Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

They Built Me For Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park

They Built Me For Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation ParkThey Built Me for Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston's Emancipation Park by Jenin Mohammed, Tonya Duncan Ellis
Published by Balzer&Bray on May 14, 2024
ISBN: 006328605X
Pages: 32
Genres: Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Tonya Duncan Ellis celebrates the oldest green space in Texas, Emancipation Park from the perspective of the park itself in this, her first picture book.The story shows the reader how and why the park was created and used over the years through sparse verse and bright, vivid illustrations. This book is in words, theme, and illustration a celebration.

The book includes backmatter explaining in more detail the creation of the park, its uses historically, its revitalization, and its current uses. The story and included backmatter provide a joyous look at the park and its endurance over time.

Ages 4-10

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

Superdads!

Superdads!Superdads!: Animal Heroes by Heather Lang, Jamie Harper
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536217964
Genres: Animals, Humor, Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel, Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Superdads! Is a new non-fictional picture book by Heather Lang and Jamie Harper that uses comic-panel formatting and speech bubble humor to teach readers about the extraordinary work of “dads” or male caregivers in the natural world. It’s a sequel in the “Animal Heroes” series as a follow up to their first book, Supermoms!

The front flap reads, “In the animal world, Moms get most of the credit for raising young. But sometimes it’s the Dads who do most of the work.” What follows is page by page of different species of animals who rely on male caregivers to care for their young in different ways. For example: The Greater Rhea takes care of and protects his large brood of chicks without the help of a mother Rhea. Male gorillas snuggle and play with their infant babies, even with ones that aren’t their own.

There is extra back matter that gives more information about each animal and a list of additional resources. The amount of information is sparse, but it’s a fantastic book to introduce the diverse role of male caregivers in the natural world. This is a perfect non-fiction selection for patrons and students who love the combination of facts and humor. Recommended for ages 3-7.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Work: Interviews with People Doing Jobs They Love

Work: Interviews with People Doing Jobs They LoveWork: Interviews with People Doing Jobs They Love by Julia Rothman, Shaina Feinberg
Published by Candlewick Press on December 3, 2024
ISBN: 1536232661
Pages: 64
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Work takes an inclusive and global look at a varied grouping of jobs people are doing in today’s world. The book interviews real people following their passions and doing the jobs they love. Readers will get insight into jobs such as toy shop owner, surfer,street food vendor, vegan butcher, candlestick maker, and prosthetics maker.

Each worker’s story includes information about themselves, the job they do, and why this job is important to them. Work takes a look at the day to day jobs that make the world run and shows how following your passion can lead to work that is fulfilling and rewarding as well as inspiring to others.

Ages: 6-9 years

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian, Lewiston Public Schools

five-stars

My Antarctica: True Adventures in the Land of Mummified Seals, Space Robots, and So Much More

My Antarctica: True Adventures in the Land of Mummified Seals, Space Robots, and So Much MoreMy Antarctica: True Adventures in the Land of Mummified Seals, Space Robots, and So Much More by Corban Wilkin, G. Neri
Published by Candlewick Press on March 5, 2024
ISBN: 1536223328
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Think Rick Steeves visits Antarctica … but replace Rick with Gregory Neri. Fulfilling a childhood dream, adult Neri had a chance to realize his ambitions by taking a grant-funded trip to Antarctica in 2017. Along with other artists and writers, he joined researchers (“mostly white, but I see a few folks of color like me”) living and working at McMurdo Station. Illustrated with exceptional photos, which Wilkin enhances with superimposed cartoon images, that capture the essence of the place. The author’s caricature looks on as scientists engage in a range of projects, meets penguins, surveys a photo gallery of outdoor toilets, and informs what life is like at the South Pole. Maps, galleries of rugged vehicles and outerwear, and multiple lists are included.  A great book for anyone to experience what it might be like to visit Antarctica. Extensive notes (10 pages) at the end of the book.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

A Song for August: The Inspiring Life of Playwright August Wilson

A Song for August: The Inspiring Life of Playwright August WilsonGenres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
three-stars

I always have a difficult time with how I feel about these picture book biographies about a person that no child is familiar with or should be knowledgeable about. That being said, this is a lovely book. August Wilson (1945-2005) was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father, a German immigrant, abandoned the family when he was quite young and his mother, a Black woman, earned a living by cleaning houses. August learned to read at an early age, but he struggled in school where he was bullied. He wrote a report about Napoleon for an assignment of an important in history.  His teacher refused to believe August had written the paper, so he stopped going to school and instead spent his days reading in the public library and wrote about people. Eventually he created the Century Cycle, a series of plays each representing a different decade of the 20th century, capturing the experiences of Black Americans. Writing in straightforward prose, Denmead illustrates how August Wilson turned a difficult childhood into a body of literature with major cultural impact. The detailed author’s note provides enlightening context about August’s work. Harris captures enhances the text with period details. Share this with a reader who you think may enjoy it and learn from it. Two plays, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Fences have been adapted into films so older students may want to know more about August Wilson.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

