Category Archives: children’s fiction

Butler Bookshelf

by

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

Forces of Nature: A Review of Severe and Unusual Weather

by

Severe and Unusual Weather
Jessie Ann Foley
HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books
Ages 8-12
Available May 13, 2025

Nadine’s residence in Centralia is strictly temporary. Stuck living in the sleepy Illinois town with her grandmother after her mom was sent away to rehab, all she wants is to survive the last few months of 6th grade at her new school without attracting any attention. But almost as soon as she arrives, she finds herself paired up with Francis, the black sheep of Centralia Middle School, for their history fair project. When the two of them decide to do their project on the Great Tornado of the New Millennium, which killed Francis’ mother, the questions start to pile up. How does a tornado form out of nowhere? Why did it only hit the trailer park where Francis and his family lived? And why will the mayor stop at nothing to get them to change their topic? As they dig deeper into the city’s history, the unlikely friends uncover the secrets that lay behind Centralia’s severe and unusual weather.

As the characters deal with problems both mundane and magical, Foley shines a spotlight on their emotional realities. The magical mystery is set against the backdrop of Nadine and Francis’ personal lives as they deal with loss, neglect, addiction, and bullying. The characters face down challenges both practical and fantastical as their friendship deepens and they learn more about each other’s challenges and family histories. Severe and Unusual Weather grapples with the unfairness of life through the dual lens of Nadine’s tumultuous life and the tornado that touches every part of the narrative. Ultimately, Francis and Nadine’s oft-repeated motto rings true about more than just weather: “… tornadoes aren’t bad things. Tornadoes just are” (Chapter 11). Nadine and Francis’ story remind us that nothing in life is inherently good or bad. Forces of nature are inevitable. It’s the way we choose to deal with them that defines them, and us.

Coupling a solid emotional core with an elusive magical mystery, this story will hook readers of magical realism new and seasoned alike. Whether the characters are standing up to bullies or facing down a tornado, the action is sure to keep you on your toes from start to finish.

Butler Bookshelf

by

This week, we’re thinking about our friends and family – the people we love and choose to spend our time with. These Butler Bookshelf picks are all about how we show love to the important people in our lives! Our feature pick is Why We Eat Fried Peanuts by Zed Zha, illustrated by Sian James. As they celebrate Lunar New Year, Mèng’s father tells her the story of her tài nâi nai (great-grandmother) and explains the important part that ancestors play in their culture. He recounts the story of Tài Nâi Nai’s kindness towards strangers, and the baby, nicknamed Little Peanut, who she rescued and raised as her own. Complete with definitions and pronunciations for over 20 words in Mandarin and instructions on making your own fried peanuts for Lunar New Year’s celebration, this picture book is a fantastic introduction to Chinese culture, holidays, and celebrations, as well as a heartwarming story about the importance of family.

Check out more books about love, family, and friendship below!

Lily’s Dream: A Fairy Friendship
Bea Jackson
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Aladdin
Available now!

Hand Holds: Love
Fiona Munro
Illustrated by Laura Hambleton
The Quarto Group/Design Eye
Available January 28th, 2025

The Welcome Book
Danna Smith
Illustrated by Juliana Perdomo
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/LITTLE SIMON
Available now!

When Alexander Graced the Table
Alexander Smalls & Denene Miller
Illustrated by Frank Morrison
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Available now!

Why We Eat Fried Peanuts
Zed Zha
Illustrated by Sian James
The Quarto Group/becker&myer!kids
Available now!

Determine Your Own Destiny: A review of Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo

by

Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo
Philippa Leathley
Illustrated by Brie Schmida
Clarion Books/HarperCollinsChildrens
January 28, 2025
Age 8-12

Born to a family of magical bent and eccentric names, Meticulous “Metty” Jones yearns for her tenth birthday and the receipt of a hand tattoo that will tell her fate—as a magical murderer. Hidden away for a year because of it, 11-year-old Metty finds her stoic father (Captain Moral Jones) missing and her unconventional Aunt Mag (Magnificent Jones) whisking her off to the magical, ink-fueled city of New London just ahead of the mysterious Black Moths that are searching for her. Along with a motley crew of friends, brave and curious Metty is determined to find her father, evade the dreaded Moths that pursue her, and change the fate she does not accept. Learning she is meant to bring life, instead of death, sets her on a path in opposition to the Black Moths, who would use her gifts for their own questionable purposes.

