Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Woodpecker Wants a Waffle By Steve Breen HarperCollins, 2016. Picture book. One morning, Benny the Woodpecker awakes to the most delicious tummy-rumbling smell in the world - fresh waffles! Benny tries over and over to get inside so he can taste a waffle of his own - but he keeps being kicked out (literally). Even the other forest animals laugh at him, telling him that woodpeckers don't eat waffles, until he devises a cunning plan. As a lover of waffles, this book speaks to my soul. The watercolor illustrations are charming throughout and you can't help but root for Benny to finally get a waffle of his own! This is a fun story that is just silly enough to appeal to both parents and kids while also reminding us that some things are worth trying for.

The Composer is Dead Written by Lemony Snicket Music by Nathaniel Stookey Illustrations by Carson Ellis HarperCollinsPublishers, 2008. Picture book. Any fans of geeky orchestra stereotypes will love Snicket's picture book mystery. The book starts with a look at a dead composer–a "decomposer" if you will. The handsome and intelligent inspector must question all of the instruments to determine who killed the composer without getting thrown off by their clever replies. In the end, we find we're all a little responsible, but in a good way. This is a great book to get kids interested in orchestral music. It even includes an audio recording of Snicket reading with musical accompaniment provided by the San Francisco Symphony. I LOVED listening to the CD. The music is great and Snicket brings the words alive.

Incredible Me! By Kathi Appelt A girl celebrates her own individuality, from her freckles to her wiggles. I Like Myself By Karen Beaumont In rhyming text, a little girl expresses confidence and joy in her uniqueness, no matter her outward appearance. Beezus and Ramona By Beverly Clearly Beezus' biggest problem is her 4-year-old sister Ramona. Even though Beezus knows sisters are supposed to love each other, with a sister like Ramona, it seems impossible. Sahara Special By Esmé Raji Codell Struggling with school and her feelings since her father left, Sahara gets a fresh start with a new and unique teacher who supports her writing talents and the individuality of each of her classmates. I’m Gonna Like Me By Jamie Lee Curtis A young girl learns to like herself every single day, no matter what. The Lovables in the Kingdom of Self-Esteem By Diana Loomans Various animals in the Kingdom of Self-Esteem illustrate the different qualities that contribute to b...

 As children grow they can find books on their favorite topics at every reading level . Funny School Stories  Miss Nelson is Missing!  By Harry Allard Houghton Mifflin, 1977. Picture Book The kids in Room 207 take advantage of their teacher's good nature until she disappears and they are faced with a vile substitute. Tony Baloney: School Days  By Pam Muñoz Ryan Scholastic, 2013. Easy Reader. 39 p. It is the first day of school for Tony Baloney, the macaroni penguin, and he wants to follow all the class rules, but Tony has a way of finding trouble. Miss Daisy is Crazy (My Weird School #1) By Dan Gutman HarperTrophy, 2004. Intermediate. 83 p. Miss Daisy's unusual teaching methods surprise her second grade students, especially reluctant learner A.J. Sideways Stories from Wayside School (Wayside School #1) By Louis Sachar Marrow Junior Books, 1998. Fiction. 124 p. Humorous episodes from the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, whic...

Best Frints in the Whole Universe By Antoinette Portis Roaring Brook Press, 2016. Picture book. On the planet Boborp, where teeth are sharp and tempers short, Yelfred and Omek have been best frints since they were little blobbies. But when Omek borrows Yelfred’s new spaceship without asking and crashes it, their friendship is put to the test. Can the spaceship or their friendship be fixed? This sweet and silly book has lots of space lingo that is fun to translate and reminiscent of the way very young children talk (“teef” for “teeth” and “yunch” for “lunch”). The bright and zany illustrations add to this funny and energetic tale, and the emotional ups and downs of childhood friendships will be all too familiar to readers.

READ IN BOOK BABIES Benedict Written by Teresa Duran Illustrated by Elena Val Groundwood Books, 2011.  Picture Book. Benedict doesn't want to live in a hot, red place anymore, so he bounces on his tail off to the cold, white North Pole, but he doesn't like the cold either.  Off Benedict goes to the yellow, dry desert, the green, humid jungle, and the beautiful blue sea trying to find the perfect spot.  This story takes a humorous approach to both colors and environments.   READ IN TODDLER TIME Peanut Butter and Jellyfish By Jarrett J. Krosoczka Alfred A. Knopf, 2014.  Picture Book. Peanut Butter and Jellyfish love to explore and go adventuring in the beautiful ocean.  But every time they swim past Crabby sitting on his rock, though, he's just a big meanie.  When Crabby gets trapped by a fisherman, Peanut Butter and Jellyfish have to decide if they're going to help set Crabby free.  This colorful underwater...

The Princess and the Warrior  By Duncan Tonatiuh Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2016. There are two volcanoes near Mexico City. This is the legend as to how the volcanoes came to be there. A beautiful princess named Izta is kind and beloved by all of her people. Many people tried to woo the princess and gain her hand in marriage. However, none of the suitors understood Izta’s heart and she rejected them all—that is until a warrior named Popoca tried. Popoca loved Izta for her kindness to even the poorest people. He wanted to marry her because of who she was and what she did for others. Because Popoca saw who she truly was and what was important to her, Izta fell in love. Only Izta’s father, the Emperor, was not excited that a mere soldier was to be his son-in-law. So he sent him on a quest in order to win the hand of Izta. With a tragedy worthy of Romeo and Juliet, this story explains how this couple’s love endures—even when they turn into two of Mexico’s most famous volca...