Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Crafty Chloe Written by Kelly DiPucchio Illustrated by Heather Ross Atheneum Books for Young Readers, c2012. Unpaged picture book. Chloe's not good at, or interested in, what other girls are doing. She is the master of all things crafty, such as altering her own clothes and making beautiful noodle jewelry. She "knows that anything becomes less boring with googly eyes on it." When it comes time to buy a present for her best friend Emma, she has just the thing in mind: a fancy doll. There's an unfortunate run-in at the toy store, as Chloe runs into snooty girl London, who snatches up the doll. Her creativity prevails as she decides to make an even better gift! In the end, all friendships are restored and Emma loves Chloe's beautiful homemade present. The appeal of this picture book is that it's adorable, but not overly saccharine. The message is a great one for girls, as it encourages individuality and creativity. www.CraftyChloe.com has instructions for ...

It's a Small World Words and Music by Richard and Robert Sherman Illustrated by Joey Chou Disney Press, c2011. Unpaged picture book. It's a Small World captured my heart right from illustrator Joey Chou's dedication: "To my mom and dad for all our memorable trips to Disneyland." This picture book beautifully does what a picture book should do, and that is taking the reader on a fabulous adventure. With one line on each page, even the newest independent readers can take a joyful ride around the world with children of many lands. Chou's illustrations have a retro feel and are clearly inspired by the beloved ride. The backgrounds are spectacular, the children precious, and the colors dazzling. (Can you tell I'm obsessed with this one?) I love the CD that comes tucked inside the cover. If only we could play this on constant rotation in the library!

Tuesdays at the Castle By Jessica Day George Bloomsbury USA, 2011. 228 pp. Juvenile chapter book. In another entertaining novel by Jessica Day George, a living, changing castle houses the royal family with great care and protection until the king and queen are ambushed while away. When unsavory neighboring rivals threaten the royal family, it is up to Princess Celie, the castle's favorite, to step up and protect her family with her extensive knowledge of the castle's quirks and habits. This book was very enjoyable, particularly due to the castle's unusual and unique nature. Adventure, mystery, and magic fill this book with hours of good reading. Another successful story from George!

When My Baby Dreams By Adele Enersen Balzer + Bray, 2012. Unpaged. Picture book. Beautiful photos of a new mother's sweet, sleeping baby have been compiled to create an imaginative story of the baby's dreamland adventures. Enersen has created amazing scenes with the simplest of materials, such as sheets, blankets, paper cutouts, and rugs. Amidst it all, her darling child slumbers peacefully, posing for dreamy photographs. A particularly fun aspect of the book is the spark it can create in other parents to document their own children similarly at home. The creative element is so lovely in this book and one can't help but be completely charmed by the sweetness of the author's small child and the lovingly crafted scenes that surround her.

Six Days by Philip Webb Scholastic, 2011. 336 pgs. Science Fiction Cass and Wilbur are scavengers--scavs--in a future and mostly destroyed London. Virtual slaves of the Vlad of Russia, they and all other scavs are hunting for an artifact for their masters. No one knows exactly what it looks like, but all know it will give the Vlads unassailable power. Wilbur thinks he knows where the artifact is and often endangers himself and others looking for it. When he is saved from falling off Big Ben by Peyto, an interstellar traveler who with his sister Erin is also looking for the artifact, the game's afoot! Dodging Vlads and the eccentricities of their own spaceship, where sleepers lie waiting to be awakened, the children dash through dangers in and out of the city, trying to save one another and the world. Filled with British slang and modern teen/tween usage, Six Days requires a more careful reading than other books as breakneck-paced, but it is worth the slight effort for the rich rewa...

Dead End in Norvelt By Jack Gantos Farrar Straus Giroux, 2011. 341 pages. Fiction. Dead End in Norvelt is loosely based on author Jack Gantos' childhood. This year's Newbery award winner is a fun adventure, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Jack is a young boy in the sixties who has just been grounded for the summer- after plowing down his mom's corn crop and shooting his dad's rifle. As punishment, Jack's mom makes him help their elderly neighbor write obituaries and record the history of their strange town. There are a lot of funny moments, such as when Mrs. Volker tries to cure Jack's constant bloody noses by cauterizing the inside of his nose. It sounds gruesome, but I couldn't stop laughing at the way Gantos describes the scene! When the older citizens mysteriously begin dying off in Norvelt, life gets even more topsy turvy. I really did like this book, although I don't think it was the best children's book of 2012. It's a great book ...

