Research & Learn
ABCmouse
ABCmouse.com includes hundreds of highly entertaining animated activities, each teaching a specific learning topic, for children ages 2-8.
Beanstack
Participate in reading challenges, track reading, and keep your family motivated to read.
Book Connections
Bring reading to life. Book Connections strives to joyfully enrich everyone's experience reading children's and young adult books.
Elementary (Gale In Context)
Introduce elementary students to database searching with resources featuring age-appropriate, curriculum-related content.
Explora for Elementary Schools
Fact Monster
Factmonster.com combines essential reference materials, fun facts and features, and homework help for kids. From the solar system to the world economy to educational games, Factmonster.com has it.
Reading Recommendations for Children
-
Granny and Bean
From a stellar creative team, the lyrical story of a grandmother and grandchild as they share an intimate adventure by the windy sea—and make a stop for teatime.
Their laughter rose; full of joy, it spilled
’cross sand, through mist,
as the curlews trilled.
Gray skies, foamy waves, and brisk wind await Granny and Bean when they head out for their day by the sea. But they are full of only wonder and delight at all the shore has to offer. They listen for the shrieks of the seabirds as they discover treasures hidden in the sand, greet dogs as they pass, leap over logs, and settle out of the wind for a cozy treat before tramping homeward again. Rendered in simple, lilting text by Newbery Medalist Karen Hesse and expressive, windswept art from acclaimed illustrator Charlotte Voake, Granny and Bean have an adventure to cherish until their next magical day at the shore. -
Busy Betty
From Academy Award–winning actress, founder, and bestselling author, Reese Witherspoon, comes Busy Betty, a story about a creative, curious, and exuberant young girl who has big plans and an even bigger heart.
Busy Betty has always been busy . . . even when she was just a baby!
When Betty gives Frank a big hug, she realizes he needs a bath, PRONTO! Her best friend, Mae, is coming over, and Betty can’t have the smelliest dog in the whole world! But giving Frank a bath is harder than she thought and just when everything seems impossible, with Mae’s help, Betty learns she can accomplish anything with perseverance, teamwork, and one great idea.
From Reese Witherspoon comes a smart and larger-than-life character who encourages young readers to celebrate what makes them unique and realize that anything is possible!
Praise for Busy Betty:
"A fun and high-spirited story for the fans of Fancy Nancy, Pinkalicious, or Freckleface Strawberry."--School Library Journal
"An earnest and unabashed celebration of youthful entrepreneurial zeal that feels very of the moment." --Publishers Weekly
"Extreme angles effectively convey a sense of perpetual motion. . . . Witherspoon’s rollicking text never holds back . . . . as Betty says, “Being busy is a great way to be.” Young readers are sure to agree."--Kirkus reviews -
Con Pollo
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Con Pollo: A Bilingual Playtime Adventure is an engaging and hilarious picture book that serves young readers as an introduction to basic Spanish vocabulary, brought to life by superstar team-up Jimmy Fallon and Jennifer Lopez.
Meet Pollo, a friendly little chicken who just wants to play. And play, and play, and play all day!
Pollo makes any activity more fun. Why just go to the beach when you could go to la playa con Pollo?
Do you want to play soccer, or play fútbol con Pollo?
Do you want to go dancing, or bailar con Pollo?
Whatever you decide to do, you're in for a busy, adventurous day with your new friend, Pollo!
Illustrated by Andrea Campos
Praise for Con Pollo:
"A balance of pedagogy and pure visual fun, smartly gauged for budding curiosities and short attention spans." —Publishers Weekly
"A hilarious read that also serves as an introduction to Spanish vocabulary." —People -
Buster's Trip to Victory Lane
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. teaches children to face their fears as they follow Buster--a rescued race car who navigates new challenges and learns to never give up!
Sometimes kids need a little inspiration to make it to the finish line! In Buster's Trip to Victory Lane, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s flair for originality, humor, and fun shines through as Buster the race car teaches kids to face their fears. When Coach Chomp rescues Buster from a failed racing team, Buster has to figure out how to race with new teammates, learn to keep going even after he makes mistakes, and try with all his might to make it to the finish line before all the other cars!