Leathley skillfully blends dark humor and mystery, with prose reminiscent of classic children’s literature in this first in a new series. Metty’s will to fight her fate is a journey of self-determination within a larger story of ethics—of our choices, of government power, and of how citizens choose to respond. Each in the diverse cast of characters is well-developed, sympathetic, and realistically flawed, so while Metty is clearly the protagonist, strong secondary characters ground these big questions in thoughtful dialog. When Aunt Mag tells her, “You are whatever you decide to be. Nobody controls your actions. Nobody but you.” (p 161), she is both encouraging Metty’s choices and attempting to protect her from her self-doubt.

Full of complex and creative world-building, a propulsive plot, and fierce friendships, it promises to draw readers looking for a Harry Potter-like combination of magic, adventure, danger, and community.

*Review based on ARC with no art included.

Survival of the Bravest: Wolf Girl: Into the Wild

by

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

by

For this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we’re highlighting a variety of youth literature in our collection. This list has something for all ages, fiction, nonfiction, and bilingual! The featured book for this week is Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea written by Andrew Hacket and illustrated by Kaz Windness. Ollie is tired of dealing with Everett’s constant bullying. One day, when Everett steals a sapling from Ollie, he has an idea — he will eat an acorn and grow into a mighty tree so that Everett will never be able to bully him again. But when Ollie becomes tall and strong and stands up to Everett once and for all, he realizes that he went about it all wrong. He burps everything up, and Ollie and Everett reconcile and start growing their gardens together. Windness’s colorful, lively illustrations compliment Hacket’s lively and expressive story about how to stand up for yourself and what it truly means to be mighty.

Check out more books for all ages below!

The Flower Shop/La Florería
Written by Lourdes Heuer
Illustrated by Zara González Hoang
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Love Is Hard Work: The Art and Heart of Corita Kent
Written by Dan Paley
Illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

My Father’s House
Written by Mina Javaherbin
Illustrated by Lindsey Yankey
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea
Written by Andrew Hacket
Illustrated by Kaz Windness
Published by Page Street Kids
Available now!

Paige Proves It!: The Curious Cove
Written and illustrated by Amy Marie Stadelmann
Published by Aladdin
Available now!

Zodiac Rising
Written by Katie Zhao
Published by Random House Children’s Books
Available now!

“Grow Towards the Light”: A Review of Beyond Mulberry Glen 

by

Beyond Mulberry Glen 
Written by Millie Florence 
Illustrated by Astrid Sheckels 
Published by Waxwing Books 
Ages 8-12
Available January 7, 2025 

Lydia loves her life in Mulberry Glen, and she wouldn’t change a thing about it, even though change looms over her as she gets closer to the time when she will need to leave for an apprenticeship. Her inner turmoil only grows when she learns about a mysterious force, called the Darkness. Troubled by the effects she feels from the Darkness, Lydia asks her fairy guardian, Pit, about it. The next morning, she discovers Zale and Zamilla, the mischievous twins that live with her in Mulberry Glen, have left to go defeat the Darkness. Lydia sneaks off to rescue them. Along the way, she learns about the inevitability of change and the importance of using the Light within yourself to fight the Darkness. 

Beyond Mulberry Glen is a delightfully cozy story about a young girl overcoming her fear of change and learning to accept that life is still beautiful, even when it has dark moments. Florence fully develops Lydia’s character arc as she overcomes her fears of change and discovers that, while life can have dark moments, she has the power within herself to overcome them. Florence uses Lydia’s resistance to an apprenticeship to illustrate her anxiety over her life changing, effectively making this fantasy setting relatable to all readers. While the overall tone of the story is light, there is an undercurrent of apprehension as Lydia searches for the twins that brings gravity to the story about the life changes that accompany growing up. Sheckels’s illustrations at the beginning of each chapter add an element of charm to the story by giving readers a glimpse into Lydia’s world. A great Lord of the Rings read-alike, Florence weaves together a story that is both whimsical and suspenseful in its portrayal of the anxieties of growing up. 

Butler Bookshelf

by

It’s officially the holiday season, which means it’s time to start thinking about what gifts to give. For this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we have compiled a list of books that would make any nature-lover happy! From board books to nonfiction, this list has something for every young reader, including The World in Our Backyard, written and illustrated by Jami Gigot. In this picture book, Gigot encourages young readers to look for the nature in their backyards, whether they live in a rural, suburban, or urban community. Gigot uses a soft, light color palette to bring backyard nature to life, showing realistic scenarios, like playing as animals and bugs “play their gentle country songs” (pp. 9-10) and splashing in water flowing from a fire hydrant. She also adds whimsy to the book by including imaginary adventures, such as bugs hiking through thick forests and children diving through a pool into an coral reef. Throughout it all, Gigot emphasizes the importance of paying attention and delighting in the nature at our fingertips, reminding readers that “the whole world is made up of our backyards, full of wonder just waiting to be explored” (pp. 23-27). With its colorful charm and imaginitive scenes, this book will make a wonderful gift for teachers, parents, or librarians who want to share their love and appreciation for nature with the readers in their lives.

Check out more nature-themed books below!

Creaturepedia: Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth
Written and illustrated by Adrienne Barman
Published by Wide Eyed Editions
Available now!

I Bug You
Written by Dori Elys
Illustrated by Riley Samels
Published by Little Simon
Available now!

Peppa Pig and the Nature Walk
Part of Peppa Pig
Published by Candlewick Entertainment
Available now!

Magic Tree House: Windy Night with Wild Horses
Written by Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrated by AG Ford
Published by Random House Children’s Books
Available now!

The World in Our Backyard
Written and illustrated by Jami Gigot
Published by Paula Wiseman Books
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

by

November is National Native American Heritage Month, and a great way to celebrate is by reading some books that center Native American characters and history! This week’s Butler Bookshelf will highlight books by and about Native Americans, including Boozhoo!/Hello! written and illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley and translated by Mary Ann Corbiere. Boozhoo!/Hello! is a bilingual English and Anishinaabemowin picture book about forest animals found in Anishinaabe territories. Deers are eating, bees are buzzing, and otters are playing in this fun, whimsical story. The simple, rhythmic text engages with young readers, allowing them to learn both English and Anishinaabemowin simultaneously. The bold art in the Woodland style and bright colors will delight readers, drawing their attention to each animal and what they’re doing. Complete with author’s and translator’s notes about the inspiration and work behind the story and Anishinaabemowin language, Boozhoo!/Hello! is a wonderful addition to collections and storytime programs this month and throughout the year.

Check out more books about Native American history and characters below!

Boozhoo!/Hello!
Written and illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley
Translated by Mary Ann Corbiere
Published by House of Anansi Press
Available now!

Gold Rush: The Untold Story of the First Nations Woman Who Started the Klondike Gold Rush
Written by Flora Delargy
Published by Wide Eyed Editions
Available now!

On a Wing and a Tear
Written by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Published by Heartdrum Imprint
Available now!

The Ribbon Skirt
Written and illustrated by Cameron Mukwa
Published by Graphix
Available now!

This Land: The History of the Land We’re On (Race to the Truth)
Written by Ashley Fairbanks
Illustrated by Bridget George
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers
Available now!

The Joy of Trying New Things: A Review of The Creature of Habit Tries His Best 

by

The Creature of Habit Tries His Best 
Written by Jennifer E. Smith 
Illustrated by Leo Espinosa 
Published by Random House Children’s Books/Random House Studio 
Ages 4-8
Available November 19, 2024 

The Creature of Habit Island returns in this charming story about what it means to be the best at something. New things still make the Creature nervous, but with the encouragement of the very small creature, they travel off Habit Island to a new place that has snow and pine trees. The Creature attempts every challenge, but he struggles to climb the trees and balance on the logs like his friend. He gives up in frustration. When he sees the very small creature riding a bike, he’s mesmerized and decides to give it a go. It’s hard at first, but he is determined to at least be the best at trying. The Creature is eventually successful and they ride their bikes together as they think about all the new things they can try in the future. 

In this heartwarming picture book, Jennifer E. Smith brings back the Creature of Habit to expand on the importance of trying new things. In the sequel, Smith explores themes of determination and what it means to be the best. By showing him try many different activities before discovering his love for bike riding, Smith shows readers that sometimes, it takes trial and error to discover your passion. She also emphasizes the importance of persevering instead of giving up when the Creature decides that, rather than wanting to be the best at riding the bike, he wants to “be the best at trying to ride” (p. 18) the bike. Smith’s text is paired with Leo Espinosa’s comic-like digital illustrations to bring the Creature to life. The bright colors contrast and grab readers’ attention, and his animated illustration style further engages readers in the story as he shows the activities the creatures do together, like climbing trees and riding bikes. The Creature of Habit Tries His Best is an entertaining story that can be used in a lesson or storytime to help young readers understand the importance and joy of breaking out of your comfort zone with something new, and persisting, even when it’s hard.