Provo Library Children's Book Blog

  I Hate Everything! By Sophy Henn  New York: Beach Lane Books, 2025. Picture Book.  Two ghosts are floating atop a solid colored background. The first one yells, “I HATE EVERYTHING!” The second ghost responds, “Really?” Thus, begins the conversation which helps the first ghost realize that they don’t actually hate everything. This is a great picture book that is all about feelings and ghosts. The simple speech bubbles will allow even young preschoolers to understand what is happening. The illustrations though simple, have clever bits that readers will laugh out loud at. Basically, this is a brilliant book that every young reader who is mad at the world (or who knows someone who seems to be mad at the world) should read.

There are plenty of new picture books about various monsters that have come out recently. Here are five new ones,that are sure to get kids in the mood for the spooky season.  Bob the Vampire Snail  By Andrea Zuill  New York: Random House Children’s Books, 2025. Picture Book.  This is a book about how one snail named Bob turned into a vampire; however, according to the author all the snails in the world are named Bob—so really this book could be about ANY snail. Anyway, the snail turned into a vampire snail. And Bob the Vampire Snail had to figure out what to eat…since what he used to eat no longer works on a vampire diet. Give this picture book to elementary school kids who like a dose of silly with their spooky.  The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Everything  By Nadia Ahmed  Minneapolis, MN: Beaming Books, 2024. Picture Book.  In this story Finn is a ghost who is afraid of literally everything. However, he is determined to face his fears, so that when H...

Skulls! Written by Blair Thornburgh Illustrated by Scott Campbell New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2019. Picture Book.  A non-fiction picture book about skulls, and all the things they are good for. --Publisher How to Make Friends With a Ghost By Rebecca Green New York: Tundra Books, 2017. Picture Book. What do you do when you meet a ghost? One: Provide the ghost with some of its favorite snacks, like mud tarts and earwax truffles. Two: Tell your ghost bedtime stories (ghosts love to be read to). Three: Make sure no one mistakes your ghost for whipped cream or a marshmallow when you aren't looking! If you follow these few simple steps and the rest of the essential tips in How to Make Friends with a Ghost, you'll see how a ghost friend will lovingly grow up and grow old with you. --Editor Skelly, the Skeleton Girl By Jimmy Pickering New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2007. Picture Book. Skelly the skeleton girl finds a bone lying on the floor of h...

  Cuentos Si yo tuviera un dragón Por Tom and Amanda Ellery New York, NY : Lectorum Publications, c2006. Libro ilustrado. "Cansado de jugar con su hermano pequeño, un niño imagina tener un dragón como compañero de juegos." --Editor Cuentitos Tiburón Grande, Tiburón Pequeño Escrito por Anna Membrino Ilustrado por Tim Budgen New York, New York : Hyperion Books for Children, 2017. Fácil. "Descubre todo sobre los opuestos en este libro infantil lleno de tiburones. El tiburón grande tiene dientes grandes; el tiburón pequeño tiene dientes pequeños. El tiburón grande nada rápido; el tiburón pequeño nada lento. ¡Pero ambos tienen hambre! ¿Podrán encontrar comida?" --Editor Otros libros sobre la letra "D " Las estrellas de Din Dibujando en el campo Nuestra celebración del Día de Muertos ¡Los dragones son lo peor! Cómo atrapar a un dragón

  Preschool Time Molly, Olive, and Dexter Play Hide and Seek By Catherine Rayner  Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2023. Picture Book. Meet Molly the hare, Olive the owl, and Dexter the fox, three friends who live near the oak tree at the edge of the meadow. Hide-and-seek is Molly's favorite game, but things aren't going her way. For starters, Olive and Dexter don't seem to know the rules. And when Molly shows her friends how to play properly, they hide a little too well. Set in a delicately rendered pastoral world of soft color and shimmering line, here is a picture book that tackles outsize toddler emotions with sensitivity and whimsy. Make way for the singular Molly, Olive, and Dexter--ready or not, here they come! --Publisher Preschool Time This Is Not a Dinosaur Written by Barry Timms  Illustrated by Ged Adamson Lincoln, MA: Nosy Crow Inc., 2024. Picture Book. Join the fun and discover that having a dinosaur for a friend is one BIG, hilarious adventure! This fabulou...

