Early Learning
Picture Books that Staff Love
Old clothes for dinner?! / words by Nathalie Alonso art by Natalia Rojas Castro.
Alonso, Nathalie, author.
Bunnies in a boat / Philip Ardagh illustrated by Ben Mantle.
Ardagh, Philip, author.
Mermaids’ song to the sea / words by Dianna Hutts Aston pictures by Renée Kurilla.
Aston, Dianna Hutts, author.
Boats for Papa / Jessixa Bagley.
Bagley, Jessixa, author.
Trouble / Katherine Battersby.
Battersby, Katherine, author, illustrator.
![Cover art for ABC learn with me [BOARD BOOK] : touch and trace nursery rhymes / [illustrations by Emily Bannister]](https://ocls.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cover-art-9781667206769.jpeg)
![Cover art for Love with Plato [BOARD BOOK] / Duane Armitage and Maureen McQuerry pictures by Robin Rosenthal.](https://ocls.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cover-art-0593322991.jpeg)
Love with Plato [BOARD BOOK] / Duane Armitage and Maureen McQuerry pictures by Robin Rosenthal.
Armitage, Duane, 1982- author.
Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? [BOARD BOOK] / by Bill Martin, Jr. pictures by Eric Carle.
Martin, Bill, 1916-2004.
![Cover art for My first book of ABCs [BOARD BOOK] / Robb Pearlman illustrated by Bob Ross.](https://ocls.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cover-art-9780762483365.jpeg)
My first book of ABCs [BOARD BOOK] / Robb Pearlman illustrated by Bob Ross.
Pearlman, Robb, Author.
Stanley the baker / William Bee.
Bee, William, author, illustrator.
Scorch, hedgehog of doom / written by Cate Berry illustrated by Margherita Grasso.
Berry, Cate, author.
Attack of the 50-foot Fluffy / by Mike Boldt.
Boldt, Mike, author, illustrator.
The forest / Riccardo Bozzi illustrated by Violeta Lopiz and Valerio Vidali translated from the Italian by Debbie Bibo.
Bozzi, Riccardo, 1966- author.
Tamales for Christmas / written by Stephen Briseño illustrated by Sonia Sánchez.
Briseño, Stephen, author.
Leave me alone / Vera Brosgol.
Brosgol, Vera, author, illustrator.
The little house / story and pictures by Virginia Lee Burton.
Burton, Virginia Lee, 1909-1968.
Message in the mooncake : a legend from ancient China / words by Sapphire Chow art by Xiaojie Liu.
Chow, Sapphire, 1954-2023, author.
Slippery, spicy, tingly : a kimchi mystery / Yangsook Choi.
Choi, Yangsook, author, illustrator.
Thingamabob / Marianna Coppo.
Coppo, Marianna, author, illustrator.
Angélica and la güira / written by Angie Cruz illustrated by Luz Batista.
Cruz, Angie, author.
![Cover art for What could that be? / by Reza Dalvand [English translation by Baobab Books].](https://ocls.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cover-art-9781338530193.jpeg)
What could that be? / by Reza Dalvand [English translation by Baobab Books].
Dalvand, Reza, 1989- author, illustrator.
![Cover art for The crayons go back to school / [text] Drew Daywalt [illustrations] Oliver Jeffers.](https://ocls.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cover-art-9780593621110.jpeg)
The crayons go back to school / [text] Drew Daywalt [illustrations] Oliver Jeffers.
Daywalt, Drew, author.
Pete the Cat’s 12 groovy days of Christmas / Kimberly & James Dean.
Dean, James, 1957- author, illustrator.
Just read! / by Lori Degman illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov.
Degman, Lori, author.
Starcrossed / by Julia Denos.
Denos, Julia, author, illustrator.
Loaf the cat goes to the powwow / Nicholas DeShaw illustrated by Tara Audibert.
DeShaw, Nicholas, author.
The curious why / words by Angela DiTerlizzi art by Lorena Alvarez Gómez.
DiTerlizzi, Angela, author.
Gray / Laura Dockrill illustrated by Lauren Child.
Dockrill, Laura, author.
Waiting together / Danielle Dufayet illustrated by Srimalie Bassani.
Dufayet, Danielle, author.
The new kid has fleas / written by Ame Dyckman illustrated by Eda Kaban.
Dyckman, Ame, author.
Our celebración! / by Susan Middleton Elya illustrations by Ana Aranda.
Elya, Susan Middleton, 1955- author.
Two dogs / Ian Falconer.
Falconer, Ian, 1959- author, illustrator.
We are definitely human / a book by X. Fang.
Fang, X., author, illustrator.
Crying is like the rain : a story of mindfulness and feelings / Heather Hawk Feinberg illustrated by Chamisa Kellogg.
Feinberg, Heather Hawk, 1975- author.
