Grab & Go with Picture Book Bags
If you’ve ever found yourself juggling an adventurous toddler, a stroller, and a list of books to find, we’ve got you covered. Burlington Public Library’s Picture Book Bags make storytime at home easy, fun, and stress-free. Each bag contains six or seven carefully selected picture and board books on a popular theme—ready for you to grab and go.
These themed bags are designed with young readers (and busy grown-ups) in mind. Some of our most popular sets include Emotions, Sharing, Being Yourself & Accepting Others, Counting Books, Staff Picks, and LOL Silly Stories. Each one offers a mix of classics, new favourites, and hidden gems—all chosen by our Collections Librarian to engage curiosity, laughter, and conversation.
Why Read Together?
Your child’s learning starts at birth. Reading with your newborn, infant, toddler, or preschooler helps build a strong foundation for future learning. Every time you share a story, sing a rhyme, or look at pictures together, you’re helping your child develop essential early literacy skills—the building blocks for understanding language, recognizing letters and sounds, and eventually learning to read.
Reading together fosters connection and helps build routine. Even just a few minutes a day can quickly become a favourite part of the day—for both of you.
For More Than Little Ones
Picture books aren’t just for kids. Their vibrant artwork, clear storytelling, and emotional warmth make them ideal for anyone rediscovering the joy of stories—including people living with dementia or brain injury, and those learning a new language. These books help engage memory, emotion, and conversation in ways that few other formats can. Picture books are a wonderful, shared experience at any age.
Grow a Love of Reading
If your little one is participating in BPL’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, Picture Book Bags are a perfect way to keep the momentum going. This free, self-paced program encourages families to read 1,000 books together before school starts—and yes, repeats count (because every parent knows there are favourites you’ll read again and again!).
Borrowing Picture Book Bags can help feed your child’s voracious appetite for entertaining stories and make it easy to track your progress. Each story you share brings you closer to your goal—and to raising a confident, curious reader who loves books.
How It Works
Borrowing a Picture Book Bag is simple. Just look for them in the Children’s area at your neighbourhood branch or browse the collection online. Bags are clearly labelled by theme, so you can choose what suits your mood or your child’s current interests—stories about feelings, friendship, animals, bedtime, and more. Take one home, enjoy the stories together, then return the bag and try another. Watch for more themes to explore when a new batch of Picture Book Bags arrives later this month!
Ready, Set, Read!
Whether you’re starting your reading journey with a newborn, sharing stories with your preschooler, or reconnecting with the power of story at any age, Picture Book Bags make it easy to fill your home with books!
