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

Dinosaur’s Binkit by Sandra Boynton
(Birth to 3 Years-Old)
Library Catalog

“Boynton's (Snoozers) signature style showcases a restless baby dinosaur who can't go to bed without his (or her) security blanket in this charming large-trim board book. Her rhyming text cajoles the little creature to settle down: ‘Dinosaur O Dinosaur,/ you fuss and fret and yawn./ It's time to brush your dino teeth/ and put your p.j.'s on.’ A silver foil moon, red felt blanket and yellow felt ‘binkit’ (no ordinary blanket, that) are among the touchable elements: in one of the most amusing flaps, the wail ‘I NEED MY BINKIT!’ is emblazoned across the inside of Dinosaur's big, pink, tooth-lined mouth. The book is cute without being cloying, thanks to the authorial voice, which softens from stern to sympathetic, and the dino's comic desperation. This light, witty treatment of the eternal subjects of the ‘blanky’ and the bedtime tantrum will make a welcome addition to the bedside bookshelf. And with its felt inserts, it's a book kids can really cozy up to.” –Publishers Weekly

Big and Little: A Book of Animal Opposites by Harriet Evans
(Birth to 3 Years-Old)
Library Catalog

“Opposites come to life with flaps for young hands to engage with on every page. ‘Slim and Plump’ feature a pufferfish unexpanded and then all puffed out. Illustrative details make the meanings clear; the well-designed flaps reinforce the concepts. VERDICT Perfect engineering meets engaging content—this is highly recommended.” –School Library Journal

My Body and Me: My First Body Positivity Book by Ceece Kelley
(Birth to 3 Years-Old)
Library Catalog

“Body positivity is presented for young children by a range of people who all celebrate their wonderful bodies. The children include a young girl with a prosthetic who loves her legs because ‘they help me move.’ VERDICT Highly recommended for all types of children. –School Library Journal

For Younger Readers

Hope is the Thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson
(Preschool – 3rd Grade)
Library Catalog

“Unlike humor poets Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky, who have wide appeal to the school-age set, romantic poetry can be tricky for young readers who prefer a tidy narrative. Dickinson's ‘Hope Is the Thing with Feathers’ offers a just-right sojourn for children into the metaphoric language of poetry. Its subject has a modern-day relevance that will inspire engaging discourse, both in classrooms and at home. Hopgood's interpretations of the classic poem provide consistent visual mooring for Dickinson's text, depicting the resilience of hope in the form of a songbird whose song survives the many obstacles life puts in the way. In Dickinson's parting stanza, ‘Yet – never – in Extremity, It asked a crumb – of me,’ provides a fruitful opportunity for meaningful exchange between little ones and their grown-ups. VERDICT A fine foray into canonical poetry for young learners.” –School Library Journal

Mama’s Library Summers by Melvina Noel
(Preschool – 2nd Grade)
Library Catalog

“Young bibliophiles delight in their library visits. Two African American siblings dressed in blue shorts and striped shirts go to the library each week in the summer to pick 10 books. ‘Only books about Black people…no repeats,’ Mama says, and ‘No more than three books on the same subject!’ the white librarian says. After painstakingly choosing, the children haul their huge piles to the car where Mama waits, hot but too shy to enter. At home, everyone grabs a book and settles down: the narrator on the bed, the younger sister on the floor, and Mama in her chair. Absorbing Black history, the protagonist is transported: escaping slavery with Harriet Tubman, protesting at the March on Washington with Martin Luther King Jr., and reciting poetry alongside Paul Laurence Dunbar. The exquisite collage work by Peoples brims with highly saturated colors and rich textures and demonstrates the immersive power of literature. Book review competitions between the siblings follow; the winner earns ‘an extra slice of Mama’s homemade sweet potato pie.’ Archival images of Black heroes appear throughout the book—some well known, others that will beckon readers to learn more. In the backmatter, Noel and Peoples share stories of how they became passionate readers. A sumptuous story of summertime Black joy, and a master class in fostering family literacy.” –Kirkus Reviews 

A Maleta Full of Treasures by Natalia Sylvester
(Preschool – 1st Grade)
Library Catalog

