Picture Books
September 2025

Visit Storytime Corner for updates
 
Squirrel Scavenger Hunt, September 2 - 30, 2025
Our bushy-tailed friends have found their way into the library. Search the Children's Room or Easton Branch Library and find them all. Solve the secret phrase and turn it in for a surprise.
One per child while supplies last. 
 
Craft Supplies Swap, Burlingame Main Library
Saturday September 6, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Bring your leftover craft supplies and pick up materials for new projects. All crafting supplies welcome. You might find items for fall decorating or Halloween costumes. If you have questions, email Cynthia at rider@plsinfo.org
If you cannot make this date, the next swap is on Oct 11 for just yarn, fabric, and sewing notions. 
 

 
Join us for a Special Mandarin Storytime
Featuring published Author, Educator and Founder of Jamie’s Mandarin, Jamie Chiahui Gao.
This program is presented in Mandarin.
Saturdays, September 6, October 11, and November 8, 2025 at 11 am in the Children's Room
No Registration Required!
 
Teacher Bill is back at BPL with Sign Language Storytime! 
Join us on this upcoming Wednesday:  September 10th!
This is an excellent method to improve your communication with your infant or toddler.
No registration required.
 
Join us for a special Zoom Author Event featuring Deborah Hopkinson, talking about her book, Butterflies Belong Here: A Story of One Idea, Thirty Kids, and a World of Butterflies.
Friday, September 19, 2025 at 9:30 am via Zoom
Sign up to receive Zoom link:
https://burlingame.libcal.com/event/15150852
This special reading event is sponsored by a donation from Jan and Bob Newman through the Burlingame Library Foundation.
 

 
Join Teacher Kira (in person) from Golden Acorn for the BPL Music Party!
It's music and movement fun for you and your little one. 
In the Lane Room at BPL.
No registration required. 
 
Filipino Bilingual Family Storytime
Saturday, October 4 at 10:30am in the Children's Room
Celebrate Filipino Heritage Month! Join us for stories and songs with Até Louella! All ages welcome!
Ipagdiwang ang Buwan ng Pamana ng Pilipino. Samahan ninyo kami sa mga kwento at kanta kasama si Até Louella!
 

The library is partnering with the San Jose Conservation Corp to offer free recycling in front of library on Saturday October 4 from 9AM-12PM.
The organization will take old computers, screens, laptops, cellphones, printers, wires/cords, CDs & DVDs.  They CANNOT take large items like washers & dryers or refrigerators. Please email Cynthia at rider@plsinfo.org with any questions.
 
Recent Releases
Island Storm
by Brian Floca; illustrated by Sydney Smith

Hand in hand, two bold siblings explore the calm before the storm that’s gathering along the coast of their island town. Poetic words, rich in sensory details, heighten the atmosphere created by the expressive, stylized artwork. Read-alike: Hurricane by Jason Chin.
Anything
by Rebecca Stead

After moving to a new apartment, a father tells his daughter to wish for three Anythings, but when she admits she wishes to return to their old home, her dad helps her realize home is where they are together.
The Day the Books Disappeared
by Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin Pritchard; illustrated by Dan Santat

Arnold can’t understand why his classmates bother reading books about anything besides the best topic: planes. Discovering that he can wish away all the other books, Arnold is delighted...until his beloved plane books disappear as well. Curiosity and empathy set things right in this “seamless mix of magic and relatable classroom drama” (Publishers Weekly).
The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel
by Michael Rex

Clad in a hard hat and wielding a shovel, the tunneler (a penguin) tunnels to each of his neighbors (also penguins) to deliver mysterious invitations. Cartoony illustrations of each penguin’s activities (gardening, dancing, banking, etc.) will help children decode the less-familiar vocabulary words in this amusing easy reader.
Recess
by Lane Smith

Structured around a run-of-the-mill school day, this irresistibly interactive book offers kids a series of short "recesses" in which they’re prompted to shake, stomp, quack, or yell "BANANAS!," among other silly activities. Hilarious asides from the narrator add even more humor to this exuberant romp. For fans of: B.J. Novak's The Book With No Pictures.
Starting School
Mr. S
by Monica Arnaldo

Arriving for their first day of kindergarten with Mr. S, a group of students find themselves alone -- except for the sandwich on the teacher’s desk. Is this their new teacher? Playful classroom hijinks will provoke giggles, while eagle-eyed readers will enjoy watching the real Mr. S. battle mayhem outside the classroom window.
The First Week of School
by Drew Beckmeyer

It's just a typical first week of school: a teacher, a classroom pet, kids with mixed emotions, and...an alien? Closely observed crayon art and an unusual, extraterrestrial perspective distinguish this funny, feel-good read.
Danbi Leads the School Parade
by Anna Kim

It's Danbi's first day in American school since her family moved from Korea, and lunchtime gives the imaginative girl an opportunity to show her not-so-welcoming classmates how much fun they can have together. Delicate illustrations heighten the sweetness of this uplifting school story.
Home in a Lunchbox
by Cherry Mo

Starting school in suburban America after moving from Hong Kong is daunting and lonely for Jun. But the food in her lunch box provides some much-needed home comfort, and -- eventually -- a way to approach new friends. Read-alikes: Young Vo's Gibberish; Jenny Liao’s Everyone Loves Lunchtime But Zia.
Bitsy Bat, School Star
by Kaz Windness

Initially thrilled to start school, young bat Bitsy is dismayed by the bright lights, loud sounds, and classmates who don't understand her. Can some thoughtful support empower Bitsy to shine? Geared towards autistic kids and relatable for lots of readers, this endearing story is perfect for back-to-school season.
Contact your librarian for more great books!
Burlingame Public Library
480 Primrose Rd.
Burlingame, California 94010
650-558-7400

http://www.burlingame.org/library