Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

The Gravity Tree: The True Story of a Tree That Inspired the World

The Gravity Tree: The True Story of a Tree That Inspired the WorldThe Gravity Tree: The True Story of a Tree That Inspired the World by Anna Crowley Redding, Yasmin Imamura
Published by HarperCollins on May 25, 2021
ISBN: 9780062967367
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The book begins in the 1600s with the apple tree that inspired Isaac Newton to discover the theory of gravity. Later scientists Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking sat under the same tree. Parts of the tree were used for a carriage for the Queen of England and even traveled into outer space. I was most intrigued by the back matter which described how you can visit the still standing tree in England outside Isaac Newton’s childhood home. This informative book creates a tangible link between history and science and has a beautiful message about the potential we all have inside of us to make discoveries. Back matter contains brief bios of Newton, Einstein, and Hawkins. The author lives in Maine.

five-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: 9780062849304
Pages: 34
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An inspiring picture book biography of little known female astronomer Williamina Fleming, who helped lay the foundation for modern astronomy at the Harvard College Observatory. It begins with Flemings’s early life and budding curiosity. As she grew, she faced several hardships, such as the death of her beloved father,  the disappearance of her husband after immigrating to the United States, becoming a single parent, and working as a maid. Her job as a maid for Professor Pickering, the director of the Harvard College Observatory, recognized Fleming’s intelligence and gave her a chance to replace one of the professor’s male assistants, who was making mistakes in his mathematical calculations. She became one of several women hired by the observatory as “human computers.” Includes an author’s note, a timeline, and a bibliography. There seems an incompatibility with the picture book format and the sophisticated content, and I doubt children will find it without an adult’s influence. Nonetheless, a compelling story and a fine addition to STEM studies and women’s history.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

North & South: A Tale of Two Hemispheres

North & South: A Tale of Two HemispheresNorth and South: A Tale of Two Hemispheres by Sandra Morris
Published by Candlewick Press on July 6, 2021
ISBN: 978-1536204599
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The book begins with an introduction that explains the two hemispheres and how weather differs between the two. Following are 2-page spreads for each month describing different animal’s habitats, life cycle, diet, and other information such as their conservation status in both the northern and southern hemispheres. The lovely watercolor illustrations and maps encourage children to study the pages. There is a comprehensive Index and Glossary at the back. One criticism is that the featured animals are primarily from North America and Australia. Perhaps this is because the author lives in New Zealand.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

My First Book of Paris

My First Book of ParisMy First Book of Paris by Ingela P. Arrhenius
Published by Walker Books US on April 20, 2021
ISBN: 153621518X
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

What a pleasure for families traveling abroad, art teachers introducing Parisian culture or students researching for a school assignment.  My First Book of Paris is a sight to see, the illustrations are fantastic in their detail offering a view of individual cultural neighborhood locations, historic places and people, as well as French foods.  This book brings to mind the Richard Scary books of my children’s childhood years where many illustrations and few words offered entertaining for hours.  Using lots of white space, color, and a variety of characters Arrhenius offers children a view of one of the world’s most beautiful cities.  Any reader will find parts of the city which enchant them and may well influence a trip to Paris in the future.

Many K – grade 3 students will be delighted to find this book available in their school media center.  Art teachers of any grade level will find it useful for teaching drawing structures, shading, and depth perception.  Public librarians should consider adding this to their non-fiction picture book collection.  Families with French heritage or those planning a trip to France will benefit from the purchase of My First Book of Paris.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME.

four-stars

Go Wild: Pandas

Go Wild: PandasGo Wild! Pandas by Margie Markarian
Published by National Geographic Kids on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 1426371608
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is the Pandas edition of National Geographic’s Go Wild series. These picture books are loaded with information and phenomenal images. This book features maps to show where pandas are found as well as information about their growth, diet, habitats, and more. The book ends with information about environmental threats to pandas and the conservation efforts to preserve the species.

Recommended for readers 4 and up. Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Go Wild: Sea Turtles

Go Wild: Sea TurtlesSea Turtles by Jill Esbaum
Published by National Geographic Kids on April 1, 2021
ISBN: 1426371586
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is the Sea Turtle edition of National Geographic’s Go Wild series. These books are picture books with loads of information and phenomenal images. The book covers sea turtles of all types and compares and contrasts their different features. There are maps showing the ranges of the different species so readers can see who they may encounter in local waters.

Recommended for readers 4 and up. Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Look what I found in the woods

Look what I found in the woodsLook What I Found in the Woods by Jesús Verona, Moira Butterfield
Published by Nosy Crow on April 20, 2021
ISBN: 1536217239
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book takes readers on a woods adventure with a diverse group of kids, exploring all the different aspects of the woods and what you can find in them. Each page is full of information about the natural world—leaf types, trees, animals, and more. There are search-and-finds peppered throughout and every other page has a list of different things to find in nature. This book will surely inspire young explorers to notice even more about the world around them. The digitally rendered illustrations are colorful and very detailed. At times, they feel a bit busy but it works for this book given the exploration theme.

Recommended for readers 4 and up, this is a book you can revisit many times over. Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

What are little Girls made of?

What are little Girls made of?What Are Little Girls Made Of?: Nursery Rhymes to Empower Young Feminists by Isabelle Follath, Jeanne Willis
Published by Nosy Crow on February 4, 2021
ISBN: 1536217336
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This nonfiction picture book for readers in grades 2-4 reimages some popular nursery rhymes from a feminist and non-gender affirming point of view.   Girls are made of “sun and rain and heart and brain” and boys much the same.  Little Jade Horner is found in her striped pajamas creating spaceships to send her teddies to Mars.  Georgie Porgie is sent on his way after being told by the girl “don’t kiss me unless I say!”  Little Miss Muffet enjoys ham and eggs and pets the spider’s furry legs when he joins her.  Some of the rhymes may not be as familiar and some of the song cadences may be changed slightly with the re-imagined version, but they all work for a new generation.  The final rhyme entitled “Girls and Boys, Come out to play” support play that doesn’t conformed to gender stereotypes.  The layout provides one and two rhymes per two-page spread with mix media illustrations featuring muted pinks and greys.

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

five-stars

I Am Not a Penguin: A Pangolin’s Lament

I Am Not a Penguin: A Pangolin’s LamentI Am Not a Penguin: A Pangolin's Lament by Liz Wong
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on January 19, 2021
ISBN: 9780593127407
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Pangolin tries to explain who he is, but all the other animals keep getting him confused with the more popular penguin. Told mostly with speech bubbles and amusing confusion. The most interesting part of the book was the fact sheets in the back of the book. An introduction for kids about this little known animal. A missed opportunity in that a photograph of an actual pangolin was not included.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars