Provo Library Children's Book Blog

  Stalactite & Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave  By Drew Beckmeyer  New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2025. Picture Book.  This is a great book that explains how stalactites and stalagmites are formed. Two piles of minerals in a cave become friends. One grows as the water and minerals drip down and one grows as the water and minerals land on them. These two friends are constantly growing towards each other. And as they grow they see different things (like dinosaurs, giant sloths, trilobites, bats, or humans). The world outside the cave evolves and changes as well.  Young spelunkers will enjoy seeing through pictures just how long it takes for these mighty structures to grow and form. And all the extra bits about what the world would be like is a fun bonus. Give this to any young adventurer who is going inside a cave on vacation this summer.

  The Bard and the Book By Ann Bausum Atlanta: Peachtree Publishing Company Inc., 2024. Informational. 103 pages. The unlikely true story of why we know the name William Shakespeare today, and the four-hundred-year-old book that made it possible. Four hundred years ago, no one bothered to write down the exact words of stage plays. Characters' lines were scribbled on small rolls of paper (as in, an actor's role) and passed around, but no master script was saved for the future. The main reason we've heard of Romeo, Juliet, Hamlet, and Shakespeare himself is that a group of people made the excellent choice to preserve the plays after the Bard died. If they hadn't created the book known as the First Folio, Shakespeare and his works would surely have been lost to history. Part literary scavenger hunt (the search for every existing First Folio continues today), part book trivia treasure trove, and part love letter to Shakespeare, this behind-the-scenes, sharply funny true sto...

  Stories in the Park Mousterpiece: A Mouse-Sized Guide to Modern Art By Jane Breskin Zalben New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2012. Picture Book. Janson the mouse, who lives in a museum, becomes an acclaimed artist by copying the styles of paintings she sees there. Includes notes about the artists and works featured. --Editor Stories in the Park Gray Written by Laura Dockrill Illustrated by Lauren Child Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2024. Picture Book. Some days you may feel sunshine yellow or orange-balloon bright. Other days you're gray, or even night-sky black-like a dark scribble on a page, a storm in the clouds, or a puddle in the road. Gray is when you don't feel like yourself, or like you don't belong. But however you feel, there are big hugs (red) and loving lullabies (blue) waiting, and even the grayest sidewalk is a canvas for you to fill with the colors you choose. A tender narration from British spoken-word poet Laura Dockrill and subtle, spare artwork from fo...

If you are a long time follower of this blog who reads and remembers every post that has ever come out, you may recall that I also did a blog post about New York City books a few years ago. What do you mean you don't remember?! That was a very interesting and valuable blog post!! But since then, many more books about the City That Never Sleeps have been released and I felt the need to again share my deep and abiding love of the vibrant and historic city of New York. So, whether you are a frequent traveler to Gotham, or have only seen it on the big screen, here are some of my favorite recent releases that will transport you to the place of my dreams, New York City. A Taste of Home Written by Richard Ho Illustrated by Sibu T.P. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2024. Picture Book. In this interesting picture book, a child is sent out to shop for food by his mother, who tells him "Bring back a taste of home." The question in his mind becomes "What is home?" Is home t...

  My Presentation Today Is About the Anaconda Written by Bibi Dumon Tak Illustrations by Annemarie van Haeringen Translated by Nancy Forest-Flier Montclair, NJ: Levine Querido, 2025. Informational. 223 pages.  A class of various types of animals are giving presentations on other species in the animal world. Because who wants to hear from the boring old humans, when animals know more from their own experience? From the wild donkey talking about megabats to the fox giving a very tasty presesentation on geese, My Presentation Today Is About Anacondas is an intriguing and funny look into what animals might really  think about their peers, prey, and predators. Charming illustrations add to the already charismatic appeal of this book, so be sure to check it out!  