“Abuela’s visit sparks a sweet celebration of the presents—and presence—she brings. The young narrator anxiously anticipates her grandmother’s arrival; it’s been three years since Abuela last visited. When the family picks up Abuela at the airport, her maletas—suitcases—make a mountain in the trunk of the car. What treasures might be inside from nuestra tierra, the family’s homeland? Candies, storybooks, and soft alpaca blankets, along with messages from loved ones far away, fill the home. Though the child has never been to the family’s homeland, it’s still an integral part of her, and the gifts help her feel connected. The sweets are fleeting, just like Abuela’s all too brief visit. But before she goes, Abuela leaves behind one bonus treasure so that the little one can share the love until Abuela returns. Medina’s thick-lined cartoon images are drawn with simplicity yet are deeply expressive; the protagonist’s emotions are palpable. Though context clues indicate that Abuela has traveled from Peru, that’s never explicitly mentioned in the text, which will allow many readers to see themselves in this story, though those with Peruvian heritage may find additional richness. Indeed, this tale of bridging gaps is sure to especially resonate with immigrant families, as well as those who find themselves far from their roots. A cozy story of family treasures that sustain connections across the miles.” –Kirkus Reviews

Fiction

The Truth About Triangles by Michael Leali
(Grades 4-6)
Library Catalog

“Leali's (The Civil War of Amos Abernathy) latest is a tasty, slice-of-life story of family, friendship, and pizza. Twelve-year-old Luca works in his Italian American family's third-generation Chicago pizzeria. With his parents separating, the business failing, and a feeling that he's the only one who can save it all, Luca submits an application for Mamma Gianna's to be featured on Pizza Perfect starring his chef-idol, Travis Parker. At the same time, Luca also has to navigate the intersection of a long-term friendship with June and a budding maybe-more-than-friendship with Will. This novel uses the metaphor of shapes throughout. Luca describes himself as not feeling like a ‘whole shape’ when things are out of his control. As relationships fracture and the pressure mounts, Luca will eventually have to reckon with his personal expectations and self-worth. Within this chaos, however, is an endearingly kind-hearted story that encourages readers to chase their dreams, meet their idols, and tell their crushes how they feel. Luca, Travis, and Will are queer, and Candace, a scout for Pizza Perfect, uses she/they pronouns. Outside Luca's immediate family, Leali describes characters with a variety of skin tones and naming conventions. VERDICT An inspiring, culinary treat. Recommended for medium to large collections and any shelf where there are aspiring foodies in the audience.” -–School Library Journal

Red Bird Danced by Dawn Quigley
(Grades 4-6)
Library Catalog

“Employing elegant verse, Ojibwe author Quigley (the Jo Jo series) crafts a story of two Ojibwe kids learning to cope with sorrowful life events. Eleven-year-old Ariel loves to dance ballet; it’s something she has in common with her beloved aunt Bineshiinh. But when Bineshiinh disappears, ballet doesn’t feel the same. Trying to find comfort in movement again, Ariel practices traditional Indigenous jingle dancing and, in delving into its history, learns that Native women are ‘ten times more likely to/ be murdered.’ Meanwhile, Ariel’s 12-year-old neighbor Tomah uses humor to hide the fact that he struggles to read. Despite his academic insecurities, he discovers that he is a gifted storyteller and uses his talent to call attention to the disappearances of women in his Turtle Mountain community. Through Ariel and Tomah’s steadfast resolve, this heartbreaking yet heartening story tackles themes of grief and the strength it takes to grow through adversity. Even as the tweens confront personal challenges, they remain committed to bettering their surroundings in a moving narrative that highlights issues relating to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis while celebrating the healing power of art—including dance, folklore, music, and poetry—and the solace one can find in connecting with one’s heritage.” –Publishers Weekly 

Lion of the Sky by Hemnani Ritu
(Grades 4-6)
Library Catalog

“A historical novel in verse that glides smoothly and rises with hope. Set in 1947 during the tumultuous days of the Partition, this is the story of 12-year-old Raj, a Hindu boy who loves flying kites with Nana, his grandfather, and Iqbal, his Muslim best friend. But Raj’s world is soon fractured by a line drawn on a map. Readers are immersed in rich descriptions of food as Amma prepares kaju mithai, fragrant with cashews and cardamom, and measures spices for sweet mango pickle. The boys cement their friendship with a Diwali treat of almond and pistachio varo; at Eid al-Fitr, they share a bowl of sheer khurma. Food evokes deeper introspection about home in the face of the losses that keep piling up and serves as a reminder that joy is quadrupled when shared. The tension rises while politically aware Raj struggles to make sense of the changes around him, and the story moves from Hyderabad in Sindh to Bombay. The difficulties are undercut with glimmers of optimism and humanity, and family and friendship form the backbone of the story, which opens with Raj’s exhilaration about kites—lions in the sky—and the upcoming Kite Festival. Ultimately this is a tale about being lion-hearted, soaring after falling many times, and still reaching for the sky. It’s also about lines that divide, that cut across hearts and countries, and that are seared into memories. An exquisite, memorable story about new beginnings and the quest to belong.” –Kirkus Reviews

