Tag Archives: Butler Bookshelf

Butler Bookshelf

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For this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we’re taking a trip outside to explore the outdoors and observe the world around us. Whether you’re listening for bird calls, searching for a giant sea creature, or watching a murmuration of starlings, there is always something amazing to discover in nature. In this week’s feature, A Forest Song by Kisten Hall and illustrated by Evan Turk, readers take a journey through the forest, noticing and appreciating the world around them. Hall utilizes the words of other famous poets in this cento poem to inspire young kids to think deeply about their natural world and observe the beauty that surrounds them. Featuring lines from writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Oliver, and Lucy Maud Montgomery, Hall’s poem beautifully illustrates the vast wonders of the forest. Turk’s stunning gouache illustrations pair perfectly with Hall’s poetry, using bright colors to bring the forest to life. With whimiscal poetry and immersive illustrations, A Forest Song will inspire readers to step outside and soak in the world around them.

Check out more books that showcase the outdoors below!

A Forest Song
Written by Kirsten Hall
Illustrated by Evan Turk
Published by Random House Children’s Books/Random House Studio
Available now

The Pony and the Starling
Written by Jennifer McGrath
Illustrated by Kristina Jones
Published by Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press
Available now

The Search for Carmella: What Mystery Lurks in the Deep?
Written and illustrated by Chloe Savage
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now

A Sky That Sings
Written by Anita Sanchez & George Steele
Illustrated by Emily Mendoza
Published by Lee & Low Books
Available now

Wave Warrior and the Reef Rescue
Written by James Sellick
Illustrated by Patrick Corrigan
Published by The Quarto Group/Ivy Kids
Available now

Butler Bookshelf

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One of the best ways to learn about the experiences of other people is to read biographies. Whether they’re an athlete, scientist, musician, or poet, a person’s biography is sure to expose readers to different ways of life and help them build empathy for others. This week, the Butler Center has created a list of some of our favorite biographies for young readers published so far this year, like Edie for Equality: Edie Windsor Stands Up for Love written by Michael Genhart and illustrated by Cheryl Thuesday. This biography tells the story of Edie Windsor, a lesbian woman who helped pave the path for marriage equality for same-sex couples. Edie was born in 1929, and in 1963, Edie met the love of her life, Thea Spyer. Edie and Thea spent many decades together, eventually marrying in Canada in 2007, two years before Thea passed away from health complications. After Thea passed, the government tried to stop Edie from inheriting her property and money because it didn’t recognize their marriage as legal. With the help of her lawyer, Roberta “Robbie” Kaplan, Edie successfully sued the United States government. Her lawsuit was the first step in overturning the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, a law that was eventually completely voided in 2022 with the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. Through Edie’s hard work, activism, and her love for Thea, important steps were made towards marriage equality for all people in the United States. Genhart expertly intertwines Edie’s personal story with LGTBQ+ history, which helps readers understand the world Edie was living in and how she eventually came to become an important LGBTQ+ activist. Paired with Thuesday’s vibrant and colorful mixed-media illustrations, Edie’s world comes to life to inspire readers to stand up for themselves and those they love. Genhart also includes extensive backmatter detailing the history of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, the DOMA, and the United States Supreme Court. Both inspiring and informative, Edie for Equality is a great addition to any library collection.

Check out more inspiring biographies below!

Birdlore: The Iridescent Life of Florence Merriam Bailey
Written by Jess Keating
Illustrated by Devon Holzwarth
Published by Random House Children’s Books/Alfred A. Knopf
Available now!

Edie for Equality: Edie Windsor Stands Up for Love
Written by Michael Genhart
Illustrated by Cheryl Thuesday
Published by Lee & Low Books
Available now!

Harry Styles (Little People, Big Dreams)
Written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Illustrated by Lizzie Knott
Published by The Quarto Group/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Available now!

The Totally Awesome World of Caitlin Clark: Learn All There Is To Know About Your Favorite All-Star
Written by Sara Weiss
Published by The Quarto Group/becker&meyer!kids
Available now!

Woods & Words: The Story of Poet Mary Oliver
Written by Sara Holly Ackerman
Illustrated by Naoko Stoop
Published by Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Beach Lane Books
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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This week’s Butler Bookshelf is all about being transported to new worlds with fantastical characters and creatures. In Lily the Pond Mermaid by Lucy Fleming, young readers have a look inside Lily’s world as she takes care of her pond and all the creatures who live in it. Lily spends her days helping damselflies and dragonflies strengthen their wings, finding yummy algae for snails, taking care of the butterflies’ plants, and protecting tadpoles from the hot sun. Occaisionally, Lily has to protect her pond from strange metal objects and save her friends from harmful traps. Even though Lily loves her job, her worries keep her up at night. After a big storm, Lily knows it’s time to speak up and ask her friends for help caring for the pond. Once she and her friends work together, Lily understands the importance of asking for help when you most need it. Told in simple text and whimsical, full-color digital illustrations, Lucy Fleming brings attention to pollution and seeking help when you need it. Lily’s determination to care for her pond will inspire young readers to work in their own ways to protect their environments from threats like pollution. Readers will also see the importance of leaning on others and asking for help when life gets too overwhelming as Lily learns that she doesn’t have to work alone. This sweet story about community and care will be a perfect fantastical addition to any picture book collection.

Check out more fantasy books for all ages below!

The Dragon’s Apprentice
Written by James Riley
Published by Labyrinth Road
Available now!

Fateless
Written by Julie Kagawa
Published by Harper
Available July 15, 2025

Lily the Pond Mermaid
Written and illustrated by Lucy Fleming
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!T

Tidemagic: Isla Flit and the Impossible Key
Written by Clare Harlow
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
Available now!

Wee Unicorn
Written and illustrated by Meg McLaren
Published by Charlesbridge
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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Even though it’s only April, we here at the Butler Center have received countless fantastic books for teens! From fantasy to romance, we want to share some great new teen fiction, like Love on Paper by Danielle Parker. When Macy Descanso is accepted to attend Penovation, a high-profile writing workshop program, she knows she has some big shoes to fill from her writer parents. However, when the workshop’s theme is romance and Macy’s critique partner is the (irresistably cute) son of her parents’ writing rivals, Caleb, she feels the pressure rachet up. Soon, when a classmate reveals a mystery left behind by a romantic literary giant, she knows it will be the perfect thing to distract her from her imposter syndrome. Plus, would it really be so bad to bond with Caleb, who is growing more charming by the second, over solving this mystery? Parker presents a fun summer romance, building Macy and Caleb’s relationship incrementally until they finally admit their feelings for each other. The mystery element adds an entertaining touch, propelling the story forward as the characters explore Berkeley and the surrounding area to find the prolific writer Betty Quinn’s last unfinished manuscript. Parker doesn’t shy away from heavier topics, discussing grief, complicated parental relationships, and imposter syndrome. Using thoughtful and humorous prose, Parker explores what it means to make a name for yourself, even when escaping your parents’ shadow feels impossible. Joyful, funny, and intriguing, Love on Paper is a wonderful young adult rom-com to add to any personal or public library collection!

Check out more teen fiction below!

A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe
Written by Mahogany L. Browne
Published by Crowne Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Camila Nunez’s Year of Disasters
Written by Miriam Zoila Perez
Published by Page Street Publishing
Available now!

Love on Paper
Written by Danielle Parker
Published by Joy Revolution
Available now!

On the Wings of la Noche
Written by Vanessa L. Torres
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
Available now!

