Provo Library Children's Book Blog

You'll Always Have a Friend By Emily Ley Illustrated by Romina Galotta Nashville, TN: Tommy Nelson, 2024. Informational. This sweet informational picture book teaches kids how to become more confident and what to do when they are feeling lonely. The text acknowledges that everyone feels lonely sometimes, and that is okay. With advice on how to combat loneliness--such as by making friends through common interest activities, reading books, playing with pets and stuffed animals, or having conversations with a trusted adult--there is something in this book for every child and every level of confidence.  The rhyming text teaches the tools and concepts, while illustrations demonstrate a diverse group of children using and adapting the advice on every page to grow their circle of friends. The close of the text reminds readers to be kind and friendly towards themselves too.  A gentle, encouraging guide for children struggling with loneliness or making friends.

Every month we have two book clubs for kids here at the Provo City Library! These book clubs are just for kids ages 9-12 and a caregiver. This month, our  Girls Read  book club will meet October 22 and our  Guys Read  book club will meet October 24. You can register now, using the library's online calendar. Girls Read is reading The Witch of Blackbird Pond By Elizabeth George Speare New York: Dell Publishing, 1958. Fiction. 249 pages. In 1687, Kit Tyler leaves her home in Barbados to live with her aunt and uncle in Puritan Connecticut. Kit doesn't quite understand customs in Connecticut and doesn't fit in. Trying to find her place, Kit starts teaching some of the young children in her community until she missteps and is outcast even further. Kit does find a friend, though, in the widow Hannah Tupper who was sent to live in the forest because she is a Quaker and suspected of being a witch. Even though her uncle warns her not to become friends with Hannah, Kit continues to vi

Dinner at the Brake Fast By Renee Beauregard Lute New York: Quill Tree Books, 2024. Fiction. 195 pages. 12-year-old Tacoma loves working with her mom and dad at their roadside diner, the Brake Fast. What she loves less is the constant breakfast menu --day and night, breakfast!  So, she's thrilled when her parents tell her she can finally make dinner --a real dinner-- for her family and customers.  Her excitement fades, however, when the morning of the planned dinner she realizes that her dad, who suffers from depression, is having a depressive episode.  Tacoma has enough experience with her dad's depression to know nothing she does will fix his disease, but she's determined to do what she can, including stealing back his prized photograph from the terrible Crocodile Kyle, and making the best dinner ever.  Luckily, she picks up two potential friends to help her on her quest.    I loved the kind and caring way that depression is discussed in this book. Tacoma's love for h