Our dragon / written by Mem Fox illustrated by Linda Davick.
Fox, Mem, 1946- author.
Ho’onani : hula warrior / Heather Gale illustrated by Mika Song.
Gale, Heather (Children's author), author.
Aloha everything / Kaylin Melia George, Mae Waite.
George, Kaylin Melia, author.
Look up! : Fontaine the pigeon starts a revolution / poem by Britt Gondolfi art by Amanda Romanick.
Gondolfi, Britt, author.
The boy who found his voice / written and illustrated by Tyler Gordon.
Gordon, Tyler, author, illustrator.
Umami / Jacob Grant.
Grant, Jacob, 1984- author, illustrator.
A flicker of hope / written by Cynthia Harmony illustrated by Devon Holzwarth.
Harmony, Cynthia, author.
The owl who came for Christmas / John Hay illustrated by Garry Parsons.
Hay, John, author.
![Cover art for Moomin and the little ghost / based on the original stories by Tove Jansson [text and illustrations Moomin Characters].](https://ocls.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/cover-art-9781915801913.jpeg)
The sour grape / Jory John and Pete Oswald.
John, Jory, author.
What can a mess make? / Bee Johnson.
Johnson, Bee, author, illustrator.
I’m not scary / Raahat Kaduji.
Kaduji, Raahat, author, illustrator.
Crafty llama / Mike Kerr illustrated by Renata Liwska.
Kerr, Mike (Art instructor), author.
The home we make / by Maham Khwaja illustrated by Daby Zainab Faidhi.
Khwaja, Maham, author.
Snake’s big mistake / written and illustrated by Sarah Kurpiel.
Kurpiel, Sarah, author, illustrator.
Clive Penguin / Huw Lewis-Jones & Ben Sanders.
Lewis-Jones, Huw, author.
Froggy builds a snowman / by Jonathan London illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz.
London, Jonathan, 1947- author.
Goth moth / Kai Lüftner illustrations by Wiebke Rauers translated by Tim Mohr.
Lüftner, Kai, 1975- author.
A spoonful of frogs / written by Casey Lyall illustrated by Vera Brosgol.
Lyall, Casey, author.
I want 100 dogs / written by Stacy McAnulty illustrated by Claire Keane.
McAnulty, Stacy, author.
World so wide / Alison McGhee with illustrations by Kate Alizadeh.
McGhee, Alison, 1960- author.
Not an alphabet book : the case of the missing cake / Eoin McLaughlin illustrated by Marc Boutavant.
McLaughlin, Eoin, author.
The wilderness / Steve McCarthy.
McCarthy, Steve, 1984- author, illustrator.
Millie Fleur’s poison garden / Christy Mandin.
Mandin, Christy, author, illustrator.
Metal baby / Stephen W. Martin illustrated by Brandon James Scott.
Martin, Stephen W., 1981- author.
I can’t draw / written by Stephen W. Martin illustrated by Brian Biggs.
Martin, Stephen W., 1981- author.
Matthew’s birthday party / Pato Mena translation, Cecilia Ross.
Mena, Pato, 1980- author, illustrator.
I’m not scared, you’re scared! / Seth Meyers pictures by Rob Sayegh Jr.
Meyers, Seth, 1973- author.
The shadow & the ghost / Cat Min.
Min, Cat, author, illustrator.
Luna Ranchera / story by Rodrigo Morlesin translated by Sara Lissa Paulson pictures by Mariana Ruiz Johnson.
Morlesin, Rodrigo, author.
Joyful song : a naming story / Lesléa Newman illustrated by Susan Gal.
Newman, Lesléa, author.
Princess Puffybottom… and Darryl / written by Susin Nielsen illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller.
Nielsen-Fernlund, Susin, 1964- author.
Exactly as planned / Tao Nyeu.
Nyeu, Tao, author, illustrator.
The legend of Iron Purl / Tao Nyeu.
Nyeu, Tao, author, illustrator.
Sulwe / Lupita Nyong’o illustrated by Vashti Harrison.
Nyong'o, Lupita, author.
Coquí in the city / Nomar Perez.
Perez, Nomar, 1975- author, illustrator.
¡Vamos! : Let’s go read / by Raúl the Third colors by Elaine Bay.
Raúl the Third, 1976- author, illustrator.
Blackout / by John Rocco.
Rocco, John.
Just try it! / Phil and Lily Rosenthal illustrated by Luke Flowers.
Rosenthal, Phil, 1960- author.
Seoul food / by Erin Danielle Russell illustrated by Tamisha Anthony.
Russell, Erin, author.
After the fall : how Humpty Dumpty got back up again / a story by Dan Santat.
Santat, Dan, author, illustrator.
One family / George Shannon pictures by Blanca Gomez.
Shannon, George.
Starlight symphony / Buffy Silverman.
