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What We're Reading in the Kids' Library December 2025 |
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Bodega Cats: Pawsome Pals
by Hilda Eunice Burgos
This heartwarming illustrated story about a boy (Gregory) who befriends a stray cat (Amber) is perfect for animal lovers, sports fans, and readers who enjoy friendship stories. The book alternates between Gregory and Amber's points of view in an enjoyable manner.
Best for Grades 2-3.
Suggested by Mary.
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Bog Myrtle
by Sid Sharp
Bog Myrtle takes the cake for introducing complex topics, such as labor rights, sustainability, and capitalism, into a straightforward and short, yet humorous, story of two sisters who are quite the opposite. The charmingly illustrated world of Beatrice (the nice sister) and Magnolia (the evil sister) takes you on a journey about what happens when others are not cared for, and resources are taken for granted. Will either of the sisters escape the wrath of Bog Myrtle? Read this The Lorax-adjacent story to find out!
Best for Grades 1-6.
Suggested by Kamilla.
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Goddesses and Heroines: Women of Myth and Legend
by Xanthe Gresham-Knight
Filled with tales of various inspirational female icons from ancient myths and legends, author and performance storyteller Xanthe Gresham-Knight draws on original texts and creates an introduction to stories from cultures around the world. Paired with vibrant and colorful pages, this beautifully illustrated book will keep you marveling at every page in both awe and wonder as you discover what untold stories lie within the cracks of our cultures.
Best for Grades 2-7.
Suggested by Kamilla.
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Growing Home
by Beth Ferry
Meet Toasty, a goldfish, and Ivy, a houseplant, who live at Number 3 Ramshorn Drive. Their lives have always been rather ordinary, but that is about to change. Magic and adventure are coming their way in the form of a book-reading spider, a runaway canary, and a nefarious burglar. A splendidly silly story that will have readers looking at friendship (and houseplants) in a new way.
Best for Grades 3-4.
Suggested by Mary.
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Rings of Heartwood: Poems on Growing
by Molly Beth Griffin
Growing up can be scary when it’s the first day of a new grade at school, but it can also be exciting when it means finally being old enough to hang out at the library by yourself. Be comforted by the fact that growth happens all around us; trees, ferns, tadpoles, and more constantly reach for the new and let go of the old. This non-fiction picture book beautifully depicts growth in the natural world through fact-filled poems and whimsical scratchboard and watercolor illustrations.
Best for Grades 3-5.
Suggested by Gabby.
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Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Normal Fairy-Tale Life
by Emma Steinkellner
For fans of The Okay Witch, Emma Steinkellner is back with an equally magical graphic novel-diary hybrid about ordinary 12-year-old Nell Starkeeper and her life in the not-so ordinary town of Gumbling. This series starter mixes heartwarming lessons in friendship and community with magical adventures and mystery, making it a perfect read for many.
Best for Grades 5-8.
Suggested by Gabby.
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Around the Spider-Verse
by Pablo Leon
Take a trip into the Spider-Verse in this action-packed graphic novel collection of 3 mini-adventures. Each adventure features a lovable Spidey hero, chaotic villains, and relatable storylines. The vivid illustrations look right out of the big screen, which is sure to please fans of Marvel’s Spider-Man.
Best for Grades 6-8.
Suggested by Gabby.
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Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools
by Dan Sasuweh Jones
With a part of history that is extremely important, but not so well-known, Stealing Little Moon shines a revealing light on the past. In a story that covers four generations, Dan Sasuweh Jones speaks on the vulnerable, horrific, and unfair moments of the erasure of his culture through young children being ripped apart from their families to be taken away to boarding schools and stripped of their identities. These stories serve as cautionary tales of the disruptive impact of white ignorance, but also lend a hand in rebuilding trust, safety, and community if readers are willing to listen.
Best for Grades 6-8.
Suggested by Kamilla.
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Sky Wolf's Call: The Gift of Indigenous Knowledge
by Eldon Yellowhorn
From healing to astronomy to agriculture, the lessons from Indigenous knowledge are gifts that have shaped and continue to shape our practices to live in a harmonious world. Sky Wolf’s Call is incredibly informative with photographs, real-world applications, Indigenous folktales, and sources for further reading. Keep the Indigenous knowledge alive by picking this book up and recommending it to others.
Best for Grades 6-8.
Suggested by Gabby.
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Elmhurst Public Library 125 S Prospect Ave. Elmhurst, Illinois 60126 (630) 279-8696
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