Toddlers (18 months-2 years)

Headshot of Charles Ghigna
Charles Ghigna states that 'to write for children, one must write from the child within."  That philosophy has guided the work of this beloved Alabama author for many years.
Pile of red, yellow, orange, and lime green maple leaves.
Holidays bring opportunities for making memories.  One long-ago Halloween was especially memorable.
Cartoon raccoon waves.
It’s no secret that libraries love reading! But last year, when Nashville Public Library launched Read to Rise, we wanted the entire city of Nashville to know how critical reading to children from birth is to a child’s success in school. Over the past year, we’ve spread the word to nearly 1,000 children who’ve registered for Read to Rise.  All told, those kids, parents, and caregivers have read together for more than 12,000 days!
An adult penguin and a baby penguin stand on snow and ice.
When it's super hot outside (feels like 105!), I like to take my mind off of the searing heat by reading some fun books about penguins. Don't you?
Book cover for Peppa Pig and the Camping Trip showing 4 pigs and a tent in an illustrated landscape.
I'm going on a trip with my family this weekend-the entire crew. My mom and dad, my brother and sister, and all of our significant others. Plus, all the kids.
Book cover for "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds, showing a child using a long brush to paint a large, orange watercolor circle.
When we think of raising children to be the best that they can be, we think of teaching them every single thing we can stretch into our time. Oftentimes, when we talk about teaching them the things they need to know, we think of popular mainstream subjects such as math, reading, science, and history. But, we also need to be encouraging them to be what they want to be, growing up and finding what makes them happy too.
Little girl with blue shirt and floral hat waters a raised flower bed.
Whether you have room for a acre mini-farm or a single pot in a sunny window, your child can benefit from growing things! 
Book cover for the illustrated book I Am Human.
By
2018 was definitely a wonderful year for picture books! Some books were thoughtful, while others were hilarious. Altogether, they made for a good year.
Headshot of a woman with dark brown hair, a denim jacket, and a blue scarf smiling.
Born in Mexico City, author and illustrator Angela Dominguez grew up in Texas. Named several times as a Pura Belpré Honor for illustration, she now lives on the East Coast. Her friendly and open artwork invites the reader into a world where they can truly see themselves and others.    
Waiting for Baby book cover with illustration of pregnant mother and young child looking at her belly.
Expanding your family is a crazy yet wonderful time. Luckily, there are picture books for almost every situation that can help ease the transition for your little ones.
Drawing of a spider with glasses.
Summer is a great time for getting outside and exploring all the tiny creatures that surround us. Check out these activities and books to help you and your kids learn more about all the creepy crawlies hiding in plain sight!
Illustration of "Super Diaper Baby" wearing a blue mask, yellow cape, and red boots while jumping joyfully.
Active kids love to run and explore the world around them. But how can you read a story when your kid is always on the move? 
Olympic rings.
The Winter Olympics may be happening in South Korea, but you can have your own olympics right in your living room!
The children's book cover for "Bulldozer Helps Out" by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann, with cartoon construction trucks.
Do you have a little one that loves construction? or cats? or anything cute at all? This is one of those winning books that will appeal to most toddlers and preschoolers! 
Sign reading March is Women's History Month in white letters on red background.
By
Textbooks are filled with the accomplishments of men throughout history but where are all the women? 
Two children sit in the dark looking at a book. The book emits light that illuminates their faces.
Reading stories before bed is a great way to engage with your child and ensure their lifelong love of books and stories. It is also a key opportunity to bond with your child and show them how much you enjoy reading and books too.
Woman with small child washing hands.
We all want our children to learn good habits. But how do we teach them? Here are some simple, practical ideas to help you teach your toddler how to incorporate healthy, happy habits into their daily life!
A baby sits on a black and white floor mat holding a book.
Did you know that your baby was born with the ability to tell the difference between many sounds and languages? By about six months of age, babies can tell similar languages apart. This means, communicating with your baby, in the language most comfortable to you, is essential to their growth and development.