Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Small Medium at Large By Joanne Levy Bloomsbury Books for Young Readers, 2012. 197 pp. Juvenile chapter book. When Lilah is struck by lightning during a storm, she discovers that she can hear voices--of ghosts! Luckily, they aren't the scary sort, the first one being her dear grandmother. Although Lilah is at a delicate stage in her life, being seventh grade, this strange new gift actually seems to have some good repercussions despite the load of responsibility it also bears. Passing messages from past loved ones isn't the easiest task, but Lilah handles it well--even when one of the recipients is her current crush! This book was funny, interesting, and entertaining. Although sweetly written, this book is best suited to older children and does reference some more mature, coming-of-age aspects that might make a younger reader blush.

The Ant and the Grasshopper by Rebecca Emberley and Ed Emberley Roaring Book Press, 2012.  Unpaged.  Picture Book.      The Emberley's father and daughter team turn Aesop's fable of the lazy grasshopper on its head when a hot and dispirited ant who is trying to drag a big stick piece of watermelon back to his anthill is energized by the grasshopper and his "buggy band" movin' and groovin' in the tall grass.  The ant thinks she can make it home now, but wonders what she might do to repay the grasshopper's kindness. " Laissez les bon temps rouler !" cries the grasshopper, working his New Orleans vibe--"Let the good times roll," and roll they do as the grasshopper and his mates ("all abuzz") boogey down underground for a nice cool party at ant's house. The Emberleys' trademark retina-burner colors and turbine-sized eyeballs should attract even the youngest child to this sparkling fable of how art and effort help ea...

Princess in Training By Tami Sauer, illustrated by Joe Berger Harcourt Children's Books, 2012. Unpaged. Picture book. Princess Viola is very good at several things, but none of her skills are considered very princess-like. She accepts an invitation to Camp Princess to hone more lady-like talents, but perhaps her particular skills will come in handy after all! This is a great book with a loveable, spunky princess. It's always a good reminder that being different can also be wonderful!

Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp!: a sonic adventure By Wynton Marsalis; illustrated by Paul Rogers Candlewick, 2012. Unpaged. Picture book.  Take a tour through a busy, rambunctious neighborhood and enjoy hearing and saying all the wonderful noises! Filled with rhythm and movement, this book is a fantastic read-aloud accompanied with clean, beautifully designed illustrations. Sure to get you moving with the beat of the book, this story is one to check out!

Mia and the Tiny Toe Shoes By Robin Farley; illustrated by Alesky and Olga Ivanov. Harper , 2012. 32 pp. Juvenile easy reader. Mia is a wonderful dancer and is given the opportunity to teach some younger ballet students new steps. She is worried that they won't be able to perform the dance, but she improvises and makes everything fall into place perfectly. This is such a cute, fun book for children who enjoy dance and are learning to read. Paired with cozy, charming illustrations, it's sure to be a big hit with young readers!

Following Grandfather by Rosemary Wells, illustrated by Christopher Denise Candlewick, 2012.  58 pgs. Intermediate.      Jenny Mouse's grandfather came from the Old Country--Italy, to be exact--as a stowaway under a coil of rope on the steamship Leonardo da Vinci. He hid in a box of cod going to Salvadore's Spaghetti Restaurant in Boston's north end, and set up his own mouse-sized and mouse-frequented restaurant. When his children took over the restaurant business, it fell to Grandfather to care for Jenny, to spoon milk into her mouth, help her button her buttons, and take her to the seashore to bake clams and learn the names of shells. When Jenny's grandfather dies, she is totally bereft.  She begins to think she sees him walking the streets or down on the beach. Once when she runs down the beach after her "grandfather" she is miraculously saved from a pounding wave, and deposited in a place where she finds something that will give her peace. ...

Boot & Shoe by Marla Frazee Boot and Shoe are practically twin dogs.  Born into the same litter, they live in the same house, eat out of the same bowl, sleep in the same bed.  But during the daytime, Boot is a back porch kind of dog, and spends his days there in the old easy chair. Shoe, on the other hand, is a front porch kind of dog and spends his days in the boingy medal chair near the front door, watching the world go by.  But when a troublemaking squirrel enters the mix the resulting chase leaves Boot breathless and bewildered on the front porch and Shoe dazed and confused on the back porch. But where is Shoe? Boot wonders.  And where is Boot? wonders Shoe.  Their resulting (and vain) attempts to find each either should leave children laughing their little faces off, comforted when all (finally) ends well. Marla Frazee exhibits her usual brilliance in a surefire Caldecott contender.