Silverman, Buffy, author.
Harriet gets carried away / Jessie Sima.
Sima, Jessie, author, illustrator.
Abuela’s super capa / written by Ana Siqueira illustrated by Elisa Chavarri.
Siqueira, Ana, author.
![Cover art for Bedtime for Bo / Kjersti Annesdatter Skomsvold & [illustrations by] Mari Kanstad Johnsen translated from Norwegian by Kari Dickson.](https://ocls.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/cover-art-9781592703746.jpeg)
Bedtime for Bo / Kjersti Annesdatter Skomsvold & [illustrations by] Mari Kanstad Johnsen translated from Norwegian by Kari Dickson.
Skomsvold, Kjersti A., 1979- author.
The mango tree = La mata de mango / by Edel Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, Edel, author, illustrator.
What I am / Divya Srinivasan.
Srinivasan, Divya, author, illustrator.
Wheels / Sally Sutton illustrated by Brian Lovelock.
Sutton, Sally, author.
Tou-can’t! : a little sister story / by Brandon Todd.
Todd, Brandon, author, illustrator.
Reading Beauty / by Deborah Underwood illustrated by Meg Hunt.
Underwood, Deborah, author.
The wreck of the Zephyr / written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg.
Van Allsburg, Chris.
My saree / written by Gita Varadarajan illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan.
Varadarajan, Gita, author.
We’re having a party (for everyone!) / words + pictures by Katie Vernon.
Vernon, Katie, author, illustrator.
Wolfgang in the meadow / Lenny Wen.
Wen, Lenny, author, illustrator.
Should I share my ice cream? / by Mo Willems.
Willems, Mo.
How do dinosaurs say trick or treat? / Jane Yolen illustrations by Mark Teague.
Yolen, Jane, author.
Upcoming Early Learning Events
Preschool Tales
Presented by OCLS’ Professional Storytelling Troupe
Southeast Branch (Southeast - Meeting Room 2)
Event Categories: Storytime
Through picture books, songs, and stories, preschoolers (ages 3–5) build early literacy skills and prepare for reading and writing by talking, singing, reading, and playing.
Learn more>Preschool Tales
Presented by OCLS’ Professional Storytelling Troupe
North Orange Branch (North Orange - Meeting Room)
Event Categories: Storytime
Through picture books, songs, and stories, preschoolers (ages 3–5) build early literacy skills and prepare for reading and writing by talking, singing, reading, and playing.
Learn more>Event Categories: Education & Learning; Games & Activities; Science & Math; Storytime
Preschoolers will engage in hands-on activities that build early literacy skills, creativity, and kindergarten readiness. Recommended for ages 3–5.
Learn more>Winter Garden Branch (Winter Garden - Program Area)
Event Categories: Arts & Crafting; Storytime
Let your imagination and little hands run wild with color and textures to create a masterpiece inspired by artists throughout history! Recommended for ages 3–5. Registration required.
Learn more>Alafaya Branch (Alafaya - Meeting Room 1)
Event Categories: Games & Activities
Connect with other caregivers to meet and mingle while your little ones explore imaginary play with new and old friends. Recommended for ages 18-36 months.
Learn more>Toddler Tales
Presented by OCLS’ Professional Storytelling Troupe
North Orange Branch (North Orange - Meeting Room)
Event Categories: Storytime
Through movement, storytelling, and songs, toddlers (ages 18–36 months) build early literacy, listening, and verbal skills while developing motor coordination and discovering the joy of books.
Learn more>Toddler Tales
Presented by OCLS’ Professional Storytelling Troupe
Southeast Branch (Southeast - Meeting Room 2)
Event Categories: Storytime
Through movement, storytelling, and songs, toddlers (ages 18–36 months) build early literacy, listening, and verbal skills while developing motor coordination and discovering the joy of books.
Learn more>Event Categories: Storytime
Toddlers will explore a playful mix of songs, rhymes, and stories while building early literacy skills and having fun. Recommended for ages 18–36 months.
Learn more>Chickasaw Branch (Chickasaw - Combined Meeting Room)
Event Categories: Arts & Crafting; Storytime
Discover colors, textures, and materials through stories, songs, and creative art activities. Recommended for ages 18–36 months. Registration required.
Learn more>Baby Tales
Presented by OCLS’ Professional Storytelling Troupe
North Orange Branch (North Orange - Meeting Room)
Event Categories: Storytime
Featuring rhythm, rhymes, and repetition, this lap-time program supports early literacy, motor skills, language development, and a love of books for babies (ages 0–18 months).
Learn more>
Kindergarten Readiness
Designed to support the developmental needs of your child from the day they are born until the day they set foot in their kindergarten classroom.
Books & Stories
Online Resources
Little Pim introduces young children to learn a foreign language by using short videos and flashcards to immerse them in a new language.