We love to support our local schools and preschools. See below for an overview of our resources and programs that can supplement the educational experience for students and teachers. Please reach out if you have any questions/additional needs.
View and complete the form here. Use this form to let us know about upcoming class projects. Please give us at least one week's notice. The earlier you alert us, the more we can do to help.
Out-of-town students receive a 1-year library card which gives them access to the collection and eBooks. Come to the Library or sign up online here. Already have a library card from another CT library? Register your out-of-town library card at New Canaan Library.
Contact us to arrange librarian visits to your school and/or class visits to the Library. We love working with students of any age, from preschool through high school, and we can tailor visits to meet your curricular needs.
Our librarians can pull books on any topic your class is studying. Contact us at [email protected] or (203) 594-5002. Running short on time? Books can be checked out to you for fast and easy pickup. Have a little more time? We can pull books for you to browse at your own pace.
Our Family Services librarians can provide an in-depth overview of our services at the Library. Demo MakerLab tools like our Cricut machine, listen to themed book talks to supplement your lesson plans, or sign up for an educator library card. Email Rebecca Fox or Dajana Martinez to schedule your visit.
- Our SEL storytimes incorporate skills such as compassion, kindness, empathy, cooperation, diversity, and respect in exciting and engaging ways. We can present these storytimes at your school or you can request to borrow a box for classroom use.
- Our Kindness Storytime provides concrete examples of what kindness can look like, what it means to be kind, and respect for friends.
- Our Feelings Storytime provides an opportunity for children to identify their emotions, find constructive and respectful ways to interact with one another, and practice mindfulness to regulate emotions.
- The SEL Storytime Boxes include songs, QR codes to tunes, rhymes, felts, and books.
- Reach out to Dajana Martinez to schedule our visit to your preschool or to borrow a box.
Recommended Reads
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Little Red
In this New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book, girl power abounds as Little Red unravels the big bad wolf's plan.
On her way to Grandma's house, Little Red meets a wolf. That might scare some little girls, but not this little girl. She knows just what the wolf is up to, and she's not going to let him get away with it!
In this modern picture book update to "Little Red Riding Hood," author-illustrator Bethan Woollvin uses sly humor, striking visuals, and a bit of ingenuity to turn a familiar tale on its head. Perfect for mighty feminists and young readers who love fairy tales. -
Doctor Fairytale
Join Doctor Fairy Tale and her canine sidekick as they visit ailing storybook characters in this sweet story proving that one good turn deserves another.
My name is Doctor Fairy Tale, I'm always super busy.
My list of patients is so long, it sometimes makes me dizzy!One character's head is throbbing after her long, flowing locks were used as a ladder. Another has splinters in her bottom after sitting on a certain bear's too-small chair. Then there's the girl with blistered toes after hobbling home from the ball in just one shoe! Luckily, in this magical make-believe land, Doctor Fairy Tale and her dog are on the case, traveling far and wide to help injured and ailing fairy-tale friends. No matter what sort of bump or bruise--and no matter how mischievous the patient!--this kind doctor is happy to lend a hand, inspiring little readers to do the same. With warm, lively watercolor illustrations rich in humor and imagination, this story's buoyant rhymes will have children happily guessing the fairy tales behind them.
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This Is How We Play
A jubilant, inclusive, luminously illustrated picture book that features families at play, each with a family member who has a disability.
With love and adaptation, this is how we play! This joyful read-aloud with an empowering refrain, from disability rights activists Jessica Slice and Caroline Cupp, demystifies and respects how disabled people and their families use adaptive, imaginative, and considerate play so everyone can join in the fun.
Back matter consists of a kid-friendly guide to thinking, learning, and talking about disability; a glossary of the different disabilities represented throughout the book; and a guide for grown-ups on ways to encourage discussions about disabilities with the children in their lives. Throughout, This Is How We Play centers, affirms, and encourages the disabled children and adults who are already doing the challenging work of advocating for themselves and finding strength in community. -
Search for a Giant Squid
A new and exciting pick-your-path STEM adventure for emerging readers!
This series starter takes emerging readers on an expedition to the ocean's twilight zone in search of a giant squid. But giant squids are hard to find. Readers will need to join the expedition and help make choices along the way.
First they'll pick their submersible. And then their pilot and dive site. They'll need to be careful--not every path leads where it seems, but whatever path they pick, they'll see and learn amazing things!
SPARKS INTEREST IN STEM: This introduction to the career of marine zoologist, and the other members of a deep-sea expedition, lets readers dip their toes into being a teuthologist--a scientist who studies cephalopods such as octopus and squid.
ENTERTAINS WHILE IT EDUCATES: Each possible path leads to a different outcome, so readers learn new facts about scientific expeditions and marine life as they explore the deep seas in search of the elusive giant squid.
COMIC BOOK APPEAL: The bright, graphic-paneled imagery will entice kids drawn to comic books, while also making the abundance of information accessible even for the most reluctant reader.
A DEEPER STEM DIVE: Teaches not just about giant squid, but about the many people needed to undertake a scientific expedition.
