Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Feminist Baby by Loryn Brantz Disney-Hyperion, 2017. Board Book. Loryn Brantz tries to introduce small children to feminism through this simple, rhyming text and brightly-colored illustrations. Feminist baby chooses her own clothes, loves to dance, makes a lot of noise, and participates in all sort of normal baby antics. This book shows that being a feminist isn't that unusual; in fact, it should be the norm.

Flora and the Chicks By Molly Idle Chronicle Books, 2017. Board book. Did you know that Molly Idle has a new Flora book? If you are a fan of this series of wordless picture books that follow a little ballet dancer as she interacts with birds in dance poses, then you probably do. For those of you who don't, this beautifully illustrated board book is a great pick for your little ones, even if they don't like birds or ballet or Caldecott Honor winning illustrators. This book keeps with the others in the series in being totally wordless - although it does have numbers as this is a counting book. We join Flora as she meets a nestful of chicks and learns how rambunctious they can be as she tries to gather each new hatchling together. As always, Flora's gentle nature shines through as she silently deals with the baby chickens. A sweet book filled with sweet illustrations perfect for younger Flora fans.

Starfall (The Mighty Zodiac #1) by J. Torres illustrated by Corin Howell Oni Press, 2017. Graphic Novel. 148 p. One of the Guardian Dragons has died leaving part of the world unprotected.  It is up to the Zodiac warrior animals to find the magic stars that will turn their master, Master Long, into the new guardian dragon. They are not the only ones looking for the stars, and to complete their quest and save the world the Mighty Zodiac must face the evil shadow rabbits. This is the first in a new fantasy series inspired by Chinese folktales. Howell's full-color illustrations are engaging and tell the story with energy. This is a Character Counts title because, although the heroes are not perfect, honor and loyalty motivate them as they face incredible odds to help their beloved master.

Who Wants to Be a Princess?: What It Was Really Like to Be a Medieval Princess By Bridget Heos Henry Holt and Co., 2017. Picture book. Have you ever dreamed of being a princess and frolicking through the forest with your animal friends while wearing a pink, frilly dress? Well, the real truth of being a medieval princess was quite different. Dresses were itchy wool and castles were damp, dark, and smelly. But there was also horseback riding, archery, and language lessons to look forward to. Join Princess Beatrice in this funny, upbeat comparison between a fairytale princess’s life and a real historical princess’s life. Beatrice’s day might not be as glamorous, but it certainly is fascinating!

The Music of Life: Bartolomeo Cristofori & the Invention of the Piano By Elizabeth Rusch Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2017. Biographical Picture Book. This book fascinated me. I had no idea how the piano was invented. It turns out that there was a brilliant man with a job title that told the world just how gifted he was (the job title of “Master Instrument Maker and Tuner”). This man was Bartolomeo Cristofori. Apparently before the piano was invented people could play a harpsichord and play loudly (or forte) or they could play the clavichord and play softly (or pianissimo). Musicians couldn’t do both. So Cristofori went about experimenting and inventing something he called the new instrument (that could play both loud and soft notes) the pianoforte (piano=soft; forte=loud). And with this invention musicians all over the world started creating new melodies that could handle all sorts of different dynamics. I liked how this book was a st

Lexie the Word Wranger Written by Rebecca Van Slyke Illustrated by Jessie Hartland Nancy Paulsen Books, 2017. Picture Book. Lexie is a true cowgirl who takes her duties seriously. She spends her days solving word problems around her ranch. One day she discovers there is a word rustler who is going about causing word troubles. She sets out to solve the mystery of what is happening and who is mixing up all the words. Lexie ends up finding a way to give the word wrangler a second chance to solve problems instead of create them. The text reads with a slight southern accent, which creates a fun experience of being part of the illustrations and experiences on the ranch. Van Slyke presents a positive message about hope and seeing the best in others. Lexie is a strong female character with perseverance. There is also an opportunity to learn about compound words, letter arrangement, and spelling. It is a great read for children just learning to read and spell. Vocabulary specific to

Tess Hilmo grew up in Southern California and graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in communications. She started writing when she was pregnant with her second child, and her first book was published twelve years later. That book, With a Name Like Love, earned a Kirkus starred review and other honors. Tess is now the mother of three children. Skies Like These By Tess Hilmo While visiting her eccentric aunt who lives in Wyoming, twelve-year-old Jade befriends a boy who believes he is a descendant of Butch Cassidy. With a Name Like Love By Tess Hilmo Thirteen-year-old Olivene Love gets tangled up in a murder mystery when her itinerant preaching family arrives in the small town of Binder, Arkansas in 1957. Cinnamon Moon By Tess Hilmo Historical fiction about two siblings and a friend trying to find a new family and a home after the Great Chicago Fire.

Snail & Worm Again By Tina Kugler Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017. Easy Reader. Snail & Worm are two very silly and very supportive best friends who are back at it again with this sequel to SNAIL & WORM. What these two friends lack in brains, they more than make up for in heart in three new short stories. Snail & Worm are destined to become popular among their readers for their sweet stories that are humorous enough to even make grown-ups chuckle (no, really). Plus, the illustrations even manage to make snails, worms, and beetles look super cute - not an easy thing to do. This is a great pick for an Easy Reader on the easiest side.

Save Me a Seat By Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan Scholastic, 2016. Fiction. 2016 p. In India, Ravi was the top student and the best a cricket.  Now on the first day in his new school in the United States, he finds that he is no longer a star. At his old school he would have never associated with a kid like Joe, who is big and awkward, and has a learning disability.  Now the two boys find themselves thrown together in the same remedial class, united because they are both victims of the same bully and in need of a friend. The chapters in the book alternate between Ravi's and Joe's point of view and are written by Varadarajan and Weeks respectively.  Both authors make their characters totally believable and sympathetic, and help the reader understand their different challenges.  This is a heartwarming read for those who like the books of R. J. Palacio and Lisa Graff.

 CHARACTER COUNTS: Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter By Eugenie Doyle Chronicle Books, 2016. Picture book. What happens on a real family farm in winter? This picture book shows how one family gathers the last of the harvest, cuts back berry canes, covers fragile strawberry plants with straw, and gets their chickens snug before cold weather. They remember the good memories each plant or animal gave them and look forward to the promise of spring. The author and her family operate The Last Resort Farm in Vermont, and so the details in this book are specific and accurate and are very enlightening as to how a real, modern-day farm runs. The pastoral scenes are beautiful and restful. This is a great choice for a simple bedtime book or a more in-depth first look at where our food comes from.

Real Friends By Shannon Hale Illustrated by LeUyen Pham First Second, Roaring Brook Press, 2017. Graphic Novel, 207 p. This is a graphic novel memoire that explores the friendship (both the good and the bullies) that young Shannon had while in elementary school. Plus it show some of the complexities with Shannon’s relationship to her family—especially her sister. This book is a great conversation starter for young readers who are navigating their own friendships and relationships with siblings. Also, it shows how being a friend, not just being popular, is important. Basically, this is a great place to start a discussion about what makes a person good and kind verses what tendencies make people mean or bullies. And let’s face it, pretty much everyone has to figure out these character traits in their friends at one point or another.

Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood Written By F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell Illustrated by Rafael López Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Picture Book. 2016. This book is based on the true story of a neighborhood in San Diego, California. The illustrator, Rafael López , took the initiative to bring together an entire neighborhood in a creative process to brighten up his community.  It is truly inspiring the efforts and lengths he went to. He gathered people from different experiences and backgrounds to collaborate together. The picture book begins with grayed hues and gradually bright, beautiful colors and illustrations transform the story. I imagine the community being transformed the exact same way. I became a part of their cause and almost felt paint splatters on my own face and arms. I was left wanting to visit San Diego to see the beautiful neighborhood I imagined with the help of the illustrations. Anyone can take steps to change the world ar

The Inn Between by Marina Cohen Roaring Brook Press, 2016. Fiction, 198 p. Quinn and Kara, BFFs since kindergarten, are taking a last road trip together as Kara's family moves to California. Both girls are devastated: Quinn is worried about being left alone, and Kara is worried about Quinn's increasingly erratic behavior. As a mark of forever friendship, the girls tie their thread bracelets together for most of the trip, an action that binds them together through the very worst. Somewhere in the dark, empty Nevada desert, Kara's sleepy father declares that's it's time for a rest. The family stops at the strangely elaborate Inn Between, whose slogan is "We've Been Expecting You." The inn is old fashioned but gorgeous and the family plans to stay a couple days; unfortunately, it only takes one night for strange things to start happening... and for people to start disappearing. This book focuses on the power of love, forgiveness, family, and

