Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure

The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater TreasureThe Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure by Barb Rosenstock, Jamey Christoph
Published by Random House Children's Books on 2024
ISBN: 0593374355
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Learning about the formation of the Great Lakes, and their importance in the ecosystem through this informational picture book was entertaining. The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure opens with a double-page spread of a map of North America, and a conversational narrative that engages the reader immediately: “Can you find them on this map? The Great Lakes . . . . .  How did they get there?” 

Also helpful are the combination of concrete numbers and vivid comparisons, to help readers wrap their heads around the scope of the subject. It is well researched, with a balance of important and interesting facts about the Great Lakes that young readers will love to share.

The accompanying  watercolor illustrations are pleasant and usually support the information presented, but aren’t a strong contribution. This could be a good read-aloud for middle grade students learning about geographical features. Recommended for larger library collections.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS, Young School Librarian, Saco

four-stars

Come and Join Us! 18 holidays Celebrated All Year Long

Come and Join Us! 18 holidays Celebrated All Year LongCome and Join Us!: 18 Holidays Celebrated All Year Long by Chaaya Prabhat, Liz Kleinrock
Published by Harper on Oct. 17, 2023
ISBN: 9780063144477
Genres: Cultural / African American, Holiday, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
The author explains in a note at the end of the book that she wants “to encourage people who celebrate what I call ‘dominant culture holidays’ to be inclusive and respectful of holidays beyond their own” and she accomplishes this goal admirably. The text for each holiday names a child of that culture then gives examples of ways they celebrate their respective holidays which occur throughout the year. Riotously colorful illustrations show examples of clothing, food, and activities for each holiday. Some of the celebrations include Holi (Hindu), Passover (Jewish), Juneteenth (African-American), and Obon (Japanese), as well as many others.

Throughout the book, the themes that join all these holidays are the gathering of communities and the joy of celebrating together, via parades, dances, feasts, and other events. The glossary at the end of the book defines terms that may be unfamiliar to readers. This book provides a colorful, joyful glimpse into other cultures and would serve as an excellent starting point for further conversation. (Ages 4-8)

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

four-stars

Cosmic Wonder: Halley’s Comet and Humankind

Cosmic Wonder: Halley’s Comet and HumankindCosmic Wonder: Halley's Comet and Humankind by Ashley Benham Yazdani
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536223239
Genres: Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
First recorded traveling overhead in 240 BCE, Halley’s Comet returns every seventy-six years. In this book, Halley’s Comet is depicted as an anthropomorphized shining orb with a long, flowing tail, with the landscapes that change over the years.  From C. 200,000 years ago to 13th-century Mongol warriors charging down a hill (1222) until two children (one dark-skinned, one light-skinned) watch from a beach beneath an industrial city in 1986, when the comet was barely visible in the smoke-filled sky. She asks what will the Earth be like in 2061 when Halley’s Comet next returns? The illustrations are lovely with the comet lighting the landscapes through the years. However, the reader may be disappointed that the book is less about the comet and more about humankind. Author and illustrator Benham-Yazdani does explain who Edmond Halley was and the back pages explain comets along with an Author’s Note and Bibliography. Ages 7-10.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Thank you, Moon: Celebrating Nature’s Nightlight

Thank you, Moon: Celebrating Nature’s NightlightThank You, Moon: Celebrating Nature's Nightlight by Jessica Lanan, Melissa Stewart
ISBN: 0593435079
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
In a series of thank-yous paired with brief notes on nature, Stewart highlights the influence of the moon on wildlife and the only known instance of direct lunar influence on a plant – the moon stimulates joint pines to exude a sticky sap to draw pollinators when it’s full in July. Towards the end of the book, a brown-skinned child appreciates the beauty of Earth’s only natural satellite. At the end, there is a schematic explanation of lunar phases and  information about the animals and plant that readers encountered earlier in the book. The pictures are rather dark, understandably because it depicts nighttime, making this book a better choice for one-to-one reading rather to a group. Ages 5-7.

Barb Rehmeyer. Liberty Library

four-stars

Think Like a Goat: The Wildly Smart Ways Animals Communicate, Cooperate and Innovate

Think Like a Goat: The Wildly Smart Ways Animals Communicate, Cooperate and InnovateThink Like a Goat: The Wildly Smart Ways Animals Communicate, Cooperate and Innovate by Alexander Mostov, Lisa Deresti Betik
Published by Kids Can Press on October 3, 2023
ISBN: 1525304550
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
The unique intelligence of all kinds of creatures are featured. Scientists are discovering that many other animals besides humans have smarts that might surprise us. Celebrating many animal varieties, Betik covers four broad categories of intelligence: communication, social learning and cooperation, problem-solving and memory, and emotional intelligence. Easily readable in bite-size chunks with colorful illustrations. The content is supported by a glossary, an index and suggested sources for further reading. Recommended for all libraries for 8-10 year olds.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Cantora: Mercedes Sosa, the Voice of Latin America

