The Children’s Department provides resources and programming to encourage literacy, inspire creativity, and instill a lifelong love of learning.
- In-person and virtual programming
- STEAM kits and take home crafts
- Collaborative summer reading program with local public schools
- Discover your next favorite book in our large collection of fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels
- …and more!
Always be the first to know! Sign up for our monthly newsletter or check out our children’s event calendar to see our most current program offerings.
We have many resources available in the Parent & Educator section of the Children’s Room, as well as several specialty kits designed with parents and teachers in mind. We also offer many online resources that can be accessed any time at home or at school with your library card number.
Family Book Bundle Requests: Please use this form to submit a request for a general selection of children’s books for your family. Our Children’s Librarians will do their best to fill your request within 48 hours. Requests for specific titles should be placed through the library’s catalog or by calling the Children’s Room at (203)284-6436.
Kits
Bookpacks: Contains approximately 5 similarly themed picture books and a companion Playaway that has an audio version of each book. Kids can listen as they read along.
Parenting Collection: These kits pair books for children with helpful parenting guides on a variety of hot topics, like dealing with grief, bullying, and more.
Reading Readiness Kits: Designed with the help of Wallingford’s literacy coaches to support emerging readers, they contain a mix of beginning reader books and supplemental items like flashcards, literacy games, and music CDs.
Online Resources
An early literacy resource that combines storybooks with video. For pre-kindergartners to third graders.
Transparent Language Online is a powerful learning system for over 110 languages. Navigate to “KidSpeak” for a kid-friendly version of this service.
researchIT CT Includes full-text magazine and newspaper articles, biographical profiles, and many other resources.
How do I find the “right” book?
Children who are learning to read benefit from selecting books with a proper mix of support and challenge. Our friends at the Wallingford Public Schools recommend trying the “Five Finger Rule” to find a book that is just right for your child. A children’s librarian would be happy to help you find any of these books at the library!
Nutmeg Books
The Nutmeg Book Award encourages children in grades 2-12 to read quality literature and to choose their favorite from a list of ten nominated titles. Jointly sponsored by the Connecticut Library Association (CLA) and the Connecticut Association of School Librarians (CASL), the Nutmeg Committee is comprised of children’s librarians and school library media specialists who are members of sponsoring organizations.
Our Favorite Book Lists
There is always someone available in the Children’s Department who would love to help you find the perfect book! If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, here are some of our favorite book lists.
Recommended Reading for Kindergarten & First Grade
Recommended Reading for Second & Third Grade
Recommended Reading for Fourth & Fifth Grade
Does your child have a collection they would like to display? We’re always looking for exciting and creative collections curated by the children in our community to put in our display cases! New collections are chosen monthly by our children’s librarians. Please use this form to submit an application.
Contact Kari Hamad, Head of Children’s Services, with any questions.
