Early Learners (Ages 0-5)

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Picture Books: monthly email with picture book recommendations for kids ages 0-8

Books for Kids & Tweens: monthly email with fiction and non-fiction titles for kids in elementary thru middle school

Youth and Teen Updates: monthly email of upcoming programs at Messenger Public Library

Library News: Upcoming programs for adults and all ages at Messenger Public Library

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TALK: Text And Learn for Kindergarten

Sign up to get 8-10 text messages per month with fun activities you can do at home to help prepare little ones, ages 5 and under, for school success.

The texts suggest fun activities caregivers can do with their babies and preschoolers to make any time learning time. Developed by librarians and based on the Every Child Ready to Read program that encourages parents to read, write, sing, talk, and play with their little ones everyday, TALK activities are designed to get kids ready for school success.

Research shows that when parents and caregivers talk and listen to young children, kids develop the cognitive and language skills they need to do well in school and beyond. TALK activities increase back-and-forth parent/child conversations and provide activities for little ones to learn through exploration and discovery to help you make sure your child gets a head start on the road to success.

Visit textandlearn.org or text TALK to 75547 to get started.

^{TALK is a service of the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services. All rights reserved.
TALK was made possible by the Ypsilanti District Library in partnership with the Library of Michigan and the Institute of Museum and Library Services}

Join a Reading Challenge

Join one of our many Reading Challenges and earn FREE books throughout the year.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten: Encourage a lifelong love of books and learning while bonding with your little ones. Messenger’s reading challenges for children help build strong and positive habits through reading together.

Summer Challenge: This reading challenge runs June 1 – July 31. You can earn free books and coupons to local places by tracking your daily reading during the summer.

Ready to take on the challenge? Visit Beanstack or download the Beanstack Mobile App to get started.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a renowned literacy program founded by the legendary Dolly Parton whose father could not read. This initiative is dedicated to fostering a love for reading among children from birth to age five.

Every month, children enrolled in the program receive a high-quality, age-appropriate book mailed directly to their homes, at no cost to their families.

Visit the Fox Valley United Way’s website to enroll your child!

Read • Watch • Listen

Explore our digital collection. Each collection holds 1000s of titles for all ages. Titles are automatically returned at the end of the loan period and there are no late fees.

Libby/OverDrive: Download eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, and more for all ages through eMedia Library, also known as Libby.

Palace Project: Download eBooks and eAudiobooks for all ages through eRead Illinois, formerly known as Boundless.

Hoopla: Download or stream movies, TV shows, music, eAudiobooks, eBooks, and comics on your device. Enjoy a kids’ mode, instant access, and automatic returns.

Kanopy Kids: Stream thoughtful entertainment including documentaries, rare titles, film festival favorites, indie and classic films, and world cinema. Access includes Kanopy Kids and Great Courses.

TumbleBook Library: TumbleBook Library collection has over 1100 titles and is perfect for public libraries and elementary schools, with content most appropriate for those in grades K-6. It includes animated talking picture books, chapter books, videos, non-fiction titles, graphic novels, playlists, and books in French and Spanish.

Monthly Book Recommendations: Visit our catalog to see what books we are recommending this month. The themes change each month so be sure to check back.

Featured Kids Books & Kits: See what new books and kits are at the library!