It is officially summer, so we are celebrating by featuring picture books about the beach! In Ken Wilson-Max’s Aqua Boy, follows a young boy, Aaron, who loves the ocean but fears swimming in it. After a big storm, Aaron and his family find themselves helping a stranded octopus return to the ocean. Aaron finds himself so invested in the rescue that he plunges into the ocean to watch the octopus swim away, finally conquering his fears with the help of the ocean itself. This transformative experience of one young boy highlights how all living things are connected in a beautiful story combining bravery and environmentalism.

Check out more beach picture books from our collection below!

A Boy, His Dog, and the Sea
Written and illustrated by Anthony Browne
Published by Candlewick Press
Available today

Aqua Boy
Written and illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now

Beach Hair
Written by Ashley Woodfolk
Illustrated by Nina Mata
Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

If You Spot a Shell
Written and illustrated by Aimée Sicuro
Published by Random House Studio
Available now

The Suitcase
Written and illustrated by Daniela Sosa
Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers and Paula Wiseman Books
Available now

She Sells Seashells: Mary Anning an Unlikely Paleontologist 
Written by Heidi E. Y. Stemple 
Illustrated by Emily Paik 
Charlesbridge 
Ages 6-9 
Available July 16th, 2024 

“Mary Anning was an unlikely paleontologist […] In fact, Mary wasn’t a paleontologist at all. She was just a girl” (p. 2). Stemple introduces readers to Mary Anning, the world’s first paleontologist. Beginning with Mary’s childhood collecting curiosities, including fossils, to sell in her family’s shop, Stemple describes how Mary’s contributions helped develop paleontology, especially her discoveries of three large prehistoric fossils. She juxtaposes Mary’s life with what her male counterparts were doing in universities and museums in the early 1800s. While Mary was excluded from their academic spaces, she remained dedicated and curious, educating herself by reading scientific journals and dissecting sea creatures at home. Eventually, she discovered the fossils of the Ichthyosaur, the Plesiosaur, and the Pterosaur. Mary’s discoveries of these prehistoric creatures revolutionized scientific thinking, but she wasn’t credited until after her death, when her contributions were recognized by the Geological Society of London.  

Although Stemple is not a paleontologist, her passion for telling Mary’s story comes through clearly as she centers Mary in the story of paleontology. Illustrator Emily Paik uses colorful digital illustrations to show Mary collecting fossils and teaching herself science at home. Paik also uses striking pictures to support Stemple’s descriptions of Mary’s exclusion by depicting Mary’s silhouette or an empty chair among scholars. The cover art highlights Mary by drawing her boldly in front of the shadows of the men she worked with. The back matter includes short sections of biographical information, geology of the area, fossils, and justification for Stemple’s decision to not name any of the men who bought fossils from Mary, stating that “in these pages the men have been left nameless—like Mary had been for much of her career” (p. 31). Although this excludes facts from the story, this literary device cleverly articulates the exclusion that Mary faced throughout her life and career. With its accurate details and eye-catching illustrations that show how Mary continues to inspire curious people today, She Sells Seashells will be a great supplemental addition for teachers making lesson plans on paleontology for primary and intermediate elementary school students. 

Summer reading programs are in full swing, and chapter books are a great way to keep young readers reading and meeting their goals! Kate DiCamillo’s Orris and Timble: The Beginning tells the heartwarming story of the beginning of a friendship between a rat named Orris and an owl named Timble. Orris helps Timble out of a dangerous predicament, and Timble brings him a nice butterscotch candy as a thank you. The pair spends their time with Orris delighting Timble with his stories of friendship and helping others. Accompanied by charming illustrations, this story is sure to delight young readers as they practice their reading skills!

Check out more chapter books below!

Ava Lin, Best Friend!
Written and illustrated by Vicky Fang
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now

Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple
Written by Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrated by Dung Ho
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
Available now

Frankie and Friends: The Big Protest
Written by Christine Platt
Illustrated by Alea Marley
Published by Walker Books
Available now

Orris and Timble: The Beginning
Written by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrated by Carmen Mok
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now

Rica Baptista: A Week of Shenanigans
Written by Janet Costa Bates
Illustrated by Gladys Jose
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now

Squawk of Spanish
Written by Gabriella Aldeman
Illustrated by Romina Galotta
Charlesbridge
Ages 5-7
Available August 13th, 2024

Even though Max can’t speak Spanish, Max treasures each Sunday when he bakes with his grandmother, Abuela. Abuela can’t speak English either, but they can communicate through the delicious family recipes of polvorones, tres leches, and rice pudding. With the help of the loveable Lorito, Abuela’s brilliant bilingual parrot, Max helps Abuela with the recipe when she forgets the next ingredient. Lorito’s squawks aren’t limited to “arroz” or “azúcar.” He also encourages Max to try speaking Spanish, but he refuses; his “Rs come out wrinkled with an accent,” and his cousins make fun of him (p 10). One Sunday morning, Lorito was flying outside the house and had not returned when Max arrived. Without Lorito there to help Max and Abuela translate, Max wondered how they would bake together. However, Max remembers communication is about trying rather than perfection, so he squawks out the next ingredient for Abuela even though his Rs stick on his tongue. 

