Provo Library Children's Book Blog

  Pippi Longstocking is a classic, beloved children's book character. She is spunky and adventurous. She is always making delicious food to share with her friends or to take on a picnic. This led me to think about how a nine-year-old girl that lives alone could make such delectable food.  Here are some cookbooks that Pippi would probably use. Because she is adventurous: Adventurous Eats By Katrina Jorgensen North Mankato, Minnesota : Capstone Press, a Captone imprint, 2021. Because we can always expect the unexpected with Pippi: Twisted Treats: Desserts with Unexpected Ingredients By Heather Kim North Mankato, Minnesota: Compass Point Books, a capstone imprint, 2019. Something to ward off bullies instead of flinging them over trees: Cat Litter Cake and Other Horrifying Desserts By Ali Vega Minneapolis : Lerner Publications, 2017. Because she is fending for herself and probably growing her own food: Plant, Cook, Eat! A Children's Cookbook By Joe Archer Watertown, MA : Charlesb...

The Ghoul Next Door By Cullen Bunn Illustrated by Cat Farris New York: HarperAlley, 2021. Comic. 11-year-old Grey is having a bad day. While taking a shortcut through the cemetery on his way to school, he trips and drops his school project -- a diorama of the cemetery -- into an open grave, where it is promptly snatched by a claw-like hand. That night, he sees the creature again as a hunched-over figure in his bedroom. Eventually, Grey decides to make contact with the creature and finds an unexpected new friend -- a ghoul named Lavinia. Grey and Lavinia become fast friends, much to the chagrin of Grey's living best friend Marshall. But things are only going to get worse. It turns out, ghouls are not supposed to become friends with "surface-dwellers," and when Marshall is taken as punishment, Grey and Lavinia must brave the Kingdom of the Dead to save his life. This is a perfectly spooky and delightfully macabre graphic novel to start spooky season. Without ever being too ...

  The Leaf Thief  By Alice Hemming  Illustrated by Nicola Slater  Sourcebooks, Jabberwocky, 2021. Picture Book.  A squirrel is very upset when one fall day one of his leaves goes missing. He runs off to talk to bird and declares that “Someone stole my leaf!” Bird tries to explain about the season and how leaves fall off of trees—but squirrel isn’t hearing it. He is sure there is a leaf thief somewhere. This comical story helps kids learn about how in the fall some trees lose their leaves. The book also shows how sometimes people (or squirrels) can get worked up over nothing. Be sure to read this funny story to all the young readers who are interested in learning about autumn—or who just want to laugh at squirrel’s misunderstanding about what happens to leaves.

Murder is Bad Manners By Robin Stevens New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2015. At an English boarding school in the 1930s, crime-solving friends Hazel Wong and Daisy Wells struggle to find an exciting mystery to investigate and hit pay-dirt when Hazel discovers the dead body of Miss Bell, the science teacher. The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane By Julia Nobel Naperville, Illinois : Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2019. Twelve-year-old Emmy investigates the connection between her father's disappearance and a secret society at her prestigious English boarding school. The Highland Falcon Thief By M.G. Leonard New York : Feiwel and Friends, 2020. Harrison Beck is reluctantly joining his travel-writer Uncle Nat for the last journey of the royal train, The Highland Falcon. But as the train makes its way to Scotland, a priceless brooch goes missing, and things suddenly get a lot more interesting. As suspicions and accusations run high among the passengers, Harrison begins to ...

Read in Toddler Time Something's Wrong! A Bear, a Hare, and Some Underwear Written by Jory John Illustrated by Erin Kraan Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, 2021.  Picture Book. Jeff the bear has definitely forgotten something. He ate his breakfast, he watered his plant, he combed his fur…what could it be? Why does he feel so oddly off? So he asks his friend Anders the rabbit what could possibly be wrong. It couldn't have anything to do with the fact that he's wearing underwear…over his fur...could it? Something's Wrong! is another read-out-loud, laugh-out-loud picture book from bestselling and beloved author Jory John, about that horrible nagging feeling that it just might not be your day—but you know you have a friend to support you no matter what.  --Publisher Read in Preschool Time The Book Hog By Greg Pizzoli Disney Hyperion, 2019.  Picture Book. The Book Hog loves books -- the way they look, the way they feel, the way they smell--and he'll grab wha...

