Children and Parenting – Toledo Lucas County Public Library

O Canada Week: Hockey in North America!

Continue the hockey fever and "check" out these books for kids and teens featuring this wildly popular (and sometimes wild!) sport in both our countries!

O Canada Week: Lacrosse!

Love lacrosse? Canadians do too! It's their national summer sport, because their national winter sport has to be hockey, right?!

Books About Ramadan and Eid

Ramadan is observed around the world by millions of Muslims. Read about Ramadan and Eid a-fitr with these children's books for all ages!

Who is your favorite literary dragon? Whether you’re a fan of Wings of Fire or Dragons Love Tacos, celebrate your favorite fire-breathing, scaly, flying beast with these great reads for youth of all ages!

Toledo Library Best Books of 2025

Here are our staff picks for the best books of 2025 for children, teens, and adults!

The Fight for Civil Rights: 20 Books to Learn About the Civil Rights Movement

In January, we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This list compiles historical fiction which brings to life stories about fighting for civil rights and nonfiction books that help educate about civil rights.

Beyond Bedtime: Picture Books That Speak to Adults

Storytime shouldn't just be for the kiddos! Here are my favorite picture books for grown-ups to enjoy.

New Year, New Beginnings

Ring in the New Year with children’s picture books that celebrate New Year’s Eve traditions, fresh beginnings, and joyful customs from around the world.

10 Titles about the Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice is on Dec. 21 and is the first day of winter.

Cozy Winter Hobbies

Add some variety to your indoor activities this winter by embracing a new hobby, and soon you’ll be enjoying it year-round!

Best Picture Books of 2025 from a Collection Development Librarian

So many picture books, so little time, am I right? Problem solved: here are the 2025 favorites of TLCPL's expert children's book selector.

Let’s Learn to Cook!

Whether you are cooking a garden-fresh meal to share with your family or baking birthday cupcakes for a friend, you’ll find what you need to start cooking with these books for young chefs!

Thankful Thanksgiving: 10 Books About Gratitude

Celebrate the season of gratitude with a curated selection of picture books that help young readers explore thankfulness, kindness, and the joy of giving.

12 Books for World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day is observed globally on November 13th and is a reminder for everyone to be kind to one another.

Understanding Emotions

Here are some books to help your little one understand and work through the emotions they’re experiencing.

Children’s Books About Mobile Libraries

A library on wheels? A library that visits you? What might that be? The bookmobile! Explore these books for kids that discuss mobile libraries.

Book Recs Based on Your Halloween Costume – Kiddo Edition

Here's a great list of books based on Halloween costume ideas. Take a look and see if you can guess the costume that would go with each one.

Grandparents: Celebrating Love Across Generations

Share a story and celebrate grandparents with these picture books that honor the special bond between children and their grandparents.

10 Chapter Books Sent to the Big Screen

Before every great movie, there was a great story. Go from page to screen with this selection of titles!

Children’s Books that Celebrate All Things Autumn

Curl up in the crisp air with a cozy sweater and some hot apple cider. It’s time to read about all things fall!

Youth Banned Books

This Banned Books Week, we are sharing some of the youth books that are frequent censorship targets.

Biographies to Celebrate Latinx Cultural Heritage

Juvenile biographies featuring leaders, heroes, athletes, and creatives never fail to inspire!

National Library Card Sign-Up Month

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month. Check out these books for youth about the excitement and importance of having a library card!

Name That Sport!

If you’re looking for a new sport to watch or try, take a look at these books exploring lesser known sports.

10 Books to Get Your Child Excited for Kindergarten

Discover the best children’s books to make back-to-school season exciting and learn about free resources to support early reading success.

Youth Books to Celebrate Pride

This is the essential “Celebrate Pride” book list geared towards young audiences! A little bit of history, some uplifting narratives, and a handful of fictional stories with captivating LGBTQIA+ characters will fill your Pride month with education and celebration!

Middle Grade Horror

Dive into the delightfully dreadful with these spine-tingling reads for 3rd-6th grade.

Counting the Days to School!

Practice counting with your little one in preparation for school. Try reading and listening to the story first, then discuss the math topics.

Celebrating National Sisters Day!

National Sisters Day, celebrated Aug. 3, is a perfect time to read about sisters! Dive into these stories of sisters to celebrate the unique relationship and bond between them!