  Right Back at You By Carolyn Mackler New York: Scholastic Press, 2025. Fiction. 226 pages. At the suggestion of his therapist, Mason wrote a letter to Albert Einstein about his life and promptly hid it in his closet. The next day when he goes to retrieve and toss the letter, he finds a different one in its place. This letter was written by Talia, a girl who was twelve almost 40 years ago and she's confused about how someone from the future put a letter in her closet and about what "googling" means. Both twelve-year-olds are dealing with bullying at their school and parents who don't know how to help them. By conversing, they are able to find confidence and strength to stand up to their bullies and to open up to their parents. This epistolary novel is a quick and engaging read. It alternates between letters from Mason and Talia, which feel very journal-like as they slowly open up to each other. I feel like this book does a good job balancing the idea that kids should...

  The Day You Begin Written by Jacqueline Woodson Illustrated by Rafael López  New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018. Picture Book. Other students laugh when Rigoberto, an immigrant from Venezuela, introduces himself but later, he meets Angelina and discovers that he is not the only one who feels like an outsider. --Editor Book Fiesta Written by Pat Mora Illustrated by Rafael López  New York: Rayo, 2009. Picture Book. Children read aloud in various settings to celebrate of El Día de los niños, or Children's Day, in this bilingual story. Includes facts about Mexico's annual celebration of children (April 30) and the book fiestas that are often included. --Editor Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music Written by Margarita Engle Illustrated by Rafael López Boston; New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015. Biography. Follows a girl in the 1920s as she strives to become a drummer, despite being continually reminded that only boys play the drums, and that there ha...

  Cuentos La increíblemente alucinante historia de Marcial, el niño normal Escrito por José Fragoso Madrid : Narval, enero de 2017. Libro ilustrado. "¿Piensas que eres normal? Piénsalo otra vez" --Tapa Cuentitos Colores Ilustrado por J.T. Morrow New York : Penguin Random House LLC, 2022. "Guisantes verdes, zanahorias anaranjadas, uvas moradas, la comida de Llama Llama está llena de color, ¡y mucho amor!" --Editor

Stories in the Park Paint With Ploof By Ben Clanton and Andy Chou Musser Toronto: Tundra Books, 2024. Picture Book. Have you met Ploof? The friendly cloud full of feelings returns in an all new interactive picture book for fans of Herv̌ Tullet's Mix It Up! Ploof is a puffy cloud who's ready for their big moment -- their first rainbow! But how? With your help, of course! Can you help Ploof gather enough colors to make their rainbow? How about keeping them steady while they paint? Cheer Ploof on through the ups and downs of trying something new, follow along with some calming breathing exercises and find a new perspective! --Publisher Stories in the Park Jeffrey Loves Blue Written by Loretta Garbutt Illustrated by Lily Snowden-Fine Berkeley, CA; Toronto: Owlkids Books, 2023. Picture Book. Jeffrey is very attached to the colour blue. He wears blue socks, blue underwear, a blue hat, and -- of course! -- blue jeans. At painting class, he paints only in blue. But when his classmate, ...

In 1872, Congress established Yellowstone as the first national park in the United States. A little while later, in 1917, the National Park Service was created to maintain public lands and protect them for future generations. Now, there are 63 national parks in 30 states! Do you know how many of them are in Utah? Five! Their names are Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. Here are five books to inspire you to get out into nature this summer and maybe find your way to a national park this year for a truly spectacular time. The National Parks Scavenger Hunt  By Stacey Tornio Portland, OR: Timber Press, 2023. Informational. 235 pages. Who doesn't love a good scavenger hunt? Well, Stacey Tornio has made the national park trip even more engaging by creating a scavenger hunt for each of the 63 parks! On my trip to Bryce Canyon last week, I got 2 points for spotting a Uinta chipmunk, 2 points for visiting Bryce Amphitheater, and 1 point for getting up close to a Hoodo...

