Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Spring will be here soon and as spring approaches we start to see and hear birds. I love waking to birds singing outside my window. Have you ever wondered what birds do all day or what kind of tools they use to eat, build their homes and survive? If you are a bird lover here is a list of books about birds that you should read. Birds: What do Flamingos, Owls and Penguins Get Up To All Day Written by Dr. Alex Bond Illustrated by Henry Rancourt St. Martins Pr 2023. Informational. If you have ever been curious about different types of birds like ostriches, tiny hummingbirds or flamingos and what they do during the day this is the book for you. Dr. Alex Bond is a Canadian conservation biologist who has spent a lot of time studying some of the most amazing birds. In this book you will discover what a bald eagle does on a fishing trip, how pink flamingos dance to impress each other and how a barn owl hunts at night and much more. An intriguing look into the lives of many of our unique feather...

The Hope of Elephants By Amanda Rawson Hill Watertown, MA : Charlesbridge, [2022]. Fiction. 476 pgs. In this beautiful novel in verse, Cass loves baseball, elephants, and poetry. Her life is going great until her father's cancer returns and their yearly World Series trip is put at risk. Additionally, Cass learns that there's a 50/50 chance that she has the same cancer gene as her father. She leans on her support group of friends, learns the inspiring nature of elephants, and tries to decide if she wants to take the test that will reveal the truth about her genes.  This book had me in tears. It was beautiful, heartbreaking, moving, and also full of hope. I loved how the book was broken up into bite size poems because I felt like it was easier to digest the more difficult/tragic material. There is raw emotion, personal storytelling, and a main character that you will both resonate with and root for. Full of faith, sadness, hope, heart, joy, and despair, this book is one that will...

  If I Ran The Circus Written and Illustrated by Dr. Seuss Random House, 1956. Picture book. A young boy imagines the fantastic animals and incredible acts he will have for his greatest of all circuses. Elefantastic: A Story of Magic In 5 Acts Written by Jane Yolen Illustrated by Brett Helquist Chronicle Books, 2022. Picture book. An unlikely-and entirely unforgettable-tale of a most unusual friendship between Flora, an elephant calf stolen from her African home, and David, the circus impresario and magician, who adopts, trains, and ultimately liberates her in a tale freely inspired by actual events. The Circus at the End of the Sea Written by Lori R. Snyder HarperCollins Publishers, 2021. Fiction. A novel about an orphan girl who discovers a magical circus. Maddy Adriana knows that magic is real. All her life, her heart has pulled her towards things too perfect to be ordinary. One day, that tug leads her to a magical street circus, hidden in plain sight among the canals and boardw...

Toddler Time Let's Build A Little Train By Julia Richardson Ann Arbor, MI : Sleeping Bear Press, 2022. Picture Book. Let's build a little train to chug along the track that goes from here to there and circles round and back! Simple rhyming text explains the parts of a steam train, and how one works.--Publisher Preschool Time It's a Tiger  Written by David LaRochelle  Illustrated by Jeremy Tankard San Francisco : Chronicle Books, 2012. Picture Book. Kids and parents alike will rejoice in this lively read-aloud picture book, as the main character runs into (and away from) a tiger over and over again as the plot gets sillier and sillier. Perfect for acting out while reading, It's a Tiger! offers just the right amount of excitement without being too scary, and a sweet ending with a bit of a twist.--Publisher Preschool Time Tiger Tiger By Jonathan Lambert Wilton, CT : Tiger Tales, 2017. Picture Book. Tiger is left in charge of Cub, and he's not exactly happy about it. Cu...

It's about this time of year when I realize how much I love, and miss the sun. If you love the sun like me, here are five books to read to help you imagine the warmth of the sun on your face. Hopefully, these will tide us all over until the spring makes an appearance.  Hello, Sun: A Yoga Sun Salutation to Start Your Day By Sarah Jane Hinder Sounds True, 2019. Picture Book This book walks you through how to do the sun salutation poses in a poetic way. The illustrations are vibrant, and energetic. It also includes a note of the history of the sun salutation and yogis in India. John Denver's Sunshine On My Shoulders By Christopher Canyon Dawn Publications, 2003. Picture Book. Illustrations are set to the lyrics of John Denver's song, Sunshine On My Shoulders. This is just a bright, happy book that is sure to warm you up, and make you smile.  I Like the Sun Written by Sarah Nelson Illustrated by Rachel Oldfield Barefoot Books, 2021. Picture Book. The title pretty much sums it u...

  Elbert in the Air Written by Monica Wesolowska Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey Dial Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book. Elbert was born to fly. Literally. Shortly after he was born, he began to float. Soon his mother had to stretch to reach him. Neighbors, friends, doctors, teachers, and librarians all had a different idea about how to keep him stuck to the ground. His mother knew, however, that he was born to soar and always encouraged him to be himself. As he grew, Elbert floated higher and higher so that eventually he had to be reached by ladder, but his mother kept insisting that if he was born to float, no one should force him to change who he is. Although Elbert felt alone and left out because he was different from the other kids, he eventually found a place where he belonged. If you need a book to read to teach your kids about individuality and self-worth, Elbert in the Air is a great choice. It's also a good read-alike for parents who want something a little more ...

Whether you're a sucker for the classics or a fan of a newer illustrative style, here are some masterful author and illustrator duos who bring excellence to both words and pictures and combine them in such a way that success is guaranteed.  Modern Powerhouses: Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen The Three Billy Goats Gruff Written by Mac Barnett Illustrated by Jon Klassen New York: Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc., 2022. Picture Book. The witty words of Mac Barnett are perfectly brought to life by the inimitable Jon Klassen in this humorous take on the classic story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff.  Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham  Pretty Perfect Kitty-corn Written by Shannon Hale Illustrated by LeUyen Pham New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham have taken their real life friendship and transformed it into many heartwarming collaborations. Their most recent story is the second installment in their Kitty-corn series, Pre...

  A Batch Made in Heaven By Suzanne Nelson Scholastic Inc., 2021. Fiction. 258 pgs. When 7th grader Mina Kapur gets the intern spot at the wildly successful bakery in her town, she couldn't be more excited.  Mina wants to be a baker herself someday, and she can't wait to help make the delicious cookies.  But when the internship doesn't go according to plan and the owner's cute but moody son, Flynn, seems to be hiding secrets, Mina won't rest until she fixes everything.   This was an unexpected treat to read, pun intended.  I had pretty low expectations for a food themed romance aimed at 8-12 year old's, but it was so cute and charming!  I may have even squealed on a few occasions, which brought eye rolls and laughter from my teenage sons.  The romance aspect was very age appropriate and was so reminiscent of my own childhood crushes.  I loved the believability of Mina's struggles to juggle school, family obligations, friends, her internship, ...

Peach Heaven By Yangsook Choi New York: Farrar, 2005. Picture book. The white peaches grown in Puchon are the best in all South Korea, and a rare treat for a little girl who lives in the town. She dreams of a peach orchard where she can play and eat as much of the delicious fruit as she wishes. Then one day, after weeks of heavy downpours, the sky begins to rain peaches. Yangsook finds herself in peach heaven - until she remembers the farmers who have lost their harvest, and decides she must help them. Nothing Rhymes With Orange By Adam Rex San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2017. Picture book. All the fruits gather together and enjoy a rhyming party, but poor Orange feels left out because he does not rhyme with anything--until Apple invents a new word. Off To the Market By Alice Oehr Minneapolis, MN: Scribble, 2022. Informational. Learn all about produce in this delightful child's tour of a food market, full of fun facts, delicious new discoveries, and charming characters. A lov...

Toddler Time New Socks By Bob Shea New York : Little, Brown, 2007. Picture Book. A chicken is filled with excitement and self-confidence when he dons a new pair of orange socks.--Publisher Preschool Time Snail Crossing  By Corey R. Tabor New York, NY : Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2020. Picture Book. Determined to make his way to a plump, crisp cabbage across the road, Snail risks speeding cars and hungry crows during a long and slow journey, before getting lost while helping a crew of ants escape a rainstorm.--Publisher Preschool Time Marigold & Daisy By Andrea Zuill New York : Sterling Children's Books, 2018. Picture Book. Although Marigold is excited to meet her new snail sister, Daisy, she becomes envious of the attention everyone gives her, but when Marigold reaches her breaking point and decides to run away, she discovers that Daisy may come in handy after all.--Publisher Book Babies Hooray for Sunny Days! By Susan Kantor  Illustrated by Katy...

Lemon Bird Can Help! By Paulina Ganucheau New York: RH Graphic, 2022. Comics. 98 Pages. Although little Lemon Bird can't fly yet, she can still be helpful! When she and her pupkin (pumpkin puppy) friend get lost, they do their best to make their way back home. Along the way, they make friends and offer assistance in anyway they can. Even if they're lost, they can still be good friends! This delightful and charming graphic novel is the sweetest story you'll read this year! The hybrid fruit-animals are so cute. The creativity is perfect for imaginative children who love the little animals. Lemon Bird is kind, thoughtful, and inventive--just the kind of friend you'd want to go on an adventure with to find your way home.

