Provo Library Children's Book Blog

The Tryout By Christina Soontornvat Illustrated by Joanna Cacao New York: Graphix, 2022. Graphic novel. 255 pgs. Fitting-in in small town Texas isn't easy when you are one of the only Asian American kid in your school. So, Christina, who is Thai American, and her best friend Megan, who is Iranian American, decide to try out for the school cheer team together. This is good, because Christina has been sad that Megan is starting to pull away -- spending more time at gymnastics and less time playing make-believe with Christina. So, when it comes time to pick a partner for cheer tryouts, Christina is devastated that Megan doesn't want to be her partner.  The latest entry in the robust world of graphic novel memoirs for kids, this is a standout comic book about navigating school, popularity, growing up, and making friends. Two-time Newbery honoree Christina Soontorntvat talks frankly about her experiences growing up as an outsider, including the microaggressions and racist comments s...

In case you didn’t know, I do love fantasy novels. And it turns out that there were five fantasy books that I read this year that had strong ties to animals. In case you love fantasy (and some fantastical animals), I thought I would share these books with you.  A Darkening of Dragons  By Seth Patrick  Peachtree Publishing, 2022. Fiction. 390 pages.  This is a mixture of fantasy and adventure, with a fantastical creature thrown in. In this book, Patch Brightwater has to help Wren, a girl who has been turned into a rat. Only, Patch gets in loads of trouble (for things he did and didn’t do) and he and Wren barely escape jail when they run into a dracogriff (a hybrid dragon and gryphon). With magic, the legend of the Pied Piper, and fantastical animals around every turn, this is sure to appeal to fantasy and animal lovers.  Every Bird a Prince  By Jenn Reese  Henry Holt and Company, 2022. Fiction. 244 pages.  Eren Evers likes to ride her bike. She doe...

  Penguin Who Was Cold  By Philip Giordano  Simon & Schuster, 2022. Picture Book.  Milo the penguin was cold. He didn’t like the idea of diving into the cold water like all the other penguins. When a whale comes along and offers to take Milo somewhere warm, he jumps at the chance. This is a fun story about a penguin that is just a little different than all the other penguins. The bold illustrations have strong geometric shapes and bright colors. Readers who love penguins, beautiful illustrations, or a story about someone figuring out who they are, then this is the story for them. Well done!

When winter comes, the snowy conditions let us experience fun activities that are unique to this special season. Sledding, ice skating, winter sports, and snowball fights are just a few of the options that open up. You're only limited by your imagination! Need inspiration? Here are some favorite books that can help you decide how to spend these snow-filled days, even if that means just snuggling up with a good winter story. The Comeback Written by E. L. Shen New York: Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, 2021. Fiction. 265 pages. Maxine Chen wants to become a figure skating champion, but her dreams are challenged when a new talent moves to her town, alongside becoming the target of bullying. When the Moon Comes Written by Paul Harbridge Illustrated by Matt James Toronto: Tundra Books, imprint of Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers, 2017. Picture Book. When the Moon Comes is an ode to a hockey game played by moonlight. Follow this intrepid group of children's jour...

Happy December 26th! As the New Year approaches, we often try to make goals or New Year's resolutions. These books are important reminders that we are already enough, and our potential is limitless. Goals are important, but so is recognizing how far we've already come. Why Not You? By Ciara and Russell Wilson Illustrated by Jessica Gibson New York : Random House, 2022. Picture Book. When we question whether our dreams are too big or our abilities are too small, remember to ask yourself, “why not you?” This book beautifully demonstrates the limitless potential we all have if we only allow ourselves to dream and work hard. Remember, “you are magic, through and through.” I’m Growing Great By Mechal Renee Roe New York : Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. Sometimes we may feel like we’re not progressing fast enough or in the right way. With rhyming text that reminds us to be patient with ourselves and invite grace into our lives, readers are reminded that we are ...

One Starry Night By Christina M. Butler Illustrated by Tina Macnaughton Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2012. Picture book. Woodland friends gather to watch shooting stars, and help each other through dangers along the way. A Fox Found a Box By Ged Adamson New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2019. Picture book. When a little fox finds a radio, he shares the songs and music with his animal friends, but after it goes quiet, the little fox begins to hear the music found in nature. Pokko and the Drum By Matthew Forsythe New York: Simon & Schuster, 2019. Picture book. When Pokko plays her drum in the forest she suddenly finds herself surrounded by an entire band of animal musicians. The Midnight Fair By Gideon Sterer Illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2021. Picture book. A fairground in the evening is a glowing beacon of treats and delights. Bright lights paint the midway in cotton-candy pink, lemon yellow, and candy-apple red. Alluring prizes invite f...

