Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire By Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville Illustrated by Brigette Barrager Antheneum, 2017. Biography. To start, I was EXCITED for this new book. I love picture book biographies, bright colors, strong women, and Disney. As soon as this book became available I hurried to check it out and I read it immediately. This story is well-told - focusing on one woman that most readers haven't heard about. I learned quite a bit about the life of Mary Blair - a Disney concept artist who left to work in advertising when her artistic style was not appreciated, then came back years later to design "It's a Small World" and its colorful, bright, iconic design. Mary's disagreements with her colleagues seem to focus on a difference of style and not on her being the only woman in a man's game (though this is mentioned). Mary comes across as a great role model for young creatives and this ...

Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid by Metaphrog Papercutz, 2017. Comics. 66 p. This is a beautifully illustrated version of the traditional Little Mermaid story done in a graphic novel format. Although the text is fairly minimal, the illustrations do a great job of portraying the complicated emotions of the Mermaid as she watches the love she had hoped and sacrificed for go to another.  Readers should be forewarned that the traditional story does not end the same way as the Disney cartoon. Still, with all of the "follow your dreams" stories for children, it is good to have one that reminds readers that sacrificing everything for "true love" doesn't always have the "happily ever after" ending one imagines. This a good introduction to an old precautionary tale for a new generation. (Added plus, all the mermaids are relatively modestly dressed throughout.)

The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre Gail Carson Levine HarperCollins, 2017. Juvenile fiction. 400p. Peregrine was born a Bamarre but taken from her parents as a baby and raised as the heir to a great Lakti family. She learns warcraft and how to toughen her body to survive extremes of weather and hunger. Like all Lakti, she despises the Bamarre servants who are seen as weak, stupid and sentimental. But when a fairy visits her, reveals her true parentage, and asks Perry to free the oppressed Bamarre people, Perry must decide not only who she really is, but what the fate of two nations will be. Newbery Honor-winning author Gail Carson Levine returns to the world of “The Two Princesses of Bamarre” with a new fantasy tale about the true nature of prejudice, family, home and strength. Perry is an interesting and complex character, and I enjoyed that her personality type of being too blunt and unemotional and having a difficult time connecting with and influencing people was different from m...

Welcome: A Mo Willems Guide to New Arrivals By Mo Willems Hyperion Books for Children, Disney Book Group, 2017. Picture Book. Mo Willems. That name is read on a book and authors, parents, and children alike will all smile knowing that something good is about to be read. And this book is no different. It is a picture book for the very youngest readers—the babies in the world. It welcomes the newcomers to the world and then explains (similar to an instruction manual) what they will (or might) experience. There is a lot more text in this book than one might expect for a book for babies. But this is the type of book to read to little ones who haven’t figured out how to crawl or toddle yet. This book is perfect to read to the babies that are still enchanted with cuddling, sleeping, eating, and pooping. This is a way for parents to start the habit of reading while also expressing love and learning how to talk to babies (often “while we read this book together” as is the most recurrin...

The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Creatures By Tom Jackson Illustrated by Rudolf Farkas Silver Dolphin Books, 2016. Informational Picture Book. I remember learning about dinosaurs in elementary school, but it seems that in the last twenty (or so . . . ) years there have been a large number of new dinosaurs discovered. I keep feeling that I am out of the loop on the current information about these prehistoric mysteries. This informational book is larger than average, with the word "magnificent" in shiny gold, which enticed me. Each page has a very simplified "fact file" box which gives where the dinosaur was found, the meaning of the name (which is helpful and interesting), the length, weight, time period lived, diet and a shadow of a human man next to a shadow of the dinosaur to get perspective of their actual size. The pictures are large and very detailed, which helped me understand the differences between the individual dinosaurs. ...

