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Review: A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes

A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes By Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski New York: Henry Holt & Co., 2026. Fantasy. 352 pgs. In the city of Yerat, 12-year-old Nia has a special gift and a big secret. She has a supernatural sense of smell, and she's worried if anyone finds out they'll mark her as a Sinsory. The Sinsories are a group of people born with magical senses that they periodically use to fight plagues and protect others, but superstitious people still view them as evil. Though she tries to hide her gift, Nia is recruited to the Cloister - a school where Sinsories learn to fight plagues. Her start at the Cloister is rocky, but her unique sense of smell makes Nia a vital part of crafting a curefume for a new, very strong, scent-based plague. As the plague claims victims; and Nia fears for the safety of her loved ones outside the Cloister; she and two new Sinsory friends decide to risk everything to save those they love. This high-stakes fantasy novel is set in a remarkably...
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De la hora del cuento: La letra "Q"

  Cuentos La casita del ratón Escrito por Jonathan Stutzman Ilustrado por Isabelle Arsenault Barcelona : Editorial EkarĆ©, 2023. Libro ilustrado. "Vicente es un ratón que, allĆ” donde vaya, lleva una casita sobre su espalda. En ella todos aquellos que necesitan cobijo pueden entrar: una rana cansada, una familia de erizos, un gato hambriento ... incluso algunos animales de aspecto temible. Y es que la casita del ratón es mĆ”s grande de lo que parece. En este libro con vocación de clĆ”sico, los talentos de Stutzman y Arsenault se emplean en narrar una encantadora historia sobre la verdadera generosidad." --Editor Cuentitos Te quiero, Spot Por Eric Hill New York, New York : Frederick Warne, 2024. PequeƱo libro ilustrado. "Es el dĆ­a de San ValentĆ­n y Spot estĆ” planeando una sorpresa especial ... Este conmovedor cuento es ideal para compartir con tu pequeƱo amor." --Editor Otros libros sobre la letra "Q" El muƱequito de queso apestoso y otros cuentos con demasiada...

From Story Time: The Letter "Q"

Preschool Time It's So Quiet: a Not-Quite-Going-to-Bed Book Written by Sherri Duskey Rinker Illustrated by Tony Fucile San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC, 2021. Picture Book. Little mouse cannot sleep because it is too quiet--but when he really listens he finds to night is full of all sorts of sounds, so many if fact that it is too noisy to sleep. --Editor Preschool Time I Quit Written by Kristen Tracy Illustrated by Federico Fabiani New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2024. Picture Book. When kitty first got adopted, everything was purr-fect. Then came the rules. NO eating the bread! NO chasing the baby! BAD KITTY! Excuse me? She's not a bad kitty. Left with no choice, she says goodbye to everything she loves (even her favorite crinkled-up receipt) and quits! But kitty's adventure in the great outdoors doesn't go as planned, and she realizes that she may have made a few mistakes. She knows she can do better, but how can she get home? Would her family even want her back...

Review: The Sky Was My Blanket

  The Sky Was My Blanket By Uri Shulevitz New York : Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, 2025. Biography, 149 pages. The Sky Was My Blanket by Uri Shulevitz is a compelling biography based on his uncle's experiences as a young man escaping the dangers of World War II. Yehiel left his home rejecting the strict religious rules of his father. He journeyed from place to place, often pushed out by the fear of capture or imprisonment, never knowing where he would end up. With no permanent shelter, he often slept outside, relying on the open sky as protection. Shulevitz's simple yet reflective storytelling captures the confusion and terror of living through these uncertain times. This book gently introduces readers to the realities of World War II and of living as a refugee. Despite it's weighty topic, Shulevitz prioritizes themes of human resilience, resistance, and true kindness. It's a relatively short book broken into chapters that are only a few pages at most. ...

February Girls Read and Guys Read

Every month we have two book clubs for kids here at the Provo City Library! These book clubs are just for kids ages 9-12 and a caregiver. This month, our  Girls Read book club  will meet February 24 and our  Guys Read book club  will meet February 26. You can register now, using the library's online calendar! Girls Read is reading: Brown Girl Dreaming By Jacqueline Woodson New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2014. Memoir/poetry. 336 pgs. As a child, Jacqueline Woodson never felt settled at home. In the 1960s and 1970s, she lived in South Carolina and in New York City, in the midst of the Civil Rights movement and with the shadow of Jim Crow laws looming overhead. As she searches to find herself, Jacqueline finds her voice as a writer and she begins to tell stories that will shape her future. Told entirely in verse, this memoir is a touching and thoughtful story about growing up and finding your way. A National Book Award Winner, Newbery Honoree, and Coretta Scott King Awa...

Five Faves: Lunar New Year

All my kiddos have participated in the Chinese immersion programs at their respective schools.  The first year my oldest son came home from school and told me about celebrating Lunar New Year with his first grade class, we were all hooked.  We've had so much fun as a family learning more about this amazing holiday and celebrating together.  The following books illustrate the joy and excitement of this special holiday, so read on!  Let's Celebrate Korean New Year! Written by Michelle W. Park Illustrated by Hyewon Yum New York : Random House Children's Books, 2024. Picture book. Madeleine is so excited to celebrate Lunar New Year and explain all the preparations and traditions to her sister, Eloise.  From wearing the traditional hanbok, to special foods and games, Madeleine explains why Lunar New Year is such a special and important family holiday. A glossary, activity idea, and traditional holiday recipe are found at the end of the book.   Ping's P...

Review: I Am a Lioness

  I Am a Lioness By by Hyewon Kyung Rye Brook, New York: Peter Pauper Press, Inc, 2025. Informational. What comes to mind when you think about a lioness? Some of the words I think of are teamwork, community, and family. This beautiful informational book talks about each of those aspects and more. I love the illustrations! I could picture myself out on the hunt with the lioness, watching her as she protects her babies, and appreciating all the work that goes into keeping her community safe. I enjoyed learning more about lions, including the fact that lion prides are matriarchal systems. Many people think of the males as the hunters, but the reality is that the majority of hunting is done by the females. Add that to their responsibilities of teaching and raising the young cubs, it is a gift that prides consist of multiple lionesses, so they can each take a turn leading and resting. I felt this book did a great job with presenting information in a way that made me appreciate community...