Provo Library Children's Book Blog

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 th...

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.

 Summer is the perfect time to spend hot days near a cool body of water! This often brings to mind all the magnificent creatures that inhabit the world's oceans --especially whales. Readers have been lucky enough to experience some truly excellent books that have been published recently on the topic of these beloved animals. So, please check out these books for your budding marine biologist or any lover of whales! In the World of Whales Written by Michelle Cusolito Illustrated by Jessica Lanan Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2025. Informational. This is the true story of the only known encounter of humans present at the birth of a sperm whale. A touching first look at the tender moments experienced between the freediver, Fred Buyle, his diving partner, Kurt Amsler, and pod of whales. See the back matter for more information on freediving and sperm whales.  We Leap Together By Christopher Silas Neal New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2025. Picture Book. Follow the remarkably similar ...

  The One and Only Ivan  tells the story of a silverback gorilla, who lives in the Big Top Mall, a circus themed mall that hosts live animals as attractions. Ivan, the titular gorilla, is overall content with his life until a new resident arrives, a baby elephant named Ruby. Ivan must use his voice —well, his art—to protest how he and his friends are being treated. This book has won the hearts of countless kids and even been made into a movie. If you or your child loves animal stories like The One and Only Ivan , they'll surely like these other animal reads. The Eyes & the Impossible By Dave Eggers New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. Fiction. 249 pages. Johannes takes his responsibility as "The Eyes" seriously. It was a responsibility given to him by "The Keepers of the Equilibrium," three captive bison elders, to report anything that happens in their vast park that might disrupt the balance between the animals and visiting humans. After discovering humans erec...

  Cuentos La nube Por Hannah Cumming Barcelona : Thule Ediciones, S.L., 2013. Libro ilustrado. "A todo el mundo le encanta la clase de dibujo. A todo el mundo excepto a una tímida niña que se sienta sola y no dibuja nada. Siempre hay una nube sobre su cabeza. Sin embargo, una compañera de clase está decidida a provocarle una sonrisa y así descubren una nueva e imaginativa manera de dibujar con la que todos se lo pasan muy bien. Un álbum de extraordinaria inventiva visual, de llamativos colores y emocionalmente sutil e inteligente que estimula el juego cooperativo entre los niños." --Editor Cuentitos Buenas noches, luna Por Margaret Wise Brown Ilustrado por Clement Hurd New York, NY : Rayo, HarperFestival/HarperCollinsPublishers, 2002. Pequeño libro ilustrado. "Este cuento clásico para la hora de acostarse, que ha arrullado a generaciones de niños, es el libro perfecto para compartir con los pequeños."--Provided by publisher.

  Stories in the Park Randy, the Beautiful Horse By T.L. McBeth New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2020. Picture Book.  Randy knows he's a beautiful horse--everyone says so. But is he? --Editor  Stories in the Park Nola's Scribbles Save the Day By Cristina Lalli Salem, MA: Page Street Kids, 2020. Picture Book. Nola loves to draw wherever she goes. No one understands her magical markings, so she tries to "fix" her art. When she draws a blank and falls right into the black page, she finds other creators who are stuck too. Can they create a way out together? --Editor Canopy Capers and Summer Story Time The Magical Yet Written by Angela DiTerlizzi Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gomez  New York: Disney-Hyperion, 2020. Picture Book. New things can be tricky, but never you fret--it's time to make friends with the Magical Yet! --Publisher Canopy Capers and Summer Story Time Nerdycorn Written by Andrew Root Illustrated by Erin Kraan New York: Beach Lane Books, 2021. Picture ...

  Loose Threads By Arien Ludin New York: Clavis Publishing Inc., 2024. Picture Book. Arien Ludin has sensitively created a comforting and loving space for children to address the subject of grief and loss of a parent. The story follows a little girl who is making a plushie bunny with her mom. Her mom falls ill and passes away quickly. The little one unravels like a ball of yarn. Her father listens to her and helps her through all of her feelings. They work together to finish the bunny and create a new "normal" while keeping her mother's memory alive. I found the inside of the front cover to be incredibly helpful. Ludin included a letter to the adult reading the story outlining helpful scripts and instructions to follow before the book is read. For example, one step is to allow the child to set the pace by having them hold the book and turn the pages when they are ready to continue with the story. It also includes discussion questions about the child's feelings at the ...

Summer is here and that means it's beach season! Crabs are one of the first sea creatures I think of when I think of the ocean. If you're ready to read more about these colorful crustaceans, check out these books! Is This a House for Hermit Crab? Written by Megan McDonald Illustrated by Katherine Tillotson New York: Neal Porter Books, 2024. Informational. A hermit crab needs a new home to stay safe from the porcupine fish predators in the sea around him. He tries several options--a rock, a tin can, a plastic pail--but none of them are quite right for what he needs, until he tries one last place for shelter when danger looms near. Information on hermit crabs is included. The Crab Ballet Writte by Renée M. LaTulippe Illustrated by Cécile Metzger Petaluma, CA: Cameron Kids, 2022. Picture Book. The sun is setting and it's time for the marine ballet show! A host of sea creatures perform a variety of ballet steps and positions, with crabs as the star of the show in this picture ...

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus: The Graphic Novel Adapted by Colleen A.F. Venable Illustrated by Honie Beam New York: Random House, 2025. Comics. 150 pages. This classic beginning chapter book has a fresh new look and a brand new graphic novel adaptation. Like always, Junie B. Jones is a spunky, curious, brand-new kindergartener excited to start school for the first time. Junie B. has no trouble knowing what she likes - and she knows she does NOT like the school bus. It is smelly and noisy and she doesn't have anyone to sit by. So, at the end of the school day, when it is time to go home, Junie B. simply doesn't -- opting instead to hide out in the school. This book is the latest in a long string of classic 80s and 90s kids stories adapted into graphic novels for young readers. This book in particular has bright, cartoony illustrations and a natural pairing of words and text that are just right for emergent readers. Apart from slight technology updates, this book ring...

In Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian Mckay Heidicker, the old storyteller vixen shares the terrors of the forest with the seven young foxes who sneak out in search of scary stories.  The stories are terrifying, but they also serve as cautionary tales to the young foxes.  For young foxes who are looking for spooky tales told around a campfire that just might help them stay alive, look no further than the list below! Ghostly, Ghastly Tales: Frights to Tell at Night Written by Anastasia Garcia Illustrated by Teo Skaffa Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith, 2024. Fiction. 207 pages.  Spooky stories pulled from folklore all around the world, these stories serve as creepy cautionary tales and ominous omens for those brave enough to read them. The Cursed Campground  Written by FGTeeV Illustrated by Tim Wesson New York: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2025. Fiction. 159 pages. The camping craziness all starts when Bigfoot is accidentally summoned by a fami...

Dive! : The Story of Breathing Underwater By Chris Gall New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2024. Informational.  How do you breathe underwater?  Well, it depends on what year you were attempting it! Follow the history of the tools people have created throughout time to delve into the depths of the ocean and discover its secrets.  If you aren't scared of underwater exploration, you might be after this book!  Some of the early methods people used to breathe underwater were terrifyingly dangerous--I truly couldn't believe the bravery/fooldhardiness of some of the creators and testers of these underwater tools.  Sure to be a hit with STEM adventurers!

Whale Eyes Written by James Robinson Illustrated by Brian Rea New York: Penguin Workshop, 2025. Biography. 298 pages. James Robinson has a complicated eye condition which is very hard to describe to people. Even when he does try to tell people about it, they rarely take the time to listen or understand. Some people have even said to him, "Oh, cross-eyed." Which is not what his condition is! I really connected with James' story. My dad has blepharospasms, which happen when the muscles around his eyes cause involuntary twitching. Sometimes my dad's spasms are fairly mild, but other times the twitching is nearly constant. Because that's not something most people are used to seeing, it often leads to people staring or giving strange looks.  I really enjoyed the glimpse James gave us into his life experiences! His interactions with children and adults alike were profoundly impacted due to his eyes and people's perceptions of him. He was fortunate to have a very pat...