Provo Library Children's Book Blog

  The Bard and the Book By Ann Bausum Atlanta : Peachtree Publishing Company Inc., 2024. Informational. 103 pages. "The unlikely true story of why we know the name William Shakespeare today, and the four-hundred-year-old book that made it possible. Four hundred years ago, no one bothered to write down the exact words of stage plays. Characters' lines were scribbled on small rolls of paper (as in, an actor's role) and passed around, but no master script was saved for the future. The main reason we've heard of Romeo, Juliet, Hamlet, and Shakespeare himself is that a group of people made the excellent choice to preserve the plays after the Bard died. If they hadn't created the book known as the First Folio, Shakespeare and his works would surely have been lost to history. Part literary scavenger hunt (the search for every existing First Folio continues today), part book trivia treasure trove, and part love letter to Shakespeare, this behind-the-scenes, sharply funny t...

  Cuentos ¡Boogie en el Bronx! Escrito por Jackie Azúa Kramer Ilustrado por Jana Glatt Concord, MA : Barefoot Books, 2024. Libro ilustrado. "Izquierda, derecha, los pasos doy. Chasqueo, zapateo, al ritmo voy. Canta con nosotros y mueve los pies. Este libro cuenta con acceso en línea al audio y a la animación-del cuento." --Editor Cuentitos A recoger manzanas Escrito por Candice Ransom Ilustrado por Erika Meza New York : Random House, 2021. Fácil. "Una hermana y un hermano le dan la bienvenida al otoño con una actividad clásica: ¡recogiendo manzanas! Pasean alegremente por un huerto de manzanas, y se apuran para escoger las mejores antes que otros niños se las ganen. La historia de este divertido día está llena de acción. Sus versos con rima son fáciles de entender, lo que asegura una experiencia de lectura exitosa. Este libro es perfecto para el otoño, y para leer en clase o antes de dormir." --Editor

  Stories in the Park Mousterpiece: A Mouse-Sized Guide to Modern Art By Jane Breskin Zalben New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2012. Picture Book. Janson the mouse, who lives in a museum, becomes an acclaimed artist by copying the styles of paintings she sees there. Includes notes about the artists and works featured. --Editor Stories in the Park Gray Written by Laura Dockrill Illustrated by Lauren Child Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2024. Picture Book. Some days you may feel sunshine yellow or orange-balloon bright. Other days you're gray, or even night-sky black-like a dark scribble on a page, a storm in the clouds, or a puddle in the road. Gray is when you don't feel like yourself, or like you don't belong. But however you feel, there are big hugs (red) and loving lullabies (blue) waiting, and even the grayest sidewalk is a canvas for you to fill with the colors you choose. A tender narration from British spoken-word poet Laura Dockrill and subtle, spare artwork from fo...

If you are a long time follower of this blog who reads and remembers every post that has ever come out, you may recall that I also did a blog post about New York City books a few years ago. What do you mean you don't remember?! That was a very interesting and valuable blog post!! But since then, many more books about the City That Never Sleeps have been released and I felt the need to again share my deep and abiding love of the vibrant and historic city of New York. So, whether you are a frequent traveler to Gotham, or have only seen it on the big screen, here are some of my favorite recent releases that will transport you to the place of my dreams, New York City. A Taste of Home Written by Richard Ho Illustrated by Sibu T.P. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2024. Picture Book. In this interesting picture book, a child is sent out to shop for food by his mother, who tells him "Bring back a taste of home." The question in his mind becomes "What is home?" Is home t...

  My Presentation Today Is About the Anaconda Written by Bibi Dumon Tak Illustrations by Annemarie van Haeringen Translated by Nancy Forest-Flier Montclair, NJ: Levine Querido, 2025. Informational. 223 pages.  A class of various types of animals are giving presentations on other species in the animal world. Because who wants to hear from the boring old humans, when animals know more from their own experience? From the wild donkey talking about megabats to the fox giving a very tasty presesentation on geese, My Presentation Today Is About Anacondas is an intriguing and funny look into what animals might really  think about their peers, prey, and predators. Charming illustrations add to the already charismatic appeal of this book, so be sure to check it out!  

  Right Back at You By Carolyn Mackler New York: Scholastic Press, 2025. Fiction. 226 pages. At the suggestion of his therapist, Mason wrote a letter to Albert Einstein about his life and promptly hid it in his closet. The next day when he goes to retrieve and toss the letter, he finds a different one in its place. This letter was written by Talia, a girl who was twelve almost 40 years ago and she's confused about how someone from the future put a letter in her closet and about what "googling" means. Both twelve-year-olds are dealing with bullying at their school and parents who don't know how to help them. By conversing, they are able to find confidence and strength to stand up to their bullies and to open up to their parents. This epistolary novel is a quick and engaging read. It alternates between letters from Mason and Talia, which feel very journal-like as they slowly open up to each other. I feel like this book does a good job balancing the idea that kids should...