Provo Library Children's Book Blog

  Fireworks Written by Matthew Burgess Illustrated by Cátia Chien New York: Clarion Books, 2025. Picture Book. In this beautiful picture book, kids spend the perfect summer day in the city. They dance in the water of a fire hydrant, walk through the park to the bodega, eat watermelon, listen to music, and finally, watch a fireworks show. Onomatopoeia words throughout make this a great choice for younger kids, while older kids will still love the holiday spirit. The illustrations are really what set this book apart from other summer stories. Bright colors bring the joy of summer and the titular fireworks display is STUNNING! Be prepared to hear about this book in the lead up to the Caldecott Awards this year, or check it out now to read with your kids to celebrate the Independence Day holiday coming up.

 Summer is the perfect time to spend hot days near a cool body of water! This often brings to mind all the magnificent creatures that inhabit the world's oceans --especially whales. Readers have been lucky enough to experience some truly excellent books that have been published recently on the topic of these beloved animals. So, please check out these books for your budding marine biologist or any lover of whales! In the World of Whales Written by Michelle Cusolito Illustrated by Jessica Lanan Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2025. Informational. This is the true story of the only known encounter of humans present at the birth of a sperm whale. A touching first look at the tender moments experienced between the freediver, Fred Buyle, his diving partner, Kurt Amsler, and pod of whales. See the back matter for more information on freediving and sperm whales.  We Leap Together By Christopher Silas Neal New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2025. Picture Book. Follow the remarkably similar ...

  Benny on the Case By Wesley King New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025. Fiction. 278 pages. Eleven-year-old Benny is not like other kids his age. He lives in Newfoundland in a retirement home with his mother, his best friend is a resident there named Mr. Tom, and he was born with Mosaic Down syndrome. Because Benny has Down syndrome he was placed in a special education classroom when he started school. But even though Benny looks different his Down syndrome is entirely asymptomatic, which means he has no health, speech or cognitive disabilities. Once the teachers recognized his good grades they decided to move him to a regular classroom. Benny is both excited and scared his first day of school in a regular classroom.  As he walks up to the school the first day he meets a girl named Salma who is new to the school and to Newfoundland. The two hit it off and become friends right away. Benny is excited to have a new friend at school, but things aren't look...

  The One and Only Ivan  tells the story of a silverback gorilla, who lives in the Big Top Mall, a circus themed mall that hosts live animals as attractions. Ivan, the titular gorilla, is overall content with his life until a new resident arrives, a baby elephant named Ruby. Ivan must use his voice —well, his art—to protest how he and his friends are being treated. This book has won the hearts of countless kids and even been made into a movie. If you or your child loves animal stories like The One and Only Ivan , they'll surely like these other animal reads. The Eyes & the Impossible By Dave Eggers New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. Fiction. 249 pages. Johannes takes his responsibility as "The Eyes" seriously. It was a responsibility given to him by "The Keepers of the Equilibrium," three captive bison elders, to report anything that happens in their vast park that might disrupt the balance between the animals and visiting humans. After discovering humans erec...

The Secret of Honeycake By Kimberly Newton Fusco New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2025. Fiction. 362 pages. 11-year-old Hurricane is no stranger to loss. After her father died in the Great War and her mother died of tuberculosis, Hurricane lives with her older sister Bronte in her beloved home by the coast. But then Bronte also contracts tuberculosis and is sent to a sanatorium and Hurricane is sent to live with her stuffy Aunt Claire in the city. Quiet Hurricane struggles in her new environment, not least because of her aunt's determination to make her  proper young lady. Luckily, Hurricane also has new friends in the shape of Mr. Keats, a war veteran who works for Aunt Claire; Theo, a charming young fish monger; and a stray cat that slowly warms up to Hurricane. Though so much is in flux for Hurricane, she learns to make the best of her situation. This is a charming historical fiction with a classic feeling behind it. The heartwarming sentiments will appeal to readers who like classic ...

  Cuentos La nube Por Hannah Cumming Barcelona : Thule Ediciones, S.L., 2013. Libro ilustrado. "A todo el mundo le encanta la clase de dibujo. A todo el mundo excepto a una tímida niña que se sienta sola y no dibuja nada. Siempre hay una nube sobre su cabeza. Sin embargo, una compañera de clase está decidida a provocarle una sonrisa y así descubren una nueva e imaginativa manera de dibujar con la que todos se lo pasan muy bien. Un álbum de extraordinaria inventiva visual, de llamativos colores y emocionalmente sutil e inteligente que estimula el juego cooperativo entre los niños." --Editor Cuentitos Buenas noches, luna Por Margaret Wise Brown Ilustrado por Clement Hurd New York, NY : Rayo, HarperFestival/HarperCollinsPublishers, 2002. Pequeño libro ilustrado. "Este cuento clásico para la hora de acostarse, que ha arrullado a generaciones de niños, es el libro perfecto para compartir con los pequeños."--Provided by publisher.

  Stories in the Park Randy, the Beautiful Horse By T.L. McBeth New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2020. Picture Book.  Randy knows he's a beautiful horse--everyone says so. But is he? --Editor  Stories in the Park Nola's Scribbles Save the Day By Cristina Lalli Salem, MA: Page Street Kids, 2020. Picture Book. Nola loves to draw wherever she goes. No one understands her magical markings, so she tries to "fix" her art. When she draws a blank and falls right into the black page, she finds other creators who are stuck too. Can they create a way out together? --Editor Canopy Capers and Summer Story Time The Magical Yet Written by Angela DiTerlizzi Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gomez  New York: Disney-Hyperion, 2020. Picture Book. New things can be tricky, but never you fret--it's time to make friends with the Magical Yet! --Publisher Canopy Capers and Summer Story Time Nerdycorn Written by Andrew Root Illustrated by Erin Kraan New York: Beach Lane Books, 2021. Picture ...