We have new books coming in all the time with them on display right as you enter the Trove. Here’s some of our recent favorite new titles!

For Wee Ones

Alphabot: Mix and Match Robot Parts From A to Z by Vicky Fang
Birth to 3 years old
Library Catalog

“Fine. I’m a sucker for the mix and match books. So sue. This is actually a STEM board book/mix and match title, which puts it in the company of … no other books out there. So it’s definitely on the older side, but these robotic terms aren’t pushy at all. They just gently suggest themselves. As you flip through your robot’s head, middle, and lower extremities, on the right hand side is what they look like and on the left hand side are little vocabulary terms like ‘Android,' ‘LED,' or ‘Neural Network' (which I kind of love because in that case you’ve just given your robot some freaky deaky brain legs). As you flip through with your kid you can just say the terms and hope that in some small corner of their brains the terms will lodge there. It’s science done gentle and fun, and isn’t that what we’re all hoping for with these books?” –School Library Journal

Reading Time: a Tummy Time First Words Book for Babies
Birth to 3 years old
Library Catalog

“Man. Just my luck. I don’t have any babies anymore and then here come publishers like Red Comet Press producing these high-contrast fold-out books with patterns and mirrors and everything! I remember all too well using these accordion books with my own babies when they were young. I loved encircling them with the bright, easy-to-see images. I’ve already waxed eloquent in the past over Tummy Time (which is by the same folks and came out back in 2022). Now they’re doubling down with Reading Time and I am here for it! It’s really not all that different from the last book, but who cares? When you’ve hit on the magic formula then the only thing left to do is repeat, repeat, repeat. Besides, you can never have enough accordion books in your life. Extra points to this one for finding a clever way to fold up (and stay closed!) on its own.” –School Library Journal

Bruno Builder Bakes Bread by Nelleke Verhoeff
Birth to 3 years old
Library Catalog

“Subversive. Definition: seeking or intended to subvert an established system or institution.

Can a board book be subversive? I don’t see why not. Certainly Verhoeff’s been that way before with 2021’s Red Hat, Pink Books. Now she’s created a book that acts as a perfect complement to that one. On the top half of this mix-and-match book you are presented with the people. On the bottom half, their activities. But that said, gender expectations are completely upended time and again, as you match masculine, feminine, and other genders, ethnicities, and races together in different ways. And by god, if Farah the flight attendant wants to fight a fire (which is one of the examples in this book), I say we let her! A book that feeds into a child’s creativity as much as it provides a bit of fun.” –School Library Journal

For Younger Readers

A Good Deed Can Grow by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman & Holly Hatam
Preschool to 2nd Grade
Library Catalog

“Positivity pulses through the pages of this picture book about the effects of kind and thoughtful actions and the many ways one might spread good in the world. Noting how a kindness gradually emanates from its source, Chambliss Bertman’s simile-laden text likens a good deed to a seed, a ripple on the water, a sunbeam, and a smile: ‘A good deed/ can grow like a smile.// A smile that calms worries and nerves,/ warms hearts… //or welcomes you home.’ Hatam’s bustling mixed-media scenes display an intersectionally diverse community in which a brigade of grinning young people do nice things: visiting a sick friend, reading at the senior center, cleaning up litter, and planting a community garden next to a gigantic gray factory belching waste. While the lines acknowledge that some problems can feel too big to solve, this read offers a sunny emotional reset to inspire do-gooders.”  –Publishers Weekly

Baby Be by Alison McGhee & Sean Qualls
Preschool to 2nd Grade
Library Catalog

“A celebration of the bonds between caregivers and their children. This rhyming picture book opens with an image of a young child and a parent winking and trading high fives in a meadow. As the narrative continues, readers get a window into the lives of numerous other pairings of babies and male-presenting caretakers: a bearded adult in a hat and tracksuit spinning records for a dancing child, a bearded caregiver in a durag fastening a tie around a child’s neck, and a bespectacled, aproned caretaker dancing to the beat a child plays on a set of pots and pans. Written from the point of view of an adult speaking to a child, the book relies on a deliciously fun choice of words: ‘My wiggle, / your woggle. / My swing, / and your zing.’ The book ends with the adult’s assurance that the child is perfect just the way they are and that they should continue to ‘just BE.’ The takeaway is clear—the adult will support this treasured little one no matter what life brings. The exuberant text and whimsical illustrations, rendered in colored pencil, collage, and acrylic, make for a sweetly energetic read-aloud. The pictures feature characters with a variety of skin tones and hair textures. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A tender, lyrical offering conveying a message of unconditional love.” –Kirkus Reviews

My Little Ogichidaa: An Indigenous Lullaby by Willie Poll and Hawlii Pichette
Preschool to 2nd Grade
Library Catalog

“An Indigenous mother walks through the woods reciting an anthem of strength, power, and social change to her unborn child. ‘My little Ogichidaa who lives inside of my womb/ The tiniest seed they never expected to bloom/ Coming into a world that sought your destruction/ A thousand spirits behind you bringing disruption.’ The lyrical text is reinforced by illustrations in richly hued colors. Most illustrations are spreads with text at the bottom, with a few single-page drawings on a white background. The interconnectedness of all living beings is woven through flowing lines, seeds, braids, or vines with Native American motifs incorporated. One drawing shows a group of people in red shirts or dresses against an orange sky and green ground with flowering bushes. The significance of the moose hide they wear is mentioned in the dedication. The facing page is for readers to journal in. The last page is for the biographies of artist and author. The empowering narrative and stunning artwork combine for a lovely tribute to a future child. VERDICT Despite concerns that the journaling page is an open invitation for this to be marked up, this is a recommended first purchase.” –School Library Journal

Fiction

Abeni’s Song by P. Djèlí Clark
Grades 4-6
Library Catalog

“A 12-year-old West African girl attempts to save children who were stolen from her village. Abeni and her best friend, Fomi, plan to enjoy their annual Harvest Festival, but the festivities are interrupted when Asha, the local witch, appears. She reminds everyone that she gave three warnings that they must leave their homes, but they did not obey; she can no longer protect the village from the coming war. After watching over them for generations, Asha is here to collect her payment: a child. To her great shock, Abeni’s mother gives her to Asha. And then war does in fact come to their peaceful valley where they lived quietly, surrounded by a forest. Abeni watches in horror as storm women assisted by magical black ropes capture the adults before a mysterious goat man plays a haunting melody on a flute that ensnares the other children. Abeni, trained in self-defense by Auntie Asha, sets out to find the kidnapped children. She crosses paths with porcupine spirit Nyomi and panther spirit Zaneeya who join her as they pursue quests of their own. The magical storytelling and West African spirit elements will keep readers engaged, while authentic relationships between the central characters offer a nice counterbalance for the fantastical plot points, making this work appealing to fantasy and realistic fiction readers alike. An original, enjoyable coming-of-age story with complex fantasy worldbuilding and multifaceted characters.” –Kirkus Reviews

The House That Whispers by Lin Thompson
Grades 4-6
Library Catalog

“Three siblings unravel family mysteries. Simon is not the name that everyone calls the middle Bradley sibling, but it’s the name he picked for himself. Ever since he realized he was trans or maybe nonbinary or something else, he’s been mentally fixing the name and pronouns others use for him. Simon, big sister Talia, and little sister Rose are staying with their maternal grandmother, Nanaleen, for a week in a creepy old family home bordering the Appalachians while their parents figure out how to repair their marriage. Simon becomes convinced the house is haunted and wonders if it’s related to the decades-old disappearance of his Great-Aunt Brie, a butch growing up in unforgiving times. Likely to appeal to fans of Tae Keller’s When You Trap a Tiger and Kyle Lukoff’s Too Bright To See, this story is at times unsettlingly creepy, at other moments heartwarming. Talia’s suddenly shifty behavior and Nanaleen’s apparent memory loss add to the challenging family dynamics. The solid haunted-house buildup shifts gears in the denouement of the final climactic scene. Many moments are overly direct, with characters (mostly cued as White) explaining to Simon, and by proxy the reader, important lessons in emotional development. Still, this is an interesting examination of how to deal with some difficult elements of growth and change. Gentle, calm, and reassuring.” –Kirkus Reviews

Mid-Air by Alicia D. Williams
Grades 4-6
Library Catalog

“Tragedy strikes a trio of friends, but as the remaining duo grieve and grow apart, high school looms. Darius and Isaiah first became friends as the only Black kids at robotics camp, but with new student Drew added to the mix, the three skater kids from Michigan use their humor, friendly wagers, and Guinness World Records ambitions to overcome almost anything—from bullies to missing dads. But the sudden death of Darius, who was hit by a car while being harassed by a stranger, isn’t something Drew and Isaiah can easily overcome. Isaiah, a secret plant lover and not-so-secretly sensitive 13-year-old, narrates the feelings of loss and anxiety that overwhelm the last months of middle school and cause a rift between him and Drew, since both boys are grappling with big feelings of guilt, blame, and regret over Darius’ death. Each free-verse poem is presented with the emotive rhythm and pacing of a kid who’s just as afraid of what his peers think as he is of not being seen as man enough in his dad’s eyes. Isaiah is sent to live with his aunt and uncle in North Carolina for the summer for a bit of a fresh start, which proves to be a necessary diversion that yields new friends, new perspectives—and first kisses!—for the boy who hid so much of himself from a world that made him believe he had to. Occasional pen-and-ink–style art complements the text. Black boy joy, hurt, anxiety, and perseverance relayed with charm.” –Kirkus Reviews

Nonfiction

Rainbow Allies: the True Story of Kids Who Stood Against Hate by Nancy Churnin, art by Izzy Evans
(Grades K-4)
Library Catalog

“A neighborhood comes together after a shocking act of vandalism. In the town of Natick, Massachusetts, in a welcoming and supportive neighborhood, Cari and Lauri, an older lesbian couple, proudly put up a rainbow flag outside their home with the help of three local kids. One day, Cari and Lauri find their house egged and their rainbow flag missing in an apparent hate crime. Upset by this turn of events, the couple tell the kids that they don't feel comfortable putting the flag back up. After spitballing ideas from building a wall around the home and keeping watch over the front porch to finding the culprits themselves and then egging their home, the children decide to give rainbow flags to everyone in the community; they in turn display them outside their own homes. This tale is based on a similar incident that happened in 2016 in the real town of Natick. While the ending may be tidy and pat, with some awkward phrasing, it's an age-appropriate way to show young readers how to support those communities most in need of support. Despite the subject matter, optimism pervades both the text and Evans' sunny illustrations. Backmatter includes an author's note and a basic primer on how to be an LGBTQ+ ally. Cari and Lauri are light-skinned; their community is a diverse one. A purposeful yet poignant exploration of allyship.” –Kirkus Reviews

Growing Up Under a Red Flag: a Memoir of Surviving the Chinese Cultural Revolution by Ying Chang Compestine, art by Xinmei Liu
(Grades 2-4)
Library Catalog

“*Starred Review* In the wake of her powerful autobiographical novel, Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party (2007), Compestine offers in picture-book format a briefer but more direct memoir of years growing up during China's repressive Cultural Revolution. She begins by recalling how her father taught her English while telling her enticing tales of San Francisco, where he studied medicine and the food had funny names like “hot dogs” and “Twinkies.” She then tracks the growing fear of the brutal, intrusive Red Guard hoodlums who eventually broke in to take her father to prison; of living with food scarcities; of the awful day her mother found lice in her hair and had to cut it off; and, following the death of Chairman Mao in 1976 when she was 13, the joyful return of her father, all of which is capped, 10 years later, by a family get-together in San Francisco (over hot dogs and Twinkies). Illustrating events in an appropriately Socialist Realist style, Liu depicts human figures standing and gesturing in broad, dramatic poses, with exaggerated expressions of fear or fervor to reflect the tenor of the moment, against backgrounds marked with revolutionary posters and other exactly drawn details. An intense account of life in an authoritarian regime, relevant to our times.” –Booklist

Arab Fairy Tale Feasts: a Literary Cookbook by Karim Alrawi, art by Nahid Kazemi
(Grades 2-6)
Library Catalog

“From a miser in Egypt who spills his lentil soup and loses his fortune while dreaming of great riches to a young woman in Algeria who cleverly catches the thief who stole her wheat for couscous, this volume in the Fairy Tale Feasts series uses short Arabic folktales and fairy tales to present traditional foods from the Middle East and North Africa. Each story is followed by one or two related recipes with an explanatory note about the dish's popularity in Arabic culture and sidebars that offer more information about the featured food, such as the Arabic origin of the English word apricot and the fruit's special use as a drink during the season of Eid. For readers unfamiliar with the Arab world, a useful introduction describes where Arab people live, their shared Arabic language, the golden age of Arab cookbooks, and the influence of Arab cuisine on other parts of the world (e.g., the Spanish dish paella has Arabic roots). Fitting illustrations in a folk-art style add more flavor to this savory, multipurpose collection.” –Booklist