Freestyle By Gale Galligan New York: Graphix, 2022. Graphic novel. 240 pgs. It's the last year before high school, and the Eight Bitz dance crew can feel themselves pulled in different directions -- and before they all go to different high schools, they are determined to win the Bronx Kids Battle breakdance competition. For Cory, that means freestyling the dances and having fun with his friends, but for his team captain Tess, that means practice, practice, practice until they're perfect. When Cory's grades begin to slip, his parents hire fellow eighth-grader -- quiet, hijabi Sunna -- as his tutor. As Cory gets to know Sunna, he learns that she is a secret yo-yo prodigy and a much better friend than he had imagined. But, the more time that Cory spends with Sunna, the more his crew takes notice. This is a fun and unique middle school story for kids who like graphic novels. Though the focus is on Cory and Sunna, who are both fully-fleshed out characters, a full cast of well-ro...

  Rory and the Magical Mix-Ups Written by Kallie George Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gomez Disney/Hyperion, 2022. Intermediate. 72 pages. Rory is off to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Academy to learn how to grant wishes. The problem is that she has a hard time spelling. When she casts a spell for socks, she gets rocks. When she casts a spell for a hog, she gets fog instead. Some favorite Disney characters like the Fairy Godmother and Ms. Merryfeather teach at the academy, and they work to prepare Rory for her first magical assignment. She is discouraged that she won't be able to improve her spelling to become a fairy godmother. Rory learns that she doesn't need to rely on magic to be a good fairy godmother. The illustrations in this book are full-color and absolutely beautiful. The story is so relatable and fun, you will immediately want to read the next book in the series. Fans of Disney or the Rainbow Magic series will love these new Bibbidi Bobbidi Academy books.

"The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason." So for any of you who, like the Grinch, want to stop Christmas from coming, here are some picture books about Grinches that want to ruin Christmas. Merry Christmas, Gus By Chris Chatterton Macmillan Children's Books, 2020. Picture Book. "Gus doesn't like Christmas. Gus doesn't like Christmas decorations. He doesn't like Christmas carols. And he definitely doesn't like Christmas cheer." Clearly Gus and the Grinch would be the best of friends if they lived in the same world. Like the Grinch, however, Gus eventually learns to like the Christmas holiday when he learns to turn his focus outside of himself. Captain Bling's Christmas Plunder Written by Rebecca Colby Illustrated by Rob McClurkan Albert Whitman and Company, 2017. Picture Book. When these pirates who are planning a plundering expedition are blown off course and end up...

The Door of No Return By Kwame Alexander New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2022. Historical fiction. 11-year-old Kofi Offin is on the verge of becoming a man, and it seems like everything in his world is changing. He lives in Upper Kwanta, a village in the Asante Kingdom (modern-day Ghana) in 1860. For Kofi, growing up means standing up to his bully of a cousin and getting the courage to speak to the girl he likes. It means going to school, where his teacher, Mr. Goodluck Phillip, punishes him for speaking in Twi and not the Queen's English. It means learning about the world through the stories of his grandfather, Nana Mosi. When Kofi's older brother accidentally kills the nephew of a neighboring village's chief during a wrestling match, Kofi realizes that his world is going to change even more -- but he couldn't imagine just how much, especially when he is taken from all that he knows. Newbery-award winner Kwame Alexander is a children's lit powerhouse, and this...

December has a magical quality about it. The abundance of holidays celebrated this month have much to do with the enchanting ambience of the season. I would love to visit Japan in December to experience the celebrations behind the Buddhist holiday, Bodhi Day. Or visit a Jewish home to participate in the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah. Going to the UK to shop until I drop on Boxing Day would be a dream! And I'd love to witness the joy of friends and family at a Karamu Feast at the tail end of Kwanzaa. There are so many holidays, meaningful traditions, and joyful celebrations that occur all over the world in December and I wish I could be a part of them all. Luckily, we have a wealth of knowledge and vicarious experience at our fingertips through the library! Below are books about three December holidays, but you can find more books in our catalog and information about other December holidays in Provo Library's databases. Christmas Santa in the City Written by Tiffany D...

The Donkey's Song: A Christmas Nativity Story Written Jacki Kellum Illustrated by Sydney Hanson New York : Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. Told through the eyes of the donkey that Mary rides to Bethlehem, this sweet story illustrates a new perspective on the Nativity story. The author takes the readers on a sensory journey as the donkey recounts the sights, sounds, smells from that night. Other barn animals are present in the stable as well and become a part of the story. The donkey feels a sense of wonderment and sings his own little song of joy. This picture book is perfect for younger readers to get a glimpse of the Christmas Nativity story. The story is told in rhyme and the illustrations are sweet, simple, and beautiful. This is one that can be added to your Christmas reading collection to read year after year. 

