Children's book indexes
Use these to find just the right children's book by subject, theme, format or series:
Picture-book index
The picture-book index is part of BPL's online catalogue and is accessed through the advanced search function of the catalogue. This index can help you find books by subject, format or theme to share with young children. It indexes the picture-book, easy reader, first book, and folk and fairy tale collections.
At the library
Please ask the information desk staff to print a list of books about your subject. The list can be limited to books currently available in the branch. There is no charge for this service.
Outside the library
We strongly recommend that you print the list of picture-book index subject headings [PDF] (last updated August 2010). A hard-copy of this list, which includes extensive cross-references, will help you search more effectively.
Searching by our subject headings
- connect to the advanced search option of the library catalogue
- select "picture-book subject list" in the "search by" box
- enter one of our picture-book index subject headings
- use the "limits" option to limit a search to items at a particular branch
- use the "sorting" option to sort results by title, author or call number
Searching by keyword
If you are already familiar with the terms we use or have chosen not to consult our list of subject headings, you can search by keyword.
- from the advanced search screen, select "picture-book keyword index" in the first "search by" box
- enter a subject or theme
- If you do not get results, check the list of picture-book index subject headings [PDF] (last updated August 2010) to find the terms and spelling we use.
Combining two or more subjects or themes
Two or more headings can be combined in a keyword search. Example: a search for "hockey Canadian" will find titles with a hockey theme by Canadian authors.
- from the advanced search screen, select "children's picture-book keyword index" in the first "search by" box and enter a keyword from our list of subject headings, for example "hockey"
- select "children's picture-book keyword index" in the next "search by" box and enter a second keyword from our list of subject headings, for example "Canadian"
Children's fiction index
The children's fiction index is part of BPL's online catalogue and is accessed through the advanced search function of the catalogue. This index can help you find children's novels by subject or theme. It indexes the storybook and children's fiction collections.
At the library
Please ask the information desk staff to print a list of books about your subject. The list can be limited to books currently available in the branch. There is no charge for this service.
Browse through the hard copy of the children's fiction index subject headings to familiarize yourself with the broad range and scope of this index.
Outside the library
We strongly recommend that you print the list of fiction index subject headings [PDF] (last updated March 8, 2010). A hard copy of this list, which includes extensive cross-references, will help you search more effectively.
Simple searches
- connect to the advanced search screen of the library catalogue
- select "children's fiction subject list" in the "search by" box
- enter one of our children's fiction index subject headings
Tips for doing more complex searches
- use the "limits" option to limit a search to items at a particular branch
- use the "sorting" option to sort results by title, author or call number
Keyword searches
If you are already familiar with the terms we use or have chosen not to consult our list of subject headings, you can search by keyword.
- from the advanced search screen select "children's fiction keyword index" in the first "search by" box
- enter a subject or theme
- if you do not get results, check the list of fiction index subject headings [PDF] (last updated March 8, 2010) to find the terms and spelling we use
Combining two or more subjects or themes
Two or more subjects can be combined in a keyword search. For example, a search for "Canadian mysteries" will find mysteries by Canadian authors. Instructions:
- from the advanced search screen, select "children's fiction keyword index" in the first "search by" box and enter a keyword from our list of subject headings.
- select "children's fiction keyword index" in the next "search by" box and enter a second keyword
Children's fiction series index
BPL's children's fiction series index [PDF] (last updated May, 2010) can help you find what comes next in children's fiction series.
- This index is limited to catalogued children's novels.
- Picture books, easy readers and uncatalogued paperback fiction series, such as the Rainbow Fairies, are not included.
- Older series and titles which BPL no longer owns continue to appear in the index. If you are interested in reading any of these, talk to the librarian. It may be possible for you to borrow them through interlibrary loan.
For the purpose of this index, we have defined a series as two or more books linked by character, setting or other common traits.
Tip: use the search ("binoculars" icon) or "Edit - Find" feature in Internet Explorer to find what you're looking for quickly by series name, author or book title.