Cantora: Mercedes Sosa, the Voice of Latin AmericaCantora: Mercedes Sosa, the Voice of Latin America by Melisa Fernández Nitsche
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on 9/12/2023
ISBN: 0593645979
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
A solid picture book biography of Argentinian singer Mercedes Sosa for readers in grades 1-3. The book starts with her childhood when she first discovers the power of her voice and moves readers through her escalating fame and her increasing influence with the people of Argentina who were protesting a tyrannical regime. As the book is written for children, the book does not get into any detail about the political climate but makes it clear that the government did not approve of her music and even put her in jail. The book avoids the word exile at first explaining that Sosa had to “flee to Europe” but then does mention that “Three years in exile felt endless…”. The book focuses on the power of Sosa’s songs and the emotions evoked by her presence and her voice. The palette of reds and browns, purple, grey, and ochre is subdued and peaceful, even when dealing with the strife happening throughout Argentina. The author’s note explains the influence Sosa’s music had on her childhood and offers back matter with an extensive timeline, glossary of Spanish phrases, a playlist, and bibliography. A photo of Sosa would have been a welcome addition to that back matter. A thoughtful biography about a lesser-known Latinx icon for an American audience.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

four-stars

Champion Chompers, Super Stinkers and Other Poems by Extraordinary Animals

Champion Chompers, Super Stinkers and Other Poems by Extraordinary AnimalsChampion Chompers, Super Stinkers and Other Poems by Extraordinary Animals by Aparna Varma, Linda Ashman
on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 1525303503
Genres: Animals, Humor, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
Champion Chompers, Super Stinkers and Other Poems is a collection of poems celebrating the extraordinary features of different animals. The format of this book is fantastic; and it will keep the reader turning pages until the end. The poems about the animals are located on one page and the reader must turn the page to learn what the name of the animal is and what their extraordinary skill is. Examples of the extraordinary skills include: Fastest Flyer, Best Engineer, Most Well-Traveled, Deepest-Dwelling Fish, Stinkiest Animal, etc.

The penciled illustrations are beautiful and eye-catching, giving the reader just a hint of who the animal is on the page with the poem, so when you turn the page you get the full illustration of the animal in their habitat and what their skill is. Very educational with the delight of rhyming poetry, and an added informational paragraph for older readers. Highly recommend this for any library’s poetry collection. Recommended for ages anywhere from 4-10. Five Stars!

five-stars

Creep, Leap, Crunch!: A Food Chain Story

Creep, Leap, Crunch!: A Food Chain StoryCreep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story by Christopher Silas Neal, Jody Jensen Shaffer
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 2023
ISBN: 9780593565520
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
Soft, full-color illustrations accompany fun, rhyming text that builds the steps of a temperate deciduous forest food chain in a style similar to “The House that Jack Built”, starting with the rising sun and leading all the way up to the black bear. Along the way, all the animals appear to succeed in their food acquisitions, but then the book takes a fun twist and turns the tables. All the food gets away! The book concludes with a glossary. This book would be excellent for story times, and makes for a simple, exciting introduction to natural food chains. It is recommended for 4-8 year olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

five-stars

Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World: The Story of Two Groundbreaking Environmental Artists

Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World: The Story of Two Groundbreaking Environmental ArtistsChristo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World: The Story of Two Groundbreaking Environmental Artists by Elizabeth Haidle, G. Neri
Published by Candlewick Press on April 18, 2023
ISBN: 1536216615
Pages: 48
Genres: Arts, Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
This is the story of how controversial artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude met, married, and started creating their art together. Their philosophy was that “Art [was] supposed to make you see things differently” therefore, much of their early art involved wrapping objects of varying sizes to obscure what was inside.  After moving to the United States, the couple created The Wall of Oil Barrels (1962), a wrapped Medieval Tower (1968), and even wrapped the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago (1969). They started wrapping natural objects, adding an Ocean Front (1974) and Wrapped Trees (1998) to their accomplishments. One of their best-known projects was The Gates (2005) that consisted of a park full of flowing fabric gates. Full color illustrations throughout the book add life to the text. A note at the end of the text explains that the artists never accepted public money to create their works. They also never charged anyone to experience their works. Because all their installations were temporary, they were each treated as an event.  The author  includes a list of Fun Facts and a Bibliography at the end of the book. Intended for ages 6-9 years old.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

three-stars

Good Books for Bad Children: The Genius of Ursula Nordstrom

Good Books for Bad Children: The Genius of Ursula NordstromGood Books for Bad Children: The Genius of Ursula Nordstrom by Beth Kephart, Chloe Bristol
Published by Random House Children's Books on September 19, 2023
ISBN: 0593379578
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
We have Ursula Nordstrom to thank for countless children’s classics and we get to learn more about her in this fun and brightly illustrated biography. After working her way up through various editorial positions, Nordstrom became Harper’s first female vice president. It’s easy to see how she excelled at her job; she was warm. energetic, and keenly in tune with what kids want to read.

Those familiar with mid-twentieth century classic children’s literature will enjoy recognizing the books featured in the illustrations. Those unfamiliar will still admire Nordstrom’s contribution as an editor. There is a repetition of the message that Nordstrom “never forgot what it was like to be a child” which is admirable but not necessarily something that will speak to a young reader, especially if they have not read the books that are referenced. The  book will most likely appeal more to adult readers than it will to kids, but it’s  very good and I would add it to a collection anyway.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars