Category Archives: Uncategorized

Fall Semester Fun with BCLC

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Welcome back to the academic year, BCLC friends. As we all switch gears from zingy beach reads to cozy fall titles, it’s time to start marking your calendar for what we, and the greater kid lit community, have planned for fall.

September is World Kit Lit Month:

Check out all the amazing celebration suggestions from ALSC or share your own with us in the comments. You can also visit the BCLC to explore world literature with us!

Did you know that the Butler Center is home to an international children’s literature collection? Curated by years of SOIS students attending the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (see below) and some generous donors, the BCLC collection includes titles published in their original (non-English) language, international titles translated to English, as well as North American books translated into many other world languages.

Each spring, DU’s SOIS runs LIS 796: International Book Fair. The course focuses on children’s literature from around the world, the similarities and differences to books published for a US audience, how those titles make it (or don’t) into our local libraries, and how we can best share them here. The course culminates in a trip to Italy for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair for exploration, education, and celebration of the best in kidlit from across the globe. Interested in the course, watch for the fall info session in October.

Writers in Community:

Watch for News on More Bookish Fall Fun:

Dominican University’s Rebecca Crown Library will once again host a 2-week Lit Fest (visit the linked RCL site for the event promo video) October 6-17. Stay tuned to BCLC and other DU socials for details on dates, times, and specific events–including workshops, watch parties, writing sessions, and more.

Save the Date for the Butler Book Sale:

   

BCLC Fall Open Hours:

The Butler Center space and collections are open for students, library and education professional, writers, and book reviewers to explore new titles or conduct research in any of our collections. Drop in hours are Monday and Friday 9am-5pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9am-1pm, and Wednesday by appointment.
Questions about how you can use BCLC resources? Contact us at butler@dom.edu.

Stories of Survival: A Review of Refugee: The Graphic Novel

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Refugee: The Graphic Novel
Alan Gratz
Illustrated by Syd Fini
Ages 11+
Available October 7, 2025

In 1939, Josef and his family flee persecution in Nazi Germany. In 1994, Isabel climbs onto a homemade boat on the shores of Cuba. In 2015, Mahmoud tries to protect his siblings as they depart Syria with their parents. Each of them hopes for a better life in a new country, unable to stay in their homes any longer. An adaptation of Gratz’s novel Refugee, this graphic novel tells three stories of children seeking refuge based on real moments in history.

Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud each have their own stories, but each focuses on the same themes of bravery, hope, and family. Interspersed with each other, readers follow all three children at the same time, which allows for parallels to form between the tales. Gratz draws all three together, revealing ties between the characters and their stories, and providing for a satisfying ending. Fini’s illustration is packed with emotion, giving readers insight into not just the young narrators, but also their families and the people they encounter on their journeys.

Refugee: The Graphic Novel is unapologetic in its depiction of suffering and trauma. Although none of the pictures are overly explicit, characters die on and off screen, are held and gunpoint and threatened, and discuss the realities of the situations they are fleeing, including concentration camps and bombings. Young readers who pick up this book should be prepared to deal with topics that are heavy and sometimes uncomfortable, and adults who give it to them should be prepared for questions about its content. Gratz provides additional information at the back of the book about the historical context surrounding the stories, making it ideal for classroom discussions.

Butler Bookshelf

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Biographies are a great way to learn about the world and all its diversity. The experiences of other people can be informative, intriguing, and inspiring. This week, the Butler Center is sharing some of these fascinating stories, like William Kamkwamba (Little People, BIG DREAMS) by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara and illustrated by Kirsti Beautyman. William Kamkwamba grew up in Malawi, Africa, on a corn farm. He loved school, but for a while he had to stop when his family couldn’t afford the fees because droughts had affected their farm. After visiting the library, William thought of a way to help his family’s farm: build a windmill to pump water to the corn fields! William’s windmill was a great success, and after a few years, he started telling his story to the world. After college, he started Moving Windmills, a foundation that supports problem-solvers and encourages them to use their education and creativity to improve their communities and the world. Vegara’s text is simple and informative, aptly portraying William and his compassion and care for his community and the environment. She includes a two-page detailed biography about William at the end of the book, as well as recommended further reading. Beautyman’s quaint, full-color illustrations pair well with the text, bringing William’s world to life and showcasing his creativity. William’s story is both heartwarming and interesting, and will be sure to inspire young readers to think outside the box for their communities.

Check out more biographies below!

