We of the Youth Services Department at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library have compiled a list of our favorite books that have been published in 2018. From babies to pre-teens, and from beginning readers to novel-lovers to non-fiction fanatics to graphic novel fans, we’ve got them all! These books make perfect presents for holidays, birthdays, and every day in-between.
Don’t let those winter blues get you down: check out some of these books today!
Happy holidays!
Board Books
Fiona’s Feelings by Dr. John Hutton
For Ages: 0 – 3
Have you been following Fiona, the hippo born prematurely at the Cincinnati Zoo, or do you just love adorable animals? Then this board book is the thing for you! This small board book is big on emotions. From happy to sad, silly to mad, Fiona covers it all. Accompanying photographs show why this cute hippo turned into such a phenomenon. Whether she’s taking a snooze or covered in paint, this board book will be sure to delight even the smallest animal lovers.
*Review by Miss Nicole
Mrs. Peanuckle’s Fruit Alphabet / Vegetable Alphabet by Mrs. Peanuckle, illustrated by Jessie Ford
For Ages: 0 – 3
These bright, bold board books contain more than 100% of your daily recommended fruits and vegetables! Enjoy interesting tidbits about familiar fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, grapes, and peas, while perhaps becoming acquainted with some unusual ones, like quince, kumquat, and ugli fruit (it’s not ugly and tastes like an orange!). Once you’ve fallen in love with these colorful books, check out the others in Mrs. Peanuckle’s series about the natural world.
*Review by Miss Taylor
Who? A Celebration of Babies by Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Natascha Rosenberg
For Ages: 0 – 3
A wonderfully sweet board book celebrating babies! The text is very repetitive and lyrical, asking and answering the question “Who?” The bright illustrations show diverse babies and their grown-ups, as well as some basic animals. This book is perfect for snuggling up and working on basic recognition skills.
*Review by Miss Amber
Peekaboo! On the Farm by Cocoretto
For Ages: 1 – 3
Peekaboo! I see you! Take a guess at who is hiding on the farm with this interactive lift-the-flap-book. There are many large flaps for little hands.
*Review by Miss Jill
Picture Books
Don’t Forget Dexter! By Lindsay Ward
For Ages: 3 – 7
Losing a favorite toy is a common childhood experience. We all know how the child feels, but what about the toy? Dexter T. Rexter shares his tale of being lost and found, his friendship, and his outrageous attempts to reconnect with his boy. Sure to be a favorite, especially if you love dinosaurs!
*Review by Miss Trish
Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang
For Ages: 3 – 8
I have called my children this and I am sure they have referred to me by this same name. Some days you just wake up grumpy! Jim Panzee is in a terrible mood, he does not know why, and every jungle animal wants to suggest a quick fix. The message is, it is OK to feel how you are feeling: just feel it!
*Review by Miss Trish
The Treasure of Pirate Frank by Mal Peet & Elspeth Graham, illustrated by Jez Tuya
For Ages: 3 – 8
Yo-ho! A young adventurer is after the famous treasure of the mysterious Pirate Frank. He must travel over the sea, mountains, forests and swamps to find what he’s looking for. When the adventurer reaches the treasure, he’s shocked by what he finds and WHO Pirate Frank really is! This book has adorable illustrations with a rhythmic text, and when read aloud it turns into a fun chant!
*Review by Miss Amber
We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
For Ages: 4 – 7
Making friends at school can be scary, but when you are the only dinosaur in a classroom filled with humans, it’s even more frightening. Penelope Rex is determined to not eat her classmates. If only human kids weren’t so delicious!
*Review by Miss Amanda M.
Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
For Ages: 4 – 9
Arfy the dog is desperate to find a forever home. He writes letters to everyone on Butternut Street in the hopes of finding a family. He’s housebroken! He has his own toys! He’s playful! After a series of rejections, readers will be happy to see who finally adopts Arfy. A heart-warming story about rescuing animals in need and finding a forever friend. An added bonus is seeing the lost art of letter writing in action. This book is perfect for the youngster who loves helping animals.
*Review by Miss Nicole
Beginning Readers
Giggle Gang series by Jan Thomas: What Is Chasing Duck?, There’s a Pest in the Garden!, My Friends Make Me Happy!, My Toothbrush Is Missing
For Ages: 4 – 7
Jan Thomas is at it again. Her brand of zany humor is just right for this set of beginning reader books. Duck, Sheep, Dog, and Donkey get into all kinds of silly situations and invite the reader to join in. Whether it’s finding a missing toothbrush or guessing what makes Sheep happy, young readers will giggle at the antics of these four friends. Large type in speech bubbles and word repetition make this a great choice for beginning readers. Any book in this set would be a fun addition to a new reader’s shelf.
*Review by Miss Nicole
Pizza Mouse by Michael Garland
For Ages: 4 – 7
In a bustling city filled with people, dogs, cats, and cars, a small mouse can face many dangers. Especially when he is in search of food. He not only needs to feed himself, but his hungry family too. He does his best as he avoids the dangers around him and eventually stumbles upon a discarded slice of pizza. Now, all this little mouse has to do is get the pizza safely home. With wonderful illustrations and succinct, sparse text, this easy Beginning Reader is perfect for your emerging reader.
*Review by Mr. Tony
Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlin
For Ages: 5 – 8
He’s a baby! He’s a monkey! He’s adorable and hilarious and in a fantastic book! Don’t let the number of pages and chapters fool you. This is a funny read-aloud and a perfect book for beginning readers. The text is minimal, repetitive, and in large font while Brian Selznick provides the beautiful and detailed artwork. Each chapter presents Baby Monkey with a different case to solve yet his preparation remains the same. He looks for clues, writes notes, eats snacks, and deals with some pesky pants. Part Beginning Reader, part graphic novel, and part picture book, Baby Monkey, Private Eye is not to be missed.
*Review by Miss Nicole
Chapter Books
Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea by Lynne Rae Perkins
For Ages: 7 – 10
The Treffreys are going to the ocean! Alix is excited to go on a vacation with her older sister Jools that isn’t a visit to family or friends, but nervous, too. They’ll only have each other - what if they can’t get along? Each chapter is an episode from their beach adventure. Nothing terribly consequential happens, just shared experiences of a realistic, loving family, depicted in a way that engages the senses as the author delightfully describes the sights, sounds, and smells of the beach setting. The sisters’ relationship is particularly well portrayed. Charmingly old-fashioned, this book would make a great read-aloud as well as a perfect choice for the young reader ready for a longer chapter book.
*Review by Miss Lori
Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire by John August
For Ages: 8 – 12
Arlo likes to have emergency plans to follow in case things go wrong, but before moving to his mother’s tiny rural hometown of Pine Mountain, Colorado, nothing could have prepared him for wisps, night mares, and other eldritch creatures who seem to have it in for him. Happily, his new friends in his Ranger troop can help! They’re used to living so close to the otherworldly Long Woods, and they have knowledge and know-how up their sleeves. They’re also used to teamwork. Surely, together they can keep Arlo safe, at least until they figure out why he’s in danger to begin with? Arlo is a likeable main character, and his troop is one I’d love to join. This fun, fast-reading series starter is too good to pass up – give it the old Ranger try!
*Review by Miss Audrey
Lions & Liars by Kate Beasley
For Ages: 8 – 12
For Frederick, fifth grade feels like survival of the fittest, and if some kids are the lions on the food chain, he’s a meerkat. Worse – a flea that is biting a meerkat’s butt! A series of mishaps leads Frederick to be stuck at a disciplinary camp for troubled boys where a case of mistaken identity gives him the chance to reinvent himself as a cool kid. All of the campers act as if they are tough and dangerous, but when a category 5 hurricane bears down on the camp, true courage is needed and true natures are revealed. You’ll be rooting for Frederick and his bunkmates as they face the storm, and cheering at the end when they get their just rewards.
*Review by Miss Lori
The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
For Ages: 9 – 12
Candice Miller is having a terrible summer. Her parents are recently divorced, and she and her mother have moved from Atlanta to her late grandmother’s house in a small town in South Carolina where she has no friends and nothing to do. Then Candice finds a letter in the attic that describes an incident of terrible discrimination that occurred in the town’s past. The letter writer offers the town a chance for redemption - and a hidden fortune - if someone can follow the clues in the letter and solve the puzzle. Her grandmother’s attempt to find the treasure had ended badly – can Candice, with the help of Brandon, the bookish boy from across the street, succeed where her grandmother failed? With chapters alternating between past and present, a story of racism and discrimination is interwoven with a suspenseful mystery. In this contemporary novel, the puzzle solving is reminiscent of the classic The Westing Game.
