Author Archives: bclyp

Butler Bookshelf

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Here at the Butler Center, we love books – and what’s a book without a writer to write it? This week we’re getting meta with books about writing. Covering everything from poetry to plays, these books are sure to inspire any budding creative. Our feature pick is Werewolf Hamlet by Kerry Madden-Lunsford. Angus Gettlefinger loves a lot of things – werewolves, old Hollywood, Shakespeare, and his older brother, Liam. But lately, Liam has changed, and is acting more like a creature of the night than the big brother Angus loves. Angus hatches a plan to put on a play with his 5th grade class: Hamlet, but with werewolves. Werewolf Hamlet. Maybe, when he sees it, Liam will realize he’s changing, just like the Werewolf Hamlet in Angus’ play. Maybe everything will go back to normal. An emotional look at addiction and the toll it takes on a family through the eyes of an over-imaginative 10 year old, Werewolf Hamlet will serve as a mirror for readers who have faced struggles similar to Angus’, and a window into new experiences for those who have not.

Check out more books to inspire your inner writer below!

Dear Bookstore
Emily Arrow
Illustrated by Genevieve Godbout
Candlewick Press
Available now!

Janie Writes a Play: Jane Yolen’s First Great Story
Heidi E. Y. Stemple
Illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight
Charlesbirdge
Available now!

Ruthie Rose’s Big Idea
John Schu
Illustrated by Holly Hatam
Candlewick Press
Available now!

Werewolf Hamlet
Kerry Madden-Lunsford
Charlesbridge/Charlesbridge Moves
Available now!

You’re a Poet: Ways to Start Writing Poems
Sean Taylor
Illustrated by Sam Usher
Candlewick Press
Available now!

Dare To Follow Your Joy: A Review of The Queen Bees of Tybee County 

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The Queen Bees of Tybee County 
Written by Kyle Casey Chu 
Published by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins Publishers 
Ages 8-13 
Available April 15, 2025 

Talented middle school point guard Derrick Chan has the perfect summer plan: go to basketball camp and practice every day so he and his best friend, JJ, can make the varsity team next year. His plan is upended when his dad can’t afford the tuition, so instead, Derrick is sent to his grandma Claudia’s in boring Heritage, GA. There, Derrick befriends roller skater Ro and queer photographer Giles. When he has an opportunity to help out with the town pageant, Derrick volunteers out of curiosity and is soon faced with an opportunity to be daring and authentically express himself to the world.  

The Queen Bees of Tybee County is an emotional and heartwarming story of one middle school boy’s journey to self-discovery. Every reader will be able to understand Derrick’s confusion and anxiety, and they’ll find comfort in the safe space that his loved ones give him to be himself. Simultaneously, Chu expertly makes Derrick’s experience specific to his queer Chinese American identity. He demonstrates the diversity of expression in the LGBTQ+ community by showing the different ways Derrick and Giles express their queerness, as well as the ways that racism has affected Derrick’s family members chasing their own dreams. All told from Derrick’s perspective, his sweet and genuine personality makes the story compelling. Community is the heart of this novel, and Chu creates a comfortable safe space in Giles, Ro, and Claudia for Derrick to explore his feelings before feeling safe to come out to JJ and his dad. Although the resolution is fairytale-esque, Chu doesn’t shy away from the reality of being queer and Chinese American by showing resistance from some townspeople when Derrick competes in the pageant. This touching story of self-love and acceptance is sure to inspire upper-elementary and middle schoolers everywhere to be proud of who they are. 

Butler Bookshelf

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Tomorrow is International Read To Me Day, and here at the Butler Center, we wanted to celebrate by sharing some new board and picture books that came out this year! Reading to young children has proven to be an important part of fostering literacy. Take a look through these delightful books and find the right one for your little one, like Your Island by Jon Klassen! In this charming board book, young readers build their own island that they can visit “whenever [they] want to go there” (25). Klassen introduces readers to their very own sun, palm tree, plants, and more items that bring their island to life. With whimsical ink and graphite illustrations, readers can learn about the basics of an island campsite and Klassen helps to build an imaginary oasis that young readers can enjoy while playing or reading the book again.

Check out more board and picture books below!

Maisy’s Planet: Maisy Loves Birds
Written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Our Gorgeous Baby
Written by Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Illustrated by Eve Coy
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

A Pocket Full of Rocks
Written by Kristin Mahoney
Illustrated by E.B. Goodale
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
Available now!

Seven Little Ducklings
Written and illustrated by Annette LeBlanc Cate
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Your Island
Written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Come Find Me: A Review of Frankie and Friends: The Lost Tooth

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Frankie and Friends: The Lost Tooth
Christine Platt
Illustrated by Alea Marley
Walker Books/Candlewick
March 18, 2025
Age 5-8

If Frankie loses a tooth while she’s away from home, how will the tooth fairy ever find her? Excitement over the very first loose tooth, and anxiety over its timing, inspire imaginative problem-solving by thoughtful and determined Frankie and her friends—a group of sentient toys—to ensure a visit from the tooth fairy. The group brainstorms solutions as they prepare for a long-awaited trip to accompany Mama to a journalism conference. When Frankie loses her tooth at the conference, she is joined by other aspiring young journalists to find her tooth and guarantee it makes it to her pillow.

With gentle prose and the excitement of her young protagonist, Platt centers the joys and concerns of a young elementary schooler and the importance of friendship in this third installment of the Frankie and Friends series. Introducing potentially new vocabulary in all caps, calls out the opportunity to decode the word based on clear context clues in the text. Though there is a definition list included in the backmatter. Themes of teamwork and communicating worries are spot on for the social-emotional learning of the target age group. Digital illustrations in a hand-drawn, colored-pencil style are vibrantly hued and full of pattern. Full page, full bleed images sit alongside smaller inset drawing to break up the text into manageable chunks, and closely mirror the text to aid in decoding. Depicting sweetly expressive faces and a loving bond in the African American family, Marley’s illustrations help place the series as one to depict an ordinary, happy childhood versus struggle and strife.

The latest Frankie and Friends offers newly independent readers a spunky heroine growing into her own with the loving support of her family and friends.

Butler Bookshelf

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Fairies and dragons and unicorns – oh my! This week’s Butler Bookshelf is all about magical creatures, from friendly unicorns to dangerously deadly mermaids. Our feature pick is Fairy Door Diaries: Eliza and the Flower Fairies by Megan McDonald and illustrated by Lenny Wen. Eliza loves reading about fairies, but after traveling through a fairy door, they become more than just words on a page – they’re real! The flower fairies are nervous to see someone so big, but after an introduction from the brave fairy Poppy, they’re excited to meet “Eliza of the Elves.” However, when a plot to steal their flower scents is put into motion, Eliza finds that she’s the only one who can save Poppy and her new flower fairy friends. This story full of magic, accompanied by Wen’s colorful illustrations, is sure to be a hit with lovers of everything flowery and fairy-filled.

Check out more books about magical beings below!

Fairy Door Diaries: Eliza and the Flower Fairies
Megan McDonald
Illustrated by Lenny Wen
Candlewick Press
Available now!

Hocus and Pocus and the Dragon Next Door
A.R. Capetta
Illustrated by Charlene Chua
Candlewick Press
Available now!

Momo Arashima Duels the Queen of Death
Misa Sugiura
Random House Children’s Books/Labyrinth Road
Available now!

The Fifth Mage
Megan Reyes
Random House Children’s Books/Labyrinth Road
Available now!

Unicornia: A Magical Birthday
Ana Punset
Illustrated by Diana Vicedo
Candlewick Press
Available now!

Better Than Yours: A Review of My Dad is the Best

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My Dad is the Best
Fran Pintadera
Illustrated by Joan Turu
Charlesbridge
Ages 4-8
Available April 22, 2025

“My dad is the best.” “My dad is better!” This classic exchange sets off a back-and-forth of epic proportions between two little boys as they try to prove who really has the better dad. As their sons continue to one-up each other (“My dad can pick up a truck!” “My dad can pick up a truck filled with elephants!”) the two fathers do their best to keep up with the bigger and bigger demands being made of them. When everything comes crashing down and one dad helps the other, the boys move on from their competition. As it turns out – “My dad loves your dad.” and “My dad loves your dad, too.”

Equal parts silly and sweet, My Dad is the Best is a loveable take on a classic trope. The boys’ ridiculous demands drive the story, with each page adding another over-the-top detail. Turu’s illustrations play along, too, becoming larger and more complex as the dads’ task becomes bigger and stranger. Using a scribble-filled colored pencil style that’s simple yet effective, Turu packs each page full of emotion – whether it’s the pride of the boys watching their dads or the shock of each new feat wowing its audience. Once everything comes tumbling down (elephants, trucks, and all), the story shifts from an absurd competition to a more relaxed aftermath as the fight is forgotten. While everyone cleans up (and the elephants are safely escorted away), they discover that they get along alright, after all. The twist ending cements this story as a lovable subversion of the classic argument – one in which love, not competition, wins in the end.

Pintadera’s outrageous take on this competition heard in elementary schools the world over, combined with Turu’s charming illustrations, make for a story that’s sure to delight young readers. Whether they’re laughing at a truck full of elephants or “aww”-ing at the surprise ending, My Dad is the Best will keep picture book lovers excited and engaged.

