Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

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

AlphaBot

AlphaBotAlphaBot by Vicky Fang
Published by MIT Kids Press ISBN: 153622653X
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

AlphaBot is a fun and interactive  book comprised of 26 separate flaps, one for each letter of the alphabet. Readers can mix and match to create 729 possible robots. This book is inviting with playful and bright illustrations and interesting sounding robotic terminology on each flap. It’s also a great vocabulary builder with terms such as LED, yaw and tread. Each term has a simplified definition that’s easy to understand for both children and adults. Sturdily constructed with reinforced carboard and a spiral binding this book is sure to get a lot of use. It would be a great STEM themed addition to a library or classroom for children ages 3-7.

Reviewed by Emily Stowers, Maine State Library, Augusta

four-stars

How to Babysit Your Grown-Up

How to Babysit Your Grown-UpHow to Babysit Your Grown-Up: Activities to Do Together (How To Series) by JaNay Brown-Wood, Jean Reagan, Lee Wildish
Published by Alfred A. Knopf ISBN: 0593479238
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

If you’re looking for creative and engaging ideas on what to do with kids, then this book is a great resource to have! Although the title includes the words, “how to babysit your grown-up” this book is for both kids and adults to use the next time somebody says, “I’m bored!”

This book contains a spread of 44 activities complete with supply lists and a step-by-step guide as well as charming, kid-friendly illustrations of adults and kids interacting with each other and of the activity.

There is a good mix of crafts, STEM projects, snack recipes, outdoor activities and games. All the activities require a short list of common household supplies that take minutes to gather and set up. Additionally, there is a checklist on the last page of all the activities so you can keep track of which ones you have or have not completed. This book seems to be written for families with young kids or for a grandparent or babysitter charged with entertaining a child, but many of the activities are easily transferrable to a classroom setting or a library program. This book is excellent for ages 4-8.

Reviewed by Emily Stowers, Maine State Library, Augusta 

four-stars

Ketanji: Justice Jackson’s Journey to the U. S. Supreme Court

Ketanji: Justice Jackson’s Journey to the U. S. Supreme CourtKetanji: Justice Jackson's Journey to the U.S. Supreme Court by Kekla Magoon, Laura Freeman
on June 20, 2023
ISBN: 0063296160
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

An aspirational picture book biography about Ketanji Jackson, the first Black female Supreme Court justice. Her parents named her Ketanji, which means “lovely one,” dressed her in dashikis, and kept her hair natural. More importantly they helped  her to develop pride and belief in herself and her future. As a young person, she was elected class president, competed on the debate team, and performed with an improv group. She excelled at Harvard College and Harvard Law School. She married, had two daughters, and held 10 different law-related positions before being nominated to the Supreme Court. Magoon’s straightforward prose allows Ketanji’s life story to speak for itself. The theme of Ketanji’s “shining star” connects the phases of her life and shows how she found her purpose. Freeman’s digital illustrations depict spreads showing loving relationships in her family – both with her parents and her husband and two children – as well as being a positive role model in all aspects of her life. Including her daughter Leila’s letter to then President Obama asking that he consider her mother for fill a seat on the Supreme Court was heartwarming, although the nomination did not come until many years later. I am normally not a fan of picture book biographies, but this one was inspirational and causes me to want to read more about her. Recommended for all libraries.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Stone Age Beasts

Stone Age BeastsStone Age Beasts by Ben Lerwill, Grahame Baker-Smith
Published by Candlewick Press on November 7, 2023
ISBN: 1536231347
Genres: Animals, Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a much needed informational book about the Stone Age  – after the dinosaurs and before modern day. After introducing the Stone Age, this colorful book presents some of the large, now-extinct animals that roamed the world back then. Likely the only one you will be familiar with is the wooly mammoth, which also graces the enticing cover. On each double-paged spread is an entry on a creature along with a range map and fact box featuring a stylized human silhouette for scale.  Each beast radiates a ferocious, feral presence that will rivet young viewers. A Conclusion and Glossary are included at the end but I would have liked to see a Bibliography that list where the author and illustrator gleaned their information.

five-stars

Wacky Weather: All About Odd Weather Events

Wacky Weather: All About Odd Weather EventsWacky Weather: All About Odd Weather Events (The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library) by Alan Batson, Aristides Ruiz, Todd Tarpley
Series: The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library
ISBN: 0593433831
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Part of  The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library. With a little help from Thing One and Thing Two, the Cat in the Hat introduces beginning readers to 17 strange but true weather events. A lot of information about Northern lights,  waterspouts, dust devils, ball lightning, snow donuts, fire whirls, red sprites, sundogs, ice tsunamis, clouds shaped like UFOs and cinnamon rolls, diamond rain, and metallic snow is packed into this rhyming text. A fun introduction that likely will cause young learners to further research these topics.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars