Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

This is How a Ball Rolls: The Science of Wobbling, Bouncing, Spinning Balls

This is How a Ball Rolls: The Science of Wobbling, Bouncing, Spinning BallsThis Is How a Ball Rolls: The Science of Wobbling, Bouncing, Spinning Balls by Heather Tekavec, Suharu Ogawa
Published by Kids Can Press on 2025
ISBN: 1525309684
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Tekavec and Ogawa introduce readers to  the science behind how different kinds of balls interact with the world all around in an original way that will create understanding and interest in the subject. Presenting twelve different balls  (in order from smallest to largest) through a series of “tongue-twisting brainteasers”, readers may guess at the ball being described:

“(A) little ball —
A Teeny ball —
A glassy, smooth, and swirly ball . . . “

On the following page is a double-page spread of children of all shapes, sizes, colors, and physical abilities interacting with the ball(s) in question (in this case, marbles). Each section also contains an inset that describes the physical qualities unique to each ball and its function. The writing is playful and dynamic, giving a sense of each orb through descriptions that are fun to read aloud.

The illustrations are equally energetic, with bright, colorful action filling each page. Each sphere is shown in its natural environment (tennis balls on tennis courts, a baseball landing in the stands, etc.). Readers keeping their eyes on the ball  will notice the same characters returning from scene to scene, including an animated ball of yarn.

The back matter shares ball trivia linked to scientific concepts such as “drag force”,  that are hinted at in the text but never explicitly stated. This seems like a missed opportunity to help readers connect the dots between a scientific concept in theory and in practice.

This would be a great read-aloud during  elementary school science units around physics or materials,  introducing ideas and creating opportunities to discuss the ideas in practice, and have a ball doing it. Recommended for public and elementary school libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

four-stars

The House on the Canal

The House on the CanalThe House on the Canal: The Story of the House that Hid Anne Frank by Britta Teckentrup, Thomas Harding
ISBN: 1536240702
Genres: History, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

While there are many books about Anne Frank and her diary, this is a story about the extraordinary house and the annex behind it that hid her.

In the city of Amsterdam, next to a canal and a church, is a slender building with a green front door known as “anne frank haus,” which is the official museum of Anne Frank. This picture book takes its readers through the entire history of the space: from the peaceful marshland, to the stonemasons who stacked the foundation, and then the addition of the annex on the back.

Families cycled in and out of the house. There were plagues, parties, manufacturing, horse stables, and even a fire.  It would take until 1940, when Otto Frank moved his businesses into the building, that would make it the impactful destination that it is today. Britta Teckentrup, who is often known for her die-cut shapes and cheery illustrations, really hits the mark with this very different piece of work. The passageways of the house and the map of Amsterdam are so visually interesting with lots of shape-framing and lovely muted colors. Thomas Hardings’ writing is incredibly evocative and takes the reader right into the experience of being in the house, hearing the bells ring in the church square, and up to what the house is today; a museum and education center. There is back thorough back matter to fully understand each era of the house, which was just enough information. Overall, this book is expertly made and highly encouraged for upper elementary collections. Ages 7+

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Let It Shine: A Celebration of You

Let It Shine: A Celebration of YouLet It Shine!: A Celebration of You by Carole Boston Weatherford, Tequitia Andrews
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on January 20, 2026
ISBN: 0593805755
Genres: Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Using the song “This Little Light of Mine” as inspiration, the book uses everyday moments and historical figures to encourages readers to “make a difference.” This is more of an inspirational book to give as a present for graduation than a meaningful story for children. All the characters are brown skinned and notables such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., Shirley Chisholm, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglas are used as examples, but there is no explanation as to why they are inspirational. It is assumed that the reader will know. The refrain of “Let it shine Let it shine Let it shine” is used repeatedly throughout and creative additional verses are introduced to the well-loved song. The song has been interpreted a number of times. (There is a list of people who have recorded the song in the back of the book.) This book is available as an audiobook, and I think it would be interesting to listen to that rendition. As a paper book form, I prefer the Ashley Bryon version.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

10 Small Things I Can Do to Help My Planet

10 Small Things I Can Do to Help My Planet10 Small Things I Can Do to Help My Planet by Melanie Walsh
Published by Candlewick Press on 2025
ISBN: 1536245003
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

This book lists ten actions for young children to help protect our earth. Some are practical, such as give my old toys away, but others are more esoteric, such as grow watercress in empty egg shells. It does cause one to think about all the plastic we throw away and remember to take your trash away from the public beach.

