Casey

Stop that yawn!

by Caron Levis

jE Levis
Picture Books, Fantasy

Gabby convinces Granny to leave Sleepytown and stay up all night in a new place, but before long, a contagious yawn takes control.

Gabby begs Granny to take her "somewhere a-wake" so they head to Never Sleeping City in a plane made out of Gabby's bed. Once there, Gabby and Granny set out to stay up all night, but even these best laid plans go awry when Granny lets out a large "YAWN" that sets off a chain reaction through the city. -Casey

Imagine!

by Raúl Colón

jE Colon
Picture Books, Art / Art History, Fantasy

"When a boy visits an art museum and one of the paintings comes to life, he has an afternoon of adventure and discovery [that] changes how he sees the world ever after"--

Colón’s wordless narrative highlights imaginative play utilizing and in response to art, showcasing the way art can affect our creative processes. -Casey

Dreamers

by Yuyi Morales

jE Morales
Picture Books

"An illustrated picture book autobiography in which award-winning author Yuyi Morales tells her own immigration story"--

In telling us her own immigration story, Morales reveals the power that stories, libraries as institutions, and librarians as people have to impact our communities and the world in meaningful ways. And she does so resplendently. -Casey

The stuff of stars

by Marion Dane Bauer

jE Bauer
Picture Books, Science, Nature

Explores the formation of the universe.

An intersection of art and science, breathtaking, highly abstract, and yet tangible--don't miss this one! -Casey

A big mooncake for little star

by Grace Lin

jE Lin
Picture Books, Fantasy, Nature

Reimagines the cycles of the moon as a mother bakes a Big Moon Cookie and, despite Mama's request to wait, Little Star begins nibbling at it every night.

Grace Lin has created a truly distinguished, female-centric, and empowering original folktale. -Casey

Heartbeat

by Evan Turk

jE Turk
Picture Books

Separated from her mother, a young whale swims the oceans for decades until she finds a young girl who shares her vision of one planet for which all are responsible.

Heartbeat follows a whale calf, orphaned by the early commercial whaling industry, through two hundred years of human development. Evan Turk highlights the ways in which we have used these creatures to advance ourselves, and the shifting attitudes toward whales of more recent history with thoughtfulness. A unique and timely look at human history through the lens of the animals we impact, make sure to read Turk's author's note at the end for more information. -Casey

Ocean meets sky

by Terry Fan

jE Fan
Picture Books

"A little boy builds a ship to honor his late grandfather and sets sail for the magical place where ocean meets sky from his grandfather's stories"--

Now that I’ve taken this journey a few times, what really speaks to me is Finn’s growing understanding of what it means to remember those that we have loved. How we can bring those things they have taught us to the present while also saying goodbye. This is a visually and emotionally stunning piece from the Fan Brothers. -Casey

Julián is a mermaid

by Jessica Love

jE Love
Picture Books, LGBTQ+

While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes -- and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself?

Love, in using so little text and heavily relying on her visual storytelling has left space for readers to play, imagine and feel along with Julián. -Casey

Hello Lighthouse

by Sophie Blackall

jE Blackall
Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Nature, Kids

"Explores the life of one lighthouse as it beams its message out to sea through shifting seasons, changeable weather, and the tenure of its final keeper."--

All in all,"Hello Lighthouse" radiates as much warmth as light and will surely be pored over for its lustrous details and touching story. -Casey

The prince and the dressmaker

by Jen Wang

GRAPHIC NOVEL Wang
Graphic Novels, LGBTQ+

Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride--or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia--the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!

Everything about the way Wang has weaved all of the aspects of this story together makes her characters tangible and invites readers to not only empathize but to truly care for these two young people. -Casey

Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies

by Christian Trimmer

jE Trimmer
Picture Books, Fantasy, Humor, Classics, Animals

In this twist on the story of Snow White, pretty and sweet Snow Pony--beloved by children for her talent in braiding hair and dancing--follows a trail of delicious apples into the woods, where she meets seven miniature ponies.

An enchantingly hilarious retelling of Snow White that stars, you guessed it, ponies!! What's not to love? -Casey

Bark Park

by Trudy Krisher

jE Krisher
Picture Books

Told in rhyming text, dogs have a wonderful day at the dog park.