*Review by Miss Lori
Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake; Audio narrated by Chloe Cannon
For Ages: 10 – 13
When a tornado destroys Ivy Aberdeen's home, the 12-year-old manages to save her journal in which she draws her deepest secrets. After her family is relocated to a temporary shelter and the journal goes missing, Ivy attempts to determine who took it and is leaving messages with her journal drawings in her locker. Narrator Chloe Cannon gives a unique vocal personality to each of the characters, capturing Ivy's uncertainty about her feelings for another girl, her loneliness within her family, and her moments of overwhelming emotion due to her current circumstances.
*Review by Miss Amanda M.
Graphic Novels
Peter and Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths by Graham Annable
For Ages: 6 – 10
Best friends Peter and Ernesto have always lived in their tree. Peter is content staying in the same place day after day, but Ernesto, though very fond of his home, longs to see what else is out in the world. Ernesto embarks on his bold journey, but Peter fears for Ernesto’s safety and soon begins his own adventure to find Ernesto and bring him back to the safety of their tree. During his search for Ernesto, Peter learns that he is braver and more capable than he ever could have imagined, while Ernesto learns that there truly is no place like home. This graphic novel is full of cute illustrations, excellent vocabulary, friendship, and laughter.
*Review by Miss Taylor
Kitten Construction Company: Meet the House Kittens by John Patrick Green
For Ages: 6 – 11
If your child likes books that are full of laughs, and they also happen to love kittens, then this book might be for them. In this adorably cute graphic novel, a group of skilled kittens are determined to win the bid to build the town’s mayor a new home. However, even though each of the kittens are highly trained in their chosen fields of construction, none of their human counterparts take them seriously. And why is that you might ask? Well, because they are all just too darn cute! When the bid to build the house is given to a less than qualified architect, the kittens understandably become quite upset. However, this does not deter the kittens, and they set out to show the humans what they can really do. In the end, the kittens prove their skills and that they are not just cute little fur balls, and they get the outcome they always desired.
*Review by Mr. Tony
The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell
For Ages: 8 – 12
A multi-authored ode to individuality, imagination, friendship, and summer. It starts with just one brother-sister pair (the Sorceress and the Imp), making alter-ego costumes out of cardboard and craft supplies, and spreads like wildfire to every kid in their neighborhood. Pretty soon they are joined by the Knight, the Huntress, Beast Boy, Big Banshee, the Mad Scientist, an evil robot, and more, all with skin tones, cultures, and backgrounds as diverse as their characters. Each episode lasts a few pages, with plots ranging from the humorous to the heartfelt, and together they tell the story of how the kids come to make a team by summer’s end. A crowd-pleasing favorite – not to be missed.
*Review by Miss Audrey
Sanity and Tallulah by Molly Brooks
For Ages: 8 – 12
Growing up in a space station can be hard: limited food choices, you’re always the last one to get the latest episodes of the coolest shows, and, worst of all, NO PETS. Well, no pets if you aren’t a genius like Sanity who can bioengineer your own three-headed kitten (Princes Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds), and the food to feed her (also highly experimental. But that shouldn’t be a problem. Right?). But what happens when the kitten escapes into the duct work of the ship, and malfunctions start to pop up, seemingly in her wake? Can Sanity and her best friend and co-mischief-maker, Tallulah, find the kitten in time to save the space station, or is it curtains for them all? A fast plot, fantastic dialogue, stellar character development, and one of the most fleshed-out settings of the year make this book stand out. Perfect for anyone who likes a good story, of any kind, and the kitten is cute.
*Review by Miss Audrey
Mega Robo Bros by Neill Cameron
For Ages: 10 and up
Robot brothers, Freddy and Alex, are just trying to live a normal life. They go to school, go on field trips, have loving human parents, and just happen to be the world’s most advanced robots created by a secret government research group. The brothers have become the target of an unknown enemy causing havoc across their home city of London. Will Freddy and Alex discover the villain’s identity before it’s too late? What secrets are their parents keeping from them? Can the brothers stop squabbling long enough to save the day? This graphic novel, featuring one of the most realistic sets of brothers (robot or human) in memory, is a must read for every action/adventure and sci-fi fan on your list.
*Review by Ms. Amanda A.
Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
For Ages: 10 – 14
Russian-immigrant Vera doesn’t seem to fit in no matter where she goes. Her single mother is in school to make a better life for the family, but it has left them short on funds, meaning Vera sticks out like a sore thumb in their affluent neighborhood. When all of the other girls start talking about summer camp, Vera is struck with an idea: she could go to Russian summer camp with other immigrant kids! It takes some scheming, but her mother agrees. Sadly, it doesn’t go as planned. Just for a start, Vera is stuck in a bunk with much older girls, the boys are mean, and the toilettes are dreadful. How will she survive the summer alive? Will she ever make a friend? Based off the life experiences of the author and her siblings, Be Prepared is funny, well-drawn, insightful, and emotionally authentic. We’ve all felt like outsiders at one time or another, and this book will resonate with practically everyone.
