Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Friedel and Gina: A True Story of Sisterhood and Survival During the Holocaust By Jeremy Dronfield New York: Quill Tree Books, 2026. Informational. 356 pgs. In 1930, the Friedel and Gina Rosenthal's family was a happy, successful Jewish family living in Dusseldorf, Germany. Their father was a successful businessman, owning three corner shops throughout the city and Friedel and Gina worked in the shops with their four siblings. When Hitler and the Nazi party came to power, the family was systematically stripped of their businesses, property and possessions. The twins, 13-years-old at the time, were even forced to leave school like many other Jewish children. One year later, the Rosenthal family was deported from Germany to Poland, forced into ghettos, and eventually sent to concentration camps. As the years of World War II grew long, Friedel and Gina found themselves alone - suffering one heartache after another. But remarkably, the twin sisters managed to survive, together. This re...

Stories in the Park Dig, Dig, Digger By Morag Hood London: Two Hoots, 2023. Picture Book. It is a day like any other at the roadworks when Digger decides she no longer likes digging down into mud, dark and worms - she wants to dig UP! Although up is quite tricky to get to, with some ingenuity and balloons, Digger goes off on a grand adventure. But adventures aren't as fun without friends, so Digger must dig her way home. With a witty text, bright colours and a finger trail to follow from the award-winning Morag Hood, young children and adults will love reading Dig, Dig, Digger! together. --Publisher Stories in the Park Oh, No! Written by Candace Fleming Illustrted by Eric Rohmann New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2012. Picture Book. A series of animals falls into a deep hole, only to be saved at last by a very large rescuer. --Editor Canopy Capers and Summer Story Time What if We.., By Eugenia Yoh and Vivienne Chang New York: Little, Brown & Company, 2025. Picture Book. A bo...

This collection of picture books highlight the importance and beauty of translated literature, bringing stories from around the world to English-speaking readers. Each title has been carefully translated to preserve the voice, meaning, and cultural nuance of its original language while making it accessible to new audiences. These works show how translation helps children’s literature cross borders and build understanding between cultures. I found these five books to be especially beautiful. The Visit Written by Núria Figueras Illustrated by Anna Font Translated by Lawrence Schimel from Catalan Grand Rapids, Michigan : Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2026. Picture book The Visit tells the story of a young fox who encounters Silence while spending time alone at home. What begins as an uncomfortable and unfamiliar presence slowly becomes calming as the fox learns to sit quietly, observe the world around her, and feel more at ease with herself. With expressive artwork and a thoughtf...

Edith By Catharina Valckx Minneapolis, MN : Gecko Press, 2026. Intermediate. 122 pages. In Edith , Catharina Valckx crafts a whimsical tale about a girl gifted with two extraordinary abilities at birth, bringing objects to life and never growing old. While eternal childhood initially seems magical, Edith soon discovers the sadness that comes with watching the people around her age while she remains unchanged. On her one-hundredth birthday, still a child, Edith begins a journey to find a way to finally grow up, accompanied by her loyal dog and a spirited talking lemon. Blending fairy-tale adventure with deeper reflections on time, friendship, and change, Edith offers readers both humor and emotional resonance. Valckx’s adorable illustrations complement the story’s exploration of aging and identity in an approachable way for younger audiences and invites meaningful conversations about growing up and appreciating life’s transitions. It's just an adorable, sweet, and quirky little sto...

One of my very favorite folktales is the story of stone soup. When a stranger comes to town with nothing but a pot of water and a stone, they begin to make stone soup. Slowly they convinced the selfish villagers to add what little food they have to the soup to make it even more delicious. By the time the soup is finished, the village enjoys a communal feast–made better by everyone's contributions. As is often the case with folktales, this story has been retold lots of different ways with many different twists. These are some of my favorite versions, to compare and contrast. Stone Soup: An Old Tale By Marcia Brown New York: Aladdin Books, 1947. Picture book. Probably the best known picture book version of Stone Soup, this Marcia Brown classic is a Caldecott honoree. Telling a pretty authentic version of the European folktale, three soldiers stop in a village that is reluctant to share their food. Bit by bit, the soldiers trick the villagers into adding delicious and flavorful ingred...

Both Sides Now: A Story About Young Joni Mitchell By Lydia Corry New York: Godwin Books, 2026. Comics. 144 pgs. Joni Mitchell is undeniably one of the most important musicians of the 20th century, and this graphic novel biography - chronicling her early childhood - introduces her to a new generation of fans. Growing up on the prairie in Saskatchewan, Joni identified as an artist at a young age and found a sense of wonder in her surroundings. She begged her parents for piano lessons, but was penalized by her teacher for creating her own compositions. She contracted polio and painfully relearned to walk. Finally, an encouraging teacher introduced her to poetry and ignited her artistic spirit. This is a truly captivating, highly illustrated biography of Joni Mitchell. Filled with colorful, swirling illustrations (that feel incredibly reminiscent of 1970s designs) this book is a treat for Joni Mitchell fans. Focusing mostly on her young childhood and early adulthood, this book explains how...