Beyond the Bright Sea By Lauren Wolk Dutton Children's Books, 2017. Fiction Crow has lived her whole life on a small island off the coast of Massachusetts with Osh, the man who rescued her when she washed ashore as a newborn baby, and Miss Maggie, their neighbor across the sandbar. Though she loves her little makeshift family, she's always been curious about where she came from and why her birth parents sent her away. As Crow gets older, she hears gossip around the island about Penikese Island, a former leper colony, and rumors that Crow's parents were lepers. Crow begins an adventure to investigate where she comes from and learn about what family means. This is a truly beautifully written novel. Lauren Wolk, whose novel WOLF HOLLOW received a Newbery Honor in 2016, has a genuine ability to evoke heart and emotion in her characters. There are definitely positive similarities to make to WOLF HOLLOW, but even standing on this own this book deserves attention. Crow

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World By Shannon Hale Marvel, 2017. Fiction. 324 p Doreen was born with a beautiful bushy tale and the ability to talk with squirrels.  Her parents always urged her to keep her tale and squirrel skills hidden so that other kids wouldn't feel bad that they didn't have them. When Doreen moves to a new state and starts at a new middle school, she finds it hard to make friends, and to keep her amazing Squirrel Girl abilities a secret. Hale has created a really likable female superhero character. Not only does Doreen have a squirrel's tale and strength, she also has a squirrel's chipper, slightly hyper personality.  Her positive and caring attitude is contagious, and soon she has groups that had been enemies working together. That's what makes this a "character counts" book. I think both boys and girls will love this latest addition to the Marvel cannon.  (note: this is not a graphic novel, and can be found i

John Ronald’s Dragons: The Story of J.R.R. Tolkien By Caroline McAlister Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler Roaring Brook Press, 2017. J Biography. This picture book biography of J.R.R. Tolkien gives basic details of his life in simple language and chronicles how his love of invented languages and yearning for dragons led him to eventually write “The Hobbit.” The lovely illustrations depict realistic scenes in England and Oxford (including a rendition of the pub “The Eagle and Child” with a C.S. Lewis lookalike inside), as well as images of the dragons and fantasy scenes of John Ronald’s imagination. There are some nice added biographical details in the back of the book. A great introduction for current (or future) Tolkien fans.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff  By Jerry Pinkney Little, Brown and Company, 2017. Picture Book This is a retelling of the classic tale of “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” Similar to every other version, there is a green valley across a river. The three billy goats decide that they would like to cross to where the green grass is to eat. Only, the way to get to the other side is to cross a bridge where a troll lives. This troll likes to eat animals. And like every other version the littlest billy goat tricks the troll into waiting for the next billy goat. Then the middle billy goat tricks the troll into waiting for the next billy goat. And of course the last billy goat is big enough to take care of the troll. The one thing that is different about this story (other than the brilliant illustrations that Pinkney created) is that the troll isn’t just butted away from the story—readers will see him meet a similar fate when a giant fish tries to eat him while in the river. However, with t

Pandora By Victoria Turnbull Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, Picture Book. 2017. Although Pandora lives among an overwhelming large amount of broken things, she spends her days fixing things "bringing lost and forgotten things back to life". One day, she finds a hurt bird. Despite not being familiar with fixing living, breathing things, she does her very best to nurse the bird back to health. This book immediately came to mind to be included in the "character counts" theme for the summer. Pandora's continued dedication to make the overwhelming world she lives in a better place, little by little, is inspiring to me. Sometimes the only thing we can do is start, wherever we are, and move forward. She cares for and helps the little bird recover. The bird again returns to flight, but Pandora and the bird keep their amazing friendship strong and Pandora's world is changed forever. Start today, wherever you are, and take a tiny step toward making t

Skary Childrin and the Carosel of Sorrow by Katy Towell Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. Fiction, 265 pgs. When a terrible storm hits the town of Widowsbury, everything changes. Suddenly scary things begin happening: monsters appear and people disappear. 12 years later, the people of Widowsbury live a very wary lifestyle. Everything that's different or new is immediately suspected and usually run out of town. Unfortunately Adelaide, Maggie, and Beatrice, students at Madame Gertrude's boarding school, are very different. Maggie is freakishly strong, Beatrice claims that she talks to ghosts, and Adelaide reminds everyone a little too much of a werewolf. The girls try to stick to themselves, not even talking to each other, but their headmistress still sends them to detention daily. The three misfits live a miserable existence until the day Miss Delia shows up. She's the first librarian, the first person really, to believe that they are misunderstood and might just need a fri