The book has a very simple format with one page stating, “I help …” or “I pick out…” followed by actions, such as “my mom pack leftovers for my lunch.” or “vegetables at the local market.” Sturdy die cut pages create interest and the illustrations are bold and eye-catching. A thoughtful presentation for preschoolers.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Elephant Bowling and Other Animal Play

Elephant Bowling and Other Animal PlayElephant Bowling and Other Animal Play (Animals Do What!?) by Richard Haynes, Stephanie Laberis
on August 26, 2025
ISBN: 1536230901
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Using a playful, conversational tone Haynes compares the way animals play in the wild to the games humans play (hide-and-seek, keep-away, etc.)  in this picture book full of  interesting, lesser- known facts about creatures we may think we know fairly well.

Haynes arranges the text by the purpose of the “games” (Part I focuses on activities that hone survival skills), then breaks those activities into games readers will easily recognize, such as King of the Hill and Tug-of-War. For each game, Hayne shares descriptive narratives for different animal species that play versions of that game. Who knew that so many kinds of animals (polar bears, ravens, and river otters) enjoy sledding?  The descriptions also include lots of quantitative data (i.e.  patas monkeys  can reach speeds of 33 mph in three seconds) that will appeal to fact collectors. The conveyance of information feels casual but is supported by research.

The cute, cartoonish (all animals appear to be smiling)  illustrations carry that same sense of fun. The anthropomorphic illustrations may cause a bit of a disconnect for readers expecting. more realistic illustrations (or photos) in their nonfiction texts. For others, the smiling animals will make it that much more engaging.

This may appeal to middle grade students looking for interesting nonfiction books about animals. Teachers looking to compare different kinds of nonfiction may find it useful for the many nonfiction features it contains: illustrated world map; table of contents; glossary;  bibliography; index, headings and subheadings). A small quibble: there are many interesting words in the glossary readers will want to learn but those words are not bolded in the text, making it difficult to see the words in context.

Recommended for purchase for public libraries and elementary school libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

four-stars

The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a Shape

The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a ShapeThe Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a Shape by Amy Alznauer, Anna Bron
Published by Candlewick Press on March 4, 2025
ISBN: 1536229474
Genres: Arts, Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction, STEM
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This is the remarkable story of Marjorie Rice, an amateur mathematician who solved a complex pentagon math problem from the desk of her ordinary life. Rice was endlessly interested in shapes and patterns in nature as a little girl and wanted to study them further–but was discouraged and instead became a secretary and a mother to five children. After reading an article in a magazine, she realized that mathematicians were trying to find the other five-sided shapes that fit together perfectly. She spent her days scribbling on notes in her kitchen, or drawing while stirring dinner, and discovered THE undiscovered shape. She sent her papers to the geometry scientists and they confirmed, yes!, she had found a tessellating shape no one had ever seen before. Rice spent the rest of her life writing letters back and forth to professors as she discovered more complex pentagon shape patterns. Now she is widely recognized as being the person to have solved the ancient mystery of pentagon puzzles.

This book is a feast for the eyes. The graphics of Anna Bron and Amy Alznauer’s words work together so harmoniously that this particularly long picture book goes by in a flash. The back matter includes a rich author’s note and more information about geometry and drawing and discovering shapes that is really inspiring. For ages 7+.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Black Diamond Kings

Black Diamond KingsBlack Diamond Kings: Heroes of Negro League Baseball (Sports Royalty) by Adrian Brandon, Charles R. Smith
ISBN: 1536225355
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Poetry, Sports
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Black Diamond Kings is a necessary ode to twelve of the greatest players in the Negro Leagues in American baseball history. For each of the players, Charles R. Smith Jr. has created an array of differently formatted poems for each. These are poems rich with vocabulary and imagery that make you feel in the game. Adrian Brandon’s illustrations are striking with interesting, exaggerated style.

Back pages include small biography paragraphs of each player; and further back matter explains the history of the Negro American League and how they are now finally being recognized in the Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 2024–long overdue since the players are some the of the best to ever play the game.  Recommended for ages 8-12.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Cosmic Collisions: Supergiant vs. Neutron Star

Cosmic Collisions: Supergiant vs. Neutron StarCosmic Collisions: Supergiant vs. Neutron Star by Marc J. Kuchner, Matt Schu
Series: Cosmic Collisions; #2
Published by MIT Kids Press on April 15, 2025
ISBN: 153624225X
Pages: 45
Genres: Non-Fiction, STEM
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

I struggled whether to list this as fiction or nonfiction. Written in a current popular “Who Will Win” style, two red supergiants are facing off with each other. As with the first Cosmic Collisions book, Asteroid vs. Comet (2024), this matchup is reported by a host as a smackdown for the ages. Unlike the first book, the topics are more obtuse and may be difficult for the average student to understand (For instance, me!) However an avid astrology fan, which I am certain that is the ilk of the very knowledgeable author, is going to eat this up. This is a fast-paced, fact-packed competition crammed with science, cool illustrations, and the energy of a live sporting event. Back matter provides even more information. Ages 8-12.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Other Stories

Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Other StoriesGoldilocks and the Three Bears and Other Stories: (For Kids Ages 2-5) (Lucy Cousins Nursery Stories) by Lucy Cousins
Series: Lucy Cousins Nursery Stories
Published by Candlewick on September 3, 2025
ISBN: 153623477X
Genres: Fairy Tale, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Three familiar stories get repackaged in this new edition: “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” as well as “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” and “The Little Red Hen.” Originally published in 2009 titled Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales. The first shorter book in the 2-book series is Little Red Riding Hood and Other Stories: “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Three Little Pigs,” and “The Enormous Turnip.” The stories are largely true to the retelling of the familiar tales with slight changes, e.g. the porridge is “too salty,” and the dog, cat and goose tell the Little Red Hen, “I’m busy.” instead of “Not I.” These changes do not distract and possibly add to the stories.

The illustrations are simple and in the typical style of other Cousin’s book illustrations. They will be visually interesting to preschool children with eye-catching patterns and details. I loved the troll! Add this book to library collections where simple introductions to fairytale retellings are needed and to where there are devotees of the author.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

The Brilliant Brain: How It Works and How to Look After It

The Brilliant Brain: How It Works and How to Look After ItThe Brilliant Brain: How It Works and How to Look After It (Dr. Roopa's Body Books) by Dr. Roopa Farooki, Viola Wang
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536237809
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This appealing picture book will engage young readers between 5-7, who are curious about how the brain works. The Brilliant Brain is one in a series (Dr. Roopa’s Body Books) by Farooki and Wang .Farooki, a medical doctor, explains a complex topic in  descriptive, kid-friendly language. She uses the analogy of the body as a machine and the brain as the control room with the nerve network carrying messages back and forth between the two.

Wang’s illustrations of a diverse group of kids with their thoughts, experiences and ideas hovering around their heads, emphasize the premise that your brain is what “makes you you”.  How the brain works is explained in the body of the text, along with colorful and attractive diagrams, labelling the different parts and their functions. The care of the brain is a list of suggestions in the author’s note in the back matter. It could be more useful as a nonfiction picture book if it also contained a glossary.

Pair it with Lizzy Rockwell’s, The Busy Body Book, for a fun, narrative nonfiction read-aloud or read it on its own during Helmet Awareness Month (April) or Brain Health Month (June).  Recommended where other picture books about how the human body works are popular.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

four-stars