Aldeman, a bilingual mother, bases this story off of her own son’s experience, who also struggles speaking Spanish with his grandmother but uses food to help bridge the divide. Her simple dialogue, poetic metaphors, and bilingual text draw in young readers, especially but not exclusively for those from multilingual families. Galotta’s gentle, pleasant watercolors mirror the themes of reassurance and unconditional love in Aldeman’s story, but they do not overshadow the text. The illustrations center the colorful, playful parrot, which provides humor to balance Max’s vulnerability when he tries to speak Spanish. Backmatter includes an author’s note, glossary, and even a mouthwatering recipe for arroz con leche. In this triumphant ending to a heartwarming story, Aldeman reminds readers that love transcends language barriers, empowering readers to try something even when they feel nervous. 

Pets teach us a lot about how to care for ourselves and others. Plus, they can be really cute! This week, we are featuring pet-related books, such as Your Pets’ Secret Lives: The Truth Behind Your Pets’ Wildest Behaviors. In this middle grade non-fiction, Dr. Eleanor Spicer Rice dives into why our pets do what they do, highlighting dogs, cats, and even more obscure pets like tarantulas and lizards. Bringing in expertise from some other animal experts and researchers and some funny and adorable illustrations from Rob Wilson, Dr. Rice gives us peek into the wonderful, and weird, world of our pets.

Check out more of our pet-themed books from our collection below!

The Expets
Written and illustrated by Mark Tatulli
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers & Caitlyn Dlouhy
Available now

Hocus and Pocus and the Spell for Home
Written by A. R. Capetta
Illustrated by Charlene Chua
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now

Just Like Millie
Written by Lauren Castillo
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now

Penelope Rex and the Problem with Pets
Written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins
Published by Disney Hyperion
Available now

Your Pets’ Secret Lives: The Truth Behind Your Pets’ Wildest Behaviors
Written by Eleanor Spicer Rice, PhD
Illustrated by Rob Wilson
Published by MIT Kids Press
Available now

My Saree
Gita Varadarajan
Illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan
Orchard Books
Ages 4-8
Available August 6, 2024

Young Divya admires her Amma’s exquisite sarees, and she cannot wait for the day she is old enough to wear one. Each saree is intricately designed with soft silky fabrics and some sparkle with gold and silver accents. “[I] think of the beautiful saree…I see it tumble like waves in the sea, and shimmer in the light, the green peeking out from behind the blue. I see golden peacocks spread their wings and dance along the border” (p. 20). She is ecstatic about the upcoming Heritage Night at her school when every student will share something from their culture. Divya hopes and dreams this will be her first opportunity to wear a saree, illuminating her Indian ancestry at her school’s cultural event.

Varadarajan expertly weaves the messages of self-discovery and embracing your identity through Divya’s story. The author’s melodic words are accompanied by vibrant fuchsia, dark turquoise, and shimmery gold illustrations. Both the words and the images evoke a sense of warmth, love, and appreciation for one’s family and heritage. “I see Amma in the audience, her face beaming with pride. I bring my hands together and smile. Namaste” (p. 29-30). Sreenivasan created the vivid illustrations for this picture book with pencil on paper and digital coloring. Backmatter includes author’s and illustrator’s notes, which explain that there are over 100 ways to fold a saree, and sarees celebrate connections between the generations.

This month is National Ocean Month, a time when we can come together to celebrate and conserve our oceans. Readers who want to learn more about the ocean and the creatures and people who have populated it can check out this week’s ocean-themed Butler Bookshelf! Maggie Li’s Whale teaches young readers about the life cycle of a blue whale. Starting at birth and continuing until the baby whale has a baby of its own, this story follows a young whale through its life as it grows and learns how to swim, breathe, navigate busy waters, sing, and eat. With charming illustrations and a cutout that shows the baby whale through life’s phases, Li’s board book delights readers learning more about whales in the ocean.

Check out more books about the ocean for all ages below!

