Provo Library Children's Book Blog

How to Play Chess By DK New York : DK/Penguin Random House, 2016. Informational. Whether you're a complete beginner or a more experienced player looking to improve your game, this step-by-step guide will help you play like a champion. Plan your moves with amazing 3-D illustrations. Discover tactics and strategies that will add firepower to your attack and strengthen your defense. Learn tips and techniques to improve your skills and solve the toughest of chess challenges. Pass Go and Collect $200 : The Real Story of How Monopoly Was Invented By Tanya Lee Stone New York : Henry Holt and Company, 2018. Informational. In the late 1800s lived Lizzie Magie, a clever and charismatic woman with a strong sense of justice. Waves of urban migration drew Lizzie's attention to rising financial inequality. Suddenly she had an idea: create a game about the landlord-tenant relationship. But Lizzie's initial game vilified the monopolist. Enter Charles Darrow--a marketer and salesman with a ...

Read in Stories in the Park Beach Feet Written by Kiyomi Konagaya Illustrated by Masamitsu Saito New York : Enchanted Lion Books, 2012. Picture Book. The story of a boy's visit to the beach, Beach Feet opens with a small boy feeling the heat of the sand and then running towards the ocean. Free and independent despite his young age and the tube around his waist, the boy gives himself over to the ocean and the pleasures to be had at water's edge. Throughout, the boy's connection to the beach through his feet--the feel of sand, shells, water--is never lost. Unusual perspectives and a pitch-perfect voice make this a standout.--Publisher Read in Stories in the Park Terrific By Jon Agee New York, NY: Hyperion Books For Children, 2005. Picture Book. "Terrific," says Eugene, after winning an all-expenses-paid vacation in Bermuda. "I'll probably get a really nasty sunburn." Unfortunately, Eugene's luck is a lot worse than that. First, his cruise ship sink...

Usually I am happiest in the middle of summer when I can be outside kayaking, reading a book, hiking, stargazing, or watching little ones play at a park. When the warm sun beckons me outside I tend to fall in love with nature and the outdoors all over again. Here are five favorite picture books that show some sort of love of nature. Enjoy!  Apple and Magnolia   By Laura Gehl  Illustrated by Patricia Metola  Flyaway Books, 2022. Picture Book. This is a story of an unlikely friendship. The friendship between two trees—an apple and a magnolia tree. Britta is a young girl who notices their friendship and then notices one day that magnolia’s branches are starting to droop. Eventually Britta realizes that the best medicine for magnolia’s sagging limbs is to get help and support from the apple tree. A brilliant story about how nature and friendship are the best medicine.  The Boy with Flowers in His Hair  By Jarvis  Candlewick Press, 2022. Picture Book. One o...

Unseen Magic By Emily Lloyd-Jones Greenwillow, 2022. Fiction. In this middle-grade title, Fin lives in a magical city nestled into the redwood forests of California called Aldermere. Although tourists come to Aldermere because they know the town is magic, only the locals understand how deeply this magic runs. They also know all of the rules of the town. Rules like: never enter a room without a label or you'll be transported to a random place, never keep a knife that has touched your blood, and most importantly, never try to force your way into the tea shop. Any time a stranger tries to force open the door to the tea shop, it will disappear and the townspeople have to look for it again. Which is a problem because not only is the tea shop magical, but so is the tea! The tea can temporarily change people, which is exactly what Fin wants. Fin struggles with anxiety and the tea helps calm her thoughts. The cost of the tea, however, is one memory that will be forgotten forever.  When the...

When I was growing up, my family would usually spend at least a little time in the summer at the beach in North Carolina. It was always a highlight of summer and one of my favorite parts of the year. Even now, as a grown-up, I love any chance I get to take a trip to the beach and be reminded of one of my favorite parts of childhood. But because I live in Utah, I can't get to the beach as often as I'd like, and so I am always on the lookout for beachy books that make me feel like I'm really there. If you'd like to escape on a beach vacation in your mind, here are some recommendations for you! Chase the Moon Tiny Turtle By Kelly Jordan Illustrated by Sally Walker Salem, MA: Page Street Kids, 2021. Informational. In this rhyming picture book, we follow a newborn sea turtle's suspenseful and dangerous journey from egg to ocean. With danger lurking all along the way, readers will be anxious to see the newly hatched turtle make it safely. The illustrations are slightly st...

  Healer and Witch Written by Nancy Werlin Candlewick Press, 2022. Fiction. 292 pgs. Fifteen year-old Slyvie discovers that when it comes to learning magic it can be hard to find a teacher. Slyvie has been taught how to heal by her mother and grandmother but not how to use her magical gift. When her grandmother realizes the extent of Slyvies magic she warns her to be careful and not use her gift. But after her grandmother dies Slyvie is lost, and with no guidance she does exactly what her grandmother told her not to do. She uses her gift to help her mother who is overcome with grief, but the spell leaves her mother with no memory of Sylvie. Now she must journey to a distant city to find a teacher to help her undo the spell she cast. In her search she meets new people and learns for herself  that some people are not what they seem.  This historical fantasy book adds a bit of romance and adventure that made for a very entertaining read. I thought this book was refreshing an...

  Quidditch: Coordinate Planes Written by Kristy Stark Teacher Created Materials, 2018. Informational. Quidditch is the high-flying sport played by wizards at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter novels. But, it has developed from a fictional game into an actual, physical sport played by people around the world. No magic required! Grab a broomstick and learn about coordinate planes while engaged in reading about the sport of Quidditch. This nonfiction book combines math and literacy skills, and uses real-life examples of problem solving to teach subject area content.  The Root of Magic Written by Kathleen Benner Duble Delacorte Press, 2019. Fiction. In Kisme, Maine, where a blizzard stranded twelve-year-old Willow's family, she seeks to understand the magic the townspeople have, to cure her little brother's mysterious illness and return her life to normal.

 Read in Stories in the Park Shine Written by Patrick McDonnell Illustrations by Naoko Stoop Megan Tingley Books, 2017. Picture Book. A starfish named Little Hoshi struggles to find happiness in her underwater ocean world and wishes she could be a star in the sky, but with the help of her ocean friends, she discovers the shine within.--Publisher Read in Stories in the Park I"m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean By Kevin Sherry Dial Books for Young Readers, 2007. Picture Book. A giant squid brags about being bigger than everything else in the ocean--almost.--Publisher Read in Canopy Capers Lucky By Christy Mandin HarperCollins Publishers, 2022. Picture Book. While looking for a place to live, Lucky bumps into a certain someone and discovers something even better than a shiny new shell: friendship ... Dynamic backmatter provides further details on the environmental crisis and how readers can prevent and reverse ocean pollution.--Publisher Read in Canopy Capers Mermaid and Me By SOOSH Li...

Dragons and Marshmallows Written by Asia Citro Illustrated by Marion Lindsay Woodinville, WA : Innovation Press, 2017. Intermediate.  Zoey goes on all sorts of adventures with her cat, Sassafras. They love to explore and stumble upon a secret her mom has been keeping; the forest near their house is full of magical animals and it's their job to help them. When her mom leaves on a trip, it's up to Zoey to help any animal that comes to their barn. The next day, a little green dragon with a cough shows up. Can she help the little magical creature? This book is a fun and quirky story with a curious and ambitious main character. She is compassionate and ready to help in any way she can. The words and length of this intermediate book make it not too hard and not too simple for your young reader. 

 The summer heat makes me want to move as slow as a sloth. Here are five of my favorite sloth picture books to remind us to slow down and enjoy the summer while it lasts. Bat and Sloth Hang Around Written by Leslie Kimmelman Illustrated by Sebastien Braun Albert Whitman & Company, 2020. Easy Reader. When Bat and Sloth start living on the same branch, Bat worries they won’t get along. They soon discover that they might have more in common than they thought. Slow Samson By Bethany Christou Templar Books, 2020. Picture Book. Samson is always willing to lend a helping hand to friends in need, but this means he often misses activities with his friends because he moves so slowly. Can his friends find a way to make sure Samson feels appreciated and included? Smile, Breathe, and Go Slowly: Slumby the Sloth Goes to School Written by Chiara Carminati Illustrated by Roberta Angaramo Holiday House, 2020. Picture Book. Slumby loves school, but sometimes has a hard time keeping up with all o...

  She Persisted in Science: Brilliant Women Who Made a Difference Written by Chelsea Clinton Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger New York: Philomel Books, 2022. Informational.  She Persisted in Science: Brilliant Women Who Made a Difference  is a powerhouse call to all girls, but especially those interested in the sciences. Presented in a series of simplified vignettes, both famous and less well known scientists are featured from a wide range of disciplines, including: botanists, climate activists, mathematicians, and doctors. Engaging watercolor illustrations and personal quotes bring a sense of warmth to these inspiring stories of accomplishment, such as that of Flossie Wong-Staal whose work studying the HIV and COVID viruses has saved millions of lives. Girls will feel empowered in the face of these women who persisted in their endeavors despite the challenges they faced, and thus this is a worthwhile addition to any collection.

