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!
Beth recommends: Good Night Thoughts by Max Greenfield (Ages 3-7)
Does your child have a hard time going to sleep? Do they say there’s too much going on inside their head? This picture book is for you. As a mom, I once had a hard time explaining to my little one all the thoughts going on in their head….even when you’re tired and just want to sleep. This cute book talks about all the things going on inside your head when you’re just afraid to fall asleep. The child realizes after talking to their adults that, yes, sometimes it’s hard to shut off your brain when it’s time to go to sleep. The author, Max Greenfield, gives good strategies for children to calm their brains and get them ready for sleep. Even if it’s just thinking about all your loved ones holding your hands in every stitch of clothes they own. I wish I had this book when my kids were young. It’s a good starting point of talking things through when your child has a hard time going to sleep.
Madison recommends: Living with Viola by Rosena Fung(Ages 9-12)
If you’re looking for a heartwarming story for your tween this November, check out Living with Viola by Rosena Fung. In Living with Viola, Fung crafts a heartfelt journey through friendship, self-discovery, and mental health, offering tweens an engaging story about resilience and self-compassion. Livy, a young girl trying to fit in at her middle school, is often bullied by Viola, an imaginary manifestation of her anxiety who bombards her with intrusive thoughts. Things begin to improve as Livy meets other girls in her grade and builds new friendships. However, a rift grows between them over the school year, reigniting Livy’s anxiety and making Viola’s voice even louder. Readers will enjoy discovering how Livy ultimately finds the strength to quiet Viola. This graphic novel was recommended to me by a patron, and I loved how it tackles childhood anxiety with both humor and kindness. Find Living with Viola at your local Richmond Public Library branch!
Lisa recommends: The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz (ages 4-8)
Poor Ember! He wants to be like all the other dragons and guard a golden treasure of his own. He is not successful in getting his gold as he is not very big and not scary to the villagers of the town. A chance encounter on a rainy night finds Ember in a bakery. A baking lesson ensues, and Ember finds out that there are other ways to get “gold” that are a lot more tastier. This 2024 release will delight your little one!
April recommends: Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson (ages 2-6)
Julia Rawlinson has created a delightful picture book for early elementary students in Fletcher and the Falling Leaves. The story features Fletcher, a young fox who struggles to understand the concepts of change and growth. When he notices that the leaves of his beloved tree are turning brown and falling away, he feels sad and embarks on a mission to save the tree and maintain its familiar appearance. I highly recommend Fletcher and the Falling Leaves to teachers, parents, and caregivers as a wonderful read for young children, helping them grasp the importance of embracing change.
Sarah recommends: At Our Table by Patrick Hulse (Recommended for ages 4-8)
In honor of Native American Heritage Month and Thanksgiving coming soon, my pick this month is At Our Table by Patrick Hulse. This colorful picture book showcases what Thanksgiving tables around the country look like, with special nods to acknowledging Native American experiences and histories. At Our Table is a celebration of diversity and family – whatever that may look like. It provides an opportunity to learn about different traditions and practice gratitude for our food and the people and land that grow it. As a mom to a toddler who has been looking for authentic and diverse Thanksgiving books to teach a little one about the holiday, history, and gratitude, this is one I’d snag from the shelf!
Lauren recommends: Delivery Bear by Laura Gehl (ages 4-8)
This sweet book focuses on the importance of overcoming obstacles and being yourself. Zogby’s always known he wanted to be a delivery driver for Fluffy Tail Cookies but when his size scared some of the customers he had to get creative. First, he tried changing himself to look more like the other delivery bunnies, but when that didn’t work he realized he needed to embrace what was special about himself. He changed his tune (literally) and the rest of his deliveries went so well that he was hired full time! I love a book that teaches kids how to handle difficult situations with self-reliance and a catchy song.
Mirissa recommends: Tumble by Celia C. Perez (ages 9-12)
A solid middle-grade novel, Tumble takes the reader into the world of Arizona’s Cactus League amateur wrestling scene as the main character, Adela, struggles to regain a connection with her birth father’s family. Adela’s stepfather has just asked to adopt her, but she just can’t make a decision while her father is still a big mystery. With some help from the local archives, she finds out she comes from luchador royalty: the Bravos. As she gets to know the family that was kept from her, she starts to find her own fighting spirit as well. This plot covers the hard topic of parental alienation while sprinkling in a little Greek mythology and plenty of Christmas spirit. You’ll definitely be side-eying some of the adults in this book, but be sure to keep an eye out for my favorite character, Uncle Mateo.
Summer recommends: When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton (ages 6-9)
This biography details the author Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, Inuit name Olemaun, and her experiences as a child attending a residential school in Canada. Olemaun is excited to attend school like her sister – but residential school is not being the magical place she imagines. The nuns who run the school mistreat and exploit the children, but determined Olemaun teaches herself to read. Residential schools took Native children from their homes and cultures to assimilate them into mainstream Western society in the US and Canada. Many horrors took place at these institutions, and the last residential school wasn’t closed until 1997. Reading the stories of the survivors honors their legacies and ensures their experiences will not be forgotten or repeated.
Rachel recommends: The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown (Ages 8-12)
Since her return, life on the island is everything Roz could ever have hoped. Peaceful, safe, and joyful now that Brightbeak has found a mate with whom to raise gooselings. This, however, cannot last. A strange, glimmering mineral has started spreading through the ocean creating what the animals are calling the poison tide. With the strange tide killing every living thing in its path, Roz must journey through the ocean and into the arctic to find the source of the poison tide and stop it before it destroys everything she loves. Join Roz on a thrilling adventure that takes her through strange environments brimming with stranger creatures to save them from a threat both alien and uncomfortably familiar.
Mady recommends: There’s a Dragon in Your Book by Tom Fletcher Illus. Greg Abbott (ages 3-7)
Oh no! A dragon hatched in this book! Use your imagination to help her get a snack and fly away home.
JOAN RECOMMENDS: FIRE ENGINE NO. 9 BY MIKE AUSTIN (AGES 2-5 )
Check out this day-in-the-life story of a fire engine crew that is perfect for young vehicle-lovers. Austin delivers an exciting story consisting entirely of sound words, action words, and bright, bold illustrations. Kids will love making all the sounds along with you. Plus, the few words on each two-page spread are large and prominent- good for developing print awareness. Also, check out the end pages for fire safety tips from FEMA. Great choice for a fun, noisy read aloud!
Well, readers, that’s a wrap! Check back again next month for some more fabulous reading recommendations. Until then, happy reading!