Unbound: A Novel in Verse By Ann E. Burg Scholastic Press, 2016. Fiction. Grace is a nine-year-old slave who has just been called up to work in the Big House, and even though everyone has warned her not to speak up, she can't see unfair things happening without saying that they're wrong. One day, Grace finally speaks up for what's right, and she realizes that because of it, unless her family escapes they'll be separated. The second half of the story talks about her whole family escaping to the Dismal Swamp to join other former slaves who have escaped there. Grace is a really exceptional character. She is determined to always do what is right and fair and convinces the grown-ups in her family how important it is to do the same. Not only does she help her family escape, but she thinks through the things her family will need to run away and plans ahead. This book is a great historical fiction read with an inspiring story, awesome characters, and some interesting n

Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly Disney Press, 2017. Fiction. 341 p. This is a companion story to the new live action movie  Beauty and the Beast . The story starts with two sisters, Love and Death, playing chess and discussing Belle and the Beast. They make a wager whether Death or Love will win out for them. For the rest of the story Death is actively trying to thwart Belle's growing attachment to the Beast by creating an alternate reality, called Nevermore, that Belle can access through a magic book in the Beast's library. Belle knows Nevermore is not real, but it seems to offer all she ever dreamed of and it is is hard for her to choose between it and her growing friendships in the castle. If you are thinking that this is a cute book you could read aloud to your five-year-old Disney-princess-loving child, think again. This has some seriously intense and creepy scenes. That said, I liked this book. This is a "character counts" book

It Came in the Mail By Ben Clanton Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2016. Picture Book. Liam loves getting mail. The only problem is he never gets any, so he comes up with a plan—if he sends some mail, he might get some in return. Not knowing who to send a letter to, Liam sends it to his mailbox. In return, he gets Sizzlefritz, a fire breathing dragon. Delighted with his gift, he writes a letter for more, then more. Soon he has so many gifts he doesn’t know what to do with them...until he comes up with another idea. How about all the other kids around the world who wished they got things in the mail? An imaginative, humorous picture book about sharing your blessings. Another great addition to Clanton’s works.

Goldfish Ghost  By Lemony Snicket Illustrated by Lisa Brown Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, 2017. Picture Book A goldfish ghost was born upside-down in a goldfish bowl. If floated out of the bowl and the room and started to explore the seaside town that was outside the house where he was born. There were a lot of people and a lot of animals. The seagulls were too noisy and were not “good company”. He didn’t find some “good company” while at the beach where there were too many people. There were a lot of sea creature ghosts that were near the ocean…but there were just too many of them. Goldfish Ghost was looking for a good friend. Eventually he went back to where he was born—but alas! He had been replaced by a new goldfish that was not a ghost and did not float upside-down. Finally Goldfish Ghost hears a voice that says “I’ve been looking for company.” And perhaps, just perhaps Goldfish Ghost will find someone who is kind and willing to be a good companion. This book i

The Lonely Mailman By Susanna Isern and Daniel Montero Galán Cuento De Luz, Picture Book. 2016. The illustrations are warm and beautiful. They accompany feel of the story. A selfless, dedicated mailman diligently delivers mail each day to all the animals in the forest. His character and dedication to others is inspiring. The reader finds out that the mailman is constantly solving all the little problems that come up in the neighborhood through the letters he delivers. It has a touching ending as the forest animals show their appreciation for the mailman's daily service.

Counting Stars by Catherine Rayner Tiger Tales, 2016. Goodness, this is one of my new favorite board books. The text of this book is sweet and helps kids learn to count to 10, but it's the illustrations that are fabulous. I don't know that I've seen cuter African animals. They are so cute!  This is a "character counts" book because Abigail the giraffe is so sweet to her friends that don't know how to count well. She patiently teaches them how to count and shows them that even when the sun has set, they can still count the stars. 

Forget Me Not By Ellie Terry Feiwel and Friends, 2017. Fiction. Calliope June has just moved for the tenth time. Her mom has broken up with another boyfriend and so they've packed up their bags, deflated Calli's air mattress bed, and moved to St. George, Utah. Calli has never lived somewhere long enough to make a best friend, and it doesn't help her that she has Tourette Syndrome so she sometimes makes faces or noises that she doesn't mean to. The kids at her new school make fun of her -- except for Jinsong, the student body president, who quickly befriends her and sees past her Tourette's. I cannot say enough how much I love this sweet story of friendship and learning to accept yourself. The story is told using a mix of free verse and prose poetry which makes Calli's Tourette's feel very real and breaks a lot of misconceptions about Tourette Syndrome. Jinsong is great character and great friend, who's reluctance to defend his friend and risk hi