Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Shipwreck Written by Deirdre Laide Illustrated by Carlos Vélez Ann Arbor, MI: Tilbury House Publishers, 2025. Informational. The lyrical text of this informational picture book introduces some of history's most famous shipwrecks and discoveries, from the 16th to the 21st centuries. The wrecks covered range from pirate ships to passenger boats, with the discoveries remaining on the ocean floor or residing in museums. Each subject is given an additional information section asking readers to consider questions like "Will you brave the wreckage?" or "Will you find hidden histories?". The corresponding answer contains further context on the ship's sinking or its discovery and recovery.  The vast array of undiscovered shipwrecks--more than 3 million!--is underscored throughout the book, and an introduction to the profession of marine archeology is included at the end. Vibrant, carefully detailed spreads provide a visual feast of ocean life, tempestuous gales, and ...

I love reading mysteries in the fall! If you are also mesmerized by murder investigations and museum heists--like a certain recent jewel theft--these books are for you! Egypt's Fire By Tom Phillips New York: Pixel+Ink, 2022. Fiction. 344 pgs. John has been living in the ceiling of the New York Museum of Natural History for the last six months, but when a rare ruby is stolen from the museum's new exhibit, John is framed for the crime! John begins working with the quirky inspector, Toadius McGee, in order to clear his name and find the real culprit, before they disappear forever with the gem. Premeditated Myrtle By Elizabeth C. Bunce Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Young Readers, 2020. Fiction. 361 pgs. Myrtle longs to study criminology in Victorian England and help solve crimes like her prosecutor father. So, when she believes that something suspicious is going on at her neighbor's house, she calls the police herself. When the police arrive to find the old woman dead, Myrtle is c...

Kittybunkport Written by Scott Rothman Illustrated by Zachariah OHora New York: Viking, 2025. Picture book. Best friends Chowder and Crackers spend their days as all cats do in their port town in Maine: napping, lazing in the sun, and eating all the lobster they can. When the light of the terrifying and absolutely-haunted-by-lobster-ghosts lighthouse goes out, the cats of Kittybunkport panic. Crackers and Chowder are chosen to investigate what is wrong, but they wouldn't say that they are super scared (that's exactly what they would say). They make their way through the dark and gross and very cobwebby lighthouse only to meet...a lobster ghost? The resolution to the duo's fright—the very chatty fisherdog who is there to change the lightbulb—will make readers giggle. Illustrations contradict the text in hilarious fashion as the cats face the crisis of the lighthouse while trembling with terror. The back and forth comments of Chowder and Crackers are perfect for a funny read-...

The Bakery Dragon By Devin Elle Kurtz New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2024. Picture book. Ember, a small dragon with an unimpressive roar, fears he will never be as good at stealing gold as other dragons, but discovers a different path to joy after a chance encounter with a baker.--Editor Sona and the Golden Beasts By Raani LaRocca New York: Quill Tree Books, 2024. Fiction. 385 pgs. Discovering an orphaned wolf pup she believes is related to the five sacred beasts of Devia, which a Hunter has been killing one by one, Sona embarks on an epic adventure during which she realizes that the fate of the sacred beasts, and the future of Devia, is in her hands. --Publisher Gold and Silver, Silver and Gold By Alvin Schwartz New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009. Informational. 128 pgs. Presents legends, true stories, and tall tales about the hunting, finding, and losing of treasure, including pirate treasure and treasure not yet uncovered.--Editor Golden Girl By Reem Faruqi New York: Harper, 202...

Superheroes and comics go hand in hand, but not every comic hero is a superhuman or a reclusive billionaire. Here are some awesome and unexpected superheroes to love! Aquamanatee Written by Ben Clanton Illustrated by Cassandra Federman Burbank, CA: DC Comics, 2025. Comics. 72 pages. Marlow the manatee is obsessed with Aquaman, but he doesn't exactly live a superhero lifestyle. When Marlow unexpectedly gains superpowers, he must look past his own blunders and work with his idol to help save the day. Super Pancake Written by Megan Wagner Lloyd Illustrated by Abhi Alwar New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. Comics. 169 pages. Peggy the pancake seems to constantly be making mistakes and disappointing her family. When a classmate's prank leads to her gaining superpowers, though, she must use her newfound abilities to protect Breakfast Town and the people she cares about from a supervillain's evil plot. It's Jeff: Jeff-Verse By Kelly Thompson and Gurihiru New York: Marvel Worldwid...

It's Corn Picking Time! Written by Jill Esbaum Illustrated by Melissa Crowton New York: Neal Porter Books, 2025. Informational. It's the harvest season, and as the day dawns on her farm, one farmer prepares to start her corn harvest. The bright red combine is taken out of the shed, and readers are taken through the entire harvest process, from the combine slicing through the stalks, to the filling of a grain truck, to the eventual deposit of the corn into silos as the text follows the corn kernels from start to finish. When the day draws to a close, the farmer and her helpers enjoy a meal together after a job well done. Crisp, texture-rich artwork with a warm color palette brings to life the farm and this autumn ritual. The lovely, simple rhyming text makes this picture book a great choice for a read aloud. Further information about corn and harvesting is included at the end. A delightful homage to agriculture and a bountiful harvest. 

It's peach season! The end of the summer is the perfect time to enjoy one of my favorite fruits. If you love peaches too, check out some of these books! Every Peach is a Story Written by David Mas Masumoto and Nikiko Masumoto Illustrated by Lauren Tamaki New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2025. Picture Book. One little girl learns about the stories contained by each peach's growth process, and of her family's experiences as Japanese Americans, as her grandfather teaches her about their family orchard. Peaches Written by Gabriele Davis Illustrated by Kim Holt New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2024. Picture Book. After the loss of her mother, a grieving young girl learns how to make peach cobbler together with her grandma to surprise Daddy. Baba's Peach Tree Written by Marie Tang Illustrated by Seo Kim New York: Random House Studio, 2024. Picture Book. Tao Hua and her father lovingly tend to their peach tree, but when it fails to blossom one year, they are ...

KPop Demon Hunters has been one of the most talked-about movies of the summer. If you loved this movie as much as I did, you don't want the magic (or the music) to stop. Try reading these books that touch on some of the same topics and themes as the animated hit! Brick Dust and Bones By M. R. Fournet New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2023. Fiction. 247 pages. Orphaned Marius works in the family business--as their cemetery's ghost caretaker. However, Marius also moonlights as a monster hunter in order to earn the costly Mystic currency he needs to bring his mother back from the dead. As the window to bring his mother back begins to close, Marius's exploits get more and more dangerous, and he may have set his sights on a monster too big to handle on his own. Like Mira, Marius longs for familial connection, and his work as a monster hunter will satisfy the thrill of demon hunting for fans the movie. Where's Halmoni? By Julie J. Kim Seattle, WA: Little Bigfoot, 2017. Comics. W...

The Wish Switch By Lynn Painter New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2025. Fiction. 310 pages. Since she was a little girl, Emma's beloved grandmother told tales of a pact fairies made with her town 400 years before, promising to grant the wishes of four villagers every year. After Nana Marie's passing, Emma gets the chance to make her own wishes and she jumps at the opportunity. However, when her friends' wishes all start coming true with no sign of her own being granted, Emma is worried. When her new neighbor, Jackson, starts showing signs that he may have been granted her wishes by some magical mistake, she panics. Determined to resolve this cosmic error, Emma must convince Jackson to join her quest to restore the wishes back to their rightful owner.  Emma's struggles with the shifts in her life and friends when entering middle school are genuinely portrayed, and the sweet resolution is both encouraging and emotionally grounded, offering readers a hopeful look at how...

What You Never Knew About BTS By Martha E. H. Rustad North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press, 2023. Informational. South Korean boyband BTS has taken the music world by storm with their catchy lyrics, smooth style, and killer dance moves. But what happens when they're not singing and dancing? High-interest details and bold photos of this musical supergroup will enthrall reluctant and struggling readers, while carefully leveled text will leave them feeling confident. --Publisher Make a Move, Sunny Park! By Jessica Kim New York: Kokila, 2023. Fiction. 338 pages. This is the story of Sunny Park, a seventh-grade student at Ranchito Mesa Middle who loves the K-pop band Supreme Beat, hanging out with her cool grandma, dancing when no one is watching, snacking on shrimp chips, and being there for Bailey, her best friend since third grade. When Bailey decides that she and Sunny should audition for the school dance team in a ploy to parent-trap Bailey's divorced mom and dad, Sunny agrees even...

It's Jeff: Jeff-Verse By Kelly Thompson and Gurihiru New York: Marvel Worldwide, Inc., 2025. Comics. Told through mostly wordless vignettes, this Marvel comic collection follows Jeff the Land Shark—yes, a tiny shark with legs—on his bite-sized adventures in the every day world. From sneaky snack heists to impromptu team-ups with iconic heroes like Spiderman and Captain America, Jeff’s antics are adorably chaotic as he gets into various scrapes and adventures with his friends.  The playful visual storytelling portrays Jeff's escapades in a gentle, humorous way--even when villains do appear to challenge the hero. Readers will be just as enchanted by Jeff as he is by the world around him. Its sweet tone and whimsical pacing make it a standout among superhero titles, offering a quiet celebration of friendship, fun, and the joy of small moments. An absolutely charming entry point for young readers into the world of superhero comics or returning fans.

I have always been fascinated by the idea of secret rooms and passages. The thought of discovering and exploring a mysterious hidden room sounds so exciting! If secret spaces also interest you, try out these books! The Mystery of Locked Rooms By Lindsay Currie Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Young Readers, 2024. Fiction. 247 pages. Sarah and her two best friends love escape rooms, setting solving records under their team name, The Deltas. But Sarah's family financial crisis has reached the tipping point and they may be forced to move away. Desperate to stay together, when the rumor of a treasure hidden in an abandoned funhouse reaches the group, the trio decides solving the puzzles to find the treasure is their only option. But as the secret passages and locked rooms start to become more dangerous, The Deltas begin to wonder if they've taken on a bigger challenge than they can handle. Boy Underground By Isabelle Marinov Leicester, UK: Clock Tower Publishing, 2024. Fiction. 319 page...

