Children's Services

Featured Events

Baby's 1st Christmas special Story

All activities are free and designed for babies 0-18 months and their grown-ups. 

  • The program is specially designed to teach parents how to learn WITH their child. Tuesday mornings 10:30-11:00 am.
  • This program is free, but is limited to non-movers and crawlers.

Special Book Babies Storytime

The DeSoto Public Library is excited to offer a SPECIAL Book Babies Storytime on Tuesday December 5th, 2023 at 10:30 am, Baby’s 1st Christmas Story Time.

In addition to the regular Tuesday morning baby story time which focuses on early development and literacy, this special event will include:

  • A “Baby’s First Ornament” craft
  • A festive “flat lay” photoshoot, and
  • A book box give-a-way for new parents
DeSoto Nutcracker

DeSoto Nutcracker Holiday Palooza 2023

Mark your calendars for Saturday December 16th 12:00-3:00 PM at the DeSoto Public Library! Don’t miss this chance to experience the magic of a DESOTO NUTCRACKER, the library's annual Holiday Palooza Celebration.

Free activities will include: pictures with Santa, Musical & Dance Performances, Crafts & Activities, a Sugar Plum Tea Party, letters to Santa, and much, much, more!

With the help of the Nutcracker, the DeSoto Public Library will fight holiday hunger by collecting cans & non-perishable foods from December 1st-16th to be donated to the DeSoto Food Pantry, as part of our DeSoto Nutcracker Holiday Palooza Celebration.

DeSoto Nutcracker

Story Times @ DeSoto Public Library

Book Babies Story Time - click for more info Opens in new window


Toddler Time flyer - Click for more info Opens in new window

Story Time flyer - Click for more info Opens in new window

Each early literacy class focuses on early childhood development and pre-reading skills, with age appropriate books, songs, and other fun activities.

  • Tuesdays are for the babies (0-18 months) with a focus on baby and caregiver bonds and learning.
  • Wednesdays are for the Toddlers (18 months- 3 years) and will engage young ones with stories, music & movement, bubbles, and play.
  • Thursdays are for pre-Schoolers with phonic fun and features Otis, the puppet and crafts for 3-6 year olds.

Registration is not required for groups less than 10.

Afterschool Meals @ the Library

The DeSoto Public Library is proud to partner with City Square, PepsiCo, and the Texas Department of Agriculture to offer free healthy meals to kids throughout the school year, every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:15-4:45pm in the Children’s Area during the Afterschool Enrichment Program. These meals are FREE and available to ALL kids 1-18 years old.

Registration is required, so get all the details here. 

Free afterschool meals at the Library -- click here for details

Let the library enlighten your weekday afternoons for school aged learners! 

The Library Afterschool Enrichment program is geared towards kids aged 5-12 years. 

After school Tuesdays flyer

Get into the swing of the school year by visiting the DeSoto Public Library Afterschool Enrichment program every Tuesday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Weekly activities will include educational fun for school-aged children focusing on a science, social studies, language arts, or art theme for each session. 

Starting NEW in September of 2023, the DeSoto Public Library will offer Gaming for kids each Wednesday at 4:30 pm, as part of the expanded Afterschool Enrichment Program. So get ready for epic weekly battles and challenges for both classic board games and video games

Game Daze event image
Lego Club event image

Back by popular demand… LEGO Club at the DeSoto Public Library every Thursday at 4:30pm, as part of the Afterschool Enrichment Program

Bring your imagination… and we’ll provide the blocks! Legos are a great way to explore educational concepts of mechanics and engineering. 

  • Parent and caregiver engagement is strongly recommended and enhances the learning experience for all. 
  • This program is free and no registration is required.


Every 2nd Saturday from 2:00-3:00 pm in the Children’s Area, there will be 15 minute sessions where kids can read aloud to trained therapy dogs courtsey of the Heart of Texas Therapy Dogs. Reading to a dog is an encouraging, non-judgmental way for children to practice reading aloud. 

The library will also provide animatronic dogs for kids with dog fears or allergy restrictions. 

Reading Tails23 social media

Award-Winning Book Lists

Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children's books, recordings, and videos.

TLA Texas Bluebonnet Award Winners
A unique program that encourages reading for pleasure by selecting 20 books of high literary quality and interest.

Newberry Medal Award Winners
The Newbery Medal honors the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

Caldecott Medal Award Winners
The Caldecott Medal honors the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

Coretta Scott King Award Winners
The Coretta Scott King Book Award honors African American authors and illustrators for outstanding inspirational and educational contribution.