Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Wolfie & Fly Written by Cary Fagan Illustrated by Zoe Si Tundra Books, 2017. Intermediate. 84 p. Renata Wolfman is called Wolfie by her classmates because she’s a lone wolf - a misanthrope, wary of change, happy to be on her own. Her neighbor Livingston Flott, called Fly, is another loner, though not by choice. When he barges in on her quiet afternoon, Wolfie is annoyed. But Fly, a rambunctious, unstoppable force, takes Wolfie's cardboard submarine (which she built for purely educational reasons) and creates an adventure in make-believe that changes Wolfie’s reluctant mind in more than one way. This J Intermediate chapter book clips along with a fun energy. Its premise is simple, the writing is snappy and straightforward, and t he book’s treatment of imagination as fluid, all-encompassing, and irresistible is exciting to experience. Lots of books in the children’s section are about imaginative children w hich makes Wolfie’s resistance to playing pretend inter...

Rad Women Worldwide By Kate Schatz Illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl Ten Speed Press, 2016. Informational. If inspiring stories about extraordinary women are your thing, stop what you're doing and check out this book. Filled with short and well researched biographies about forty incredible women from around the world, even those more knowledgeable about women's history will find new women to look up to. I was so excited to hear stories about women I had never heard of and I found each story very engaging and well written. Kate Schatz does a great job of highlighting figures from around the world and all through history with powerful stories to tell. The stunning cut-paper portraits and minimalistic use of color make this book graphically appealing, though many readers may not realize just how impressive (and time intensive!) the illustrations are. This book may struggle a little with its immediate kid appeal, but it is engaging and informative enough that it's wo...

NewsPrints by Ru Xu Scholastic, 2017. Comics. 202 p. Blue is an aggressive newsie in the coastal town of Nautelene. None of the other orphans know Blue's secret; she isn't a boy, as she appears, but is a girl who dresses as a boy so she can work and try to pay her own way.  One day Blue meets a enigmatic inventor, Jack, who takes her on as an apprentice.  She also meets another street kid, Crow, who, like her, hides a secret.  Little does Blue know that Jack also has a secret that ultimately connects Blue and Crow to the future of Natalene's looming war. Here is a new "steam punk" series for those who like Kibuishi's Amulet series.  Blue is an appealing strong-girl character who is both tough and kind.  Xu's full color illustrations do a great job at establishing the personalities of the characters and setting the tone of the story, while keeping up the breathless pace and high action of the plot. Young graphic novel connoisseurs will be eager for ...

Anywhere Farm By Phyllis Root Illustrated by G. Brian Karas Candlewick Press, 2017. Picture Book. This rhyming picture book explains that anyone can grow a farm anywhere--all you need is soil, sunshine, water, and a seed. You can plant your farm in a pot ten stories up on a balcony, in a cup on your windowsill, or in an empty lot. There are some humorous suggestions, such as planting in a horn or a crate on a bike, but what the author is suggesting is that by thinking outside the box, it's possible to plant your own little garden wherever you are. A perfect read aloud for children just in time for spring to get them excited about working in the garden.

Delivery By Aaron Meshon Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2017 A grandmother “almost forgot” a special day. So she hurries and makes some heart shaped cookies to send to her grandson—then begins the real adventure. The cookies are sent in the mail (which involves a truck, a tractor, a boat, a submarine, a whale, a helicopter, a train, a dog sled, snowshoe, and a rocket before finally being delivered. The red heart on the package (as well as the various forms of transportation) helps readers keep track of where the package is. The bright colors will also capture the attention of young readers. All in all this is a great book for kiddos who love various modes of transportation, grandmothers, or getting packages from loved ones in the mail.

Read in Book Babies Even Monsters... By A.J. Smith Sources Jabberwocky, 2014.  Picture Book. Everybody knows that monsters roar, snarl, and grumble...but did you know that they love soccer, play video games, and brush their teeth?  It sounds like these little monsters may be just like the little monsters you have at your house!  This fun read aloud has silly, bright illustrations of all the things little monsters do, and a QR code at the end leads to even more of the story! Read in Toddler Time XO, Ox:  A Love Story Written by Adam Rex Illustrated by Scott Campbell Roaring Brook Press, 2017.  Picture Book. Ox is in love...with Gazelle.  Beautiful, famous, and somewhat self-absorbed Gazelle.  He writes love letters to her and is surprised that she responds.  And so begins a hilarious exchange between the large, clumsy, smelly, and devoted Ox, and the graceful, tidy, admired, and narcissistic Gazelle who could "n...

April is poetry month! Be sure to check out a poetry book from the library. Here are some ideas: National Geographic book of Nature Poetry: more than 200 poems with photographs that float, zoom, and bloom! Edited by Patrick J. Lewis When words in verse are paired with the awesomeness of nature, something magical happens. Beloved former U.S. Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis curates an exuberant poetic celebration of the natural world in this stellar collection of nature poems. From trickling streams to deafening thunderstorms to soaring mountains, discover majestic photography perfectly paired with contemporary (such as Billy Collins), classics (such as Robert Frost), and never-before-published works. What are you Glad About? What are you Mad About?: poems for when a person needs a poem By Judith Viorst Illustrations by Lee White However you feel, whatever the day, everyone needs a poem. Because sometimes you don't have the words to say how you are feeling today. Rainbow...

