Category Archives: Butler Bookshelf

Butler Bookshelf

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This week’s Butler Bookshelf is all about the silly! We’re taking a look at some new picture books that are pretty much guaranteed to… well, at least give you a giggle! There’s a little bit of everything for everyone here: an acorn-less gray squirrel who’s going nuts (literally!), a wise bug broadcasting insect advice on air, an overzealous little penguin pursuing polar bear for dinner, and one little girl’s grocery store banana bonanza. Our feature pick this week is Little Red and Big, Bad Fred, a creatively silly & heartfelt take on the classic Little Red Riding Hood tale, written and illustrated by Ashley Belote. Little Red loves going to his Great-Grandpa’s house, especially since it means he gets to see his furry friend Fred along the way! But the one thing Little Red doesn’t know is… Fred’s a hungry, hungry wolf and thinks Little Red would make a scrumptious midday snack! One winter day, Fred hits his head, and Little Red brings him to Great-Grandpa’s for help. With sharp, shiny fangs and big, big claws, the two realize he must be a dog! They buy him kibble, play fetch, and after lots of belly rubs, Fred realizes that maybe Little Red wouldn’t be the perfect meal, but rather the perfect best friend.

Check out some more silly, laugh-out-loud picture books below!

Little Red and Big, Bad Fred
Ashley Belote
Random House Children’s Books / Random House Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Gray Squirrel Loses It!
Cassandra Federman
Random House Children’s Books / Random House Books for Young Readers
Available now!

On the Air with Dr. Doodlebug
Susan E. Goodman
Illustrated by Merrill Rainey
Astra Books for Young Readers / Hippo Park
Available now!

I’m Going to Eat a Polar Bear
Karl Newson
Illustrated by Nicola Kinnear
The Quarto Group / Happy Yak
Available now!

A Quick Trip to the Store
Sam Wedelich
Random House Children’s Books / Knopf Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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Romantasy (a portmanteau of romance and fantasy) is the undisputed ruler of Booktok, and the genre dominating bookshelves everywhere. This week, we’re celebrating all things magical, fantastical, and romantical by highlighting some of the young adult romantasy in our Butler collection. Our feature pick is The Nightblood Prince by Molly X. Chang. The night that Fei was born, a prophecy sealed her fate as the Empress of all Empresses who will one day rule over a united continent. Sealed away in the palace walls and promised in marriage to the Emperor’s son, Fei wants nothing more than to reclaim her own destiny. But as her childhood friend and betrothed wages war against a powerful, supernatural prince from a neighboring kingdom, she is forced to confront the truth of her prophecy — and the truth of her heart’s desire.

Check out more YA romantasy below!

A Forgery of Fate
Elizabeth Lim
Random House Children’s Books/Alfred A. Knopf
Available now!

A Match Made in Hell
Charlotte Ingham
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available now!

An Embroidery of Souls
Ruby Martinez
Random House Children’s Books/Alfred A. Knopf
Available now!

The Nightblood Prince
Molly X. Chang
Random House Children’s Books/Random House Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Witchkiller
Ashlee Latimer
Scholastic/Scholastic Press
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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Graphic novels are a favorite among students, teachers, and librarians alike. Spanning a variety of genres, stories, and art styles, anyone can find their perfect graphic novel match. We have no shortage of them here in the Butler Center, so this week we’re taking a look at some of our middle grade graphic novels. Our feature pick is The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang by Stan Yan. Eugenia Wang has never been allowed to celebrate her birthday on the day itself, because her mother believes the date, April 4th, is unlucky due to Chinese superstition around the number 4. Genie plots to throw a party on her actual 13th birthday and to apply to an art summer camp behind her disapproving mother’s back. But while she plans, she begins having visions of death and disaster striking on her birthday, which bleed through into the comic she draws for her art camp application. As the visions continue and her birthday draws closer, Genie begins to suspect the visions are a supernatural warning — and she needs to figure out how to stop their events from coming true.

Check out more middle grade graphic novels below!

Grumpy Monkey School Stinks!: A Graphic Novel
Suzanne Lang
Illustrated by Max Lang
Random House Children’s Books/Random House Studio
Available now!

The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang
Stan Yan
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics: The Graphic Novel
Chris Grabenstein
Illustrated by Douglas Holgate
Random House Children’s Books/RH Graphic
Available now!

My Life as an Internet Novel
A Hyeon and Yu Han-Ryeo
Random House Children’s Books/RH Graphic
Available now!

Someone’s Gonna End Up Crying
Jo Knowles
Illustrated by Glynnis Fawkes
Candlewick Press
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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For this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we’re exploring all things mythological. From the fire-breathing dragons who can’t quite seem to keep their underpants burn-free to the little girl who’s unsure what to do with a seemingly-stranded unicorn… (The carnival? A pet store maybe?), each of these picture book picks feature some fantastical creatures and the chaos (or magic!) that ensues. Our feature pick this week is The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy Cake, written and illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz, the second book in her best-selling (and authorial debut!) series. Ember the dragon is an excellent baker, so it’s no surprise when Princess Turnip arrives with the daunting request that he shall be the one to bake for the Fairy Queen’s birthday party. Only one small problem: The Queen wants a “birthday cake” and Ember’s never heard of “birthday cake” before! Apparently, it’s supposed to be: sweet, tall, and… full of candles?! Despite some failed attempts and a few tears (and thanks to a handy-dandy gaggle of fellow dragons who are more than willing to sample the burnt extras…), Ember is determined to let them eat cake. The fairies, that is.

Check out some more mythical creature tales (tails) below!

The Angel and the Mermaid
Becky Cameron
The Quarto Group / Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Available now!

Dragons Love Underpants
Claire Freedman
Illustrated by Ben Cort
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Aladdin
Available now!

The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy Cake
Devin Elle Kurtz
Random House Children’s Books / Knopf Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Sometimes You Find a Dragon
Viviane Schwarz
Candlewick Press
Available now!

Unicorn Post
Emma Yarlett
Candlewick Press
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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October marches forward, a chill fills the air, and Halloween creeps ever closer. In the past few weeks, we’ve looked at middle grade horror and Halloween picture books, and this week we’re topping it off with a look at some of the young adult horror novels in our collection. Our feature pick is The Transition by Logan-Ashley Kisner. After Hunter gets top surgery, he’s prepared to deal with the healing process. What he’s not prepared for, though, is being attacked by a huge and mysterious animal just after getting his drains out. Without warning, Hunter’s body is revolting against him, turning into something else without his permission. After they find out, his friends Gabe and Mars are in a race against the clock to find a cure before his transformation is complete. But the siren song of the wolf inside him calls out to Hunter, offering him a life where he doesn’t have to worry about his trans body or the transphobic bullies who are constantly escalating their attacks.

Check out more young adult horror novels below!

The Dead of Summer
Ryan La Sala
Scholastic/PUSH
Available now!

Let’s Split Up
Bill Wood
Scholastic/Scholastic Press
Available now!

The Protegee
Erica Ridley
Random House Children’s Books/Delacorte Press
Available now!

The Transition
Logan-Ashley Kisner
Random House Children’s Books/Delacorte Press
Available now!

Who’s All Going (to Die)?
Lisa Springer
Random House Children’s Books/Delacorte Press
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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For this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we’re celebrating all things super! No matter what your taste in superheroes is, these middle grade novels have you covered with everything from donut-throwing drag queens to anthropomorphic pancakes. Our feature pick is Donutella Hamachi and the Library Avengers by Kim Chi and Stephan Lee, with illustrations by Utomaru. Jae Han loves his local library, where he can hang out with his friends, read all of his favorite writer Park Seon Woo’s graphic novels, and write his own comics about his stunning donut-themed drag queen superhero, Donutella Hamachi. When the mayor announces that the library will be shut down to make way for a new mall, it seems like Jae Han and his friends have lost the only place they can truly be themselves. But Jae Han has an idea that might just let them save the library after all — an arts showcase that can attract attention to the library and let all the creative people in town show off their talents. It’s time to channel Donutella’s bravery and fierce attitude to save the library before it’s too late!

Check out more middle grade fiction about superheroes below!

Donutella Hamachi and the Library Avengers
Kim Chi and Stephan Lee
Illustrated by Utomaru
Candlewick Press/Walker Books US
Available now!

Superworld 2: Destructo World
Yarrow Cheney and Carrie Cheney
Random House Children’s Books/Random House Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Max Meow: When Pancakes Go Bad (Really Bad!)
John Gallagher
Random House Children’s Books
Available now!

Shadow Warrior
Shogo Aoki
Scholastic/Graphix
Available now!

The (Not So) Superheroes
Swapna Haddow
Illustrated by Minky Stapleton
Scholastic
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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It’s the first Butler Bookshelf of October! We’re celebrating the beginning of the most haunted season of all by taking a look at some of the Halloween picture and board books in the Butler Center collection. Our feature pick is The Big Monster Bake by Fiona Barker and illustrated by Eve O’Brien. It’s Halloween on Monster Street, and the monsters are headed out to share their Halloween cake with their neighbors. Each house on the street celebrates in their own way, with their own sweet treats to boot! The book provides back matter explaining the real-world holidays and traditions the monstrous households’ celebrations are based on, and provides recipes for those who want to try out the celebrations on their own.

Check out more Halloween books below!

The Big Monster Bake
Fiona Barker
Illustrated by Eve O’Brien
The Quarto Group/Happy Yak
Available now!

Getting Ready for Halloween
Vera Ahiyya
Illustrated by Debby Rahmalia
Random House Children’s Books/PICTUREBACK
Available now!

Halloween at the Zoo
Illustrated by Lala Watkins
Candlewick Press/Candlewick Entertainment
Available now!

Hap-Pea Halloween
Keith Baker
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Beach Lane Books
Available now!

The Haunted Scavenger Hunt: A Spook-Tacular Storybook
Steve Patschke
Illustrated by Roland Garrigue
Candlewick Press/Templar Books
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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Fall has officially begun, and with October just around the corner, this week’s Butler Bookshelf is all about middle grade horror stories! From fantastical mysteries to nail-biting thrillers, these books are the perfect way to kick off spooky season early. (Scaredy-cats beware!) Our feature pick this week is Cry Out Loud, a graphic novel written and illustrated by Tara O’Connor. After Irish teen Nell’s been suspended from school, her mother decides she’s going to spend her school term off on the coastal countryside, with a mysterious aunt and uncle she’s never met. There’s no cell service; it’s rainy, dreary, and the townspeople are far from friendly, but things quickly take a terrifying turn as Nell discovers her family belongs to an ancient, murderous cult. And to make matters worse, their magical ritual requires the sacrifice of a first-born daughter… one who just so happens to be Nell! Can she escape before it’s too late? Pick up Cry Out Loud to find out!

Check out some more middle grade spooky stories below!

Open Wide
I.M. Eerie
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Aladdin 
Available now!

Stitch: Reimagining Frankenstein
Padraig Kenny
Candlewick Press / Walker Books US
Available now!

Cry Out Loud
Tara O’Connor
Random House Children’s Books / RH Graphic
Available now!

Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave
Ally Russell
Random House Children’s Books / Delacorte Press
Available now!

Phantom Academy
Christine Virnig
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Aladdin
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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Books can be the perfect escape, so for this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we’re exploring the natural world through nonfiction! Whether it’s a trek through the rainforest, swimming down to the deep, dark sea, venturing back to dinosaur times, or investigating animal antics—did you know wombats poop cubes?!—there’s a little bit of science for everyone in each of these week’s picks. Our featured book is Welcome to Whalebone Mansion: Creatures That Lurk at a Whale Fall by Laken Slate and illustrated by Bindy James. Take a dive down below to see what’s lurking in the dark depths of the ocean! Sunken skeletons, “whale falls,” make the perfect nutritious hang-out spot for a slew of spooky sea creatures. From vampire squids to goblin sharks—zombie worms too!—maybe it’s time to start your Halloween celebrations a tad bit early this year! (No scuba gear necessary.)

Check out some more nature nonfiction below! 

The Forest That Grows Around Me
Charlotte Guillain
Illustrated by Vuon Illustration
The Quarto Group / words & pictures
Available now!

Farting Fish: and 49 Other Weird and Wonderful Scientific Discoveries
Alice Harman
Illustrated by Sam Wedelich
The Quarto Group / Happy Yak
Available now!

Welcome to Whalebone Mansion: Creatures That Lurk at a Whale Fall
Laken Slate
Illustrated by Bindy James
Charlesbridge
Available October 7th!

From Bam! to Burp! A Carbon Atom’s Never-Ending Journey Through Space and Time and You
Melissa Stewart
Illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns
Charlesbridge
Available October 28th!

3 Weeks in the Rainforest: A Rapid Inventory in the Amazon
Jennifer Swanson
Charlesbridge
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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With the beginning of fall comes many big changes in a child’s life, and with those big changes can come big emotions! For this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we’re taking a look at some of our picture books about feelings. Whether you’re feeling sad, shy, angry, or excited, these books have something for you. Our feature pick is I Hate Everything by Sophy Henn. This little ghost knows one thing for certain — they hate everything. But their friend’s not so sure. Do they hate sweets? Flowers? Dressing up? As the rainbow of lovable objects goes on, the ghost realizes they may not hate everything, after all.

Check out more picture books about emotions below!

Bear Feels Sad
Karma Wilson
Illustrated by Jane Chapman
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Margaret K. McElderry Books
Available now!

I Hate Everything!
Sophy Henn
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Beach Lane Books
Available now!

Shy Me
Sandra V. Feder
Illustrated by Ashley Baron
Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press
Available now!

Teacher Jitters
Julie Danneberg
Illustrated by Judy Love
Charlesbridge
Available now!

You Are a Burst of Color
Choi Sook-Hee
Translated by Jiun Kaier and Sarah Kiaer
Charlesbridge
Available September 9th!