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: Head Full of Clouds by Joanne Schwartz (ages 4-7)
This is a wonderful story of what happens when you can’t remember something, and your head feels like it is full of clouds. Have you ever had that feeling when you are trying to remember a dream, but you just can’t quite do it? This book is about that feeling and using your imagination to try and remember. The best thing about imagination is that is really can take you anywhere. The girl in the story knows her dream was about water but what was it? She goes on an adventure in her mind to see if she can figure it out. Then at the end she has a surprise waiting for her that gets her head out of the clouds and back on Earth for some fun. What is the surprise you ask? You will need to read this beautifully written story and see for yourself.
Lisa recommends: Blue Ridge Babies 1, 2, 3: A Counting Book by Laura Sperry Gardner. Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman (ages 4-8)
I always love when I come across a children’s book that reminds me of Virginia, so I was happy to see Blue Ridge Babies 1,2,3 by Laura Sperry Gardner. In addition to being a beginning counting book for little ones, it also illustrates mother animals native to the Appalachian Mountains along with their babies. The book, based on the poem Over in the Meadow by Olive A. Wadsworth, features bears, white-tailed deer, and squirrels to name a few. The last page of the book reviews the animals and their names. Great addition for the library of a new parent with a Virginia baby!
Adrianne recommends: Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee (ages 8-12)
Maizy had big plans for the summer, until her grandfather got sick. Now she is spending the summer in Last Chance, Minnesota. She was not excited, but she is learning more than she thought she would helping at her family’s restaurant, The Golden Palace. While working there, her grandfather begins to tell her stories about her family and the people in the photographs on the office walls. Maizy begins to understand not only her family history but the history of Chinese immigration to the United States.
Sarah recommends: Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson (ages 3-10)
Neil Sharpson – who is definitely not a crab – has given us a picture book that starts as a nature guide about various types of animals but quickly turns into a raucous and hilarious warning to readers: DO NOT TRUST FISH! Turns out, fish are sneaky and rascally animals who we know nothing about and therefore should be very skeptical of. And their leader Jeff? A real menace! Don’t be fooled by his charm. And don’t even get us started on whale sharks and catfish… This book is pure fun from start to finish. Kids of all ages will love this one and it’s an especially good pick for school aged kids looking for a book to keep their reading skills up during the summer. Check it out today!
Madison recommends: The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt (ages 3-6)
Have you ever thought about how your crayons feel? Well, if you’re curious, Duncan’s crayons have a lot to say. In The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt, readers get a peek into the secret lives of crayons… and it turns out, they have a lot to say. Each color has a unique gripe against Duncan, and once they put their feelings to words, hilarity ensues. I enjoy reading this book during storytime as there is endless possibility for fun voices. Likewise, kids love recognizing the colors and hearing the Crayons’ exaggerated complaints. It’s also a great springboard for talking about emotions, point of view, and creative problem-solving. What would your crayons say if they could write you a letter? Perfect for ages: 4–8. Fun extras to try: Invite kids to draw their own crayon characters and write “quit” letters. Sort a box of crayons by mood—who’s feeling brave, tired, or silly today? Pair with the sequel, The Day the Crayons Came Home, for more fun!
Mirissa recommends: On Powwow Day by Traci Sorell. Illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (ages 0-3)
While many board book versions of picture books are just a shrunken version of the full-size format, Traci Sorell’s On Powwow Day (a companion to the picture book Powwow Day) has been completely revamped for the toddler audience. The reader is guided through this colorful event by counting up from one to 10. Along the way, we’re treated to the sounds of drums, jingle dress dancers, exclamations of joy, and more. Each page also challenges the reader to point to a specific color, making it just as perfect as a lap read as it is a read aloud. It’s a great way to include younger readers in the celebration before they grow into to the more complex story found in the author’s picture book.
Summer recommends: Pilgrim Codex by Vivian Mansour, illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra, translated by Carlos Rodríguez Cortez (ages 4-8)
Pilgrim Codex immediately stands out among our picture book collection. The art, beautifully rendered by Valtierra, is done in the style of Aztec and Maya codices of the indigenous Mesoamerican peoples. Bold and geometric, the style accompanies the story of the Boy and his family, the Vargas Ramírez family, as they leave their homeland, Iztapalapa, to move north. Danger lurks around many corners throughout their journey to a new, safer home. This picture book is a heartfelt tale of immigration, sure to impact both children and their caregivers.
Lauren recommends: I Want My Book Back by Viviane Elbee (ages 4-6)
When a child is attached to his library book he is upset when one day he has to return it so someone else can read it. He is so upset he tries to use different dinosaur ways to get it back. Each one fails and in a final attempt to get his book back he tries to take it from the librarian. Instead of getting upset she asks if he would be willing to read it with her for story time. He has such a good time sharing his favorite book he forgets how badly he wanted it back and enjoys telling all his new friends about it. This book teaches a great lesson about sharing using dinosaur metaphors and the magic of story time at the library.
April recommends: Dogs Love Books Too by Maria Coco (ages 2-5)
Dogs Love Books, Too is a fun and sweet story about why dogs might enjoy books just like we do. Maybe they like the way books smell or taste, or maybe they just love listening to a good story. The pictures are bright, colorful, and full of silly moments that will make kids smile. In the end, the book shares a lovely message—books can help us feel less alone, and that’s something both kids and dogs can enjoy. This book is a great pick for little ones ages 2 to 5. It’s short, playful, and easy to follow, making it perfect for reading together at bedtime or during storytime. Kids who love dogs and books will really enjoy it. Don’t forget to stop by Richmond Public Library to grab your copy—you and your child will have a great time reading it together!
Rachel recommends: It’s All or Nothing Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango (ages 10-14)
Valentina “Vale” Camacho is the best fencer among the middle and high schoolers in her advanced class. She’s got the awards and the national ranking to prove it. Vale lives and breathes fencing, always chasing the rush of victory even when it’s hard—even when it’s miserable—to get there. As Vale’s mami says o todo o nada: it’s all or nothing. Then, there was the accident. After weeks of rehabilitation, Vale is finally given the go ahead to return to fencing. But it’s different now. Not just because of the new girl, Myrka, Vale’s rival/friend/frenemy/crush/all of the above??? Something’s wrong with Vale’s foot. Some days are fine, some days aren’t. With her body fighting her, the resentment of her peers, and the devastating knowledge that she’s further behind than ever, what’s Vale’s next step? It’s All or Nothing, Vale is a novel in verse about grief, dis/ability, self-worth, difficult relationships (especially with oneself), and making space for joy.
Joan recommends: The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt (ages 5-8)
This year’s summer reading theme, Level Up at Your Library, is all about puzzles and games, so I thought this would be the perfect time to recommend this fun book based on that game everyone knows, rock-paper-scissors. In this super silly book, we learn the (completely made up) legend of three great warriors from the Kingdom of Backyard (Rock), the tiny village of Junk Drawer in the Kitchen Realm (Scissors), and the Empire of Mom’s Home Office (Paper). They are all champions in their own parts of the world- and getting a little bored of it, to be honest. Then one day, they meet up, and the most epic battle begins!
Well, readers, that’s a wrap! Check back again next month for some more fabulous reading recommendations. Until then, happy reading!
