his big brother and what he enjoys doing with him.

The cows, pigs, sheep and other barnyard animals are making a mess of the farmer’s kitchen.

A young child writes to the local zoo and asks for help in finding the perfect pet. Get ready for

lots of laughs and lift-the-flap surprises.

Five rambunctious monkeys would rather jump on the bed than go to sleep. This hand clapping,

foot stomping rhyme is sure to be a hit with your little one.

A young girl, with her father’s loving help, prepares a window box surprise for her mother.

This story takes a look at all the wonderful and wacky things that you can do with your feet.

Watch a brightly colored train zip down the pages of this award-winning book. This is a perfect

book for those children learning their colors.

Can you raise your shoulders like a buffalo? Can you wiggle your hips like a crocodile? Your

preschooler will love taking part in this book’s silly animal antics.

Froggy gets dressed for a chilly & snowy day. But in his excitement to go outside, he forgets

some vital clothing items, including his pants and even his underwear! Be prepared for serious

giggles.

Children are invited to help get rid of the big green monster by telling it to go away and by

turning the page. Each time a page is turned, the monster gets smaller until eventually it

disappears completely.

Daisy Duck just can’t seem to settle down and go to sleep. Both children and parents will

respond to this charmingly familiar tale.

A mischievous gorilla takes the zookeeper’s keys and silently lets the other zoo animals out.

They then follow the man home to a laugh-out loud ending.

It’s daytime and owl is trying to sleep, without much success. (The other birds are making too

much noise!) Owl gets the last word though come nightfall.

A small bear searches for the perfect birthday gift to give to the moon.

A mother duck has lost one of her ducklings. Can you and your young one find him?

Can a tomato smile? Can a carrot pout? Take a look at this book and decide for yourself.

Loving parents gently and carefully tuck their little dinosaurs into bed.

This is a hilarious Thanksgiving twist of the traditional children’s rhyme: “I Know An Old Lady

A narrator equates her love with that shown by a farmer for a rake, a duck for a lake and a candle

for a cake. This books repetitive refrain and rhyming text will have young ones enthusiastically

reading along with you!

Common everyday signs are depicted in bright colorful photographs. After you are done looking

at the book, take a walk around your neighborhood and see how many of the signs you and your

young one can identify.

Laughter and adventure abound when a young girl takes her frog to the library.

A young boy observes nature first-hand at a local pond. (Companion book to In The Tall, Tall

Grass).

Curious about mothers, a young llama asks his other animal friends what makes their mamas so

special to them.

Think you know this rhyme? Take a look at this warmly illustrated book and learn the other five

verses of the classic song.

A cloud takes on many shapes, including an ice cream cone, a bunny rabbit and a tree. Share this

book with your young one, then take a walk outside and see what shapes you can see in the

clouds.

Joseph starts out his story with a beloved overcoat. Over time, the coat wears out, so Joseph

makes it into smaller and smaller clothing items. What will happen when all of the fabric is worn

away?

Leo, the lion, is a late bloomer who can’t seem to do anything as quickly or as well as his peers.

Yet with his parents love and support, and with a little bit of growing time, Leo quickly turns

into a shining star.

is a wonderful story about the power of positive thinking.

Join a mouse as he seeks out a tasty lunch meal. This book would be perfect for children working

on color recognition.

A mother quietly reassures her young daughter that there is no limit to the love she feels for her.

Ruby takes her younger bunny brother, Max, to the mall on a mission to find the perfect pair of

pants. Max however wants a colorful dragon shirt. Can a compromise be reached?

This book contains three sweet stories about the love felt by a mother, father and grandmother

for their children and grandchildren.

When a family goes to bed, a young mouse wakes up and makes a yummy mess in their clean

kitchen.

Three inquisitive mice mix up combinations of red, yellow and blue paints and end up with some

exciting new colors.

In this simple story, Sam shares why his car is so special and how he cares for it.

A grandmother, her grandson and all the house pets are napping peacefully. Everyone is asleep,

or are they? Watch the hilarious havoc a wakeful flea plays on the sleeping characters.

This book is a beautifully illustrated version of the traditional children’s song.

Three baby owls anxiously await the return of mama owl that has been out hunting for dinner.

Pete is cheered up out of his grouchy mood when his mom and dad lovingly turn him into a

pizza.

Who is following Rosie the chicken on her walk around the farmyard? This wordless picture

book is a classic favorite of children.

This funny parody of the traditional song: “Wheels On The Bus” will have your young ones

rolling in the aisles.

Join a bunch of loveable sheep on a pirate ship adventure.

What do you do with a bunch of snow and a paper bag overflowing with craft materials? Why,

you make a snow family of course, complete with a snow dog and a snow cat.

Peter rushes outside to explore a familiar neighborhood that has been magically transformed by

snow.

A young person takes a walk through town and points out all of the buildings and objects that

This bold and brightly illustrated retelling of this classic tale is bound to be a hit with your young

ones.

A very busy and determined spider quietly weaves her web while the other farm animals

repeatedly question her about what she is doing.

Join Raffi for a rousing rendition of every youngster’s favorite song.

Eddie, a bright-eyed little boy, is off to the woods to find his misplaced teddy bear. Little does

Lift the flaps and search the house for a rambunctious and darling dog, named Spot.

Several farm animals try to squeeze into a rowboat that is quickly sinking. Can you and your

young one guess which animal will be the final straw that sinks the boat?

This index is perfect for those looking for picture books dealing with particular subjects, i.e. dinosaurs,

trucks, family problems, etc…

This resource is full of craft activity ideas for perennial favorite children’s songs, including the Itsy Bitsy

Spider, Baa Baa Black Sheep and Old MacDonald Had A Farm.

This book describes the research behind early childhood literacy and provides ideas for creating a literate

rich classroom environment.

Help your preschooler to learn the value of a book by having them create their very own. This resource is

rich with simple book templates and content ideas.

Do your storytimes lack zip? If so, then try this resource which is filled with storytime theme