Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Think Like a Goat: The Wildly Smart Ways Animals Communicate, Cooperate and Innovate

Think Like a Goat: The Wildly Smart Ways Animals Communicate, Cooperate and InnovateThink Like a Goat: The Wildly Smart Ways Animals Communicate, Cooperate and Innovate by Alexander Mostov, Lisa Deresti Betik
Published by Kids Can Press on October 3, 2023
ISBN: 1525304550
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The unique intelligence of all kinds of creatures are featured. Scientists are discovering that many other animals besides humans have smarts that might surprise us. Celebrating many animal varieties, Betik covers four broad categories of intelligence: communication, social learning and cooperation, problem-solving and memory, and emotional intelligence. Easily readable in bite-size chunks with colorful illustrations. The content is supported by a glossary, an index and suggested sources for further reading. Recommended for all libraries for 8-10 year olds.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Cantora: Mercedes Sosa, the Voice of Latin America

Cantora: Mercedes Sosa, the Voice of Latin AmericaCantora: Mercedes Sosa, the Voice of Latin America by Melisa Fernández Nitsche
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on 9/12/2023
ISBN: 0593645979
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

A solid picture book biography of Argentinian singer Mercedes Sosa for readers in grades 1-3. The book starts with her childhood when she first discovers the power of her voice and moves readers through her escalating fame and her increasing influence with the people of Argentina who were protesting a tyrannical regime. As the book is written for children, the book does not get into any detail about the political climate but makes it clear that the government did not approve of her music and even put her in jail. The book avoids the word exile at first explaining that Sosa had to “flee to Europe” but then does mention that “Three years in exile felt endless…”. The book focuses on the power of Sosa’s songs and the emotions evoked by her presence and her voice. The palette of reds and browns, purple, grey, and ochre is subdued and peaceful, even when dealing with the strife happening throughout Argentina. The author’s note explains the influence Sosa’s music had on her childhood and offers back matter with an extensive timeline, glossary of Spanish phrases, a playlist, and bibliography. A photo of Sosa would have been a welcome addition to that back matter. A thoughtful biography about a lesser-known Latinx icon for an American audience.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

four-stars

Champion Chompers, Super Stinkers and Other Poems by Extraordinary Animals

Champion Chompers, Super Stinkers and Other Poems by Extraordinary AnimalsChampion Chompers, Super Stinkers and Other Poems by Extraordinary Animals by Aparna Varma, Linda Ashman
on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 1525303503
Genres: Animals, Humor, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Champion Chompers, Super Stinkers and Other Poems is a collection of poems celebrating the extraordinary features of different animals. The format of this book is fantastic; and it will keep the reader turning pages until the end. The poems about the animals are located on one page and the reader must turn the page to learn what the name of the animal is and what their extraordinary skill is. Examples of the extraordinary skills include: Fastest Flyer, Best Engineer, Most Well-Traveled, Deepest-Dwelling Fish, Stinkiest Animal, etc.

The penciled illustrations are beautiful and eye-catching, giving the reader just a hint of who the animal is on the page with the poem, so when you turn the page you get the full illustration of the animal in their habitat and what their skill is. Very educational with the delight of rhyming poetry, and an added informational paragraph for older readers. Highly recommend this for any library’s poetry collection. Recommended for ages anywhere from 4-10. Five Stars!

five-stars

Creep, Leap, Crunch!: A Food Chain Story

Creep, Leap, Crunch!: A Food Chain StoryCreep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story by Christopher Silas Neal, Jody Jensen Shaffer
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 2023
ISBN: 9780593565520
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Soft, full-color illustrations accompany fun, rhyming text that builds the steps of a temperate deciduous forest food chain in a style similar to “The House that Jack Built”, starting with the rising sun and leading all the way up to the black bear. Along the way, all the animals appear to succeed in their food acquisitions, but then the book takes a fun twist and turns the tables. All the food gets away! The book concludes with a glossary. This book would be excellent for story times, and makes for a simple, exciting introduction to natural food chains. It is recommended for 4-8 year olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

five-stars

Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World: The Story of Two Groundbreaking Environmental Artists

Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World: The Story of Two Groundbreaking Environmental ArtistsChristo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World: The Story of Two Groundbreaking Environmental Artists by Elizabeth Haidle, G. Neri
Published by Candlewick Press on April 18, 2023
ISBN: 1536216615
Pages: 48
Genres: Arts, Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

This is the story of how controversial artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude met, married, and started creating their art together. Their philosophy was that “Art [was] supposed to make you see things differently” therefore, much of their early art involved wrapping objects of varying sizes to obscure what was inside.  After moving to the United States, the couple created The Wall of Oil Barrels (1962), a wrapped Medieval Tower (1968), and even wrapped the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago (1969). They started wrapping natural objects, adding an Ocean Front (1974) and Wrapped Trees (1998) to their accomplishments. One of their best-known projects was The Gates (2005) that consisted of a park full of flowing fabric gates. Full color illustrations throughout the book add life to the text. A note at the end of the text explains that the artists never accepted public money to create their works. They also never charged anyone to experience their works. Because all their installations were temporary, they were each treated as an event.  The author  includes a list of Fun Facts and a Bibliography at the end of the book. Intended for ages 6-9 years old.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

three-stars

Good Books for Bad Children: The Genius of Ursula Nordstrom

Good Books for Bad Children: The Genius of Ursula NordstromGood Books for Bad Children: The Genius of Ursula Nordstrom by Beth Kephart, Chloe Bristol
Published by Random House Children's Books on September 19, 2023
ISBN: 0593379578
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

We have Ursula Nordstrom to thank for countless children’s classics and we get to learn more about her in this fun and brightly illustrated biography. After working her way up through various editorial positions, Nordstrom became Harper’s first female vice president. It’s easy to see how she excelled at her job; she was warm. energetic, and keenly in tune with what kids want to read.

Those familiar with mid-twentieth century classic children’s literature will enjoy recognizing the books featured in the illustrations. Those unfamiliar will still admire Nordstrom’s contribution as an editor. There is a repetition of the message that Nordstrom “never forgot what it was like to be a child” which is admirable but not necessarily something that will speak to a young reader, especially if they have not read the books that are referenced. The  book will most likely appeal more to adult readers than it will to kids, but it’s  very good and I would add it to a collection anyway.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Mammals Everywhere

Mammals EverywhereMammals Everywhere (Animals Everywhere) by Britta Teckentrup, Camilla de la Bedoyere
ISBN: 1536232629
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Mammals Everywhere” is a nonfiction picture book with basic information about mammals, written by Camilla De La Bedoyere and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. The book is 32 pages long with information about what a mammal is, where mammals live, and facts about different kinds of mammals. The illustrations by Teckentrup are vibrant and feature a lot of detail while still simplifying the animals. There is a lot of small text, but really young kids will probably still enjoy the images and the “can you find” portions on each page. Written for ages 6 to 9, this is a good intermediary book between early reader books about mammals with few words and large encyclopedias of mammals with tons of words. A recommended purchase for juvenile nonfiction collections where picture book nonfiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

three-stars

The Deep End: Real Facts About the Ocean

The Deep End: Real Facts About the OceanThe Deep End: Real Facts About the Ocean by Drew Sheneman
on July 11, 2023
ISBN: 0063224550
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Reminiscent of the “Magic School Bus” series, but in this instance Miss Frizzle is replaced by an unnamed, dark-skinned scientist in a lab coat who pops up on Brownbeard’s pirate ship. The scientist introduces oceanic inhabitants, such as sea pigs, giant squid, and unusual bioluminescent creatures, but also about ancient undersea explorers. It ends with warnings about the dangers of climate change and overfishing. This book is informative and comical. Text is mostly in the speech bubbles from the scientist, Brownbeard the pirate, and his sidekick Alan, a parrot. Graphic comic-book style illustrations.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

What’s Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon?: And Other Questions About Moths & Butterflies

What’s Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon?: And Other Questions About Moths & ButterfliesWhat's Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon?: And Other Questions About Moths & Butterflies by Rachel Ignotofsky
Published by Random House Children's Books on July 20, 2023
ISBN: 059317657X
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A companion book to What’s Inside a Flower?, which I believe was a Cream of the Crop book in 2022. This book is equally engaging, answering readers’ questions about caterpillars, moths, and butterflies. Unlike other books about lepidoptera, this one imparts much more information about what occurs inside the cocoon or chrysalis stage. It goes on to compare butterflies and moths, the differences between cocoons and chrysalis, and the importance of these insects are as pollinators. Particularly attractive are Ignotofsky’s signature graphics, stylized illustrations with flat colors and intricate details. Many pages could easily be stand-alone posters. Varied page design helps with the organization and makes the whole more absorbing. Different species pictured are labeled with the common name in tiny but legible uppercase lettering. A beautiful informational book that every library will want to have a copy.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Totally Random Facts, Vol. 2

Totally Random Facts, Vol. 2Totally Random Facts Volume 2: 3,219 Surprising, Strange, and Striking Things About the World by Melina Gerosa Bellows
Series: Totally Random Facts #2
Published by Bright Matter Books on 07/04/2023
ISBN: 059351646X
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Totally Random Facts is exactly what the title says it will be!  This nonfiction book is filled with unusual and surprising facts about any topic you can think of.  There truly is something for everyone in this book- facts about history, sports, animals, dinosaurs, technology etc.  There is a table of contents and an index that can help guide readers, but it would also be fun to flip to any page in the book to see what topic they will learn about next.  Each two page spread covers its own topic.  The information provided isn’t meant to be in depth, but rather fun facts that kids will no doubt enjoy sharing with others.  Each layout has colorful and interesting graphics and photographs and the text alternates between black and a color to help separate each fact from the next.  This book would be a great addition to any children’s collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars