Welcome to the online presence of the Butler Children's Literature Center, housed in Dominican's SOIS and generously supported by the Butler Family Foundation. Here, we celebrate the best in books for youth and those who delight in sharing them. For Fall 2020, BCLC will offer collection access to the Dominican community by appointment only. Contact Jen Clemons at jclemons@dom.edu to make arrangements or you can still reach us at butler@dom.edu.
Too Many Bubbles: A Story about Mindfulness Christine Peck and Mags DeRoma, Illustrated by Mags DeRoma Sourcebooks July 6, 2021 Ages 3-6
Chased through her day by one grumpy and persistent thought, Izzy isn’t bothered by it (too much). But when one grouchy thought becomes two and three and a whole cloud of the shadowy things; something must be done. This clever mouse escapes to her happy place at the beach where a polar bear with a bubble wand inspires an idea—just blow the thoughts away. A deceptively simple and strikingly perceptive illustration of how it feels for nagging and uncomfortable thoughts to take over, and one calming way to break free. Vividly colored digital illustrations and interactive text, reminiscent of Hervé Tullet’s Press Here, engage young listeners and caregivers alike in a breathing exercise that leads directly into back matter definitions of mindfulness and additional exercises. Too Many Bubbles is the first title in the Books of Great Character SEL series by Peck and DeRoma, founders of the Silly Street games and toys. A sweet and valuable addition to social emotional learning tools for the preschool to kindergarten years.
This week the Butler Bookshelf has so many fabulous and interesting reads that it’s hard to choose just one! We are ready to get our hearts broken with the collapse of Cleo and Layla’s friendship (When You Were Everything), but also to learn how to navigate life’s challenges with optimism and hope (The End is Just the Beginning). We want to know how Zee and her tree grow together (Zee Grows a Tree), and if the world really does end this month (The World Ends in April). The only way to find out is to check out the fantastic titles below!
The End is Just the Beginning Written by Mike Bender and Illustrated by Diana Mayo Published by Crown Books for Young Readers Available April 20, 2021
War and Millie McGonigle Written by Karen Cushman Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers Available now!
Be Dazzled Written by Ryan La Sala Published by Sourcebooks Fire Available now!
The World Ends in April Written by Stacy McAnulty Published by Yearling Available now!
Zee Grows a Tree Written by Elizabeth Rusch and Illustrated by Will Hillenbrand Published by Candlewick Press Available now!
When You Were Everything Written by Ashley Woodfolk Published by Ember Available now!
Earth day is April 22nd, and it is more important now than it has ever been! What better way to celebrate than by giving students the chance to read about it with the fantastic titles below? Students will learn about nature, climate change, and steps they can take to help save our planet. Some books even feature true stories of young activists already making a difference! Check out the list below and inspire kids to get involved.
Pre-School—Kindergarten
Peppa Pig and the Earth Day Adventure Candlewick Press March 9, 2021 Ages 2-5
Come along with every kid’s favorite pig on her Earth Day Adventure! Peppa spends the day with her family. First sorting the recycling and collecting the compost. Then going to the Botanical Gardens, learning about bees, plants, and wildflowers. Finally, Peppa ends her day playing in the squishy playground that only rain and dirt and can make. Candlewick Press has created a fun picture book about the beauty of nature while also adding in things small children can do to help our planet.
Busy Spring: Nature Wakes Up Sean Taylor and Alex Morss Illustrated by Cinyee Chiu Words & Pictures March 16, 2021 Ages 3-6
Busy Spring follows a father and his two children through their backyard as the season of spring blooms before their eyes. On this journey, the family learns the many different signs of spring—puddles from the rain, birds collecting twigs for nests, caterpillars eating leaves. This book explores the beauty of spring and the science behind it. It’s lively and luminous illustrations show how bright and busy nature can be. For further learning, there are annotated illustrations that describe the behaviors of plants and animals during the spring season.
Elementary
The Story of Climate Change: A first book about how we can help save our planet Catherine Barr and Steve Williams Illustrated by Amy Husband and Mike Love Frances Lincoln Children’s Books March 2, 2021 Ages 5-8
The Story of Climate Change follows the history of Earth’s climate, from its beginnings over 4 billion years ago to the present. It teaches about the effects of global warming, the causes of climate change, and how climate change affects humans and animals around the world. After learning the facts, children will discover practical ways to help solve the problem. Barr and Williams have created an excellent introduction to climate change that will help young minds understand the importance of taking care of our planet. Pages filled with colorful illustrations from top to bottom are sure to entertain this age group and keep them engaged with the content. There’s even a glossary of useful words to increase readers’ understanding.
Middle Grade
Old Enough to Save the Planet Loll Kirby Illustrated by Adelina Lirius Abrams Kids February 9, 2021 Ages 8-12
Old Enough to Save the Planet is a nonfiction picture book that tells the stories of 12 young activists from around the world. Readers will learn how these activists are making a difference in their communities as well as the challenges they have faced along the way. There is a brilliant spread dedicated to each activist. They include vibrant illustrations, with rich and dark colors, that fill the pages from top to bottom with small paragraphs explaining what each activist did and why it was so important. At the end of the book, readers can find tips on how to get involved in environmental activism.
Our World Out of Balance: Understanding Climate Change and What We Can Do Andrea Minoglio Illustrated by Laura Fanelli Blue Dot Kids Press April 13, 2021 Ages 8-12
This information packed, nonfiction guide to climate change will help readers understand the state of our environment today. It explains the role humans have played in the climate crisis while also providing solutions to the problem. It features segments on air pollution, rising seas, plastics and increased waste, and wildfires. Each includes a before-and-after section that explains what happened prior to climate change and what is happening now. The colorful illustrations that fill the pages keep the reader engaged with the content, showing the different environmental problems we are facing. To further inspire readers, the back matter has a list of citizen science organizations that kids can join to make a difference.
Young Adult
How to Change Everything: The Young Human’s Guide to Protecting the Planet and Each Other Naomi Klein and Rebecca Stefoff Atheneum Books for Young Readers February 23, 2021 Ages 10+
How to Change Everything is a nonfiction read that shows the state of the climate today and how it became this way. The authors don’t shy away from the seriousness of climate change, including how humanity has damaged our planet through the use of fossil fuels, and how there’s a need for a Green New Deal. They also feature inspiring stories of how young leaders from around the world are tackling climate change and fighting for climate justice. In this condensed version of her adult title, Klein empowers young people to get involved by presenting clear and captivating facts, while also giving them the tools they need to help save our world.
Endnote
Blue Dot Kids Press is offering some fun activities kids can do–even from home! To get kids involved and making a difference, check out the links below.
It’s National Library Week! So, of course we are celebrating, featuring books that show the power of reading, education, and telling stories. This week, the Butler Bookshelf is shinning a spotlight on The Little Library by Margaret McNamara. Part of the Mr. Tiffin’s Classroom Series, it tells the story of Jake, a slow and careful reader. Unlike his classmates, Jake never found excitement going to the library. However, the school librarian changes that by giving him a book that he is actually interested in reading–Woodworking for Young Hands. Using what he learned from the book, Jake builds something for the librarian–a thank you for showing him books can be interesting. Check out the list below for more fantastic reads!
You Have to Read This Book! Written and Illustrated by Bruce Eric Kaplan Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Available now!
Book’s Big Adventure Written by Adam Lehrhaupt and Illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell Published by Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books Available now!
The Little Library (Mr. Tiffin’s Classroom Series) Written by Margaret McNamara and Illustrated by G. Brian Karas Published by Schwartz & Wade Available now!
The Raconteur’s Commonplace Book: A Greenglass House Story Written by Kate Milford Published by Clarion Books Available now!
Malala Yousafzai (Little People, Big Dreams) Written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Illustrated by Manal Mirza Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books Available now!
Get a Clue (Bookish Boyfriends) Written by Tiffany Schmidt Published by Harry N. Abrams Available now!
Alice Fleck’s Recipes for Disaster Written by Rachelle Delaney Published by Penguin Random House Canada Ages 10-14 Available May 11, 2021
Twelve-year-old Alice Fleck likes to help her food historian father cook everything from pigeon pies to blancmange. It’s their favorite pastime, along with watching CulinaryChronicles, a sweet reality cooking show where contestants whip up historical goodies. They have a good time together, but it’s getting complicated ever since Hana came into the picture. Hana is her father Jim’s new girlfriend, and it’s not been an easy adjustment with all the changes to their routines, including the trio’s upcoming trip to a Victorian festival. The latest surprise is a doozy: Hana entered the father-daughter duo into Culinary Chronicles and they were accepted as contestants—and it’s taking place at the very Victorian festival they were going to attend! But Alice is in for a bigger surprise—the kindhearted Culinary Chronicles has been rebranded as Culinary Combat, featuring infamous judge Tom Truffleman and on a premium channel to boot. Alice will start middle school soon and doesn’t want to be splashed across her new classmates’ TV sets. If sharing her break with Hana and critical Tom Truffleman weren’t bad enough, it looks like there is a saboteur in the cooking contestants’ midst. Will Alice and her new friends crack the mystery, or will the saboteur ruin Alice’s cooking chances on national television? Rachelle Delaney’s delightful mystery tackles jealousy, parents’ dating, and middle school growing pains. Alice is a precocious tween who rarely realizes what she’s feeling until she’s in the thick of it, especially when it comes to Hana. The reader sees Alice’s initial skittishness around children her own age and watches her confidence grow as a friendship develops between with fellow middle schooler Octavia Spencer over their mutually unique interests (Octavia is into Victorian ghosts). Alice’s friendship with Octavia gives her an outlet to talk about Hana and the reality show performance pressures, both things that are hard for her to discuss with her father. Alice’s growing maturity also translates into a more open and comfortable relationship with Hana—one where they can even cook their own contemporary fare, like mochi ice cream. This lighthearted book primarily takes on evolving families with a secondary backgrounded mystery; the true star of the book is the changing dynamic between Alice, Hana, and Jim.
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, this week’s Butler Bookshelf has many fantastic books featuring female protagonists. Particularly, we are excited to dive into The Meet-Cute Project by Rhiannon Richardson. This story follows Mia, a teen who hates romantic comedies. However, she may be forced to live through her own love story, as she is tasked with finding a date for her sister’s wedding. Mia’s friends–lovers of rom-coms–help by plotting to create the perfect meet-cute. For more great reads, check out the list below!
Hip, Hip . . . Beret! Written by Melanie Ellsworth and Illustrated by Morena Forza Published by HMH Books for Young Readers Available now!
Alone Written by Megan E. Freeman Published by Aladdin Available now!
Captain Dom’s Treasure (Definitely Dominguita) Written by Terry Catasus Jennings and Illustrated by Fatima Anaya Published by Aladdin Available now!
Zonia’s Rainforest Written and Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal Published by Candlewick Available now!
The Meet-Cute Project Written by Rhiannon Richardson Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Available now!
Influence Written by Sara Shepard and Lilia Buckingham Published by Delacorte Press Available now!
Have you applied to DU’s School of Information Studies for Fall 2021?
Do you love youth literature?
Can’t wait to work with kids and teens?
Are you interested in becoming part of a diverse and engaged youth-services-focused library community?
Applications are now being accepted for the 2021-2022 Butler Youth Services Scholarship for Underrepresented Groups in the Field of Library Science. This $15,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student seeking to earn an MLIS with a planned focus on service to children and young adults.
For eligibility requirements and application procedures, please visit our website or contact Butler Children’s Literature Center Curator, Jen Clemons—jclemons@dom.edu.
Applications for Fall 2021 are being accepted until July 7, 2021.
This week, the Butler Bookshelf features Prepped by Bethany Mangle. This story follows Becca Aldaine, a teen who grew up planning for the worst. You see, her family is part of a community of doomsday preppers. But Becca wants more out of life. She risks it all by running away with local boy Roy Kang, wanting to find hope and even love. For more great reads, check out the list below!
The Conjurers: Hunt for the lost Written and Illustrated by Brian Anderson Published by Crown Books for Young Readers Available now!
Maisy’s Moon Mission Written and Illustrated by Lucy Cousins Published by Candlewick Available now!
Wench Written by Maxine Kaplan Published by Amulet Books Available now!
Prepped Written by Bethany Mangle Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books Available now!
Tough Chicks Go to Bed Written by Cece Meng and Illustrated by Melissa Suber Published by HMH Books for Young Readers Available now!
Just like that Written by Gary D. Schmidt Published by Clarion Books Available now!
Invented by Animals: Meet the creatures who inspired our everyday technology
Written by Christiane Dorion and Illustrated by Gosia Herba
Published by Wide Eyed Editions
Ages 7-10
Available April 6, 2021
Dive into this nonfiction read that teaches the reader how animals’ natural survival techniques have inspired human inventions. Learn how the woodpecker is helping to create safer helmets, how the kingfisher and the owl are creating quieter bullet trains, and how the porcupine inspired cutting-edge medical inventions. This is a book that will teach children not only about animals and their unique abilities but also how those abilities will help create new technology and save our planet.
Dorion does an excellent job explaining each animal’s backstory and talent in a way that will appeal to children. She writes from the perspective of the animal, giving each one its own personality. It is as though the animals are talking directly to readers. This technique will help children engage with the book and connect with the information. Throughout the book, the animals also ask questions, encouraging children to think critically and creatively. This makes for a worthy addition to any STEM lesson. Herba’s anthropomorphized illustrations of the animals are fun, vibrant, and sometimes silly—see cover art featuring an octopus in a human disguise. It’s beautiful, full colors will entice readers to pick it up. Although geared towards grade levels 2-5, it really is an informative read for all ages.
In honor of Irish-American Heritage Month, the Butler Bookshelf is featuring The Deepest Breath by Irish author Meg Grehan. This novel-in-verse takes us on 11 year-old Stevie’s journey as she manages her anxiety, tries to make sense of her feelings for her friend Chloe, and explores her identity. For more great reads, check out the list below!
Sydney and Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World Written by Jacqueline Davies and Illustrated by Deborah Hocking Published by HMH Books for Young Readers Available now!
Samantha Spinner and the Perplexing Pants Written by Russell Ginns Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers Available now!
The Deepest Breath Written by Meg Grehan Published by HMH Books for Young Readers Available now!
The Nightmare Thief Written by Nicole Lesperance and Illustrated by Federica Fenna Published by Sourcebooks Young Readers Available now!
The 12 Days of St. Patrick’s Day Written by Jenna Lettice and Illustrated by Colleen Madden Published by Random House Books for Young Readers Available now!
My Magical Leprechaun Written and Illustrated by Yujin Shin Published by Harry N. Abrams Available now!