The Year of the Garden Written by Andrea Cheng J Intermediate, 2017. 128 p. Anna Wang's family has just moved from one side of Cincinnati to the other, which means Anna has to get used to a new school, a new house, and new neighbors. Amidst the changes Anna inherits some flower and vegetable seeds from her friend, Mrs. Shepherd, and she becomes dedicated to the idea of planting a garden like the one in The Secret Garden. Complications arise when Anna's new friend Laura isn't quite as excited about the garden as Anna is. This chapter book is an excellent realistic fiction for Intermediate readers. Anna is a perceptive narrator. Readers will relate to her hopes and struggles as she cultivates both the plot of ground in her backyard as well as her relationship with Laura. Anna learns that friendships and gardens take a lot of patience, commitment, and flexibility. Even imperfect things are worth the hard work when you experience growth. The Ye...

Joplin Wishing by Diane Stanley HarperCollins, 2017. Fiction. 255 p. Joplin's grandfather, a famous author, has died, and her mother isn't taking it very well.  When they visit her grandfather's home, Joplin is allowed to choose one item as a keepsake. Joplin finds a tin with the pieces of an old Dutch china platter in it.  It is so beautifully painted that a friend of the family agrees to arrange to have it restored. One day as Joplin is gazing at the picture of the girl on the platter, she wishes for a friend. That starts a series of events that lead Joplin to friendship, family, and magic. Diane Stanley is a veteran fantasy writer but this is her first attempt at a contemporary setting. A lot of contemporary fantasy involves sword fights and monsters, but Stanley resolves the conflicts completely without violence. Joplin's compassion and persistence are the real magic in this read alike to Stead's When You Reach Me .  (255 p.)

The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart By Stephanie Burgis Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 2017. Juvenile fiction. 256p. Aventurine is a young dragon who is bored with her life in her family’s mountain cavern, always told she is too young to venture outside on her own. But one day she sneaks out and comes across the scent of very dangerous prey: a human. Deciding to prove her worth to her family by capturing this harmless-looking being, she instead finds herself tricked into drinking enchanted hot chocolate and transformed into a puny human herself. Shocked and horrified Aventurine may be, but she is also resourceful and feisty and has just discovered that her true passion is chocolate. She sets off for the human city to find shelter, answers, and of course, more chocolate. The combination of Aventurine’s dragon personality stuck in a human body is excellently done. This is a fun and original fantasy tale with a curious and fiery heroine, a great cast of distinct supporting characters...

The Big Bad Fox  By Benjamin Renner First Second, 2017. Graphic Novel. 187 p. The Big Bad Fox is hungry and is trying to eat a chicken on a farm. Only, the chicken he tries to nibble is feisty and can easily take on the (not-really) Big Bad Fox. The fox keeps trying various ways to get a tasty meal—but to no avail. Eventually the Big Bad Wolf tells the fox to steal some eggs, hatch them, raise the chicks, and then eat them. So he does. Only, the fox starts to get feelings for the three chicks who tend to call him “Mommy!” When the Big Bad Wolf decides he wants to eat the chicks himself, Fox (and the real Mama Chicken) are not happy. This is a fun, clever graphic novel. It has fun illustrations and great characterizations among all the various animals. Plus, it shows that sometimes standing up for your family—regardless of what type of family it is—is important. Plus (and possibly most important) the book is funny—and when it is a graphic novel that is shelved in the comic...

A Case in Any Case When Detective Gordon retires and Buffy is left alone at the police station, she hears strange noises and decides to call Gordon in to help her with the mystery. Little Wolf: Forest Detective Through a series of letters to his parents, Little Wolf relates his adventures as a member of Yelloweyes Forest Detective Agency, crime solvers of the Frettnin Forest, as they investigate a series of mysterious disappearances. Return to the Hundred Acre Wood Collects the further stories of Christopher Robin and his imaginary animal friends in the Hundred Acre Wood, where the animals anticipate Christopher Robin's return, meet a new friend, and solve the mystery of missing bees. Poppy Poppy the deer mouse urges her family to move next to a field of corn big enough to feed them all forever, but Mr. Ocax, a terrifying owl, has other ideas. A House in the Woods Two Little Pigs whose small homes in the woods have been accidentally destroyed by Bea...

Moto and Me:  My Year as a Wildcat's Foster Mom By Suzi Eszterhas Owlkids Books, 2017.  Informational. Suzi Eszterhas is a wildlife photographer that has spent an extensive amount of time on the African savanna with some pretty amazing animals.  When a huge grassfire separates a two-week-old serval kitten from his mother, park rangers ask Eszterhas to foster the kitten and teach him how to survive on his own.  She names him Moto (Swahili for "fire") and spends the next year preparing the kitten to return to the wild.  Eszterhas documents the experience with beautiful photographs and accessible, yet engaging, text.  There may be lots of oohing and aahing over the cuddly-looking kitten, but rest assured that this book is filled with substantial animal rescue information.  Perfect for the animal lover at your house!  A Junior Library Guild selection. Look for other great titles in Eszterhas' Wildlife Rescue series, including Oranguta...

The Secret Keepers By Trenton Lee Stewart Little, Brown, and Company, 2016. Fiction, 501 pages. Reuben is a 12-year-old boy who finds a mysterious object that resembles a clock, but doesn't work exactly like a clock. There is no minute-hand and it won't stay wound. He works with it and finds out this "clock" possesses special powers for the person holding it. He wants to know more about it and on the box it came in, there is an address. He finds the lighthouse the address leads to. The people for several generations have kept secrets. These secrets lead to the discovery of a second mysterious powerful clock that is currently in the hands of a evil man known as "The Smoke". Reuben and his new friends find themselves needing to retrieve the clock to save society from The Smoke's evil reign. The story was intense and kept me turning pages to discover what would happen next! Stewart, also the author of The Mysterious Benedict Society again uses chil...

Fortunately, the milk by Neil Gaiman Illustrated by Skottie Young Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2013. Fiction. Over that past year I've become something of a super fan of Neil Gaiman's juvenile fiction. Not only is his writing high quality, his audio narrations are great too. At 101 pages, Fortunately, the milk  is fun and fast-paced for young readers. I listened to this one, so I missed reading along with fun illustrations, but the 60 minute audiobook convinced me that this is a perfect read-aloud. Parents will have a good time giving voice to the harried father who must give an excuse to his children as to why it took him so long to get back from the store with the milk. Everything from time-traveling dinosaurs to aliens makes this story hysterical and intriguing.

Monster & Son By David Larochelle Illustrated by Joey Chou Chronicle Books, 2016. Picture Book. If you have ever wanted an answer to the age-old question - "do monsters love their children too?" - look no further than this picture book. The colorful illustrations show a fun-filled day enjoyed by various monsters and their children (Frankenstein, King Kong, Bigfoot, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, etc.) doing the sorts of activities that monsters enjoy (destruction, mayhem, alien abductions, etc.) The sweet text of this book reads like a bedtime story as the parent monster recounts all the fun activities of the day, but when the activities of the monsters are anything but sweet, the book ends up being silly, funny, and fun. Joey Chou's illustrations are on-point - at once adorable and mischevious - and set the tone for this fun book about love between a parent and their child.

The Great Treehouse War by Lisa Graff Philomel Books, 2017, Fiction. 272 p. Winnie's parents get a divorce and then compete for Winnie's attention and approval.  Each parent tries to outdo the other by celebrating obscure holidays.  Winnie is so busy celebrating national "eraser" day or "hug your cat" day that she can't do her homework and is at risk of failing fifth grade.  Her parents allow her to spend one night a week in a treehouse that stands between their two properties. Winnie finally decides to hide out in the treehouse until her parents agree to come together and listen to her demands for a more sensible lifestyle.  Soon she is joined by her friends who have their own issues with parents. This is a funny story about a spunky and clever girl with difficult family problems. The story is silly--the writing style is similar to Sachar's Wayside School series--but it has a serious side as well. Although most kids can't run awa...

Forever, or a Long, Long Time By Caela Carter HarperCollins, 2017. Juvenile fiction. 320p. Flora and Julian have lived in so many foster homes that they can’t remember where they came from. They don’t believe they were born like other children and come up with theories about what might have created them. Even now that they have been adopted by a loving couple, they struggle to put their trauma behind them and really trust in forever. So they set out with their new mother on a journey to discover their past. This is an honest, heart-wrenching, compassionate book about the foster care system, trauma, hope, and family. The author’s excellent understanding of psychological and emotional processes and setbacks really add depth and truth to this story. Readers will yearn for Flora to let self-knowledge, love, and trust to sink into her heart and will rejoice at each small triumph.

Now By Antoinette Portis A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, 2017. Picture Book A young girl tells about her favorite things—which all happen to be things that are part of the “now” moment. “This is my favorite hole (this one) because it’s the one I am digging.” The things are simple—from a favorite “gulp” of a drink of juice to a favorite “worm” that she is holding. All of the favorites happen to be associated with that exact moment. The illustrations are full of bold, black outlines and bright colors interspersed with a bit of texture. The simplicity of the text paired with the generous amounts of white-space almost invite readers to think of what their “favorites” in the “now” time would be. Simply beautiful. Another well-done picture book by Antoinette Portis! Seriously. You should all go put a copy on hold at the library. This will be your favorite book to read right “now” to any and all little ones.

The Chicken Doesn't Skate By Gordon Korman Scholastic Press, 1996. Fiction. 197 p.   Milo decides to do his sixth grade science fair project on “The Complete Life Cycle of a Link in the Food Chain” which involves following a baby chick from birth to frying pan. But when Milo brings his specimen, a baby chick, to class, everyone falls in love with it and makes Henrietta the class pet. Through zany situations (which Korman is really good at writing) Henrietta becomes involved in so many students' lives and even becomes the mascot for the school’s hockey team.    It’s probably because I am missing hockey (Is it October yet?) but when I saw that Korman, one of my favorite Children’s/Teen author had a written a hockey story I couldn’t resist posting about it even though the story was written in the '90s. Even with the passage of time, the humor still plays out well and will have the reader laughing and gasping “oh no!” with the antics of the...

The New Kid at School By Kate McMullan Grosset & Dunlap, 1997. Intermediate. 91 p.   After hearing many a dragon tales from a passing minstrel who foretold him that one day he will be mighty hero, Wiglaf decides to join Dragon Slayer’s Academy with his trusty pig- Latin-speaking pig Daisy. But the academy is nothing like he expected and he is not quite sure he can kill a dragon.   This is a great read aloud for the family; parents will enjoy the inside jokes throughout this spoof of brave knights and fierce dragons. The comical situations will have the beginner reader wanting the next in the series.

Fruits in Suits By Jared Chapman Abrams Appleseed, 2017.  Picture Book. If you and your littles loved Vegetables in Underpants , then brace yourselves:   Fruits in Suits  has arrived!  The produce is back (in fruit form this time) in all their smiley-faced glory, ready to evoke giggles galore.  Mr. Grapefruit didn't seem to get the memo because, while he's dressed in a lovely business suit, the order of the day is a little fun in the sun...which requires a totally different  kind of suit.  A swimsuit!  Chapman has paired his simple text with bright and clever digital illustrations, creating a delightful read aloud experience.  A fun (and fruity) end of summer read!

A New School Year: Stories in Six Voices By Sally Derby Illustrated by Mika Song Charlesbridge, 2017. Picture Book. Starting school involves a lot of different emotions. It can be exciting and scary all at the same time. Derby uses six different children's voices, Kindergarten through 6th grade, to describe the feelings the day before school starts, the first day of school, and after school. The children come from different family styles, sizes, and cultures. Each child has their own set of things they are nervous about and it is interesting to see how their fears are subsided. It would be an excellent book to share with a child before they start school to show how everyone gets a little nervous about different things.

Moustache Garcia Iglesias y Guridi Lata de Sal Editorial, 2015. Libro ilustrado. Moustache es un gato elegante con bigotes guapos. Él le gusta mostrar su bigotes todos los dias. También tiene curiosidad por todo. Un dia, se acerca demasiado al fuego y el fuego destruye los bigotes de Moustache! Él trata de comprar un bigote falso pero se ve terrible! Moustache está tan triste. Pero, un chico amistoso tiene una idea buena. Niños disfrutarán Moustache y la ilustrados tonta de Guridi. Moustache the cat has beautiful, elegant whiskers. He likes to show them off to all the other cats. Unfortunately, he is also very curious. One day he is very interested in a candle and burns his whiskers off! Now everyone mocks him. He tries to go to a mustache store where he can buy a mustache, but it looks terrible. But a kind little boy offers to help Moustache with his embarrassing problem. Children will love the silly Moustache and Guridi's silly illustrations.

You May Already Be a Winner By Ann Dee Ellis Dial Books for Young Readers, 2017. Fiction. Olivia is twelve-years-old and she is obsessed with entering contests. She makes sure that she enters a few every day - for things like free boxes of kool-aid, family trips to Orlando, lotteries for millions of dollars - anything she can find. Olivia loves the thing that these contests say before you enter - "you may already be a winner." Because Olivia doesn't feel like a winner. She is supposed to be in sixth grade, but she hasn't been to school in months because her mom needs her to stay home with her sister. Her dad left for a while because he needed a break, but he still hasn't come back. Her mom used to be a good mom, but now she's tired from going to work. When Bart, a strange and secretive boy, comes wandering past her trailer park she thinks he may be the luck she's looking for. There are a lot of things that I love about this book. Olivia is kind an...

  The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw By Christopher Healy Walden Pond Press, 2014. Fiction. 516 p. In the concluding installment of the Hero’s Guide trilogy, Prince Liam, Prince Frederic, Prince Duncan, and Prince Gustav (the Princes Charming of fairy tale fame who have formed the League of Princes) have been accused of murder and they need to clear their names. While doing so, they uncover a plot headed by a familiar enemy to overtake the surrounding kingdoms. Of course the princes can’t do it all on their own as they battle pirates, bounty hunters, giants etc. Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, and Princess Lila are right there with them. Love this fractured fairy tale trilogy. It has something for everyone of all ages with humor, romance, adventure, mystery, and fantasy. I highly recommend listening to Bronson Pinchot's superb narration on the next family road trip.

Author Matthew Kirby will be visiting the Provo City Library on Wednesday, August 30, at 7:00 to talk about his latest books. Why not get ready for his visit by reading some of his great children’s fantasy/science fiction? The Clockwork Three By Matthew Kirby Scholastic Press, 2010. Fiction. 391 p. As mysterious circumstances bring Giuseppe, Frederick, and Hannah together, their lives soon interlock like the turning gears in a clock and they realize that each one holds a key to solving the others' mysteries.  Icefall  By Matthew Kirby Scholastic, 2011. Fiction. 325 p. Princess Solveig and her siblings are trapped in a hidden fortress tucked between towering mountains and a frozen fjord, along with her best friend and an army of restless soldiers, all awaiting news of the king's victory in battle, but as they wait for winter's end and the all-encompassing ice to break, acts of treachery make it clear that a traitor lurks in their midst. The Lost Kingdom  ...

Kate Warne, Pinkerton Detective By Marissa Moss Creston Books, 2017. Juvenile biography. The infamous Adams Express case of the 1890s: pouches containing $40,000, locked multiple times with keys owned by different people, were found empty. Who could have taken the money? Put undercover on the case was the most unlikely person: a female detective. When Kate Warne applied for a job at the Pinkerton Detective Agency, Mr. Pinkerton told her there were currently no cooking or cleaning jobs available. Kate informed him that she didn’t want to cook or clean but was there to fill the vacant position of detective. Since no woman had ever been a detective before, Pinkerton was quite shocked, but after careful consideration, he offered her the job.  This picture book biography is presented as a page-turning mystery, as Kate races to find suspects, gain their trust, and recover the stolen money. This fascinating story is even more exciting as it describes the true, lesser-known hist...

Like Magic Elaine Vickers HarperCollins, 2016. 261 p. Three girls feel unsure and lonely in Salt Lake City. Each girl ends up going to the Salt Lake City Library and meets a librarian who suggests that they each borrow a very special book on friendship. Thus begins a sweet story about how these three girls find out that they are not alone in their feelings or insecurities. Grace has lived in Salt Lake for a long while. Her best friend moved away and now her anxiety won’t allow her to speak to anyone—even though she often wants to. Jada is new to Utah. She and her father moved from New Jersey so that he could start a teaching career at a new school focused on the arts. Jada loves art—but she hates living so far away from her mother, grandmother and everything else she knows. Malia is worried about the upcoming birth of a baby sister. Her mother is on bedrest in the hospital and her father is running around trying to take care of the family business as well as his family. Malia d...

The Good for NOTHING Button! By Charise Mericle Harper Hyperion Books for Children, 2017.  Easy Reader. Yellow Bird is so excited to show off his new button to Red Bird and Blue Bird!  He tells them that his button does nothing...but when Blue Bird presses the button, he is surprised.  And when Red Bird presses the button, she is sad.  But Yellow Bird reminds them that the button does nothing -- it is a good for nothing button!  Or is it? The latest in the new Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie Like Reading! series, this book stays true to form with colorful, uncomplicated illustrations, a super simple story line, and a reading level that's "just right."  This is a story that's great for early independent readers or for grownup-led read aloud time, so be sure to expect lots of laughs from your little (and big) fans of Mo Willems-esque humor!

Ada Twist, Scientist By Andrea Beaty Illustrated by David Roberts Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2016. Picture Book. The creators of Iggy Peck, Architect and  Rosie Revere, Engineer have collaborated again to create another great book. Ada Marie Twist is a scientist from the beginning. She doesn't speak until she is three years old, but when she does, she only asks questions. Endless questions. Anyone, who has spent time around children that age, knows they ask a lot of questions. Do we ever stop to think they are mini scientists? Ada loves to ask questions, experiment and ask more questions. She loves solving problems she finds. Throughout the book she discovers a strange smell and she stops at nothing to figure it out! The text is written in rhyme and the story showcases children and their developmentally appropriate questions in a perfectly positive way. The author names Ada Marie after Ada Lovelace, a mathematician and the very first computer programmer and Marie ...

Zombelina: School Days by Kristyn Crow Illustrated by Molly Idle Bloomsbury, 2017. Picture book. Zombelina is back in print and back to school. Her first day back she shows everyone that you shouldn't let a little embarrassment hold you back from doing what you love. And she manages to help Morty, the new kid, show off his talents and make some new friends. As always, Zombelina is a great undead role model, and Molly Idle's illustrations are adorable.

A Manatee Morning By Jim Arnosky A mother manatee and her baby swim in the warm waters of the Crystal River in Florida. Manatees By Steven Otfinoski Provides comprehensive information on the anatomy, special skills, habitats, and diet of manatees. Face to Face with Manatees By Brian Skerry Meet the manatee, nature's gentle giant, and learn why his world is threatened by pollution and development. Saving Manatees By Stephen R. Swinburne What has the whiskers of a walrus, the eyes of a mole, the wrinkles of an elephant, the tail of a beaver, and the gentle nature of a sloth? A slow-moving, water-loving, plant-eating, gentle giant called a manatee. Slow Down for Manatees By Jim Arnosky Injured by a passing motorboat, a pregnant manatee is rescued and taken to an aquarium to recover and have her baby in a safe environment. Manatees By Laura F. Marsh Explores the world of manatees, including their habitats, physical characteristics, diet, behavior, and thr...

Nightlights By Lorena Alvarez NoBrow, 2016. Comics, 54 p. Sandy likes to draw, and drawing helps her escape into the world of imagination. One day she meets a girl, Morfie, who admires her artwork. That night, Morfie haunts Sandy's dreams as a hungry specter who wants to eat the images Sandy creates with her mind. The lines between reality and fantasy are stretched until they become dangerously thin. This is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel printed in eye-popping color. It is also slightly creepy which, I think, will increase its appeal to the target audience.  It ends on a cliffhanger, so I expect (and hope) we will be seeing a sequel soon.

Brobarians By Lindsay Ward Two Lions, 2017. Picture book. Two mighty warriors, Iggy and Otto, battle for supremacy in the backyard. They fight monsters (the BBQ), consult their advisers (stuffed animals) and plunder treasure (toys). But Otto goes too far when he swipes Iggy’s bah-bah, and the battle between the two brother barbarians lands them in the dungeon of seclusion. This is a fun and silly story about sibling rivalry, sibling love, and epic backyard adventures of glory. Clever, cute, and over-the-top.