Provo Library Children's Book Blog

One of the prettiest things about winter are the unique snowflakes. I especially love watching giant fluffy flakes as they fall and looking at the patterns of the ice crystals. If you like snowflakes, these books are perfect for you! The Power of Snow Written by Bob Raczka Illustrated by Bryony Clarkson Minneapolis, MN: Millbrook Press, 2023. Informational. In this rhyming math primer, a single snowflake quickly morphs into a giant snowstorm! Notes demonstrate how exponents work as the number of snowflakes multiplies and the storm grows. The result of the storm is a fresh field of snow for two friends to play in together. Just One Flake By Travis Jonker New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture book. Liam is trying his best to catch a snowflake on his tongue, but catching one proves more difficult than he expected. After several efforts to complete this mission, he is mesmerized by the beautiful pattern of the flake that lands on his glove instead. The Snowflake By Benji ...

January is an exciting time of the year. It is fun to start a new calendar, open a new planner, and make plans for things you want to do in the new year. But all of the changes (and the long, cold, dark nights) can also feel a little bit overwhelming. When I am feeling overwhelmed, I like to practice mindful meditation to help calm me down. If you (or the kids in your life!) are the same way, here are some great books that will help. Little Dinosaurs, Big Feelings Written by Swapna Haddow & Dr. Diplo Illustrated by Yiting Lee London: Magic Cat Publishing, 2024. Comics. 111 pages. In this adorable and unique take on mindfulness, the fictional Dr. Diplo offers therapy to the other dinosaurs. The graphic novel style of this book will attract a lot of readers, and the excellent use of stories, flowcharts, and other visual decoration will make sure they leave with an understanding of how to navigate feelings in difficult situations. Psychologist Amber Owens assisted with this book to ma...

Lots of kids LOVE to sing! Singing is especially fun with friends and caregivers, but it doesn't always feel natural to burst into song (well, for some of us). These board books are great because they take classic tunes and put them with fun illustrations and some of them put new words and themes to the music.  The Llamas in the Field Written by Aly Fronis Illustrated by Luke Flowers New York: Little Bee Books, 2020. Board Book. Set to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus," this book is perfect for kids who love making animal sounds. At this farm, we get to sing about all different kinds of animals and what noises they make, and many of them we don't hear about all the time. Sure, we have the familiar cows, but also coyotes, alpacas, and of course llamas! I'm a Little Snowman Written by Hannah Eliot Illustrated by Anna Daviscourt New York: Little Simon, 2022. Board Book. Set to "I'm a Little Teapot," this book describes a fun winter's day with snow...

Death Adders By Davy Sweazey Minneapolis, MN: Bellwether Media, 2014. Informational. 24 pages. Learn about how death adders live and hunt. --Editor Florida's Burmese Pythons: Squeezing the Everglades By Miriam Aronin New York: Bearport Publishing, 2016. Informational. 32 pages. In this book, readers learn how the Burmese Python is an invasive species in the state of Florida. -- Publisher Cottonmouth By Deb Tuttle Nelson North Mankato, MN: Rourke Educational Media, 2019. Informational. 32 pages. Meet the stealthy cottonmouth and learn how it can hunt in the dark and under water, hatch eggs without a nest, and scare away threats in surprising ways! You'll also learn to spot the differences between this venomous snake and harmless water snakes. --Publisher Snakes By Nic Bishop New York: Scholastic Nonfiction, 2012. Informational. 48 pages. Join acclaimed naturalist and photographer Nic Bishop as he explores the scary world of snakes. --Editor Rattlesnake vs. Secretary Bird Written...

The Other Side of Tomorrow Written by Tina Cho Illustrated by Deb JJ Lee New York: HarperAlley, 2024. Comics.  It has been two years since Yunho's mother left North Korea to look for food and work in China. Now 10-years-old, Yunho misses his mother all the time as he's forced to scavenge for iron to sell in order to feed his halmoni. Across town, 11-year-old Myunghee sells vegetables on the street to keep her and her great-aunt alive. Yunho and Myunghee's paths cross at the public execution of Yunho's uncle -- and later that night the two kids separately cross the border illegally from North Korea into China. Yunho reconnects with his omma, and Myunghee is sold into slavery. After a month, Myunghee manages to escape and she crosses paths with Yunho on the street in China -- a moment that entangles their futures. Safety in China is precarious for Myunghee, Yunho, and Yunho's omma -- a stranger in China could turn them over to the North Korean authorities and collect ...

  The Fairy Tale Fan Club: Legendary Letters Collected by C.C. Cecily Written by Richard Ayoade Illustrated by David Roberts Somerville, MA: Walker Books US, a division of Candlewick Press, 2024. Fiction. 109 pages. Readers are introduced to the esteemed C.C. Cecily, Senior Secretary of the Fairy Tale Fan Club and master of correspondence, who guides us through this irreverent letter-based tale which features questions that modern day children might have regarding certain fairy tale events and the characters that "lived" them. For instance, have you ever wondered how on earth the Emperor was fooled into thinking he was wearing clothes? Or what Hansel and Gretel thought about being abandoned in the woods? Well, let them tell you!  This hilarious book, written in Ayoade's distinctive style, will have readers coming back for more. It's fast-paced and engaging, and is only enhanced by the quirky pen illustrations from David Roberts. So, if you love fresh takes on classic ...