Kids

Welcome kids,

We want you to grow up with the library and blossom into readers! We recognize how important literacy is to children’s development and we are committed to providing opportunities to help improve and develop literacy skills. Explore this page to see some of the programs, books, and activities we offer for kids birth through 6th grade!

Great Reads

Use the links below to find top choices in each of these categories below.

Kid Events

Date/Time Event
Nov 21
Stories Alive for Under Five!
9:45 am - 10:15 am
Council Bluffs Public Library

0
Nov 22
Thanksgiving Carnival!
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Council Bluffs Public Library

0
Nov 25
Shrinky Dinks!
11:00 am - 2:30 pm
Council Bluffs Public Library

0
Nov 28
Stories Alive for Under Five!
9:45 am - 10:15 am
Council Bluffs Public Library

0
Nov 29
Fun With Five Senses
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Council Bluffs Public Library

0
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Kids InfoBits

Kids InfoBits meets the research needs of students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. It features a developmentally appropriate, visually graphic interface, a subject-based topic tree search and full-text, age-appropriate, curriculum-related content. Search here.

Britannica Kids

Multi-media encyclopedias and dictionaries for kids of all ages. Includes thousands of images, videos, and links to reliable internet resources. Search here.

School Age

abcya.com logo
funbrain logo
poptripica logo
bookflix logo
ology logo
roblox logo
cartoonnetwork logo
funschool logo
seussville logo
disney online logo
pbskids logo

Pre-School Age

abcya.com logo
sesame street logo
fisherprice logo
starfall logo
nickjr logo
thomas logo
prongo logo
ziggity zoom logo

For Parents & Teachers

Reading with Infants

Sharing books is a gift you can give infants from the time they are born. The warmth of being held, the singing of lullabies and the melodic sound of a parent’s reading voice can soothe and entertain even the youngest child.

  • Set aside a special time each day, such as nap time, bedtime or after meals when both you and the baby are relaxed and can enjoy a story.
  • Take advantage of “waiting” time to share books; for example on trips or in the doctor’s office.
  • Find a comfortable place to sit and hold the baby so that you can both see the book. Turn off the TV, computer and music.
  • Vary the tone of your voice, sing nursery rhymes, bounce your knee, make funny faces or whatever special effects you can do to stimulate your baby’s interest.
  • Don’t worry if your baby’s attention span is short. Sharing books with infants can be brief, but should be often.

Reading with Toddlers

Is it possible to share a book with a toddler who seems to be permanently in the “on” position? With the right book at the right time, reading can become a cherished activity for both the adult and the child.

  • Share a book everyday, even if it is only for a short time. Help your toddler become comfortable with books and learn the value of them. Teach them that books have a right side up and how to turn the pages. If you worry about torn pages, practice “reading” and turning pages with board books or old magazines and catalogs.
  • Read slowly enough for your toddler to grasp what has happened in the story and to talk about it. Encourage your child to touch or find things in the pictures. As you read point out and discuss what is happening in the story.
  • Paraphrase parts of a story that have sentences which are too long or contain ideas your child cannot yet comprehend.
  • Be flexible and adapt your reading pace to the moods of your child. Never force a child to share a story in which they have no interest.
  • Do not become upset if your toddler continually interrupts the story with questions or observations. Stop reading and let him/her talk and share with you. A toddler can learn just as much by looking and talking about the pictures as by reading the story.
  • Register your child for a library card. Toddlers need new books week by week as well as old favorites.

Reading with Preschoolers

One of the nicest and best ways to enhance your child’s language learning is to read books. Reading time is when you can introduce your child to words—how they sound, what they mean and also how they combine into sentences and stories. It is also a time to expand your child’s awareness of the world and to explore shared feelings. Reading time with a preschooler is packed with learning potential all in the name of fun.

  • Encourage a reading habit. Read at a regular time everyday. Read with enthusiasm. Adjust your pace to the story and your child. Use tones and expressions to portray the mood or characters in the story.
  • Talk about the books as you read or after you have finished. Let your child act out or draw a picture of the story. Listen as your child retells you the story.
  • Be flexible. You or your child may not always be receptive to reading or may not be interested in every story. Choose a good time, place and story both of you.
  • Have fun. Keep in mind that story times are fun times. The real purpose is for you and your child to enjoy yourselves and share each other’s company. Learning is important, but the joy of reading and sharing is the lesson you want to teach.

Reading with School Age Children

Reading both fiction and nonfiction can offer children a mirror of their own world as well as a window into the worlds of others. Reading for pleasure stimulates children’s imaginations, can help them develop empathy, improve relationships, reduce symptoms of depression, and results in higher academic achievement.

  1. Let your child choose what they want to read. Lifelong readers read because they enjoy the experience.
  2. Show your child that you are reading. They will want to model your behavior. If you read newspapers, magazines, or books on an e-reader, be sure you tell them that you’re reading, not just scrolling Facebook or shopping online!
  3. School age children need to read for information as well as entertainment. Encourage them to seek out magazines or nonfiction books on topics that interest them.
  4. Don’t worry if your child is interested in reading favorite books over and over again. Re-reading builds confidence and comprehension.

Class Visits

The Library offers a wide variety of programs for all ages of children, including tours, reference instruction, and story times. Class visits must be scheduled. Drop-ins cannot be accommodated.

Any child requesting a Library Card or checking out materials as a part of a class visit must have his/her parent complete and return to class an Application/Check-out Permission Form. These forms must be faxed/mailed/delivered to the Library at least one week before the class visit for processing.

Please remind children who already have Library Cards to bring them on the day of your visit. Children without a Library Card will not be able to check out materials.

Although children’s borrowing privileges are not usually limited, during class visits, students may only check out 1 item.

Download Application/Check Out Permission Form here.

Download Spanish Language Permission Form here.

To arrange your visit, please call the Youth Department at 402-323-7553 ext. 114.
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