How to Survive in the Age of Pirates: A Handy Guide to Swashbuckling Adventures, Avoiding Deadly Diseases, and Escaping Ruthless Renegades of the High Seas
Written by Crispin Boyer, contributions by Dr. Rebecca Simon
Published by National Geographic Kids
Available June 18, 2024

Little Fish’s Opposites
Written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now

Whale
Written and illustrated by Maggie Li
Published by Templar Books
Available now

Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night?
Written by Steven J. Simmons and Clifford R. Simmons
Illustrated by Ruth E. Harper
Published by Charlesbridge
Available now

A Window into the Ocean Twilight Zone
Written by Michelle Cusolito
Published by Charlesbridge
Available now

The Color of a Lie
Written by Kim Johnson
Random House Children’s Books
Ages 12-18
Available June 11th, 2024

Calvin and his family move from Chicago to the newly developed all-white Levittown, Pennsylvania after his older sister is killed in a house fire by a white mob. The family is Black, but their skin complexion is light enough that they can pass as white. But passing means Calvin can’t see his brother who works at an all-Black school, can’t talk about his love of jazz, and can’t be himself, noting it’s “hard to breathe when you’re hiding all day long” (p 57). Calvin quickly realizes Levittown has dark secrets, and he finds himself straddling a dangerous line between two worlds. When his new crush, Lily, becomes the first visibly Black student at his high school, Calvin decides to take action against the racist practices of Levittown, along with his two Black friends from his brother’s school. As racial tensions boil over into a mob threatening Lily’s life, Calvin races to save her from the fate of his sister.

This well-researched historical suspense novel weaves in moments of Black history that evoke a powerful solemn tone, such as illegal redlining policies, the Green Book, and even an appearance by Thurgood Marshall. At times the redlining plotline becomes overly detailed, but Johnson pairs these intricacies with suspenseful covert operations that give this novel its thriller sub-genre, such as when Calvin narrowly passes as Thurgood Marshall’s white driver after a secret meeting. This novel is not just historical fiction—Johnson focuses on themes of trust and bravery, centers a gay character, and includes a young love plotline that will appeal to a wide variety of teenagers. Johnson masterfully brings a modern voice to the realities of living as a young Black boy in the 1950s that culminates in a celebration of Black people, culture, and history.

It’s the beginning of June, which means it’s the beginning of Pride Month! For those who want to accompany their Pride Month celebration with a book, this week’s Butler Bookshelf features some of our new teen fiction with queer and non-binary characters and/or written by queer and non-binary authors! Matthew Hubbard’s The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge follows three teenage friends—Ezra, Lucas, and Finley—who find that they all share a deep desire to get revenge on their ex-boyfriends. Their master plan involves entering and then sabotaging the school’s Drag Show Competition to make sure their exes don’t win. But when the school starts censoring queer voices, Ezra, Lucas, and Finley’s original plan morphs into a much larger student rebellion to fight for their right to be themselves and for their fellow queer classmates to do the same.

Check out more teen fiction novels centering queer characters and authors below!

Ariel Crashes a Train
Written by Olivia A. Cole
Published by Labyrinth Road
Available now

The Brightness Between Us
Written by Eliot Schrefer
Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books
Available October 1st, 2024

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge
Written by Matthew Hubbard
Published by Delacorte Press
Available now

Malicia
Written by Steven dos Santos
Published by Page Street YA
Available now

The No-Girlfriend Rule
Written by Christen Randall
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Available now

Thinking about taking up a new hobby over the summer? Maybe some of these books on cooking, baking, and food will inspire you to try to make a new or beloved recipe. In What’s Eating Jackie Oh?, Park explores what happens when identity, expectations, and passion intersect. Jackie feels most comfortable when she is cooking, freeing her from the expectations of her Korean American parents and from the violence and hate towards the Asian American community. She usually just cooks in her grandparents’ deli, but one day, she is invited to be a teen contestant on her favorite cooking show, Burn Off. As she cooks her way through each grueling and yummy challenge, she also starts to figure out who she is and who she wants to be. This funny yet thoughtful novel serves up an engaging, modern coming-of-age story that anyone a fan of cooking shows will love.

Bite by Bite: American History through Feasts, Foods, and Side Dishes
Written by Marc Aronson and Paul Freedman, contributions by Frederick Douglass Opie, Amanda Palacios, Tatum Willis, and David Zheng
Illustrated by Toni D. Chambers
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Available now

Cooking with the Sneetches
Written by Astrid Holm
Illustrated by Erik Doescher
Published by Random House Children’s Books
Available now

Isabel in Bloom
Written by Mae Respicio
Published by Wendy Lamb Books
Available now

The Mochi Makers
Written and illustrated by Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson
Published by Beach Lane Books
Available now

The Spice Box
Written by Meera Sriram
Illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
Available now

What’s Eating Jackie Oh?
Written by Patricia Park
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers
Available now