Walking for Water: How One Boy Stood Up for Gender Equality Written by Susan Hughes  Illustrated by Nicole Miles Toronto, ON : Kids Can Press, 2021. Informational. Bictor and his twin sister Linesi are very close. They live in the Malawi village and seem to be your typical 8-year-old children. But, every day Bictor goes to school while his sister spends all day walking back and forth to get water for their family. Bictor never thinks twice about this until his new school teacher starts talking about equality between boys and girls. He begins to realize that there are traditions that need to change in his village. Bictor decides to do something about it! He starts to switch places with his sister, Linesi every other day so they both can attend school and learn. It takes some time, but the rest of the village begins to follow his example. This powerful story is a great way to inspire children to start observing inequalities around them and help them see that no matter how old th...

  Becoming Vanessa Written and Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2021 Vanessa is excited for her first day of school! But she's worried that her classmates won't know how special she is. To show them, she wears a very special outfit. It's the fanciest, most elaborate one she can throw together. When she gets to school, she doesn't get the kind of attention she expected. The other kids are staring, but don't seem as thrilled by her bright colors and feather boa as she was when she got dressed that morning. The next day, she puts on a regular, plain outfit and complains to her parents that her name is too long. She'd rather be like the other girls in her class. Her mother comforts her and tells her the meaning behind her beautiful name. Vanessa learns that being her bright, enthusiastic self is exactly who she wants to be! This book is great for kids you may feel a little different or are nervous about going to school. Vanessa learn...

Nowadays, play almost seems like a lost art. The world is filled with screens and other distractions that can make it is easy for children to forget how to let them go and just be imaginative again. Children are capable of so much creativity and these books will remind readers what it is like to be full of imagination. Hopefully it will inspire some wonderful play.  Boxitechts By: Kim Smith Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020. Picture Book. In this book, two creative girls love to build. In their maker school they both design incredible projects, getting grander and grander in their ideas to beat the competition of the other. When they are put  together to build for the Maker Match, will it prove to be their downfall or they be able to put their differences aside to create together? Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building By: Christy Hale Lee & Low Books Inc., 2012. Informational Picture Book. This book bridges the gap between imagination and the real world. With...

From September 15 - October 15 every year we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in America! This month-long celebration is a chance to recognize the history, culture, and contribution of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to spotlight some amazing Hispanic and Latinx children's book creators with great books you should read! You should read.... Vamos!: Let's Go to the Market By Raúl The Third Boston: Versify, 2019. Picture book. This Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor book introduces young readers to the vibrant world of Little Lobo and his dog Bernabe in a Mexican-American border town. Like a bilingual Richard Scarry, the pages of this book are filled with amazing details that bring this world to life while also introducing Spanish vocabulary and Mexican-American cultural references. And you should also check out these other great books from Raúl The Third! Stroller Coa...

  Yesterday was National Talk Like a Pirate Day. In honor of that swash-buckling holiday, I thought I might give ye some pirate recommendations—or rather some books I would give ye to read ifin ye be a pirate looking for a good book. Enjoy me hearties! And yo ho ho and all that!  How to Be a Pirate by Isaac Fitzgerald illustrated by Brigette Barrager  This is another pirate book that talks about what it takes to be a pirate—and if it is okay for girls to be pirates or not. Swash-blucklin’ fun!  Milo is Missing Something by Vern Kousky  This is a sea tale that many pirates might relate to. Milo, a cute little octopus, is going on adventures in the ocean and is trying to figure out what he is missing (his family). Any pirate who sails away from family for any length of time will relate to this particular story.  No More Plastic by Alma Fullerton  I suspect that pirates who sail the seven seas would not like to sail among large floating heaps of plasti...

