Did you notice that this week's featured Birth to Six book lists include nonfiction (information) books for young children? Nonfiction books are a great way for children to learn new words. Nonfiction books also help children learn more about the world, and this background knowledge helps your child understand more when he or she begins to read. If your child is on-the-go and doesn't want to sit still for very long, you can spend just a few minutes looking at a nonfiction book together. Animals, trucks, sports, space, flowers, states: these are just some of the many subjects you can explore with your child. At your next library visit ask for help finding nonfiction books to match your child's interest, or Ask Us via text, IM or e-mail.

When I was pregnant with my second child, there was one book that my oldest child loved to read. It was Julius, The Baby of the World, by Kevin Henkes. The story is about big sister Lilly who is NOT happy about the new addition to her family. My son didn't show any signs of jealousy or uncertainness about our upcoming arrival, but reading about Lilly's troubles -- over and over again -- was somehow helping him sift through his feelings. Just as Lilly embraces her big-sisterhood by the end of the story, my son is now 9 and is always a great big brother (even if his patience at times runs thin.) Whatever the major life or family shift of your young child, we have the booklist of librarian-selected books to help him or her through it. Check out all the lists under the heading Helping Kids Cope. And pay special attention to the ones your child wants to read again and again!

While spoken language may come more gradually, toddlers are rarely at a loss for expressive content. Every finger-painting, hummed song and tapped rhythm is means of growing emotionally and psychologically, as well as artistically.

In our list of Art and Music stories, we highlight authors who set the beat, color outside the lines and rock out. These are stories that celebrate aspiring artists and encourage creative thinking in their young readers. Personal favorites include the color-swapping Mouse Paint and the hilarious rock n'rollin' Punk Farm.

Inspire your children to love books by connecting reading to fun, hands-on activities. Start With a Book offers themed book lists paired with fun ideas to help children learn more and make connections between books and the world around them. Book lists on popular subjects like Dinosaurs and Bugs, Birds and Animals are sure to excite young children!

Did you know you can watch videos of Hennepin County librarians doing fingerplays on our website? Fingerplays, rhymes and songs promote early literacy by slowing down language so children can hear the different sounds that make up words. You can find more fun and easy things to do together with your children to help them get ready to read on our early literacy page.