Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider By Jessica Lanan New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2023. Informational picture book. Have you imagined what it might be like to be a spider? What would you see? What would you do? This book offers a spider's eye view into the daily life of the infamous backyard arachnid. Following a backyard jumping spider as she hunts for food and finds ways to stay alive, readers will find themselves rooting for the spider and eager to learn more. A read-aloud friendly picture book about spiders, even the most spider-averse will be drawn in by the illustrations of a spider at home in the world. A full gatefold illustration that represents what it would be like to see like a spider -- in all directions at the same time -- is a major highlight.

I love a good audio book. They are pretty fantastic. And when it comes to good audio books for early elementary school kids to listen to—I have a few favorites. I think my all-time favorite narration for early elementary school kids to listen to is The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John.  And if you haven’t listened to that one, you should. It is fantastic. (And it is available to listen to on Book on CD and as a Digital Audio Book through Libby .) But this great book got me thinking. There are a lot of other good audio books to listen to for early elementary school-aged kids. And here are five of my favorites for those kids who want a good audio that acknowledges just how crazy being a kid (and going to school) might be. All of these books can be found on our digital library app Libby by Overdrive. Happy listening!  Just Right Jillian  By Nicole D. Collier  Narrated by Imani Parks  Clarion Books, 2022. Duration: 05:20:33  Jillian is a smart girl w...

  Elf Dog & Owl Head  By M. T. Anderson  Illustrated by Junyi Wu  Candlewick Press, 2023. 229 p.  Clay is stuck at home with his family due to a global pandemic. He has coordinate doing online schoolwork with his two sisters. Everyone in his family is getting bored of each other. Often, to escape the frustrations and monotony of home, Clay will head out into the woods at the back of his yard. There he meets an unusual dog with red ears. Soon Clay discovers that the dog—Elphinore—is a very special dog that comes from a magical place. Elphinore can guide Clay to other magical places (for example, she takes him to a place where he meets a friend that is a boy with an owl head). However, there are some magical places that aren’t safe and there are some magical creatures that will want Clay to disappear forever.  This is a clever fantasy story. Clay and his family are all people that anyone who has lived through a pandemic (and had to stay home with only the...

A Big Mooncake for Little Star By Grace Lin New York : Little, Brown and Company, 2018. Picture Book.  Little Star loves the delicious Mooncake that she bakes with her mama. But she's not supposed to eat any yet! What happens when she can't resist a nibble? Once Upon a Book By Grace Lin & Kate Messner New York : Little, Brown and Company, 2023. Picture Book. Alice can go anywhere in the magical pages of her favorite book. So when it flaps its pages and invites her in, she is swept away to a world of wonder and adventure. But at the end of her imaginative journey, she yearns for the place she loves best of all. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon By Grace Lin New York, NY : Little, Brown and Company, 2009. Fiction. 278 pgs. In the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's q...

What Happened to Rachel Riley? By Claire Swinarski New York: Quill Tree Books, 2023. Mystery. 12-year-old Anna Hunt is the new girl in school. Starting a new school in eighth grade should be scary, but she's surprised that the kids at her new school are mostly pretty nice -- to her and to each other. With the major exception of Rachel Riley. Anna can't figure out any reason why the kids in her grade wouldn't like Rachel Riley, but she is a complete and total outcast. Anna can't stop thinking about what happened to make Rachel Riley -- a girl who seemed popular and friendly -- turn into a social pariah. Anna dreams of being the next Sarah Koenig, so she turns her investigative podcast skills towards the story of Rachel Riley and starts asking the difficult questions of her peers to figure out what happened. This is a quietly suspenseful book and a great audiobook that reads like a podcast. We are solving the mystery of what happened to Rachel Riley right alongside Anna. ...

  Ramen for Everyone Written by Patricia Tanumihardja Illustrated by Shiho Pate Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book. Hiro has grown up watching his dad make the perfect ramen. When he turns seven, he feels old enough to make perfect ramen on his own. He tries so hard to make the broth and noodles just like his dad does, but it doesn't exactly work out. Hiro finds a way to still make the ramen delicious and special for each member of his family. This book is so fun to read and see Hiro progress from being frustrated to having a growth mindset. Many of the ramen making sequences include onomatopoeia words like thwack, thump, and bump that make it engaging to read aloud. The illustrations have a hint of anime style, and they use panels to show the process of making perfect ramen. The amazing texture of each of the ramen ingredients will make your mouth water. This book will definitely cause your stomach to grumble with hunger.

