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: The Girl in the Walls by Meg Eden Kuyatt (ages 9 to 12)

The Girl in the Walls is written by local Richmond author Meg Eden Kuyatt.  This book in written in verse which is a new way to read a spooky book – at least for me. Meet V, a neurodivergent girl who is anything but uptight like her grandmother Jojo who she must spend the summer with after a very difficult year. V starts hearing a girls voice and crying in the walls. When she finally sees her, V must decide if she is friendly or evil. What V really finds out is that her family has a lot of secrets. Can she figure out what is going on to save her family or will the danger come after them? Check out the book to see what really happens to V and her family.

Lisa recommends: The Invisible Parade by Leigh Bardugo & John Picacio (ages 5-9)

November 1st and 2nd is the holiday Dia de los Muertos also known as Day of the Dead.  My selection this month is a new release celebrating this Mexican holiday.  Cala is a young girl who is mourning the death of her grandfather.  Her family gathers to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, but Cala is too grief stricken to participate in the festivities. A trip to the cemetery with her family makes Cala apprehensive and afraid.  Thus begins the meeting of past souls who help Cala understand her grief and to welcome the Day of the Dead as a celebration to honor and remember those that have passed before us.  The illustrations are stunning.  The book explores in a sensitive way grief to a child and as an adult I found the message reassuring and comforting.

Adrianne recommends: Who’s Making All That Noise? by Darrin Lunde (ages 3 to 7)

Animals make all kind of noises! This book starts out with the noise that the animal makes and then gives a clue about the noise and the animal. When you turn the page It identifies the animal with a picture. It then tells you why they make the sound. This book is a fun way to practice the sounds and also to guess who is making to the sounds!

Genevievre recommends: Anzu and the Realm of Darkness by Mai K. Nguyen (ages 9 and up)

Anzu is a Japanese-American girl grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother and dealing with her family’s move to a new town. In her old school, Anzu was bullied horribly for the cultural aspects of her identity, including the Japanese foods she eats and her Japanese name, so she’s worried about fitting in and being accepted in her new home. Taking place during Obon, the Japanese holiday honoring deceased ancestors, Anzu is transported into the land of spirits called Yomi. There, she meets the Gatekeeper dog who guards the entrance to the realm, encounters powerful yokai (demons), and a vengeful spirit. Can Anzu and the Gatekeeper find the courage to break the curse on Yomi, preventing Anzu and other lost children from returning home? Or will Anzu be stuck there forever? While this story does include a fight between good and evil, it also includes themes of identity, belonging, and staying true to yourself. It will be a hit with fans of Spirited Away and with readers who enjoy magical quests with emotional stakes.

Mirissa recommends: The Pine Cone’s Secret by Hannah Barnaby (ages 4 and up)

We see pine cones all over the place, but how often do we think about the potential lying in wait inside? This book takes readers through the life cycle of a pine tree, sharing the benefits that these towering friends gift to the forest around them. While the words – written in poem format – wake up your senses with phrases like ‘spicy sharp scent,’ the illustrations are what really stand out. You’ll spy forest creatures both big and small, and you’ll even see a family grow along with the forest. The end of the book includes information about some different pine varieties, including the pond pine found in the nearby Great Dismal Swamp.

Sarah recommends: Ghost Says Meow! by Lauren Kukla (ages 2 to 5)

I love a picture book that surprises and delights young readers with unexpected silliness. Kukla’s Ghost Says Meow! is a perfect spooky season pick that does just that. Everyone knows ghosts say boo, right? Well, our protagonist in this story has other ideas. Young readers will squeal with joy as Ghost says meow and other silly things. At the end, readers are in for quite a treat when all the spooky characters go rogue and decide they want to make other sounds too. This one would be great for a group read-aloud or one-on-one reading. Spoiler alert: Ghost also says “Happy Halloween!” and I hope you have a great one with this book on your bookshelf!

Madison recommends: The Zombees by Justin Colón (ages 4 to 8)

Bzzzz! Bzzzz! What’s that creepy sound coming from the graveyard? Is it the Zombees? Have they come for your brains?! Or something else? The Zombees, by Justin Colón is a hilarious, rhyming picture book sure to entertain all the little ghouls and goblins this holiday season. My favorite part of the book is the
colorful and amusing illustrations by Kaly Quarles, which spark fun conversations for families reading together. Check out The Zombee’s from Richmond Public Library this season and share in the ghoulish delight! Want more? After reading the story, go back and see how many rhyming word pairs the kids can find. Practice writing the pairs on a paper or a white board. You can add in an extra challenge by seeing how many new rhyming words they can come up with!

