Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Graphic novels are well suited to explain scientific topics to readers, as the text and illustrations can work together to get the information across. These graphic novels teach readers interesting scientific principles, whether in the format of a story or in a more informational presentation. If you like science and graphic novels, these will be sure to please!  Ant Story By Jay Hosler New York: Harper Alley, 2024. Comic. 156 pages.  Rubi is a cartoon ant living in the real world, helping her ant sisters with the daily tasks of the ant colony. It isn't until she meets Miranda, who is (seemingly) another ant in her colony, that she has another friend to talk to. Rubi and Miranda get into all sorts of misadventures, imparting interesting insect facts all the way. Bridges: Engineering Masterpieces By Dan Zettwoch New Tork: First Second, 2022. Comic. 121 pages.  The BATS (Bea, Archie, Trudy, and Spencer) are a group of excited learners racing around the globe to learn all th...

  Yasha's Amazin' Bar Mitzvah By Margaret Gurevich  New York: Penguin Workshop, 2026. Fiction. 233 pages.  Yasha, a thirteen-year-old in 1986, is about to start his final year of junior high at a new school after moving from Brighton Beach, a neighborhood in New York City, to Rockwood, a town right in the middle of New Jersey's suburbia. He isn't used to being in the minority as a Russian American boy, and the only other Russian family in town seems desperate to hide their heritage. There is a lot to figure out in his new life between learning his Torah portion for his bar mitzvah and trying to find friends that will accept him for his true self. Through it all, the Met's amazing season is a beacon of hope, bringing a community together to help Yasha feel at home.  Yasha's story will be sure to resonate with many middle grade readers trying to find their place in the world. His various friendships, both with kids his age and the senior citizen he befriends as pa...

Junie B. Jones is a modern classic, with a spunky and relatable main character that kids love! If your elementary school reader is looking for books that will strike a similar chord in their reading line up, this list will introduce you to a whole new cast of loveable characters.  Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple Written by Liz Garton Scanlon Illustrated by Dung Ho New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2024. Intermediate. 117 pages.  Bibsy Cross loves her family, her cat, her best friend, and she really loves school! But as the eight-year-old starts a new school year with a new teacher, Mrs. Stumper, things don't go as smoothly as Bibsy is used to. Her teacher thinks she is just a bit too much, especially when it comes to all her talk about the science fair. On a day that things go just a "stone too far," Mrs. Stumper punches a hole in Bibsy's paper apple hung in the classroom, which makes Bibsy worry how she can make the perfect science fair project when feeling so low. This book...

  The Mighty Macy Written by Kwame Alexander Illustrated by Kitt Thomas New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2026. Intermediate. 132 pages.  Macy is a third grader who loves her family, her friends, and reading. She is especially excited about a new book she got for her birthday, The Mighty Zora . But when Macy goes to her school library the morning after finishing book one to get the second installment, she learns something terrible: the school library is closed, and it will only be open Mondays and Fridays because of budget cuts. Macy and her friends know this isn't right, so they hatch a plan to join the parents and teachers at the school board meeting and speak up.  The Mighty Macy was a truly delightful book, one that parents and children might enjoy reading together. The novel is told in verse, which makes the story flow quickly and may introduce young readers to a new style of storytelling. The illustrations throughout are vibrant and help add a lot of character an...

Story time is a wonderful time for families to come together. This collection of picture books centers on family: families playing together, learning together, and celebrating their histories and differences. All families will be able to relate to the stories found in these pages, regardless of their own backgrounds.  Mama Car Written by Lucy Catchpole  Illustrated by Karen George New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2025. Picture book.  A child notices the similarities between her tricycle, her dad's big car, and her mom's Mama Car. The Mama Car can take them on expeditions, leading way to exciting adventures before heading back home. The Mama Car is special in many ways, but the most important thing is who it contains: Mama.  Let's Rumble Written by Rachel G. Payne Illustrated by Jose Pimienta  New York: Rise x Penguin Workshop, 2025. Picture book.  This "rough-and-tumble book of play" depicts a mom and her two children rough housing together. The illustr...

  The Way of the Hive by Jay Hosler New York: Harper Alley, 2021. Comic. 136 pages.  " Nyuki is a brand-new honey bee, and she has a lot of questions. Follow her on a lifelong journey as she annoys her sisters, avoids predators, and learns to trust her inner voice as she masters the way of the hive." --Publisher  Ant Story by Jay Hosler New York: Harper Alley, 2024. Comic. 156 pages.  "Meet Rubi, a tiny ant with a big personality and an even bigger love for stories. Who knew the small world of her colony could be full of unexpected friendships, epic adventures, and death-defying escapes?" --Publisher Santiago!:  Santiago Ramón y Cajal--Artist, Scientist, Troublemaker by Jay Hosler New York: Holiday House, 2022. Comic. 217 pages.  "A graphic novel biography of Santiago Ramón y Cajal, the father of neuroscience." --Publisher Sandwalk Adventures by Jay Hosler Scotts Valley, CA: CreateSpace Publishing, 2013. Comic. 162 pages.  "The Sandwalk Adventures is ...

