Provo Library Children's Book Blog

  Last One Picked By Audrey Meeker New York: Feiwel & Friends, 2026. Comic.  Annabeth has never been very athletic, but that doesn't matter. She is perfectly content to spend her time with her Warrior Princess books and volunteering at the library. When summer comes, her mom is convinced by their stuck up neighbor to send Annabeth to volleyball camp, the last place she would ever want to be. Not only does she feel completely out of her depth, her ex-best friend, Serena, is there- and she is not happy that Annabeth is infringing on her domain. However, with the help of some encouraging coaches and teammates, Annabeth slowly starts to realize that she doesn't mind volleyball so much, and might even have a place on the team after all. This graphic novel will hit home for many tweens, especially as it deals with several relevant topics, such as body image, gaining confidence, and how we should treat others. The illustrations were bright and colorful, and the story itself ...

Just One Oak Written by Maria Gianferrari Illustrated by Diana Sudyka New York: Beach Lane Books, 2026. Informational. Written and illustrated by the same team who brough us  Fungi Grow , Just One Oak  is an informational picture book about the oak tree and how it is a part of a larger ecosystem. Did you know that oak trees keep their leaves through the winter and loose them in early spring? This book describes the oak's life cycle and how this marescence  supports all sorts of animals that live above and below the ground.  I love an informational picture book with multiple levels. If you want, you could read just the lyrical text on each page and let a child look at the pictures, or you can read the smaller text to get more detailed information. The pictures are dynamic with all of the different life living in the oak and I really appreciated how each of the animals, fungi, and plants are labeled in small text. If kids want even more information, back matter include...

  The Squirrels Who Squabbled Written by Rachel Bright Illustrated by Jim Field New York : Scholastic Press, 2019. Picture book.  Told in rhyming text Cyril and Bruce, two squirrels, are each determined to get the last pinecone of autumn; but when they fall into the river, they learn that sometimes it is essential to work together--and, in any case, a bird got the floating pinecone.—Publisher. George Flies South By Simon James Somerville, Mass. : Candlewick Press, 2011. Picture book.  George does not feel ready to learn to fly, leave his nest, and go south with the other birds, despite his mother's encouragement, but when a strong autumn wind gets hold of the nest, he may have no choice.—Publisher. Maple & Rosemary Written by Alison J. James Illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann New York City : Holiday House, 2023. Picture book. A touching story about a sugar maple tree who finds a lifelong friend when a young girl comes to seek comfort by its branches— Publisher. Pumpkin B...

Cuentos Gustavo: el fantasmita timido Por Flavia Z. Drago Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2020. Libro ilustrado. "Conoce a Gustavo. Él es un fantasma y como a cualquier ser paranormal le encanta hacer lo que le es normal: atravesar paredes, hacer volar objetos y brillar en la oscuridad. También le encanta tocar el violín. Pero Gustavo tiene un problema. Él es muy, muy tímido, y aunque su deseo más grande es tener amigos, nunca se ha atrevido a hablarle a ninguno de los monstruos en su pueblito. Con el Día de Muertos cerca, ¿se atreverá Gustavo a dejar que lo vean?" --Editor Cuentitos ¡Yo sola! Por Sumana Seeboruth y Maribel Castells Concord : Barefoot Books, 2023. Pequeño libro ilustrado. "Yo sola. ¡No, no, no! Puedo hacerlo. ¡Vete, vete, vete! Esta niña no quiere que la ayuden ... hasta que su hermana mayor necesita ayuda. ¡El trabajo en equipo es divertido!" --Editor Otros libros sobre la letra "F" El bosque en familia Maisy juega fútbol Lo...

Preschool Time Family of Friends Written by Varsha Bajaj Illustrated by Ishaa Lobo New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2025. Picture Book. Isha can't wait for her birthday party. Nani, her fun-loving grandmother, is coming all the way from India to be there! So when Nani has to postpone her trip, Isha is crushed. She no longer feels like celebrating. Fortunately, she has a whole neighborhood of friends to cheer her up, and they all work together to make her day truly special. This moving intergenerational story shows the impact that chosen family can have and is a wonderful reminder to appreciate all the important people in our lives. --Publisher Preschool Time Found By Salina Yoon New York: Walker Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Bloomsbury, 2014. Picture Book. Upon finding a toy rabbit in the forest, Bear tries his very best to return it to its home but by the time its owner appears, Bear has become attached to Bunny. --Editor Toddler Time On All Fours By Gaëtan Dorémus Brooklyn...

Alina in Her Roots Written by Shenaaz Nanji Illustrations by Beena Mistry Toro nto, ON : Second Story Press, 2026. Intermediate. 91 pages. Alina is traveling by herself from her home in Canada to Nairobi, Kenya. But it's more than just a vacation to visit her favorite cousin Safi—Alina is on a secret mission to find her roots. Her family history started in India with her great-great-great-grandparents. Her parents were born in Kenya, then moved to Canada where she was born. She's heard stories about Kenya but wants to know where she fits in and to find what she is missing. Nairobi is a welcoming, vibrant, exciting place where so much feels so different. Alina writes journal entries to her Nani about her experiences, finding ways to make her own stories through matatu rides, trips to the market, a safari, and meals shared with new loved ones. This is a really well-written, cheerful and reassuring realistic fiction about the adventure of exploring different places and cultures. 

October is the time for sharing our scariest stories. And the good news for kids who are just learning to read, is that there are some great new spooky easy readers that are out just in time for Halloween! So without further ado, here are some excellent scary easy readers. The Haunted Goldfish Written by Joe McGee Illustrated by Teo Skaffa New York : Simon Spotlight, 2026. Easy Reader. Victor is devastated when his beloved goldfish, Doris, dies. But after his parents convince him to flush Doris down the toilet to give him "one last swim", strange things begin happening in his house and Victor begins to worry that Doris has returned from her watery grave. This book is the start of a spooky new series of easy readers that would be great for kids who would like to read Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark , but aren't quite to that reading level yet. Don't Be Scared Written by R.L. Stine Illustrated by Marc Brown New York, NY : Harper, an imprint of HarperCol...