Provo Library Children's Book Blog

  Where Ella Went By Laurie Morrison New York: Amulet Books, 2026. Fiction. 288 pages. Where Ella Went is a middle-grade mystery about the disappearance of The Birchfield School's eighth grade class president, Ella, the night before the biggest soccer game of the season. Two of her teammates, Sadie and Pug, just know that something is up- so despite strict instructions not to contact or worry about Ella, they undertake an investigation to find out what exactly happened to their star player. Told through letters, journal entries, text messages, podcast transcripts, etc., this novel is fast-paced and exciting! This book was so enjoyable! It was heartfelt, with many different characters opening up about the difficult things going on in their lives. It tackled a lot of issues that current middle schoolers will find relevant, like perfectionism, neurodivergence, difficult friendships, and the stress of balancing school and extracurriculars. Soccer fans will be especially drawn to this b...

The Very Unusual Pumpkin Written by Marilyn Singer Illustrated by Maya Shleifer New York: Hippo Park, 2026. Picture book. Lulu loves hearing bedtime stories from her Grandma every night, she just wishes her grandmother was better at telling stories. So, Lulu decides to step in and help -- by asking questions! When Grandma starts to tell the story of an ugly pumpkin, Lulu prompts "why was the pumpkin ugly?" Leading Grandma to pause, Lulu to respond, and the collaborative storytelling to begin!  Kids and their caregivers will hopefully recognize the familiar pattern of a bedtime story at play here -- and the loving and creative way that Lulu and Grandma tell their story together. The vibrant illustrations, often against a black background, add a satisfying visual quality to this cozy storybook. Don't be fooled by the pumpkin on the cover, this picture book is certain to be a year-round delight.

  Cuentos ¿A qué sabe la luna? Por Michael Grejniec Pontevedra [Spain] : Kalandraka, 2019. Libro ilustrado. "Hacía mucho tiempo que los animales deseaban averiguar a qué sabía la luna. ¿Sería dulce o salada? Tan solo querían probar un pedacito. Por las noches, miraban ansiosos hacia el cielo. Se estiraban e intentaban cogerla, alargando el cuello, las piernas y los brazos. ¿Quién no soñó alguna vez con darle un mordisco a la luna? Este fue precisamente el deseo de los animales de este cuento. Tan solo querían probar un pedacito pero, por más que se estiraban, no eran capaces de tocarla. Entonces, la tortuga tuvo una genial idea: '"Si te subes a mi espalda, tal vez lleguemos a la luna", le dijo al elefante." --Editor Cuentitos Elefante, ¿dónde estás? Por Rachael Hare New York, NY : Dorling Kindersley, Ltd., 2022. Pequeño libro ilustrado. "Busca a Elefante por la sabana con este libro para tocar. Por el camino conocerás a sus amigos, como la jirafa, el león o...

Preschool Time This Joy! By Shelley Johannes New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. A young child tries to measure the size of her joy and the depth of her gratitude as she embraces the beauty of the day. --Publisher Preschool Time How Not to Make a Jelly Sandwich By Ross Burach New York: Scholastic Press, 2026. Picture Book. Readers follow five unconventional steps to make a simple jelly sandwich. --Editor Toddler Time Star in the Jar By Sam Hay and Sarah Massini Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2018. Picture Book. When a little boy stumbles across a lost star, he decides to take care of it, putting it in a jar and carrying it with him everywhere. But when the sky calls out for its missing star, can the little boy and his sister figure out a way to return the star to its friends in the sky ... even if it means saying goodbye forever? --Editor Book Babies I Need a Hug By Aaron Blabey New York: Cartwheel Books, an imprint of Scholastic, 2015. Board Book. A...

If you like super silly read alouds, these playful picture books are for you! Young readers get to laugh, imagine, and become part of the storytelling fun! From upside-down adventures and magical spells to silly surprises and unexpected telephone calls, each book offers something delightfully different. These books are sure to inspire giggles, curiosity, and plenty of conversation. Pandamonium! Written by Annie Bailey Illusrated by Bonnie Wong New York : Feiwel and Freinds, 2026. When the panda family gathers for a reunion, they attempt to take the perfect family photograph. Despite their best efforts to look their finest and sit still, the little pandas become increasingly wiggly and giggly. Fun panda facts at the end add an educational touch to this playful celebration of family togetherness. I Think We're Upside Down! By Marcus Cutler New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2026. Rabbit and Raccoon discover that something is very wrong with their world. When Raccoon’s new basketball ...

  World Kitchen Celebrations: Recipes from Around the World Written by Abigail Wheatley  Illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat London: Usborn Publishing Limited, 2025. Informational  This collection of recipes focuses on simple recipes cooked by families around the world during times of celebrations, holidays, and festivals. Each recipe is beautifully illustrated and highlights authentic flavors, stories, and traditions from all over the globe. Additionally highlighting fun facts about regional traditions with festivals, cooking equipment, and local ingredients. Every recipe is vegetarian and also includes instructions for substitions to make them vegan, nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and gluten free; making this book filled with treats everyone can eat.  While the world may feel vast and cultures seem so different from one another sometimes, we can all come together with one commonality: we all need to eat. Food is one of the major signifers for a culture and this book doe...