Provo Library Children's Book Blog

  Captain Awesome Meets Super Dude! (Captain Awesome #17) By Stan Kirby Illustrated by George O'Connor Little Simon, 2016. Intermediate. 150 p. Eugene (aka, Captain Awesome) is super excited to learn that his idol, Super Dude, will be visiting the local comics shop.  As the big day draws near Eugene notices an increase of activity among the local super-villain population. Is it possible they are planning a group attack on Super Dude? Captain Awesome and the other members of the Sunnyview Superhero Squad are determined to warn Super Dude before it is too late. This is the latest in a great tongue-in-cheek series about a kid with a really active pretend life. Young readers will enjoy being "in on the joke" as Captain Awesome foils the evil Mr. Drools (a slobbery over-affectionate dog), Queen Stinkypants, (Eugene's diaper wearing little sister) and other neighborhood "villains."  Even though the book has 150 pages, it is on a fairly low reading level,

The Hired Girl By Laura Amy Schlitz Candlewick, 2015. Fiction. 400p. During the summer of 1911, fourteen-year-old Joan Skraggs keeps a diary of her experiences. Running away from an unloving father and the endless drudgery of farm work, Joan makes it to Baltimore, lies about her age, and gets hired on as a servant in the home of a rich Jewish family. Thus begins her education in the ways of the world; she is introduced to great books, classic art, difficult social rules, anti-Semitism, and first love. Newbery medal winner, Laura Amy Schlitz, has created an intelligent, compassionate, overly romantic, and trouble-prone heroine reminiscent of Anne Shirley and Jo March. This richly detailed, historical coming-of-age story is a wonderful blend of drama, faith, humor, and growth. Great for older readers and adults. This title is available in print, audio CD, downloadable print, downloadable audio, and as an adult book club set.

Is That Wise, Pig? By Jan Thomas Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2016. Confession: I love Jan Thomas books. And this newest edition is no exception! Pig and Mouse and Cow are making soup. Mouse adds one large onion to the soup. Cow adds two cabbages. Pig chooses to add three umbrellas. (At which the readers will start giggling uncontrollably.) Then comes the refrain that is repeated throughout the book, “Is that wise, Pig?” Together the trio works to make a tasty soup all the while helping Pig think through his choices. Kids will laugh and giggle as they count from one to ten. All of the numbers are spelled out—and it would have been nice if they were also shown numerically somewhere on the page (but that is a small quibble for such a fine book). This is a great addition to the toddler and preschool booklists and story time plans. Seriously, such fun!

READ IN TODDLER TIME Llama Llama Mad at Mama By Anna Dewdney Viking, 2007.  Picture Book. Llama Llama is having fun playing when Mama decides it's time to go shopping.  But he doesn't want to go shopping.  After being taken away from his playtime, being woken up from his nap in the car, and having to shop and shop and shop, Llama Llama gets MAD at Mama!  But Mama knows just how to settle little Llama down, and the day ends with teamwork, smiles, and a little bit of ice cream.  Written in Dewdney's classic rhyming Llama Llama style, this story is a great reminder that sometimes it's hard being a toddler in a grownup world! READ IN PRESCHOOL TIME Lizards By Nic Bishop Scholastic, 2010.  Easy Reader. Lizards are amazing creatures, and Nic Bishop's brilliant photographs are just as incredible!  This informational easy reader is chock full of fascinating lizard facts.  Bishop captures striking detail in his photographs, right d

My First Book Hockey By Sports Illustrated Kids Time Inc. Books, 2016. Easy Reader Informational. Through simple text, this book explains mostly everything about the game. Even if you have never watched a hockey game, you could read this book and understand what is happening on the ice. What makes this book stand out is the hilarious commentary by the little cartoon boy talking to real pictures of hockey players (see image below).   There are two more books in the series-- My First Book of Baseball and My First Book of Football --that I will have to check out as well; who knows, maybe I will finally understand baseball. Adults and kids alike will enjoy knowing more about this fast-paced sport

13 Words Words by Lemony Snicket Illustrations by Maira Kalman Harper, 2010. Picture book. Here are 13 words you'll find in this picture book: Table Vanilla Lemon Everyone Style Ladder Twisty Eleven Feathers Verve Plunking Whew Arias Of course these aren't THE 13 words the title is referring to. In fact, the 13 words featured on the back cover of the book aren't THOSE 13 words either. However, the 13 featured on the inside flap are actually the aforementioned 13 words. Let's just say there are more than 3 times 13 words in this book, and while the narrative itself might not make perfect sense, the more than 39 words are all lined up in sentences that are strung together into a story that is actually quite amusing. Check it out.