There's something about spring in the air that gives me a greater appreciation for the community that I live in. It definitely might just be the fact that now that it's warmer I'm finally willing to leave my house and get outside, but I find happiness in being able to see everyone else out and about as well. I'm looking forward to spring days at the park, farmer's market, and hiking trails. It creates a sense of belonging where you live and reaching out to others to create that sense of belonging in them as well.  All this to say, I've been reflecting on the value of community lately and decided to compile a list of my favorite books on the subject.  Mi Ciudad Sings Written by Cynthia Harmony Illustrated by Teresa Martínez Penguin Workshop, 2022. Picture Book. During her daily walk to her mother's flower shop, an earthquake hits a girl's city. She finds her mother and they begin to help others in their city, reuniting a dog with its owner. She passes nei...

  The Book No One Wanted to Read Written by Richard Ayoade Illustrated by Tor Freeman Somerville, Massachusetts: Walker Books US, a division of Candlewick Press, 2023. Fiction.  Written through direct address (and sometimes telepathic conversation) The Book That No One Wanted to Read , is a laugh-out-loud romp that follows the discovery of a grumpy book that has placed itself high on a shelf where no one can read it, and thus it can never be judged and found wanting. The book, who serves as narrator, can't help it if its cover is the color of an old school lunch table, right? Ultimately, the child who finds it helps the book to come to a bit of a more optimistic outlook and we as the readers will enjoy many chuckles along the way. The text is buoyed by charming illustrations that really add to the story, and are the perfect complement to Ayoade's writing style. Engaging and witty, The Book That No One Wanted to Read , will be appreciated by all who pick it up. You won't wan...

96 Miles Written by J.L. Esplin Starscape. 2020. Fiction. 271 Pgs. The Lockwood brothers John and Stew have been taught to be self-sufficient and their dad has made sure they have plenty of food and water in case of an emergency. But when they are robbed while their dad is out of town during a blackout  the two brothers have only one choice if they want to survive. They must walk 96 miles in the desert to reach distant family friends who may be able to help them. If you love survival books with lots of adventure you will want to read this book.  The Boy Who Met a Whale Written by Nizrana Farook Peachtree Publishing Company, 2021. Fiction. 191 Pgs. Razi heads down to the beach one morning to watch the sea turtles hatch and discovers a boat not far away. When he approaches the boat he discovers an unconscious boy laying in the bottom. The boy Razi finds out is called Zheng. After Zheng regains consciousness he tells Razi stories of sea monsters and treasures. But the stories are...

Roll for Initiative By Jaime Formato Philadelphia : Running Press Kids, 2022. Fiction. 314 pgs. After her brother, Devin, moves away to college, twelve-year-old Riley feels lost and alone until she meets Lucy, another girl who likes nerdy things. Riley begins planning her own Dungeons & Dragons game/campaign as the Dungeons Master, and Lucy, Hannah, and Jen join the party. Riley learns to be independent, a leader, and prepares for the upcoming Winter-Con. When Devin returns home from college, Riley, her mom, and Devin must each face their own fears and work together. If you like D&D, gaming, or any type of role-playing games, you'll love this book. If you haven't played Dungeons & Dragons before, you'll still love this book! Riley and her friends are funny, unique, and strong. With heartfelt lessons interwoven throughout, this story teaches each of us the importance of family, friends, and being ourselves. I loved the relationship between Riley and each characte...

  Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual By Carole Boston Weatherford Illustrated by Frank Morrison New York: Crown Books for Young Readers, 2022. Informational picture book. The popular spiritual, Standing in the need of prayer , has been reworked to chronicle the milestones, struggles, tragedies, and triumphs of African American people and their history. The text and illustrations of this inspirational book are informative reminders of yesterday, hopeful images for today, and aspirational dreams of tomorrow. Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement By Carole Boston Weatherford Illustrated by Ekua Holmes Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2015. Biography. Presents a collage-illustrated treasury of poems and spirituals inspired by the life and work of civil rights advocate Fannie Lou Hamer. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom By Carole Boston Weatherford Illustrated by Kadir Nelson New York: Hyperi...

  Search for a Giant Squid By Amy Seto Forrester & Andy Chou Musser Chronicle Books, 2023. Informational. 93 pages. This is one of my favorite informational books of year. This choose-your-own-adventure tale has you looking for a giant squid in the vast ocean. The beginning of the book introduces you to different types of people on an expedition team, discusses what it's like to get ready for an underwater research trip, and shows you different parts of a research vessel. After that you'll be able to pick your pilot, select your submersible, and decide on a dive site. Although you only find the squid in one ending of the book, each of the different dives that you choose will teach you about cool things you can see in the ocean. Whether your finding a sunken ship, exploring an underwater lake, or spotting a vast array of other rare ocean life, your kids will love reading this book again and again to find different endings. If you haven't signed up for  The Great Genre Ch...