Roaring with bright and energetic illustrations, this race car storybook
- is ideal for car-crazy kids ages 4 to 8, Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans, and followers of NASCAR and motorsports
- teaches kids perseverance whether they are starting something new, are struggling to learn a difficult skill, or need motivation to keep trying when life is tough
- is a great read-aloud for story time at home, libraries, and schools
- has a brightly foiled jacket and full-color pictures
- is a perfect choice for birthday parties, for car rides and road trips, as a Christmas stocking stuffer, or as a central feature in a gift basket
This laugh-out-loud jacketed picture book brimming with adventure, encouragement, and humor will fill your child's emotional tank with the fuel they need to overcome any obstacle on the track and finish that final lap!
-
Double Puppy Trouble
The newest math-focused picture book from New York Times bestselling author Danica McKellar is full of puppy-fueled chaos and a message of gratitude, with a double helping of fun!
Moxie Jo always wanted MORE. But soon she'd get MORE than she bargained for!
Spunky and energetic, Moxie is just like any other girl--aside from the fact that she has to have the MOST of everything! If she doesn't have the most toys, the most A's on tests, or the most time on the swing, then she makes the MOST noise! So when Moxie finds a magic stick that can double anything, she doesn't hesitate to use it--but when the button gets stuck, she may start to realize that less really is more! Teach the power of doubling through this playful puppy romp! -
Hey, Bruce!
In Hey, Bruce!, Bruce the bear experiences . . . well, whatever readers want him to.
Rupert, Thistle, and Nibbs, the fun-loving mice in Bruce's begrudgingly expansive family, guide readers on a quest for a fun reading experience, with Bruce the ever-reluctant star. As readers turn the page, flip the book, and follow the mice's increasingly silly instructions, Bruce is sent flying and tumbling--all as he looks right up the reader's nose! How will you interact with Bruce?
Bruce's life is what YOU, the reader, make it in this special interactive addition to the award-winning Mother Bruce series.
-
The Leaf Thief
Perfect for fans of Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, The Leaf Thief is a funny picture book that teaches kids about autumn, adapting to change, and the seasons.
Squirrel loves counting the leaves on his tree--red leaves, gold leaves, orange, and more. But hold on! One of his leaves is missing! On a quest to find the missing leaf, Squirrel teams up with his good friend Bird to discover who the leaf thief could be among their forest friends.
With vibrant art and captivating characters, the magic of autumn is captured beautifully on each page as readers tag along Squirrel's forest adventure. Is there truly a leaf thief afoot, or is something else going on in Squirrel's forest? A perfect exploration of change--both seasonal, and the anxiety that change sometimes causes. Bonus material explaining about the changing of the seasons. Poised to be a new fall classic.
Pick up The Leaf Thief if you are looking for:
A classic read for ages 4 and up
Back to school books, ideal for your classroom, homeschool curriculum, and more!
Seasonal and educational stories about the changing seasons
-
Spooky Pookie
Pookie gets dressed up for Halloween in this silly board book from beloved and bestselling author and illustrator Sandra Boynton.
It’s Halloween! What will little Pookie decide to be this year? Pookie tries on costumes one by one, but somehow can’t find just the right thing. The resolution to Pookie’s dilemma will delight toddlers and their caregivers alike. Told and illustrated with Sandra Boynton’s celebrated charm and pizzazz, Spooky Pookie has all the makings of a beloved Halloween classic. Boo! -
Pete the Cat's 12 Groovy Days of Christmas
A brand-new New York Times bestselling Pete the Cat Christmas picture book!
Pete and his friends are rockin’ and groovin’ while counting down the days to Christmas! Who needs five golden rings, when you can have five onion rings?
Join Pete and the gang for one-of-a-kind holiday cheer. He adds a cool-cat spin on a well-known Christmas carol, bringing a hip and energetic spirit to the season.
This is a perfect Christmas gift for Pete the Cat fans who are eagerly awaiting Santa’s arrival.
-
A Unicorn Named Sparkle's First Christmas
From writer/illustrator Amy Young comes a sparkly, funny holiday book—A Unicorn Named Sparkle's First Christmas, the perfect gift this winter season!
It's Sparkle's first Christmas and Lucy is showing him how to celebrate. Make a snowman. Check. Make a unicorn snowman. Check. Hang stockings, make cookies, and, of course—buy presents! (But don't eat them.) Check. In pure Sparkle fashion, nothing goes as planned, but Lucy ends up learning that love— not presents— is what Christmas is all about.