If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur by Linda Bailey and Colin Jack Tundra Books, 2014. Picture book. This little book is a great read aloud. Each page is full of fun illustrations with only a couple lines of text. Bailey and Jack play on the popular theme of dinosaurs in the modern word--albeit, dinosaurs that are adorable and pet-like. This book asks the question, What would you do with a dinosaur if you had one? Everything from using them as babysitters to using them as a can opener is an option in this lighthearted "what if" tale. Kids will love it!

The Warden's Daughter By Jerry Spinelli Random House, 2017. Fiction. Cammie O'Reilly's life has always been a little bit different. Most kids have backyards, she has the Women's Yard. Most kids have treehouses, she has The Tower. Most kids have mothers, she doesn't - yet. Her own mother was killed in an accident saving her life when she was just a baby, leaving her alone with her father, the prison warden. The summer Cammie turns thirteen, she decides to find herself a new mother to do all the motherly things she misses out on, and she picks Eloda Pupko - the prison trustee who acts as her housekeeper. As the summer goes by, Eloda resists the role of mother that Cammie tries to thrust on her, as Cammie's anger at her different life bubbles deeper and deeper. The Warden's Daughter is a great historical fiction novel filled with really interesting (if not always likable) characters. Set in the same same fictional town as Manaic Magee , this book sho...

Flying Lessons and Other Stories by Ellen Oh (ed) Crown Books for Young Readers, 2017. Short Stories. 218 p. This is the children's fiction book that has received the most starred reviews so far this year.  It is a collection of short stories by some well known children's authors that each deal with diversity. The main characters are a variety of colors and abilities, but the tone of the stories is positive, focusing on the commonality of human experience instead of the things that make people different. Young readers will relate to the child who is new to town, trying to make a new friend, traveling with a non-conventional grandmother, or trying a new sport.  This is a great book for a family or school group to read aloud and discuss, but the stories are also entertaining enough that kids will enjoy reading them on their own.  The book is available from the Library in print and on audio CD.

The Plot to Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Unlikely Hero By Patricia McCormick Balzer + Bray, 2016. Biography. 192p. A suspenseful and inspiring account of the life and death of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a peace-loving, scholarly Christian pastor who found himself becoming a dissident and spy, working against the Nazi regime. Bonhoeffer comes to life as an unforgettable and empathetic young man who was brave enough to stand up for what was right, even when it meant risking his life. Written by two-time National Book Award finalist Patricia McCormick, this biography delves into history, politics, religion, and philosophy, but McCormick keeps the language simple enough to make it accessible to older school-age children as well as teens. A great recommendation for fans of Steve Sheinkin.

The Darkest Dark  By Astronaut Chris Hadfield Illustrated by The Fan Brothers Little, Brown and Company, 2016 A young boy loves all things space. He builds a “rocket” out of cardboard boxes. He pretends that his dog is an “alien”. However, the boy is not a fan of the dark. When it is time for bed he keeps waking up his parents because it is too dark (and that is the “kind of dark that attracts the worst sort of aliens”). Finally the parents give an ultimatum: if he gets up again then he cannot go next door tomorrow. Well, it turns out that next door is the only house on the island that has a TV and the next day the world was going to watch two astronauts to become the first people to walk on the moon. The boy realizes that he must be good and go to bed since he cannot miss watching that! The next day the boy is thrilled to watch the men arrive and walk on the moon. And it is then that he discovers that space is darker than the darkest dark in his bedroom—and he likes space...

U.S. Military Robots By Barbara Alpert When the job is too dangerous for soldiers, the military often uses robots. Learn more about these amazing machines, including how they are controlled, what they look like, and the types of missions they face. U.S. Military Submarines By Barbara Alpert Submarines travel through the ocean hidden beneath the waves. Subs are used for everything from spying to sneak attacks. Learn more about these underwater vessels, including the weapons they carry, how they find their way around under the sea, and the missions they face. The Delta Force By Jennifer M. Besel Provides information on the U.S. Delta Force, including their training, missions, and equipment. The Green Berets| By Jennifer M. Besel Provides information on the U.S. Green Berets, including their training, missions, and equipment. Today’s U.S. Air Force By Michael Burgan Offers detailed information about the history, organization, missions, job possibilities, basic training,...

Cool Maps and Geocaching: Great Things to do in the Great Outdoors by Katherine Hengel  Adobo Publishing, 2016. Informational. Are you looking for fun things to do with your children in this sunny, spring weather? Check out this book from the informational section in the 700's. It is designed to introduce geocaching to children. There are geocaches, with tiny treasures inside, minutes away from your home. You will be inspired to go on a modern day treasure hunt. It provides hours of fun outside going on adventures as a family. Hengel gives ideas to extend your geocaching experience with instructions for a journal to keep notes, games to play along the way, and crafts to put in the geocache when you locate it.

Read in Book Babies Morning Dance By Todd Hannert Chronicle Books, 2001.  Picture Book. Sherman is bored with the same old morning routine.  Who wants to do the same thing, the same way, every single day?  So today when Mom hollers for him to hurry up and eat breakfast before school, he decides to change thing up with a special dance.  His dance sends him through the air, out the window, and for a ride on the back of his dog!  At least that's how he remembers it.  But eventually he makes it to the breakfast table, happy as can be.  Share a new morning dance with your little ones and add some variety to your morning routine! Read in Toddler Time Wow! Said the Owl By Tim Hopgood Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009.  Picture Book. Most owls stay awake all night, but this little one decides to nap at night and wake up for some daytime fun.  What Owl discovers are the most beautiful and vibrant colors ever!  T...