Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

The Big Bang and Beyond

The Big Bang and BeyondA Comic Book History of the Big Bang and Beyond by Anna Claybourne, Rikus Ferreira
Published by Kids Can Press on May 5, 2026
ISBN: 152531503X
Genres: STEM
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

The Earth was born 4.5 billion years ago and this book allows us to follow along until the extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Formatted in comic book, graphic nonfiction styling with funny yet on point speech bubbles throughout, this book is highly accessible and easy to read. The quick bits of informational text and highly-detailed, colorful illustrations enable kids, and adults, in the evolution of Earth including how our solar system formed including the sun and moon, the beginning of lifeforms on Earth and the dinosaurs.

Backmatter includes a comprehensive glossary and an index.

Ages 8-12
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

five-stars

Seven Million Steps

Seven Million StepsSeven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory's Run for the Hungry by Christian Gregory, Derrick Barnes, Frank Morrison
ISBN: 0063357526
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, History, Inspiration, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Seven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory’s Run for the Hungry

Written by: Derrick Barnes and Christian Gregory

Illustrated by: Frank Morrison

 

This non-fiction picture book for ages 4-8 tells the story of activist Dick Gregory’s remarkable 1976 Food Run- his two-and-a-half month run from Los Angeles to New York City to raise awareness about the epidemic of hunger and poverty in America. Mr. Gregory underwent this run while sustaining himself with only water, juice, vitamins, and some seeds. His goal was to raise attention and compassion to those who go days without food. The end contains a direct quote from Dick Gregory, as well information about the persistent reality of hunger and food insecurity today. Although the author mentions that individuals can support organizations like Feeding America and No Kid Hungry, inclusion of practical and child-friendly strategies (i.e. giving to a local food pantry, volunteering at soup kitchens) is lacking. This may have helped inspire activism and volunteerism in young readers by providing ideas for small and meaningful ways they can impact their communities. The underlying issue of wealth inequality remains relevant and deserving of attention.

3 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

three-stars

Two Artists, Grandad and Me

Two Artists, Grandad and MeTwo Artists, Grandad and Me by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on January 20, 2026
ISBN: 0593571231
Genres: Arts, Family
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Art and music move hand in hand throughout this story featuring a granddaughter with her artist grandfather. The book is the depiction of memories the author has with her artist grandfather, Jerry Pinkney.
In his music-filled studio this young girl is given the creativity to explore her artistic side with the guidance of her grandfather’s skills and love.
The cadence of this book and liberal usage of onomatopoeia moves the reader along much as the music carries the author through her paintings with her grandfather.

Ages 4-7
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

five-stars

Teaching for Change: How Septima Clark Led the Civil Rights Movement to Voting Justice

Teaching for Change: How Septima Clark Led the Civil Rights Movement to Voting JusticeTeaching for Change: How Septima Clark Led the Civil Rights Movement to Voting Justice by Abigail Albano-Payton, Monica Clark-Robinson, Yvonne Clark-Rhines
ISBN: 0063251604
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Teaching for Change: How Septima Clark Led the Civil Rights Movement to Voting Justice is an important and engaging picture book biography that should be included in school and public libraries. The author beautifully balances quality information with keeping it accessible. Readers will learn a lot about Septima Clark and the Civil Rights Movement but in a digestible way. This would be a great text for a biography unit, a unit on the Civil Rights Movement, or a history class. This would be a best fit for readers in second through fifth grade, with a place in secondary classrooms studying these topics looking for a more accessible text or a starting place to study elements of biography texts or learning about this time period. This was a five-star read for me. Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

five-stars

Animal Heroes: Supersquads!

Animal Heroes: Supersquads!Supersquads!: Animal Heroes by Heather Lang, Jamie Harper
ISBN: 1536217980
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is the latest in the series after the popular Super Moms and Super Dads books. In this one, we get to see how groups of animals (or squads) work together and use skills like communication to accomplish super things. The illustrations are stunning and engaging, just like the other books in the series, and the information is high-quality, engaging, accessible, and humorous. This will be a great fit for readers in grades K-4 and could apply to upper grades as a model for writing engaging non-fiction or sharing information about animals or other research topics. I would strongly recommend adding it to any collection that serves elementary-aged readers. This was a five-star read for me.  Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

five-stars

How to Hatch: A Gosling’s Guide to Breaking Free

How to Hatch: A Gosling’s Guide to Breaking FreeHow to Hatch: A Gosling's Guide to Breaking Free by Galia Bernstein, Sara Holly Ackerman
ISBN: 0593811062
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

How to Hatch: A Gosling’s Guide to Breaking Free by Sarah Holly Ackerman

How to Hatch is about the hatching process for goslings and balances scientific facts with beautiful and engaging pictures and manageable chunks of the process. Readers will appreciate learning about the process while also getting an inside peek into the inside of the shell. This would pair especially well with a biology unit, a unit on animals, or as a model for engaging non-fiction. This is a must-have book for libraries serving readers in grades 1-5 and is a five-star read for me.  Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

five-stars

To Walk the Sky

To Walk the SkyTo Walk the Sky: How Iroquois Steelworkers Helped Build Towering Cities – A Beautifully Illustrated History of Mohawk Skywalkers and Their Legacy by E B Lewis, Patricia Morris Buckley
on January 28, 2025
ISBN: 0063046970
Genres: Cultural / Native American, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Native Americans are widely known for their powerful connection to the Earth, however, this book sheds light on a different skill; their historical connection to the sky, and the man-made, steel structures that stretch up to meet it.

