Picture Books
July 2025

New and Recently Released
George & Lenny Are Always Together
by Jon Agee

Anxious brown bear George and curious gray rabbit Lenny are BFFs who do everything together. So what will happen when Lenny wants to try a bit of solitude? This sweet and simple story offers expressive art to explore a timeless question about friendship. Read-alikes: I Am Going! by Mo Willems; Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel.
My Friend May
by Julie Flett

Margaux, a young Cree girl, is upset that her nitôsis (auntie) is moving away. Then Margaux's beloved black cat May disappears, making the child even more distressed…until nitôsis comes through for her in an unexpected way. This gentle, thoughtful story is best shared one-on-one, and it includes a guide to the Plains Cree terms used.
Where the Deer Slip Through
by Katey Howes; illustrated by Beth Krommes

From sunrise to nightfall, various wild animals visit a woodland farmyard. Each creature is portrayed distinctly in rhyming words packed with alliteration and onomatopoeia, and kids can follow each delicious detail in the delicate, meticulous scratchboard-and-watercolor art by Caldecott Medalist Beth Krommes.
Pickle on Wheels
by Sylvie Kantorovitz

Practice makes progress -- eventually -- for Pickle, a pup who's frustrated that he can't immediately roller-skate like his hero, SuperDog. Good thing new friend Coco is on hand to help! Soothing art and large, easy-to-read panels make this graphic novel ideal for beginning readers who are building their confidence, just like Pickle.
You and Me, Anemone
by Rachel Vail; illustrated by Chris Raschka

Charming wordplay and enticingly textured embroidery art combine in this read-aloud ready tale of a kid and an anemone with a shared aversion to being "booped." Whether you're looking to share a fun story about sea creatures or start a kid-friendly discussion of boundaries, you'll want to check out this affirming book. 
Retro Reads
Check out these awesome books from the not-so-distant past.
 
I'm Afraid, Said the Leaf
by Danielle Daniel; illustrated by Matt James

Through the observations of one curious child, young readers (or listeners) can join in the appreciation of nature's interconnectedness, from the leaves supported by the tree to the creek that cools off the overheated bear. Inventive perspectives in the artwork heighten the quiet yet thought-provoking tone of this picture book. Read-alike: Monique Gray Smith's You Hold Me Up.
Do You Even Know Me?
by Reem Faruqi; illustrated by Ani Bushry

Adorable cartoon illustrations underscore the kid appeal of this story about Salma, a kindhearted Muslim American girl, and Luke, a bullying classmate who's heard misinformation on TV. Sensitively told, Do You Even Know Me? offers a message of peace, empathy, and living into your beliefs. Read-alike: The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad.
Emergency Quarters
by Carlos Matias; illustrated by Gracey Zhang

Beginning with a note about the pre-cellular days of pay phones, this detail-rich peek into the past follows city kid Ernesto, proud to be a "niño grande" allowed to walk to school on his own. His mom gives him a daily quarter in case he needs to make an emergency call -- but with a bustling neighborhood full of tempting treats, how's a kid supposed to resist?
Simone
by Viet Thanh Nguyen; illustrated by Minnie Phan

When a wildfire threatens their California home, art-loving Simone and her Má evacuate to a shelter at a school gym. There, remembering Má's story about fleeing floods in Vietnam with nothing but her crayons, Simone leads the other kids in a hopeful drawing project. This moving story provides kids with a portrait of resilience during hard times.
My Daddy Is a Cowboy
by Stephanie Seales; illustrated by C.G. Esperanza

A pre-dawn trip to the ranch means precious one-on-one time for a Panamanian American girl and her father. The sensory details of their ride through the nearby streets are captured in eye-popping, hyper-realistic colors and compositions that pulse with energy, creating a distinctive and indelible celebration of family.
Upcoming @ Your Library!
For Youth
 
Family Storytime
Every Wednesday at 11:00 AM
Join Ms. Laura for stories, songs, and fun for everyone in the Children's room!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summer Enrichment: "Percy Jackson" TV Series Weekly Marathon 
Wednesday July 30th 3:15 PM                                     
 
 
Register Here
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summer Enrichment Movie Series: Song of the Sea
Friday, July 25th 3:15 PM
 
Register Here
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                    Summer Enrichment: Mythological Creatures with NJ4S 
Tuesday, July 29th 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
 
Register Here
 
 
 
 
 
Thursday CRAFTernoon Summer Enrichment Weekly Edition: Air Dry Clay!
Thursday, July 31st 3:30 PM -4:30 PM
Come by the Maker Space every Thursday at 3:30pm to create your own unique craft and Color Our World! This week: Air Dry Clay Sculptures! Registration is *required* to participate. Recommended for ages 8-13.
 
Register Here
 
 
For Teens
 
 
Summer Enrichment Teen Mashup Hour: Roy Lichtenstein Pop Art! 
Thursday, July 31st 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Tweens and Teens: drop by the Teen Room from 4:30-5:30pm for a unique Mashup Hour Summer Enrichment Craft. This week: Roy Lichtenstein Pop Art! Registration is *required* to participate. Recommended for ages 12-18.
 
Register Here
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For Adults
 
 
Gentle Yoga 
Wednesday July 30th
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Join us for an hour of gentle stretching, breath work, and meditation. This class is perfect for beginners or experienced practitioners.  Please bring your own mat.  Walk-ins-welcome.
Beth Glasberg  has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. After studying the mind-body connection as part of her work as a behavior analyst, she decided she needed a deeper education in yoga. The more she learned, the more she fell in love. She became certified as a yoga instructor through the Yoga Renew program and joined the Yoga Alliance. Since then, Beth has been teaching both foundational and vinyasa flow classes regularly. She is also in the process of becoming certified to work with individuals who have suffered a trauma. She is passionate about using movement and breath to build strength, flexibility, balance, and peace, and committed to making the practice available to individuals of all fitness levels and backgrounds. When not on the mat, you can find Beth enjoying time with her family, visiting new places, or relaxing at the beach. in Motion Fitness is a boutique fitness studio located in Princeton, NJ.  Walk-ins welcome, no registration required.
 
 
 
iPhone 101 
Monday, July 28th 12:30 PM
Learn all about how to use your iPhone or iPad!  In this workshop, we will have an open forum for any troubles you might encounter with the iPhone. In previous sessions, we discussed the camera, security measures, and data storage. Beginner to intermediate experience with an iPhone is suggested. This workshop will be held in Meeting Room 1.
 
 Register Here
 
 
Literary Cafe
Monday, July 28th 7:00 PM
Discuss your recent reads with fellow bibliophiles. This discussion group promises thought-provoking and engaging discourse. Meets the 4th Monday of the month in Meeting Room 3.
 
Register Here
 
 
Introduction to Backyard Composting 
Tuesday, July 29th 2:00 PM
If you are a Middlesex County resident who is concerned about the environment, now is the time to learn how to reduce waste and improve soil, all in your own backyard.  The Introduction to Backyard Composting workshop will show residents how to cut down on trash and create a natural gardening resource by using yard waste and kitchen scraps as compost an earthy, soil-like material.  The presentation will be given by one of Middlesex County’s Master Gardeners Alicia Lax.  Meeting Rooms 1 + 2.
 
Register Here
 
Library Hours and Closings
Monday thru Thursday - 10 AM to 8 PM
Friday - 10 AM to 5 PM
Saturday - 10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday - 12 PM to 4 PM
 
Cranbury Public Library
30 Park Place West
Cranbury, New Jersey 08512
609-722-6992

www.cranburypubliclibrary.org/