Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Where Do We Get Water?

Where Do We Get Water?Where Do We Get Water? by Karen Latchana Kenney
Published by Bearcub Books on January 1, 2021
ISBN: 1647474930
Pages: 24
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Where Do We Get Water?

 

In a nonfiction picture book format Karen Kenney explains the water cycle from rain to purification plant to pumps to water tower to the tap.  The illustrations, (photographs and drawings), add to the appeal of the book.  There is a Glossary, an Index, and print and online sources for learning more, as well as Teaching Tips.

For a beginning nonfiction book on the water cycle this should appeal to K-2nd grade readers.

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

 

 

three-stars

A Tree Is A Home

A Tree Is A HomeA Tree Is a Home by Pamela Hickman, Zafouko Yamamoto
Published by Kids Can Press on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 1525302361
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

As a large old tree grows it shelters a variety of animal families.  This non-fiction book reviews the seasons using both the changes of the tree and that of the six animal families who use it as a home.  Hickman’s text reveals some mysteries of animal habitats while it accurately describes the changes of season in the north.  Lush expanding illustrations of the tree allows little readers to search for the animal homes.  Yamamoto’s up-close views of animal habitat and behavior may produce an interest in children to learn more about nature.  By adding the house to the story, the author connects readers to the seasons. This book is story time worthy across many age groups.

A Tree is a Home is a nonfiction picture book which will make a good addition to any public library concept book collection. Preschool classrooms through grade 2 will find this title an excellent addition to their shelves.  Once school media center librarians have shared this title, they will be unable to keep the book on the shelf.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma

Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo MaPlaying at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma by Joanna Ho, Teresa Martínez
Published by HarperCollins on September 28, 2021
ISBN: 0062994549
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Playing at the Boarder is a biography of Yo-Yo Ma which reveals  his musical training and  community projects.  As a world-renowned cellists Ma has shared his music with all ages and received a multitude of awards.   This book highlights his educational tour entitled the “Bach Project”.  Young children may not have previous knowledge of Yo-Yo Ma or grasp an understanding of his project but they will gravitate to the enlightening text and lively illustrations. Martinez has provided illustrations that bend and sway with the musical notes dancing across the pages.  This reader loves the large eyes drawn on each character as they listen with rapture.  The major emphasis of the book surrounds a concert Ma preformed on the edge of the Rio Grands for the benefit of people living on both sides.  His message that we need to build community not walls is timely and appreciated.

A great early biography for primary school assignments and good reading for music lovers of all ages.  Recommended purchase for primary and intermediate media center libraries.

The paper weight is questionable as each page is wavy to the touch giving the impression that the book has been wet.   This book was provided by the publisher and shelved in a temperature controlled library.

Recommended by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

 

four-stars

She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: Astronomer

She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: AstronomerShe Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: Astronomer by Julianna Swaney, Kathryn Lasky
Published by HarperCollins on January 19, 2021
ISBN: 0062849301
Pages: 34
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a great biography about Williamina Stevens Fleming, an exceptionally bright young Scottish woman who, through her persistent curiosity and question-asking, would end up becoming the first woman given an official title at Harvard and, in 1906, the first woman elected to an honorary membership in England’s Royal Astronomical Society. Wow!

Fleming was supported in her quest for knowledge from the time she was an infant. Her constant questions got her a job working for the director of the Harvard College Observatory (after she started as his maid). She was young, widowed, and expecting and she eventually worked, raised her son,  and argued that his female employees should be paid as well as the male employees were. AND she discovered the Horsehead Nebula.

This is one of those biographies I read and think “Why didn’t I know about her?!” It’s a great read for her story alone, but I also love the emphasis on lots of question-asking being a sign of intelligence; I hope it encourages more and more questions.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Fearless: The Story of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Defender of Free Speech.

Fearless: The Story of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Defender of Free Speech.Fearless: The Story of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Defender of Free Speech by Gattaldo
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 1536219185
Pages: 32
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

While the story of Daphne Caruana Galizia is absolutely one that needs to be told, it might have to be handled a little more delicately than it is in this book. Galizia was a journalist in Malta whose bravery and refusal to be silenced, both through her peaceful protests and her journalism, eventually led to her death. This book reads as though it is written for young children and, while I firmly believe small kids can handle most anything when it’s explained well, the book is very vague and frightening (although sometimes the fright works; there is a phenomenal illustration of the men in power as a Hydra). There are almost no details about what Galizia was fighting so hard to uncover and report but there are details such as her dog being killed in retaliation against her.  It doesn’t mention her untimely death unless you read an additional section in the back, and if you do, my worry is that the message is that fighting for free speech can potentially lead to the death of your pets and, ultimately, a bomb being placed under your car. Galizia was amazing and her story needs to be known and shared but the book’s tone just isn’t quite right for its intended audience.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Lights Day and Night: the Science of How Light Works

