Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Galaxy Mapper

Galaxy MapperGalaxy Mapper: The Luminous Discoveries of Astrophysicist Hélène Courtois by Allie Summers, Sian James
on November 18, 2025
ISBN: 1536228974
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

If readers haven’t already heard of Hélène Courtois and her marvelous contributions to astrophysics, this picture book biography illuminates her amazing life. This picture book, through mit Kids Press, starts at Courtois’ early years mapping her French countryside and onto her experiences being a woman in the sciences. Allie Summers writes a compelling tale of how she discovers Laniakea in 2013, a special supercluster of galaxies that includes our Milky Way.

This is a great contribution to any picture book biography section. The graphic design illustrations are bright and eye-catching and the writing is full of new science terms for kids to learn in tandem with Courtois’ life story. End papers include her Timeline, a Glossary of Galactic Terms, “Other Fiercely Intelligent Women in Astronomy,” and a guide to putting your telescope in the right location. Recommended for Ages 5-9.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Houdini’s Library

Houdini’s LibraryHoudini's Library: How Books Created the World's Greatest Magician by Barb Rosenstock, Mar Delmar
on February 17, 2026
ISBN: 0593570138
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
This engaging picture book of the world’s most famous magician also affirms the magic of  books, reinvention, and determination. Author Barb Rosenstock relates the story of Harry Houdini’s life and his passionate connection to the written word. This love of literacy was inherited from his father, a rabbi whose impressive library was sadly diminished and sold when the family fell upon hard times after emigrating to the United States from Hungary.  Rosenstock posits that books and Houdini’s reverence for them, are precisely what helped Harry become the world’s greatest illusionist.
As a self-educated lover of knowledge, Houdini’s every escapade is tied back to his desire to learn and his devotion to collecting volumes “thick and thin, small and tall, older and newer.” Keys serve as both a visual and literary theme, appearing on the endpapers and throughout the story to symbolize how books unlock knowledge.
The narrative brings Houdini’s era to life alongside stunning illustrations made from incredibly detailed, three-dimensional miniature paper scenes that match the text’s dynamism. Back matter includes an author’s note on the vast breadth of Houdini’s real-life collection and an illustrator’s note explaining the deep historical research required to create the artwork.
Highly recommended for public and elementary school libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS
K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough Public Schools

 

 

five-stars

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