We're just beginning baseball season and I can already smell the stadium food! If you love America's favorite pastime as much as we do, take a look at these books about baseball. They will definitely have you itching for some peanuts and crackerjacks.  Me and McGee Written by Myron Uhlberg Illustrated by Daniela Sosas Chicago, Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company, 2020. Picture Book. McGee is the best batter in the league and brings his team, the Catbirds, to victory in the championship game. The pitcher in this story practices all winter long for a second chance to beat McGee in the championship. This fun picture book gets you right in the mood for some friendly competition. The Thing Lenny Loves Most About Baseball Written by Andrew Larsen Illustrated by Milan Pavlovic Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2021. Picture Book. Lenny loves to play and learn about baseball. He has a Big Book of Baseball Facts that inspires him to look at the game in a new way. It fills him with hope that p...

Marikit and the Ocean of Stars By Caris Avendaño Cruz New York: Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, 2022. Fiction. 320 pgs. Marikit and her mother have not truly celebrated anything since the loss of her father and brother to the sea three years ago, but as Marikit's tenth birthday approaches she wants to feel beautiful and special on her big day. She asks her mother for a new blue dress, but she is devastated to receive another hand-me-down. However, she soon discovers that not all is as it seems when it is revealed the Marikit's mother is a Diwata--a fairy--and the dress is a map to help Marikit on the journey she must take as a halfling through the magical world of the Engkantos in order to escape the sinister shadows now chasing her. Marikit's journey will appeal to those interested in mythological stories for its rich discussions of Filipino folklore and fairy tales. Beyond the mythology, readers will also learn of Filipino foods, culture, and language. Each ...

Summer is the perfect time of year to sit around and read comic books. Take it from a professional -- there is nothing better that sitting in a warm, sunny spot and poring over the panels of a great comic. If you have kids who are gearing up for fifth grade, here are our recommendations for some great reads. Shazam! Thundercrack By Yehudi Mercado Burbank, CA: DC Comics, 2023. Comic. 144 pgs. We all know the story of Billy Batson -- regular foster-kid turned superhero when he's granted the magical powers of Shazam. But have you ever heard of what happened when Billy joined the school football team? His team's greatest rival are meaner, tougher, and might even be super-evil -- which means it's up to Billy, and foster brother Freddy, to save the day. All while keeping his secret identity secret. A great read for fans of Shazam!, or of sport stories. Wingbearer by Marjorie M. Liu Illustrated by Teny Issakhanian New York: HarperAlley, 2022. Comic. 201 pgs. Zuli, a human girl, li...

There are so many new things to explore and learn about in the world. Scientists ask questions and then do experiments to find answers. Even young people can be scientists by doing their own research, asking questions, and working to find answers. Here are a couple of picture books about young scientists with big ideas! My Dog is Not a Scientist  Written by Betsy Ellor Illustrated by Luisa Vera San Diego, CA : Yeehoo Press, 2023. Picture Book. Yara is getting ready for the science fair at her school where she hopes to be able to prove that she is a scientist and beat Eddie, who wins every year. Yara starts to try all kinds of experiments but her dog, Renzo, keeps messing everything up! She gets worried that she won't be able to succeed with her goal. Marsha is Magnetic Written by Beth Ferry Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Boston : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2021. Picture Book. Martha is a scientist that tries to use the scientific method to make friends so she will have people to inv...

  The Mandalorian's Quest By Brooke Vitale Los Angeles : Disney-Lucasfilm Press, 2022. 24 pgs. Picture Book. The Mandalorian has a quest to reunite the Child with others of his kind. Mando and Grogu will meet new allies and enlist the help of old friends as they search for those who have become legend: the Jedi. Fuzzy By Tom Angleberger New York : Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams, 2016. 265 pgs. Fiction. When Max (Maxine Zealster) befriends her new robot classmate Fuzzy, she helps him navigate Vanguard Middle School and together they reveal the truth behind the Robot Integration Program. The Galaxy Needs You By Caitlin Kennedy Illustrated by Eda Kaban Los Angeles : Disney-Lucasfilm Press, 2019. Picture Book. There is nobody else in the galaxy exactly like you! No one else is smart the way you're smart or is kind in the particular way you're kind, and nobody else is brave the way you're brave. You are a hero in the making. Follow along with Rey on her hero's journe...

When Sea Becomes Sky By Gillian McDunn New York: Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2023. Fiction. 214 pgs. 11-year-old Bex dreams of someday becoming a writer, but she hasn't been able to do much writing this summer -- the words just won't flow from her pencil. Instead, she spends her time exploring the marshes near her coastal Carolina home with her younger brother Davey. When a drought brings lower water levels to one of their favorite spots, Bex and Davey discover an enigmatic statue embedded in the mud. The discovery can't come at a better time, as Bex overhears a developer planning to build a highway through the marsh -- she is confident that solving the mystery of this statue is key to saving the marsh and their home of Pelican Island. Gillian McDunn is great at writing books with interesting characters and great settings, she shines again with this book. Bex's first-person narrative creates a familiarity and intimacy with the kids in the book, and you feel like yo...