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...

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...

  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 ...

It was a full moon yesterday! Looking up at the night sky is the perfect evening activity as the weather starts to get warmer. This month's full moon was a pink moon—the first full moon of spring! In May, we'll have a blue moon, which only happens once every few years. If you love looking at the moon in the night sky, check out these books! Moon Sailors By Naomi Woodward and Rachel Gregg San Francisco, CA: Blue Dot Kids Press, 2026. Picture Book. Two siblings set off on a dream adventure into space with their cat, exploring the celestial oceans they find on the surface of the moon. Their lunar landing leads them to dancing moon crabs, past nodding jelly moons, and under a sky of whale-shaped constellations. Muted illustrations bring their intergalactic dreamscape to life. The Star of Moon Village By Jennifer Ann Richter New York: Holiday House, 2026. Fiction. 265 pages. Priscilla has dreamed of going into space for her entire life. When she finally has the chance to go to the m...

Shipwreck Written by Deirdre Laide Illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aquilera Ann Arbor, MI: Tilbury House Publishers, 2025. Informational. The lyrical text of this informational picture book introduces some of history's most famous shipwrecks and discoveries, from the 16th to the 21st centuries. The wrecks covered range from pirate ships to passenger boats, with the discoveries remaining on the ocean floor or residing in museums. Each subject is given an additional information section asking readers to consider questions like "Will you brave the wreckage?" or "Will you find hidden histories?". The corresponding answer contains further context on the ship's sinking or its discovery and recovery.  The vast array of undiscovered shipwrecks--more than 3 million!--is underscored throughout the book, and an introduction to the profession of marine archeology is included at the end. Vibrant, carefully detailed spreads provide a visual feast of ocean life, tempestuous ga...

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...

Spring has arrived, and birds are back to singing in the treetops! If you like birds and want to learn more about our feathered friends, check out these books! What's Inside a Bird's Nest? By Rachel Ignotofsky New York: Crown Books for Young Readers, 2024. Informational. Learn about the life cycles and behavior of birds in this guide that answers the questions readers young and old might have about bird lives. Energetic illustrations and information-filled pages are perfect for skimming or reading in-depth.  Birds Everywhere Written by Camilla De la Bédoyère Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup Somerville, MA: Big Picture Press, an imprint of Candlewick Press, 2023. Informational. Birds are everywhere, with so many species to learn about! This introduction examines the different origins for the birds we know today, courtship and nesting, migration, the interaction between humans and birds, and bird habitats across every continent. Several seek-and-find games and puzzles are includ...

The Sahara Written by Christina Webb Illustrated by Muti London: Flying Eye Books, 2025. Informational. 73 pages. This introduction to Earth's largest hot desert contains a wealth of information on the geography and history of the region. Information is organized into broader sections, such as Wildlife, focusing on flora and fauna, and Shifting Sands, which explores changes in the region over time. Each individual spread focuses on a more specific aspect of the desert, including oases, sand dunes, camels, and the people and cultures that make the desert their home.  Inclusions of myths and legends from the Sahara are interspersed throughout the fact pages, giving engaging narrative moments to the text. High interest spreads like Sahara Explorers and Dinosaur Battles will engross a variety of readers. The soft illustrations give plenty for readers to look at as they explore with this highly-browsable text. An entertaining examination of the desert environment for curious browsers an...

The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a Shape Written by Amy Alznauer Illustrated by Anna Bron Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2025. Biography. As a child, Marjorie loved noticing patterns. As an adult, when Marjorie read about an unfinished math problem centered around patterns, she was fascinated. Mathematicians had yet to develop a complete list of five-sided tessellations--a shape that fits together with itself infinitely, without any gaps. Though Marjorie never went to college or received any formal training as a mathematician, through her persistent study of this problem, she eventually discovered not one, but three new pentagons that fit together perfectly. This picture book provides an approachable introduction to both Marjorie's story of perseverance and curiosity, and to the history of an interesting aspect of geometry. The illustrations beautifully bring the patterns to life, helping readers understand the difficulty of Marjorie's task and how the tiling...

How Do You Become a Mad Scientist? Written by Madeline J. Hayes Illustrated by Srimalie Bassani Franklin, TN: Flowerpot Press, 2024. Informational. Grab your lab coat and get ready for some fun! How Do You Become a Mad Scientist?  is a book that delves into the “magic” of the scientific world and the power of experimentation. Through a series of engaging questions, it invites young readers to explore the unconventional, yet always exciting life of a "mad scientist"-- including some wild experiments, unexpected discoveries, and a lot of imagination! The book's lighthearted tone and vibrant illustrations bring energy and enthusiasm to the message that, "YOU can be a scientist today (with a grown-ups approval, of course)!" As the protagonist, a quirky genius character, encourages little scientists to think outside the box, he is also teaching persistence, problem-solving, and how to ask questions. These are core principles that can inspire young minds to explore ST...

  Life After Whale Written by Lynn Brunelle Illustrated by Jason Chin New York: Holiday House, 2024. Informational.  Have you ever wondered what happens after a whale dies? In this beautiful book, you'll discover what happens for years after a whale's death. The book begins by introducing the blue whale and talking a little about its life. It moves quickly on to a whale's death, where his body first falls to the very bottom of the ocean floor. You'll meet the scavengers, first big then smaller as the years progress that eat the whale's decomposing body until finally it is used as a food source for krill which are then eaten by blue whales.  In addition to being an excellent resource to discussing the animal circle of life, this book is a work of art. Jason Chin's watercolor and gauche illustrations will have readers dissecting every detail and flipping through for a further look. Kids who love animal facts will be absolutely enthralled by this tale.   

National Aviation Day is on August 19th this year -- this little known holiday is a celebration of  all things aeronautics, from the first airplane flight approximately 100 years ago at the ingenious hands of the Wright brothers to the remarkable technological achievements of today. If you have ever been curious about the mystery of flight here are some books to give you more insight into its fascinating past and present.                                                                                                      Skybound!: Starring Mary Myers as Carlotta, Daredevil Aeronaut and Scientist Written by Sue Ganz-Schmitt Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno New York: Calkins Creek, an imprint of Astra Books ...

The Iguanodon's Horn By Sean Rubin New York: Clarion Books, 2024. Informational. 48 pages. When the first mysterious bone of the iguanodon dinosaur was discovered in 1822, scientists believed it was the horn of the dinosaur... but they were completely wrong. This book follows the path of discovery towards a more accurate image of the iguanodon, exploring the thought processes of the past artists and scientists that created unintentionally inaccurate images of the creature. While today we think we know what the iguanodon might have looked like, the book is quick to emphasize how much we still don't know about these and other dinosaurs.  The text amuses as it informs, including via commentary from the iguanodon itself, who is disappointed at how it is drawn for decades after its discovery. Readers of all ages will be enchanted by the rich illustrations, filled to the brim with extra facts, historical references, and comedic asides that provide plenty to pore over. A delightful in...

Summer is almost upon us, which means you will inevitably hear "I'm bored!" or, "There's nothing to do!" So, when that moment comes, refer back to this list of books that will give your kids something to do, no matter what types of activities they enjoy! Tree, Wildflower, and Mushroom Spotting By Mary Kay Carson New York: Odd Dot, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC, 2023. Informational. 410 pages. If you would like to take your nature walks to the next level, this is the book for you. Learn about different plants you may see along your journey, try one of the plethora of nature-based activities, and post about your findings in a nature journal. This is a great guide to a variety of plants, and will give your kids so much to focus on as you hike! 10-Minute Projects By Sarah L. Schuette North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press, 2021. Informational. 141 pages. This quick guide, which contains many activities that use items that you will already have on hand...

The Astro Chimps: America's First Astronauts By Dawn Cusick Chicago, IL: Chicago Review Press, 2024. Informational. 210 pages. Before America sent astronauts to the moon, before we even sent astronauts to space, NASA recruited and highly trained a group of unlikely space explorers -- chimpanzees. In the early 1960s, there was no doubt that America was losing the Space Race. The Soviet Union had successfully launched Sputnik into orbit and it seemed like America was far behind, everyone was desperate to be the first man in space and to claim that important victory for the Americans. But NASA was reluctant to send pilots into space without further testing, so their answer was Chimp College. In Fort Holloman in New Mexico, a group of chimpanzees were trained in cognitive testing to get ready for space travel. And, in 1961, a chimpanzee named Ham was the first U.S. astronaut in space. Using archival photographs and first-person accounts from Chimp College, this book takes a footnote fr...

One of my favorite museum exhibits I visited recently was about rocks and minerals. It was fascinating to learn about how some of the beautiful stones had formed and how they are used in so many of our everyday objects and tools! Here are five picture books to read with budding geologists and anyone who likes to learn about or collect rocks. A Stone Is a Story Written by Leslie Barnard Booth Illustrated by Marc Martin New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2023. Informational. 40 pages. This picture book follows the story of a stone in the various phases of its existence--from a volcano, to the ocean, to a mountain, to you. Dynamic vocabulary and watercolor illustrations enhance this imaginative read. Rick the Rock of Room 214 Written by Julie Falatko Illustrated by Ruth Chan New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. Rick is tired of sitting on the Nature Finds shelf of classroom 214. He wants adventure like the rocks the class has learned about th...

 Are you looking for fun ways to build an interest in math without having to look through boring informational books? Try one of these stories about math: Friends Beyond Measure By Lalena Fisher New York: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2023. Picture Book. If you are looking for a fun, easy way to talk about graphs with your kids, this is my new favorite book on the subject. Each page has a different tool used to measure, from time lines, to bar graphs, to Venn diagrams. Homeschoolers could make a week's worth of lessons from the content on its pages. And to boot, it's a sweet story about the love friends have with each other and the difficulty when a friend moves away. Again, Essie? Written by Jenny Lacika Illustrated by Teresa Martinez Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing, 2022. Picture Book. In this story, Rafael needs to protect his toys from his younger sister. So while she's taking a nap, he decides to build a barrier between her and his room. He gat...