Welcome to the online presence of the Butler Children's Literature Center, housed in Dominican's SOIS (Crown Library room 214). Here, we celebrate the best in books for youth and those who delight in sharing them. For Summer 2025, BCLC will offer collection access to the Dominican community and general public during posted open hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 4pm, Wednesday noon-4pm, Friday 9am-5pm and by appointment with the Curator. Contact Jen Clemons at jclemons@dom.edu to make arrangements or you can still reach us at butler@dom.edu.
Whether you’re the kind that wakes up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on January 1st, ready to hit the gym, or perhaps someone who likes to go more with the flow and forgo a resolution list, a new year means new beginnings. And with new beginnings come hope, positivity, and all those warm & fuzzy feelings. To celebrate the new year, this week’s Butler Bookshelf is full of inspiring tales, ranging from sibling bonds to finding beauty in imperfection, complete with rich color & wonderful illustrations. Our feature pick this week is The Story and Science of Hope, written by Andrea Curtis and illustrated by Ana Suárez. Hope is more than just a feeling; it’s an essential part of our well-being. According to science. Packed with ancient history, new scientific research, and beautiful illustrations, The Story and Science of Hope is the perfect, awe-inspiring read to combat the uneasiness & anxiety that comes with an ever-changing, scary world. Hope’s scientifically found in the brain, so what better way to activate that feeling than with a cozy read?
Check out some more feel-good books to ring in 2026 below:
The Story and Science of Hope Andrea Curtis Illustrated by Ana Suárez Anansi Press / Groundwood Books Available now!
A Knot Is Not a Tangle Daniel Nayeri Illustrated by Vesper Stamper Random House Children’s Books / Knopf Books for Young Readers Available now!
Shaped By Love: An Ode to Mom Bods Nikki Powers Illustrated by Amanda Calatzis Candlewick Press Available now!
Together We Are Sunshine Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa Random House Children’s Books / Random House Studio Available now!
The Wonderful Things You Will Be (Special Edition) Emily Winfield Martin Random House Children’s Books / Random House Books for Young Readers Available now!
Christmas is just two sleeps away! Can you believe it?! Although we’ve covered our fair share of Yuletide tales this holiday season, they do say the more the merrier… so here are five more wonderful wintertime reads to keep you busy before Santa’s big day. Guaranteed to bring joy for even the Grinches and Scrooges. Our feature pick this week is Merry Mittens: A Moontime Cats Christmas Story, written by Jordan Morris and illustrated by Charlie Mylie. Nighttime neighborhood shenanigans are always on the agenda for car friends Carl, Biscuit, and Peewee. They love to cause mischief, but when a mysterious trail of snowy paws leads them right to a big, meow-ing gift box, the three cats decide to find this kitten—well, Christmas present—the proper home. Under someone’s tree, of course.
Check out some other Christmas books below!
Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem Maya Angelou Illustrated by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher Random House Children’s Books / Anne Schwartz Books Available now!
Candy Corn Christmas! Jonathan Fenske Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Little Simon Available now!
Secrets From the North Pole: Discover the Magic of Christmas Santa’s Head Elf and Saskia Gwinn Illustrated by Daria Danilova The Quarto Group / Frances Lincoln Children’s Books Available now!
Merry Mittens: A Moontime Cats Christmas Story Jordan Morris Illustrated by Charlie Mylie Candlewick Press Available now!
Listen to the Music at Christmas: A World of Magical Melodies Mary Richards Illustrated by Skylar White The Quarto Group / Wide Eyed Editions Available now!
If you’ve scrolled on social media these past couple of weeks, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about Heated Rivalry, the hockey romance book series, for adults, that’s selling out shelves and now amassing millions of viewers with a television adaptation. Looking for something just as page-turning but within the right age range? We’ve got plenty of Young Adult hockey romances here at the Butler Center! (Okay, maybe one of them is about field hockey… but it’s still great, we promise!) And one for middle-grade readers as well. December’s weather has proven to be icy and cold, just like the rink, but make no mistake—these puck-slinging romance books heat up fast, with humor and lots of heart. Our feature pick this week is Heart Check, by Emily Charlotte. Although they share classes and shifts at the local diner, high-schoolers Luke and Harper couldn’t be more different. Luke’s a hockey star, and in Harper’s eyes, a total jock. Harper’s quiet and artsy, and in Luke’s eyes, stuck-up. But when their lives begin to entangle, the unlikely duo manages to break the ice and… find love.
Check out more hockey-themed romance below!
Heart Check Emily Charlotte Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Margaret K. McElderry Books Available now!
Fake Skating Lynn Painter Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Available now!
All’s Fair in Love and Field Hockey Kit Rosewater Random House Children’s Books / Delacorte Romance Available now!
And for younger, middle-grade readers…
Bea Mullins Takes A Shot Emily Deibert Random House Children’s Books / Yearling Available now!