*Review by Miss Audrey
Non-Fiction
Meet My Family: Animal Babies and Their Families by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman
For Ages: 4 – 8
This adorable and informative nonfiction book celebrates the diversity of animal families! Learn about where these babies live, how they get their nourishment, and who takes care of them. A raccoon kit snuggles their single mother in the den, while a chinstrap penguin chick awaits a tasty fish from one of their two dads. Of all the information in this book about the natural world, perhaps the most important piece is that every family is wonderfully different.
*Review by Miss Taylor
Whose Baby Butt? By Stan Tekiela
For Ages: 4 – 8
Who can get past the adorable face of a baby animal? I bet you may have never noticed the backside of these adorable animals. This interactive tale will surely provide many giggles along with a new perspective about these cute cuddly young animals.
*Review by Miss Jill
Bonkers About Beetles by Owen Davey
For Ages: 5 – 9
Curious minds will fall in love with this book! Davey does a fantastic job at presenting information, that hasn’t been watered-down, to people of all ages. This is the fourth book in the About Animals series. The illustrations, drawn in a retro design, give readers an accurate idea of the insect but are still enjoyable for the more squeamish child. This book covers shape, life cycle, beetle defense, and more!
*Review by Miss Amber
Look At Me! How to Attract Attention in the Animal World by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
For Ages: 6 – 12
Full of gorgeous, eye-catching illustrations and intriguing facts, this is sure to delight young readers who love learning about animals. Additional information at the end furthers the learning opportunities with a brief description of each of the animals and a list of recommended titles and websites.
*Review by Miss Amanda M.
Plant, Cook, Eat! A Children’s Cookbook by Joe Archer and Caroline Craig
For Ages: 7 – 12
Jump on board the farm-to-table movement! The well-photographed illustrations with vivid text makes for an inviting easy read for aspiring young gardeners and chefs.
*Review by Miss Jill
Just Breathe: Meditation, Mindfulness, Movement, and More by Mallika Chopra, illustrated by Brenna Vaughan
For Ages: 9 and up
Wrapped up in our own stresses, we grown-ups often forget that children have their own stress and anxieties. A popular practice used by grown-ups to combat this stress, mindfulness offers a toolkit of activities to help us to be calm, think clearly, and deal with challenges as they arise. Just Breathe is a wonderfully thorough, concise, and accessible introduction/guide to mindfulness and mediation. The practices and exercises (focusing on breathing, movement, and mediation) in Chopra’s book offer kids tools to help improve their focus, alleviate stress, and just, in general, be happier. Suggested for all children (and their stressed out grown-ups).
*Review by Ms. Amanda A.
The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony
For Ages: 10 – 16
African Elephants are magnificent creatures, and Lawrence Anthony describes his journey with a wild herd. Photographic images capture the unlikely partnership on his game reserve and the many milestones encountered along the way. This true story, rewritten for the younger reader from his adult memoir, may even inspire you to plan an African Safari!
*Review by Miss Trish
StarTalk: Young Readers Edition by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Charles Liu
For Ages: 10 and up
For every kid you know that is curious about the world and universe that we live in, this book is a power punch of information. Can we avoid the fate of the dinosaurs? What do astronauts eat in space? Which is a bigger threat: zombie viruses or real viruses? When will we be able to travel through time? Featuring four sections focusing on space, the earth, being human, and the future, Tyson and Liu condense and simplify the answers to these and many, many, many more questions. StarTalk: Young Readers Edition is a companion to the popular podcast and television show by the same name. For every future scientist and curious kid on your list.
*Review by Ms. Amanda A.
Venturegirls: Raising Girls to be Tomorrow’s Leaders by Dr. Cristal Glangchai
For Parents / Caregivers
Engineer, entrepreneur, and CEO of a tech startup, Dr. Cristal Glangchai shares her recommendations for giving young girls the tools to pursue STEM fields and entrepreneurship. This book is full of ideas, activities, and information. Included throughout the text are anecdotes from girls as young as five-years-old through adults, all recounting their real-world successes and failures. A wonderful resource for parents raising their daughters to reach for their dreams and their sons to recognize and respect the talent and intelligence of girls.
*Review by Miss Amanda M.
