Fred Rogers said, “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” For parents and caregivers, this is a great reminder of the value to children of time spent playing games, enjoying movement, and exercising their imaginations.
But play is also just plain fun as the books below show. Whether exploring games that span the globe, jumping, running and wiggling, or using a cardboard box as a rocket ship, the characters in these stories offer plenty of ways to entertain yourself and others.
So don’t just leave the “work” to your little ones—get out there and play with them and have some fun too.
This booklist was created in support of BUZZWORD PGH to encourage imagination, investigation, creation, and reflection. Available to families throughout Allegheny County, BUZZWORD PGH engages young children and their families as they discover the words that are all around them.
You can sign up for a free library card here.
If you are new to our eResources, check out these tutorial videos on how to get started.
If you’re looking for more book suggestions, we’re happy to recommend them to you! Use this Book Recommendation form to send us some information about what you like to read and we’ll curate a list just for you.
If you have any additional questions, you can contact a librarian through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. You can also call us at 412-622-3114 or email us at info@carnegielibrary.org
If you woke up tomorrow in Egypt with a yen for a good game of tag, you could find it. Then you could hop on your magic carpet and fly to Thailand to play Go Fish with some new friends. Later, you could seesaw until the cows come home in Ireland.
Rhyming text, accompanied by labeled illustrations that identify parts of the body, encourages readers to wiggle and twist, stomp and zig-zag, and hug and shrug.
Celebrates a community coming together through their love of double dutch.
Patricia McKissack compiles a treasury of African American children’s culture: a collection of her favorite childhood games, songs, poetry, and stories that are directly linked to her African American heritage. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
A lively yellow dot leads the reader through a journey through color, shape, and a child’s imagination.
To an imaginative bunny, a box is not always just a box.
A mother wakes up her child whose job is to play, as there is so much to do in a fun-filled day, from dancing in puddles to jumping in leaves.
This title is also available for checkout as an eBook on Hoopla.
This introduction to physical and health education will help children to understand how keeping their bodies and minds healthy can enhance their lives.
This title is also available for checkout as an eBook on Hoopla.