"Dogs at the park...Bark! Bark! Bark!" Repetitive and simple rhyming text combined with adorable illustrations make this a title not to miss. -Casey

Once upon a jungle

by Laura Knowles

jE Knowles
Picture Books, Nature, Animals

This rhyming text is an eye-catching and fun first look at the jungle as an ecosystem and the food chain found within. -Casey

The brilliant deep : rebuilding the world's coral reefs : the story of Ken Nedimyer and the Coral Restoration Foundation

by Kate Messner

jE Messner
Picture Books, Biographies, Nature, Science

Looks at the life of the coral restoration pioneer Ken Nedimyer, from his early fascination with the ocean to his ongoing efforts to save and rebuild the world's coral reefs.

Kate Messner and Matthew Forsythe's new picture book biography about Ken Nedimyer is absolutely stunning. This is a perfect place to start learning about our rapidly changing oceans and the efforts being made to combat the bleaching of coral reefs. Parents and children will love this title, not only for it's beautiful artwork, but for the wealth of information and hope that it embodies. It's never too early or late to learn that individuals have the power to impact great change. -Casey

Prince & knight

by Daniel Haack

jE Haack
Picture Books, LGBTQ+

A prince and a knight in shining armor find true love in each other's embrace after fighting a dragon together.

This spin on classic fairy tale tropes is delightful and a lovely way to show children that true love can come from anyone. -Casey

People don't bite people

by Lisa Wheeler

jE Wheeler
Picture Books, Humor

Illustrations and rhyming text urge children to use their teeth for biting food, not their friends or relatives.

"Biting is for food!" a friendly and sometimes necessary reminder. -Casey

Harriet gets carried away

by Jessie Sima

jE Sima
Picture Books

While shopping with her two dads for supplies for her birthday party, Harriet, who is wearing a penguin costume, is carried away by a waddle of penguins and must hatch a plan in order to get herself back to the store in the city.--Provided by Publisher.

It's time to get carried away with Jessie Sima's new picture book! -Casey

Together

by Emma Dodd

jBOARD BOOK Dodd
Board Books

This little sea otter loves spending time with his parent learning new things, playing together, or even just holding each other. In fact, every day this little sea otter spends with his parent is special, just because they are together.

Emma Dodd's "Love" books are finally being released as board books! Look for this one and more from this series to come--perfect for sharing at bedtime. -Casey

In your hands

by Carole Boston Weatherford

jE Weatherf
Picture Books

"A prayer from mother to son that he will always in safe hands"--

Stunning art and an important message. -Casey

Through the woods

by Emily Carroll

GRAPHIC NOVEL Carroll
Graphic Novels, Horror, Fantasy

"A collection of five spine-tingling short stories"--

Emily Carroll's collection of horror stories is absolutely thrilling. -Casey

Anya's ghost

by Vera Brosgol

GRAPHIC NOVEL Brosgol
Graphic Novels, Horror, Fantasy

Anya, embarrassed by her Russian immigrant family and self-conscious about her body, has given up on fitting in at school but falling down a well and making friends with the ghost there just may be worse.

If you're looking for something unputdownable this is it! -Casey

Leave me alone!

by Vera Brosgol

jE Brosgol
Picture Books

Grandmother wants so badly to be left alone to finish the knitting for her grandchildren that she leaves her tiny home and her big family to journey to the moon and beyond to find peace and quiet to finish her knitting.

Vera Brosgol's debut picture book is a smash hit! Award committees think so too, this one was given a Caldecott Honor in 2017. -Casey

Dad is fat

by Jim Gaffigan

817.6 /Gaffigan
Humor, Memoir

Stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan, who's best known for his legendary riffs on Hot Pockets, bacon, manatees, and McDonald's, expresses all the joys and horrors of life with five young children.

Fun fact: Jim Gaffigan and I grew up in the same place! He's great to listen to as well if you need a driving companion--super funny and family friendly. -Casey

Wandering son

by Takako Shimura

MANGA Shimura Wandering
Graphic Novels, LGBTQ+, Young Adult

V. 1: "The fifth grade. The threshold to puberty, and the beginning of the end of childhood innocence. Shuichi Nitori and his new friend Yoshino Takatsuki have happy homes, loving families, and are well-liked by their classmates. But they share a secret that further complicates a time of life that is awkward for anyone: Shuichi is a boy who wants to be a girl, and Yoshino is a girl who wants to be a boy "-- back cover.

