Picture Books
September 2026
New and Recently Released
Luisa, at Your Service! by Sara Amini
Luisa, at Your Service!
by Sara Amini; illustrated by Juana Medina

When a group of turistas arrive in Salento, Columbia, ebullient young Luisa and her rooster Pablo immediately sweep them off on a free, highly specific tour featuring family-favorite spots, local lore, and -- begrudgingly -- the famous Cocora Valley. Told in English with some Spanish words, this colorful and fast-paced picture book will charm armchair travelers of all ages. 
The Path by Pamela Paul
The Path
by Pamela Paul; illustrated by Qin Leng

On a crowded path through a park, mutual annoyance grows among the runners, bikers, birders, roller-bladers, kids on scooters, and families with babies -- until a passing murmuration of starlings prompts a communal change in perspective. Loose, expressive illustrations and speech-bubble text add immediacy to this encouraging slice of life.
The Skeleton and the Cat by Brandon James Scott
The Skeleton and the Cat
by Brandon James Scott

In five bite-sized stories, young readers will get to know an irresistible duo: Skeleton, who lives alone in her cheerful, cozy home; and Cat, who patiently charms his way into Skeleton's quiet life. For fans of: the gentle, quirky vibes of classic easy reader series such as James Marshall's George and Martha or Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad.
That You Are Here Is No Small Thing by Traci N. Todd
That You Are Here Is No Small Thing
by Traci N. Todd; illustrated by Vashti Harrison

In striking illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Vashti Harrison, a ribbon of blue light connects three contemporary Black American children to the diverse diasporic history that makes their lives possible. Publishers Weekly deems this picture book "a reverent reflection on ancestry, cultural memory, and hope." Read-alike: Zetta Elliott's A Song for Juneteenth.
Faraway Family by Padma Venkatraman
Faraway Family
by Padma Venkatraman; illustrated by Nicole Wong

Initially, the child in this picture book is uncomfortable during an overseas trip to visit grandparents who "feel like strangers." During a power outage, however, Grandma's flashlight offers an opportunity to connect through wordless shadow puppet play. Children with distant family of their own will find reassurance in this quietly authentic story. Read-alikes: Jess X. Snow's We Always Had Wings; Amah Faraway by Margaret Chiu Greanias.
Retro Reads
Check out these awesome books from the not-so-distant past!
 
Stalactite & Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave (Caldecott Honor) by Drew Beckmeyer
Stalactite & Stalagmite
by Drew Beckmeyer

Meet Stalactite and Stalagmite, two anthropomorphic mineral formations growing closer and closer to each other over millions of years. Blending natural history and geology with droll humor and an underlying sense of wonder, this Newbery Honor book will surprise and entertain a wide variety of readers.
Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird
Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme
by Betsy Bird; illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi

Do you think you know how familiar Mother Goose stories end? Think again with this cleverly chaotic collection of "popped" nursery rhymes, each of which concludes with a mischievous, party-crashing weasel. Read-alike: David Ezra Stein's Interrupting Chicken: Cookies for Breakfast. 
Miguel Must Fight! by Jamie Ofelia
Miguel Must Fight!
by Jamie Ofelia; illustrated by Sara Palacios 

Born into a fearsome family dedicated to sword fighting (and winning), peaceful Miguel is an outlier. His community chides him for preferring pencils over weapons…until El Dragón attacks their village, and Miguel's skills offer unexpected deliverance. For fans of: Munro Leaf's The Story of Ferdinand.
Blake the Snake Bakes a Cake by Amy Young
Blake the Snake Bakes a Cake
by Amy Young; illustrated by Alison Young

Blake the snake is determined to bake the perfect birthday cake for his friend Drake! Despite increasingly outlandish mishaps -- from a mistake to an earthquake to falling in a lake -- Blake doesn't quit, and each attempt is grander than the last. Plentiful, playful rhymes make this picture book equally suitable as a read-aloud or a confidence-builder for emerging readers. 
Upcoming @ Your Library!
 
For Youth
 
Family Storytime
Every Wednesday at 11:00 AM
Join Ms. Laura for stories, songs, and fun for everyone in the Children's room! NOTE: There is no storytime on Wednesday, September 16.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For Teens
 
Teen Junk Journaling Club 
Monday, September 28th 4 PM
Every Monday tweens & teens ages 11-17 are invited to join the new monthly Junk Journaling Club. Members will learn all about the sustainable practice of junk journaling and how we can repurpose materials that would otherwise be scrap into a creative outlet. Journaling is a great practice to help us slow down, unplug from our screens, and reflect on what's important to us in the moment.  All materials, including a journal, will be provided, but members are also welcome to bring their own photos, stickers, scraps, junk, and other assorted materials to place in their journal each month. Members are not required to attend every session and are encouraged to work on their journals in their spare time.  Registration is *required* to ensure enough materials are supplied. This program will take place in the Teen Room.  Register for additional dates on our website.
 
