Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Poetry has found such a special place in my heart as I have gotten older. As a child I didn't really understand the people who were drawn to poetry books. Nothing about them ever pulled me in when I was younger. But then at some point as a grown-up, I discovered how healing and hopeful poetry made me feel. I wish I could remember the first poetry book that stirred these emotions within me. Even though I don't remember the title, I will always remember how it impacted me, and because of those feelings, now I try to share poetry books as often as I can. Here are five recent favorites that I have read and I hope you enjoy! Pondering: A Story in Cinquains Written by Paul Paolilli and Dan Brewer Illustrated by Dao Linh New York, NY : WorthyKids, 2026. Picture Book. People often (mistakenly) think of poetry as having to rhyme. Cinquain poems are a great way to introduce kids and grownups alike to a form of poetry that doesn't require rhyming. Cinquain poems have 5 lines, and a sp...

The Wild Journey of Juniper Berry By Chad Morris & Shelly Brown Salt Lake City, Utah : Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2023. 250 pages Eleven-year-old Juniper Berry lives off the grid in the California woods with her family, but when her brother gets sick, they have to leave to get help. -- Editor Squint By Chad Morris & Shelly Brown Salt Lake City, Utah : Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2018. 252 pages Flint Minett has keratoconus, an eye disease, but desperately wants to win a comic book art contest so that he and his new friend McKell Panganiban will be better accepted at middle school. -- Editor Mustaches for Maddie By Chad Morris & Shelly Brown Salt Lake City, Utah : Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2017. 245 pages Inspired by the true story. Maddie is a normal twelve-year-old, but when a CT scan reveals she has a brain tumor, it will take all her imagination, courage, and support from her friends and family to meet this new challenge. -- Publisher The Playmakers By Chad Morris ...

  Cuentos Arriba, abajo y alrededor Por Katherine Ayres Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2014. Libro ilustrado. "Un jardín produce una variedad de plantas comestibles, como el maíz que crece para arriba, las cebollas que crecen hacia abajo, y las de tomates que guita todo." --Editor Cuentitos Elena monta en bicicleta Por Juana Medina Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2023. Fácil. "Elena quiere montar en bici. Empieza a monter, empieza a rodar. Ella se mece y se bambolea ¡Cataplam! Elena, aprender a montar en bici es difícil. Pero tú puedes lograrlo. ¡Inténtalo, inténtalo de nuevo!" --Editor

Stories in the Park Bubble Sea Written by Danielle Marietta Illustrated by Masha Klott Chantilly, VA: Books & Things Publishing, 2023. Picture Book. Every night this stinky pirate gets to jump into the bathtub and into a pirate adventure. Battles with tub toys won't keep him and his first mate, Mr. Smittins, away from finding treasure. This book is filled with beautiful illustrations that everyone will enjoy and is the perfect read aloud for every kid that likes to splash in the tub! --Publisher Stories in the Park Morris Mole By Dan Yaccarino New York: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2017. Picture Book. Morris Mole has always been a little bit different. When the moles are running low on food, it's up to clever Morris to save the day. With a little help from an unexpected friend and a lot of digging, Morris learns that even the smallest creatures can do big things. --Publisher Canopy Capers and Summer Story Time That's My Carrot By Il Sung Na New York: A...

Bothered By Bugs By Emily Gravett New York : Boxer Book, 2025. Picture book. This book tells the story of  Pete the badger and a group of woodland animals who grow tired of sharing their forest with buzzing, crawling insects. Determined to solve the problem, they soon discover that insects play an important role in keeping the forest healthy and balanced. Readers are encouraged to appreciate even the smallest creatures and take care of the natural world. My Tiger Written by Joy Cowley Illustrated by David Barrow. Minneapolis : Gecko Press, 2026. Picture book. To this tiger, cake is the best thing ever! But a diet of ONLY sugar comes with consequences. What happens when a dentist advises him to stop eating sweets? Readers will enjoy the blend of an everyday experience with an imaginative twist at the end. The Whale's Tale and the Otter's Side of the Story Written by Kate Messner Illustrated by Brian Biggs New York : Clarion Books, 2026. Picture book. In this reversible book, a b...

Here Comes the Cousins Written by Maggie Hutchings Illustrated by Sarah Sweck New York: Thames & Hudson,  2026. Picture Book.  A young girl patiently waits for the arrival of her seven cousins at their grandpa’s house. Then the best days of summer start. Days filled with racing to the beach, playing in the sand and swimming in the water. Sunblock mixing with sea salt. Racing home for lunch. Reading Grandpa’s books and playing in the tree fort. The best days of summer are the ones spent together as a family, sharing old stories and creating new memories at everyone’s favorite place. Tears are shed when the day comes to say goodbye, but with the promise of coming back together next year.  Here Comes the Cousins is a cute tale of family coming together at the family’s beachside house. Showcasing the fun activities and adventures cousins get up to while having fun together for their annual reunion. The story was sweet and nostalgic, reminding me of my own summer holidays...