Bob Marley (Little People, BIG DREAMS)
Written by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara
Illustrated by Subi Bosa
Published by The Quarto Group/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Available now

Messi Mania: The Ultimate Story of the World’s Greatest Soccer Star
Written by Luis Miguel Echegaray
Published by The Quarto Group/Holler
Available now

The Totally Awesome World of Steph Curry: Learn All There Is To Know About Your Favorite MVP
Written by Neal E. Fischer
Published by The Quarto Group/becker & meyer
Available now

William Kamkwamba (Little People, BIG DREAMS)
Written by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara
Illustrated by Kirsti Beautyman
Published by The Quarto Group/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Available now

Yves Saint Laurent (Little People, BIG DREAMS)
Written by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara
Illustrated by Klas Fahlén
Published by The Quarto Group/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Available now

Below the Surface: A Review of Dive 

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Dive 
Written by John David Anderson 
Published by Walden Pond Press/HarperCollins Publishers 
Ages 9-13 
Available August 19, 2025 

Thirteen-year-old Kass feels frustrated with her life. She and her best friend are drifting apart, and her parents’ marriage is strained by money problems. Even Kass’s safe space in the pool as a competitive diver causes her stress as she struggles to master a dive that her teammate, Amber, could perform in her sleep. Disheartened, Kass’s life changes when she finds Miles, a seventeen-year-old high school dropout, dumpster diving near her bus stop. Intrigued, Kass starts taking “lessons” from him on how to scavenge, looking for the value in discarded objects. Along the way, Kass learns the importance of looking past her assumptions to find the deeper story. 

John David Anderson delivers a heartwarming story about looking past appearances to find deeper connections with the people and places around you. Through Kass’s character arc, Anderson explores what it means to test boundaries and make mistakes as a way toward self-discovery. Miles and Amber further propel Kass’s development as they teach her that her assumptions of others aren’t always true. Anderson utilizes cheeky teenage humor to bring levity to the emotional, serious situations that Kass finds herself in, like the effects of her parents’ struggling marriage. The novel is fast-paced, covering only a couple of weeks of Kass’s life, but its impression is long-lasting. Both moving and thought-provoking, Dive by John David Anderson is a mirror for many tweens and young teens trying to figure out where they land in the world. 

Estrellas: A Review of Wanda Hears the Stars

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Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe
By Amy S. Hansen with Wanda Daíz Merced
Illustrated by Rocío Arreola Mendoza
Charlesbridge
August 19, 2025
Ages 6-9

Once Wanda found the stars, they’re all she ever wanted. Despite childhood diabetes and antipathy toward school, curious and strong-willed Wanda set her sights on college to study astronomy. But when diabetes took her sight, she needed coping mechanisms and creative thinking to continue pursuing her goals. With the aid of recorded radio waves—sonification—Wanda was able to “hear a path to the sky” and continue to explore the stars in new and exciting ways.

In this picture book biography, Amy Hansen follows the story of her friend, colleague, and co-author Wanda Daíz Merced from a childhood in Puerto Rico to a career researching and teaching around the world. The thoughtful text focuses on Daíz Merced’s determination and her doubts, allowing readers to see her vulnerability and witness her triumph in overcoming obstacles like wayfinding in a new place or proving her methods to the scientific community. Spanish quotations, vocabulary, and translations are cleverly woven through the text, especially during scenes set in Puerto Rico, bringing her heritage to vivid life. The lush digital illustrations, in a saturated, blue-dominated color scheme, feature a fluid combination of diverse people and sound-images with cosmic flourishes to complement the astral theme and role of sound in her life. A combination of small vignettes and double-page spreads lets the reader into both intimate moments and large-scale events in her life. Robust backmatter includes a glossary and Spanish translations, author and scientific notes, and extensive lists of sources and resources. As an advocate for STEM education and disability inclusion, Wanda Daíz Merced serves as a champion for diversity in the sciences, while her adaptability and perseverance make her a powerful role model for everyone.

Butler Bookshelf

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This week for our Butler Bookshelf, we’re looking at the Butler Center’s collection of board books about nature. From seasons to weather to animals, these books all introduce very young readers to the great wide world around them. Our feature pick is Baby Loves Meteorology by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Kat Uno. Part of the Baby Loves Science series, this book breaks down big topics like weather and the water cycle, and takes a look at why it rains. Spiro’s text and Uno’s illustrations provide plenty of opportunity for readers to pause and examine what they know about the weather around them.

Check out more board books about the outdoors below!

Baby Loves Meteorology
Ruth Spiro
Illustrated by Kat Uno
Charlesbirdge
Available now!

Beehive
Jorey Hurley
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/LITTLE SIMON
Available now!

Four Seasons In One Day (My First Story Orchestra)
Illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle
The Quarto Group/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Available now!

River’s Journey
Sally M. Walker
Illustrated by Kim Smith
Candlewick Press/MIT Kids Press
Available now!

Whose Egg is That?
Darrin Lunde
Illustrated by Kelsey Oseid
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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For this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we’re taking a look at books about the movers and shakers of the world. From activists to athletes to everyday people, the subjects of these stories were (and in some cases, still are!) influential in shaping and changing the world around them. Our feature pick is Are You a Friend of Dorothy?: The True Story of an Imaginary Woman and the Real People She Helped by 2024 Butler Lecturer Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Levi Hastings. Lukoff recounts how, in a time when being gay was dangerous and sometimes illegal, queer people stuck together in many ways, including by identifying themselves to others as “friends of Dorothy.” Who was Dorothy? The American military set its sights on figuring it out. But Dorothy wasn’t a real person — she was an idea, possibly inspired by the movie The Wizard of Oz, and a way for queer people to keep themselves safe. Although Dorothy wasn’t real, the people she protected were, and they used their secret code to find safety and community in a time when they couldn’t always openly be themselves.

