Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Remarkables By: Margaret Peterson Haddix HarperCollins Publishers, 2019. Fiction. Marin is lonely. It's summer time and her family has just moved to a new town in a new state. One afternoon, after taking a break from unpacking boxes, she follows a trail into the forest behind her house. When she comes to the end of the trail she decides to climb a tree so she can see the view. While she is sitting in the tree she notices some teenagers talking and laughing and then they vanish. Should she tell someone or will everyone think she is crazy?  How does someone just vanish? This is a fast paced novel that will keep you turning pages as the adventure unfolds. Its a story about friendship, bullying, starting over again and the hope that things can get better. In true Haddix style this book has some plot twists you won't be expecting and is a very enjoyable read.

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family By Ibtihaj Muhammad With S. K. Ali Art by Hatem Aly Little, Brown and Company, 2019. Picture Book. Asiya is choosing her first hijab while at a hijab store with her mother and younger sister (Faizah). Asiya chooses one that is the “brightest blue.” The next day they go to school and Faizah loves to look at the beautiful hijab that Asiya is wearing—only it isn’t as loved by the rest of the students at school. Faizah’s friend ask about the hijab. Later Faizah notices that other older students are teasing Asiya and she is worried about how Asiya will react. But Asiya is “strong” and doesn’t let the hurtful words get her down. This is a beautiful story with equally striking illustrations that shows various reactions to a young girl starting to wear her first hijab. Readers who want to talk to youngsters about tolerance and why a girl wears hijabs will want to check out this book. Readers who wear hijabs or who have family who wears h...

Follow Chester! By Gloria Respress-Churchwell Illustrated by Laura Freeman Charlesbridge, 2019. Picture Book. As a child Chester rescued his brother from a well and was regarded as a town hero. People loved him and cheered him on in all his sport and musical endeavors. Despite all this, Chester lacked confidence and thought that he was never enough. He decided to work hard and prove to himself that he was good enough by applying to play football at Harvard. At Harvard, Chester was loved and accepted but schools in the South did not like the idea of Chester coming to play against them. Together with his teammates Chester stood up against racism and became the first black man to play college football in the south. This book is a heartwarming story about standing up for what's right and finding confidence among hard trials. A definite must read for any sports fans.

Bringing Back Our Tropical Rain Forest By Carol Hand Explores the reasons why tropical forests are at risk, sustainable agricultural practices, and how to protect our tropical forests. Greatest Magical Stories By Michael Morpurgo  A compilation of popular fairy tales: Jack and the Beanstalk, The Merman, Sleeping Beauty, and more are included in this read. The Frog Book By Steve Jenkins Explores the forms, colors and patterns of different frogs. Seven Wonders of the Solar System By David Aguilar Explores seven different wonders of space. Mary Cassatt: Impressionist Painter By Lois Harris A biography of Mary Cassatt, illustrated with her paintings. The Complete Dog Book By American Kennel Club Reviews the 153 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Includes the history of each breed, photographs, training, first aid, and more. Oops! By Alan Katz A compilation of poems for children. Kids' Guide to Camping By Cherie Winner Gives tips a...

Wintercake  Written and Illustrated by Lynne Rae Perkins Greenwillow Books, 2019. Picture Book.  Are you looking for a longer picture book to cozy up with before school starts again? Wintercake is a charming, wintry yarn that follows animal friends Thomas and Lucy, first as they try to find Thomas's misplaced basket of dried fruits and then as they try to right a wrong. This picture book offers a lot of different things: warm, detailed illustrations, a gentle warning against jumping to conclusions, and a celebration of holiday traditions, especially when shared with new friends. Speech bubbles and unexpected vocabulary words also lend some humor to this story. Christmas might be over, but  Wintercake  is one way to keep those seasonal feelings sparkling for a little bit longer.

Christmas is Awesome! Story by Sabrina Moyle Illustrated by Eunice Moyle New York: Abrams Appleseed, 2019. Board book. We all know that Christmas is awesome, but what makes it that way? With brighter-than-bright illustrations and rhyming text, this ebullient new board book celebrates the many virtues of the Christmas season. A festive crew of creatures participate in traditional Christmas activities -- everything from mistletoe, to sledding, to giving gifts. Candy colored illustrations are sure to make this bright and cheery board book a Christmas favorite for years to come as everyone, even the lump of coal, finds joy in the Christmas season. And about that lump of coal, see if you can find him on every page -- my personal favorite is at the ugly sweater party.

Reading Beauty Written by Deborah Underwood Illustrated by Meg Hunt Chronicle Books LLC, 2019. Picture Book. Princess Lex, who loves reading more than anything, is cursed by a fairy to get a paper cut at the age of 15, which will induce a deep sleep. To prevent this dastardly scenario, her parents take away any items that could bring the curse upon her, including her beloved books. Lex is not one to sit idly, so she takes matters into her own hands and sets out to find how to break the curse without true love's kiss, and bring books back to herself and the rest of the kingdom. In the process, Lex learns that the fairy who cursed her has a little secret problem that Lex just might be able to fix. Underwood's rhyming text and empowering story work well with Hunt's splashy illustrations. Colorful and fun, the whole book is a wild ride and a fun take on a classic fairy tale. Not only does this book focus on girls being the heroines of their own stories, it also emphas...