Category Archives: Children

Let’s Celebrate – Black History Month

Check out our lists of recommended picture books, chapter books, non-fiction, and biographies to celebrate Black History Month and beyond. 

Picture Books

Keyana Loves Her Friend by Natasha Tarpley
Mama’s Sleeping Scarf by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Sam with Ants in His Pants by April Reynolds
The Artivist by Nikkolas Smith
Etta Extraordinaire by Charnaie Gordon and Roda Ahmed
Salat in Secret by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

Looking for more picture books? Check out our list from our Online Catalog.

Chapter Books & Graphic Novels

The Probability of Everything by Sarah Everett
The Braid Girls by Sherri Winston
Ellis Johnson Might be Famous by Shawn Amos
Rain Remembers by Courtne Comrie
Like Lava In My Veins by Derrick Barnes

School Trip by Jerry Craft

Looking for more chapter books and graphic novels? Check out our list from our Online Catalog.

Non-Fiction & Biographies

It’s Not Bragging If It’s True by Zaila Avant-garde
On the Line by Jennifer Jones
Major Taylor by Charles R. Smith Jr.
Small Shoes, Great Strides by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds
Invincible by Wade Hudson

Looking for more biographies and non-fiction titles? Check out our list from our Online Catalog.

SPF Suggested Summer Reading

For the 2023-2024 school year incoming students entering 6th-12th grade at the SPF School District are required to read 1 fiction and 1 non-fiction. Students are welcome to view the school’s website for additional information.

Due to the high demand of these items, we have generated individual lists for students to easily find these titles and place them on hold from the public library’s catalog. As a reminder students may choose any book they would like to read, even if it is not on their list and the librarians at the Scotch Plains Public Library are more than happy to help your child find the perfect book!



Vox Books

We also have a collection of VOX picture books, non-fiction titles and picture books. Feel free to stop by the library to browse our collection!

Coming Soon! Catalina Incognito: Off Key

Coming Soon! Catalina Incognito: Skateboard Star

Coming Soon! Good Dog: Fireworks Night
Coming Soon! Frank and the Bad Surprise
Coming Soon! Batcat

Recycle Crafts for Kids

Check out these fun crafts using recycled materials! Note: The websites listed are not affiliated with the library. It is to help create inspiration.

Create your own Paper Flowers using old pieces of art work. You just need some old art work you are willing to use (to create something new), scissors and glue.

Some additional resources:

Recycled Material Flowers The Resourceful Mama shows families how to create recycled flowers using things around the house such as cereal boxes, and more.

Newspaper Flowers Follow Red Ted Art‘s directions on how to make flowers out of newspapers!

Paper Towel Roll Flowers This website shows you how to create paper flowers using recycled paper towel rolls. This one is more advanced.

Autism and Neurodiversity Awareness Month in April

In April we observe Autism and Neurodiversity Awareness Month. Join us by reading one of the books below featuring characters with minds of all kinds!

Picture Books

All My Stripes by Shaina Rudolph
My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete
Me and My Sister by Rose Robbins

Juvenile Fiction

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Speak Up! by Rebecca Burgess
Zia Erases the World by Bree Barton
Frankie’s World by Aoife Dooley
A Boy Called Bat by Elana K Arnold
OCDaniel by Wesley King
The Someday Bird by Sally J Pla

Non-Fiction & Biographies

Earth Day Reads

Earth Day is Saturday, April 22. Celebrate our planet with some of the titles below!

Picture Books

Eco Girl by Ken Wilson-Max
To Change a Planet by Christina Soontornvat
Crab Cake by Andrea Tsurumi
Mermaid Kenzie : Protector of the Deeps by Charlotte Watson Sherman
Hear the Wind Blow by Doe Boyle
Little Land by Diana Sudyka
The City Tree by Shira Boss

Juvenile Fiction

Lowriders to the Rescue by Cathy Camper
Two Degrees by Alan Gratz
The Perfect Planet by Jon Scieszka
Rainbow the Koala by Remy Lai
The Leak by Kate Reed Petty
Saltwater Secrets by Cindy Callaghan

Nonfiction

The Day the River Caught Fire by Barry Wittenstein
My Big Book of Outdoors by Tim Hopgood
The Gentle Genius of Trees by Philip Bunting
Mario and the Hole in the Sky by Elizabeth Rusch
Can I Recycle This? by Jennie Romer
When the World Runs Dry by Nancy F. Castaldo

Books for Kids: April is Arab American Heritage Month

In honor of Arab American Heritage Month, we put together a list of books for children. This booklist is intended to highlight Arabic culture, history, authors and illustrators.

Amira’s Picture Day by Reem Faruqi
Room for Everyone by Naaz Khan
Egyptian Lullaby by Zeena M. Pliska and illustrated by Hatem Aly

Nour’s Secret Library by Wafa’ Tarnowska
Salma The Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan (Canadian)

National Poetry Month – Books for Kids

April is National Poetry Month! Here are some books to get you started!

Books that Rhyme

This Little Kitty by Karen Obuhanych
Jump in! by Shandra Strickland
From Ed’s to Ned’s by Gideon Sterer
Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty
Firefighter Flo! by Andrea Zimmerman
My Fade Is Fresh by Shauntay Grant

Poetry Books

Tractor by Sally Sutton
Ready for Spaghetti by Michael Rosen
The Dirt Book by David L. Harrison

Books in Verse

No Matter the Distance by Cindy Baldwin
Odder by Katherine Applegate
Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Singing with Elephants by Margarita Engle
Samira Surfs by Rukhsanna Guidroz

Spring Reads

Celebrate spring with some of these suggested books for little ones!

Flowers & Trees

Wildflowers Grow by Amber Hendricks
I Found Hope In A Cherry Tree by Jean E. Pendziwol
What’s Inside a Flower? by Rachel Ignotofsky

Wildflower by Melanie Brown
What will grow? by Jennifer Ward
Albert’s Tree by Jenni Desmond

Rain & Rainbows

In the rain by Elizabeth Spurr
The Rainbow Snail by Karin Akesson
Hello, puddle! by Anita Sanchez

This Beautiful Day by Richard Jackson
I Love You Like Yellow by Andrea Beaty
The Hidden Rainbow by Christie Matheson

Bugs and Insects

A Butterfly Is Patient by Dianna Hutts Aston
Look, It’s Raining by Mathieu Pierloot
Some Bugs by Angela DiTerlizzi

A Way with Wild Things by Larissa Theule
Rumble and Roar by Sue Fliess