The Dark!: Wild Life in the Mysterious World of Caves by Leigh Lindsey
(Grades 3-7)
Library Catalog

“Strap on your headlamp and dive into The Dark to learn about caves and the animals that live in them. With a clear introduction of what a cave is, this well-organized, nonfiction comic book digs into the types of animals that call caves home, full- and part-time. Creepy crawlies that kids love are explored, including threatened and endangered species such as salamanders, various fish, bats, and all sorts of insects–even humans are covered! The author illuminates various animal adaptations in interesting ways that will capture readers' attentions. Also highlighted are unique caves of the world, the importance of caves to humans throughout history, and cave conservation. The author did a wonderful job creating eye-catching, clear cartoon illustrations with text placed thoughtfully on the page to highlight the fascinating animals. Pronunciation guides and definitions throughout clarify new ideas and vocabulary. Animals are given quirky personalities with conversation bubbles, adding humor to keep readers interested. VERDICT – With its compelling layout and interesting facts, this is an engaging book.” –School Library Journal

Family Adventures: How to Adventure with Babies and Children by Bex Band
(Parents and Caregivers)
Library Catalog

A practical guide to involving babies and children in all sorts of adventures, whether it be cycling, camping, paddling, hiking, swimming or outdoor holidays. As soon as Bex Band, founder of the UK's largest women's adventure community, Love Her Wild, announced she was pregnant with her first child, the sympathy began. “Enjoy your adventures while you can,” “It's going to be a big shock not being able to travel as much,” and “Aren't you going to miss adventuring?” When Bex's daughter was just a few weeks old, Bex and her husband took her camping. Now age 2, she's been wild camping on Dartmoor, cycling along the coast, swimming in rural lakes and even carried in a backpack on a multi-day Negev desert hike. Now, she shares her stories and insights in Family Adventures, a practical and inspirational guide to involving babies and children in outdoor adventures. This guide is full of useful information (such as what to pack when camping with an infant or how to keep children safe in open water), invaluable tips (family games you can play around a campfire or how to keep morale up in bad weather) and plenty of honesty around things going wrong (poo-explosion on a wild camp, anyone?). Experiences from adventuring families also provide a plethora of insights so that you're well equipped to make your family adventuring dreams a reality.

Graphic Novels

Monti and Leo: a Newcomer in Pocketville by Sylvie Kantorovitz
(Grades K-2)
Library Catalog

“In this early reader graphic novel told in four quickly moving chapters, Kantorovitz (Sylvie) introduces Monti, a quiet, self-effacing mole who lives in the close-knit community of Pocketville. One day, Monti is outraged to find someone sitting on his special rock. Following a period of self-doubt–and a genial greeting from the stranger (“This is such a beautiful rock. Won't you sit down?”)–Monti befriends newly arrived resident Leo, a small, cheerful crocodile. When the baker, Mrs. Sheep, vilifies Leo (“These strangers. They never respect our ways”), spreading suspicions among her customers, Monti weighs speaking up, then acts: “Mrs. Sheep. Leo is very nice. Please do not talk that way.” As Leo, Monti, and their friend Carl Crow plan a Pocketville talent show, Monti continues to deftly handle Mrs. Sheep's curmudgeonly ways while staying courteous and true to himself, and even sweet-talking Mrs. Sheep into participating. Thanks to Monti and Leo's ability to see others' gifts, the talent show is a great success. Digital panel drawings portray Pocketville's anthropomorphized animal inhabitants with simple lines and soft colors. Sweet and genuine, Kantorovitz's story models community building without a hint of preachiness.” –Publishers Weekly

Detective Sweet Pea: The Case of the Golden Bone by Sara Varon
(Grades K-4)
Library Catalog

“When the Golden Chew Bone mysteriously goes missing, Sweet Pea the dog is on the case. Sweet Pea resides in the town of Parkville, where several animal species live harmoniously… mostly. She enjoys painting, eating out of the garbage, and learning about her family history. She's never solved a mystery before, but when the Golden Chew Bone disappears before the Parkville Art Museum's celebration of its return (the bone had been on loan to another museum), Sweet Pea is asked to use her strong sniffing abilities to find it. Dogs regularly visit the museum to chew on the bone; it keeps their teeth clean but somehow never gets any smaller. Dental problems among Parkville dogs are now on the rise, but with the help of newcomers Jelly and Casper and insight from her great-aunt Petunia's stories, Sweet Pea gets to work. These characters and this town feel bursting with more stories to tell; readers will be grateful that this charming and smartly crafted mystery is just the start of a new series. Varon's cute, brightly colored, bold-lined, and immediately recognizable art style is inviting and appealing, while chapter breaks make the story accessible and contribute to the narrative's momentum. While the mystery is delightful, this story goes deeper thematically–which is made clear when Sweet Pea exclaims, ‘Everyone has a different perspective based on their own experiences.' Sniffing around for an adorable, exciting, and thoughtful tale? This doggy detective delivers.” –Kirkus Reviews

Summer Vamp by Violet Chan Karim
(Grades 3-6)
Library Catalog

“Maya loves to cook, just like her favorite chef influencer, Kiki. She's thrilled about attending Camp Umami, a culinary camp, for the summer. But when she gets on the bus, she learns she's heading to the wrong camp, and before she can call her dad, the counselors take away all of the campers' phones. Maya quickly finds herself heading to Camp Dracula, a camp for vampires. She tries everything to get a message out to her dad but has no luck. Before long, though, she discovers she likes her fellow campers and finds a way to adapt to life at Camp Dracula, make friends, and keep the secret that she's actually human. This funny, quirky graphic novel is full of heartwarming moments and touches on themes of friendship, resilience, and acceptance. Karim's bright, colorful artwork is cartoonishly expressive, and readers will enjoy Maya's antics as she tries all sorts of ways to get to Camp Umami–and ultimately decides whether or not it's actually where she wants to be. Hand to fans of Sophie Escabasse's Witches of Brooklyn.” –Booklist

Student Ambassador series by Ryan Estrada, Axur Eneas, and Chas! Pangburn
(Grades 4-6)
Library Catalog

“After winning an essay contest, Mexican American student ambassador Joseph gets to visit the U.S. president. Hilariously, the two hit it off, and Joseph is soon dispatched as ambassador to the Southeast Asia-inspired nation of West Rhutar, where a bratty tween dictator, King Nang Nukatau III, threatens war. A diplomatic savant, Joseph befriends Nang and wins an invitation to the king's slumber party – where an assault by kidnappers forces them to flee. What ensues is a true adventure-comedy, as the two boys traverse east Asia, attempting to unravel the mystery behind the plot to kidnap Nang. Estrada favors a silly tone, grounded in the generally absurd premise, wonderfully dry banter, and Eneas' character design, which sets Joseph's wide-eyed naivete against high-stakes international politics. A strong case is also made here for the educational value of comics, as the boys must learn Korean script and culture in order to solve the puzzleand those lessons are passed on to the reader. An expertly paced, legitimately funny adventure with a side of learning.” –Booklist

The Circuit: the Acclaimed Memoir’s Graphic Novel Edition by Francisco Jiménez, adapted by Andrew J. Rosan, art by Celia Jacobs
(Grades 4-8)
Library Catalog

“Adapted from the award-winning memoir of the same name and the true-life account of the author, this graphic novel details Jiménez's journey with his family as they trek from Mexico across La Frontera to build their new life in California. The memoir, told from the perspective of Jiménez as a young boy, expertly recounts the trials and tribulations he and his family faced as they ventured to find their home. Readers will be captivated by Jiménez's story and relate to his yearning for a permanent residence, as the family hops from town to town and faces obstacles at each turn in search of a better life. While parts of the material may be difficult to read for some, Jiménez's youthful perspective bestows a gentleness to the narrative, which provides ease to these moments. In a sepialike tone, the illustrations are beautifully woven through the story, which includes some Spanish (translations are provided). This book will interest those who enjoyed They Called Us Enemy, The Distance Between Us, and I Was Their American Dream. VERDICT – A moving story about family, faith, hope, and resilience through trying times and experiences.” –School Library Journal