Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist

Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First PaleontologistDinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist by Linda Skeers, Marta Álvarez Miguéns
Published by Sourcebooks, Inc. on July 7, 2020
ISBN: 172820951X
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Mary Anning was unique for her time, having lived in the first half of the 1800’s. She was curious, observant, and perseverant in her quest for knowledge and recognition of her dinosaur fossils and bones discoveries. 

Text include many descriptive phrases, such as “scrambled over crumbling cliffs” and repeats the theme that Mary wasn’t afraid. The author wasn’t shy about describing bezoar stone:  fossilized poop! Full-color, digitally painted illustrations by Marta Alvarez Miguens are mostly double-page spreads and show enough dinosaur bones to grab younger reader’s attention.  Backmatter includes a proportional timeline (including a few details not described in the text), author’s note, and bibliography.

Additional but worthy purchase where collections need updating or don’t include Laurence Anholt’s “Stone Girl, Bone Girl” (1999) or “Mary Anning and the Sea Dragon” by Jeannine Atkins (1999). All three of these have inviting titles, but only Skeers’ book lists Mary Anning as being named “One of the ten most influential British women of science” by the Royal Society of London since that happened in 2010.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Equality’s Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America

Equality’s Call: The Story of Voting Rights in AmericaEquality's Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America by Deborah Diesen, Magdalena Mora
on February 18, 2020
ISBN: 1534439587
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Rhyming text briefly introduces the history of America’s legislative changes to voting rights since its founding. It recognizes the Founding Father’s intentions, and briefly explains why they need updating and revisiting.  Repetition of the phrase “a right isn’t right till it’s granted to all” invites readers to investigate other civil rights laws.

The clever illustrations (Madgalena Mora) show a classroom of students being taught this history. As time marches on, so do those seeking more privileges, and the number of marchers increases. Backmatter describes a few citizenship and voting legislative acts, and a list of voting rights activists, which includes abolitionists, social reformers, politicians, and even George Washington. There is a difference from various sources concerning the year Native Americans got the vote; the year Diesel listed does not match my other sources.

Recommended for middle-upper elementary to introduce voting rights but would need considerable discussion of concepts like ‘franchise’, the importance of various Constitutional amendments, and the connection between citizenship and voting rights. The children shown in the illustrations who are studying this issue seem a bit young for the audience who would understand or be studying this topic.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Rocket Science

Rocket ScienceRocket Science: A Beginner's Guide to the Fundamentals of Spaceflight by Andrew Rader, Galen Frazer
Published by Candlewick Press on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 153620742X
Pages: 64
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This nonfiction picture book is perfect for the budding space scientist or those looking for a bird’s eye view of the science behind space travel. The text is informative without being overwhelming. The digitally rendered illustrations are colorful and help bring some context to the facts presented. They’re colorful and will engage young readers. This is a great launching point for further research into space and space flight. The back pages include a glossary and a list of links for further reading. Recommended for space explorers 5 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Tiny Monsters

Tiny MonstersTiny Monsters: The Strange Creatures That Live On Us, In Us, and Around Us by Robin Page, Steve Jenkins
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on November 17, 2020
ISBN: 0358307112
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This nonfiction picture book highlights small organisms that live in, on, and around humans. The subtitle is a bit misleading in that many of the animals found in the book live on the forest floor. Other than that misnomer, this is a great book that kids will enjoy. The illustrations are detailed and colorful, and each illustration is accompanied by an image of the actual size of the creature (sometimes just a dot because they’re so small) as well as the magnification scale of the drawing. This detail will help kids with perspective. Throughout the book, I wished there was information about where in the world each organism was found, and that information (and a little bit more) is included in the back pages. Overall, it is a fun exploration of often ignored or completely unknown organisms. From the more common mosquito to the little known eyelash mite, there’s something to pique the interest of most young readers. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Breaking the Ice: The True Story of the First Woman to Play in the National Hockey League

Breaking the Ice: The True Story of the First Woman to Play in the National Hockey LeagueBreaking the Ice: The True Story of the First Woman to Play in the National Hockey League by Angie Bullaro, C.F. Payne
Published by Simon Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books on October 20, 2020
ISBN: 1534425578
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Score another goal for the girls! Inspiring story of following one’s dreams with determination even when they say, “It can’t be done.” Canadian Manon Rheaume becomes the only female to play in the National Hockey League, or any of the four major North American leagues.

Pane’s slightly caricature style is here on large, double-page spreads with text carefully placed. Afterword, Time Line, and Fun Facts round out the details of Manon’s life and dreams fulfilled.

Great to use with elementary students and excellent addition to any female studies or sports section.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of SoulR-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul by Carole Boston Weatherford, Frank Morrison
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers on August 25, 2020
ISBN: 1534452281
Pages: 48
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Whether you’re a music lover or civil-rights defender, you’ll find this inspirational overview of Aretha Franklin’s life a meaningful and inspirational read.

Narrative poetry is always a challenge, but here it works as smoothly and rhythmically as Franklin’s voice itself. Using the spelling out of words method, each two-line stanza is headed with an important word: B-L-E-S-S-E-D, G-I-F-T-E-D, V-O-I-C-E, etc.  This book could only be improved with it’s own soundtrack and a few photos.

Illustrations (Frank Morrison) are big and bold, reflecting the big and bold influence of Aretha Franklin in real life.

Another book to add to your women, Black history, or music shelves for middle and upper elementary levels!

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

Lord Help Me Inspiring Prayers for every day

Lord Help Me Inspiring Prayers for every dayLord Help Me: Inspiring Prayers for Every Day by Brenda Figueroa, Emme Muñiz
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0593120086
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is a picture book, for pre-3 grade,  features a young girl who prays throughout her day.  Written from the point of view of a child, inferring that it is Emme’s voice, she asks the Lord to help her with basic daily tasks that a young person may encounter.  Getting ready for school when you feel rushed, paying attention in class, telling the truth, caring for her pets and getting along with her brother are simply stated and clearly illustrated on each two page spread.  The text or prayer then extends to a world view by saving sloths, flips back to the personal of being grateful and then switches to taking care of the world.  The prayer ends, as the girl ends her day, with a standard thanks to Jesus and a request for calming to fall asleep easily.  The end papers includes the standard “Now I lay me down to sleep” prayer and a note from Emme, who is twelve and the daughter of celebrity parents, about why she wrote this book.  Figueroa’s illustrations provide a few extra details to the topic by adding a sloth or two on most pages.  Although the book does not have a stand out quality, it will be useful for discussions about prayer in various Christian settings due to the honest portrayal of various child struggles.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

three-stars

Crossings :Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals

Crossings :Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary AnimalsCrossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals by Katy S. Duffield, Mike Orodan
Published by Beach Lane Books on October 13, 2020
ISBN: 1534465790
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

With more and more interactions between animals and humans due to urban sprawl, animals are losing ways to migrate safely, be it across a road or a country. Author Duffield, upon reading an article about an underpass built specifically to aid and protect the endangered Florida panther, began to research other ways of safely delivering all sorts of animals from one area to another. World wide, crossings have been built – be they tunnels, bridges, and  overpasses to aid and protect many kinds of animals . Duffield has partnered with illustrator Mike Orodan to bring this story to young readers and future engineers and animal activists.

Simple text with side bars for those wanting more information are found on  facing pages of large vivid illustrations done with  graphite pencils and adobe photoshop that draw the reader in. They  are there watching elephants going through tunnels  in Kenya, and Fairy penguins using tunnels in New Zealand, bridges for millions of red crabs to cross safely in Australia, and tight rope bridges for the Titi monkey in Costa Rica. Because of dedicated activists urging these crossings to be built, countless animals have been saved. Younger readers can “read” the information through these large  vibrant , detailed illustrations.

This non fiction offering is both beautiful to look at and relevant and inspiring. It is a book  much needed if humans and animals are to co-exist on this planet.

Pair it with Faraway Fox by Jolene Thompson and Wild Bridges and Buildings  by Etta Kanter that explains how humans have borrowed various  forms of architecture from animals to make life better and safer.

all ages can benefit from this book

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray Maine

consider for Cream

five-stars

Dinosaurs are not extinct

Dinosaurs are not extinctDinosaurs Are Not Extinct: Real Facts About Real Dinosaurs by Drew Sheneman
Published by HarperCollins on October 20, 2020
ISBN: 0062972340
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is a funny and educational look at dinosaurs and their bird descendants. It’s loaded with facts but totally accessible to younger readers. The humor interjected throughout will keep kids engaged and giggling. There is standard text as well as speech bubbles, so the flow of the text may be a bit challenging for the youngest readers but this is a good place to start learning that skill. The illustrations are highly emotive, very colorful, and really enhance the text. Hand this book to kids who love dinosaurs, humor, and science in general. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

If You Want to Visit a Sea Garden

If You Want to Visit a Sea GardenIf You Want to Visit a Sea Garden by Kay Weisman, Roy Henry Vickers
Published by Groundwood Books on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1554989701
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Come for the art, stay for the text! Sea gardens, also known as clam gardens, are best appreciated early in the morning during low tide. This book refers to those gardens in the Pacific Northwest, and the beautiful, silhouette art in deep, pure, rich colors by local Roy Henry Vickers subtly depicts his Indigenous people of the area. The backmatter explains the science; the text lures the reader to come, explore, and appreciate these man-made walls that protect and provide a nourishing environment for clams and other edible sea life to flourish. 

Great introduction to the Pacific Northwest Peoples, or man-made attempts at sea life preservation, ecosystems, or for an art lesson with middle elementary ages.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars