Butler Bookshelf

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Look What I Found at the Beach by Moira Butterfield and illustrated by Jesus Verona, is a mix of nonfiction and I Spy. Inviting readers to learn about the beach while examining the fun naive spreads of Verona.

Check it out along with the other picture book titles we are featuring below!

Arab Arab All Year Long!
Written by Moira Butterfield and Illustrated by Jesus Verona
Published by Candlewick Press
Available June 14th!

The Bad Day
Written and Illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon
Published by Templar Books
Available June 14th!

Brand New Boy
Written by David Almond and Illustrated by Marta Altes
Published by Candlewick Press
Available June 14th!

Do Baby Elephants Suck Their Trunks?
Written by Ben Lerwill and Illustrated by Kathrine McEwen
Published by Nosy Crow
Available June 14th!

Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good
Written and Illustrated by Louie Stowell
Published by Walker Books
Available June 14th!

Look What I Found at the Beach
Written by Moira Butterfield and Illustrated by Jesus Verona
Published by Nosy Crow
Available June 14th!

Butler Bookshelf

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In Whose Bones Are Those? by Chihiro Takeuchi readers are invited to guess what animal is made up by the scattered stylized bones spread across bright pages. Showing how skeletons of animals from hippos, to snakes, to lions, fit together and all their little parts.

Check it out along with the other picture book titles we are featuring below!

Bee
Written and Illustrated by Charlotte Voake
Published by Candlewick Press
Available June 7th!

Happy Owl-oween!
Written by Laura Gehl and Illustrated by Lydia Nichols
Published by Abrams Appleseed
Available July 12th!

I Believe in Me
Written and Illustrated by Emma Dodd
Published by Templar Books
Available June 7th!

Miguel’s Community Garden
Written by JaNay Brown-Wood and Illustrated by Samara Hardy
Published by Peachtree
Available Now!

Poppy’s House
Written by Karla Courtney and Illustrated by Madeline Kloepper
Published by Walker Books
Available June 7th!

Whose Bones Are Those?
Written and Illustrated by Chihiro Takeuchi
Published by Candlewick Studio
Available June 7th!

Be a Solution-Seeker: A Review of Girls Who Green the World: Thirty-four Rebel Women Out to Save Our Planet

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Girls Who Green the World: Thirty-four Rebel Women Out to Save Our Planet
Diana Kapp
Illustrated by Ana Jarén
Penguin Random House, Delacorte Press
April 5, 2022
Ages 12 and up

In a news cycle (and world) seemingly full of climate disasters, we need stories of women stepping up to fight them more than ever. In Girls Who Green the World, journalist Diana Kapp profiles 34 problem-solvers engaged in this work. They are environmental superheroes and these are their origin stories. No two are the same, with women of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels—from students to Fortune 500 executives—and their personal moments of bravery and inspiration. Mary Anne Hitt spends her time and passion fighting against new coal plants and closing existing ones. Komal Ahmad is tackling “the world’s biggest problem”—food waste at restaurants and facilities while neighbors fight hunger. And Jannice Newson and Nana Britwum, who combined their STEM know-how and conservationist drive to create braids with fiber extracted from invasive plant material. Through interviews with these problem solvers, Kapp uncovers their motivations, successes, and failures with hope, humor, and compassion for their struggles. Each profile begins with a “get to know you” Q&A before exploring each woman’s journey from problem to action. Facts about the associated issues and action-items are included throughout and provide both shock value (“… humans produce 320 lbs. of waste per person, per year.” (36)) and a way to channel outrage to outcomes. Spanish fashion illustrator Ana Jarén brings each woman to life with vibrant and detailed hand-drawn portraits that glow with personality. Her interstitial illustrations help to lighten the tone with color and whimsy. A final “Now What?” chapter encourages introspection before action, to move individuals from reader to changemaker. Kapp uses the chapter to offer inspiration and guidance toward a unique path rather than to preach.

A collected portrait of hope and motivation for tomorrow’s changemakers.

Butler Bookshelf

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This week on the Butler Bookshelf we are featuring recent and coming soon titles! We are highlighting a group of middle-grade books including The Patron Thief of Bread by Lindsay Eagar. Duck is an orphan saved and raised by a group of street urchins called the crowns, but when Duck becomes an apprentice baker in preparation for a heist she has to decide if the life of a thief is worth having.

