Skip to main content

Posts

Review: Alina in Her Roots

Alina in Her Roots Written by Shenaaz Nanji Illustrations by Beena Mistry Toronto, ON : Second Story Press, 2026. J Intermediate. 91 pages. Alina is traveling by herself from her home in Canada to Nairobi, Kenya. But it's more than just a vacation to visit her favorite cousin Safi - Alina is on a secret mission to find her roots. Her family history started in India with her great-great-great-grandparents. Her parents were born in Kenya, then moved to Canada where she was born. She's heard stories about Kenya but wants to know where she fits in and to find what she is missing. Nairobi is a welcoming, vibrant, exciting place where so much feels so different. Alina writes journal entries to her Nani about her experiences, finding ways to make her own stories through matatu rides, trips to the market, a safari, and meals shared with new loved ones. This is a really well-written, cheerful and reassuring realistic fiction about the adventure of exploring different places and cultures...
Recent posts

October Guys Read and Girls Read

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 Guys Read book club will meet October 22 and our Girls Read book club will meet October 27. You can register now, using the library's online calendar! Guys Read is reading: The Graveyard Book By Neil Gaiman New York: HarperCollins, 2008. Fiction. 312 pgs. The winner of the 2009 Newbery Medal award, The Graveyard book is an extra-spooky retelling of The Jungle Book set in a cemetery. Nobody Owens is a regular boy, except he has been raised by ghosts. When he was just a baby, his family was murdered but Nobody escaped into a graveyard where he was raised among monsters by two kindhearted ghosts. This is a suspenseful, spooky, and very engaging book. This book is a perfect balance of scary and fun. Girls Read is reading: Nightbooks By J.A. White New York: Katherine Tegen Books, 2018. Fiction. 294 pages. Since he was a child, Alex h...

Review: The House with Nobody in It

  The House with Nobody in It By Jon Klassen Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2026. Board Book.  The House with Nobody in It may very well be your child's first ghost story. The simple story begins with the narrator explaining to readers that this house used to have someone in it, but there is now nobody there. Toddlers and preschoolers will love contradicting this statement as they peek through the house that the board book forms, as the ghost is clearly visible throughout the story.  This unique and imaginative board book is the perfect thing to read during Halloween season! The book itself plays into the experience, with cutouts and clever turns that make it especially interactive. The illustrations are superb, simple but well crafted, adding to the story's theme as a whole. This will likely be a book that gets many repeat reads!

De la hora del cuento: La letra "E"

  Cuentos Mi perro solo hable espaƱol Por Andrea CĆ”ceres Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2023. Libro ilustrado. "Cuando Aurora llegó a los Estados Unidos, aprendió a hablar inglĆ©s, pero Nena, su spaniel, no. Por eso, cuando pasea a Nena, Aurora les explica a sus nuevos amigos que su mascota solo habla espaƱol ..." --Editor Cuentitos Colores Por Joel Sartore Washington, DC : National Geographic Partners, LLC, 2025. Libro ilustrado. "El National Geographic Photo Ark es una iniciativa plurianual para concienciar y encontrar soluciones a algunos de los problemas mĆ”s urgentes que afectan a la vida silvestre y sus hĆ”bitats. El proyecto busca documentar todas las especies que viven en zoológicos y santuarios de vida silvestre del mundo, inspirar acciones a travĆ©s de la educación y ayudar a salvar la vida silvestre apoyando iniciativas de conservación sobre el terreno." --Editor Otros libros sobre la letra "E" PapĆ” Monstruo y el bosque de las emocion...

From Story Time: The Letter "E"

Preschool Time When an Elephant Hears No Written by Dazzle Ng Illustrated by Estrela LourenƧo Salem, MA: Page Street Kids, 2024. Picture Book. Lively illustrations portray the many different instances at which a little elephant ... might hear no and the big emotions that often precede and follow the word. Along the way, young readers will learn that no matter what no an elephant faces, instead of answering with flaring ears and a steaming trunk, they may use another word: why? --Publisher Preschool Time The Littlest Elephant By Kate Read Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishing Company, 2022. Picture Book. Ellie, the littlest elephant, is in a big hurry. She's just learned to swim, and she's excited to get in the pool. She better get dashing if she wants to be the first one in! But as she crashes through the jungle, Ellie doesn't stop to see all the creatures she's knocked out of the way. Until... she steps on a tiger tail. Toddler Time The Overeager Egg By Milja Praagman New ...

If You Like ... Capybaras

Capybaras are known for their calm demeanor and legendary ability to get along with every creature in the animal kingdom. These semi-aquatic superstars make the perfect protagonists for early literacy. Whether they are teaching young patrons about self expression, boundaries, or just bringing a bit of silly, rhyming joy to family storytime, these gentle giants are an absolute magnet for young readers. Capybara Disco Dreams Written by Frances Stickley Illustrated by Nikki Dyson Naperville, IL : Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2026. Picture book Colin the capybara loves to dance disco, despite the heavy disapproval of the other animals around him. Through vibrant, pun-filled illustrations, this lively story shows how his uninhibited movement inspires his self-conscious peers to stop worrying and join the fun. Ultimately, the lighthearted tale celebrates confidence, individuality, and the pure joy of letting go. Capy Capy Capybara By Charise Mericle Harper New York, NY : Union Square Kids, 2026....

Review: School Spirits

  School Spirits Written by Charlotte Gunnufson Illustrated by Rebecca Crane New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 2026. Picture Book Going back to school brings all sorts of jitters. What if the classes are too hard? What if you get lost? What if you can't make friends? What if your school is full of ghosts?!? All the worries must be set aside because yes, the school is full of ghosts. Rowdy ghosts that don't remember the rules for school. Classmates must band together to teach the ghosts how to behave in school.  School Spirits is an adorable book with rhymes and cute illustrations as it explores the anxiety of going back to school. This book is silly, a bit spooky, and all-around fun. I loved all the cute expressions of the ghosts as they make their silly messes. As we enter October, it's the perfect time to read spooky books and this is a wonderful book for little readers wanting to read something fitting for the season but not wanting to read something too scary...