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Latest News from the Kids' Department

Sensory-Friendly Hour

We welcome our sensory-sensitive and neurodivergent friends to come experience the library in an adapted and welcoming environment during this early open time, the first Sunday of every month, 11 a.m. to noon. No need to register, just drop in.

STEAM Kit bags

STEAM Kits Now Available

The Children's department now has STEAM kits available for checkout to Park Ridge Public Library cardholders. These kits contain prepackaged activities for parents and kids interested in building science, technology, engineering, art, and math skills.

Book Madness

Thank you to all who voted in our Book Madness tournament! The winner for “Would You Rather Read…Chapter Book Series,” with 63% of the votes, is Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series!! With a whopping 90% of the votes, a book about Baby Pandas by Betsy Rathburn is your choice for “Would You Rather Read…Nonfiction” books!

View Upcoming Kids Programs & Events

Storytime

Our storytimes are in person! However, our monthly PJ storytimes will remain virtual. See below for details on our Storytime line-up. All storytimes meet in person in the first floor meeting room unless otherwise noted.

Hello Baby! | Ages 0 to 14 months with a caregiver

April 29, May 6 & May 20  @ 9:30 a.m.
Snuggle, bounce, and bond with your little ones as we share rhymes, songs, and stories to foster language development and a love of reading. Please note: Hello Baby! is now a drop-in program.

Musical Storytime | Ages 0-5 with a caregiver

May 13 @ 10 a.m.
Join Miss Megan from Harmonious Horizons for a special musical storytime! Take a new look at some old favorite books with a musical spin!
Space is limited. Tickets will be available at the Children’s Services desk on a first come, first served basis at 9:30am.

Little Lotus  | Ages 3-5 with a caregiver

May 20 @ 11 a.m.
Join Miss Linda in this mindful movement storytime with child-friendly yoga poses and movements through stories, rhymes and songs.
Registration is required.

Bilingual Storytime – Polish / Dwujęzyczna Opowieść | All ages

Join us this summer for the next bilingual storytime in Polish.
Ciesz się dwujęzyczną opowieścią z piosenkami, opowieściami i innymi zajęciami. Stories, songs and activities will be presented both in Polish and English during this bilingual storytime!

NOTE: On Tuesday, April 30, we will be hosting a special multicultural storytime celebration featuring guest readers from the community. There will be no typical 2s & 3s or Busy Bees that day.

2s & 3s Storytime | Ages 2-3 with a caregiver

May 7, May 21 & May 28 @ 9:30 a.m.
Looking for a storytime that is just right for your toddler? Full of fun stories, lively rhymes and plenty of silliness, this storytime is the perfect fit!

Busy Bees Story & Play Time | Toddler with a caregiver

May 7, May 21 & May 28 @ 10:30 a.m.
Read, sing, and play at this story and play time for toddlers! A shortened version of our traditional storytime will be followed by time to play with age-appropriate toys.

Día Storytime | All ages

April 30 @ 10 a.m.
Día is a national library event celebrating of children, literacy and the diverse cultures in our community. Join us as we share stories, language and culture from around the world! Guest storytellers from the community will share favorite children’s stories in a variety of languages.

2s & 3s Storytime | Ages 2-3 with a caregiver

May 1, May 8, May 22 & May 29 @ 9:30 a.m.
Looking for a storytime that is just right for your toddler? Full of fun stories, lively rhymes and plenty of silliness, this storytime is the perfect fit!

Busy Bees Story & Play Time | Toddler with a caregiver

May 1, May 8, May 22 & May 29 @ 10:30 a.m.
Read, sing, and play at this story and play time for toddlers! A shortened version of our traditional storytime will be followed by time to play with age-appropriate toys.

PJ Storytime | All ages, Virtual

May 8 @ 7:00 p.m.
Put on your PJs and grab your favorite stuffed animal, then meet us online for a live virtual storytime! Click here to join us.

Pre-K Storytime | Ages 3-5 with a caregiver

May 9, May 16, May 23 & May 30 @ 10 a.m.
Join us for stories in all shapes and sizes that are sure to engage, entertain, and educate your preschoolers.

Bilingual Storytime – Spanish / Hora de Cuentos Bilingüe | All ages

May 24 @ 10:30 a.m.
Disfrute de un espacio de cuentos bilingüe con canciones, cuentos y otras actividades. Enjoy stories, songs and activities in Spanish and English during this bilingual storytime!

Family Storytime & Craft | All ages

Join us this summer for our next family storytime!

Yoga Family Storytime | All ages

May 18 @ 10:00 a.m.
Gather your family and roll out your mat for a story and some stretches.

Registration required. Click on the date above to register. Registration opens three weeks in advance.


April Adventure: Spring is for the Birds

Join us in the Children’s Department all month long for our April Adventure “Spring is for the Birds.” Collect supplies from the Children’s Desk to create your own bird in a nest stick puppet to play with at home.


Book Bundles on a cart

Book Bundles

Whether you’re making an unexpected quick exit or are just popping in for a stack of books, check out one of our Grab & Go Bundles—a preselected group of books by age or reading level:

Toddlers & Preschoolers
• 2 & 3-year-olds
• 4 & 5-year-olds

Early Readers
• A & B for beginning reading levels
• C & D for more advanced reading levels


Staff Picks
Check out eBook, audiobook, and graphic novel recommendations from our staff! Learn more.

Kids Digital Library 
Check out ebooks, audiobooks, videos, and more. Learn More.

Book Match
Complete a questionnaire to tell us more about your hobbies, interests, and reading habits. The Children’s Department staff will carefully consider your answers and then select 8-10 books just for you. Learn more.

Kids Booklists
Browse our booklists to find your next great book or series. Whether you are looking for fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, or more, you’re bound to find it here! Learn more.

Reading Programs

We offer  a variety of reading programs throughout the year to encourage a love of reading and to help boost and maintain literacy skills for kids of all ages and abilities. Join our reading clubs to be a part of a reading community and earn patches, stickers, prizes, and more!

Growing Book by Book
Birth – Kindergarten
Reading Patch Clubs
Birth – 6th Grade

Summer Reading
Kids/Teens/Adults
Winter Reading
Kids/Teens/Adults

kids listening to a story

Join us for Storytime!

Park Ridge Library offers storytimes for children throughout the week, both in person and online. Click here to learn more!

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