1,000 Books Before Kindergarten!
Stop by the library anytime to pick up a folder that will include all you and your child will need to begin this self-paced, free, fun, and rewarding program from the Harrisburg District Library!
Why read 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten? You are your child’s first teacher, and sharing books together creates memories and wonderful bonding experiences. Reading out loud to your child builds the pre-literacy skills needed to learn to read. These skills include vocabulary, background knowledge, and knowing the sounds that letters make.
Reading 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten can be accomplished in a number of ways:
1 book a day x 365 days = 365 books
1 book a day x 3 years = 1095 books
3 books a day x 365 days = 1095 books
So many ways to reach 1,000!
Read any 1,000 books with your child (repeating books is welcome because we know how often “Everybody Poops” can be requested at bedtime;)) and checkmark/X/dot/stamp/or/sticker on the logs provided for each 100. Check in at the library with your child so that we can cheer you on at each 100 books read. Small prizes will be rewarded.
Welcome to Miss Emily’s Virtual Story Time Room!
What is a Virtual Story Time Room? This virtual room offers options for more extended fun after story time ends. It also includes a link to click to rewatch the story time through our YouTube channel, anytime! (Story time videos will get deleted from our Facebook page but will always be available here!) There are links to watch other YouTube videos related to the topic or theme each week (letter song, or other movement video). Each room will feature book covers that take you to the library catalog to request the specific book.
Click the links to open up a new page!
Hello, Friends and Letter A for September 2nd, 2020
Teddy Bears and Letter B for September 9th, 2020
Pirate and Letter C for September 16th, 2020
Dinosaurs and Letter D for September 23rd, 2020
Shapes and Letter E for September 30th, 2020
Apples and Letter F for October 7th, 2020
Pumpkins and Letter G for October 14th, 2020
Fall Leaves and Letter Hfor October 21st, 2020
Slightly Spooky and Letter I for October 28th, 2020
My Feelings and Letter J for November 4th, 2020
Counting and Letter K for November, 11th 2020
Let’s Eat and Letter L for November 18th, 2020
Let It Snow and Letter M for December 2nd, 2020
Animals in Winter and Letter N for December 9th, 2020
Yeti Story time and Letter O for December 16th, 2020
Happy New Year and Letter P for December 30th, 2020
Dragons and Letter Q for January 6th, 2021
Soup-er Story Time and Letter R for January 13th, 2021
Pete the Cat and Letter S for January 20th, 2021
Things that Go and Letter T for January 27th, 2021
Elephant and Piggie and Letter U for February 3rd, 2021
Love and Letter V for February 10th, 2021
Healthy Teeth and Letter W for February 24th, 2021
Story Time and Letter X for March 3rd, 2021
Story Time and Letter Y for March 10th, 2021
Story Time and Letter Z for March 17th, 2021
Chapter Book Genre Fiction Lists
Sometimes it can be overwhelming to walk in the library to see stacks of books organized by author. You aren’t sure where to look for a book to read! Introducing: genre fiction lists. These lists are organized by topic and feature 15 books that can all be found in the Harrisburg District Library.
Click the links to open up a new page and view each book list!
Action & Adventure Fiction: This sheet is updated to include whether the item is available as an e-resource, the AR level and points, and clickable book covers to take you directly to request the item through the library.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Read Alikes: This sheet is updated to include whether the item is available as an e-resource, the AR level and points, and clickable book covers to take you directly to request the item through the library.
Family Fiction : This sheet is updated to include whether the item is available as an e-resource, the AR level and points, and clickable book covers to take you directly to request the item through the library.
Fantasy & Science Fiction: This sheet is updated to include whether the item is available as an e-resource, the AR level and points, and clickable book covers to take you directly to request the item through the library.
Friendship Fiction : This sheet is updated to include whether the item is available as an e-resource, the AR level and points, and clickable book covers to take you directly to request the item through the library.
Historical Fiction :This sheet is updated to include whether the item is available as an e-resource, the AR level and points, and clickable book covers to take you directly to request the item through the library.
Laugh Out Loud Fiction: This sheet is updated to include whether the item is available as an e-resource, the AR level and points, and clickable book covers to take you directly to request the item through the library.
Magic Fiction : This sheet is updated to include whether the item is available as an e-resource, the AR level and points, and clickable book covers to take you directly to request the item through the library.
Mystery Fiction: This sheet is updated to include whether the item is available as an e-resource, the AR level and points, and clickable book covers to take you directly to request the item through the library.
#OwnVoices: List coming soon!
Scary Fiction : This sheet is updated to include whether the item is available as an e-resource, the AR level and points, and clickable book covers to take you directly to request the item through the library.
Superhero Fiction : This sheet is updated to include whether the item is available as an e-resource, the AR level and points, and clickable book covers to take you directly to request the item through the library.
Survival Fiction: This sheet is updated to include whether the item is available as an e-resource, the AR level and points, and clickable book covers to take you directly to request the item through the library.
Video Games Fiction: This sheet is updated to include whether the item is available as an e-resource, the AR level and points, and clickable book covers to take you directly to request the item through the library.
Monarch Award
The Monarch Award is the Illinois K-3 Readers’ Choice Award. Book nominations are accepted statewide from school library media specialists, teachers, public librarians, and students. Books are both fiction and non-fiction and include a range of interest and reading levels for students K-3. Come check out an Illinois Monarch Award winner today!
Harrisburg District Library has copies of Monarch Book Award winners for 2022, 2023, & 2024. Links below will open PDF documents for each year!
Bluestem Award
The Bluestem Award is the Illinois Readers’ Choice Award for Grades 3-5. Bluestem books are fiction and non-fiction , ranging interests and reading levels. Come check out a Bluestem Award book today!
Harrisburg District Library has copies of the books in the Bluestem Award lists for 2022, 2023, & 2024. Click the links below to open PDF documents.
Accelerated Reader Bookfinder:
Search for books to find the AR Level and points value. If the book is on this website, there is an AR test for it at your school!
Cloud Library
The 3M Cloud Library app is available for Harrisburg District Library patrons to download e-books and e-audiobooks for free! All you need is your Harrisburg District Library card number and 4-digit PIN. The app is available for free download to iOS and Android devices. The Cloud Library has fiction and non-fiction for kids, teens, and adults.
https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/
*Choose Illinois Heartland Library System when prompted to “Find Your Local Library.”
Hoopla
The Hoopla app is available for Harrisburg District Library patrons to download e-books, e-audiobooks, movies, TV shows, and music for free! All you need is your Harrisburg District Library card number and 4-digit PIN. The app is available for free download to iOS and Android devices. There are items available for all ages, with no wait times. Download the item immediately for easy access or stream online.
*Sign up with an email and password, choose your library, accept the terms and conditions, then enter your library card number and 4 digit PIN
TumbleBooks
TumbleBooks is a fun and interactive library of books available right at your fingertips. It allows you to read along with an animated book or read on your own. TumbleBooks are created by taking story books and adding animation, sound, music, and movement to create an e-book. Find picture books, chapter books, non-fiction, videos, and more for children of all ages on TumbleBooks today!
Kids InfoBits
Kids InfoBits is a database perfect for primary and elementary school learners. It features information on topics such as health, sports, plants, science, and literature. Click the photo to access with either your Harrisburg District Library card number and 4-digit PIN, or using har16592
ABCmouse
Children can visit Harrisburg District Library for free access to ABC Mouse. ABC Mouse offers activities to improve math, reading, and art skills. Visit the classroom, the zoo, the farm, and more! Access is only available for free on-site use at the library.
Ms. Emily’s Pick of the Month
Miss Emily’s Picture Book Pick
Alfie by Thyra Heder
Available in print at our library (STORIES BIRTHDAY HED) and as an eBook on the Hoopla app.
Nia loves Alfie, her pet turtle. But he’s not very soft, he doesn’t do tricks, and he’s pretty quiet. Sometimes she forgets he’s even there! That is until the night before Nia’s seventh birthday, when Alfie disappears! Then, in an innovative switch in point of view, we hear Alfie’s side of the story. He didn’t leave Nia—he’s actually searching for the perfect birthday present for his dear friend.
Ms. Emily’s Pick of the Month
Miss Emily’s Chapter Book Pick
The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier
Available at our library in print (NEW J GNF TEL) and as an eBook on the Cloud Library app.
At school, with help from a cool teacher who also loves comics, Makayla starts a club for likeminded kids interested in making stories, comics, art, or any creative thing.
Ms. Meg’s Pick of the Month
Mei the Ruby Treasure Dragon by Maddy Mara
Available to order through interlibrary loan or as both an eBook and audiobook on the Hoopla app.
Tasked with keeping the Magic Forest safe from harm, the Treasure Dragon Girls must come together as a team, embrace their clawsome new abilities, and save the day. Mei must find the ancient and powerful Forest Book. Inside its pages is the entire history of the Magic Forest. Without its precious knowledge, things will start to go very wrong in this enchanted place!
Ms. Evan’s Pick of the Month
All is Nat Lost by Maria Scrivan
Available at our library in print. (NEW J GNF SCR #5)
Nat is on an overnight class trip to Philadelphia. And it’s a big deal because Nat’s mom and dad are finally giving her the independence she’s been longing for. But the trip is off to a bad start with one disaster after another, and if things keep up, Nat’s on track to lose her newfound freedom for good!
Ms. Hadleigh’s Pick of the Month
A Peaceful Garden by Lucy London
Available in print at our library. (NATURE GARDENS LON)
Two cats lead the way as young readers learn how to choose seeds, dig holes, and water their plants to create their own peaceful garden. From carrots and lettuce to sunflowers and daisies, this is a garden that children will be eager to plant and tend.
Ms. Emma’s Pick of the Month
The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood
Available at our library in print (E WOO GREEN) and as an eBook on the Hoopla app.
Little Mouse loves strawberries, but so does the bear…How will Little Mouse stop the bear from eating his freshly picked, red, ripe strawberry.