INCLUSIVE APPROACH: Research shows children need to "see it to be it." The images in the book showcase a broader range of inclusivity than many STEM titles.
THE FIRST IN A SERIES: Watch for the next choose-your-own-path book, all about mushrooms and mycology: the study of fungi!
Perfect for:
- Emerging readers with an interest in STEM, ocean animals, and squids!
- Excellent resource for teachers, librarians, and homeschool educators to explore science, travel, and career topics
- Fans of other pick-your-path type books, National Geographic kids' books, and the Magic Tree House and Who Would Win book series
- Birthday, holiday, or summer break gift for boys and girls who love adventure books, animal books, and stories about the kraken and other sea monsters
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Butt Or Face?
"The silly, simple premise is carried out splendidly; younger readers will be entranced by fascinating photos, bright colors, and googly eyes galore, while older readers will appreciate fast-fact boxes, clear explanations, and endless animal puns."--Booklist, STARRED Review
Can YOU tell a butt from a face? Discover fascinating facts about animals with this hilarious guessing game picture book!
Butt or Face offers kids a delightfully cheeky challenge: examine a close-up photo of an animal, and then guess whether you're looking at the top or the...um...bottom. The answer is revealed on the next page with a complete photo of the animal! Also included are factual animal details along with how these animals use camouflage or other trickery to engage with their home. Readers will discover animals like the Cuyaba dwarf frog whose backside looks like a pair of eyes, the Mary River turtle that breathes through its butt, and many more!
Butt or Face? is perfect for parents and teachers looking for:
- Books for kids ages 4-8
- Animal fact books for kids
- Animal anatomy game books
- Interactive physiology books for kids
- Humorous nonfiction books for kids
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Brief Thief
Witty, humorous illustrations of great charm tell this story of conscience and mistaken identity as thoroughly as the book's delightful text. Here a lizard takes the liberty of using what seem to be some old underpants when he runs out of toilet paper. What he doesn't count on is that his own conscience and an outraged rabbit will be watching.
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Who Wet My Pants?
In this hilarious tale of blame, compassion, and forgiveness, a very embarrassed bear is reminded that accidents can happen--but with the support of good friends, life goes on.
Reuben the bear's got donuts for everyone in his scout troop, but his friends are all staring at something else: there's a wet spot on Reuben's pants, and it's in a specific area. "WHO WET MY PANTS?" he shouts, and a blame game starts. His buddies try to reassure him there was no crime. Just an accident. It could happen to anyone! But as all the clues begin to point in Reuben's own direction as the culprit, Reuben must come to terms with the truth.
Who Wet My Pants? isn't a potty-training book. It's a witty and wise story about embarrassment and anger, empathy and acceptance, and ultimately...forgiveness. -
Lessons from Our Ancestors
Rediscover the ancient world as you've never seen it before and meet:
- The women and children who painted the world's oldest-known cave art
- Black pharaohs, forgotten from Ancient Egypt's history
- The Indus civilization who built a sustainable city
- Female warriors who led battles in Ancient China
- Workers who migrated to Machu Picchu
- Peaceful Viking traders
- The African engineers behind Great Zimbabwe
- Indigenous peoples of North America who built cosmopolitan cities and lived in harmony with nature
- and more . . .
Archaeologist and broadcaster Raksha Dave casts a spotlight on forgotten histories and misrepresented stories using 50 objects unearthed during archaeological digs to show how we discover more about ancient civilizations. This groundbreaking book offers a fresh perspective on our past to inspire you to build a better future.
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The Book That Can Read Your Mind
This is not an ordinary book--it's a magical one! Lady Rabbit goes beyond pulling a rabbit out of a hat or making herself disappear. For her next act, she will READ YOUR MIND! That's right: You pick a member from the magician's adorable audience--don't tell which one you've chosen--and this book will guess who it is!
Inspired by 17th‑century magic books, this interactive game in a book will enchant readers of all ages, compelling them to pick among many intriguing, illustrated characters and play over and over (and over) again. Now, without further ado . . . let the magic show begin!A MAGIC TRICK--AND GAME!--IN A BOOK: This book is pure fun--perfect for fans of Press Here, Bunny Slopes, and Tap the Magic Tree. Turn the pages and prepare to be amazed! Kids will interact with this book and experience many different and delightful outcomes.
CELEBRATES THE MAGIC OF BOOKS: This picture book is brimming with energy and interactivity. An ideal alternative to screens, it is a celebration of the book as "an experience." Kids won't want to put it down!
PERFECT FOR INDEPENDENT READING AND SHARING: Kids who are reading independently will find joy in interacting with this book, trying to outsmart it, and delighting in what it does. Parents will find joy in reading it repeatedly with their children and sharing in the book's literal magic. And, speaking of "sharing," kids will also enjoy sharing this book with their friends!
A STANDOUT GIFT: With its magical hook, irresistible illustrations, and delightful interactivity, this picture book is the perfect gift. -
The Mighty Red
A Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning author tells a story of love, natural forces, spiritual yearnings and the tragic impact of uncontrollable circumstances on ordinary people's lives.