Reckless, Glorious Girl By Ellen Hagan New York : Bloomsbury Children's Book, 2021. Fiction. 309 pgs. Twelve-year-old Beatrice Miller copes with the ups and downs of friendships, puberty, and identity, guided by the wisdom and love of her beloved Mamaw and mom, the summer before seventh grade. They Call Me Güero By David Bowles El Paso, Texas : Cinco Puntos Press, [2018]. Fiction. 111 pgs. Twelve-year-old Güero, a red-headed, freckled Mexican American border kid, discovers the joy of writing poetry, thanks to his seventh grade English teacher. Alone By Megan E. Freeman New York, NY : Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, 2021. Fiction. 404 pgs. When twelve-year-old Maddie hatches a scheme for a secret sleepover with her two best friends, she ends up waking up to a nightmare. She's alone--left behind in a town that has been mysteriously evacuated and abandoned. With no one to rely on, no power, and no working phone lines or internet acce...

  Black Bird, Blue Road By: Sofiya Pasternack Versify, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2022. Fiction. 313 pgs. Ziva and Pesah are twins living in 10th century Khazaria. They live with their family in a Jewish community called Atil. For many years Pesah has slowly been dying of a disease called leprosy and his twin sister Ziva is desperate to find a cure. When their uncle, who is a doctor, recommends that Pesah be moved to a leper colony Ziva decides she must do something quickly. She packs up a few supplies into one of the families wagons and Pesah and Ziva leave their home in the middle of the night. Ziva plans to take her brother to the city of Constantinople but along the way they run into bandits and meet up with a half-sheydim boy. Ziva's plans change and now all three of them are racing against the clock to get to the eternal city of Luz, where no one ever dies, before the angel of death claims the life of Pesah. This is a sweeping fantasy books that depicts a world w...

As a kid, I dreamed of what the North Pole looked like. I liked to imagine the forever snowy days in a place so full of magic and wonder. Here are a couple of picture books that transport you to the North Pole. Little Red Sleigh Written by Erin Guendelberger Illustrated by Elizaveta Tretyakova Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks Wonderland, 2020. Picture Book. The little red sleigh was small but wanted more than anything to be Santa's big flying sleigh. Little Red decides that the first step to achieving this dream is to get to the North Pole. The sled embarks on a journey across the snowy land in hopes of growing up big, strong, and magical. Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins Written by Sue Fliess Illustrated by Mark A. Chambers New York: Two Lions, 2018. Picture Book. It's Christmas Eve, the sleigh is ready, but Santa is sick in bed! Mrs. Claus is willing and able to take on the job. In this fun, rhyming Christmas tale, with a newbie in charge of delivering presents, you'll all chu...

Cultured Donuts By Chloe Tyler Toronto, ON: Flowerpot Press, 2022. Informational. Using the iconic image of the pink frosted donut, Chloe Tyler imitates the styles of 16 famous artists ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary. Each spread is paired with a biography of the artist, explaining the art movement they hail from and what medium they favored. Most pages also include an example of the artist's work. A "Delicious Detail" accompanies the text, giving an interesting fact about the artist's career. The inventiveness of the author in how she adapted each artist's style was delightful.  The subject matter of the donut makes the history accessible to kids, and many of the spreads include extra details in margins on both sides. There is also a section at the end giving instructions to those inspired to try out each artist's style for themselves. A glossary at the back provides explanation for the terms used throughout the book. This is an enjoyable, eye-ca...

  So Much Snow  By Hyunmin Park Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebook Jabberwocky, 2022. Picture Book. Largely wordless, So Much Snow , vividly conveys the charm and adventure one experiences on a snowy day. Comically, the snowfall is so massive that the characters are depicted using a bulldozer to plow their way out of their buried home, and later using the tunnel they created for an epic sled ride with disastrous results. The scale and perspective of the snow is masterfully done, and is complemented by the untraditional vertical orientation of the book and a large fold out panel.  So Much Snow will be sure to bring a smile to the reader's face as one imagines just how fun it would be to experience the same magic as the story's characters. Children and adults alike are sure to remember fondly their own snowy adventures through this masterful work! 

Traditions are a big part of the Christmas season and attending "The Nutcracker" is certainly a holiday tradition for many families. I remember attending The Nutcracker when I was young and I have taken my daughter to see The Nutcracker many times through the years. The Nutcracker debuted in 1892 and now, a century later, it's still an endearing holiday favorite. If you enjoy watching the Nutcracker at Christmas time, you might also enjoy reading some books about this famous ballet.  Jan Brett's The Nutcracker Written and Illustrated by: Jan Brett G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2021. Picture Book. This classic story of the nutcracker takes place in snowy Russia with Marie, her brother Fritz, their Uncle Drosselmeier, and a little bit of Christmas magic. This beautifully illustrated story follows the storyline of Tchaikovsky's ballet with the main characters we all know and love along with dancing bears, flying squirrels, and adorable hedgehogs. The adventure takes its re...