Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Brave Red, Smart Frog Written by Emily Jenkins Illustrated by Rohan Daniel Eason Candlewick Press, 2017. Fiction. 94 p. Brave Red, Smart Frog: A New Book of Old Tales is exactly that. These are not fractured fairy tales; there are no “modern twists.” Instead, this slim J Fiction novel contains seven traditional fairy tales, some you’ve likely heard before and a few less familiar ones in between. Author Emily Jenkin s’ storytelling is at once fresh and timeless. Her touches of humor and wisdom deepen the stories without reinventing or recontextualizing them, and an occasional thread of continuity brings an interesting dimension to the collection as a whole. Beautifully written, a little scary, a little strange, and a little magical, Brave Red, Smart Frog would be a great winter read aloud, whether as a first introduction to fairy tales or as a way to revisit these enduring stories.

I am Peace By Susan Verde Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2017. Picture Book. Adults are familiar with being worried or anxious, but children also experience these feelings. It is hard not to know what might happen in the future. There are difficult experiences that come, sometimes everyday. It is possible to change thoughts and find control inside your mind when things all around seem to be out of control. Breathing. Sharing kindness with others. These are just a few ideas Verde describes in this book to teach children mindfulness. Reynolds' colorful, calming illustrations pair perfectly with the simple message of finding peace and sharing peace with others. I am Peace is perfect for all children, but especially those who need additional help with anxiety. It includes an author's note and guided meditation page in the back.

Wishtree By Katherine Applegate Feiwel and Friends, 2017. Fiction.  215 p. Red, an old red maple tree, has long served as the neighborhood "wishtree."  People write notes on pieces of paper or cloth at attach them to her branches each May Day.  Red is a wise old tree and does what she can to watch over the animals that live in her hollows and the neighbor children who live in the houses on either side of her.  When one of the children, a middle-eastern girl named Samar, wishes for a real friend, Red determines to do all she can to bring Samar and the boy across the yard together, even if it means breaking some rules. This is one of the best "feel good" books of the year.  As with her Newbery winner, The One and Only Ivan , Applegate gives a voice to an otherwise silent member of our world. Her message of kindness, both to nature and those who might be new to our communities, is both timeless and timely.  This is a great choice to read aloud or...

Sam the Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole World  Mo Willems Hyperion Books for Children, 2017. Picture Book. Fans of Mo Willems (and Leonardo the Terrible Monster ) can rejoice! There is another great picture book—although we shouldn’t be surprised. It is Mo Willems after all. In this sequel to Leonardo’s story, Sam is still the most scaredy-cat kid in the whole world. He just isn’t scared of his monster pal Leonardo. Of course Sam meets another scaredy-cat kid (Kerry) who is also afraid of basically everything. And as it turns out, both Sam and Kerry are afraid of each other—which leads to a lot of the two kids trying to figure out how not to be scared together. This clever sequel will bring smiles to young readers who know what it is like to be scared of new people and situations (even if they are brave when meeting monsters and facing other potentially scary things). This book is such fun for the kiddos who like the idea of being scared—but don’t really like being scare...

GHOSTS I don't know if it's Halloween that's got me in the mood for spooky things, or if I just really like ghosts. Either way I'm excited to share our newest book display. Since this display is brand new, it's scheduled to remain up until Christmas. Fun fact: traditionally ghost stories weren't just a Halloween thing. When day-to-day activities depended more on sunlight, people would gather around the fire on a cold winter night and swap spine-chilling tales. For example, one of the most famous Christmas reads-- A Christmas Carol-- is a Victorian ghost story. So enjoy the holiday season with a taste of the supernatural. Ghosts and Other Specters by Anita Ganeri and David West  PowerKids Press, 2011. Informational. "Describes many different kinds of ghosts, and explains the specter spectrum, from spirits that appear in ancient myths to the contemporary ghost hunters who use modern technology to study paranormal activity." Haunted Houses b...

Read in Book Babies Ollie's Halloween By Olivier Dunrea Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2010.  Picture Book. It's Halloween night!  Ollie is on the prowl.  He creeps and stalks.  He hoots and howls.  But all of the fun may be too scary for a small gosling!  --Publisher Read in Toddler Time Hungry Bird By Jeremy Tankard Scholastic Press, 2016.  Picture Book. Bird is hiking with his friends when his tummy rumbles. But no one packed him a snack that he likes! With every step, his hunger mounts until he collapses on the ground. How will Bird survive if he doesn't eat the perfect something this instant?!  --Publisher Read in Preschool Time Hush Little Monster Written by Denis Markell Illustrated by Melissa Iwai Little Simon, 2012.  Picture Book. Hush, Little Monster, don’t you howl.  Daddy’s gonna give you a…screeching owl.  If that owl won’t say “whoo whoo”…Granny ...

Giant Trouble By Ursula Vernon Dial Books, 2017. 224 p. Princess Harriet Hamsterbone is brave and intelligent. She is also a hamster. She is cursed at birth birth by the evil wicked fairy mouse, Ratshade, and she is doomed to fall into a Sleeping Beauty-like sleep when she turns 12. This leaves her invincible and she lives without fear. In her latest adventure, she climbs a mysterious beanstalk and a poetically challenged giant rabbit and its castle at the top. Giant Trouble is the fourth installment of the Hamster Princess series. This is good for ages 8 and up. It's a graphic novel-style book and great for someone looking for adventure. This style is similar to Ursula Vernons series Dragonbreath.