Bears in the Snow Written By Shirley Parenteau Illustrated by David Walker Candlewick Press, 2016. Picture Book.  Another addition to Parenteau’s cute Bears books, Bears in the Snow finds the four adorable and cuddly bears sledding down a snowy hill with their friend Big Brown Bear. The only problem is that they cannot all fit on the sled. After trying several different arrangements, the group is happy when Big Brown Bear has an idea that might just work. The newest book in this sweet series of books is an endearing little story with delightful illustrations that is perfect for the winter season. The rhyming text and simple wording makes this a fun read aloud that children will want to read again and again—possibly while they reenact the story in the snow!

School Ship Tobermory by Alexander McCall Smith Delacorte Press, 2016. Fiction. 218 p. Ben and Fee McTavish are brother/sister twin children of marine biologists. They have spent much of their early lives being home-schooled on their parent's submarine, but when it is time for them to go to boarding school they are sent to a school that is on a sailing ship. They quickly make friends--and enemies--and learn the difference between port and bow. On their first semester voyage some students from the Tobermory are invited to be extras in a movie about pirates, but is the the piracy all on film, or is there something more sinister going on? This is delightfully innocent book by the author of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series.  It is unusual because the kids actually make correct and responsible choices, demonstrating the good, obedient kids can have adventures, too.  Hooray! Here is a book with the charm of the  Penderwicks  that will appeal to both boys and girls. It is

Dear Bunny By Katie Cotton Frances Lincoln Children's Bks, 2016. Picture book. A little girl tells her toy bunny all of her favorite things: putting on her favorite socks in the mornings, going on the swings in the park, and holding her bunny’s hand to feel braver. But she realizes that her most favorite thing in the world is her bunny! This understated book, with its warm, earthy tones and simple graphics, has a nostalgic and comforting feel. It offers a nice reminder about appreciating the little things and is a perfect bedtime book for toddlers and preschoolers.

Garvey’s Choice  By Nikki Grimes WordSong, An Imprint of Highlights, 2016. 108 p. Garvey doesn’t like sports. Garvey’s dad loves sports. Garvey often hears his dad calling him to go and play sports, sign up for a sports team, or to be an athlete. Garvey doesn’t want to. Sometimes his mom will tell his dad to talk to Garvey about something else. Garvey’s dad wonders what else there is to talk about. Sometimes Garvey’s sister will sidetrack Dad so that she will go kick around the soccer ball or whatnot with Garvey’s Dad. But eventually Garvey will be asked again about sports. Joe, Garvey’s best friend, tells Garvey that he has a choice as to what he will do. Now Garvey just has to decide what that is and make the choice. This book shows a complex relationship between Garvey and those around him. Garvey has two loving parents who want to be part of Garvey’s life (yay—we need more of these type of books in the world). But Garvey doesn’t like sports, not even a little bit. And Gar

My Dad Use to Be So Cool By Keith Negley Flying Eye Books, 2016. Picture Book. A young boy wonders why his father stopped being so cool. There is evidence around the house that he used to be in rock band—pictures of him singing and riding a motorcycle, and musical instruments stored in the closet. But now he is just normal, doing stuff like laundry and cleaning the house, making the boy wonder what happened to make his father change. After spending the day playing in the park with his father, he decides that maybe his father is still cool after all. The adult reader will understand what made the change even if the little boy does not. A fun exploration of a father’s love through the small everyday things that he does.

READ IN BOOK BABIES He Came With the Couch By David Slonim Chronicle Books, 2005.  Picture Book. Sophie and her family need a new couch.   After looking and looking, they finally find the perfect one at a rummage sale...but it comes with a blue Muppet-ish creature that won't budge off the center cushion.  They try plenty of removal methods, and nothing works...until someone cries for help.  Bright, expressive illustrations and wild-haired, wild-eyed characters will prompt lots of giggles from this fun book. READ IN TODDLER TIME I Don't Like Koala Written by Sean Ferrell Illustrated by Charles Santoso Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2015.  Picture Book. Adam receives a beautifully wrapped box, but when he opens it, he's not sure he likes what's inside.  Koala is big and furry...and creepy.  He has big, terrible, yellow eyes that just won't stop staring!  Koala is everywhere Adam turns.  But when something more terrible com