The Library offers programs and resources to help parents and guardians prepare their youngest learners for school. Our resource list includes an early learning guide, kindergarten readiness assessment, and frequently asked questions about Kindergarten for families. Parents are also encouraged to check out this list of recommended reads from our Youth Services Department.
0 to 3: Read to Me
Literacy begins at birth and every caregiver can learn and use simple, research-based techniques to build language and literacy skills right from the start.
Young Scholars’ Academy
A free program to prepare your child for kindergarten and build support for their first year of school. Through fun activities like reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing together, families will gain valuable skills to help their child succeed in school through kindergarten and beyond. Registration for this Kindergarten readiness program is as easy as 1-2-3.
Virtual Storytimes
Virtual Storytime to the rescue! Join our weekly special guests for Tell-a-Tale Tuesdays.
Meal Service
Attention Families! Cleveland Public Library is working with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to provide children 18 and under with Grab & Go meals at all Library locations. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank staff will also help adults apply for food assistance and other critical benefits.
RECOMMENDED TITLES
Gaston by Kelly Dipucchio and Christian Robinson
A bulldog and a poodle learn that family is about love, not appearances in this adorable doggy tale from New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrator Christian Robinson. This is the story of four puppies: Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, Ooh-La-La, and Gaston. Gaston works the hardest at his lessons on how to be a proper pooch.
The One Day House by Julia Durango
A little boy promises his beloved friend, an elderly lady, that one day he will fix up her old house–and his words inspire the other people in the neighborhood to pitch in and get it done.
Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
Ada has a boundless imagination and has always been hopelessly curious. Inspired by real-life makers such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, this champions girl power and women scientists.
Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman
When her parents find a baby wolf on their doorstep and decide to raise him as their own, Dot is certain he will eat them all up until a surprising encounter with a bear brings them closer together.
Extra yarn by Mac Barnett
With a supply of yarn that never runs out, Annabelle knits for everyone and everything in town until an evil archduke decides he wants the yarn for himself.
Hoot Owl, Master Of Disguise by Sean Taylor
Hoot Owl is no ordinary owl. He is a master of disguise! In the blackness of night, he’s preparing to swoop on his prey before it can realize his dastardly tricks. Look there–a tasty rabbit for him to eat! Hoot Owl readies his costume, disguising himself as . . . a carrot! Then he waits. The rabbit runs off. Never mind! Surely his next juicy target will cower against such a clever and dangerous creature as he! Kids will hoot at Sean Taylor’s deliciously tongue-in-beak narration, belied by the brilliantly comical illustrations of Jean Jullien.
The Adventures Of Beekle : The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
Dan Santat’s Caldecott Medal-winning The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend is a humorous and thoughtful celebration of friends.
A Good Day for a Hat by T. Nat Fuller
Mr. Brown loves hats and can’t leave the house without wearing just the right one. But on this day, every time he opens the door to leave, the situation changes, and Mr. Brown must change his hat accordingly. At last, wearing every hat he owns, Mr. Brown is on his way. When he finally arrives at his destination, we find that it’s Mr. Brown’s birthday, and his friends have just the right hat for that as well.
Across the bay by Carlos Aponte
Author-illustrator Carlos Aponte takes readers on a journey to the heart of Puerto Rico in this enchanting picture book set in Old San Juan.
B is for Baby by Atinuke
Atinuke and Angela Brooksbank, creators of the award-winning Baby Goes to Market, pair up again for a bright and beautiful first book of words.
Little ones learning about language will love sounding out the words in this playful, vibrantly illustrated story set in West Africa.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Ohio Department of Education Guide to Getting Ready for Kindergarten
The Ohio Department of Education oversees the state’s public education system, which includes public school districts, joint vocational school districts and charter schools. The Department also monitors educational service centers, other regional education providers, early learning and child care programs, and private schools.
Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a unique early-year book gifting program that mails a brand new, age-appropriate book to enrolled children every month from birth until five years of age, creating a home library of up to 60 books and instilling a love of books and family reading from an early age.
Get Ready to Read
GetReadytoRead.org is one of the National Center for Learning Disabilities’ family of websites, along with NCLD.org, RTINetwork.org & Understood.org.
Apply for Your Library Card
Don’t waste time, apply for you Cleveland Public Library Card or eCard today!