Stars, Stripes, and Storytime

Celebrate the Fourth of July with this handpicked list of children’s books that brings the spirit of independence to life.

Diverse Abilities, Diverse Stories

Ten titles about disability with diverse characters for young children.

It’s National Food Truck Day!

National Food Truck Day is June 27 this year. Celebrate with these fun children's books!

All About Juneteenth: Books for Children

Learn more about Juneteenth, the United States's newest federal holiday, with these children's books.

Pop Open a Good Book This Father’s Day

Celebrate Father’s Day with charming books that highlight the love, laughs, and special moments shared with Dad.

Take to the Trails

Get ready to explore the wild on National Trails Day, celebrated June 7!

Good Reads To Kick off Your Summer

Kick off your summer with these fun and diverse titles for kids!

Memorial Day Reads for Kids

Here are five titles for children that honor the United States and our fallen soldiers. Have a meaningful Memorial Day.

20 Books About Prehistoric Ohio Wildlife

From trilobites to black bears, here are twenty titles about animals that lived in Ohio during prehistoric times.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Youth Fiction

We celebrate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during the month of May by recognizing their contributions to youth literature, offering a breadth of experiences and fantastic, imaginative stories.

Storytime with Mom: Books to Celebrate Mother’s Day

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a heartwarming collection of children’s books that honor the love, strength, and joy of mother figures everywhere.

20 Books to Inspire You to Get Outside More Often

Power down the screens, get outside, and enjoy the wonders of nature in our own backyards. Here are some great ways to do just that.

Hit the Road With These Day Trips in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana

Spring is a fantastic time to venture forth on a great day trip. Here are some great ideas for jaunts in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. Let's roll!

Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day is April 22! Roll up your sleeves and do the work to keep our planet healthy!

10 Books about the American Revolution for Young Readers

On April 19, 1775, "the shot heard around the world" marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. Read what happened 250 years ago in these 10 books for young readers that led to the birth of the United States.

10 Picture Books to Celebrate Easter

Ten picture books for children and families to celebrate the religious aspects of Easter and Lent.

Children’s Books for Arab American Heritage Month

April is Arab American Heritage Month, and here are some children's books to celebrate!

Youth Poetry and Books in Verse

April is National Poetry Month. Check out one of these children's poetry and books in verse titles!

Matzah Magic: Passover Reads for Kids

Ten delightful stories to bring the Passover story to life for young readers.

10 Silly Picture Books to Celebrate April Fools’ Day

Calling all practical jokesters! April 1st has long been a day when tricks and practical jokes are played. Get into the spirit of April Fools' Day with these hilarious read-aloud picture books, and see a prank of our own!

Children’s Books to Read for Eid al-Fitr

Check out these books about Eid al-Fitr, whether you're celebrating or want to learn about the holiday!

Picture Books Illustrated by Women

Celebrate Women's History Month with these picture books and graphic novels illustrated by a woman!

Books for Adults, Teens, and Children with IDD

National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Month is recognized in March. Here are some great books to bring joy to people of all abilities.

Strange and Wonderful Creatures

United Nations World Wildlife Day is recognized every year on March 3. Celebrate by reading these books about interesting wild animals and plants.

10 Books to Celebrate Ramadan

Celebrate Ramadan with these nonfiction, board book, and picture book titles!

Celebrate Black History Month With These Books by Black Muslims

Celebrate Black History Month by reading Black Muslim-authored books for children and young adults.

Resources for Helping Young People with Eating Disorders

It can be tough to know how to support a young person with an eating disorder. Here are some great resources that can help.

Celebrate National Read Aloud Day With These Children’s Books

It's National Read Aloud Day. Read a book aloud to a child today, and every day!

Best Books 2024: Nonfiction for kids

Remembering the Fluid Lines and Savage Wit of Cartoonist Jules Feiffer

The Pulitzer-winning artist Jules Feiffer bestowed upon the world movies, plays, comics, novels, and children’s books. Which is great and impressive but also, I mean: pick a lane.

15 Steampunk Stories for Youth

Gadgets, gears, gizmos, and usually an airship or two.

Kwanzaa and the Meaning of Unity

Satisfy your thirst for cultural exploration by learning about Kwanzaa.

20 Books Celebrating National Adoption Month

Whatever your family looks like, may these books shine a light on love and adoption.

Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month. Check out these children's books to celebrate!

Local Veteran’s Brewery Business Set to Make History Twice

Ten years ago, Christopher Harris made history when he opened the first Black-owned brewery in Northwest Ohio. During our Entrepreneurship Week kickoff event on November 12 he’ll share more about how his Black Frog Brewery was uniquely sought out to open a second location, and the first of its kind in Northeast Ohio.

Intentional Choices, Endless Rewards

Read about local educator and lifelong learner Dondra Coleman’s path to building two successful businesses centered on supporting families. She will be a featured panelist during our Entrepreneurship Week kickoff on November 12.

Who Are We Having for Dinner?

Who are we having for dinner? Read these hilarious books and find out. Bon appetit!

5 Children’s Books about Canonized Saints

Learn about the lives of canonized saints with these 5 children's books.

Spooky Halloween Read-Alouds

Ten spooky Halloween picture books! Perfect to read to your children or students.

10 Books about Elections, Voting, and How Our Government Works

Voting is fundamental to how our nation works and is the cornerstone of democracy. Here are 10 books at varying levels for kids to be introduced to how voting works and how our elected officials operate once in office.

Celebrate Pura Belpré

You may have heard about the Pura Belpré Award for children's books, but have you heard about the woman who inspired it?

Fall Into Reading With These Picture Books

Fall is in the air! Cozy up with these autumn-themed picture books.

Babies Need Words: Common Objects

The latest post in our Babies Need Words series: Common Objects.

10 Books About Astronomy to Read With Your Kids While You Wait for the Nova

Here are some great books about stars and space to read while you wait... and wait... for T Corona Borealis to erupt in the night sky.

Babies Need Words: Everyday Routines

Routines are beneficial, including reading to your child! Check out these titles featuring little ones and their everyday routines.

Honk If You Love Safety

Actually, there's more to traffic safety and signage than just orange cones!

Afros, Fades, Coils, and Curls

Check out these books for youth celebrating the diversity, care, and appreciation of Black hair.

Hot Dog!

It's National Hot Dog Day! Here are 10 fun books to celebrate.

Babies Need Words: Hands-On Learning

Using books that babies can interact with, such as touch-and-feel or lift-the-flap books, helps to engage their senses and hold their attention.

Tinker, Build, Make, Create!

Find fun STEM and making activities for kids in these project-filled books!

Babies Need Words: Diversity

To build a positive sense of self, children need to see themselves, their families, and their cultural traditions in the books we read to them.

Do You Like Doughnuts? Yeah, We Like Doughnuts!

Donut sleep on these dough-rific titles. (Sorry).

D-Day for Young Readers

The 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings is June 6th. Here are 10 books for curious minds to learn more about it and the war in general.

100 Years of Summer Read: 2005-2024

It's the 100th year of Summer Read! Here are books popular from 2005-2024. You're sure to recognize some of these newer classics!

100 Years of Summer Read: 1985-2004

It's the 100th year of Summer Read! Here are books popular from 1984-2004. You're sure to recognize some of these classics!

100 Years of Summer Read: 1965-1984

It's the 100th year of Summer Read! Here are books popular from 1965-1984. You're sure to recognize some of these classics!

100 Years of Summer: 1945-1964

It's the 100th year of Summer Read! Here are books popular from 1945-1964. You're sure to recognize some of these classics!

100 Years of Summer Read: 1924-1944

It's the 100th year of Summer Read! Here are books popular from 1924-1944. You're sure to recognize some of these classics!

15 Books for New Dog Owners

To all the dog parents out there, here are some recommendations for you and your kiddos on raising your newest addition to the family!

10 Incredible Real Life Mysteries

May is National Mystery Month! Learn about incredible heists, mysterious places, disappearances, and unexpected discoveries with these books.

Quack, Quack! 10 Books to Dive Into

It's been a wet spring! Check out 10 silly and fun books featuring some delightful quacking and waddling birds.

Embracing Alone Time Through Picture Books

Here are some picture book titles you and your child can share about experiencing being "alone."

Babies Need Words: Playful Language

Help grow strong readers with these picture books that incorporate playful language.

20 (Maybe) Heartwarming Books to Celebrate Mom This Mother’s Day

Mother's Day is basically every day! Here are some fun reads to celebrate all things Mom-ish.

10 Books for Recovery and Mental Health That Can Help

When a loved one is in crisis, it is hard to know where to turn or what to do. Here are some recent titles that can help…

What’s Funnier Than 24?

Are you ready kids?! Your favorite sea sponge turns 25! Dive into nautical nonsense in celebration of SpongeBob SquarePants' 25th Anniversary.

Celebrating Día with Picture Books

Celebrate literacy and bookjoy on April 30th with these family-friendly titles.

Remembering Faith Ringgold, Groundbreaking Artist and Classic Picture Book Creator

Everyone's read "Tar Beach," but not everyone knows that its writer and illustrator Faith Ringgold was also a formidable visual artist who did things with quilts your sewing circle never dreamed of.

10 Wiggly Worm Books for Kids

It's April showers, and Earthworm season is here!

15 Teen Books for Siblings Day

April 10th is Siblings Day, so check out these Teen reads to celebrate. Hug your siblings while you're at it.

Babies Need Words: Hello, Baby!

Faces play an important role in infant development, as babies learn to mimic facial expressions and determine meaning based on facial cues.

10 Youth Novels Written in Verse

Celebrating National Poetry Month by reading poetry? Out. Celebrating National Poetry Month by reading entire novels told via poetry? In. (Actually, reading poetry is still in, but you know what I mean).

5 Books Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month & Ability Awareness

A variety of books celebrating Arab American Heritage Month and ability awareness.

National Poetry Month for Little Ones

Celebrate National Poetry Month this April with your littlest ones! Poetry and rhyming help grow strong readers by developing phonemic awareness.

Autism Awareness Month

Explore titles that teach our littlest ones about autism that include autistic characters, and help address important concepts.

Put the Smackdown on Reading with These 5 Picture Books!

Love wrestling? Love reading? Get in the ring with these 5 picture books.

10 Easter and Lenten Reads for Children

Learn more about the religious aspects of Easter and Lent with these 10 inspirational picture books.

Trail Blazing Women

10 amazing books for kids about women explorers, adventurers, and pioneers in their fields.

5 Books to Read Before the Total Solar Eclipse

Toledo is lucky to be in the path of totality for the upcoming total solar eclipse.

Babies Need Words: Black and White and Read All Over!

Try out these high-contrast picture books to help give your baby a strong start!

120 Years of Dr. Seuss

That's a lot of rhyming!

Fairy Tales Are For Everyone!

Readers of all ages are welcome to celebrate Tell a Fairy Tale Day.

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Explore these children's and teen titles that confront body shaming, embrace body positivity, and delve into the complexities of eating disorders.

All About Nothing in 10 Picture Books

Nothing like creativity and imagination!

10 Books About the Lost Art of Letter Writing

Bring back snail mail! (For things other than bills).

Babies Need Words: Bilingual Books

Celebrate the gift of bilingualism with these picture books.

Celebrating Language Diversity

Take the opportunity to explore these inclusive and empowering picture book titles with your family.

Let There Be Dragons!

It's the Year of the Dragon! Check out these books about dragons in Chinese mythology.

10 Vocabulary Building Books for Rising Readers

One of the many ways we can improve reading comprehension is to strengthen children’s vocabulary and background knowledge. Try these tips from the Library's Ready to Read team to raise a confident reader.

5 Books to Develop Fluency in Young Readers

Fluency is the ability to read with the speed, accuracy, and inflection needed to approximate natural speech patterns. Try these resources as you help strengthen your growing reader's fluency.

20 Picture Book Biographies About Literary Luminaries

If you ever wanted to know about how some of your favorite stories and poems came to be, look no further than these delightful picture book biographies.

10 Books for Young Journalists

You're never too young to take an interest in current events or to speak up for what you believe in.

8 Books for Out of This World Believers

For the future cosmonaut, astronaut, science fiction aficionado, firm believer, or curious observer.

Animals In Winter

Squirrel yourself away with these books about animals getting through the winter.

20 Hockey Books for Kids

It's Hockey Night in Toledo as we welcome the Walleye back to the ice. Before enjoying a little family fun at the Huntington Center, be sure to share a few great hockey books with the young skaters and readers in your life.

World Human Rights Day

Celebrate Human Rights Day with these impactful picture books.

10 Ice Skating Stories for Kids

Lace up your skates and take to the ice with these ten great stories for young skaters.