Summer recommends: The Invisible Parade by Leigh Bardugo (ages 5 to 9)

This picture book from bestselling author Leigh Bardugo and illustrator John Picacio is a beautiful tribute to Día de Muertos, the Mexican holiday which honors loved ones who have passed on. Cala misses her grandfather dearly and does not wish to celebrate with the rest of her family. She ends up lost in the cemetery, scared, with ominous winds and mysterious shadows at every turn. There, she encounters spirits who inspire her own bravery, and lead her to a wonderful celebration where all souls – the living and the dead – dance together into the night. John Picacio’s art is phenomenal, and easily transports readers of all ages into Cala’s story. Día de Muertos is coming up on November 1st, making this the perfect time to check out this wonderful book.

Lauren recommends: BOO! The Library Ghost by Becky Paige (ages 4 to 8)

Don’t be afraid of this book! Boo is a ghost that haunts the library and scares all the children except for Poppy.  Poppy loves to read and is willing to put up with this grumpy ghost so she can enjoy her books. But, one day she realizes the reason he is so angry is because he can’t read. She takes the time to teach him and it completely changes his attitude. This book teaches emotional regulation and that, while learning new things can be tough, once you get the hang of it it’s really fun. Sometimes the thing that you once were so frustrated by can become the thing you love the most. 

April recommends: Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow by Ryan T. Higgins (ages 5 to 8)

Get ready for an exciting adventure with Bruce, the curious bear, as he explores the mysterious Soggy Hollow! Perfect for kids ages 5 to 8, this fun-filled tale is packed with humor, friendship, and excitement. This picture book will keep your readers hooked from start to finish. As Bruce unravels the legend of Soggy Hollow, he learns important lessons about bravery and teamwork. Whether read aloud or
enjoyed on their own, children will love following Bruce’s exciting journey and the surprises along the way!

Rachel recommends: The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman (ages 8-12)

On All Hallows’ Eve, Deadwood will bring mayhem to Fernlight. And before the moon sets, the one in Deadwood will vanish forever.
Deep in the depths of Deadwood Forest exists its sole occupant, Clare: the undead Usher of wandering souls. When newly departed animals get lost on the journey to their afterlife, he directs them on their way. He’s very good at his job. Which is why the case of the dead badger, Gingersnipes, is so confounding. She showed up on Clare’s doorstep not once, not twice, but five times, having been turned away from all four realms of death. That’s…that’s never happened before. Ever.

Richard recommends: The Secret of the Underground Room by John Bellairs (ages 8 and up)

For Spooky Month I chose a great classic:  “The Secret of the Underground Room” by John Bellairs.  I reviewed one of his books some time ago, and this is another scary supernatural thriller that will keep you on the edge of your chair.  Johnny, his best friend Fergie, and their friend Professor Childermass must rescue their friend and parish pastor Father Higgins from the clutches of an evil, and vengeful spirit.  The adventure takes them from Massachusetts over to England in pursuit of their friend, and along the way they meet new friends to help them on their quest, and solve puzzles to unravel the mystery of the ghost’s wicked plans.  A definite scary book and perfect for this month, so grab it from the library and settle in for spooky fun!

Joan recommends: I am a Witch’s Cat by Harriet Muncaster (ages 4 to 8)

In this cute and uniquely illustrated picture book, a young girl dressed in a cat costume informs us that her mom is a witch and that she is her special witch’s cat. She then explains all the ways she knows this- from the magical herbs her mom grows in the garden and the bubbling potions they cook up, to the way her mom “magics it all better” when she gets hurt. Throughout the book, mother and daughter engage in daily tasks such as grocery shopping, making soup, housecleaning, etc. Alongside these scenes are the daughter’s imaginative descriptions. Eagle-eyed youngsters will notice that the “jars of eyeballs and green fingers” that mom gets from the grocery store look suspiciously like jars of olives and pickles, and that Mom is just boiling soup, not a potion. The little girl must be mistaken about her mom being a witch. Everyone will certainly be on the same page – until the last page, when the Friday night baby-sitter comes over. What exactly does Mom do on her night out? Grab this book and see.

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