The Dog Who Was (Almost) Perfect Jack Kurland The Quarto Group/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books Ages 2-5 Available June 2, 2026
Doris the dog does everything perfectly. Her days are filled with perfect walks and perfect tricks, all following an absolutely perfect schedule. When she wakes up one day and discovers a hole chewed in one of her owner Bill’s slippers, she runs away to hide the evidence that she could ever do something less-than-perfect. But when a pack of neighborhood dogs find her, they show her that everyone makes mistakes sometimes.
With only a few words per page and simple, easy-to-understand sentences, Kurland tells a story in a way that will be accessible to even the youngest readers, with a message that anyone can take to heart. Bright, bold colors dominate the illustrations with eye-catching appeal.
An especially great fit for dog lovers, The Dog Who Was (Almost) Perfect engages and delights while delivering an underlying message children and adults can appreciate.
As we move through December and the holidays begin to hit in full swing, it can feel like everything is happening all at once. When things get overwhelming, this week’s collection of social emotional learning books can help us slow down and breathe. From the human to the ursine, these books feature characters who learn to manage themselves, their emotions, and their impact on the world. Our feature pick is The Gift of the Broken Teacup: Poems of Mindfulness, Meditation, and Me by Allan Wolf, illustrated by Jade Orlando. Wolf takes big, complex topics like persistence and integrity and distills them into bite-sized pieces of poetry to help young readers internalize them. Many poems focus on specific skills that practice as they work on practicing these traits in their lives. Orlando’s illustrations provide a soothing backdrop for the messages each poem imparts along a child’s journey of mindfulness and meditation.
Check out more books for social emotional learning below!
A Cure for the Hiccups Jennifer E. Smith Illustrated by Brandon James Scott Random House Children’s Books/Random House Studio Available now!
Bear Natalia Shaloshvili The Quarto Group/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books Available now!
How to Say Thank You Jean Reagan Illustrated by Lee Wildish Random House Children’s Books/Alfred A. Knopf Available now!
Love Can Be Yuli Yav Illustrated by Antonia Woodward Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Little Simon Available now!
The Gift of the Broken Teacup: Poems of Mindfulness, Meditation, and Me Allan Wolf Illustrated by Jade Orlando Candlewick Press Available now!
With the holiday season officially in full swing, there’s no better way to spend the day than with a good book—cozy clothes & hot cocoa optional, but encouraged. From snowy stories to Yuletide tales, whether you’re counting down the days ‘til Santa or just enjoy the cold, our early gift to you is a list full of wonderful wintertime books for all ages. As a wise, jolly old man once said, be sure to check it twice.
PICTURE BOOKS:
The Muttcracker Written by Anna Kemp and illustrated by Sara Ogilvie Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers Ages 4-8 September 9th, 2025
Biff is not like other dogs; he’d rather be in ballet than barking—pliéing than playing! When their ballet teacher assigns The Nutcracker’s roles, aspiring Sugar Plum Fairy Biff is devastated to learn he and his human have been cast as measly bonbons. But the show must go on, and the two are determined to dazzle with their fine dancing. With charming illustrations and warm-and-fuzzy words, this picture book is perfect for ballerinas, dogs, and humans alike.
Elmore and the Big Christmas Rescue Written by Dev Petty and illustrated by Mike Boldt Random House Children’s Books / Doubleday Books for Young Readers Ages 4-8 October 28th, 2025
When Santa Claus comes down with a cold the week before Christmas, Elmore the trusty moose volunteers to take over. But he’s got a big to-do list, and he’d better check it twice. Exercise the reindeer! Don’t give the elves too much sugar! Easy-peasy, right? But things go south (no, not the pole) fast, and it’s up to Elmore to save the big day. With jokes that both kids and adults can appreciate, this holiday story is sure to be a Christmas crowd-pleaser.
NON-FICTION:
Joy to the Whole World!: A Round the World Christmas Lift-the-Flap Book Written by Lucy Brownridge and illustrated by Sang Miao The Quarto Group / Wide Eyed Editions Ages 3-6 September 2nd, 2025
Whether it’s an Ethiopian feast, snowballs & sledding in Finland, or a dip in the pool for Australians, Christmas looks different all around the world. Intricate, lively illustrations are paired with liftable flaps hiding all sorts of Yuletide treasures, making this the perfect way to travel internationally this holiday season, all from the comfort of your own home.
Our Frozen Planet Written by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and illustrated by Kim Smith Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Beach Lane Books Ages 4-8 September 2nd, 2025
Bundle up for a trek through the tundra, and beyond, as tales are told of grandfatherly Greenland sharks, cuddly Japanese macaques, blubbery seals, and all of the other flora & fauna brave enough to (polar) bear the cold. With colorful pictures and a knowledgeable narrative that’s far from information-heavy, this book is apropos for aspiring Antarctic explorers. Or anyone looking to escape the snow… with more snow.
MIDDLE GRADE:
Twelve Classics of Christmas Louisa May Alcott, F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Brothers Grimm, et al. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Aladdin Ages 8+ September 9th, 2025
Forget partridges in pear trees! With short stories from the Brothers Grimm, L. Frank Baum, Charles Dickens, and many more beloved authors, this collection of twelve Christmas classics might just be the best way to count down the days ‘til December 25th.
Snow Written by Meera Trehan Candlewick Press / Walker Books US Ages 8-12 January 21st, 2025
The Snow Princess spends her days in the snow, digging for something, anything, to save her kingdom. When twelve-year-old Ela’s boring family vacation prompts her to take a walk through the snow, the two girls and their worlds can’t help but collide. With wishes and twists and magic galore, this snowy story is the perfect wintertime tale for valiant princesses and family vacationers alike.
YOUNG ADULT:
Joy to the Girls: A She Gets The Girl Novella Written by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Ages 14+ September 30th, 2025
It’s the holiday season, and Alex and Molly are madly in love, so what better way to spend their last winter break together than with a romantic getaway to a small storybook town? And how about getting their friends to fall in love, too? With Christmas and a bit of matchmaking on their minds, the two girls scheme to make this the most memorable holiday yet. This short and sweet novella nicely pairs with a warm mug of cocoa.
Fake Skating Written by Lynn Painter Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Ages 16+ September 30th, 2025
It’s been five years since they last talked, and childhood best friends Dani and Alec are now, pun intended, polar opposites. The once goofy Dani now keeps her nose quietly buried in books, and the once gangly Alec is now… a perfectly chiseled high school hockey star?! The ice rink and Minnesota snow might be frigidly cold, but when Alec and Dani begin “fake dating” to save face after a locker room mishap, things heat up. Fast. A perfectly formulaic rom-com story to satisfy all of your saccharine holiday Hallmark movie needs.
Sounds like the perfect time to bundle up with a book (or two).
It’s December, and here at the Butler Center we’re ready to let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! We’re celebrating all things cold and snowy this week with a look at some of the winter picture books in our collection. Our feature pick is Snow Kid by Jessie Sima. When a snow kid is built and named Twig by the group of kids who created them, they’re quite happy to be Twig. But after the kids leave and Twig heads out on their own adventure, they begin to grow and change. Are they still Twig after all these changes? This heartwarming story asks what it means to be yourself, and celebrates the joys of growing up and discovering who you want to be.
Check out more winter books below!
Fox and Owl’s Winter Adventure Jackie Lui Illustrated by Moonlie The Quarto Group/words&pictures Available now!
Is This… Winter? Helen Yoon Candlewick Press Available now!
My Little Deer Hannah Eliot Illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Little Simon Available now!
Snow Kid Jessie Sima Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers Available now!
Winter is Wonderful Emma Dodd Candlewick Press/Templar Books Available now!
Happy (almost) Thanksgiving, friends! In honor of this holiday’s incredibly iconic fowl, our Butler Bookshelf this week features a feast of bird stories, both non-fiction and picture, to satisfy all of your Turkey Day needs. What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than with a spread? … Of books, that is! Our feature pick of the week is The Crane and the Keeper, written by Meeg Pincus and illustrated by Gillian Eilidh O’Mara, inspired by the true tale of zookeeper Chris Crowe (talk about nominative determinism!) and Walnut, one persnickety white-naped crane. As a rescued and hand-reared crane, Walnut is incredibly feisty and has no interest in her fellow birds, although keepers are eager for her to mate since white-naped cranes are nearing endangered. But with patience from brand-new birdkeeper Chris Crowe, the two begin an unlikely friendship… and courtship, in Walnut’s eyes! Thanks to Chris, she’s able to successfully lay eggs after years of not trying, and goes on to have eleven babies, along with a loving, caring, and unique bond to Chris. Talk about co-parenting!
Check out some other silly (and sweet!) tales of birds galore below.
Tiny Owl’s Scary Day Petr Horáček Candlewick Press Available now!
The Lonely Goose Lela Nargi Illustrated by Anne Hunter Random House Children’s Books / Random House Studio Available now!
Seven: A Most Remarkable Pigeon Sandra Nickel Illustrated by Aimée Sicuro Candlewick Press Available now!
The Crane and the Keeper: How an Endangered Crane Chose a Human as Her Mate Meeg Pincus Illustrated by Gillian Eilidh O’Mara Candlewick Entertainment / Smithsonian Kids Available now!
Born Inside a Nest So Small: Conversation with a Hummingbird Iza Trapani Charlesbridge Available now!
And from all of us at the Butler Center, have a Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 Wishing you and your family all the best!
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