Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Hello, World! Kids’ Guides: Exploring Sharks

Hello, World! Kids’ Guides: Exploring SharksHello, World! Kids' Guides: Exploring Sharks by Jill McDonald
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on August 2, 2022
ISBN: 0593564812
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The Hello, World! board book series has expanded into the picture book genre offering a new series of kids’ guides for older readers. This book, Exploring Sharks will not disappoint young readers with its engaging format chock full of fascinating information and detailed illustrations. The story begins with the statement that sharks get a bad rap. Humans are more dangerous to sharks than sharks are to humans and that sharks are important to the health of the Earth’s oceans. Following is a diagram of a shark’s body parts. The book continues with a variety of sharks — each getting a two-page spread that includes: an illustration, general information, a stats callout, and a question for the reader. The final pages ask if the reader would like to work with sharks and discusses various occupations they could choose to help sharks. The back page includes a Sources and Further Reading Page. Overall, a strong addition to a school or public library that could use more shark books.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library

four-stars

Only the Best: The Exceptional Life and Fashion of Ann Lowe

Only the Best: The Exceptional Life and Fashion of Ann LoweOnly the Best: The Exceptional Life and Fashion of Ann Lowe by Kate Messner, Margaret E. Powell, Erin K Robinson
Published by Chronicle Books on October 18, 2022
ISBN: 1452161607
Pages: 56
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Fashion designer Ann Lowe was the first nationally known African American fashion designer. Ann was an inspiring woman, not only for her contributions to the fashion world but also for her efforts in breaking racial barriers. Award-winning author Kate Messner and costume historian Margaret Powell team up with fashion designer and illustrator Erin Robinson to tell Ann’s colorful and important story.

Raised in Alabama, Ann learned her skills from her grandmother and mother. With a combination of hard work and passion, she rose to the top of the fashion world, creating gowns that were worn by the rich and famous — from celebrities to first ladies. One of her most famous dresses was the wedding dress worn by Jaqueline Kennedy. The digital art is colorful and detailed and fills up the pages showcasing Ann’s amazing designs. The back pages have more in-depth information on Ann’s life, a bibliography, and quotations. Also included are photographs that include advertising pamphlets, a paper pattern of designs, and a custom-made bridal gown worn by a client. An excellent informational picture book for readers aged five to 10 .

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library

four-stars

Hooray for DNA! How a Bear and a Bug are A Lot Like Us

Hooray for DNA! How a Bear and a Bug are A Lot Like UsHooray for DNA!: How a Bear and a Bug Are a Lot Like Us by Pauline Thompson, Greg Pizzoli
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on April 25, 2023
ISBN: 0593427041
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

An exploration of DNA presented in a rhyming, simplistic format for young readers. The picture book’s emphasis — that our shared DNA makes us all family — hits the mark. The colorful and cartoon-like mixed-media illustrations of diverse children in a school setting fill up each page. The story, however, is light on details and could have more substance if some of the facts from the back pages were incorporated into the main storyline. The back pages include more detailed information on what makes DNA so special, what DNA looks like, and why DNA makes you alive. Also included is an enrichment activity — a DNA scavenger hunt, along with a resource list that includes books, videos, and websites. An informational picture book that will work as a starting point to introduce DNA for readers ages 5 to 9.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library

three-stars

Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem

Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor EcosystemWhale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem by Melissa Stewart, Rob Dunlavey
Published by Random House Studio on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 0593380606
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a unique examination of a food chain through the lens of what happens when a whale dies and its body sinks to the ocean floor and becomes an energy-rich food source for organisms living in the deep sea. The text is easy to read and packed with intriguing information about little-known marine life. The illustrations are stunning although sometimes very dark, though the setting is the bottom of the ocean. The frequent circular insets add much to the informative text. “More About Whale Falls” (who even knew that “whale falls” was scientific a term?) and a variety of ocean species are present at the back of the book, along with an extensive Selected Sources. Fascinating book that is recommended for all libraries.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Yoshi, Sea Turtle Genius: A True Story about an Amazing Swimmer

Yoshi, Sea Turtle Genius: A True Story about an Amazing SwimmerYoshi, Sea Turtle Genius: A True Story about an Amazing Swimmer by Lynne Cox, Richard Jones
Published by Anne Schwartz Books on January 10, 2023
ISBN: 0593425685
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Yoshi, a loggerhead sea turtle, swims farther than any animal in recorded history, 23,000 miles!,  to return to the beach where she first hatched to lay her own eggs. Follow Yoshi from birth to her swim across the Indian Ocean to being trapped in a fishing net, and then rescued by a fisherman, rehabilitated at an aquarium, and tracked by satellite on her journey back across the ocean to lay eggs on the beach in Australia. The watercolor illustrations are lovely, particularly the graphic of the map of Africa that indicates her journey across the Indian Ocean. Author’s Note about loggerhead turtles includes information about their being on the endangered species list. A remarkable true story to add to a library’s nonfiction collection.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Trees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves

Trees: Haiku from Roots to LeavesTrees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves by Sally M. Walker, Angela McKay
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536215503
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A collection of haiku that touches on the importance of trees with topics such as In Times Long Past, Seeds, Peeking Inside, and Treetops. Bold, beautifully patterned artwork is paired with the poetry. This is a book that gets more enjoyable upon subsequent readings. The haikus are well executed, but Walker missed an opportunity to explain the format of haiku poetry so that the reader could have the enjoyment of counting the syllables! There is a timeline in the end pages as well as a detailed narrative about each subject. The book would be a nice addition to a unit about trees or forms of poetry.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Operation Cupcake: How Simple Machines Work

Operation Cupcake: How Simple Machines WorkOperation Cupcake: How Simple Machines Work by Bambi Edlund
Published by Kids Can Press on October 3, 2023
ISBN: 1525306677
Pages: 44
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

I’m not sure whether to call this fiction or nonfiction as it is a combination of both. Ginger and Mac, a couple of clever mice,  on a quest to get a cupcake off the counter and do so by introducing   six simple machines. Edlund has created a fun way to teach the basic concepts of mechanical physics. Ginger and Mac’s adventure story is told in panels with dialogue boxes, while the science behind how simple machines work is explained throughout the story in fully illustrated sections.. This is a highly entertaining book that gives readers a clear and easy-to-understand overview of the six simple machines – inclined plane, lever, pulley, wheel and axle, screw, and wedge. The cartoon-like illustrations add to the fun. This is an excellent choice for teaching elementary school students  physics and to inspire inventors.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Cookie Queen: How One Girl Started Tate’s Bake Shop

Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
four-stars

This is the story of Kathleen King, a girl who worked hard to perfect the chocolate-chip cookie, and grew-up to found the world-renowned Tate’s Bake Shop. At 11-years-old, she started out by selling cookies she made at her father’s farm stand. She experimented many times and never gave up in her desire to make the best chocolate chip cookie. One has to admire her determination and attitude. When she grew up, she started Tate’s Bakery using the same recipe she developed when she was eleven. King is an impressive role model for kids wanting to start their own business. The book is appealing in its clear, straight-forward style and colorful illustrations. And there is a lot of information about cookies and the ingredients that go into them! My one criticism is the recipe in the back, which was an inspired addition, is for a molasses cookie when the whole story was about creating the perfect chocolate chip cookies. Is the recipe so secret that she cannot share it? Perhaps she intends for the reader to create their own?

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Farm Boots

Farm BootsFarm Boots by Lisl H. Detlefsen, Renee Kurilla
Published by Feeding Minds Press on March 21, 2023
ISBN: 194889811X
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

With brief text and effective use of rhyme, Detlefsen teaches readers why farmers wear a variety of boots for different tasks. Combined with Kurilla’s bright and cheerful illustrations, the pages lead the way through chores, seasons, and celebrations.

Several points of note may be of interest to librarians and parents. The children on the pages are representative of racial and ethnic diversity, and include various skin tones as well as one child wearing a hijab. This is helpful not only in terms of the “windows and mirrors” goal, but also because it more accurately represents the types of people working on modern American farms. For readers who want to learn more, there is even a farm boots glossary at the end of the book.

This book would make an excellent story time selection, and would appeal most to children ages six and younger. Farm Boots is a solid choice for any library that serves children of this age, but particularly those who live in rural areas.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library

four-stars

Whose Dinosaur Bones Are Those?

Whose Dinosaur Bones Are Those?Whose Dinosaur Bones Are Those? by Chihiro Takeuchi
Published by Candlewick Studio on May 9, 2023
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is the simplest of STEM picture books. Author Takeuchi introduces the youngest of paleontologists to the dinosaur’s most basic makeup- their bones. With the repeating question, “whose dinosaur bones?”, the facing page has a smattering of bones. It is up to the reader to guess the type of dinosaur it is. The following facing pages answer the question with a complete skeleton, the name of each dinosaur and what it looked like if we saw it with skin. Illustrations done in cut paper are simple with no clutter or extras. Readers find “fun fact” pages in the end that can “fill out” even further what the dinosaur was like while alive. What makes this book different is its simplicity and the challenge of guessing what type of sauropod the author has drawn. It is an engaging way of introducing dinosaurs to early and pre-readers.

Reviewed by Kathy George, retired Gray Public Library

five-stars