Check it out along with the other titles below!

Best Friends, Bikinis, and Other Summer Catastrophes
Written by Kristi Wientge
Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available Now!

The Boy Who Met a Whale
Written by Nizrana Farook
Published by Peachtree
Available Now!

The Darkening of Dragons: Songs of Magic
Written by S.A. Patrick
Published by Peachtree
Available Now!

King and Kayla and the Case of the Lost Library Book
Written by Dori Hillestad Butler and Illustrated by Nancy Meyers
Published by Peachtree
Available Now!

The Patron Thief of Bread
Written by Lindsay Eagar
Published by Candlewick Press
Available Now!

The Problem With Prophesies
Written by Scott Reintgen
Published by Aladdin
Available Today!

Revenge or Mercy?: A Review of The Secret Battles of Evan Pao

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The Secret Battle of Evan Pao 
Wendy Wan-Long Shang 
Scholastic Press
Ages 8 to 12
June 7th, 2022 

Evan Pao and his family just want to start fresh, away from his father’s infamy and neighbors’ stares, and a small town in Virginia seems like the right place. But, Haddington, Virginia has its own Southern traditions and views that the Pao family and Evan don’t fit into, especially since Brady Griggs has it out for him as the only Chinese American boy in town. When Brady commits a hate crime against the Pao family but isn’t punished, Evan faces the choice of getting revenge or being a bigger person and having mercy.  

Told from multiple points of view from family, friends, and people around Haddington, these different perspectives reveal themes of racism, bullying, sexism, and their prevalence in the community. Shang treats grave and demeaning topics with realism and care, and a tone of hope that lends an uplifting feel to the weighty subjects. Although Evan knows he and his family don’t fit into the small town, he strives to show that some town traditions do relate to him and that Asian Americans have a legacy in the American South, just like everyone else. In the beginning, Evan struggles through many of the town’s prejudices that impact him and his family, and when it seems like he could give in to hate and subjugation, Evan overcomes these ‘secret battles’ within himself to reveal that forgiveness and mercy are vital for healing all wounds. Although the novel focuses on Evan as the main male protagonist, other characters are depicted as slowly adjusting their racially insensitive biases and worldview based on Evan’s influence. Evan proves that it only takes one brave person to break a cycle of hate and racial stereotyping in order to make a difference in the community. This deeply moving novel highlights the struggle young people have with self-identity, and how hard fitting into a new place can be, but that taking the initiative and being brave has its rewards.  

Butler Bookshelf

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This week on the Butler Bookshelf we are featuring recent and coming soon titles! It’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month so we are featuring some books authored by members of the AAPI community. Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Kaite Zhao is an epic fantasy novel based on Chinese mythology, about family, school, and embracing the power within you.

Check it out along with the other titles below!

Bright
Written by Jessica Jung
Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available Now!

Foul Lady Fortune
Written by Chloe Gong
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Available September 27th!

Her Rebel Highness
Written by Diana Ma
Published by Amulet Books
Available Now!

The Last Mapmaker
Written by Christina Soontornvat
Published by Candlewick Press
Available Now!

Maizy Chen’s Last Chance
Written by Lisa Yee
Published by Random House Children’s Books
Available Now!

Winnie Zeng: Unleashes a Legend
Written by Katie Zhoa
Published by Random House Children’s Books
Available Now!

Do Monsters Dream of Were-Sheep: A Review of Let the Monster Out

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Bones is the new boy in town. With a chip on his shoulder, a hair-trigger, and a fastball that could knock you over, he’s making waves on the local baseball team. But then the adults in the sleepy small town of Langille start to act strangely. Then Bones and his new teammate Kyle save a mysterious man with a conspiracy theory-filled notebook from drowning. The duo decides it’s up to them and a group of new friends to investigate the strange happenings and free Langille from the mysterious and terrifying grip of the mega-corporation Fluxcorp. The team consists of Bones; Kyle, the neuro-atypical smart kid; Marcus, the most popular boy in town, part of the only black family besides Bones’ family, and youngest in a family of 6; and finally, Albert, the nervous one. The text alternates the point of view between primary narrators Bones and Kyle as they learn how to be each other’s best friend and how to grow out of fear. Author Chad Lucas takes on several difficult topics, like Bones’ abusive father and Kyle’s autism. Lucas presents them in an appropriate way for children without overly sanitizing. Kyle’s autism is handled particularly well, with the help of sensitivity readers, Lucas writes the condition as complex, depicting it as neutral, not good or bad.

A funny, spooky, and never subtle entry in the “kids save a small town” genre, with a few surprises along the way.

Butler Bookshelf

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This week on the Butler Bookshelf we are featuring recent and coming soon titles! Enter the magical world of the Salazars, firebreathing chipmunks, grumpy unicorns, and chupacabras need rescuing! This fun and funny family adventure by Zoraida Cordova pits the Salazar family versus terrible monster hunters who will stop at nothing to destroy magic.

Check it out along with the other titles below!

At the Pond
Written by David Elliot and Illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford
Published by Candlewick Press
Available May 24th!

City of Magic
Written by Avi
Published by Scholastic Press
Available June 28th!

Girls Who Green the World: Thirty-Four Rebel Women Out to Save Our Planet
Written by Diana Kapp and Illustrated by Ana Jaren
Published by Delacorte Press
Available Now!

Mako & Tiger: Two Not-So-Friendly Sharks
Written by Scott Rothman and Illustrated by Mika Song
Published by Random House Studio
Available Now!

Meet Me in Mumbai
Written by Sabina Khan
Published by Push
Available August 2nd!

Valentina Salazar is Not a Monster Hunter
Written by Zoraida Cordova
Published by Scholastic Press
Available June 28th!

Mindfulness in Nature: A Review of Tisha and the Blossoms

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Tisha and the Blossoms
Wendy Meddour
Illustrated by Daniel Egnéus
Candlewick Press
May 17, 2022
Ages 2-5

Tisha spends her day feeling rushed, as she is constantly being told to “hurry up” by those around her. She must hurry to catch the bus in the morning, hurry through her project at school, and is even told to hurry during recess so that she does not miss lunch. When Mommy comes to pick her up from school, Tisha asks if they could slow down, frustrated by the amount of hurrying she has been doing all day. Mommy agrees, and the two walk home rather than taking the bus. On their leisurely walk, Tisha and Mommy talk, connecting to each other and the nature around them, even stopping to spend some time on a bench in the park. Once they arrive home, Mommy suggests to Daddy that they have a picnic as a family rather than a typical dinner at home. This allows the whole family to slow down and genuinely enjoy each other and everything around them. 

In keeping with the story’s theme of celebrating what is around us rather than hurrying through life, the illustrations feature elaborate backgrounds with less focus on the characters themselves. Several full-page spreads highlight details that can only be appreciated through slowing down. The art style is abstract and displays a variety of visual perspectives. The text is presented in an abstract way as well, with the layout changing on each page and certain words emphasized through the use of a larger font. While the central focus is on Tisha and her parents, diversity is apparent in the background characters. The story itself, and the way it is presented alongside abstract mixed media images, truly embodies the importance of mindfulness, and of sharing small moments which become even better when surrounded by loved ones. 

Butler Bookshelf

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This week on the Butler Bookshelf we are featuring recent and coming soon titles! We are looking at some non-fiction books on how plants and animals shape the world! Built by Animals written by Christiane Dorion and illustrated by Yeji Yun, teaches kids about how humans are inspired in design, industry, and engineering by animals!

Check it out along with the other titles below!

Billy Loves Birds: A Fact-Filled Nature Adventure Bursting with Birds!
Written by Jess French and Illustrated by Duncan Beedie
Published by Happy Yak
Available Now!

Built by Animals: Meet the Creatures who Inspire Our Homes and Cities
Written by Christiane Dorion and Illustrated by Yeji Yun
Published by Wide Eyed Editions
Available today!

Celia Planted a Garden: The Story of Celia Thaxter and Her Island Garden
Written by Phyllis Root & Gary D. Schmidt and Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Published by Candlewick Press
Available May 17!

A Rose Named Peace: How Francis Meilland Created a Flower of Hope for a World at War
Written by Barbara Carroll Roberts and Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Published by Candlewick Press
Available May 17!

Super Gross: Going Buggy!
Written by Patty Micheals and Illustrated by Alison Hawkins
Published by Simon Spotlight
Available today!

A World Full of Nature Stories: 50 Folk Tales and Legends
Written by Angela McAllister and Illustrated by Hannah Bess Ross
Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Available today!