GPL Blog

New Children’s Books — September 2021

Are your kiddos looking for something new to read? Here are six recent titles currently available in the Children’s Room at the Galesburg Public Library. If you see something that interests you, give us a call or visit the catalog to put one on hold!


BEAR IS A BEAR by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Dan Santat

A story about a little girl and her childhood friend, Bear. Bear is… a new friend, a fellow mischief-maker, a protector, and a dreamer.

Through all the many ups and downs of a little girl’s childhood, Bear is there to provide love and support. Until it is time to say goodbye… and hello again.

Children’s, Picture Books


THE LONGEST STORM written and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

No one knew where the strange storm came from, or why it lasted so long. The family at the center of this timely story has to hunker down together. , with no going outside – and that’s hard when there’s absolutely nothing to do, and everyone’s getting on everyone else’s nerves. One night, when the storm takes a scary turn that leaves them all in the dark, the fractured family finds a way to reconnect and face whatever the future brings, together. This classic in the making will lift hearts with its optimistic vision of a family figuring out how to love and support one another — even when their everyday world is shrunk beyond recognition.

Children’s, Picture Books


WHAT ISABELLA WANTED: ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER BUILDS A MUSEUM by Candance Flemming, illustrated by Matt Cordell

For years, the indomitable Isabella Stewart Gardner searched the world for magnificent artwork and filled her home with a truly unique collection, with the aim of turning it into a museum, which she established in 1903.

Isabella always did things her own way. One day she’d wear baseball gear to the symphony, the next, she’d be seen strolling down the street with zoo lions. It was no surprised that she was very particular about how she arranged her exhibits. They were not organized historically, stylistically, or by artist. Instead, they were arranged based on the connections Isabella felt toward the art, a connection she hoped to encourage in her visitors.

For years, her museum delighted generations of Bostonians and visitors with the collections arranged exactly as she wanted. But in 1990, a spectacular burglary occurred when two thieves disguised as police officers stole thirteen paintings, valued at $500 million, including a Rembrandt and a Vermeer. They have yet to be recovered, though a $10 million reward is still being offered for their safe return.

Children’s, Picture Books


GOLDILOCKS: WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE by Chris Colfer, illustrated by Jon Proctor

When we first meet her in The Land of Stories:The Wishing Spell, Goldilocks is a beautiful and tough-as-nails outlaw. Discover her origin story and more in this brand new, lushly illustrated full-color graphic novel, as she takes you on adventures where she may or may not break a few laws along the way.

Once upon a time, the kingdoms of the fairy-tale world lived in perfect harmony under the guidance of the Happily Ever After Assembly. But not all creatures and territories have been invited to this peaceful union. Monsters and criminals have found refuge in the Dwarf Forests, a land without rulers or law. When a plot by the Charming brothers is unveiled and threatens to push society’s unwanted from their homes, the fairy-tale world’s harmony and Goldilocks’ home are put in jeopardy . . .

Children’s, Middle Grade


WE ARE FAMILY by LeBron James and Andrea Williams

Jayden Carr has been training all summer to be ready for Hoop Group–the free afterschool basketball program where his hero, NBA superstar Kendrick King, got his start. But when his beloved coach tells him there’s not going to be a Hoop Group this year, Jayden is heartbroken.

And he’s not the only one. Coach Beck’s daughter, Tamika, was planning to be the first girl ever to start for the squad. Chris King, Kendrick’s only nephew, spent the summer bragging that his uncle was coming home just to watch him play. For Anthony Pierson, Hoop Group was supposed to be his way out of trouble. And for Dexter Donyel, all 4’6″ of him, Hoop Group was his chance to finally be part of a team, instead of just watching from the stands.

For each kid, Hoop Group was more than just a chance to ball; it was an escape, a dream, a family. Now their prospects seem all but impossible–but then the world hasn’t met Jayden, Tamika, Chris, Anthony, and Dex before. Determined to have their shot, the five new friends scrap, hustle, fight, and play hard to save their season to prove that sometimes a chance is all it takes.

Children’s, Middle Grade


BORN BEHIND BARS by Padma Venkatraman

Kabir has been in jail since the day he was born, because his mom is serving time for a crime she didn’t commit. He’s never met his dad, so the only family he’s got are their cellmates, and the only place he feels the least bit free is in the classroom, where his kind teacher regales him with stories of the wonders of the outside world. Then one day a new warden arrives and announces Kabir is too old to stay. He gets handed over to a long-lost uncle who unfortunately turns out to be a fraud, and intends to sell Kabir. So Kabir does the only thing he can–run away as fast as his legs will take him. How does a boy with nowhere to go and no connections make his way? Fortunately, he befriends Rani, another street kid, and she takes him under her wing. But plotting their next move is hard–and fraught with danger–in a world that cares little for homeless, low caste children. This is not the world Kabir dreamed of–but he’s discovered he’s not the type to give up. Kabir is ready to show the world that he–and his mother–deserve a place in it.

Children’s, Middle Grade


All book descriptions are courtesy of the publisher.