Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Fingerprint Bugs By Bobbie Nuytten Picture Window Books, 2016. Nonfiction. 24p. This arts and crafts book offers easy step-by-step instruction to creating insects and arachnids using an inkpad, your fingerprints, and a pen. The steps are simple enough for even preschool children to follow with a little help. The resulting bugs are cute and cartoony, but still manage to closely resemble the anatomy of the real insects. Great for a school unit on bugs or as preparation for a bug hunt.

Missy Piggle-Wiggle and the Whatever Cure  By Ann M. Martin with Annie Parnell Mrs. Feiwel and Friends, 2016. 241 p. Piggle-Wiggle has to suddenly leave the upside down house to go searching for Mr. Piggle-Wiggle. So she asks her niece, Missy Piggle-Wiggle to come stay to help take care of everything. Missy is similar to her aunt. She is good at putting together magical cures for crazy maladies (such as the Tardiness Cure or The Gum-Smacking Cure). Kids will laugh at the crazy situations and remedies that are provided by a likeable substitute for Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. This is a great book to read aloud to little ones or for kids who can read chapter books by themselves. And it is especially good for kids who love silliness and humor.

Happy in Our Skin By Fran Manushkin Illustrated by Lauren Tobia Candlewick Press, 2015. Picture Book. This rhyming picture book explores the wonders of skin of how “it keeps the outsides out and your insides in.” That it grows with you as you age and repairs itself when you get a scrape. The best thing of all is that every skin is unique and what a wonderful thing that is. Manushkin, known for her popular Katie Woo easy reader series, tells a delightful story about diversity that makes for a great-read aloud.

Read in Book Babies Robot Smash! Written by Stephen W. Martin Illustrated by Juan Carlos Solon Owlkids Books, Inc., 2015.  Picture Book. Robot likes to SMASH!  He likes to smash everything in sight...until he encounters a bright magenta "Super-SMASHY girl robot."  Then Robot starts to envision all of the lovely games he could play and all of the places he could go with his Super-SMASHY girl robot.  Unfortunately, Robot discovers firsthand that the sweet, large pink robot with a bow on her head likes to smash too.  But despite his now slightly-diminished stature, it must be true love.  Fun, pixel-style illustrations and simple text make for a "smashing" read aloud for the tiniest of readers. Read in Toddler Time Where's My T-r-u-c-k? Written by Karen Beaumont Illustrated by David Catrow Dial Books for Young Readers, 2011.  Picture Book. Tommy is having a super rough day.  He's lost his t-r-u-c-k!  Mom,...

Feeding the Flying Fanellis Written by Kate Hosford Illustrated by Cosei Kawa Carolrhoda Books, 2015. Informational Picture Book. Have you ever wondered what it would take to feed circus performers? Let your curiosity be satisfied by this poetry book. The circus performers have a personal chef who tailors dishes to each individual performer. They are so busy working they need to have their meals brought to them. The chef also has a lot of challenges feeding the circus. The Juggler, for example, is wasting away from being served round objects that end up being juggled in the air, instead of consumed. Personally, I identify with the lion, "a true gourmet who thinks about his food all day" and is served fancy dishes he is constantly devouring. The whimsical pictures are eloquently done, and help the reader enter a dream-like state. This book is found on the informational side of the children's library in the poetry section.

I Am the Book Selections by Lee Bennet Hopkins Illustrated by Yayo Holiday House, 2011. Poetry. I Am the Book isn't checked out as much as it should be. The illustrations are big, bold, and childlike, while the text is large and easy to see for young readers. Each of these poems by a variety of authors is a simple and enjoyable celebration of the reading experience. Any child interested in poetry--or parent hoping to interest their child in poetry--should consider checking this one out.

Two Friends By Dean Robbins Illustrated by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko Orchard Books, 2016. Picture book. Two friends, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, get together in Rochester, New York to share a cup of tea and talk about their fight for equal rights. It's the 1800's and "some people had rights, while others had none. Why shouldn't they have them too?" The two friends meet when they realize that they like each others' ideas and so they promise to help one another. Two Friends is a very simple and engaging introduction to two important figures in history and their efforts for equal rights. There are good messages of cooperation and doing what you think is right - both of which are conveyed without seeming overbearing. The folk-art inspired illustrations and cutouts of strips with ink writing (many of which are quotes from either Douglass or Anthony) add to the style and setting of the book.