The Wonderful Wisdom of Ants

The Wonderful Wisdom of AntsThe Wonderful Wisdom of Ants by Philip Bunting
ISBN: 0593567781
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Lighthearted and informative. Such as, all the ants on Earth weigh roughly the same as all the people. Ants recycle, help others, and take naps. Bunting’s comparisons invite young readers to observe the natural world more closely and to reflect on our connections to it. He goes on to describe different sorts of ants within the colony, how they communicate using pheromones, and how they get from egg to adult. In the simple illustrations, generic black ants have little googly eyes, scurry about the pages gathering food, keep their nests clean, and carry large loads. The funny text conveys major concepts about this familiar insects. Ages 4-8. Published in Australia in 2020 but first American edition in 2024.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Cosmic Collisions: Asteroid vs. Comet

Cosmic Collisions: Asteroid vs. CometGenres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
five-stars

First in a series with a similar setup as the wildly popular “Who Would Win” series. What happens when two massive hunks of hurtling space debris slam into each other? This is a smackdown between the veteran asteroid fighter and the dazzling comet. Asteroid vs. Comet starts by comparing the two opponents, then encourage readers to use science to form a hypothesis. The head-to-head premise keeps readers entertained as they learn about comets and asteroids. Action-packed full-color illustrations with a comic book feel will attract kids, especially budding astronomers ages 7-9. Back matter addresses fact versus fiction, how to become a citizen scientist, and comets and asteroids in the news. Highly recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Arboretum

ArboretumArboretum: Welcome to the Museum by Katie Scott, Tony Kirkham
ISBN: 1536235016
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The latest edition of the Welcome to the Museum series is Arboretum with illustrations by the talented Katie Scott with writing by Royal Kew Gardens Arborist, Tony Kirkham.  Arboretum is an oversized children’s non-fiction book that celebrate the many different biomes on our planet, the vast variety of trees that populate them, and their extraordinary role they play in our ecosystem.

The first few pages introduce us to a color coded map of the Earth to show the different biomes; a page titled “What is a Tree?” showing the main components of what makes up a tree, “How Trees Communicate,” describing the complex root system that trees rely on to survive, and “The First Trees” describes the prehistoric trees that pre-date humans, and ones that still exist. The rest of the content in the book are specific trees and their habitats with stunning illustrations that show the intricate details of their trunks, leaves, branches, fruit, and buds.

The oversized nature of this book paired with the stunning illustrations and the curated words of Tony Kirkham is where this book really shines. The key-to-plate infographic is something that feels a bit disorganized, as do some other areas of the book, which might fatigue a young reader. The back cover notes that this book is meant for ages 8-12+, but I would argue that this book would work best for ages 10+. Otherwise, this book is strikingly beautiful and a real treasure for tree enthusiasts.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Mighty Pollinators

The Mighty PollinatorsThe Mighty Pollinators (Step Gently, Look Closely) by Helen Frost, Rick Lieder
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536229105
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The Mighty Pollinators by Helen Frost, and macrophotography by Rick Lieder, is an exploration of all our well-known, but also lesser-known, pollinators that help our plants on Earth grow. This is the seventh book Frost and Lieder have collaborated on, and fans of science-based poetry will enjoy their new collection of poems and up-close shots of insects collecting pollen.

The rhymes are delightful and informative, celebrating butterflies, moths, wasps, and even houseflies. The poems are short enough to be a bedtime story, or a storytime book. The back pages have further information on what pollen is–in all its colors!–and why it’s important.

The colorful, detailed images is where this book really shines since it gives the reader’s eyes access to witnessing the insects covered in pollen dust up close. For those who are looking to add more to their nature poetry collection, or are doing a unit on pollinators or poetry this informational picture book is a great addition. Recommended for ages 3-7

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

K9 Mattis on the Job: A Day in the Life of a Police Dog

K9 Mattis on the Job: A Day in the Life of a Police DogK9 Mattis on the Job: A Day in the Life of a Police Dog by Mark Tappan
ISBN: 140024658X
Genres: Animals, Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

K9 Mattis On the Job follows a typical day in the life of Mattis, a police dog, with his partner Sergeant Mark Tappan. As part of the Alpharetta Police Department, Sergeant Mark and Mattis hand out assignments, practice important skills such as tackling and tracking, and use their custom police car with a kennel in the back to report for duty. But today is Mattis’ favorite day: he and Sergeant Mark get to visit an elementary school to show off all the skills Mattis has learned. 

Being a police dog is more than just learning how to sit, stay, and high five. Mattis also practices tackling in the park and rescuing someone from the lake. In showing off for the students, Mattis not only finds a student’s stuffed turtle, but also Sergeant Mark’s hat, lost inside his police vehicle. 

A fun additional fact can be found on every page. These facts include details about Mattis and Tappan’s career together — Mattis has more awards than any other police dog in their department! Other facts are about police dogs in general, such as that German Shepherds can run up to 30 miles per hour. These tidbits add a wealth of information and provide additional context to this nonfiction read. 

This would be a great book for a lesson on community helpers, first responders, or even the life of a working dog. The realistic style of the illustrations feel kid-friendly without coming across as whimsical or childish, which helps kids relate to the story. This book would be perfect for early elementary students (PreK through grade 2) but maybe be adapted to be part of an older curriculum. 

Reviewed by Amie Martin, HB Emery Jr. Memorial School, Limington

four-stars