  Vampirina Ballerina By Anne Marie New York: Disney Hyperion Books, 2012. Picture book. Advice for young vampires who aspire to become ballet dancers. Vampirina By Derek Harmening Chicago, IL: Phoenix International Publications, 2018. Picture book. Vampirina Hauntley and her family have just moved from Transylvania to Pennsylvania. Look for hidden objects in eight scenes, then turn to the back of the book for even more Look and find challenges. Asiago By Adam James McHeffey New York: Marshall Cavendish Children, 2012. Picture book. Asiago the vampire makes a big mistake when he joins his friends Wendy, Tom, and Sam at the beach one day and gets a terrible sunburn, a splinter in his foot, and eats too many clams with garlic. Glory on Ice: A Vampire Hockey Story By Maureen Fergus Illustrated by Mark Fearing New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2020. Picture book. Joining the local peewee hockey team after centuries alone in his old castle, Vlad the vampire discovers that his superhuman abilit...

Read in Toddler Time The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend By Dan Santat Little, Brown, and Company, 2014.  Picture Book. This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and--at long last--is given his special name: Beekle. The #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Dan Santat--creator of After the Fall and Are We There Yet? --combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art in an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one's place in the world.  --Publisher Read in Preschool Time Good Night, Alligator Written by Rebecca Van Slyke Illustrated by Mike Boldt Roaring Brook Press, 2021.  Picture Book. Bedtime has never been more wild! Good Night, Alligator is sure...

  Frankenslime Written by Joy Keller Illustrated by Ashley Belote Feiwel & Friends, 2021. Picture Book Victoria is a young scientist who loves to make slime. She makes all kinds of slime: rainbow cloud slime, ketchup clime, magnetic slime, etc. One day, she has a brilliant idea and makes slime that comes alive! She thinks that the slime is trying to chase her, but really the slime just wants to be her friend. It turns out that, Goop, the living slime, makes a really great lab assistant. Frankenslime has bright, exciting illustrations. In addition to the fun text, there are humorous post-it notes, and notebook pages throughout the book. On the first page, the illustration shows the steps of the scientific method scribbled on the wall. This would be a great way to add a touch literacy to a science lesson to introduce the scientific method.  Frankenslime will be exciting for kids of all ages because who doesn't love slime?? There are even recipes for three of the slimes featu...

The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess By Tom Gauld New York: Holiday House, 2021. Picture book. In a faraway kingdom, lived a king and queen who were perfectly happy except they had no children. So, the king and queen consult with the royal inventor who creates a wooden robot prince, and with the old witch of the forest who enchants a log to become a princess. But the princess has a secret -- each night when she falls asleep she turns back into a log and only becomes human again when a magic phrase awakes her. On a fateful day, a servant sees the log lying in the princess' bed and tosses it out the window. The robot, realizing what has happened to his beloved sister, begins an epic adventure to rescue his sister and bring her home. This original fairy tale is a magical and engaging story that is certain to be popular with young readers for years to come. At times this book reads like an old familiar story, while at other times it is so completely fresh and new. The pen and i...

 "Pick a peck" literally means to gather a large quantity of something and with fall just around the corner and winter close behind, I thought it would be a good time to start gathering some reading materials. Many good middle grade books have been published recently and I thought I would share a few of my favorites. So... pick a peck of some of my favorite middle grade books! Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey Written by Erin Entrada Kelly Greenwillow Books, 2021. Fiction. It's summer and Marisol is looking forward to spending her summer days playing and making movies with her best friend Jada. In Marisol's backyard there is a tree that Jada loves to climb and Marisol, with her big imagination, imagines all the terrible things that could happen if she fell from the tree. She can't seem to find the courage to climb the tree but maybe, just maybe, this summer Marisol will be brave enough to try. This is an engaging story that is perfect for readers moving up to chapter boo...