Blog
Harry the Dirty Dog
February 28, 2013
Harry is a white dog with black spots who loves everything…except baths. So one day before bath time, Harry runs away.
December 16, 2023
MONTH OF APRIL
Autism Awareness Month
My Brother Charlie read by Holly Robinson Peete
In this story, told from a sister’s point of view, we meet a family whose oldest son teaches them important lessons about togetherness, hope, tolerance, and love.
MONDAY, APRIL 1
April Fools’ Day
Clark the Shark read by Chris Pine
Clark is a shark with zing, bang, and boom. Clark zooms into school, crashes through the classroom, and is rowdy at recess. Clark loves life – but when his enthusiasm is too much for his friends, Clark’s teacher, Mrs. Inkydink, helps him figure out a way to tone it down. Clark the Shark celebrates boisterous enthusiasm – and knowing when it’s time for indoor voices.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3
Find a Rainbow Day
The Rainbow Fish read by Ernest Borgnine
Follow the journey of a beautiful fish who learns the joy of sharing after initially refusing to give away his shimmering scales. Through selflessness, he discovers the true meaning of friendship and happiness in the underwater world.
THURSDAY, APRIL 4
International Carrot Day
The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake read by Wanda Sykes
When crime happens, especially when food goes missing on Ed’s farm, mouse crime fighters and food detectives Wilcox and Griswold are the animals to call. When Miss Rabbit’s carrot cake goes missing, they do what it takes to track down the thieves.
SUNDAY, APRIL 7
World Health Day
The Tooth read by Annette Bening
Marissa loves candy – maybe too much. When she wakes up with a toothache, her mother takes her to the dentist, and on the way, Marissa notices a man sitting on a grate on the sidewalk to keep warm. So begins a day that Marissa will never forget.
MONDAY, APRIL 8
National Zoo Lovers Day
Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo read by John Lithgow
A concert gets out of hand when the animals at the neighboring zoo storm the stage and play the instruments themselves in this hilarious picture book based on one of John Lithgow’s best-loved tunes.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
Siblings Day
Julius, the Baby of the World read by Rosario Dawson
Julius’s arrival brings joy to his parents, who deem him perfect. However, his sister Lilly disagrees, feeling overshadowed and proclaiming herself queen. When Cousin Garland critiques Julius, Lilly realizes her love for her brother, understanding his significance as the baby of the world.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
Siblings Day
My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother read by Melissa Gilbert
Tricia can’t stand her rotten redheaded older brother Richie, who can do everything better than she can. So when her grandmother tells her a wish made on a shooting star will come true, she knows exactly what to wish for – to be able to do something, anything, better than Richie.
THURSDAY, APRIL 11
National Pet Day
Harry the Dirty Dog read by Betty White
Harry is a white dog with black spots who loves everything…except baths. So one day before bath time, Harry runs away.
MONDAY, APRIL 15
World Art Day
When Pigasso Met Mootisse read by Eric Close
What begins as a neighborly overture between a painterly pig and an artsy cow escalates into a monumental modern art mess! Before you can say paint-by-numbers, the two artists are calling each other names and building a fence between them. But it turns out that what divides them also reunites them.
TUESDAY, APRIL 16
National Librarian Day
Library Lion read by Mindy Sterling
Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, faces a dilemma when a lion enters the library. With no rules for lions, uncertainty prevails. Surprisingly, the lion proves well-behaved, enhancing library experiences. However, when disaster strikes, the lion’s unique intervention demonstrates his invaluable role in the library community.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17
National Bat Appreciation Day
Stellaluna read by Pamela Reed
When Stellaluna is separated from her mother before she is old enough to fly, she finds out that not all winged creatures eat fruit. Swallowing food that crawls is just one of the many amazing things this little fruit bat must learn to do.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
National Lima Bean Respect Day
A Bad Case of Stripes read by Sean Astin
Camilla Cream loves lima beans, but she never eats them. Why? Because the other kids at her school don’t like them. And Camilla Cream is very, very worried about what other people think of her. In fact she is so worried that she’s about to break out in… A Bad Case of Stripes.
MONDAY, APRIL 22
Earth Day
Here Comes the Garbage Barge! read by Justin Theroux
Before everyone recycled…there was a town that had 3,168 tons of garbage and nowhere to put it. What did they do? Enter the Garbage Barge! This mostly true and completely stinky story is sure to make you say “Pee-yew!”
MONDAY, APRIL 22
Earth Day
New Release! – The Mess That We Made
Join four children in a little boat as they discover the magnitude of The Mess That We Made. With rhythmic language and captivating art, this cumulative tale portrays the terrible impact of trash on the ocean and marine life, inspiring us to make changes to save our seas.
FRIDAY, APRIL 26
Get Organized Day
The Busy Life of Ernestine Buckmeister read by Connie Britton
Ernestine’s week overflows with activities—tuba, knitting, sculpting, and more, leaving her overwhelmed. Seeking respite, she escapes to the park with her Nanny, reveling in unstructured play. Concerned when Ernestine misses yodeling class, her parents find her laughing in the park. Ernestine shares her exhaustion and asks to cut back on lessons.
MONDAY, APRIL 29
International Dance Day
The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen read by Oprah Winfrey
Kameeka aims to defeat her rival, Jamara, and become the Hula-Hoopin’ Queen. However, she’s tasked with preparing for Miz Adeline’s birthday party. Disappointed, she accidentally ruins the cake but discovers Miz Adeline’s hula-hoopin’ passion, sparking a lively neighborhood celebration.
TUESDAY, APRIL 30
International Jazz Day
Trombone Shorty read by Angela Bassett
Hailing from the Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age six, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest.
TUESDAY, APRIL 30
International Jazz Day
Rent Party Jazz read by Viola Davis
Set in 1930s New Orleans, “Sonny’s Trumpet” portrays Sonny and his mother struggling to make ends meet. After Mama loses her job, they face eviction. Sonny meets Smilin’ Jack, a jazz musician, who plays at their party to raise rent money. Through community support, Sonny discovers the power of unity and compassion.
TUESDAY, APRIL 30
National Honesty Day
Being Frank read by Bob Odenkirk
Frank lives by “Honesty is the best policy,” but his blunt remarks alienate friends and family. Seeking guidance, he turns to his grandpa, Ernest, who shares similar experiences. With Ernest’s advice and quirky gifts, Frank learns to temper his honesty with kindness, understanding that truth can be sweetened with compassion.
TUESDAY, APRIL 30
National Honesty Day
The Empty Pot read by Rami Malek
The Chinese Emperor announces an unusual test to choose an heir—the child who raises the best flowers from a seed given by the Emperor will be his successor. Ping, unaccountably, is unable to get his seed to sprout—but Ping’s empty pot is best of all.