  Run Home By Alyssa Bermudez New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2026. Comic. 303 pages. Alyssa is starting her freshmen year at a new all-girls school, and she doesn't quite know where she will fit in. Her parents want her to join the cross country team, and while she agrees to it, she doesn't love the idea. With time, Alyssa starts to realize the empowerment that comes with running, and with all of the other things going on in her life–a difficult school load, new friendships, a crush from summer camp, and most of all, her father's declining health–running becomes a welcome sanctuary to tune out the noise of the world and focus on what is truly important.  This graphic memoir was heartfelt and real. The feelings that are so common in the early teenage years are depicted in such vivid color, and any older child who has experienced grief will find solace in Alyssa's journey. The illustrations were brightly colored and dynamic. The journal format added so much heart and emot...

Princess Academy: The Graphic Novel Written by Shannon Hale Illustrated by Victoria Ying New York:  Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2026. Comic. 288 pages.   In this new graphic novel edition of the beloved Shannon Hale novel, Princess Academy , Miri's story of courage and hope is brought to life in full color.  Miri Larendaughter is a girl living in Mt. Eskel, a village high in the mountains where the residents make their living mining in the quarry. When a royal messenger arrives to let the villagers know that the royal priests have declared Mt. Eskel the home of the future princess, Miri and all the other eligible village girls must travel to attend a princess academy. At the academy, they learn important lessons about friendship, loyalty, and trusting their instincts.  This is a beloved story for a reason–the pacing is quick, the characters are vibrant, and the lessons are plentiful. The graphic novel did a great job at holding true to the original while bringi...

  The Queen of Chess Written by Laurie Wallmark  Illustrated by Stevie Lewis New York: Little Bee Books, 2023. Biography.  The queen of chess, Judit Polgar, dazzled the world as a prodigy, winning tournaments, gold medals, and defeating eleven world champions, including Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen. At her peak, Judit was rated the eighth best chess player in the world. --Publisher May the Best Player Win By Kyla Zhao New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2024. Fiction. 225 pages.  When twelve-year-old chess player May Li wins an award for being the top female player at the state championship, the boys on her team question her skills, so May makes a bet with a teammate that she can earn the board-one spot at nationals and become team captain.  --Publisher Chess Club: The Winning Move  By Rebecca Donnelly New York:  Farrar Straus Giroux for Young Readers, 2025. Fiction. 204 pages.    Twists, turns, and surprises await four friends as they form th...

The Truth About the Tooth Fairy Written by Leah Cypess Illustrated by Sarah Lynne Reul New York: Amulet Books, 2025. Intermediate. 106  pages.   Miriam, the youngest child in her Orthodox Jewish family, knows that her parents and siblings are trying to get her to believe in different magical creatures—the latest being the tooth fairy. She doesn't know if she can believe them, so she decides to do what any self respecting six-year-old would do: start an investigation. What evidence does she have for the existence of said tooth fairy? What evidence does she have against it? With her notes in hand, Miriam sets a plan in motion to find out once and for all if there is any truth behind the story of the tooth fairy.  This book is an absolute delight. Parents and children alike will love reading about spunky Miriam and her family. There are moments of true hilarity, plus creative twists and turns. The illustrations are a great addition to the story, as they include som...

  The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan By Jasmine Warga New York: Balzer + Bray, 2026. Fiction. 229 pages. In The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan , Chase, a cheetah born in captivity at the zoo, and Finnegan, a rescue dog, have been paired together as playmates and training partners. They help each other through different struggles and learn the importance of trust and love. According to the author's note at the end of the book, this story was based on the real practice of pairing young cheetahs in captivity with dogs, as they work and play together well, encouraging each other in many different ways.  This was a cute and heartwarming book!  Animal lovers will enjoy the interesting information provided about cheetahs and dogs, including facts about real life cheetah conservation efforts.  On top of interesting facts, the dynamic between Chase and Finnegan is relatable and real, exploring themes of friendship and learning to open up and trust those closest to u...

St. Patrick's Day is next week, and there are so many books to help you get in the holiday mood! Whether you want a book about leprechauns, a book about Ireland, or a book of festive poetry, this list has got you covered. Here are five great picture books to help readers celebrate:  The Unluckiest Leprechaun Written by Alastair Heim Illustrated by Pablo Pino New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026. Picture Book.  Leprechauns are usually known for their good luck, but Clover is decidedly unlucky . He decides to go on a quest to find his luck at the end of a rainbow, but he keeps getting into scrapes! Will he ever be able to find his luck?  The St. Patrick's Day Alphabet Written by Liz Saunders  Illustrated by Lindsay Dale-Scott Naperville, IL: Duopress, 2025. Picture Book.  Young children can learn all about the history of St. Patrick's Day and Ireland in this engaging ABC story! The book talks about the more well-known St. Patrick's day feat...

The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World Written by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price  Illustrated by Cynthia Yuan Cheng New York: Rocky Pond Books, 2025. Informational. 226 pages.  In a kid-friendly adaptation of his best-selling book, The Anxious Generation , Jonathan Haidt teams up with Catherine Price, author of How to Break Up With Your Phone , to bring the power of good information directly to the hands of those that this issue affects most directly — kids on the cusp of getting their own smartphones. The book presents information about the drawbacks of having a smartphone and social media too soon in clear and easy-to-understand language, with eye-catching graphics and pop-outs. Throughout the book, quotes from real teens and young adults, called screen "rebels" by the authors, emphasize the points the authors are trying to make. Fictional characters are featured throughout in a graphic novel story, which further emphasizes the po...

  Bunny Slopes By Claudia Rueda San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2016. Picture Book.  " In this interactive picture book, the reader must help Bunny stay on course as he skies down the slope. " -- Publisher Amazing Hockey Records By Thom Storden North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press, 2015. Informational.  " Provides information on the most stunning records in the sport of professional hockey" -- Publisher Peasprout Chen: Future Legend of Skate and Sword By Henry Lien New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2018. Fiction. 330 pages.  "Peasprout Chen dreams of becoming a legend of wu liu, the deadly and beautiful art of martial arts figure skating. As the first students from the rural country of Shin to attend Pearl Famous Academy of Skate and Sword, Peasprout and her little brother, Cricket, have some pretty big skates to fill. They soon find themselves in a heated competition for top ranking." -- Publisher Great Moments in Olympic Snowboarding By Brian Howell Minneap...

 The 2026 Winter Olympics are here! Taking place in Milan and Cortina, Italy, this amazing sports spectacle features athletes from all over the world competing in various winter sports, such as skating, skiing, and snowboarding. It is an exciting time to cheer on your favorite athletes as they represent our country.  Here is a list of books to read to learn more about the Olympics, famous Olympians, and the sports that athletes are competing in right now!  What are the Winter Olympics? By Gail Herman New York: Penguin Workshop, 2021. Informational. 108 pages.  In this Who HQ book, readers can learn all about the Winter Olympics- how they began, various controversies and interesting happenings, and new sporting events that have been added through the years. This overview of the hallmark of winter sports competitions woud appeal to all middle grade readers!  Fearless Heart: An Illustrated Biography of Surya Bonaly Written by Frank Murphy with Surya Bonaly Illustra...

Lone Wolf on Vacation Written by Kiah Thomas Illustrated by K-Fai Steele New York: Holiday House, 2025. Easy Reader.  Wolf has decided to take a much needed vacation to spend some time all alone. He is looking forward to going sightseeing, spending time outside, and not running into anyone he knows. His trip begins on a late night bus journey (to avoid having to talk to people on the bus, of course), but he quickly realizes that his vacation might not provide the welcome respite from human interaction that he was hoping for.  Wolf is a truly fantastic character that is sure to please with the preschool and early elementary crowd. His surly attitude and general aversion to all people provides plenty of opportunity for hilarious situations that kids will love! The illustrations are quirky and colorful, which adds even more humor to the already comical story. This easy reader would make a fantastic read aloud or early reading book for newer readers. 

With the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics fast approaching, Italy is set to take the world stage! Known for delicious food, high fashion, breathtaking sights, and a rich history, Italy is a wonderful setting for any story. These books will help both emerging and middle grade readers learn more about the beautiful country and provide an atmospheric read for anyone looking to learn more about the country sometimes known as "Bel Paese".  Piccolo By Dan Yaccarino New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2025. Picture book.  Piccolo is a shrew who lives in Italy. He loves making lists to help him plan visits to all his favorite places around the city! As he sets out on his adventure, his plans are quickly derailed as he helps one friend after another with various tasks. This sweet picture book will teach the importance of both friendship and hazelnut gelato.  Roman Holiday: The Illustrated Storybook Written by Micol Ostow Illustated by Diobelle Cerna San Rafael, California: Insight ...