Butler Bookshelf

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March is Women’s History Month, and what better way to kick it off than by reading about amazing women throughout history. This week we’re taking a look at nonfiction about inspiring women – from scientists to mathematicians to politicians. Our feature pick is The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a Shape by Amy Alznauer, illustrated by Anna Bron. Throughout history, artists and mathematicians have grappled with the Problem of Five – the seeming impossibility of a five-sided shape that tiles perfectly with itself. Marjorie Rice was neither an artist nor a trained mathematician, but she was determined to solve the issue. Through a lot of hard work and dedication, she discovered four new shapes, never before seen by humans! This biography, with illustrations filled with gorgeous five-sided tessellations, tells the Story of Five and Marjorie’s dedication to solving the age-old mystery. This inspiring story is sure to be a hit with budding mathematicians or those interested in women’s history.

Check out more books about women who changed the world below!

The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a Shape
Amy Alznauer
Illustrated by Anna Bron
Candlewick Press
Available now!

The Girl Who Tested the Waters: Ellen Swallow, Environmental Scientist
Patricia Danielle
Illustrated by Junyi Wu
Candlewick Press/MIT Kids Press
Available now!

Jellyfish Scientist: Maude Delap and her Mesmerizing Medusas
Michelle Cusolito
Illustrated by Ellen Rooney
Charlesbridge
Available April 22nd, 2025

The Six — Young Reader’s Edition: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts
Loren Grush and Rebecca Stefoff
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Available now!

True Gretch: Lessons For Anyone Who Wants To Make a Difference (Young Adult Edition)
Gretchen Whitmer
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Atheneum
Available now!

What Makes Me Special?: A Review of I’m a Dumbo Octopus!: A Graphic Guide to Cephalopods 

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I’m a Dumbo Octopus!: A Graphic Guide to Cephalopods 
Written and illustrated by Anne Lambelet 
Published by Lerner Publishing Group/Graphic Universe 
Ages 8-12 
Available March 4, 2025 

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have nine brains or be able to shoot ink to escape dire situations? In this graphic guide, Grimpy, short for Grimpoteuthis, the scientific name for dumbo octopuses, teaches readers about his cephalopod friends and shows all the things that make them different. He introduces individual species within the cephalopod class, such as cuttlefish and coconut octopuses, showing off their fascinating characteristics and abilities, like using color to communicate and making tools out of the environment. Meanwhile, Grimpy becomes increasingly disheartened when he can’t figure out what makes dumbo octopuses special. In the end, his friends come together to share cool facts about dumbo octopuses that make them unique. Grimpy realizes that he is just as unique as his other cephalopod friends.  

By creating an amusing “tour guide” with Grimpy the dumbo octopus, Anne Lambelet successfully creates a fun and personable way to learn about cephalopods in this graphic nonfiction book. Jam-packed with interesting facts, readers will gain a thorough understanding of this class of animals without feeling overwhelmed with information. Lambelet also adds a touching storyline of celebrating each other’s differences through Grimpy and the other cephalopods sharing their unique skills. At the end, Lambelet includes a glossary with illustrations reviewing each important term introduced in the book, as well as a photograph of a dumbo octopus. Although Lambelet doesn’t have a background in marine biology or ocean science, she includes a selected bibliography of her research and a reading list for readers who want to learn more about cephalopods. Lambelet’s cartoon-style illustrations balance her informative text by bringing more humorous personality to the facts she shares. However, the red, pink, and blue color palette limits her depiction of some of the more colorful capabilities of cephalopods, like camouflage and communication. A charming adventure through the fascinating animal class of cephalopods, I’m a Dumbo Octopus! is an entertaining addition to ocean-themed lessons or programs.  

Butler Bookshelf

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Books are a great way to learn about new things. Whether it’s fiction that shows us a new culture, a chapter book that helps us understand new emotions, or nonfiction that shares interesting facts about nature, there’s always something new to learn in every book we pick up! This week’s Butler Bookshelf is a list of new books we’ve received that all have something to teach us about, like What’s the Actually Factually Difference?: How to Tell the Difference Between Over 150 Things That Are Similar But Different! by Jane Wilsher and illustrated by Liz Kay. This fun book is rich with knowldge and full of facts about all kinds of things that seem the same, but are actually different. Wilsher divides the book into many different chapters. including “Transportation,” “Jobs and hobbies,” and “History,” so readers have a wide range of topics to learn about. Kay’s illustrations accompany the text well and engage readers by helping to visualize every topic. A useful resource that can be read alone, What’s the Actually Factually Difference? can also be used to play fun trivia and quiz games with friends by taking turns reading and guessing the differences between things like a crocodile and an alligator or a black hole and a wormhole.

Check out more books below!

A Burning in the Bones (Waxways 3)
Written by Scott Reintgen
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Available now

Charlie Hernandez and the Phantom of Time (Charlie Hernandez 4)
Written by Ryan Calejo
Published by Aladdin
Available now

Nature School: Planet Earth: Lessons and Activities to Inspire Children’s Fascination with Our Planet
Written by Lauren Giordano and Laura Stroup
Illustrated by Staphanie Hathaway
Published by Quarry Books
Available now

Sona Sharma, Wish Me Luck (Hardcover Edition)
Written by Chitra Soundar
Illustrated by Jen Khatun
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now

What’s the Actually Factually Difference? How to Tell the Difference Between Over 150 Things That Are Similar But Different!
Written by Jane Wilsher
Illustrated by Liz Kay
Published by words & pictures
Available now

At Home or On the Road: Connect w/ BCLC this Spring

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The Butler Center space and staff have lots of plans this semester, and we hope you’ll join us!

Illinois Youth Services Institute

The Butler Center is a proud sponsor of IYSI 2025 taking place in Bloomington-Normal, February 27-28th. While registration is closed, I’m sure many of our IL library friends will be there. Look for the BCLC booth during exhibit hall hours:

  • Thursday, February 27 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Sponsor Exhibit Reception
  • Friday, February 28 from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. at the Sponsor Exhibits Coffee
  • Friday, February 28 from 9:00 – 1:00 pm during the concurrent exhibits hours

Or you’ll likely find me in the following sessions:

  • Once Upon a Time Again: Finding New Narratives in Old Tales with Dr. Janice Del Negro
    • Thursday, February 27 from 2-3pm in Redbird B
    • Award-winning author, educator, and storyteller Janice M. Del Negro will briefly discuss the place of fairy tales in youth literature as well as the process of retelling tales, including a storytelling demonstration of classic tales retold. Workshop includes demonstrations, discussion, language games, and exercises on retelling tales and changing points of view. Includes resource handouts.
  • Strengthening the Library Ecosystem
    • Thursday, February 27 from 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM in Redbird G
    • Our panel presentation will have a focus on the importance of forging partnerships between public and school libraries as a foundation for literacy efforts. This session aims to equip youth services professionals with innovative strategies for enhancing engagement and promoting literacy through collaborative programming across different types of libraries and organization and system engagement. RAILS, IHLS, and AISLE members will share best practices, strategies for networking with library groups and organizations, and an update of resources and information. We will also cover various entry points into schools and cross-type library programming. This session will focus on strengthening the partnership between school and public libraries for the benefit of all with support from various stakeholders.

Annual Butler Lecture

Can’t make it to IYSI? Join the Butler Center as we host award-winning author (and our OPRF neighbor) Candace Fleming at the 13th Annual Butler Lecture. In “Searching the World for Stories,” she discusses the “extreme research” involved in creating her nonfiction (and fiction) books. Learning hieroglyphs? Nursing orphaned rhino babies? It’s part of the job.

Candace Fleming is the author of more than fifty books for children and young adults, including the 2021 Sibert Medal-winning Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera, as well as the 2021 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award-winning The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh. A recipient of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, she is also the two-time winner of both the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award, and the Sibert Honor. Her most recent titles are The Enigma Girls and Narwhal, Unicorn of the Arctic. Find out more about the author an her work at CandaceFleming.com

The lecture will be followed by a Q&A, reception, and book signing.
Register today!

Spring Break

Classes may be suspended for DU-SOIS students to get some well-earned R&R (March 3-7), but if you’re staying local, you can still check in with BCLC Tuesday-Thursday from 9-3pm or Monday and Friday from 2-5pm. Or drop a note to butler@dom.edu to make special arrangements.

Bologna Children’s Book Fair

BCLC curator, Jen Clemons, is off the Italy with LIS youth services students for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Watch for updates to our socials in early April for a peek at some of the sights, sounds, and tastes Bologna has to offer. Want to join in 2026? LIS 796: International Book Fair is open to SOIS students and Students-at-Large. Contact us at butler@dom.edu to find out more.

Butler Youth Services Scholarship

Applications are being accepted for the Butler Youth Services Scholarship. This $15,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student seeking to earn a Dominican University MLIS with a focus on children’s services for public or school libraries. Preference will be given to graduates of a Dominican University undergraduate program who are from a background underrepresented in the field of library science. This competitive award will consider merit, academic excellence, leadership qualities, and the desire and disposition to work with young people as part of the applicant selection process.

Applications are due May 5, 2025 for Fall 2025 award. Visit DOM.EDU to find out more.