The New York Public Library is committed to serving all patrons all year round. If you find it hard to read standard print, The New York Public Library's Andrew Heiskell Library provides free access to talking books, talking book players, braille, a talking book download website, and a free talking book and e-braille app for mobile devices. Learn more and apply.
DB = available on BARD in talkingbook format and as a mailable talking book, available via the link or by mail (call us at 212-206-5400 to order a physical copy).
BR = available on BARD in braille format and as mailable physical braille, available via the link or by mail (call us at 212-206-5400 to order a physical copy).
BK = available through Bookshare via the link. All Heiskell members can gain access to Bookshare for free.
Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool
Birds
by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek
A little girl is fascinated by the colors, movements, shapes, and sounds of the many different birds through her window. She is happy to discover that she and they have something in common.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin Jr, illustrated by Eric Carle
Children see a variety of different colored animals and a teacher looking at them.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
by Mo Willems
Request Book DB BR BR (Braille collection of 6 titles) BK
No matter how hard he pleads and begs, the pigeon is not supposed to drive the bus while the driver is away, but the bird doesn’t plan to give up that easily.
Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes
by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean
Request Book DB DB (SPA) BR BK
As he walks down the street, Pete the Cat sings about his brand new white shoes as they change color.
Sheep Out to Eat
by Nancy Shaw, illustrated by Margot Apple
Five hungry sheep discover that a tea shop may not be the best place for them to eat.
Kindergarten–1st Grade
Bunny Money
by Rosemary Wells
Max and Ruby spend so much on emergencies while shopping for Grandma’s birthday presents that they just barely have enough money left for gifts.
Doctor De Soto
by William Steig
A kind mouse dentist and his shrewd wife outfox a dangerous patient who wants to try out his new gold teeth on them.
Rooster’s Off to See the World
Strega Nona
by Tomie dePaola
When Strega Nona leaves Big Anthony alone with her magic pasta pot, he is determined to show the townspeople how it works.
2nd and 3rd Grade
Because of Winn-Dixie
by Kate Di Camillo
10-year-old India recounts the first summer she spends in her Florida town and everything that happens because of her dog, Winn-Dixie.
Henry and Ribsy
by Beverly Cleary
Henry wants nothing more than to go fishing! If he keeps his dog, Ribsy, out of trouble for a month, they’ll both get to go, but Ribsy is determined to make mischief.
The Legend of Diamond Lil: A J.J. Tully Mystery
by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Kevin Cornell
When a fancy dog moves in next door, a former search-and-rescue dog finds himself with not one but two problems when opossums start heading to the chicken coop!
A Little Shopping
by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin
Three cousins create a replica of their aunt’s flower shop to give to her as a gift.
Locomotive
by Brian Floca
An exciting look at the early railroads and the pioneers who traveled them. Experience the sights and sounds of these amazing machines!
4th and 5th Grade
Becoming Naomi León
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
When Naomi’s mother appears to reclaim her long after she abandoned her, Naomi takes off with her great-grandmother and brother to Mexico, hoping to find their father.
Blended
by Sharon M. Draper
Isabella struggles to find her place as her Black father and white mother each become engaged and racial tensions hit an all-time high at her school.
Brown Girl Dreaming
by Jacqueline Woodson
The author shares her experiences of growing up in the North and South throughout the 1960s and ’70s in verse.
Granny Torrelli Makes Soup
by Sharon Creech
Under the wise eye of her grandmother, Rosie navigates her friendship with her next-door neighbor, Bailey.
How Tía Lola Came To (Visit) Stay
by Julia Alvarez
Request Book DB DB (SPA) BR BK
At first, Miguel is embarrassed when his aunt comes from the Dominican Republic to Vermont. She’s too loud, too much! But soon, he learns to love her.
The Summer of Riley
by Eve Bunting
To William, Riley is perfect. When Riley is taken away for injuring a neighbor’s livestock, William will stop at nothing to get him back.
Summer Learning 2021
Discover everything the Library has to offer you and your family this summer, including books, free online events, activities, our Virtual Summer Camp, and much more!
Thank You
Major support provided by the New York Life Foundation, the 2021 city-wide sponsor for the Summer Reading and Learning Programs.
Additional support is provided by HSBC Bank USA; The Rona Jaffe Foundation; WarnerMedia; New York Yankees Foundation; The Walt Disney Company; anonymous donors; and the continuing major support of the Andreas C. Dracopoulos Family Endowment for Young Audiences. © 2021 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved.
Major support for educational programming is provided by Merryl H. and James S. Tisch.
Illustrations from You Matter and Another © Christian Robinson. Used by permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Illustrations from Last Stop on Market Street © Christian Robinson. Used by permission of Penguin Random House LLC.
Special thanks to illustrator Christian Robinson for permission to feature artwork from You Matter (named one of NYPL’s 2020 Best Books for Kids!), Another, and Last Stop on Market Street. Learn more: theartoffun.com