Check out more books about people who shaped the world below!

Are You a Friend of Dorothy?: The True Story of an Imaginary Woman and the Real People She Helped
Kyle Lukoff
Illustrated by Levi Hastings
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Available now!

Bold Words from Black Men: Insights and Reflections from 50 Notable Trailblazers Who Influenced the World
Curated by Dr. Tamara Pizzoli
Illustrated by Desire Cesar “El’Cesart” Ngabo
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Available now!

Fight to Win!: Heroes of American Labor (The Young Readers Edition of Fight Like Hell)
Kim Kelly
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Available now!

Generation Queer: Stories of Youth Organizers, Artists, and Educators
Kimm Topping
Illustrated by Anshika Khullar
Lee & Low Books Inc/TU Books
Available now!

Ida B. Wells: Journalist, Advocate & Crusader for Justice
Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Candace Buford
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/ALADDIN
Available now!

Math and Mooncakes: A Review of Luna and the Case of the Missing Mooncakes (Storytelling Math)

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Luna and the Case of the Missing Mooncakes (Storytelling Math) 
Written by Natasha Yim  
Illustrated by Violet Kim 
Published by Charlesbridge 
Ages 3-6 
Available August 12, 2025 

It’s time to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Luna is excited to celebrate with her family! When her favorite cousin, Mina, comes to Luna’s house, they’re both looking forward to eating the delicious mooncakes that Mina’s mom brought for dessert. While they wait for dinner to cook, the girls play detectives and quickly discover a real-life mystery to solve: someone is stealing the mooncakes one by one! Luna and Mina follow each clue, including handprints, a blue thread, and a lost shoe, to find the thief, ruling out suspects as they go. When they discover Mina’s little brother, Bei-Bei, is the thief, they’re proud that they solved the mystery and can continue celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. 

Natasha Yim’s newest installment in the Storytelling Math series creates a fun, intriguing story that showcases an important Chinese holiday. Yim’s interactive mystery encourages readers to consider clues alongside the girls to solve the case. At the same time, she showcases the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday and how it can be celebrated. Yim explains more in the backmatter, where she tells readers when the festival happens and why, as well as how the reasoning skills in this story are important in math. She suggests other reasoning activities, like figuring out how the eight remaining mooncakes can be shared amongst 10 people. Violet Kim uses gouache, crayon, and colored pencil to create modern cartoon-style illustrations. Their bright, full-color palette brings the mystery and celebration to life. Her illustrations support the text in encouraging paying attention to detail by showing visual hints, like who is wearing blue clothes. Both entertaining and educational, Luna and the Case of the Missing Mooncakes is great for supporting the development of critical thinking and reasoning skills.

2025 Butler Scholar

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Each year, the Butler Children’s Literature Center is proud to offer one aspiring youth librarian additional supports during their MLIS journey. In addition to a financial award. the Butler Scholar is matched with a professional mentor and works with the Butler Center curator on events and the creation of a tool to support other youth librarians.

Kiara Lyons began her career as an English teacher, then worked in college access with underrepresented communities before making her way into library programming. Through her work in libraries, she hopes to create opportunities for people to engage in programming that is representative of the community and that celebrates diverse identities.

For more information about the award or to make a donation to the scholarship fund, please contact the Butler Children’s Literature Center at butler@dom.edu.

Portrait of a Portraitist: A Review of Daring: The Life and Art of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun

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Daring: The Life and Art of Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun 
Written by Jordana Pomeroy 
Published by Getty Publications 
Ages 12-14 
Available July 29, 2025 

Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun was destined to become an artist. Born in France on April 16, 1755, her father saw her artistic potential and encouraged her to create art. Before she turned 20, she gained admittance to a prestigious union of painters called the Academy of Saint-Luc, building her reputation as a talented portraitist. She was forced to flee France during the revolution because of her loyalty to the monarchy. Elisabeth traveled through Europe with her daughter and her daughter’s governess, supporting them with her portraits of prominent figures, like Catherine the Great. After 12 years, Elisabeth was able to safely return to France, though she continued to love travelling throughout Europe and painting portraits. Elisabeth died at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazing woman in Europe’s aristocratic art world. 

Pomeroy’s extensive knowledge of art and history, gained from her years of experience as a curator of many art museums, shines through in this biography. Pomeroy creates a detailed portrait of the artist and her work by drawing heavily on Elisabeth’s own memoir. She includes personal details about Elisabeth and her relationships while carefully reminding readers that Elisabeth’s perspective is just one side of the story. Pomeroy also masterfully incorporates other important historical people, events, and practices, such as information on wet nursing. This helps develop Elisabeth’s world and allows readers to better understand the society that she lived in. Images of Elisabeth’s famous paintings are included, as well as other work from other artists, showing readers both Elisabeth’s beautiful work and the work of her contemporaries and influences. Pomeroy includes notes, an index, and selected sources for further reading, as well as a brief “cast of characters” for quick reference at the beginning of the book. Overflowing with fascinating art history, this inspirational biography is great for highlighting the impact of women in the arts.