The Boy on Cinnamon Street by Phoebe Stone Arthur A. Levine Books, 2012. 234 pgs. Fiction. When a note from a secret admirer arrives, Louise Terrace's whole world is quickly turned upside down. Louise  is a girl stuck in transition. Even though she is in junior high, she has the body of a fourth grader. This would be fantastic--if she hadn't suddenly decided to quit gymnastics--along with pretty much everything else she once enjoyed. Louise has a tragic secret she wants desperately to forget. A secret admirer might be just the distraction she needs--especially if he happens to be the the cute pizza delivery boy, Benny McCartney! Based on a life-shattering experience that happened in the author's own life, The Boy on Cinnamon Street , is a bitter sweet story that will make you laugh and make you cry--sometimes both at once.

Iceberg Right Ahead! The Tragedy of the Titanic By Stephanie Sammarino McPherson Twenty-First Century Books, c2012. 112 pages. Nonfiction. This April marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. There are many wonderful books in our library, and lots more will be coming out this year. However, Iceberg Right Ahead stands out in the crowd. Author Stephanie McPherson has written a thoroughly-researched book that is a beautiful tribute to the tragedy. The original photographs featured are good quality and offer a glimpse into life on board. The cover is stunning, and the coloring throughout the book is black, white, gray, and a faint turquoise. The mood is haunting, but reverent of the victims and survivors. I like that, though this is a short read, there is a lot of new information to learn. My favorite fact: The cost of a first class stateroom was $4, 375. Today, it would cost $100,000! McPherson doesn't shy away from questioning why this tragedy happened, and...

One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012, unpaged, Picture Book While on a visit to the aquarium, Elliot asks his father if he can have a penguin. Seeing the stuffed penguins for sale in the gift shop, Elliot's father hands over some money and off Elliot goes--to pick out a real baby penguin from the penguin exhibit. That's when things get really interesting. After all, penguins need cold water and ice. LOTS of it. What will happen to Elliot's new friend when his clueless dad finally catches on to what is going on in their house? The best part of this book is the fantastic illustrations by David Small. There is a lot of Small's sly humor to be found hidden in the pictures--especially noticeable upon a second reading. Don't miss out on this hilarious and charming book!

Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones Greenwillow, 2012. 116 pgs. Fiction. Aside from a book of letters, essays, etc., forthcoming, Earwig and the Witch is Diana Wynne Jones last book, since she passed away in March of last year. Though short and for a younger audience than normal, it still contains her quirky humor andnonchalantly determined characters. In this story Earwig lives at St. Morwald's Home for Children, but unlike most orphans, she has no interest in being adopted because at St. Morwald's she has everyone doing whatever she wants them to do and lives a happy and fulfilling life. But one day she is adopted away by a very strange couple, an angry, ugly woman and her husband who is very tall, very dark and occasionally transparent. Soon she finds herself in the home of a witch and a warlock, doing chores. Earwig says she will work for them if they will teach her magic and the witch agrees but immediately breaks her promise, threatening to give Earwig worms if she...

Cake Mix Cooking for Kids by Stephanie Ashcraft Layton, Utah : Gibbs Smith, 2011 If you enjoy baking and playing in the kitchen with kids, Cake Mix Cooking for Kids is the perfect book for you. Each recipe uses a basic cake mix with just a few other ingredients. Many recipes are accompanied with gorgeous color photos that make your mouth water just looking at them. Whether you want to make cookies, brownies, cakes, muffins, ice cream treats or even pizza, you will find a variety of recipes in this little treasure of a cook book. With easy to follow directions and a few common ingredients a child will feel quite proud of the final product they helped create. Many of the recipes in this book were tested by this very librarian and her five-year-old son. Our personal favorite can be found on page 28! (You'll have to check out the book to see what it is).