This is a beautiful and touching series about friends supporting one another through thick and thin. -Casey

The princess in black

by Shannon Hale

jFICTION Hale Shannon
Early Chapter Books

Hiding her secret identity as a monster-fighting superhero, Princess Magnolia interrupts her fancy tea with the unsuspecting Duchess Wigtower to stop a big blue monster from endangering her kingdom's goats.

This is not your typical princess! Get ready to fight crime and save the kingdom with Princess Magnolia. -Casey

Nightlights

by Lorena Alvarez

jGRAPHIC NOVEL Alvarez
Graphic Novels, Horror, Fantasy

Every night, tiny stars appear out of the darkness in little Sandy's bedroom. She catches them and creates wonderful creatures to play with until she falls asleep, and in the morning brings them back to life in the whimsical drawings. When a mysterious new girl appears at school, Sandy's drawings are noticed for the first time, but Morfie's fascination with Sandy's talent soon turns into something far more sinister.

Gorgeous and just the right amount of scary--a quick and enjoyable read. -Casey

Rapunzel

by Bethan Woollvin

jE Woollvin
Picture Books, Classics, Humor

"The prisoner of an evil witch, Rapunzel lives all alone in a tall, dark tower. If she ever escapes, the witch will put a terrible curse her. But is Rapunzel frightened? Oh no, not she!"--

A classic fairy tale gets a new spin! -Casey

As you wish : inconceivable tales from the making of the Princess Bride

by Cary Elwes

COMPACT DISC 791.4372 Princess
Memoir, Humor

From actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, comes a first-person account and behind-the-scenes look at the making of the cult classic film filled with never-before-told stories, exclusive photographs, and interviews with costars Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, and Mandy Patinkin, as well as author and screenwriter William Goldman, producer Norman Lear, and director Rob Reiner.

I want Cary Elwes to narrate all of the audiobooks! If you're a Princess Bride fan then pick this one up, it will make rewatching the film even better than a good MLT. -Casey

Wolf in the snow

by Matthew Cordell

jE Cordell
Picture Books

When a wolf cub and little girl are lost in a snowstorm they must find their way home.

Caldecott Winner 2018! -Casey

Little fox in the forest

by Stephanie Graegin

jE Graegin
Picture Books

"A wordless picture book in which two friends follow a young fox deep into the woods and discover a wondrous and magical world"--

ICPL's 2018 Mock Caldecott winner. -Casey

The hate u Give

by Angie Thomas

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Thomas Angie
Young Adult

After witnessing her friend's death at the hands of a police officer, Starr Carter's life is complicated when the police and a local drug lord try to intimidate her in an effort to learn what happened the night Kahlil died.

"Once upon a time there was a hazel-eyed boy with dimples. I called him Khalil. The world called him a thug. He lived, but not nearly long enough, and for the rest of my life I'll remember how he died."--I'll remember for the rest of mine too, Starr. -Casey

Not Quite Narwhal

by Jessie Sima

jE Sima
Picture Books, Fantasy

Born deep in the ocean, Kelp is not like the other narwhals and one day, when he spies a creature on land that looks like him, he learns why.

Are you a sea unicorn or a land narwhal? Sima's debut picture book is a delight! -Casey

The best we could do : an illustrated memoir

by Thi Bui

BIOGRAPHY Bui, Thi
Graphic Novels, Memoir, Biographies, History

The author describes her experiences as a young Vietnamese immigrant, highlighting her family's move from their war-torn home to the United States in graphic novel format.

Combining genealogy, auto-biography, history and graphic novel, Thi Bui's memoir is haunting and beautiful. -Casey

Speak : the graphic novel

by Laurie Halse Anderson

GRAPHIC NOVEL Anderson
Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Classics

"Speak up for yourself--we want to know what you have to say." From the first moment of her freshman year at Merryweather High, Melinda knows this is a big fat lie, part of the nonsense of high school. She is friendless--an outcast--because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her.

Emily Carroll was the perfect artist for this chilling adaptation. Just as relevant as the original. -Casey