Welcome to another installment in our series of blog posts featuring children’s books we’re currently loving! “Book Chat with the Youth Services Team” features one book recommendation from each of our Youth Services team members. We cover a variety of books from fiction to non-fiction, picture books to chapter books, graphic novels and more! We hope that this month’s reading recommendations get you excited about some awesome new books we’ve added to our collection as well as some oldies but goodies. Enjoy!

Katie recommends: Cat Nap by Brian Lies (ages 4 to 8)

A cat chases a mouse through space and time as they leap through different art forms at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. To add more intrigue to the reading, ask your child if they can spot the mouse on every page!

Lisa recommends: Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick, illustrated by Sophie Blackall (ages 4 and up)

I enjoy discovering picture books that illustrate true stories previously unknown to me.  They never disappoint.  That is how I felt when I read Finding Winnie.  This book tells of the real-life inspiration behind Winnie the Pooh.  Yes, Winnie was a real bear with an interesting backstory.  The real Winnie was found by a Canadian veterinarian who was traveling overseas during World War 1.  He stayed with the Canadian army before eventually entering the London Zoo.  His story does not end there but only begins.  At the end of the book are photographs of the original Winnie.  This book is a perfect fit for readers of all ages interested in learning the origins of one of literature’s most beloved bears.

Beth recommends: Five Little Friends by Sean Taylor and Illustrated by Fiona Woodcock (ages 3 to 7)

Enjoy this book about teaching fun finger plays and rhymes. This book is full of non-traditional finger rhymes that teach little ones dexterity, coordination, rhyming skills, and brain development. Too often we get caught up in the day to day with technology, and our young friends need a bit of hands on fun. Using these finger rhymes nightly will enhance your BASIC skills. Maximize Love-Manage Stress as we know when we do fun things with our children, it lightens us up. Sing, Talk, Point by actually doing the rhymes- the book even shows all the movements. Read and Discuss Stories as you read through all of the rhymes first. Pick out some favorites and start there! Count, Group, and Compare – there are lots of rhymes that help with these skills and of course. Explore Learning Through Play as it is just fun to make these rhymes come to life through your hands. So stop in and check this book out and let the fun begin!

Adriane recommends: Little Red and Big, Bad Fred by Ashley Belote (ages 3 to 7)

This fractured fairy tale is a spin on Little Red Riding Hood. In the story a child befriends a wolf, who he calls kitty, on his way to his great-grandfather’s house. The wolf (Fred) tries and fails to eat Little Red which leads to an unlikely friendship. This story is a fun take on the fairy tale with a happy ending!

Lauren recommends: Have Yourself A Cheesy Little Christmas by Jory John (ages 3 to 7)

Ready to have the cheesiest Christmas ever? Wrap up in a warm tortilla and call yourself a quesadilla because Jory John has added to his collection of fantastic food group books. As with all his books you will learn an important message in a hilarious and pun-filled way. If you are familiar with the Big Cheese he is known to be a bit of a showoff, but you will learn that isn’t always a brie-lant thing to do. When Big Cheese’s original Christmas party gets ruined, his friend Wedge steps up to host. When Wedge throws a less over the top party, Big Cheese realizes sometimes a simple time with good friends is better than fireworks and bragging.

Mirissa recommends: No Two Alike by Keith Baker (ages 1 to 4)

It might not be officially winter yet, but the air is already cold and crisp — and is that the whisper of snowflakes I hear? While we’re patiently waiting for snowfall, this simple rhyming story builds on the basic fact that no two snowflakes are exactly the same. As we explore a winter landscape, readers compare and contrast more items like nests, leaves, roads, and even the two little red birds that guide us through the journey. Perhaps the real standout, though, is the dozens of unique, symmetrical snowflake illustrations that make up the front and back cover linings. They’re perfect as inspiration for a cut-paper snowflake craft!

Sarah recommends: The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Regan Barnhill (ages 10 and up)

I often find myself reaching for cozy fantasy when the air gets cold, so my pick this month is a cozy fantasy for our middle grade readers! The Ogress and the Orphans tells the story of Stone-in-the-Glen, a town that once was a wonderful place to live but isn’t anymore. It has fallen into disrepair after the beloved library suffers a fire, and the townspeople have become mistrusting, suspicious, and unneighborly. When an orphan goes missing from the orphanage, the mayor – a dragon slayer who should definitely be trusted and believed at face value at all times – blames the Ogress who lives on the outskirts of town. Determined to out the correct bad guy, fifteen orphans work to prove that the kind, baking-obsessed Ogress is not responsible – and save their town from blight and ruin. With magic and dragons and other classic fairy tale elements, Barnhill’s novel is a charming and fantastical tale that urges readers to practice empathy and build community. Can’t we all use an extra dose of that?