Nonfiction

City of Leafcutter Ants: A Sustainable Society of Millions by Amy Hevron
(Grades K-2)
Library Catalog

“*Starred Review* Deep in a Central America rainforest, a colony of more than 8 million leafcutter ants are working away. Incredibly, the entire tiny city (including up to 2,000 chambers) was founded by one queen ant: after a dangerous mating flight, we see her burrow into the soil and start laying eggs, setting the stage for the incredible cooperative to come. Over time, the colony grows enough to divide into different areas of labor, including caretakers, garbage collectors, foragers, and even tiny pharmacists that produce antibodies to keep the population healthy. They're fearless fighters, too: when danger arrives in the form of a poison dart frog, the ants don't hesitate to swarm the threat. Crisis averted, the ants can return to their work, and the foragers in the canopy are busy chomping away and carrying snacks back to the nest to sustain the colony. Finally, a newly hatched queen leaves to make a home of her own and the cycle begins anew. It's a treat to see the world from a new perspective, and the engaging text imparts intriguing information while including plenty of action. Vibrant illustrations in lush greens and deep browns capture the ant adventures via cutaway views that put readers into the thick of things, and despite their simple structure, the black-eyed ants read as endearing and expressive. An enormously entertaining introduction to a small-scale subject.” –Booklist

Skybound! Starring Mary Myers as Carlotta, Daredevil Aeronaut and Scientist by Sue Ganz-Schmitt, art by Jacopo Bruno
(Grades 2-4)
Library Catalog

“If you were an American woman born in 1850, you were expected to be a homemaker, not an adventurer, but Mary Breed Hawley dreamed of flying. When a hot air balloon craze swept the world, Mary wondered if she had finally found a way to fulfill her longstanding desire. Another balloon enthusiast, Carl Myers, was captivated by the unusual Mary, and they soon wed and threw themselves into aeronautics and meteorology. The pair designed and manufactured their own balloons, and eventually Mary, having received a 10-minute crash course in piloting, took the stage name of “Carlotta” and soared into the sky. That glorious initial excursion led to countless flights, and Mary traveled the globe, set world records, authored a book, and founded an aeronautical institution with Carl. The amazing account is beautifully told via urgent, animated text and elegant illustrations. Bruno intersperses delightful depictions of antique ephemera (posters, certificates, blueprints) throughout. Excellent and expansive endnotes add countless diverting details and an actual photograph of Mary in her balloon. A soaring story of a remarkable and memorable woman.” –Booklist

From Plant to Plate: Turn Home Grown Ingredients Into Healthy Meals by Darryl Gadzepko and Ella Phillips, art by Alan Berry Rhys
(Grades 2-5)
Library Catalog

“A worthy addition to the DK canon, this cookbook is half recipes and half information about the inextricable link between food and the environment. The authors explain that the objective is to help readers understand where their food comes from and how it connects us to the planet. Each page is bright, cheerful, and visually appealing, a lush combination of color photography and illustration. The first portion features spreads on planting, composting, biodiversity, growing conditions, and lots of nutritional information, all presented by the book's “bug squad”–a group of cute cartoon insects who act as guides and provide fun facts throughout. The second portion highlights about 20 healthy recipes that can be made with foods that readers have just learned how to grow, from pesto to hummus to granola. Some of the ingredients are on the obscure side, but the value of this book far outweighs such concerns. VERDICT A lovely, highly informative tool for learning about how food is grown, the value in healthy eating, and how to respect the environment while also taking care of one's body, this farm-to-table offering is highly recommended for school and public libraries.” –School Library Journal

Graphic Novels

Mayor Good Boy series by Dave Scheidt, art by Miranda Harmon
(Grades 2-5)
Library Catalog

