A child's education starts long before they enter a classroom. Listening to fun stories, singing songs, and talking to one another are the habits that provide the foundation for developing strong reading and listening skills. The Library provides a wide range of materials and early learning experiences for the youngest of visitors in Reading Ready, an initiative modeled after Every Child Ready to Read, an education program by the Association for Library Service to Children and the Public Library Association.
Reading Ready Time
This recorded virtual program incorporates 5 skills of early literacy learning – reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing, helping caregivers and educators prepare young children for success in school and in life. Special guests share music, dance, and stories helping to build vocabulary and background knowledge. Designed for children 3-6 years old, Reading Ready Time runs throughout the school year. Learn more about Reading Ready Time and see the schedule.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program promotes early learning skills by rewarding parents and caregivers for reading aloud to their children. Prizes are awarded for reading 100, 500, and 1000 books. At 1000 books, every child receives a hardback picture book! Parents and caregivers can register at any Library location. Research shows that reading aloud to young children can significantly improve their chance for success in kindergarten and beyond. Learn more about 1000 Books Before Kindergarten.
My First Library Card
My First Library Card is for young children from birth through age six (6). With this card, you and your child may borrow up to 25 children's books fine free! Learn more about My First Library Cards.
Bunny Book Bags
Bunny Book Bags are grab-and-go bags of books for caregivers on the move. Read and return them fine free! There are also Baby Bunny Book Bags with board books and Spanish Bunny Bags. No two bags are alike! Limit two bags per check-out.
On the Road to Reading
Itty Bitty bookmobiles visit childcare centers and preschools throughout Marion County! Staff provide offsite service like delivering bags of age-appropriate books, presenting storytime, or providing resources to parents and childcare providers. Interested in a visit? Contact Us.
Professional Development for Early Childhood Providers
The Library provides customized professional development workshops for childcare and preschool programs upon request. Contact the programming department or more information.
More Programs to Help Kids get Reading Ready
We have programs for early learners from storytime to lego clubs to puppet show and more! See our full schedule of programs for kids.
More Resources to Help Kids get Reading Ready
Enjoy video picture book read alouds, online activities, online storytime and more. Browse all our online storytimes.
StoryWalks
Take a walk and read a story as you go! We invite you to visit our StoryWalk® Learn more about StoryWalks and where they are located.
Get a FREE BOOK every month until your child's 5th birthday!
Inspire a love of reading! Enroll your child in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and get a FREE BOOK every month until their 5th birthday.
Visit Dolly Parton's Imagination Libary to register online, or find out how to register in-person or be mail.
"You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children." ~ Dolly Parton
You have been your child's teacher from the day they were born. Whether your child is four days old or four years old, it's not too early or late to help them develop pre-reading skills. You can help your child with language and literacy skills using simple and fun activities like those in these printable calendars. See the list of activities by month or download and print each month's calendar.
Resources for Learning Online
You can use your Library card to access these online learning platforms that provide age appropriate stories, songs, and games for early learners to practice some of the habits that provide the foundation for developing strong reading and listening skills.
Early World of Learning
Preschool and early elementary students can learn to read through stories, songs, and games.
LOTE4Kids
LOTE4Kids is a collection of picture books (e-books and e-audiobooks) in over 70 world languages with an English version available for all books. For ages 3-8. There is a mobile app for both Apple and Android devices.
Tumblebook Library
The TumbleBook Library is for readers Pre-K through grade 6. Enjoy Tumblebook read alongs in a computer browser or use the Tumblebook Library app. If you have never borrowed from the Tumblebook Library before here is a Tumblebooks video tutorial to help you get started. The best thing about Tumblebooks – there are no loan limits and no waiting!
Staff Picks 2025 - Best of Picture Books
Our overwhelming favorite vote getter from 2025 is the very sly and funny Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson followed closely by the adorable Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan. See some beautiful art in several titles (Possible Caldecott contenders, we hope) such as: Cat Nap (Lies), Little Rebels (Morales), Fireworks (Burgess), and A Place for Us (Ransome).
A couple of wordless or nearly wordless books - Pencil (Kim) and A Place for Us. Twisted or read like fairy/folktales such as Hansel and Gretel (by Stephen King featuring art by Maurice Sendak) and There's a Bear Out There (Hannigan). At the end of the list find a few favorites from previous years - one of which is a pretty funny potty book - How to Pee Your Pants *the right way.
Don't Trust Fish
A seemingly straightforward lesson in animal classification goes right off the rails into a hilarious rant against fish, of all creatures. The illustrations support the story and the humor in superb fashion. Trust us, but whatever you do, Don't Trust fish! ( One of our top vote getter and for many of us, sent us howling and thinking about This is not My Hat by Klassen) IndyPL_KatieW, Public Services Supervisor Librarian and 4 other staff
Every Monday Mabel
What a thrill to be Mabel and to love Mondays so much! People with kiddos who love garbage trucks....this book is for you! Pair this with Kate McMullan's picture book - I Stink! - and what a time will be had! Thanks to Mabel, we now pretty much love Mondays/Trash days! One of our top picks! IndyPL_TamiE, Public Services Librarian and 3 other staff.
Cat Nap
A playful kitten on the trail of a mouse ends up taking a tour of art history, seamlessly leaping between centuries and media. Lies' painstaking recreation of each artwork with the addition of a feline visitor is as impressive as it is adorable. IndyPL_SarahS, Public Services Librarian and one other staff
Reading Ready follows Every Child Ready to Read’s five practices: reading, singing, writing, talking, and playing. Research shows that when caregivers nurture these early literacy skills, children are more successful in Kindergarten. The initiative provides opportunities for all the small things caregivers can do with young children to promote literacy and lifelong learning.