Provo Library Children's Book Blog

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...

  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...

  The Flash: Hocus Pocus By Barry Lyga New York: Amulet Books, 2017. Fiction. 225 pages. This first installment in the Flash middle-grade series follows Barry Allen as he continues his mission to protect Central City. --Publisher. Nothing to Fear By Sholly Fisch North Mankato, MN: Capstone Stone Arch Books, 2013. Comic. 23 pages. It is Halloween and the Scarecrow is on the prowl, using his toxic fear venom to try and trap the Super Friends. --Editor Mighty Marvel Masterworks : Captain America. The Red Skull Lives By Stan Lee New York: Marvel Worldwide, Inc., 2023. Comic. 200 pages. Strap on your shield and prepare for a barrage of Stan and Jack's best as Captain America battles the Red Skull in the original Cosmic Cube saga -- and so much more! There's the Super-Adaptoid, a robotic creation with the combined powers of the entire Avengers; the Red Skull, who returns to destroy Captain America in the court of public opinion by convincing America that Cap has turned traitor; and t...

Simple Science Experiments By Kelly Milner Halls Vero Beach, FL: Rourke Educational Media, 2019. Informational. 48 pages. Pete the Cat and the Supercool Science Fair By Kim and James Dean New York: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2019. Picture Book. On Earth By G. Brian Karas New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2005. Informational.  Orion Starblast 4.5" Telescope By Orion Telescopes Watsonville, CA: Orion Telescopes, 2015. Equipment. Glow By Noelia Gonzalez New York: Magic Cat Publishing, 2023. Informational. 61 pages. Think Like a Scientist Written by Alex Woolf Illustrated by David Broadbent New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2022. Informational. 48 pages. What Will I Discover? Written by Tanya Lloyd Kyi Illustrated by Rachel Qiuqi London: Greystone Kids, 2023. Picture Book The Universe in You: A Microscopic Journey By Jason Chin New York: Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, 2022. Informational. Compound Microscope for Adults and Kids Newark, DE: Aigatel Technology...

  Cuentos Clifford: Un Gran Nueva Amiga Por Meredith Ruso New York, NY : Scholastic Inc., 2023. Libro ilustrado. ¡Clifford y Emily Elizabeth se embarcan en una aventura! Los dos amigos escuchan la historia de una misteriosa ballena blanca que vive frente a la costa de Birdwell Island. Su nombre es Babette y tiene el mismo tamąo que Clifford, ¡lo que la convierte en la nueva amiga perfecta para el gran perro colorado! Clifford y Emily Elizabeth hacen todo lo posible para que Babette salga de su escondite. ¡Finalmente, descubren que lo que m̕s le gusta a la ballena es la música! ¿Convencerá la canci̤n de Clifford a Babette para que salga a saludar? --Editor Cuentitos Líos en la nieve Por Melinda Melton Crow North Mankato, Minn. : Stone Arch Books, 2012. Fácil. "Cuando Camión Azul comienza a deslizarse sobre el hielo, sus amigos lo ayudan." --Editor Otros libros sobre la letra "B" Me gustan los bichos ¡Boogie en el Bronx! Leila, la brujita perfecta Benita y las criatur...

Preschool Time B Is for Bananas Written by Carrie Tillotson Illustrated by Estrela Lourenco New York: Flamingo Books, 2023. Picture Book. A is for Awake . . . but B is for Bedtime. When the narrator of this alphabet book tries to make it a bedtime book, Banana objects. Bedtime is BORING! And Banana is the star of this book, so it should really be called B Is for Bananas instead. It shouldn't be about bedtime at all. Journey through all the letters of the alphabet in this laugh-out-loud story from Carrie Tillotson and Estrela Loureṅo about a banana who is NOT ready to go to bed. --Publisher Preschool Time Where Is Bina Bear? By Mike Curato New York: Godwin Books/Henry Holt and Company, 2022. Picture Book. Tiny is having a party, but Bina Bear is nowhere to be found. Is that Bina hiding under a lampshade? It looks like Bina . . . but it must be a lamp. Is that Bina beneath the fruit bowl? It could be . . . but it's probably just a table. Searching for Bina, Tiny realizes somethin...

Hi, Waldo. Glad I found ya. Let's get this out of the way: You're a famously sneaky guy. You are the undisputed king of camouflage. But I'm curious... Have you ever been the one seeking instead of hiding? Check out these search-and-find picture books to give it a shot! Where's Waldo? The Great Games Speed Search By Martin Handford Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2024. Picture Book. Surprise! This first picture book features YOU! Images from the original Where's Waldo?  books (cropped, changed a little to open up exciting new picture puzzles) are laid out in an original, competitive format - the book itself opens flat so two people can race to find Waldo first. But pay attention, the game changes with twists and turns on every page! Charley Mouse Cleans House By Katerina Gorelik Brooklyn, NY: Red Comet Press, 2025. Picture Book. This seek-and-find book has an intriguing narrative component to it. Charley Mouse loves to clean and organize the homes of her neighbors...

School has started, and soon we'll start seeing the weather shift to cooler days and crisp nights --which to many signals the beginning of fall sports. In the US, this typically means football and soccer are going full speed ahead. So whether you love football, soccer, or both, here are some books to read in your downtime to keep that gameday spirit (and its challenges) alive... everyday! Slug Fest By Gordon Korman New York: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2024. Fiction. 292 pages.   In this underdog story, middle school sports star Yash is forced to take summer school PE—or "Slugfest." He finds himself among a ragtag group of misfits, including: a clumsy genius, a pair of feuding twins, a practical jokester, and a former athlete held back because of an injury. Led by a retired second-grade teacher with a love for baking, this unlikely team of "slugs" must come together to win a city-wide flag football tournament. Full of witty dialogue and...

  The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls By Judith Rossell New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2025. Fiction. 306 pgs. Maggie Fishbone knows her future prospects are not great.  She is being forced to leave the orphanage where she has lived for most of her life after she violently pushed a boy into the harbor. It didn't matter that the boy deserved to be pushed into the harbor, her bad behavior is unforgiveable and now she is being sent to the Midwatch Institute for orphans. The Wayward institute is known for being extremely strict and executing harsh punishments for bad behavior. She has resigned herself to life at the institute but she wasn't prepared for the unconventional education she would receive.  Imagine her surprise when she learns that the institute's forbidding exterior is a cover. The Midwatch Institute is actually a secret training ground for young, female crimefighters.  All of the young girls are watched over and guided by Miss Adelia Mandely. T...

Checkmate ! Lots of kids feel a draw  towards chess. The strategy and coordination of the pieces can be really interesting for them and playing chess helps them think in a different way. If you like chess, failing to check  out these books would be a rook- y blunder .  Chess Club: The Winning Move By Rebecca Donnelly New York: Farrar Straus Giroux for Young Readers, 2025. Fiction. 204 pages.  Halima is tired of only playing chess virtually with her cousin living in Somalia. So when her best friend, Jem, encourages her to start a chess club at their new middle school, she hesitantly agrees. She soon picks up two other members and this book continues showing the four strategizing their way through middle school, each relying on their chess knowledge to help avoid academic and social blunders. Not an Easy Win By Chrystal Giles     New York: Random House, 2023. Fiction. 245 pages. Following his father going back to jail, Lawrence, his mom, and his sister m...