Category Archives: animals

Butler Bookshelf

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Happy (almost) Thanksgiving, friends! In honor of this holiday’s incredibly iconic fowl, our Butler Bookshelf this week features a feast of bird stories, both non-fiction and picture, to satisfy all of your Turkey Day needs. What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than with a spread? … Of books, that is! Our feature pick of the week is The Crane and the Keeper, written by Meeg Pincus and illustrated by Gillian Eilidh O’Mara, inspired by the true tale of zookeeper Chris Crowe (talk about nominative determinism!) and Walnut, one persnickety white-naped crane. As a rescued and hand-reared crane, Walnut is incredibly feisty and has no interest in her fellow birds, although keepers are eager for her to mate since white-naped cranes are nearing endangered. But with patience from brand-new birdkeeper Chris Crowe, the two begin an unlikely friendship… and courtship, in Walnut’s eyes! Thanks to Chris, she’s able to successfully lay eggs after years of not trying, and goes on to have eleven babies, along with a loving, caring, and unique bond to Chris. Talk about co-parenting!

Check out some other silly (and sweet!) tales of birds galore below.

Tiny Owl’s Scary Day
Petr Horáček
Candlewick Press
Available now!

The Lonely Goose
Lela Nargi
Illustrated by Anne Hunter
Random House Children’s Books / Random House Studio
Available now!

Seven: A Most Remarkable Pigeon
Sandra Nickel
Illustrated by Aimée Sicuro
Candlewick Press
Available now!

The Crane and the Keeper: How an Endangered Crane Chose a Human as Her Mate
Meeg Pincus
Illustrated by Gillian Eilidh O’Mara
Candlewick Entertainment / Smithsonian Kids
Available now!

Born Inside a Nest So Small: Conversation with a Hummingbird
Iza Trapani
Charlesbridge
Available now!

And from all of us at the Butler Center, have a Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 Wishing you and your family all the best!

An Ear-Resistible Tail: A Review of Bunns Rabbit

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Bunns Rabbit
Written and illustrated by Alan Barillaro
Candlewick Press
Ages 8-12
Available October 7th, 2025

Although the superstitious elders of the warren fear newborn Bunns’ peculiarly small ears, thanks to the loving heart song of her mother—thump, thump, thump—Bunns feels no different than the rest of her long-eared family. But when a flutter of Monarchs lures Bunns into the deep, dark forest, she comes face to face with the fiery Spirit Fox, feared by all. Legend says the Spirit Fox has the power to grant wishes, but after seeing Bunns in its presence, the other rabbits decide that she is the “Bad Omen,” and banish her from the meadow. Determined to save her place in the burrow and stay with her family, young Bunns sets out to find the fox again, longing for the wish of, well, long ears. As she wanders beyond the meadow, Bunns befriends Bee, a gentle hummingbird, and Loon, whose cold heart she’s determined to warm. Together, the trio set off on a journey full of myth, mystery, and riddles. Filled with bravery (and a belly of clover!), Bunns is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her family and home safe.

​Academy Award-winning writer & director Alan Barillaro is no stranger to the allure of a story rooted in the courage and curiosity of young animal creatures. With the adorable Pixar short Piper under his belt, it comes as no surprise that Barillaro’s new book Bunns Rabbit is just as moving; this time combining that heartstrings-will-be-tugged narrative with an action-packed fantastical journey. There are moments of despair for the trio, plenty of obstacles, and times when Bunn loses hope, but nevertheless, she persists. Complete with rich, hand-painted illustrations and some truly wonderful poetic moments, Bunns Rabbit is the perfect blend of graphic novel and parable for both children and adults; it’s a timeless exploration of family, friendship, and, most importantly, self-love. Big ears or small.

Butler Bookshelf

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For this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we’re sharing books all about animals! From the timeless-ness of super-agers like tortoises to the unique qualities of different animal poop, these books hold interesting information for animal lovers of all ages. In this week’s feature, In the Desert, readers travel to the Sahara Desert through author David Elliott’s playful poems and Gordy Wright’s rich illustrations. Elliott uses creative poetry to place readers in the viewpoint of different animals that live in the Sahara Desert, like the Saharan cheetah, the Anubis baboon, and the dung beetle. The short poems entertain kids as they learn about what Saharan animals eat and how they spend their time through natural rhythm and fun rhymes. At the end, Elliot includes a few sentences that further explain the unique characteristics of these animals. Wright’s paintings beautifully illustrate the environment in the Sahara Desert with a full-color palette. Wright utilizes a realistic art style that gives young readers an accurate portrayal of how these animals look. Paired together, Elliott’s poems and Wright’s paintings are sure to fascinate and educate readers of all ages.

Check out more books about animals below!

In the Desert
Written by David Elliot
Illustrated by Gordy Wright
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Innovative Octopuses, Half-Brained Birds, and More Animals With Magnificent Minds
Written by Christina Couch
Illustrated by Daniel Duncan
Published by MIT Kids Press
Available now!

Meet the Mini-Mammals: A Night at the National History Museum
Written by Melissa Stewart
Illustrated by Brian Lies
Published by Beach Lane Books
Available now!

Small World: Meet 30 of Earth’s Tiniest Creatures
Written by Nick Crumpton
Illustrated by Rosie Dore
Published by Wide Eyed Editions
Available now!

Whose Poop Is That? (Board Book Edition)
Written by Darrin Lunde
Illustrated by Kelsey Oseid
Published by Charlesbridge
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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This week’s Butler Bookshelf is all about new fiction titles in our collection! These titles feature animal adventures, a school for time travelers, and dragons in London for readers of all ages. The featured title this week is Time Out! (Addy McBean) by Margery Cuyler and illustrated by Stacy Curtis. In this chapter book for beginning readers, math-loving Addy McBean learns how to tell time on analog clocks and how to set an alarm. Along the way, she and her best friend, Star, become convinced that their teacher, Mr. Vertex, is getting married. Working tirelessly to look for clues, they accidentally spread the rumor to their class. In addition to learning the fun of telling time, Addy learns the importance of using facts to make a decision instead of assumptions. Curtis uses quirky digital illustrations to accompany Addy’s adventures, and Cuyler includes a character glossary and a word list to help young readers remember characters and learn new terms.

Check out more fiction below!

The Doomsday Vault (Everwhen School of Time Travel (and Other Odd Sciences) 1)
Written by Thomas Wheeler
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available now

A Language of Dragons
Written by S.F. Williamson
Published by Harper
Available now

Little Head, Little Nose
Written by Yuli Yav
Illustrated by Antonia Woodward
Published by LITTLE SIMON
Available now

Time Out! (Addy McBean)
Written by Margery Cuyler
Illustrated by Stacy Curtis
Published by Aladdin Quix
Available now

A Wolf Called Fire
Written by Rosanne Parry
Published by Greenwillow Books
Available now

Survival of the Bravest: Wolf Girl: Into the Wild

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Wolf Girl: Into the Wild
Anh Do
Illustration by Jeremy Ley and Annie Ji
HarperCollins
March 18, 2025
Age 8-12

Pulled from bed and forced to escape home in a war zone, Gwen and her family flee to the mountains where they’re separated during an attack. When she finds herself alone in the forest, she sets off to find her parents and discovers that everyone—all humans—seem to be gone. A fall into a raging river, and rescue by a ragtag pack of dogs, sets her on a path to discover her survival skills and inner strength as she learns to live in the wilderness with a found family. Sighting an aircraft, a first indicator that she’s not alone, sparks harrowing a journey to find her family and other survivors.

Inspired by the author’s own traumatic family flight from post-war Vietnam, this tale of perseverance reads as an adventure with some powerful undercurrents of fear and loneliness, in a departure from his usual comedic work. Flashbacks to earlier childhood act as reminders of Gwen’s emotional strength and intelligence—connection to family, hunting lessons, and her father’s advice to “follow [her] instincts” (p. 8). Time jumps in the narrative have this quick read covering three years and the dual maturation of both Gwen and her “puppy” into a brave and resilient girl and a full-grown wolf. Do’s simple yet descriptive language, comfort derived from her animal family, and the inclusion of slightly anime-like illustrations position the text for a younger MG audience. Themes of war, survival, and isolation skew older, and might require caution for more sensitive young readers. The dramatic cliffhanger of an ending sets the stage for more adventures to come. Do’s new-to-the-US series for middle grade readers already has 12 installments published in Australia. A thrilling, yet warm tale of survival and the importance of family, both the one you’re born to and the companions we find when we need them most. 

Butler Bookshelf

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This week’s Butler Bookshelf is all about dogs! These books feature dogs of all shapes and sizes, and feature doggy adventures in exciting locales real and imaginary, from New York City to Dog Town to Labrador, Australia, where out featured book Harriet Hound takes place. Written by Kate Foster and illustrated by Sophie Beer, this novel tells the story of Harriet Hound, an exceptional autistic eight-year-old who has the magical ability to summon dogs from her family’s rescue shelter. Whether she’s sniffing out missing vegetables, chasing away a surprise storm, or guarding the winter carnival from disaster, Harriet and her dogs are always ready to jump into action! In each of the three adventures featured in the book, Harriet shares her autistic experience and her love of dogs with the reader as she saves the day and unites rescue dogs with new forever homes. Plus, each story contains an illustrated guide to the dog breeds mentioned, and the book concludes with Harriet’s very own guide to rescuing a dog of your own.

Check out more books for dog-lovers below!

Harriet Hound
Written by Kate Foster
Illustrated by Sophie Beer
Published by Candlewick Press
Available December 3, 2024

101 Dogs: An Illustrated Compendium of Canines
Written by Nicola Jane Swinney
Illustrated by Romy Blumel
Published by Big Picture Books
Available now!

All the Best Dogs
Written by Emily Jenkins
Illustrated by Manuel Prietano
Published by Delacorte Press
Available now!

No, Nancy, No!: A Dog Chase in New York City
Written and Illustrated by Alice Tait
Published by Walker Books US
Available December 3, 2024

This is the Way in Dog Town
Written and Illustrated by Ya-Ling Huang
Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Available now!

It Takes a Village: A Review of Squirrel Needs a Break

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Squirrel Needs a Break
Kristen Remenar
Illustrated by Matt Faulkner
Charlesbridge
Available May 7, 2024
Age 4-7

After a long winter in the nest, Squirrel is an exhausted single dad, just doing his best with three rambunctious kits. Seeing his need, his forest friends hatch a plan to give Squirrel the break he so desperately deserves. How hard could it be to take care of little squirrels? While Owl takes Squirrel to dinner, Hare teaches the kits to make pancakes. While Groundhog takes him to yoga, Owl teaches the kits to meditate—almost. Each friend takes a turn helping Squirrel to relax and watching the kits. As the community rallies to help, they realize how hard and rewarding it can be to parent. In the end, they all appreciate what a wonderful father Squirrel is and what a strong family they make together.

In this companion to Groundhog’s Dilemma, Remenar uses gentle humor to explore the work and love required to raise young of any species with a story as much for parents as children. And the forest community demonstrates just how important a support system, whether an extended or found family, can be to the effort. Faulkner’s digital illustrations use a pencil-like technique and vintage color palette reminiscent of Disney’s The Rescuers (1977). The combination of full-bleed and multi-panel pages with text bubbles provides enough visual interest to keep the story from veering too retro. Emotionally expressive faces showcase the joys and trials of parenthood so thoroughly that adult readers will feel seen. Perfect for a snuggled up read, this title will illustrate to kids the ways caregivers show their love through both actions and words.

The African proverb that it takes a village to raise a child (or, in this case, squirrel) is proven yet again in this sweet and lighthearted tribute to the power of community.

All in a Days Work: A Review of Stillwater and Koo Save the World

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Stillwater and Koo Save the World (A Stillwater and Friends Book)
Jon J. Muth
Scholastic Press
Ages 4 to 8
February 7, 2023

Koo, a young giant panda, wakes up inspired to change the world and enlists his thoughtful Uncle Stillwater to help fix it all—today. As they go about their day, Koo proceeds to have giant expectations of what he would like to do, but Stillwater teaches him that making small changes in the environment, and helping the community, can be their own meaningful way to change the world.

Told using a variety of animals, humans, and anthropomorphic pandas, the diverse characters reflect the diversity of the world and all the characters that might need kindness. Pandas as symbols of peace and friendship in Asian countries, are the main character in this story as they try to bring small improvements to the world around them. The pace of the story changes from rapid excitement as Koo suddenly wakes up one day and instantly ropes his uncle into the expectations of wanting to save the whole world, then slows only when Stillwater speaks to Koo about making small differences in the world around him. As the pace changes, the tone of the story changes to one of acceptance and encouragement of his personal efforts Encouraged by his uncle, Koo begins to bring joy to those around him through small but meaningful actions, such as cleaning his room and making a cake for the neighbors. These realistic everyday chores and acts of thoughtfulness offer young readers clear examples of how their actions impact the world around them. Drawn with pencil and granulated watercolors, the airy but vivid illustrations exemplify the beauty in the world around Stillwater and Koo and why they want to help save it. Stillwater and Koo Save the World is an uplifting story about wanting to make giant differences in the world by doing something small, inspiring readers to make meaningful changes in the world regardless of age.  

 

Adventure Awaits: A review of Sydney & Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World

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Sydney & Taylor Explore the Whole Wide World
Jacqueline Davies
Illustrated by Deborah Hocking
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Kids
Available February 2, 2021
Ages 6-9

Sydney the skunk and Taylor the hedgehog are roommates in a cozy burrow under an enchanting backyard garden. When Taylor yearns for excitement and adventure, Sydney grudgingly agrees to explore the Whole Wide World, despite the fact that “exciting is… exhausting.”  And exciting it is as they make their first foray out of the yard and into the unknown to explore, hunt for food, and battle foes both wild and motorized. Anxiety often overwhelms Taylor, but Sydney’s gentle encouragement and stalwart friendship see the pair through their frightening encounters and safely home to the burrow and their comfy armchairs. In this first installment of the early chapter book series, Jacqueline Davies (Lemonade Wars series) brings these lovable characters to life with sweet humor and honest emotions. Their explorations gently illustrate that fear and bravery go hand-in-hand, with both characters exhibiting courage and trepidation in turn. Deborah Hocking’s gouache illustrations add delightful detail, perfectly enhancing the text and portraying the excitement and anxiety adventure can hold. A delightful escapade that proves true friendship is worth its weight in tuna fish sandwiches!

Butler Bookshelf

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This week on the Butler Bookshelf, we’re eager to read a picture book on the Queen of Soul herself–Aretha Franklin! Author Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrator Laura Freeman take readers on a journey back to Aretha Franklin’s childhood and her rise to legendary status in A Voice Named Aretha. For more great reads, check out the list Below!

Arlo Finch in the Kingdom of Shadows
Written by John August
Published by Roaring Brook Press
Available now!

Machines in Motion: The Amazing History of Transportation
Written by Tom Jackson
Published by Bloomsbury
Available now!

Hop Little Bunnies
Written by Martha Mumford and illustrated by Laura Hughes
Published by Bloomsbury
Available now!

A Voice Named Aretha
Written by Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrated by Laura Freeman
Published by Bloomsbury
Available now!

A Beginner’s Projects in Coding
Written by Marc Scott and illustrated by Mick Marston
Published by Bloomsbury
Available now!

A Way with Wild Things
Written by Larissa Theule and illustrated by Sara Palacios
Published by Bloomsbury
Available now!