Lights Day and Night: the Science of How Light WorksLights Day and Night: The Science of How Light Works by Ellen Rooney, Susan Hughes
Published by Kids Can Press on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 9781525303197
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Book 2 in “The Science of How” series. Kid-friendly introduction to the science of light. A young girl and her cat on a journey of scientific discovery during a summer to find the answers to these questions: Where does light come from? How does it work? What is it made of? Discusses aspects of light, including natural and artificial light; the many uses of light; how light can be absorbed, reflected and refracted; the meaning of opaque, translucent and transparent; how the eye sees light; and why some animals need less light to see than humans. The graphics are appealing. The book includes a glossary and instructions for a shadow puppet show. A recommended book for early learners as the information is presented in an easy to understand manner and  applies real life examples. I plan to get the first book in the series Sounds All Around: The Science of How Sound Works, too. Similar to the “Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1” series so unsure if you want both.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Sharks at Your Service

Sharks at Your ServiceSharks at Your Service by Mary Cerullo
on July 1, 2021
ISBN: 1943431639
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Sharks at Your Service combines fiction and non-fiction elements to present facts about sharks and show how they are helpful to the ocean ecosystem. We follow Marina as her dad takes her to the aquarium and she interacts with various aquarium staff who share shark factoids with her. On her way home, she imagines the ways that sharks have jobs in the ocean just as people do in the human world and what could be done to protect them.

This book provides some interesting facts about sharks and their role in the ocean and does garner empathy for the species. However, the formatting of the book has some issues. The juxtaposition of the illustrations with the photographs is off putting. There are large walls of text on many pages which may possibly work for the 3rd-6th grade age group this book is supposedly targeted for, but not for the age group I think would be most interested in it. Marina’s thought experiment on her drive home doesn’t quite make the impact it was attempting. Overall, good information, unsuccessful execution.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

 

three-stars

Helping Hospital: A Community Helpers Book

Helping Hospital: A Community Helpers BookHelping Hospital by Lindsay Ward
Published by HarperCollins Publishers on October 19, 2021
ISBN: 9780063081390
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars
This introduction to a hospital, filled with modern technology and  diversity, in the vein of Richard Scarry’s Busy, Busy World, will help readers see that the hospital isn’t a scary place. Unfortunately, there is almost too much information and the look is very busy. The reader can become easily overwhelmed. I think the difference between this and Scarry’s books is that there is lack of white space and perhaps too much information is provided. Is it really necessary to describe 14 different types of nurses? While eating lunch in the hospital cafeteria, the mommy goes into labor and then off to the maternity ward. There is a lot of informative things in the book and I support its intent. The book includes a glossary, counting prompts, and search-and-find elements that makes this book interactive.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Mambo Mucho Mambo! the Dance that crossed color lines

Mambo Mucho Mambo! the Dance that crossed color lines¡Mambo Mucho Mambo! the Dance That Crossed Color Lines by Dean Robbins, Eric Velásquez
Published by Candlewick Press on November 2, 2021
ISBN: 1536206083
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Recommending for Cream of the Crop Consideration.  This non-fiction picture book hits all the right beats and rhythms for an introduction to the historical significance of the Mambo for young readers in grades 1-3.  Set in Spanish Harlem in the 1940’s, Robbins provides an overview of the birth of Latin Jazz and how dancing mambo at the Palladium Ballroom broke the race rules of the 40’s.  Millie loved to dance to jazz music in her Italian neighborhood and Pedro snapped and jiggled to the Latin songs in his Puerto Rican Neighborhood.  When they meet at the Palladium and dance to Machito and the Afro-Cuban’s in 1948, they find their future as the United States’ best Mambo dance team as a mixed-race couple.  Velasquez’s oil paint illustrations show movement, expression, energy and will inspire readers to yell “Mambo!”.  Robbins provides the minimal amount of text to explain the difficult race relations of that time period which marries well with the energy of the full page spreads.  An author’s note and resource list is provided in the back.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

 

five-stars

16 Words: William Carlos Williams & “The Red Wheelbarrow”

16 Words: William Carlos Williams & “The Red Wheelbarrow”16 Words: William Carlos Williams and "The Red Wheelbarrow" by Chuck Groenink, Lisa Jean Rogers
Published by Schwartz & Wade, Schwartz & Wade Books on September 24, 2019
ISBN: 152472016X
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Absolutely fabulous book about a true to life person who was a physician and a poet. This book is a fictionalized (somewhat) version of how the doctor wrote his most famous poem. Wonderful illustrations and wonderful story that  children are sure to enjoy.

Recommended for ages 5 to 10

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

five-stars