Tuesday is Mardi Gras, and nowhere celebrates Mardi Gras like New Orleans. Colored beads, king cakes, and parades fill the streets of the Big Easy for the city's vibrant celebrations of the holiday. These books will help take you to New Orleans for Mardi Gras this year! Mardi Gras Almost Didn't Come This Year By Kathy Z. Price Illustrated by Carl Joe Williams New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture book. In the months following the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, Lala and her family struggle to recover and cope with their losses. When Mardi Gras season comes around and their parents don't feel like celebrating, Lala decides to help make sure her younger brother Babyboy gets to have his Mardi Gras celebration. Together, the children help their parents find joy again despite their struggles. Tiana's Cookbook By Joy Howard Los Angeles, CA: Disney Press, 2022. Informational. 143 pages. This cookbook teaches young chefs how to make 50 recipes inspi...

Simon Sort of Says By Erin Bow Los Angeles, CA: Disney-Hyperion, 2023. Fiction. 305 pgs. 12-year-old Simon O'Keefe and his parents just moved to middle-of-nowhere Nebraska. Literally. Grin and Bear It, NE is a National Quiet Zone -- a town without internet, cell phones, or television. This is the perfect place for a fresh start, especially for Simon, who is eager to escape his internet notoriety following a tragic event at his old school. For a while, things are going well in Grin and Bear It. Since no one can google him, Simon is able to disappear into the weirdness of his new small town with relative anonymity. Simon makes friends, helps to birth goats, chases escaped emus and an attack peacock. But, eventually, his secret comes out and spirals to catastrophe.  It is a rare book that manages to be hysterically funny and heartbreakingly sad in equal measure -- but this is that book. Simon, and his friends Kevin and Agate, are characters that readers will root for -- whether they a...

  Honey and Me Written by Meira Drazin Scholastic Press, 2022. Fiction. 283 pgs. Mila and Honey have been best friends for a long time, their families attend the same synagogue and this year they will be attending the same school. Honey is transferring to Mila's school and they are going to have the best year ever! But as the school year begins tension starts to build between the two best friends. Mila starts to resent Honey's confidence in school and her ability to easily make new friends. When Honey and Mila choose the same topic for the public speaking contest the competition between the two best friends brings up emotions and worries that test the strength of their friendship.  This was a beautiful story about the friendship of two modern Orthodox girls who are figuring out who they are and what really matters to them. This book was insightful and gave me a better understanding of the Jewish community. In the back readers can find an extensive glossary and a guide to Jewis...

Our Fairy Tea event is right around the corner, so what better time to read up on some of our favorite magical creatures? I have adored fairies ever since I was little, and these books remind us all to find the magic, or even become it!   Backyard Fairies By Phoebe Wahl New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2018. Picture Book. A young girl explores her backyard and searches for wonderful, magical creatures. Although she doesn’t see them herself, she sees the actions of the fairies and knows they’re real. A fun picture book for anyone who believes in the magic of everyday life. Fairy Science: Solid, Liquid, Gassy By Ashley Spires New York : Crown Books for Young Readers, 2020. Picture Book. Meet Esther, a fairy who does not believe in magic. Instead, she conducts experiments and relies on science. The other fairies don’t understand her, but Esther helps them learn about the water cycle in this fun book that combines magic and science! Mister Fairy By Morgane de Cadier Illustrated by Florian P...

  Hair Love Written by Matthew Cherry Illustrated by Vashti Harrison New York: Kokila, 2019. Picture Book.  A little girl's daddy steps in to help her arrange her curly, coiling, wild hair into styles that allow her to be her natural, beautiful self. Magic Like That  Written by Samara Cole Doyon Illustrated by Geneva Bowers New York: Lee & Low Books Inc., 2021. Picture Book. While her mother works magic styling her hair, a young Black girl recalls how her hairstyles can reflect the natural world and show that her hair can be elegant, mischievous, or whimsical. Hair Twins Written by Raakhee Mirchandani Illustrated by Holly Hatam New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2021. Picture Book. Every morning Papa combs through his daughter's waves like he does his own--parting it down the middle, using coconut oil to get all the tangles out. Some days he braids her hair in two twists down the side of her face. Other days he weaves it into one long braid hanging down her back. Bu...