Confused by the children's area? Check out our new map!

The children's and teen areas can be quite overwhelming for new visitors. There are 20 different collections scattered within the three rooms. I've tried to make things as user friendly as possible by shifting several collections and making new signs, but it still can be confusing.

If you're frustrated by not finding what you're looking for, I invite you to either ask me (I'm here to help you!) or to check out our new map. It includes detailed descriptions of each of the categories of materials and where they are located. Additionally, I'll include a brief explanation of some of the more ambiguous collections.

What's the difference between EB, E, EK and ER?
EB are easy board books. They are geared toward very young children. These books have thick cardboard pages to stand up to rough handling and potential chewing/tearing. They usually contain large, colorful images and few words on each page. These are located right next to the entrance to the storytime room.

E are easy books. These are the classic children's picture books (like Curious George and Where the Wild Things Are). They range from the very simple (with a few words on each page) to the advanced (with entire pages of text), and include large images to accompany the story. These are located on the shelves along the walls of the E room (the one with the icy blue walls).

EK are easy kindergarten. These are aimed at children who are entering preschool and kindergarten and who are learning how to read for themselves. They are smaller in size so it's easier for little hands to hold. They usually contain only a one or two sentences of simple words per page. These are located in the long shelves in the middle of the E room, next to the barn.

ER are easy reader books. These are a child's first chapter books. These have longer sentences and more words than E or EK books as the child advances in their reading ability. This collection is ideal for transitioning from the E room into the J (juvenile) room. These are located between the entrance to the Teen Zone/Audio room and the storytime room.

What is the difference between JR, JN, JB, J and JPA?
JR is juvenile reference. This collection includes encyclopedias, atlases, almanacs and other non-circulating materials.

JN is juvenile non-fiction. These are factual books, rather than fictional stories. They are arranged according to the Dewey Decimal classification scheme. Signs hanging above the shelves describe the topics within each number range, and additional signs along the top of the shelves note the range of books on that shelf.

JB is juvenile biography. These are true books about the lives of noteworthy individuals. They range from the basic (32 pages) to the detailed (200+ pages). They are in alphabetical order by the last name of the person who is the topic of the biography. They are located in the pink-walled room with orange signs posting the shelves.

J are juvenile fiction hardcover books. These are located in the smaller green-walled room in alphabetical order by the author's last name or by a unifying series name. This collection contains the blue-dotted titles aimed at 3rd and 4th grade readers (see the next question for more information).

JPA are juvenile fiction paperback books. These are located behind my desk in the larger green-walled room in alphabetical order by the author's last name or by a unifying series name. This collection also contains the blue-dotted titles aimed at 3rd and 4th grade readers (see the next question for more information).

Which books are best for 3rd and 4th graders?
As children gain reading skills, it's important to find materials that are appropriate to their abilities to encourage continued reading. The juvenile fiction room has a lot of books in many genres that span from the 2nd-3rd grade level to adult-level. To find items suited for 3rd and 4th graders, look for the blue dots on the spines. These mark titles and series with slightly larger print and fewer words on each page, and they usually contain some illustrations to accompany the text to help the transition from picture books.

Are there magazines for children?
There sure are! In fact, we've added several new titles this year. Our current magazine subscriptions include:
American Girl
Junior Scholastic
National Geographic Kids
Practical Homeschooling (for adults)
Sports Illustrated Kids
Thomas & Friends
Your Big Backyard

We also have Teen Vogue, located in the Teen Zone.