Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Behold Our Magical Garden: Poems Fresh from a School Garden

Behold Our Magical Garden: Poems Fresh from a School GardenBehold Our Magical Garden: Poems Fresh from a School Garden by Allan Wolf, Daniel Duncan
Published by Candlewick Press on March 8, 2022
ISBN: 1536204552
Pages: 48
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Poems of various types about the joys and bounty of a school garden, accompanied by delightful illustrations. The poems are simple and entertaining, mostly organized by gardening cycles. This is a great book to choose poems from to read-aloud to K-5 students, from either a poetry or gardening standpoint (or both!).

The illustrations are animated, and in harmony with the text. I occasionally wished the illustrations accompanying the poems offered labels (such as the illustration accompanying Good Bug, Bad Bug, so I would know which was which). Helpful Notes on the Poems in the back matter make this useful for the discussion of how and why the poems were shaped, along with commentary describing tools student gardener-poets should have in their toolbox.

This book is a fabulous way to energize and engage students in gardening and poetry.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

five-stars

Stacey Abrams and the Fight to Vote

Stacey Abrams and the Fight to VoteStacey Abrams and the Fight to Vote by Traci N Todd, Laura Freeman
Published by HarperCollins on August 30, 2022
ISBN: 0063139774
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This picture book, written in poetic prose and narrated by civil rights activists Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells, Septima Poinsette Clark, and Fannie Lou Hamer, recounts the story of Stacy Abrams’ life to date. It is written as a conversation between these four women, looking at the present with the sagacity gained from their own life experiences. They specifically talk about the 2018 election when Abrams ran unsuccessfully in Georgia’s gubernatorial race, and how so many voters were sidelined. At the end, an author’s note includes a brief but more thorough biography of Abrams and the four other activists, a timeline of voting rights in the US, and a bibliography. Illustrations are digital (but beautiful) and in keeping with text, augmenting the story.

Overall a beautiful and well-written book; for very young children without any previous understanding of the civil rights movement the number of people and the concepts covered might overwhelm, but it would be a great addition to teaching about this topic in any setting, be it home, school, or library. Highly recommend; it’s never too early to teach kids about the importance of voting.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

I’m a Volcano

I’m a VolcanoI'm a Volcano! by Bridget Heos, Mike Ciccotello
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on October 25, 2022
ISBN: 0593302885
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“I’m a Volcano” is the second book in the “Science Buddies” series by Bridget Heos. A non-fiction picture book about volcanoes, this book falls somewhere in between the early reader non-fiction and the middle grade non-fiction categories. The illustrations are hilarious and there is good information, but it is a bit too wordy for younger children and a bit too short for older kids. Includes a glossary and suggested further reading. Aimed at kids 6-9 years old, this book is good, but not a must-buy for a library collection.

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

three-stars

Mystery of the Monarchs

Mystery of the MonarchsThe Mystery of the Monarchs by Barb Rosenstock
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book tells the true story of Fred and Norah Urquhart and their quest to uncover the secrets of monarch migration. It begins with Fred as a young boy observing bugs and monarchs and ends with the Urquharts finally helping to discover the overwintering grounds of millions of monarchs in Mexico.

This is a great book for young scientists and would be a wonderful addition to a school classroom, especially if they were going to tag monarchs. The text is a bit dense and somewhat long so this book is best as a one-on-one read aloud or for readers 5 and older.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Lift, Mix, Fling

Lift, Mix, FlingLift, Mix, Fling!: Machines Can Do Anything by James Yang, Lola M. Schaefer
Published by Greenwillow Books on March 8, 2022
ISBN: 0062457101
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a fun and rhyming book that introduces the concept of machines to kids. From simple machines like levers, inclined planes, and wedges to more complex machines like hay balers, rockets, and cement trucks. The text is simple and does a great job of teaching kids that simple things are machines too. The digitally rendered illustrations are crucial for showing how the machines work and what they do. Recommended for story times, for readers 3 and up, and for a story/project combination program.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

A Beginner’s Guide to Being Human

A Beginner’s Guide to Being HumanA Beginner's Guide to Being Human by Andr� Ceolin, Matt Forrest Esenwine
Published by Beaming Books on October 18, 2022
ISBN: 1506481736
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“A Beginner’s Guide to Being Human,” written by Matt Forrest Esenwine and illustrated by Andre Ceolin, is a good, basic primer on how to be a friendly and positive person and what it means to be human. Each page gives tips and information about basic humanity like family (and that you don’t have to be related to be a family), being kind, and having feelings.

