Shake Up Your Storytime
Storytime is a staple of teachers and librarians: gathering kiddos at the rug, welcoming them by name with a song or rhyme, opening a book, and inviting them to explore a new world. We're looking forward to helping you plan more inclusive and exciting storytimes with our new Shake Up Your Storytime campaign. We'll highlight new books from both favorite creators and exciting debuts that feature a range of topics, characters, and genres to keep your storytime fresh!
While you're planning out your next storytime, be sure to read this guest post by author Joanna Ho on the importance of saying children's names correctly and how we can build a better world through books. I promise it will inspire you!
Storytime Guide
Now that you're all ready to Shake Up Your Storytime, check out our free downloadable storytime guide!
Featuring the titles below, this guide seeks to:
• Highlight age-appropriate titles with strong educational components
• Provide support for advocacy of inclusive titles
• Create a learning community with thoughtful discussion questions and activities
Explore the Titles
Names connect us - to one another, to our families, and to our cultures. In Say My Name author Joanna Ho honors the importance of names and how they are pronounced through the lense of 6 children from around the world.
- Hé Xiao-Guang from China
- Ofa Kivaha Tupoumalohi from the South Pacific
- Bijan Hosseini from Iran
- Nizhoni Yazzie, who is Navajo
- Xóchitl Luna from Mexico
- Akosua Acheampong from Ghana
What better way to start a storytime than by getting to know your readers' names and sharing this beautifully illustrated book!
Themes: Names, family, world cultures
Early morning wakeups and homemade pancakes,
Raucous bus rides and schoolyard games,
Family games and bedtime rituals…
I’m From is an invitation into the vivid world of one small boy, a poetic account of all the people and places and things that shape who he is and define where he is from.
Themes: Home, poetry, community
Raúl the Third is back with the latest installment in the World of Vamos. Little Lobo and his friends can't wait for the annual Guadalupian Library book festival.
With it's signature mix of Spanish and English and colorful, detailed illustrations, ¡Vamos! Let's Go Read is sure to be a hit with book lovers everywhere.
Themes: books, libraries, Spanish language
The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons is Eka's favorite night of the year. But now that she's moved to New York, visiting Japan for the parade is difficult. Unsure of when she can return next to see her yokai friends, Eka tries to forget that this could be her last parade for some time. Instead, she’ll march, sing, dance, hoot, and screech until sunrise. Because on this night, there’s no time to waste—the night parade awaits.
Themes: moving to a new place, imagination, Japanese culture
Ever since the day Mom and Dad brought Bob home from the car dealership, Bob has been a part of Katie’s family. But after many miles, it’s time for the family to say goodbye to Bob…
This humorous and tender story about a beloved family car—and all the stories and love carried along for the ride—will appeal to every kid whose family has owned a special car!
Themes: transportation, family, Native American culture
More Great Storytime Titles
Colorful, psychedelic sneakers hang from telephones wires all over the city. Up in the sky, they hang for all to marvel at.
But when a few special pairs get knocked down, the kids have to try them on. Soon they’re racing, dancing, leaning to fly! These enchanted sneaks are out of this world—but where did they come from? And who would ever leave these behind?
This joyous picture book is full of fun read aloud moments—perfect for story time and craft activity inspiration!
Themes: shoes, imagination, city life
On a clear day, it’s easy to see your way. But when the fog rolls in, it’s hard to know which way to go. Sometimes the only way to escape the fog is to go through it, knowing that the big, bright world is waiting for you on the other side.
With a sensitive, layered text and atmospheric, lush illustrations, author-artist Pam Fong has crafted a tenderhearted story about a lost puffin finding its way through foggy circumstances. This expressive picture book will help readers—and their parents—talk about feeling lost, making decisions, and broadening their perspectives.
Themes: teamwork, social emotional learning, birds
The most magnificent and brilliant artist in the whole wide world!
Her parents are also artists—serious artists—who paint prim, proper, perfect shapes. They know Olive has the talent to follow in their footsteps.
But Olive likes to smear, splatter, splash, and even lick.
With a brush in each hand, Olive cascades through town with her friends in tow, painting what she wants to, what she feels—until she reaches her parents’ pristine art museum. . .
Themes: shapes, art, self-expression
Felix and Grandma have always lived oceans apart—until the day Grandma arrives. Felix is so excited to meet Grandma and spend time with her.
Except she doesn’t know English and he doesn’t know much Vietnamese! But maybe they can connect in other ways—like over their shared love of pizza.
One day, when Grandma gets lost and doesn’t know how to ask for help, Felix decides to teach her English. And by working together and teaching each other, they just might learn to share words as well.
Themes: Family, learning new things, Vietnamese culture