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  • General Recommendations
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Let's Play!

Explore the nature of play with these books! Research tells us that imaginative play is vital to the social and cognitive development of children. When children embody a character, animal or person, they try out new language. They are also engaging and developing theory of mind - which allows them to develop empathy. This list features books about play and books that encourage imaginative play. Have fun! #IndyPLKids

User from The Indianapolis Public Library

17 items

  • When a little boy gets a dinosaur costume for his birthday, it opens up a world of imagination. An amazing, prehistoric world, full of friendly Iguana-dons and dangerous Tyrannosauruses, but most of all--adventure. Welcome to Dinosaur Land...
    Book, 2017[Vancouver, British Columbia] : Simply Read Books, 2017. — J P MAT
  • In this easy-to-read book, a playful pack of dogs chase a ball that is caught by a bird, a whale, and a lion.
    Book, 2019New York : Holiday House, [2019] — J Z MEI
  • "Follow a diverse group of children as they enjoy their favorite games! Readers can delight in familiar play like hide-and-seek to more unusual activities like tangrams, all while learning about the importance of taking turns and participating.…
    Book, 2020Cambridge, MA : Barefoot Books, 2020. — J P COR
  • "Rhyming, playful alphabet book for young children about different ways to play actively and move their bodies. Includes a guide for adults featuring movement activities" - publisher.
    Book, 2019Minneapolis, MN : Free Spirit Publishing, 2019. — J 613.7 DOW
  • "Ploof is a puffy cloud who's a little lonely -- but now you're here, and the fun can begin! Can you help Ploof overcome their shyness? Play pretend? Make Ploof laugh with your funny faces, find their hiding spot, give them a high five! Full of…
    Book, 2023[Toronto] : Tundra Books, an imprint of Tundra Book Group, [2023] — J P CLA
  • "[Presents an illustrated look] that celebrates the interconnectedness of nature and the wonder of play - and includes Cree names for each animal in a glossary"-Jacket flap
    Book, 2021Vancouver ; Berkeley : Greystone Kids, [2021] — J P FLE
  • Elephant and Piggie learn to play catch with their new friend Snake.
    Book, 2010New York : Hyperion Books for Children, [2010] — J Z WIL
  • Two young children must decide if they would like to play with each other instead of just playing with their own stuffed animals.
    Book, 2017Petaluma, CA : Cameron Kids, [2017] — J P TODDLER OLA
  • Instructs the reader on how to move like various animals.
    Book, 2022Toronto, Ontario, Canada : Pajama Press Inc., [2022] — J P TODDLER WHI
  • Instructs the reader on how to interact with the illustrations to create imaginative images.
    Book, 2011San Francisco : Chronicle Books, 2011. — J P TUL
  • The girl in this book grows chocolate rabbits, tomatoes as big as beach balls, flowers that change color, and seashells in her garden. How does your garden grow? This is a great book all about allowing your imagination to grow!
    Book, 2010New York, NY : Greenwillow Books, [2010] — J P HEN
  • Let's Play Monsters is all about a family pretending to be various monsters!
    Book, 2020Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2020. — J P COU
  • illustrations and simple, rhyming text invite the reader to try various instruments and join a band.
    Book, 2018New York : Bloomsbury, 2018. — J P YOU
  • Run Wild by David Covell is a book that celebrates the freedom of being outdoors, the joy of movement, and paying attention to the present. It's truly a wild reading experience! There is so much energy in this book! David Covell's bold, splashy…
    Book, 2018New York, New York : Viking, 2018. — J P COV
  • Another by Hervé Tullet. This one follows a dot on an adventure of color, surprise and imagination. Kids will be inspired to draw their own dot adventure.
    Book, 2016San Francisco, CA : Handprint Books, an imprint of Chronicle Books, 2016. — J P TUL
  • I Am Someone Else

    Poems About Pretending

    Explore the many possibilities of pretending with playful poems from writers like Lois Lowry, Douglas Florian, and Prince Redcloud. These joyful poems show children defying gender stereotypes and exploring who they are through play.
    Book, 2019Watertown, MA : Charlesbridge, [2019] — J 811.608 I
  • "Sadie is a small girl with a big imagination. She likes to make and do and be lots of different things. Maybe you're a bit like her?"--Jacket.
    Book, 2015Toronto : Tundra Books, 2015. — J P OLE