Provo Library Children's Book Blog

It's finally here! With the last school bell rung and the days stretching until almost 9:00pm, there's not a doubt that it is finally time for summer vacation. Everyone has a different way of celebrating being out of school for the summer, but for many kids, it involves time in the sun, exploring, and sometimes even traveling. Here are some summer books to dive into while you're at the pool, on a road trip, or just curled up at home. Gossamer Summer By H. M. Bouwman New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2023. Fiction. 182 pages. Jojo was quite the storyteller until grandma died, telling her little sisters all kinds of tales about fairies, prophecies, and even flying skeletal creatures. But since grandma passed away last year, Jojo hasn't been as interested in telling stories. With summer vacation in full swing, Jojo and her siblings have been exiled to only play outside while her mom finishes her manuscript. When the children start finding fairies and other creatu...

Spring has sprung! This season has special meanings to each of us individually. Whether you most look forward to starting your garden, spring holidays, blooming flowers, baby animals, or simply enjoying the warm sunshine again ---there are reminders of spring in each of these new for 2025 picture books.  Waiting for Hanami Written by J.P. Takahashi Illustrated by Hifumiyo New York: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2025.  Waiting for Hanami follows Sai as she waits for the sakura to bloom and the sakura festival to begin. This year, her family has organized a reunion to coincide with this magical time. But Sai becomes nervous in the crowd of her family (that also feel a little bit like strangers,) until she forms an instant bond with her cousin, Avi. Reminding us not only of the beauty of the season, but also of connection, Waiting for Hanami is a joyful tale of family. Crack Goes the Cascarón Written by Sara Andrea Fajardo Illustrated by Rocío Arreola Mend...

Picture books in a winter setting are a beloved romanticism of the genre --soft illustrations in cool palettes, carry a sense of nostalgia from our own cozy winter days.  So every year, readers can look forward to a new crop of snowy gems to appear on their bookshelves. Here are some of the notable winter picture books published in 2024:  It's Winter! By Renée Kurilla New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2024. Picture Book. Covering a variety of facets of the season, both old and new, from snow day fun to multiple holidays (like Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year, and Valentine's Day,)  It's Winter has a large inclusive scope that will serve as the perfect introductory text for preschoolers. The illustrations, in Kurilla's signature style, and sparse rhyming text will have readers coming back for more, and make possibly unfamiliar topics feel approachable. Winter Solstice Wish Written by Kate Allen Fox Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli Minneapolis, MN: Beaming Books, 2024. Picture...

  Just One Flake By Travis Jonker New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book. Determined to catch a perfect snowflake, Liam sticks out his tongue and tries a number of tricks, all to no avail, but after giving it one last shot, he grabs one in an unexpected way. --Editor When Snow Falls Written by Linda Booth Sweeney Illustrated by Jana Christy New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2017. Picture Book. A snowy day includes a journey with Grandma from home in the country to her house in town, sledding, snow angels, and cozy cuddling with Grandpa by the fire. --Publisher The Sea in Winter By Christine Day New York: Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2021. Fiction. 250 pages. After an injury sidelines her dreams of becoming a ballet star, Maisie is not excited for her blended family's midwinter road trip along the coast, near the Makah community where her mother grew up. --Editor First Snow Written by Bernette Ford Illustrated by Sebastien Braun New York: H...

It is getting to be the time of the year when snowflakes are on their way and warm, cozy scarves are going to become part of getting ready to go outside. Here are five books that showcase winter and the colder weather that is coming. Enjoy!  Don’t Worry Wuddles  By Lita Judge  New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, 2023. Picture Book.  In this sweet tale a young duckling talks to Wuddles the sheep about his plan. The duckling is sure that he will be cold and wants to borrow some wool to make a scarf…only then he realizes that all the other animals may be cold too. With a lot of wool gathering, soon Wuddles is left in the cold. And the duckling must figure out what to do to help his friend that helped everyone else get ready for winter.  Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter  By Kenard Pak  New York: Henry Holt, a registered trademark of Macmillan Publishing Group, 2017. Picture Book.  A brother and a sister say “hel...

Heatwave By Lauren Redniss New York: Random House Studio, 2024. Picture Book. On a record-breaking too-hot day, people are eager to escape the heat. Today is one of those too hot in the city; too hot at the beach kind of days. The heatwave is visually described with redscale illustrations and drooping, slumping figures -- kids will understand right away that it is hot. Finally, the rain arrives -- drop by drop until the blue rain colors and cools the whole city. With simple but effective text and visually descriptive illustrations, this understated climate warning is remarkably well done. Readers of all ages will appreciate the sensory experience of an intensely hot day and the relief when it finally breaks.

The summer solstice is quickly approaching. For many people, this signals the “true” start of summer! There are a wide variety of adventures that people like to put on their summer bucket lists. The following books may help inspire you to try something new this summer, remind yourself why you keep going back to tried-and-true favorites, or possibly resonate with you if summer is not your favorite season.  Gather Round By David Covell  New York: Viking, 2024. Picture Book.   Going camping and sitting around a campfire is not only warming to the body, but also creates a certain amount of comfort for the soul. This picture book includes beautiful depictions of animals and people feeling welcome. A beautiful book with elements of nature, community, and friendship that will make you grateful that summer camping trips exist.   On Your Mark, Get Set, Gold: An Irreverent Guide to the Sports of the Summer Games   By Scott Allen  Massachusetts: Nosy Crow, an imprint ...

Easter is right around the corner, and these funny picture books are sure to be a hit! Featuring the Easter Bunny, the Three Little Pigs, a leprechaun, elves, dogs, and more, each book has a silly twist regarding Easter. Check one of these out, or put them on a list to read for next year! Leprechaun Vs. Easter Bunny Written by Todd Tarpley Illustrated by Stephanie Laebris New York; Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 2023. Picture Book. With St. Patrick's Day and Easter being so close together, the Leprechaun and the Easter Bunny decide to battle it out to see which holiday is better. Competing to keep a hill that is the best hiding place for either a pot of gold or Easter eggs, these two holiday creatures engage in hilarious, rhyming antics that are a hit for anyone who loves a good holiday mashup.  Is This...Easter? By Helen Yoon Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2024. Picture Book. After a creature wearing a pair of bunny ears leaves an egg behind, other animals surrou...

  Just One Flake By Travis Jonker New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book. As the weather turns colder, you may be looking for books to read to your kids about the snow. If you are, run, don't walk, to the library to pick up this fun read aloud about a boy who just wants to catch a snowflake on his tongue. Liam tries many different ways to catch the snowflake throughout the book, one of which sends him straight into a snow bank. This would be a great read aloud to use as the start of a lesson or art activity about snow and kids will laugh out loud at Liam's antics, and then probably beg you to let them go outside try to catch snowflakes of their own.

The older I get, the less I enjoy being out in winter weather, which is a real shame based off where I live.  The one thing I've always enjoyed, however, be it winter, spring, summer, or fall is a fun, seasonal picture book! Hockey in the Wild By Nicholas Oldland Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2020. Picture Book. Bear, Moose, and Beaver want to play ice hockey, but the lake won't freeze over!  They keep busy by eating, sleeping, and watching TV, but will their couch potato ways keep them from playing once winter finally arrives? Go, Sled! Go! By James Yang New York: Viking Book for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. A young child picks up more than they bargain for as they sled down a snowy hill. The Snow Dancer Written by Addie Boswell Illustrated by Mercè López Arnabat New York: Two Lions, 2020. Picture Book.  A young dancer makes her way to a silent, snowy park where the white covered fields become a giant stage for her snow dance.   Bus Stop Written by Angela H. D...

In Provo we get to see every season and winter is finally here! The leaves are falling, the air is chilly, and snow is right around the corner. This is a fun list of books that talk about the changes in winter-time and the magic of snow. I’m Going to Build a Snowman By Awan Jashar New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2023. Picture Book. A little boy wakes up to a fresh coat of snow and he knows exactly what he needs to do. He is going to build a snowman. But not just any snowman- it has to be the best snowman ever built. He soon realizes that his goal is harder than he thought, but he can still build the best snowman that he has ever built. Is This…Winter? By Helen Yoon Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2023. Picture Book. In Is this..winter? a cute little puppy enjoys the joy of winter time. He loves running around in the snow and chasing birds. But even with the fun, he notices that winter brings a lot of other strange things like Christmas lights and inf...

It is still hot here in Provo, but September is almost here and it is time to get in the mood for fall. I’m thinking about woodland animals, falling leaves, and cozy topics. Here are some books to get you and your kids in that autumn mood. Acorn Was a Little Wild Written by Jen Arena Illustrated by Jessica Gibson New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. This little acorn is anxious to get off the tree and have some adventures. Not long after he falls off the tree, a squirrel buries him in the ground and he has no choice but to wait in the dark. As he waits, some exciting changes happen and he begins to grow into a beautiful oak tree. A Very Big Fall  By Emmy Kastner Boston: Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2022. Picture Book. Being a leaf is great when the weather is good and the view is beautiful. But as the weather starts to change, these different leaves have to adjust to the cold air. The squirrels help them learn about th...

Summer is here! One of my favorite places to go during these hot months is the pool, where I can swim for hours. The characters in these books also love swimming, although some of them may need some encouragement first. These picture books are perfect for beginning swimmers, as well as those that are more advanced. Take a look at these amazing books that highlight how awesome swimming is! 1, 2, 3, Jump! Written by Lisl H. Detlefsen Illustrated by Madeline Valentine New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2019. Picture Book. How do you get into the pool for the first time for swim lessons? Look no further for great tips and advice on entering a pool! The narrator describes a young girl's fears, her excitement, and readers will feel more than ready to jump in!  Hop at Swimming Class By Esther van den Berg New York: Clavis Publishing Inc., 2022. Picture Book. Hop is an adorable tadpole who wants to learn how to swim, but it isn't as easy as one might think. While his older siblings learn t...