Who Knew: The Wonders of Biomimicry By Kathleen E. Madden Ann Arbor, MI: Tilbury House Publishers, 2024. Informational.  If you've ever driven in a car at night, used a cell phone, or worn velcro shoes, you've benefited from biomimicry! Biomimicry is innovation based on observing nature. This short but informative book includes a host of products that were designed by scientists and inventors who studied plants and animals with unique properties and used those discoveries to help solve human problems.  I really enjoyed this book! My bread and butter in informational text is short, informative, and entertaining. Bonus points if it makes me want to learn more about the topic. This book checked all my boxes! This would be great to introduce biomimicry to a classroom or a nice choice to hand to kids this summer to keep the brain juices flowing without requiring too much of their time or brain power. Sure to inspire the next generation of scientists to examine the world around them...

I am very excited about the summer reading theme here at the library: Color Our World. From the first moment I heard what the theme was going to be, it has been on my mind, and I noticed I was seeing bright and vibrant colors in so many picture books. Here are a few colorful books that inspired me! I hope you enjoy reading all summer long. How Do You Eat Color? Written by Mabi David Illustrated by Yas Doctor Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2025. Picture Book. If you want a book full of vibrant colors, this one will definitely meet your expectations. Bold and eye-catching, the illustrations are a reminder that color is all around us, including in delicious foods that we eat. Even the endpapers are a deep and stunning shade that made me think of summer! I appreciated the tips the author included for why eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is important for all of us. Inventions to Count On Written by Dana Marie Miroballi Illustrated by Sawyer Cloud New Y...

The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & The Fall of Imperial Russia By Candace Fleming New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2014. Young Adult Nonfiction. 292 pages.  Traces the story of the Russian Revolution, the lives of the Romanov family, and the story of their tragic deaths, in an account that draws on primary source materials and includes period photography. -- Editor The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh By Candace Fleming New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2020. Young Adult Biography. 372 pages.  A riveting biography of one of America's most celebrated heroes, and most complicated, troubled men, Charles Lindbergh. -- Publisher. Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown By Candace Fleming New York: Anne Schwartz Books, 2025. Young Adult Nonfiction. 356 pages. A chronicle of one of American history’s most notorious cults, a book including first-person accounts follows Jim Jones from humble origins to “Jonestown” in Guyana, South Americ...

  Cuentos Hilo sin fin Escrito por Mac Barnett Ilustrado por Jon Klassen Barcelona : Editorial Juventud, 2013. Libro ilustrado. "Anabel encuentra una caja mágica con un hilo de lana sin fin, y con sus colores transformará su pueblo gris y triste." --Tapa Cuentitos El verano Por Carme Solé Vendrell y Josep MoParramón Woodbury, N.Y. : Barron's, 1986. Fácil. "Text and illustrations present such signs of summer as people traveling, going to the beach, heat, and thirst." --Editor

  Stories in the Park  Colors for Zena By Monica Wellington New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2013. Pcture Book.  A young girl learns how a rainbow of colors can be made from just three primary colors. --Editor Stories in the Park Mouse Paint By Ellen Stoll Walsh San Diego: Harcourt Brace, 1989. Picture Book. Three white mice discover jars of red, blue, and yellow paint and explore the world of color. --Editor Canopy Capers and Summer Story Time Grandma in Blue With Red Hat Written by Scott Menchin Illustrated by Harry Bliss New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2015. Picture Book. After his teacher says that anything can be in an art exhibition, and his fellow students give myriad reasons why something might belong in a museum, a child offers his special grandmother as an exhibit but when the curator cites a rule against accepting grandmas, the child has a better idea. --Editor Canopy Capers and Summer Story Time Rudy and Claude Splash Into Art By Adam McHeffey...

  Fireworks Written by Matthew Burgess Illustrated by Cátia Chien New York: Clarion Books, 2025. Picture Book. In this beautiful picture book, kids spend the perfect summer day in the city. They dance in the water of a fire hydrant, walk through the park to the bodega, eat watermelon, listen to music, and finally, watch a fireworks show. Onomatopoeia words throughout make this a great choice for younger kids, while older kids will still love the holiday spirit. The illustrations are really what set this book apart from other summer stories. Bright colors bring the joy of summer and the titular fireworks display is STUNNING! Be prepared to hear about this book in the lead up to the Caldecott Awards this year, or check it out now to read with your kids to celebrate the Independence Day holiday coming up.