The book takes us through the history of a land deal made between the Mohawk tribe and the Dominion Bridge Company in exchange for the opportunity for Mohawk Natives to take jobs working for them. To the construction bosses’ surprise, the Mohawk Natives appeared comfortable atop the tallest beams and even delighted moving among them like tightrope walkers. These daredevils became famously known as Skywalkers.

This picture book is an important homage to the Skywalkers and the pride in their unique ability to defy gravity. It includes the devastating collapse of the Quebec Bridge in 1907 and the tragedy of the Twin Towers in NYC. These tragedies did not defeat their passion to walk among the clouds and we have a long list of important structures throughout the United States that are still standing strong and continue to be built today. E.B. Lewis’ watercolor illustrations add to the beauty of the book’s message. A great addition to any library’s non-fiction section. Recommended for ages 6-12

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

four-stars

Your Crown Shines

Your Crown ShinesYour Crown Shines: For Ketanji Brown Jackson and You – A Poetic Love Letter and Picture Book Celebrating Black Women Pioneers by Dare Coulter, Jessica Care Moore
ISBN: 0063311399
Genres: Inspiration, Biography/Autobiography, Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Biographical/inspirational picture book, Your Crown Shines: for Ketanji Brown Jackson and You, by jessica Care moore, lights a fire under girls of color to dream big and reach high. We are reminded that “Being the first isn’t the easiest thing to do when there is no one else who looks like you.” True enough, but while the message is a crucial one, the text falls short of the glory the author wishes to convey upon Ketanji Brown Jackson. Some pages rhyme, some are free verse, and some prose, leaving the reader a bit uncertain on how to read each page. The illustrations are vibrant, featuring a young KBJ interacting with her family, her heroes, and lots of books. Most of the pictures include an element of text from the body of KBJ’s work in the Supreme Court, which is a nice touch.
The text and style of the book suggest it’s meant for ages 4-8, but they may need a brief explanation of KBJ’s accomplishments for the connection between “Ketanji Brown Jackson and You” to make sense to that age group. School and classroom libraries might consider adding it to their collections, especially for units focusing on the accomplishments of BIPOC, women, and others overcoming obstacles to achieve amazing things.
Reviewed by Beth Almquist, Lewiston Public Library
three-stars

Extreme Places: The Most Remote Homes on Earth

Extreme Places: The Most Remote Homes on EarthExtreme Places: The Most Remote Homes on Earth by Giles Laroche
Published by Clarion Books on September 30, 2025
ISBN: 0358690188
Genres: History, Informational, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Journey around the world to some of the most challenging and remote spots on Earth in this stunningly illustrated book that celebrates human ingenuity, community, and the people who call these places home. Laroche’s cut-paper collage artwork illustrations are stunning. Using a consistent textual format which includes a synopsis, location, who lives here, fascinating fact, and adapting to extremes, he  suggests what it takes to survive there. A list of places included: Tristan da Cunha; Sahara Desert; Mentawai Islands; Verkhoyansk, Siberia; Isla Navarino; Spiti Valley; Goreme, Cappadocia; Floating Islands of the Uros; Atafu Atoll; Gobi Desert; Agoashima ;Socotra; and, Atka, Alaska. A map of the world at the end of the book indicates where all of these places are located. Give this book to anyone interested in geography or as a model of beautiful collage artwork.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

SPARK: Jim West’s Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone

SPARK: Jim West’s Electrifying Adventures in Creating the MicrophoneSpark: Jim West's Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone by Ainissa Ramirez
Series: Black Inovators
Published by MIT Kids Press on October 21, 2025
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Cultural / African American, STEM
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

The first book in the MIT Kids Press Black Innovators series. This picture book biography is for science lovers. Author Ainissa Ramirez shares the story of Jim West who patented the foil-electret microphone, a unit integral to everything from cell phones to hearing aids. Her explanations of the science are in-depth and sure to appeal to STEM-minded kids. Growing up on a farm, West had a compulsion to take things apart to see how they worked and had a fascination with electricity. He studied science in college, where he was one of only two Black students, and then went on to work at Bell labs. West’s advocacy for more diversity in the technology field paved the way for many scientists of color to follow their interests and curiosity. Back matter provides an author’s note, a time line, a bibliography, and more information on the life and work of Jim West. Ages 8-12.

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars