Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

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

Christina Koch: Astronaut and Engineer

Christina Koch: Astronaut and EngineerChristina Koch: Astronaut and Engineer by Rachel Rose
Published by Bearport Publishing on January 1, 2021
ISBN: 1647477166
Pages: 24
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Christina Koch:  Astronaut and Engineer

 

In the Bearport Biographies series are beginning reader books that combine amazing photographs and drawings with basic facts that will draw in readers looking to find out more.  Christina Koch wasn’t just a famous, brave astronaut, but she spent a winter studying at the South Pole.  Other books in the series cover the range from Michael Jordan to John Lewis.  At the end are an Index, Glossary, Timeline, and Resources to Find Out More in websites and books.  This series will be a fine introduction to nonfiction for young readers, but it’s not a Cream contender.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

three-stars

Split Up a Sandwich

Split Up a SandwichSplit Up a Sandwich by Shalini Vallepur
Published by Fusion Books on January 1, 2021
ISBN: 1647475260
Pages: 24
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Split Up a Sandwich

 

In the Deconstructed Diets series is Split Up a Sandwich by Shalini Vallepur.  This is a nonfiction picture book which gives some of the history of where the sandwich comes from as well as what is in it and what ingredients to watch out for, such as an abundance of salt.  The various ingredients are described as well as what makes up mayonnaise and mustard.  There are an abundance of photographs and drawings which add to the appeal.  Sandwiches from around the world are described and there is an instructive glossary.  Other books in this series cover everything from Pizza to Sushi.  This book provides an appealing introduction to nonfiction for the youngest readers, but it isn’t a Cream of the Crop choice.

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

three-stars

Do Your Best Every Day To Do Your Best Every Day

Do Your Best Every Day To Do Your Best Every DayDo Your Best Every Day to Do Your Best Every Day: Encouraging Words from John Cena by John Cena, Susanna Harrison
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on April 6, 2021
ISBN: 0593377222
Pages: 64
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
When not appearing on the silver screen in action movies, voicing beloved animated bulls, or otherwise entertaining, John Cena has taken to writing books for kids. In Do Your Best Every Day To Do Your Best Every Day each of the 58 pages is filled with tried and true motivational and inspirational sayings. Somehow Cena manages to make each feel new, which is partly attributed to Susanna Harrison’s whimsical illustrations. Inclusive and diverse depictions of people dreaming, achieving, and finding joy will be appealing to kids of all ages. Each encouragement celebrates who they are and supports their aspirations to be the best they can be. 3rd grade and up.

 

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, District Elementary Librarian, RSU #17 (Oxford Hills)

four-stars

Nano: The Spectacular Science of the Very (Very) Small

Nano: The Spectacular Science of the Very (Very) SmallNano: The Spectacular Science of the Very (Very) Small by Jess Wade, Melissa Castrillón
Published by Candlewick Press on September 15, 2021
ISBN: 9781536217667
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
This book introduces readers to the tiny building blocks that explain atoms, the elements, and other essential science concepts. Some explanations are very clear, e.g “tiny ” doesn’t just mean “litte” – it means more than a quintillion times smaller than a grain of sand. While others left me wanting more of an explanation, e.g. how did someone separate one layer from graphite to create graphene and why is it so strong? “If you made a tightrope out of graphene, an elephant could walk along it without breaking it.”  I also have mixed feelings about Melissa Castrillón’s pencil and digitally colored muted illustrations. Overall,  nanoscience is certainly a fascinating field, and this is an excellent introduction for getting young children interested in science and the the work of scientists.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Peace Train

Peace TrainPeace Train by Cat Stevens, Peter H. Reynolds
Published by HarperCollins on May 11, 2021
ISBN: 0063053993
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars
A young child, accompanied by their guitar, their cat, and two birds hop aboard the Peace Train as it travels the land, picking up a diverse group of people as it goes while spreading a message of hope and world peace.

This is a picture book adaptation of Cat Stevens’ song, “Peace Train”, recorded in the 1970’s. One line of the song graces each page along with the vibrant illustrations typical of Reynolds. The illustrations complement the lyrics as they start off as a purple-blue hue that gradually turns from early morning into a bright blazing yellow day. There is a shift back to darkness when the lyrics about sadness and hate come into play, but as the lyrics turn back to hope, we return to a brighter, rainbow pallet.

The humans were drawn to show diversity in race and culture, though I found the attempts at physical ability diversity to be lacking. Between the cover and the pages, I located six people in wheelchairs and one person with a single crutch. I think that representation could stand to be stronger.

Includes an author’s note from Cat Stevens.

There is a sweet message here that would likely make a bigger impact when paired with the audio. Ages 4-8.

 

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

three-stars

Rainforests

RainforestsNational Geographic Readers: Rainforests (Level 2) by Andrea Silen
Published by National Geographic Kids on October 5, 2021
ISBN: 9781426338380
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Part of series “National Geographic Readers” (Level 2 Reading Independently – for kids who are ready for longer sentences and more complex vocabulary.) Stunning, captivating photos and text describe the layers of rainforests, the difference between temperate and tropical rainforests, and the amazing animals that live in these important ecosystems. Reliable information and solid execution that could be used for beginning research. Quiz in the back.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars