Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Saving Lucas Biggs by Marisa de los Santos and David Teague HarperCollins, 2014.  279 pgs. Fiction      Margaret's father has just been sentenced to death for a murder he didn't commit, and his last words to her before he is taken to prison are a family mantra:   There is one Now: the spot where I stand, and one way the road goes:  onward, onward.   Perhaps her father shared these words because Margaret's family has the ability to travel through time, but have promised themselves and each other that they will never use it.  But when Margaret thinks that a trip to the past may save her father's life, she doesn't hesitate to go back to 1938 to try to change the life of the corrupt judge who gave her father the death penalty. What distinguishes this thoughtful, delightful, suspenseful book for middle graders is that it doesn't play out in the usual last minute blast from the past save. As it turns out, Margaret, her best friend Charlie, and...

Pomelo's Big Adventure by Ramona Badescu illustrated by Benjamin Chaud Enchanted Lion Books, 2014. unpaged picture book In this forth book about Pomelo , the small garden elephant, he leaves his beloved garden to go on adventure.  Along the way he meets friends, and those who are not so friendly.  He finds excitement and challenges along the way. As he finds the courage to continue on he learns more about the world, and himself. The Pomelo adventures are translated from French, and have a very European feel.  Much of the story is told through the pictures, with few textural clues. The illustrations have stylized, almost Dr. Seuss quality to them the compliments the understated text. This is a good choice for someone looking for a picture book that is a little out of the ordinary.

Star Wars 1, 2, 3 Scholastic Board Book This board book is for those who LOVE Star Wars, and those who LOVE to teach their babies and children to count.  Each page has colorful pictures straight from the Star Wars movies, and those pictures match the numbers on each page.  In this way, little ones are learning to match numbers to objects, as their parents enjoy reminiscing about their favorite movie!  A must for anyone with babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

La Gallina Grande / Big Fat Hen By Keith Baker Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 30pg., Board Book This great little book will quickly become one of your favorites. The illustrations go perfectly with the sweet rhymes in this book.  It's a great book to help children learn to count as Mama hen helps the chicks and their friends count the eggs. Este lindo libro sera muy pronto uno de sus favoritos. Las ilustraciones son regias para este libro rítmico de contar. Mamá gallina les ayuda a los pollitos y sus amigas a contar los huevos.

Santiago El Soñador, Entre Las Estrellas / Santiago the Dreamer By Ricky Martin, illustrated by Patricia Castelao Celebra Children's Books, Penguin Group LLC, 30 pg. Picture Book Santiago has a dream of becoming a performer, what he wants most is to perform in the school play. On the day of tryouts Santiago is so nervous he can't even talk. See how his dad helps him to really keep his dream alive. Santiago sueña con ser un artista de teatro, quiere ser el protagonista principal de la obra de teatro de la escuela. El dia de ensayo, Santiago se pone muy nervioso que casi no puede ni hablar. Lee como su papa lo ayudó a mantener su sueño. This book is available in both languages, and would be a great book as a self-esteem builder for children.

D is for Duck Calls by Miss Kay Robertson illustrated by Sydney Hanson Simon and Schuster, 2014. unpaged picture book This is a stroll through the alphabet with Miss Kay Robertson from the TV show Duck Dynasty . Each letter gets a couplet that reflects Miss Kay's world.  For example, "K is for Kitchen./ I'll cook what you wish-/maybe warm biscuits/or mustard-fried fish?" It is illustrated with characters and scenes from the show drawn with earthy colors in pencil and gouache. Little fans (and big) will have fun with this upbeat ABC.

A Mom for Umande by Maria Faulconer illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014. unpaged picture book Umande is a gorilla baby born in a zoo.  His birth mother is inexperienced and doesn't know how to take care of a baby, so the zoo keeper tries to raise the baby like a gorilla mother would.  She carries him on her back and even sleeps with him in a hay nest.  She knows, however, that he needs a real gorilla mother, but none of the gorillas in the zoo will accept him.  Finally the zoo decides to fly him to another zoo where there is an older, experienced, gorilla mother.  The experienced gorilla mother takes to the baby Umande immediately.  After just a few months she has fully adopted the young gorilla. The heart warming text is accompanied soft simple illustrations that match the mood of the story. This picture book, based on a true story, is a tribute to loving adoptive mothers of all kinds.