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The Elwood Branch will be closed May 13th, 14th, and 17th.

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Read To Grow Programs

Our series of Read to Grow Programs is designed to introduce children to reading, give them opportunities to love reading, and grow into lifelong readers. We invite you to participate in these FREE programs.

Choose a program to learn more

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

500 Books Before Intermediate School

50 Books Before Junior High

Sign Up Now!
Children reading books outside

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

1000 Books Before Kindergarten
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Printable Log Sheet

You are your child’s first and most important teacher.

Through reading aloud, children birth-PreK:

    • Bond with their parent.
    • Build vocabulary.
    • Begin to understand that stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end.
    • Boost their brain development.
    • Become curious and imaginative.
    • Learn that reading is from left to right, top to bottom.
    • Identify reading as a pleasurable activity.

500 Books Before Intermediate School

Learn more about 500 books before Intermediate School
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Printable Log Sheet

Books are not just for school.

Through reading materials for fun kids in grades K-3 can:

    • Increase their concentration and focus.
    • Build vocabulary and language skills.
    • Begin to understand story structure and characterization.
    • Boost their brain development.
    • Become curious and imaginative.
    • Prepare for success in school.
    • Find characters and situations that they identify with.
Picture Books

Trouble Brewing!
5 magical tales
Fox Versus Fox
Go! Go! Dino!
Pig Town Party
Emilio Sloth's modern manners
Clydeo takes a bite out of life
You can be an astronaut
Don't Touch That Elf!
Big shark, Little Shark, and the Christmas tree
Trouble Brewing!
5 magical tales
Fox Versus Fox
Go! Go! Dino!
Pig Town Party
Emilio Sloth's modern manners
Clydeo takes a bite out of life
You can be an astronaut
Don't Touch That Elf!
Big shark, Little Shark, and the Christmas tree
Trouble Brewing!
5 magical tales
Fox Versus Fox
Go! Go! Dino!

Books for Kids and Tweens

Rachel Friedman Breaks the Rules
Spirited: Day of the Living Liv
Bunny and Clyde
Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple
The Best Friend Bracelet
All the Best Dogs
On the Block: Stories of Home
Black Girl Power
The Last Dragon on Mars
Deer Run Home
Orris and Timble: The Beginning
Rachel Friedman Breaks the Rules
Spirited: Day of the Living Liv
Bunny and Clyde
Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple
The Best Friend Bracelet
All the Best Dogs
On the Block: Stories of Home
Black Girl Power
The Last Dragon on Mars
Deer Run Home
Orris and Timble: The Beginning
Rachel Friedman Breaks the Rules
Spirited: Day of the Living Liv
Bunny and Clyde
Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple

50 Books Before Junior High

50 Books Before Junior High
Sign Up Now!
Printable Log Sheet

Books are windows into our world and our imaginations.

Through reading materials they choose, kids in grades 4-5 can:

  • Expand their background knowledge.
  • Builds vocabulary and language skills.
  • Improve cognition.
  • Gain social awareness, expand worldview, and learn about other points of view.
  • Build and maintain memory.
  • Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
  • Become better writers.
  • Reduce stress and relax.
  • Build empathy for those around them.

Locations & Contact Info

Manhattan Branch
240 Whitson Street
PO Box 53
Manhattan, IL 60442

Elwood Branch
111 E Mississippi Ave
Elwood, IL 60421

Phone: 815-478-3987
Fax: 815-478-4028
Email: questions@mpld.org

Manhattan Branch Hours

Monday: 10:00AM-7:00PM
Tuesday: 10:00AM-7:00PM
Wednesday:  10:00AM-7:00PM
Thursday: 10:00AM-7:00PM
Friday: 10:00AM-5:00PM
Saturday: 10:00AM-2:00PM
Sunday: Closed

Elwood Branch Hours

Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 10:00AM-6:00PM
Wednesday:  10:00AM-6:00PM
Thursday: CLOSED
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday: 10:00AM-2:00PM
Sunday: Closed

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Welcome Book (PDF)
Back to School Newsletter (PDF)