Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Did you know that we experience eclipses of the sun and moon every year? This year the Solar eclipse was on August 12th and blocked out the sun for a full 2 minutes. Did you see it? It's okay if you missed it, because we're going to have a lunar eclipse on August 28th. Earth is one of the few planets that experience solar eclipses. Here are some books to learn more about eclipses, what they've meant to the people that view them, and other fun space facts.  Eclipse of 1919: How Einstein's Theory of General Relativity Changed Our World  By Emily Arnold McCully New York: Christy Ottaviano Books, 2025. Informational. Albert Einstein has always had a curious mind, fascinated with the laws of the universe and finding ways to explain how it all worked together. He had a theory, an idea, that gravity is what happens when objects bend the space and time around them. But gravity isn't something easily seen so to test his hypothesis, he needed to see if the gravity of the sun ...

  One of my favorite sea creatures is a jellyfish. Any time I go to an aquarium, I always find myself frozen in place watching as they seem to float through their tanks. So naturally, I find myself looking forward to it any time I hear that there is going to be a new jellyfish book published. Here are some of my favorite books about our majestic aquatic friends. Fourteen Ways of Looking at a Jellyfish Written by Carole Boston Weatherford Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2026. Informational. This charming book about jellyfish describes the beautiful creatures through 14 different poems. It combines poetry, facts, history, and science to explain how jellyfish live, survive, and interact with the ocean. This book could just as easily be used to teach kids about art techniques as it could about jellyfish. Each poem appears on a beautifully illustrated full page spread, and the illustration style changes for each poem to fit the tone. This ...

Animals and their Toilet Rituals Written by Ine De Volder Illustrated by Evie Mariek Meij New York : Clavis Publishing Inc., 2026. Informational.  Ever wonder what tiger pee smells like or if there are any animals that can't fart?  Have you ever thought about how much urine a whale pees in a day or if any animals care about potty hygiene the way humans do?  Prepare to have all your toilet musings answered in Animals and their Toilet Rituals ! I was astounded by the number of crazy bathroom facts I didn't know in this book.  Yes, it's a little gross to learn about, but also super fascinating.  Definitely a winner for readers who love to pull out an obscure little fact at a party or at the dinner table.  Hand to animal lovers, reluctant readers, and gross enthusiasts!

  Diamond Fever! By Steve Sheinkin New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2026. Informational. 243 pages. You've probably heard of the gold rush, but have you heard of the Great Diamond Hoax of 1872? During the gold rush, prospectors and businessmen alike were in search of the next big score. While some found ways to make normal land seem like a literal gold mine, no one believed the same could be done with diamonds. That's until Phil Arnold and John Slack walked into the office of a business acquaintance and asked him to hold some precious stones for them overnight and the con snowballed until it involved major investors on both coasts buying into a salted "diamond mine" on the border of Colorado and Wyoming. Steve Sheinkin is known for writing very interesting children's nonfiction and this book is no exception. Young readers will want to stay up past their bedtimes to find out whether or not the cousins were caught. Hand this to fans of true crime or the wild west. Th...

The How-To Cookbook for Young Foodies By Joanna Saltz & Editors of Delish New York, NY : Hearst Home Kids, 2025. Informational. 192 pages. The first time I made homemade brownies as a "young foodie", I read the recipe wrong and when I added the salt, I measured it in cups, rather than teaspoons. Needless to say I would have benefited from a book of instruction like this. This how-to book starts at the simplest skills such as peeling vegetables, creaming butter and sugar, and boiling pasta. It then elevates these tasks to create beautiful dishes. Any aspiring chef could find doable recipes in this cookbook and learn new skills. The pictures present stunning meals and very clear instructions. A good example of this is the skill page on kneading. If you have never kneaded dough before, it could be tricky to know how to move your hands. The images and arrows clearly demonstrate how to press the dough. I haven't tried any of the recipes but the Delish name can be trusted t...

Life (as we know it) Written by Ziggy Hanaor  Illustrated by Cristobal Schmal London : Cicada Books, 2025. Informational. Life (as we know it)  takes readers on a fascinating journey through the history of life on Earth. It begins with the earliest moments of the universe and continues through the evolution of plants, animals, and humans. Hanaor presents complex scientific ideas in a succinct and accessible way that inspires curiosity and wonder about the origins of our planet. Schmal’s artwork shifts and evolves alongside the text, helping readers visualize the vast changes that have taken place over time. This thoughtful nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy science, nature, and big questions about the world around them. Personal libraries will find it a valuable addition to collections that support STEM learning while also encouraging reflection and discussion. The author is very clear that the scientific community does not have all the answer...

 Last year, we wrote about some of our favorite whale books. But, y'all, there have been so many good whale books that have come out this year. I HAD to do another blog post about them. So for the marine obsessed (like me!) here are some more excellent books to read if you like whales! The Whale's Tale and the Otter's Side of the Story Written by Kate Messner Illustrated by Brian Biggs New York : Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2026. Picture Book. In this hilarious book, a whale and an otter use facts about their species to debate who is the ultimate ocean mammal. Whale discusses how they work together as pods while otter mentions that they hold hands with each other. What is really interesting, however, is the format of the book. When reading it front to back the whale's perspective is the focus, while the otter's perspective comes to light when the book is read in reverse. Kids will definitely ask for multiple readings of this fun title! Cal...

The Six Queens of Henry VIII Written by Honor Cargill Illustrated by Jaimee Andrews Naperville, IL : Sourcebooks eXplore, 2026. Informational. 41 pgs.  Henry VIII was married to six different women, and all six had to put up with a LOT being married to Henry—his wandering eye, accusations of treason and scandals, dangerous childbirth and more. Some wives even left the marriage without their heads! Regardless, each queen had her own strengths, weaknesses, and a life that Henry VIII could end, but not erase.   I think most people know that Henry VIII was an absolute villain, but I didn't know much about the 6 wives he dragged into his villainy. Catherine of Aragon led her troops into battle while very pregnant and won! Catherine Parr, Henry's final wife, persuaded Henry to return his daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, to the line of succession. They went on to become two of Britain's most famous rulers. Anne Boleyn was the epitome of poise and humor as she headed to the executi...

Giant Squid Written by Candace Fleming Illustrated by Eric Rohmann New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2016. Informational. "A nonfiction picture book exploring the mysterious life of the elusive giant squid" --Editor Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic Written by Candace Fleming Illustrated by Deena So'Oteh New York : Anne Schwartz Books, 2024. Informational. "Paired with atmospheric illustrations by a debut illustrator, nonfiction text expertly explores the mysterious and fascinating unicorn of the Arctic, the narwhal, as it avoids predators, hunts for food and plays with other narwhals in its pod." --Editor Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera Written by Candace Fleming Illustrated by Eric Rohmann New York : Holiday House, 2020. Informational. "Describes the life cycle of the hard-working honeybee." --Editor The Family Romanov By Candace Fleming New York : Schwartz & Wade Books, 2014. YA nonfiction. 292 pages. "From the acclaimed author of Amel...

Friedel and Gina: A True Story of Sisterhood and Survival During the Holocaust By Jeremy Dronfield New York: Quill Tree Books, 2026. Informational. 356 pgs. In 1930, the Friedel and Gina Rosenthal's family was a happy, successful Jewish family living in Dusseldorf, Germany. Their father was a successful businessman, owning three corner shops throughout the city and Friedel and Gina worked in the shops with their four siblings. When Hitler and the Nazi party came to power, the family was systematically stripped of their businesses, property and possessions. The twins, 13-years-old at the time, were even forced to leave school like many other Jewish children. One year later, the Rosenthal family was deported from Germany to Poland, forced into ghettos, and eventually sent to concentration camps. As the years of World War II grew long, Friedel and Gina found themselves alone–suffering one heartache after another. But remarkably, the twin sisters managed to survive, together. This rema...

My Bicentennial Summer: True Adventures from the Most Epic Family Road Trip of All Time Written by G. Neri Illustrated by Corban Wilkin Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2026. Informational. 75 pages. In 1976, America turned 200 and Greg Neri's family celebrated by driving from their home in L.A. across the whole country to make it to Washington D.C. for the Fourth of July. Along the way, the family visited 26 states, found strange local delicacies, encountered all kinds of accents, and saw natural and historic monuments. There's a lot packed into America, from its places to its people to its history and this book does a good job at touching on all of it. I was a little surprised how weepy this book made me feel. As we prepare for America250, looking back on the Bicentennial celebrations was making me excited for things to come and reflect on parts of American history–both good and bad. I think this book does a good job of navigating all the things that make America great, whil...

Fashion is more than just clothes—it’s a way for kids to express creativity, identity, and imagination. Books about fashion can introduce young readers to design, history, and the joy of personal style. Whether they dream of becoming designers or simply love getting dressed up, these stories open the door to a colorful world of ideas. From playful picture books to informative guides, fashion-themed reads can spark confidence and innovation at any age. How To Be a Fashion Designer Written by Lesley Ware Illustrated by Tiki Papier New York : Dorling Kindersley, 2024. Informational. 96 pages. This inspiring guide introduces young readers to the creative world of fashion design. It explains the basics of developing ideas, sketching clothing, and understanding fabrics in a fun and accessible way. The book encourages readers to express their individuality and shows how imagination and practice can help turn fashion ideas into real designs. Andre Written by Carole Boston Weatherford and Rob S...

Lionel Messi's World Cup Triumph Written by Chris Barish Illustrated by Nate Sweitzer New York: Abrams Fanfare, 2026. Comic. 131 pgs. Lionel Messi will almost definitely be remembered as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Currently on track to score 1000 career goals, Messi has won nearly every soccer championship. But for most of his career, one victory remained elusive–the World Cup. This high-interest graphic novel tells the true story of the 2022 World Cup and Messi's first World Cup Championship. For soccer and sport fans alike, this is an incredibly engaging nonfiction comic and the start to a new series 'History's Greatest Games'. Using a fun, conversational tone and plenty of interruptions to teach readers more about important moments in soccer history–including an ongoing debate about who really is 'The GOAT'–this book is sure to be a hit. My favorite way to read history is to barely notice I'm learning facts, and this book strikes ...

  A Rock is Born Written by Richard Ho Illustrated by Lily Williams New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2025. Informational.  In   A Rock is Born , readers follow the rock cycle—how a rock is formed and how it continues to transform over and over, from one type of rock to a different type of rock, depending on where it ends up and the processes that creates it.  From 130 million years ago to today, rocks have been through an epic journey. Rocks seem like a static, unchanging thing.  Maybe a little boring.  But author Richard Ho shows how dynamic and eternally changing rocks are.  I love re-examining every day objects that normally slide under the radar.  Thinking about the past lives of rocks and how long they've been around made me excited to get outside and find some rocks!

A Compendium of Curious Contraptions Written by Anna Goldfield Illustrated by Paula Zamudio London: Neon Squid, 2025. Informational, 64 pgs. This engaging collection introduces the field of archeology before inviting readers to inspect several artifacts and identify their purposes themselves. Each unidentified object is given a full spread introducing the origin of the item and including some clues as to what the object was used for or how it was made. Readers can guess at what the artifact is before lifting the flap to reveal the answer.  The large illustrations of each highlighted artifact give readers an up-close examination of the artifacts, while explanation tabs show the use of the invention. Objects are sourced from around the globe and across history, and include a variety of tools and purposes. Themed pages with multiple innovations in one area, such as clothing or weapons, also split up the mystery items. Ranging from the breathtaking to the bizarre, there is so...

Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game By Kadir Nelson New York: Little, Brown and Co., 2026. Informational. 102 pgs. In December of 1891, at a YMCA in Springfield, Massachusetts, James Naismith taught his students how to play a new game. He mounted fruit baskets on either end of a large room and players scored points by throwing a ball into the basket on either end. Then, play would stop while they pulled out a ladder to retrieve the ball and start again. It didn't stay that way for very long. This fascinating, informative book shows how basketball innovated and evolved from a slow moving game for mostly white players, into the fast-paced, high drama, fully integrated sport we enjoy today.  Even as a big basketball fan, I still assumed that I would mostly flip through this book to see Kadir Nelson's beautiful paintings and then call it a day. Instead, I read this book cover-to-cover in a single sitting enjoying every page. Fans of other books illustrated by Kadir Nels...

With Artemis II venturing into space, I have a renewed excitement and interest in space travel!  If  you are also itching to play astronaut, check out the fascinating informational books below! The Astrochimps: America's First Astronauts By Dawn Cusick Chicago, Illinois: Chicago Review Press, 2024. Informational. 210 pgs. Although nearly 800 people have now traveled to space, chimpanzees beat us there.  In The Astrochimps , author Dawn Cusick details the legacy of the chimpanzees who endured strenuous physical training, often outshining their human counterparts, all in the name of space exploration and ensuring the humans to follow would do so safely.  The space program owes so much to these chimps, whose treatment would, today, be considered questionable at best, and Cusick encourages and advocates for the humane treatment of chimpanzees now. The Astronauts Guide to Leaving the Planet Written by Terry Virts Illustrated by  Andrés Lozano New York, NY: Workm...

  The Women Who Won the Vote Written by Emma Roberts Illustrated by Seobhan Hope New York : Union Square Kids, 2026. Informational. 109 pages. There are many reasons why the year 2026 is a good time to be alive. One of my favorite reasons is that I can exercise my right to vote. I find it a bit overwhelming and sad when I think that there was a time in our country when women were not allowed to vote. It is amazing to me the work and time so many people invested to change a system they understood to be flawed. This informational book does a phenomenal job highlighting a few of the major players who made women's suffrage possible. Some of the women faced jail time in their pursuit of voting rights. They also were subjected to mockery in newspapers and on the streets. In spite of the negative attention, they were determined and persistent! These women realized that the power to vote would not only change their individual lives, but also help them to advocate for people in their commun...

Dear Acorn (Love, Oak): Letter Poems to Friends Written by Joyce Sidman Illustrated by Melissa Sweet New York, NY : Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2025. Poetry. 40 pages. These whimsical and charming pairs of poems are letters between friends. They may not be the friends you would typically think of, such as a bubble and the sky or a child and their toes, but the creative personification of these ordinary things takes the mundane and turns it magical. The poems are written in different formats, suiting the voice and message of each writer. Joyce Sidman creates a perfect guide, through examples and instruction at the back of the book, on writing poetry. Melissa Sweet creates stunning illustrations using mixed mediums. This small book of poems is perfect for your child with their head in the clouds. In fact, the letters between a cloud and droplets is one of my favorite pairs. Any reader will have a great exercise in imagination while reading them.

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...