Celebrating Diversity in Disabilities

Enjoy these picture books with your young ones that celebrate our differences.

Ten Books for Pug Lovers

The release of Noodle Conquers Comfy Mountain surely makes it a Bones Day, right?

Amazing Aviators

It's National Aviation Month. Check out these interesting reads.

World Hello Day

Hi, there! How do you say, “Hello?” Do you sing, “Hello, hello?” Do you yell, “HELLO, HELLO?” What will you do for World Hello Day on November 21?

Hey, That’s My Picture Book!

November is National Picture Book Month! Picture books are meant to a shared reading and visual experience. What picture books are your favorites?

World Nursery Rhyme Week

Help children learn to read by celebrating World Nursery Rhyme week singing or rhyming your favorite rhymes!

10 Books to Explain Adoption to Kids

November 9th is World Adoption Day. Check out these titles for books that show the love that adoptive families share.

National Native American Heritage Month

Enjoy books for babies, toddlers and preschoolers to celebrate and honor National Native American Heritage Month.

Exploring Birds All Year Round!

Take a look at these suggestions on birds and birding as a great way to explore outdoors in the colder months ahead!

5 Books to Help You Navigate Your Child’s Health

These books about children's health aim to support and nurture the well-being of the youngest generation.

Goblins Are Good

Goblins get a bad rap. But here are five picture books that will make the case that J.R.R. Tolkien and company are probably wrong.

5 Books to Help You Save Money, Eat Healthy, and Pack Your Lunch

We round up some of the best books to help you pack your own lunch.

Youth Literature for World Mental Health Day

Help raise awareness about mental health issues and erase the stigma with these compelling children’s and young adult reads.

5 Books to Read Before the Solar Eclipse

Toledo is lucky to be in the path of two solar eclipses in the next year! The first is October 14th, the second April 8th.

Going to Toledo Comic Arts Festival on Saturday November 4? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

The first ever Toledo Comic Arts Festival is happening (Th) Nov. 2 (online) and (Sa) Nov. 4, 2023 at Main Library. Here's everything you need to know before you go.

Explore the Galaxy with Star Wars Reads

You thought May the Fourth was the only Star Wars holiday worth celebrating? Think again.

Banned Books Week: Challenges That May Surprise You

If a book is being challenged, the author probably did something right. Write? Right.

100 Years of West Toledo Branch

You may have heard West Toledo Branch is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Read this to drop some historical knowledge at the event (and check out some staff book recommendations too).

Celebrating Deaf Awareness With Children’s and YA Literature

Celebrate Deaf Awareness Month with these memorable titles for kids and teens.

10 Titles for Navigating Young Grief

These 10 titles are for recognition of National Grief Awareness Day on August 30th.

Totally Tubular Skateboarding Books

Whether you live to shred or like to cruise, check out these 15 titles about skateboarding.

LGBTQIA+ Nonfiction for Beginners

Talking about feelings is hard. Talking about feelings when you don't have the right vocabulary to describe them is even harder. And it's hardest when you don't know if those feelings are okay to have. (Hint: They are).

10 Super Summer Graphic Novels

Breeze through some of these graphic novels before the inevitable return to school.

Food Friends!

It's a food frenzy! Check out these funny books with food as characters. We hope you'll find them a-peeling!

It’s Barbie’s World and We’re All Just Living in It: 5 Books to Get You Ready for ‘Barbie’

Hop in the pink convertible as we drive out to a pink dream house where we'll talk about all things pink.

5 Books About People With Facial Differences

Take a look at these five titles aimed at young readers to learn about people with facial differences for National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month.

Dyslexia-Friendly Books for Juvenile Readers

Fact: Dyslexia is one of the most common learning disabilities to affect children. Here is a selection of juvenile fiction about dyslexia, some even written in dyslexia-friendly typeface.

Let’s. Get Down. To Business. To Rewatch “Mulan.”

Twenty-five years ago this month, Disney's animated movie "Mulan" landed in popular culture with all the force of a great typhoon.

Meet Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur!

One of Marvel's newer comics, it's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur! Being a girl superhero is already hard enough: fight the bad guys, save the city, basic stuff, right? Well, add in a T-Rex companion and face off a gang of space villains, all before class starts!

Blog: Children and Parenting