As summer turns to fall, I always wish for more warm days before the cold comes. So if you, like me,  want to ship yourself to a tropical paradise, try out one of these books that will take you straight to Hawaii, even if it's only in your imagination. Aloha Everything Written by Kaylin Melia George Illustrated by Mae Waite Brooklyn, NY: Red Comet Press, 2024. Picture Book. This book, which won the 2025 APALA Award for Best Picture Book, tells the story of a Hawaiian girl who gains connection to her culture through hula. She learns about her ancestors, native folklore, and the true meaning of aloha. This book, which is written in verse, is lengthy and is probably better for elementary-aged kids rather than toddlers, but kids will be drawn in by the excellent story and the gorgeous, bright illustrations. Punky Aloha By Shar Tuiasoa New York: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2022. Picture Book. Punky's grandmother needs butter to make her fresh, baked from scratch b...

Elena Camps By Juana Medina Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2025. Easy Reader.  In a second installment featuring Elena the elephant, we find her and her bird friend preparing to go camping. She's got her Tent-O-Matic, and is absolutely confident she'll have it set up in no time. But after several charmingly comedic failures, Elena is frustrated! What can she do? What has she missed? With some breathing techniques and help from a friend, this sweet tale of perseverance has a satisfying conclusion. Juana Medina has done it again with this excellent follow-up to Elena Rides . Onomatopoeia-laden, yet simple text enhances the dynamic and funny illustrations, making this book perfect for the beginning reader crowd.   

The moon is a familiar and magical sight each night as it appears brightly in the dark sky. For many the moon is a comfortable companion that reassures them as they fall asleep and for some it is the inspiration that sparks their imagination. This list of moon picture books is for any child who dreams about the moon and loves to read stories of the magic and possibilities the moon holds. The Moon Moved In   Written by Sue Soltis Illustrated by Sonia Sanchez San Francisco: Chronicle books, 2025. Picture Book. A young girl named Stella is wishing for a friend. One night, her wish comes true when the Moon decides to move into the empty house next door. The moon and Stella both share a love for gardening and they soon become best friends. However, the Moon's absence from the night sky begins to affect the earth as the tides stop moving and the planet develops a wobble. Stella realizes that as much as she loves having her new friend, she must help the Moon return to its proper place. A ...

Recess By Lane Smith New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2025. Picture Book. It's many kids' favorite time of the school day: Recess!!! Well, not quite yet. What do you do when you're so excited for recess—or just need a little break—but recess is so  far away? Why don't you just make a mini recess wherever you are? Guided by your teacher, of course. The author will start by describing a typical school situation, before following it up with a vivid page describing ways to make the situation silly. Like in math class: we start solving a word problem about several people and their bananas, before starting to yell "bananas" as loud as we can! This interactive picture book makes a great read aloud to encourage participation from your audience. The vivid colors and wacky stylization of the children reflect the silliness of the tasks they are being given, and well contrasted with the set up of each scene in blacks and greys. Reading this story out loud to a gr...

  Bats Beneath the Bridge Written by Janet Nolan Illustrated by Emily Cox Chicago, Illinois : Albert Whitman & Company, 2024. Picture Book. Discover how the people of Austin, Texas, stopped being afraid of the more than one million bats nesting under the Congress Avenue Bridge and, instead, welcomed them. This true story includes a foreword by bat biologist Dr. Merlin Tuttle, who came to Austin to advocate for the colony by educating residents about the ways in which bats are good for the environment, and for humans too. Now, tourists from all over the world come to Austin to watch the Brazilian free-tail bats fill the sky every evening in early spring. -- Publisher The Bat Scientists Written by Mary Kay Carson Illustrated by Tom Uhlman Boston : Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2010. Informational. 79 pages. Follow bat scientists into the trenches - and caves - and experience the fight to save the beloved bats. --Editor Bitsy Bat, Team Star By Kaz Windness New York : Simon ...

  Preschool Time Jungle Cat Written by Andrew Larsen Illustrated by Udayana Lugo Victoria, BC: Orca Book Publishers, 2023. Picture Book.  In this playfully illustrated picture book, a group of neighbors come together to help their much-loved apartment cat when his outside adventure goes awry. --Publisher Preschool Time Cookie Time By Jessie Sima New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024. Picture Book. Eager to eat their cookies, siblings Kat and Ari decide to build a time machine, but they soon discover some things are worth waiting for. --Editor Toddler Time  Bookie & Cookie By Blanca Gómez New York: Rocky Pond Books, 2024. Picture Book. When their usual routine is disrupted, Bookie and Cookie, best friends who live on opposite pages, learn to bridge their differences and explore new experiences together. --Editor Book Babies The Greatest Gift By Emma Dodd Somerville, MA: Templar Books, an imprint of Candlewick Press, 2025. Picture Book. Rhymi...

  Cuentos El paraguas de Cebra Por David Hernández Sevillano y Anushka Allepuz Madrid : NubeOcho, 2021. Libro ilustrado. "Cebra abrió su paraguas cuando vio las primeras gotas de lluvia. Gacela, Hipopótamo, Elefanta, Liebre y León se acercaron. ¿Habrá espacio para todos bajo el paragua de Cebra?"--Editor Cuentitos Sombrero azul, sombrero verde Por Sandra Boynton New York : Simon & Schuster Libros para Niños, 2021. Pequeño libro ilustrado. "Los personajes de animales divertidos presentan los colores básicos y las prendas familiares." --Editor Otros libros sobre la letra "C " Los conejos locos van en lancha Crush cavernícola El camaleón azul El primer día de un colegio Cómo contar hasta uno: (¡Ni se te ocurra pensar en números mayores!)

Bedtime can be one of the most special parts of the day. It's a chance to slow down, snuggle up, and share a story together. Picture books help little ones transition from the busyness of the day to a peaceful night’s rest. Whether filled with humor, adventure, or quiet lullabies, these bedtime stories make reading together a cherished routine. Here is a list of bedtime picture books sure to bring a touch of magic to the end of the day. Down the Sleepy River Written by Emma Drage Illustrated by Carmen Saldana Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2024. Picture Book. This gentle book peacefully guides young readers on a soothing journey toward sleep. As readers drift along a calm river, they say goodnight to various animals, such as rhinos, lions, elephants, giraffes, and turtles. Before turning each page there is a mindful breathing prompt— "Breathe in, breathe out." The richly colored illustrations create a tranquil atmosphere, and the rhythmic, calming prose invites childr...

It's Corn Picking Time! Written by Jill Esbaum Illustrated by Melissa Crowton New York: Neal Porter Books, 2025. Informational. It's the harvest season, and as the day dawns on her farm, one farmer prepares to start her corn harvest. The bright red combine is taken out of the shed, and readers are taken through the entire harvest process, from the combine slicing through the stalks, to the filling of a grain truck, to the eventual deposit of the corn into silos as the text follows the corn kernels from start to finish. When the day draws to a close, the farmer and her helpers enjoy a meal together after a job well done. Crisp, texture-rich artwork with a warm color palette brings to life the farm and this autumn ritual. The lovely, simple rhyming text makes this picture book a great choice for a read aloud. Further information about corn and harvesting is included at the end. A delightful homage to agriculture and a bountiful harvest. 

Pumpkin and Beetle: Two Vampire Cats By Jannie Ho New York: Holiday House, 2025. Comics. 70 pages. Pumpkin and Beetle are vampire cats and very best friends, and they desperately want the latest issue of their favorite comic book. But they don't have any money! The intrepid feline friends start out on various money making ventures --with varying degrees of success. Right before despair, an offer to barter comes from an unlikely source! This graphic novel is perfectly for emerging readers. Cartoons in a Halloween-y color palette are big and easy to read with lots of different sized panels to keep readers engaged. The text is printed in an easy-to-read font without too many extra words. And, while Pumpkin and Beetle's village is populated by various ghouls and goblins, their barely scary appearance makes for a fright free adventure. For young readers wanting a Halloween story they won't be scared of --look no further!

Bats!: Mysterious and Misunderstood Mammals By Lydia Lukidis North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press, 2026. Informational. 32 pages. In Bats!: Mysterious and Misunderstood Mammals , readers are invited into the hidden world of bats through striking visuals and clear, captivating text. Common misconceptions are addressed and cleared up, such as bats being bloodthirsty or gross. Physical traits, behaviors, and essential ecological roles—for example insect control— are also discussed.  An interactive echolocation activity helps readers better understand the way bats get around in the dark. The book also raises awareness of threats like habitat loss and disease and encourages bat conservation.   Bats are cool year round, but I get especially enthused about them once we hit the autumn season.  I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about bats--different species, unique bat behavior, and interesting trivia questions.  The photographs are definitely a highlight of the book, alth...

It may come as no surprise to you that librarians love to give books as gifts. Whenever I know of friends or family getting ready to welcome a new baby to their family, I am always very excited to gift them a book for reading. Bonding with babies over books is one of my favorite joys. Here are five of my favorite books for celebrating a new arrival. If I Could Written by Matt Zurbo Illustrated by Patrice Barton New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2025. Picture Book. The combination of the artwork and the touching words represent to me everything good about a parent/child relationship. There is so much hope and possibility and the potential for joy around every corner. This book brought tears to my eyes, and I plan to find a special reason to gift it to my adult children to let them know that this is still how I feel about them. For a Girl Becoming Written by Joy Harjo Illustrated by Adriana Garcia New York: Norton Young Readers, an imprint of W.W. Norton & Company, 2025. Picture Book. M...