The last few years have been a doozy.  Unless you've literally been hiding under a rock, you know what I'm talking about.  Also, if you have been hiding under a rock, is there room for one more under there?  But even when the world isn't in a state of chaos, sometimes what's happening in our individual lives still makes it feel like the end of the world. The characters in the books below can relate--and sometimes they really ARE facing the end of the world.    It's the End of the World and I'm in My Bathing Suit By Justin A. Reynolds Scholastic Press, 2022. Fiction. Twelve year old Eddie is grounded at home doing laundry when the power goes out.  He sets out to see what's going on, meeting up with other neighbors on the way.  It soon seems that not only are they the only ones left in the neighborhood, they might be the only ones left anywhere. It's the End of the World as I Know It By Matthew Landis Dial Books For Young Readers, 2019. Fiction. Since De...

Little Monarchs By Jonathan Case New York : Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House, 2022. Comic. 255 pgs. Elvie is an 10-year-old girl living in the twenty-second century. Because of a sun shift, it is impossible for mammals to be exposed to daylight for extended periods of time and survive, so most of humanity lives underground. Elvie travels around with her caretaker, Flora, who has found a temporary cure for the "sun sickness" using the scales of monarch butterflies. They set out to follow the migration pattern of the monarchs to find a more permanent solution to save humanity before it is too late! This post-apocalyptic graphic novel is perfect for readers who love dystopian novels or survival stories. Elvie keeps a journal during their adventures that is packed full of scientific facts and survival skills, which adds a fun element of nonfiction to this fictional story as well.

How to Apologize   Written by David LaRochelle  Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka  Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2021. Informational. A humorous and practical guide explains how, and how not, to apologize, depicting characters ranging from a porcupine who accidentally pops a friend's balloon to a snail who runs over a sloth's toes. Moo! Written by David LaRochelle  Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka  New York : Walker Books For Young Readers, an imprint of Bloomsbury, 2013. Picture Book. When Cow gets her hooves on the farmer's car, she takes it for a wild ride through the country. Moooo! But a bump in the road brings this joy ride to a troublesome end. Moo-moo. . . . Has Cow learned her lesson about living life in the fast lane? Moo? See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog Written by David LaRochelle  Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka  Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2020. Easy Reader. Winner of the 2021 Theodor Seuss Geisel ...

Read at Stories in the Park Flight School By Lita Judge New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2014. Picture book. Little Penguin, who has the "soul of an eagle," enrolls in flight school. Read at Stories in the Park Polar Bear Island By Lindsay Bonilla Illustrated by Cinta Villalobos New York: Sterling Children's Books, 2018. Picture book. "Welcome to Polar Bear Island. NO OTHERS ALLOWED!" Parker is the mayor of this peaceful, predictable island, and he wants to keep it just the way it is. But Kirby, a penguin, thinks the place is paradise, and she wants to stay. Parker says no, but the other polar bears love Kirby --and soon they're begging Parker to let Kirby (and her family) move in. Will Parker agree . . . and make the island fun for EVERYONE? With its gentle message of inclusivity, this playful and lighthearted story will delight children of all ages. Read in Canopy Capers Grandad's Island By Benji Davies Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2016...

  Catastrophe Written by Sherri Winston Illustrated by Gladys Joyce  Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2022. Intermediate. 88 pages. Wednesday is a young girl who loves mysteries. She is ready for the case when her neighbor's cat, Autumn, goes missing. She has the help of her best friend and service dog, Woof, who aids her with her recent diagnosis of juvenile arthritis. Autumn's collar was embellished with diamonds, so they follow the trail of diamonds to try and find the cat. Throughout solving the mystery, Wednesday learns not to jump to conclusions. This book is so fun because the illustrations give us a glimpse of what Wednesday is writing in her notebook as she goes. The characters are absolutely adorable and the plot was engaging and amusing. Fans of Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew or Ada Lace will love the Wednesday & Woof series as well.

Being a kid can be hard sometimes. You're learning and growing and trying to figure out who you are. You inevitably compare yourself with others and sometimes find yourself lacking. These books are a great way to remind your child that they are unique and the things that make you different also make you special. Most Perfect You Written by Jazmyn Simon Illustrated by Tamisha Anthony Random House, 2022. Picture Book. This story starts when Irie runs down the stairs in a pink wool hat and asks her mom if she can wear the hat today. When Momma asks Irie why she wants to wear a wool hat in July, Irie explains that she hates her big, poofy hair and she wants to be like everyone else. Momma explains "I didn't make you to be like everyone else. I made you to be you." She explains that all of Irie's traits; her eyes, skin color, hair, and more, were picked out by Momma before Irie was born because they were all of favorite things. This is a great book to remind children t...