“Abby and her little brother, Aaron, live in Greenwood, which becomes a very unusual place after it's announced that a cute, fluffy dog has just been elected mayor. Some people are delighted, others are angry, and some figure that he can't be any worse than the last mayor. When a mob of enraged townspeople storm the stage, Abby and Aaron defuse the situation. The kids are invited to work with Mayor Good Boy and his assistant, Ms. Monica, helping him meet his fans and avoid his haters. As they visit different parts of Greenwood, they encounter humorous situations as Mayor Good Boy takes frequent naps and gets very excited about cheese, Aaron lands himself into trouble, and Abby tries to keep the peace. The story is sweet, funny, and uplifting, and the cute and colorful cartoonish artwork reinforces the positive message that anyone, even the unlikeliest of heroes, can make a difference. The book concludes with tips for drawing the characters, a Mayor Good Boy pledge, and information about how readers can contact their representatives. Abby and Aaron are beige-skinned and brown-haired. VERDICT For readers who love animals and books about friendship, and for anyone who wants to change the world.” –School Library Journal

Unicorn Boy by Dave Roman
(Grades 3-8)
Library Catalog

“Brian Reyes is a shy, utterly regular kid-until a singing unicorn horn (just the horn) suddenly grows out of the top of his head. While medical professionals cry “bizarre!” and the kids at school keep mocking him, Brian's nonbinary BFF Avery encourages him to stop fighting the haters and embrace his destiny. Wylit, a magical muffin Brian finds in his lunch, agrees, and Brian reluctantly lets Wylit coach him on using his developing unicorn powers to help others. Yet even after saving an inattentive cat (“That cat is too busy texting to notice that oncoming truck!”), Brian still just wants to go back to his regular life. When Avery gets taken to the underworld by the living shadows drawn to Brian's unicorn-power, however, finding his friend becomes far more important than blending in with the crowd. Brian's epic tale provides the perfect amount of glitter and gender-nonconforming spunk: readers will appreciate the warm, honest portrayal of Brian and Avery's friendship dynamic, as Avery's brisk queer confidence and protective attitude pairs well with Brian's hesitancy to buck social norms and embrace his “inner spark.” Roman's art style is fluid and lovable, effectively using simple shapes to create splashy, colorful scenes of heroism and emotion. One spread, for example, evokes the hallmark magical girl transformation sequence, with long, pink and purple unicorn hair bursting from Brian's head as his normal clothes fade into a heroic getup. A small squadron of funny, friendly character designs fill Brian's world with charming oddity and hilarious dialogue: smarmy, website-designing Basil B. Black Cat and the adorably rebellious Gran Reaper are just two among many that help balance this identity-driven storyline with absurdity and fun. Middle grade fans of The Kao's Magical Boy graphic novels and the upbeat, equine weirdness of Centaurworld should hoof it over to this title immediately.” –Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Duel by Jessixa Bagley, art by Aaron Bagley
(Grades 5-8)
Library Catalog

“Author Jessixa Bagley and illustrator Aaron Bagley's genuine and heartwarming middle-grade graphic novel Duel tells the story of an intense sibling rivalry that worsens after the death of their father. Biracial sisters Gigi and Lucy have never attended the same school before and, since their fencer father died, they've been “at each other's throats.” On their first day together at Butler Middle School, eighth-grader Gigi and sixth-grader Lucy get into a heated argument and Gigi trips Lucy in the cafeteria. Lucy challenges Gigi to a duel. (“Did you say duel?!” Gigi asks scornfully. “Fencers don't have duels–we have bouts.”) Unfortunately for Lucy, she hasn't fenced since Dad died, while Gigi is on the school's fencing team. Both girls ready themselves for the battle, each reflecting on the loss of their father and his legacy. Jessixa Bagley's first graphic novel as author is an ode to fencing. Each chapter opens with a fencing phrase, a sketch of the stance, and a description. As the story progresses, alternating between Gigi's and Lucy's endearing perspectives, so, too, do the fencing stances, as if in preparation for the bout. Jessixa Bagley (Laundry Day) touches heartstrings through the girls' expressions of grief, and uses temporal changes to round out her characters. Aaron Bagley (Vincent Comes Home) identifies the time switches through his ink and digital art, showing the present day in full-color illustrations with standardized panel borders, and displaying the past in wavy blue lines and wobbly panels. An excellent read for fans of Raina Telgemeier or Dan Santat's A First Time for Everything.” –Shelf Awareness