The Time Museum  by Matthew Loux First Second, 2017. Graphic Novel. 256 p. Here is the first in an exciting new graphic novel series. Delia, a super-intelligent, science geek, is offered an opportunity to compete for an internship at the Time Museum, a place where scientists travel through time to do research. There are five other kids competing, and they are from different times and places in the world. After a period of training, the six candidates are assigned trials that are challenging and dangerous. While on one of these Delia meets a mysterious time traveler who is not from the Museum. As the trials continue, the Delia and the others have to try to figure out who they can and cannot trust. Loux's full color illustrations are clear and expressive, and propel the reader through the story and a breathless pace. This is a fun, action filled, sci-fi that will appeal to kids who like Kibuishi's Amulet series.

Doing Her Bit: A Story about the Woman’s Land Army of America By Erin Hagar Charlesbridge, 2016. Nonfiction. 32p. Based on real people and true events, this book tells the story of “Farmerette” Helen Stevens. During World War I in America, the lack of men at home meant that crops were rotting in the fields and food shortages were threatening. Thus was born the Women’s Land Army. Helen, a New York City college girl, goes to an Agricultural Camp and learns how whitewash walls, build fences, and plow fields. Through blisters, snakes, and fatigue, Helen and her fellow farmerettes learn to work the land, convince doubting farmers that women really can do the harsh physical labor, and do their part to make a different for their country. This nonfiction picture book is a wonderful chronicle of a little-known historical movement and broadens the picture of the heroic men and women who worked and fought for this country.

Great, Now We’ve Got Barbarians! By Jason Carter Eaton Illustrated by Mark Fearing Candlewick Press, 2017. Picture Book. When a boy refuses to clean his room, his mom warns him that it will attract pests. Little did they know the pests would not be flies, mice, or ants but barbarians. At first it isn’t too bad shooing Vlad and Torr out of the house, but things escalate and soon they are infested by the whole clan who made themselves at home. No matter what the family does—setting traps, building a scarecrow, or even calling an exterminator—they can’t get rid of them. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and soon, there’s only one thing left to try: the boy needs to clean his room. A humorous look at the importance of keeping your room cleaned. Kids and parents will enjoy this picture book with great lines like “But that afternoon in the playroom, I ran into Torr, who’d come seeking glory. And cheese curls!”

Look Up!  By Jung Jin-Ho Have you ever had the experience where you read a book and then you feel as if that book has changed you a little bit? Well, that was the case with this book for me. In this book a young girl who is in a wheel chair rolls to the edge of her balcony in her apartment high above the sidewalk. She keeps saying “Look up!” to all the people below who are small and look like ants (especially since all she really sees are the heads of those people). But finally, finally one boy hears her—and does something in response to hearing her. The action was simple, yet it impacted more than just the boy and the girl. The resulting “awe!” that comes from reading this story will hopefully inspire other young readers to stop and look a little more at the world around them. Seriously, this is a good one. All young, kind-hearted readers should check out this particular story.

Game Changer: John McLendon and the Secret Game By John Coy Illustrated by Randy DuBurke Carolrhoda Books, 2015. Informational. On March 12, 1944, members of the Duke University basketball team crossed to the other side of town to play the North Carolina College of Negroes basketball team. Coach John McLendon believed that basketball could change people’s prejudices and set up this secret game—which was illegal at the time due to segregation laws. The Eagles played a fast-paced game that attacked the net, showcasing the future style of basketball, and in the end, the score was Duke 44 -- Eagles 88. After the game ended, they mixed up the teams to play around and ended up hanging out, talking. They all agreed to keep the game a secret so no would get in trouble, but prejudices were changed that day. A remarkable little known story about a young coach’s courage to challenge segregation in a small way. DuBruke’s watercolors create the feeling of reading a newspaper, capturing th...

Even Superheroes Have Bad Days Written by Shelly Becker Illustrated by Eda Kaban Sterling Children's Books, 2016. Picture Book. Everyone has bad days. Even superheroes ? Yes! Superheroes have days just like the rest of us. With their superpowers they could cause havoc venting their frustration, but they choose not to. This book describes how superheroes choose to regulate their emotions in healthy ways instead of using their powers for destruction and evil. It is a great way to talk to children, especially those who struggle with frustration, about how they can feel emotions but control their reactions. Plus, when they practice they get to be like the superheroes in the book. Every kid wants to be a superhero and this book helps to make everyday struggles just a little cooler.

Stick to the Facts, Katie : writing a research paper with Katie Woo Fran Manushkin Picture Window Books, 2014. Informational. Katie Woo is a beloved character from Manushkin's intermediate fiction series. I think this is a sweet little picture book to read with 1st and 2nd graders who are being assigned to research topics for the first time. Katie and her friends go through the process of researching and writing short papers, and they include plenty of little tips along the way. This book doesn't include any groundbreaking information, but I think it's a nice way to help and connect with a child who is just embarking on their academic journey. 

Read in Book Babies The Ballad of Valentine Written by Alison Jackson Illustrated by Tricia Tusa Dutton Children's Books, 2002.  Picture Book. An admirer tries every method he can think of to send a valentine to his sweetheart named Valentine.  He writes letters, sends homing pigeons, smoke signals, and Morse code, rents a train car, and buys a plane--but his efforts are thwarted at every turn!  But all the while, sweet Valentine is preparing a special valentine of her own to give.  The rhyming text fits perfectly to the tune of "Clementine" which makes for a silly Valentine's Day song! Read in Toddler Time Mervin the Sloth is About to Do the Best Thing in the World Written by Colleen AF Venable Illustrated by Ruth Chan Greenwillow Books, 2016.  Picture Book.  Gigantic letters falling from the sky tell us that Mervin the Sloth is about to do the best thing in the world!  But what could it be?  All of Merv...

Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe By Deborah Blumenthal Illustrated by Laura Freeman Little Bee Books, 2017. Biography. If you've never heard of Ann Cole Lowe, don't feel bad - most people haven't. In fact, even during her lifetime she was considered "society's best known secret" though she was the first African American woman to become a couture fashion designer, owned her own salon in Manhattan, and designed the dress for Jacqueline Bouvier's wedding to John F. Kennedy. But she loved making dresses, not to get rich or famous, but to prove she could. Just in time for Black History Month, this picture book biography tells the story of one of fashion's most significant and forgotten women. The illustrations are bright, vibrant, and very pink (as good fashion books should be) with good representations of Ann Cole Lowe's famous designs. This book is enjoyable for any number of reasons, but especially for the re...

  The Fairy Tea Party is coming up at the Provo City Library. Why on read up on the Fairy World before you go? Flower Fairies of the Trees Flower Fairies of the Garden Flower Fairies of the Spring By Cicely Mary Barker Penguin, 2008. Informational. unpag. In these beautifully illustrated collections of poems, Barker describes fairies of all types. Fairyopolis By Cicely Mary Barker Penguin Books, 2005. Informational. unpag. Cicely Mary Barker's texts and illustrations are presented in what purports to be a secret journal kept by Barker during the summer of 1920. Includes lift-the-flap illustrations and tabbed enclosures. The Complete Book of Flower Fairies By Cicely Mary Barker Frederick Warne, 2002. Informational. 189 p. This is a compilation of poems about fairies in all the seasons and environs. All the poems are beautifully illustrated with detailed watercolors. Fairypedia By Alisha Niehaus DK Publishing, 2009.  Informational. 125 p. This fairy en...

XO, OX By Adam Rex Roaring Brook Press, 2017. Picture book. A clumsy ox falls in love with a vain gazelle and the two begin writing letters to each other. The ox’s letters are full of tender compliments (“Even when you are running from tigers you are like a ballerina who is running from tigers.”), while the gazelle’s are full of arrogance and insults. Will the gazelle ever learn to be worthy of her stalwart admirer’s love? The text of this book is made up entirely of brief letters between the ox and gazelle, but through these, we learn interesting insights into each one’s character. The illustrations offer a nice contrast between the Ox’s simple surroundings and homey comforts and the gazelle’s luxurious but cold mansion. Also, the difference between the front endpapers and the rear endpapers are a nice addition to the story. Though the text is brief, it manages to bring up so many deep ideas, such as humility, forgiveness, persistence, loving someone despite their faults, a...

Spunky Little Monkey  By Bill Martin Jr and Michael Sampson Illustrated by Brian Won A monkey doesn’t want to get out of bed. Mama calls the doctor and the doctor said to have the monkey do some exercise. Then the monkey (along with young little readers) are encouraged to move their heads, clap their hands, stomp their feet, and wiggle their hips. This happy story is all about rhyming and movement (and will hopefully be used in one of our story times fairly often—since it is that good of a story). The bright oranges, teals, and yellows that depict and complement the monkey and the other characters are fun to look at. Overall, this is one of those stories that parents of young toddlers should periodically check out for their kids to have an interactive reading adventure. Such fun!

Read in Book Babies Spunky Little Monkey Written by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson Illustrated by Brian Won Scholastic Press, 2017.  Picture Book. Spunky little monkey is sleepy and doesn't want to get out of bed, but before we know it, he's up and exercising!  "Ding dong, clap clap, stomp stomp, shake shake!"  This is an excellent read aloud for youngsters that employs multiple methods of involvement, including rhyming, call and response, changing book position, and physical activity.  Won's bold, colorful, and fun illustrations add to it all the more! Read in Toddler Time Duck!  Rabbit! Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld Chronicle Books, 2009.  Picture Book. Is it a duck?  Or is it a rabbit?  We're not sure who's right or wrong, but this book emphasizes that we all see things a little differently!  Don't be surprised if the simple illustrations elicit giggles from yo...