True Life in Uncanny Valley
Written by Deb Caletti
Published by Labyrinth Road
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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Graphic novels are a great way to escape into a different world and go on an adventure. You can go on an adventure in outer space, revisit a classic Dr. Seuss story, or explore a cozy new world with flying horses like in this week’s feature, A Song for You & I by K. O’Neill. In this fantasy graphic novel, O’Neill explores themes of self-discovery and bravery. Rose is a ranger-in-training who is disappointed by their final assignment before the graduation-like Name Carving ceremony that will allow them to be a ranger to protect all people. They are tasked with protecting Lamb’s Ear Meadow, an idyllic, sleepy region that is nothing like the danger and excitement they were hoping for. Soon, they develop a friendship with the shepherd Leone, who helps Rose to discover who they really are and be brave enough to show it to the world. O’Neill’s writing, though sparse, is touching and offers readers a connection to the characters, but their illustrations are the star of the show. The digital sketch-style drawings, made in Procreate, are crafted with a pleasing, full-color palette that beautifully builds the world and expertly shows the emotions that Rose and Leone feel over the course of the story. The vibrancy allows readers to smell the sea-salty air, hear Leone’s fiddle playing, and see the inner turmoil Rose is going through, as well as the triumph when they comes out as Rowan in the Name Carving ceremony. A sweet, delightful book for readers of all ages, A Song for You & I is a wonderful addition to a library looking for stories with themes of identity and acceptance. 

Check out more graphic novel titles below! 

A Copycat Conundrum (The Misfits 2) 
Written by Lisa Yee 
Illustrated by Dan Santat
Published by Random House Children’s Books
Available now!

Great Space Iguana (Hilo 11) 
Written and illustrated by Judd Winick 
Published by RH Graphic
Available now!

Green Eggs and Ham Take a Hike 
Written and illustrated by James Kochalka
Published by RH Graphic
Available now!  

Steve L. McEvil and the Twisted Sister (Steve L. McEvil 3) 
Written and illustrated by Lucas Turnbloom 
Colors by Marc La Pierre and Lucas Turnbloom 
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers 
Available now! 

A Song for You & I 
Written and illustrated by K. O’Neill 
Published by RH Graphic 
Available now! 

Butler Bookshelf

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For this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we’re sharing books all about animals! From the timeless-ness of super-agers like tortoises to the unique qualities of different animal poop, these books hold interesting information for animal lovers of all ages. In this week’s feature, In the Desert, readers travel to the Sahara Desert through author David Elliott’s playful poems and Gordy Wright’s rich illustrations. Elliott uses creative poetry to place readers in the viewpoint of different animals that live in the Sahara Desert, like the Saharan cheetah, the Anubis baboon, and the dung beetle. The short poems entertain kids as they learn about what Saharan animals eat and how they spend their time through natural rhythm and fun rhymes. At the end, Elliot includes a few sentences that further explain the unique characteristics of these animals. Wright’s paintings beautifully illustrate the environment in the Sahara Desert with a full-color palette. Wright utilizes a realistic art style that gives young readers an accurate portrayal of how these animals look. Paired together, Elliott’s poems and Wright’s paintings are sure to fascinate and educate readers of all ages.

Check out more books about animals below!

In the Desert
Written by David Elliot
Illustrated by Gordy Wright
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Innovative Octopuses, Half-Brained Birds, and More Animals With Magnificent Minds
Written by Christina Couch
Illustrated by Daniel Duncan
Published by MIT Kids Press
Available now!

Meet the Mini-Mammals: A Night at the National History Museum
Written by Melissa Stewart
Illustrated by Brian Lies
Published by Beach Lane Books
Available now!

Small World: Meet 30 of Earth’s Tiniest Creatures
Written by Nick Crumpton
Illustrated by Rosie Dore
Published by Wide Eyed Editions
Available now!

Whose Poop Is That? (Board Book Edition)
Written by Darrin Lunde
Illustrated by Kelsey Oseid
Published by Charlesbridge
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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Tomorrow is International Read To Me Day, and here at the Butler Center, we wanted to celebrate by sharing some new board and picture books that came out this year! Reading to young children has proven to be an important part of fostering literacy. Take a look through these delightful books and find the right one for your little one, like Your Island by Jon Klassen! In this charming board book, young readers build their own island that they can visit “whenever [they] want to go there” (25). Klassen introduces readers to their very own sun, palm tree, plants, and more items that bring their island to life. With whimsical ink and graphite illustrations, readers can learn about the basics of an island campsite and Klassen helps to build an imaginary oasis that young readers can enjoy while playing or reading the book again.

Check out more board and picture books below!

Maisy’s Planet: Maisy Loves Birds
Written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Our Gorgeous Baby
Written by Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Illustrated by Eve Coy
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

A Pocket Full of Rocks
Written by Kristin Mahoney
Illustrated by E.B. Goodale
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
Available now!

Seven Little Ducklings
Written and illustrated by Annette LeBlanc Cate
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Your Island
Written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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Books are a great way to learn about new things. Whether it’s fiction that shows us a new culture, a chapter book that helps us understand new emotions, or nonfiction that shares interesting facts about nature, there’s always something new to learn in every book we pick up! This week’s Butler Bookshelf is a list of new books we’ve received that all have something to teach us about, like What’s the Actually Factually Difference?: How to Tell the Difference Between Over 150 Things That Are Similar But Different! by Jane Wilsher and illustrated by Liz Kay. This fun book is rich with knowldge and full of facts about all kinds of things that seem the same, but are actually different. Wilsher divides the book into many different chapters. including “Transportation,” “Jobs and hobbies,” and “History,” so readers have a wide range of topics to learn about. Kay’s illustrations accompany the text well and engage readers by helping to visualize every topic. A useful resource that can be read alone, What’s the Actually Factually Difference? can also be used to play fun trivia and quiz games with friends by taking turns reading and guessing the differences between things like a crocodile and an alligator or a black hole and a wormhole.

Check out more books below!

A Burning in the Bones (Waxways 3)
Written by Scott Reintgen
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Available now

Charlie Hernandez and the Phantom of Time (Charlie Hernandez 4)
Written by Ryan Calejo
Published by Aladdin
Available now

Nature School: Planet Earth: Lessons and Activities to Inspire Children’s Fascination with Our Planet
Written by Lauren Giordano and Laura Stroup
Illustrated by Staphanie Hathaway
Published by Quarry Books
Available now

Sona Sharma, Wish Me Luck (Hardcover Edition)
Written by Chitra Soundar
Illustrated by Jen Khatun
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now

What’s the Actually Factually Difference? How to Tell the Difference Between Over 150 Things That Are Similar But Different!
Written by Jane Wilsher
Illustrated by Liz Kay
Published by words & pictures
Available now

Butler Bookshelf

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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

Butler Bookshelf

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In the very first Butler Bookshelf of 2025, we’re taking a look at some of the new picture books in the Butler collection! Our first feature of the year is Mary Murphy’s Friends Forever. Two monkeys celebrate their friendship, climbing, swinging, and playing together in the trees. When they find themselves head to head with a hungry crocodile, they come away even more sure of their friendship than before. With charming full-page illustrations and bouncy prose, this book is a fantastic addition to any picture book collection.

Check out the Butler Center’s picture book picks below!

Are You a Hungry Monster?
Written and illustrated by Guilherme Karsten
Published by Happy Yak
Available January 21, 2025

Dinosaur Roar! (Simon Spotlight Edition)
Written by Henrietta Stickland
Illustrated by Paul Stickland
Published by Simon Spotlight
Available now!

Friends Forever
Written and illustrated by Mary Murphy
Published by Happy Yak
Available January 28, 2025

Heartfelt
Written by Elaine Vickers
Illustrated by Samantha Cotterill
Published by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Available now!

Willow Takes on the Weather
Written by Rachel Noble
Illustrated by Annabel Tempest
Published by Page Street Kids
Available now!