Check out our exciting new Book Match service, our different reading lists, award winners, and our Play and Learn Preschool eNewsletter Sign-up.
- Play and Learn Preschool Newsletters
- Kindergarten Readiness Kits
- 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
- Help Your Child Learn to Read
- Just for You! Website
- AMP Book Match Service
- Reading Dragons
- Award winners
Play & Learn Preschool Newsletter
Explore Play & Learn, our newsletter tailored for families with preschoolers. Sign up for this informative monthly e-newsletter, created to assist caregivers in enhancing their children's literacy abilities.
Kindergarten Readiness Kits
Explore the Kindergarten Readiness Kits for engaging activities that can enhance your child's school readiness skills. To receive a kit, complete the Kindergarten Readiness form or stop into the Youth Services Department. An active AMPL card is required for the request. If your child doesn't have an AMPL card, please email us at
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
This awesome program encourages families to team up and conquer the challenge of reading 1,000 books before their little one begins Kindergarten!
Reading books together contributes to establishing a strong early learning foundation for your child, enabling them to:
- Enhance Language Proficiency
- Lengthen Attention Spans
- Broaden Vocabulary
- Enhance Listening Skills
Immerse yourself in books with your child to share the joy of reading and spark a lifelong love for books!
How It Works:
- Any child with an Alsip-Merrionette Park library card may sign up.
- Infants through almost-Kindergartners can sign up.
- Sign-up at the Youth Services Desk to receive your 1,000 books folder.
- Each time you read a book together, color in a circle on your reading log.
- Every 200 books, visit the Youth Services Desk for a prize!
- You can read the same book 1,000 times or you can read 1,000 different books.
- Books read in storytime and at preschool all count!
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is an ongoing program. All prizes, however, must be redeemed before your child’s first day of Kindergarten.
Help Your Child Learn to Read
Is your child learning to read? We can help! Visit our Help Your Child Learn to Read website to learn about the library's offerings.
Just for You! Website
Need help finding your next great read? Try our Just for You website! Our self-guided website is a great way for you to find a new book. Whether you like picture books, beginning readers, novels, or non-fiction, this website has it all! Once you find the perfect title for you, click on the book's cover to go to the library's catalog and place a hold. If you don't know what you want to read, take our "What Should I Read Next?" quiz for a suggestion! Visit the Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library's Just for You Website and get started!
Book Match Service
Are you not sure what to read next? A librarian will find your new favorite book for you with our Book Match service! Fill out the AMPL Kids Book Match Service Registration form and tell us all about what books you do and do not like. Then, a librarian will email you back a list of books we know you will love! It's never been easier to find that next great book. This librarian-guided service is for kids in grades K-8 with valid AMPL cards in good standing in their own names. If you have any questions, please contact the Youth Services Department.
Reading Dragons
Are you a fan of trading cards, dragons, or reading? Then we’ve got the perfect program for you! Pick up your tracker at the Youth Services Department, or by filling out our online reading tracker. Then, for every 30 minutes you read, mark a box in your tracker. You can trade in your reading time for cool trading cards and to play the Reading Dragons game!Reading Dragons qualifies for Dive Into Reading! Reading Dragons was created by the Dover Public Library.
Award Winners
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award
The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award is an annual award given to the author of the book voted most outstanding by students in grades four through eight in participating Illinois schools.
The award is named in honor of Rebecca Caudill who lived and wrote in Urbana, Illinois, for nearly 50 years. The award is given in recognition for her literary talent and the universal appeal of her books which have touched the hearts of many children and young adults.
Any school in Illinois with students enrolled in any of the grades four through eight and agreeing to meet the requirements may participate in the program. Any public library in Illinois serving students in grades four through eight (from schools that are not registered to participate) and agreeing to meet the requirements, may participate in the program.
Monarch Award: Illinois' K-3rd Reader's Choice Award
In the summer of 2002, several past presidents of ISLMA discussed the need for a K-3 children's book award. The ISLMA Board established a work group to investigate creation of such an award. In April 2003, ISLMA approved the establishment and support of The Monarch Award: Illinois' K-3 Readers' Choice Award.
The name Monarch was chosen because of its familiarity to K-3 children and to symbolize the growth, change and freedom that becoming a reader brings. The Monarch is designed to encourage children to read critically and become familiar with children's books, authors and illustrators. The program is open to all K-3 children in Illinois.
Bluestem Award: Illinois' Grades 3-5 Readers' Choice Award
In the spring of 2008, the ISLMA board approved establishing a committee to explore the possibility of a new book award that would fit between the Monarch and Rebecca Caudill Awards. Interested library media specialists met in June, and an outline of the proposed new award was presented to the board in August. In September, a survey about the new award was conducted, and 92% of respondents favored the creation of a new award. At their October meeting, the ISLMA board approved the Bluestem Book Award.
The award is designed for students in grades 3-5 who are ready for longer titles than found on the Monarch list, but not quite ready for the sophistication of some of the Rebecca Caudill titles. Named in honor of Big Bluestem which is the state prairie grass, the award may include both timeless classics and current titles, as well as books that have appeared on Monarch and Rebecca Caudill lists.;
Newbery Winners
The Newbery Medal was named for John Newbery. It is given by the Association of Library Service for Children each year to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Learn more about the Newbery Medal and see a list of winners.
Caldecott Winners
The Caldecott Medal was named for Randolph Caldecott. It is given by the Association of Library Service for Children each year to the artist of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for Children. Learn more about the Caldecott Medal and see a list of winners.
We're glad that you are visiting us online!
Preschool Monthly eNewsletter Signup
Contact us at 708-371-5666 x. 140 or at
Email Us