Detective Stanley and the Mystery at the Museum Written by Hannah Tunnicliffe Illustrated by Erica Harrison London: Flying Eye Books, 2025. Comics. 58 pages. Detective Stanley is ready to enjoy the first day of his retirement when his assistance is urgently requested to help solve a break-in at the city art museum. It's the opening of the Bleat Mondrian show, the gallery is in shambles, and the director fears that one of their priceless works has been stolen! However, when Stanley arrives, nothing seems to be missing. While examining the scene for clues, Stanley is framed for a separate crime that derails his investigation! He must solve the puzzle of his framing and clear his own name in order to uncover the truth behind the real criminal's plot. This comic is perfect for easing newer readers into the medium, with its large easy-to-follow panels, descriptive text, and vivid illustrations that highlight both the mystery and the museum setting. Readers will have a good time puzz...

Summer is here and that means it's beach season! Crabs are one of the first sea creatures I think of when I think of the ocean. If you're ready to read more about these colorful crustaceans, check out these books! Is This a House for Hermit Crab? Written by Megan McDonald Illustrated by Katherine Tillotson New York: Neal Porter Books, 2024. Informational. A hermit crab needs a new home to stay safe from the porcupine fish predators in the sea around him. He tries several options--a rock, a tin can, a plastic pail--but none of them are quite right for what he needs, until he tries one last place for shelter when danger looms near. Information on hermit crabs is included. The Crab Ballet Writte by Renée M. LaTulippe Illustrated by Cécile Metzger Petaluma, CA: Cameron Kids, 2022. Picture Book. The sun is setting and it's time for the marine ballet show! A host of sea creatures perform a variety of ballet steps and positions, with crabs as the star of the show in this picture ...

Flying Lessons & Other Stories Edited by Ellen Oh New York: Crown Books for Young Readers, 2017. Fiction. 218 pages. From basketball dreams and family fiascoes to first crushes and new neighborhoods, this anthology, written by award-winning children's authors, celebrates the uniqueness and universality in all of us. --Editor Prophecy By Ellen Oh New York: Harper Teen, 2013. Young Adult Fiction. 316 pages. Kira's the only female in the king's army, and she's also the prince's bodyguard. A demon slayer and an outcast, she's hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And she's their only hope. . . . Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King's prophecy, but the legendary lost ruby treasure just might be the true key to victory. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, an evil shaman, a...

Golden Gate: Building the Mighty Bridge Written by Elizabeth Partridge Illustrated by Ellen Heck San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2024. Informational. The two curious children of a San Francisco Bay lighthouse keeper are fascinated by the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, deemed impossible by critics of the time. They follow along, receiving occasional visits from the project foreman, as crews dive beneath the surface of the bay to build the foundations and walk hundreds of feet in the air to rivet the towers upwards, raising the then-longest suspension bridge ever built. Each step of the iconic bridge's construction is chronicled in the text, highlighting the dangerous and crucial work of the riveting gangs and the wire walkers, specialized and brought in from around the nation for their expertise. Vibrant illustrations bring the assembly of the landmark to life, depicting both the workers and their craft. Throughout the construction process, a blueprint of the bridge giv...

I love fantasy, and some of the most exciting aspects of fantasy books are the magical creatures in them. In these comic books, you'll find magical creatures of all sorts, from ghosts and goblins, to vampires, to mermaids, to fairies and demons. If you love fantastical beings, these comics are perfect for you! Plain Jane and the Mermaid By Vera Brosgol New York: First Second, 2024. Comics. 352 pages. To Jane's parents and the rest of her coastal village, Jane is too plain to be worthwhile. After Jane's parents die in an accident, her cruel cousin stands to inherit the entire estate--and he plans to leave her penniless. Deciding that marriage to a fisherman's son will solve her problems--and give her access to her dowry--Jane proposes to Peter. But, before the two can go through with their plan, they argue and Peter is kidnapped by a mermaid and taken to her underwater lair. Jane must go on a journey to save Peter from a grim fate, while learning that there are people wh...

Spring has arrived, and birds are back to singing in the treetops! If you like birds and want to learn more about our feathered friends, check out these books! What's Inside a Bird's Nest? By Rachel Ignotofsky New York: Crown Books for Young Readers, 2024. Informational. Learn about the life cycles and behavior of birds in this guide that answers the questions readers young and old might have about bird lives. Energetic illustrations and information-filled pages are perfect for skimming or reading in-depth.  Birds Everywhere Written by Camilla De la Bédoyère Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup Somerville, MA: Big Picture Press, an imprint of Candlewick Press, 2023. Informational. Birds are everywhere, with so many species to learn about! This introduction examines the different origins for the birds we know today, courtship and nesting, migration, the interaction between humans and birds, and bird habitats across every continent. Several seek-and-find games and puzzles are includ...