Books to Play With

Playing is a child's work! Board games, pretend, blocks, puzzles, balls, trains, and BOOKS. Check out these three unique board books by Herve Tullet that encourage children to play.
 

You will be encouraged to point, trace, observe, and wiggle your way through these fun books.

Music from the Movies

Did you enjoy the music in the movie "Tangled"? Then check out the soundtrack from our new additions to the Children's Music Collection. Alan Menken composed the score for "Tangled," as well as many other Disney favorites like "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast," and "Aladdin."

In the mood for another spin on the Rapunzel tale after singing along with some tunes? Check out this graphic novel with a Wild West twist--Rapunzel's Revenge!

If you are an Elton John fan, then you will LOVE the soundtrack from the movie "Gnomeo and Juliet" (a retelling of the classic love story cast with garden gnomes)! Packed with Elton John's classic songs and two new songs by Sir Elton, this soundtrack also includes singer/songwriter Nelly Furtado on a version of "Crocodile Rock."

Pumpkin Picks: Great Picture Books About Pumpkins

As you gear up for your trip to the pumpkin patch, look no further than the River Forest Public Library for books about pumpkins, pumpkin pie, pumpkin carving and more! Check out a few of our favorites.

The Very Best Pumpkin
by Mark Kimball Moulton, Illustrated by Karen Hillard Good

A farmer’s son works hard to grow the perfect pumpkin. At harvest time the boy finds that it is the perfect gift for his new friend and neighbor. When it is time to plant crops the next year, the two friends decide to grow pumpkins together.

This story is great for children of all ages and enforces the themes of sharing, friendship, teamwork. Karen Hillard Good captures the spirit of fall with her warm watercolor illustrations.

The Perfect Pumpkin Pie
by Denys Cazet

Old Man Wilkerson loved pie so much that the last thing he ever did was eat pie. After his death, Old Man Wilkerson was buried in the pumpkin patch behind his house—from there he haunts his home's new owners and demands they bake him the perfect pumpkin pie!

This is a great Halloween book with a slightly spooky edge. Cazet’s poetic storytelling has a quick pace that grabs the reader. The book’s illustrations are full of whimsy and add a lot to the fun-filled tale.

Halloween Jack-O'-Lanterns
by Kathryn Stevens

Have you ever wondered why we carve pumpkins? How big can pumpkins grow? Or why we celebrate Halloween? Kathryn Stevens answers your pumpkin and Halloween questions in this book. Stevens offers fun pumpkin facts alongside jack-o’-lantern photographs.

Changing Seasons

The beautiful and dramatic, colorful trees offer us the opportunity to discuss the seasons. Aren't we lucky to have four big easily identifiable seasons here in the Chicago area! Check out these wonderful picture books that highlight the concept of change.

Seasons by Blexbolex is filled with simple, muted images and phrases that allow you to explore all four seasons.

Old Bear by Kevin Henkes follows a sleeping winter-time bear dreaming of romping through the seasons in his younger days.

Gobble Gobble by Cathryn Falwell begins in the spring as a young girl observes the wild turkeys in her yard. All the seasons are here and you can learn a bit about this very American bird.