Register Here
 
 
For Adults
 
Tai Chi
Saturday, September 26th 10:00 AM
Register for additional dates on our website.
 
Register Here
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pilates for Wellness 
Monday, September 28th
4:30 PM -5:30 PM
Candice Wisaksono is a certified Pilates instructor dedicated to guiding others toward deep relaxation, healing, and inner balance. With a passion for holistic wellness, she combines the restorative power of Pilates to help her students find peace, clarity, and renewal. Her classes offer a nurturing space to release stress, reconnect within, and restore harmony to the body, mind, and spirit. Please bring your own mat.  Walk-ins are welcome.  Register for additional dates on our website. 
 
Register Here
 
 
 
 
 
Gentle Yoga 
Wednesday, September 30th 
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Join us for an hour of gentle stretching, breath work, and meditation. This class is perfect for beginners or experienced practitioners.  Please bring your own mat.  Walk-ins welcome.
No registration required.  Beth Glasberg  has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. After studying the mind-body connection as part of her work as a behavior analyst, she decided she needed a deeper education in yoga. The more she learned, the more she fell in love. She became certified as a yoga instructor through the Yoga Renew program and joined the Yoga Alliance. Since then, Beth has been teaching both foundational and vinyasa flow classes regularly. She is also in the process of becoming certified to work with individuals who have suffered a trauma. She is passionate about using movement and breath to build strength, flexibility, balance, and peace, and committed to making the practice available to individuals of all fitness levels and backgrounds. When not on the mat, you can find Beth enjoying time with her family, visiting new places, or relaxing at the beach. in Motion Fitness is a boutique fitness studio located in Princeton, NJ.  Register for additional dates on our website.
 
Register Here
 
 
Nutritious Feast
Friday, September 25th 11:30 AM 
Join instructor Shipra Mitra for a hands-on workshop featuring helpful, budget-friendly, and health-focused recipes that you can watch, learn, and taste! Beyond her professional and philanthropic pursuits, Shipra embodies the essence of holistic well-being nurturing both mental and physical health through art, travel, and an active lifestyle. She believes that true wealth lies not in material gains but in living each day with purpose, balance, and fulfillment.  Registration is highly recommended. 
 
Register Here
 
 
Candle Making Experience 
Saturday, September 26th 2 PM
Join Urban Glo for a candle making experience. Participants will make their own custom candle.  Open to Cranbury Public Library Cardholders. Registration Required. Space is limited. Meeting Rooms 1 + 2. Cranbury Public Library Cards can be obtained by visiting the Cranbury Public Library and presenting ID with proof of Cranbury residency. Non resident library cards are also available for a fee.  Sponsored by the Cranbury Public Library Foundation.
 
Join the Waiting List Here
 
 
iPhone 101
Monday, September 28th 12:30 PM
Learn all about how to use your iPhone or iPad!  In this workshop, we will have an open forum for any troubles you might encounter with the iPhone or other Apple devices. In previous sessions, we discussed the camera, security measures, and data storage. Beginner to intermediate experience with an iPhone or Apple device is suggested.  Meeting Room 1.
 
Register Here
 
 
Literary Cafe
Monday, September 28th 6:30 PM
Discuss your recent reads with fellow bibliophiles. This discussion group promises thought-provoking and engaging discourse. Meets the 4th Monday of the month in Meeting Room 3.
 
 
Freedom to Create: The Artists Who Shaped America
Tuesday, September 29th 11 AM
Celebrate America 250 and the diversity and creativity that have shaped the American art story with this lecture and art-making workshop taught by artist and educator, Jenny Santa Maria.
Attendees will explore how each artist’s experiences and challenges informed their creative voice—from Georgia O’Keeffe’s meditative connection to the natural world, to Faith Ringgold’s storytelling quilts that wove art and activism together, to Keith Haring’s bold visual language created in service of social change. Together, their work honors the freedom to create and the many voices that form our shared story. Through an engaging lecture and hands-on art-making session, participants will explore the power of self-expression and create original works inspired by the techniques and stories of these groundbreaking artists—celebrating what it means to make art in the spirit of freedom.  Open to Cranbury Public Library Cardholders. Registration Required. Space is limited. Meeting Rooms 1&2. Ages 18+.  Cranbury Public Library Cards can be obtained by visiting the Cranbury Public Library and presenting ID with proof of Cranbury residency. Non resident library cards are also available for a fee.
 
Register Here
 
Library Hours and Closings
 
Monday thru Thursday - 10 AM to 8 PM
Friday - 10 AM to 5 PM
Saturday - 10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday - 12 PM to 4 PM
 
Cranbury Public Library
30 Park Place West
Cranbury, New Jersey 08512
609-722-6992

www.cranburypubliclibrary.org/