The text is fairly simple and the concepts are explained well and is written for children aged 4-8. The illustrations are large and bright and make the book inviting. If you’re looking for a book that will make you feel positive about humanity, this is a good addition to your collection.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME 04092.

four-stars

5000 Awesome Facts (About Animals)

5000 Awesome Facts (About Animals)5,000 Awesome Facts About Animals by National Geographic Society
Published by National Geographic Kids on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 1426372612
Pages: 224
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

National Geographic Kids will rope in curious children with 5000 Awesome Facts (About Animals). In the back matter it says putting this book together was a bit like doing a jigsaw puzzle and it reads the same way. Each 2-page spread contains anywhere from 1-100 facts alongside beautiful, photographs and images. Some pages are very text heavy which may limit the interest for some readers. The book, however, is very well produced, as we’ve come to expect from National Geographic, and readers need not travel far to find a page with more of what they like. Topics range from “Social Media Pets”, to gorillas, to “Creature Couples”, to flightless birds, to “Animals That Can Take the Heat” (like tardigrades and camels) and more. The back matter includes an index, credits and citations, and a “behind the book” section.

Unfortunately, like many fact books, this one is not made of the most solid construction. The binding is sewn and some pages were breaking with just one adult gently reviewing the book. These kinds of books circulate heavily and need kevlar bindings! This would be an especially big hit with 2nd-5th graders for an individual check out. 

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, MSAD#17 Librarian

four-stars

The Girl Who Built an Ocean

The Girl Who Built an OceanThe Girl Who Built an Ocean: An Artist, an Argonaut, and the True Story of the World's First Aquarium by Jess Keating, Michelle Mee Nutter
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 25, 2022
ISBN: 0593305116
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a beautifully illustrated biography of Jeanne Villepreux-Power, who started out designing and sewing in-demand dresses but soon found her calling as a naturalist. After moving to the Mediterranean she discovered the beauty of ocean life and loved collecting and studying specimens. Some of the specimens proved too elusive, though, so Villepreux-Power designed the world’s first aquarium. With her new aquarium Villepreux-Power studied argonauts to find out how their papery shells formed.

While I would have loved to see some of the trial and error that goes in to inventing a water tight glass box, this is a solid, eye-catching biography that will do well in a library or classroom.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Black-Eyed Peas and Hoghead Cheese: A story of food, family, and freedom.

Black-Eyed Peas and Hoghead Cheese: A story of food, family, and freedom.Black-Eyed Peas and Hoghead Cheese: A Story of Food, Family, and Freedom by Glenda Armand, Steffi Walthall
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 0593486145
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Young food historians will enjoy the description and history of nine year old Frances’ family’s New Year’s meal. Each dish is tied to the culinary contributions that Frances’ ancestors made to our country while enslaved and Frances’ grandparents explain how each recipe came to be. The pages are full of admiration and appreciation for the dishes that were created and have been passed down from generation to generation. The meal becomes a way to honor ancestors and tradition while enjoying family on New Year’s day.

This would be a good classroom or read aloud book and features sidebars about the Atlantic Slave Trade and some specific ingredients. It also has a lovely author’s note, further reading suggestions, and a recipe for pralines!

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Power of Architecture

The Power of ArchitectureThe Power of Architecture: 25 Modern Buildings Around the World by Annette Roeder, Pamela Baron
Published by Prestel Junior on September 20, 2022
ISBN: 3791375148
Pages: 64
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This nonfiction book shows 25 modern buildings from around the world. From Olympic stadiums to memorials to factories, this book takes you on a journey to places many have never seen. The reader will learn how and why different buildings were created. The detailed illustrations aim to show the magnitude of these buildings. There are not a lot of children’s books about architecture out there and this one would be good for middle grade readers. Not a must have, but an interesting read.

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75, Woodside

three-stars