Madison recommends: Shibu’s Tail by Tess Thomas (ages 3 to 7)

I always love the chance to bring a cat book into storytime, and my favorite one this year was Shibu’s Tail by Tess Thomas. Shibu is a cat with big feelings, and an even bigger tail to show them off! But when he notices the other cats keep their emotions tucked away, Shibu starts to wonder if he should hide his own. Of course, trying to bottle up those feelings doesn’t go quite as planned… Shibu’s Tail is a heartfelt story that helps kids identify and engage with their emotions, while also highlighting the value of self-expression. My favorite part of the book is the striking black-and-white illustrations that make Shibu’s lovable tail the center of the story. Don’t miss out on Shibu’s Tail from Richmond Public Library this winter and let Shibu’s journey inspire a few tail swishes of your own!

Summer recommends: Origin: An Illuminating Look at Indigenous Peoples and Their Connection to the Natural World by Nat Cardozo (ages 8 and up)

This nonfiction work is filled with gorgeous illustrations enmeshing indigenous young people with their natural surroundings – their landscapes, biomes, and the creatures they share the land with. One of my favorite features of this book is that it highlights indigenous people on every inhabited continent. When people hear “indigenous,” they may only picture a few types of people, and in the United States, it’s probably a limited, stereotypical view of a few Native American tribes. In reality, there are indigenous groups all across the planet. From the Sámi in Europe to the !Kung in Australia, this book will open children’s worlds to experiences far beyond their own. The bright, dreamlike artwork will appeal to children and their caretakers both, ensuring enjoyment on repeated readings.

Genevievre recommends: If You Go Walking by Erin Alladin. Illustrated by Miki Sato (ages 4 to 7)

If You Go Walking is a beautiful nonfiction picture book, featuring cut out layered paper collage art for its illustrations. The illustrations themselves use vibrant colors and different textures to help emphasize the beauty of the natural world around us. The story features a young boy exploring his world and asking a million questions about the whys and hows and whats of everything he encounters as a means of encouraging curiosity in young children. This book will encourage both parents and children to wonder more as they wander, to not always have the answers to every question, but to ask the questions anyway.

Rachel recommends: The Deadliest Flower by Ellen Spicer Rice (ages 7-10)

Flowers are pretty, and some of them are also pretty poisonous. This book examines six of the world’s most toxic flowering plants, their histories, and what would happen if you ate them. With bright and boldly lined illustrations and snappy text, The Deadliest Flower is an excellent pick for young scientists ready to expand beyond picture books.

Richard recommends: Welcome to Bobville: City of Bobs by Jonah Winter (ages 3 to 7)

In Bobville, everyone is named Bob (surprise!).  All the Bobs think alike, dress alike, eat the same things, and definitely don’t like anyone not named Bob.  However, one day, one of the Bobs decides he wants to change his name to Bruce!  He decides to change his clothes, and do things his own way.  The Bobs are NOT happy about this and throw him out of Bobville, but Bruce finds that the diverse world around Bobville is much more fun and exciting anyway than his old life in Bobville.  This was a great book to teach all about diversity and how it benefits us all.  Happy reading!

Joan recommends: The First Day of Winter by Denise Fleming (ages 2 to 7)

This book is a great winter read that can be sung to the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas. Instead of Christmas, this book is based on the first ten days of winter. It opens with a December calendar with the winter solstice circled and begins, “On the first day of winter my best friend gave to me… a red cap with a gold snap.” With each turn of the page, we see how the child uses each of the gifts to decorate a snowman, and the cumulative tale continues. As you near the tenth day, you’ll probably need to take a deep breath to get through all of the lines, but it’s a lot of fun. By the end of the book, kids will be singing the repeating “red cap with a gold snap” portion with you. (It’s also fun to clap or snap each time you get to that line!)

Well, readers, that’s a wrap! Check back again next month for some more fabulous reading recommendations. Until then, happy reading!