Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Out of the Blue: How Animals Evolved from Prehistoric Seas

Out of the Blue: How Animals Evolved from Prehistoric SeasOut of the Blue: How Animals Evolved from Prehistoric Seas by Elizabeth Shreeve, Frann Preston-Gannon
Published by Candlewick Press on May 11, 2021
ISBN: 9781536214109
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Before the text begins, Elizabeth Shreeve cleverly has readers guess, among hippos, dolphins, and sharks, which two animals are the closest relatives? Shreeve, complimented by Preston-Gannon’s illustrations, impressively chronicles life on Earth from its beginning until mammals arrive on the planet. The kid-friendly text makes the subject entertaining and easy to follow. The time periods (noted at the bottom) and notes accompanying various creatures are a nice addition. This will surely be the go-to book for teachers and parents when teaching evolution.

The total package is simple and effective.—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

A book to be read over and over for its intriguing story, illustrations, and captions. —School Library Journal (starred review)

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Treemendous: Diary of a Not Yet Mighty Oak

Treemendous: Diary of a Not Yet Mighty OakTreemendous: Diary of a Not Yet Mighty Oak by Bridget Heos, Mike Ciccotello
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on March 9, 2021
ISBN: 9780525579366
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The CIP lists this as fiction, but I think I will put it in the nonfiction section of the library. Told in the diary entries of an acorn, this picture book follows a young acorn and its long life as an oak tree (yes, the acorn and tree have smiling faces and talk so I can see why it was considered fiction). But the text conveys basic simple science with clearly depicted root systems and labeled diagrams along with wry humor that is just right for new nonfiction readers. I recommend its use for teachers and parents of preschool and early elementary children when learning about plants in general and especially trees. I had no idea that oak trees didn’t start producing flowers and hence acorns until they were 20 years old. “Oh, my heartwood!”

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Bruno the Beekeeper

Bruno the BeekeeperBruno the Beekeeper: A Honey Primer by Aneta Františka Holasová
Published by Candlewick Press on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 1536214612
Pages: 80
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The subtitle of the book is A Honey Primer, and it is completely accurate. This is a long picture book that is full of information about honeybees, beekeeping, and bees in general. The book is separated into the four seasons and features information about what the bees and those who keep them do in each season. The watercolor illustrations are simply gorgeous and elevate the already wonderful nature of this book. Recommended for wide purchase and for readers of all ages. Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics

The Last Straw: Kids vs. PlasticsThe Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics by Christiane Engel, Susan Hood
Published by HarperCollins on February 16, 2021
ISBN: 9780062981394
Pages: 48
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a timely and factually augmented poetry collection to help kids (and adults) understand the dangers of plastic. I felt that the book tried to do too much and would have been stronger as an informational book as I found the poetry in different formats uninspiring. However the factual tidbits included on each spread were fascinating. (When I reviewed the book I said that the sources were not given however upon closer examination, I did find that were provided.) This is part of the problem with the book in that it is too busy with 13 pages of additional information provided as end pages. The bright, colorful illustrations are appealing and compliment the ideas presented. This could be combined with other books about the topic, such as Taming Plastic: Stop the Pollution by Albert Bates (2020) and Join the No-Plastic Challenge!: A First Book of Reducing Waste by Scot Ritchie (2019) for a theme study about this timely environmental issue. (I also think it was a missed an opportunity when choosing not to title the book “Are Plastics Fantastic?”)

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Combines

CombinesCombines by Kirsty Holmes
Published by Fusion Books on January 1, 2021
ISBN: 9781647475437
Pages: 24
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Part of Farmer Llama’s Farm Machines series. Farmer llama takes you on a tour of the farm as you learn all about combines. Reported reading age is 4-8 years, but the illustrations (appealing to a 4 year old) do not match the text (8+ year old). May have appeal in communities with many large farms or for children interested in large machines.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

two-stars

Maryam’s Magic: The Story of Mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani

Maryam’s Magic: The Story of Mathematician Maryam MirzakhaniMaryam's Magic: The Story of Mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani by Aaliya Jaleel, Megan Reid
Published by Balzer + Bray on January 19, 2021
ISBN: 0062915967
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Lovely in its presentation, Maryam’s Magic is both an inspiring and a satisfying read. This biography covers the life and accomplishments of a woman who may not be well known but readers will be glad to make her acquaintance.   As a child in Iran Maryam preferred storytelling and art to math yet she became inspired by geometry.  While young readers may not know much about geometry the delightful two-page spreads will satisfy their curiosity.

Perfect for the first biography assignment, this book is informative and full of imagery.  Gr 2-4 students will find enough information for an early book report and lots of intellectual stimulation for their own growing knowledge and math and science.   Primary school media centers need this in their STEM collection and public libraries should consider its addition to their early biography shelves.

Consider for Cream of the Crop

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

Earth Hour

Earth HourEarth Hour: A Lights-Out Event for Our Planet by Bao Luu, Nanette Heffernan
Published by Charlesbridge Publishing on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 1580899420
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

One of the most difficult parts of dealing with our climate crisis is explaining it to kids in a way that doesn’t make them shut down and feel helpless and overwhelmed (I suppose that’s true for everyone, not just kids). Earth Hour is about an event I had no idea existed but from now on my family will be taking part in it. Every year around the equinox in March, people across the world turn off their lights at 8:30 p.m. for one hour. It’s an international energy conserving effort that started in Sydney, Australia and has spread worldwide. I love that this simple act can unite us all and draw attention away from the sheer enormity of climate change and toward what we can do if we work together globally. More information at www.earthhour.org

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

All of Sudden and Forever

All of Sudden and ForeverAll of a Sudden and Forever: Help and Healing After the Oklahoma City Bombing by Chris Barton, Nicole Xu
Published by Carolrhoda Books (R) on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 1541526694
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Chris Barton uses a single American elm tree that withstood the devastation of the Oklahoma City bombing as the center of this book about grief and perseverance. The year after the bombing seedlings from the tree were started and eventually used for a memorial and for gifts given to those also grieving major losses. The seedlings continued to be propagated and became symbols for the strength of the human spirit. This book has sparse, but effective, text and minimal, but lovely, illustrations. It’s restrained and heart-wrenching and reverent.  I can only imagine how difficult it is to write a children’s book about grief, and especially one that embraces how long it can take for a single person, or a nation, to recover, but Chris Barton has done it beautifully here. This isn’t a book I would choose as an everyday read aloud but it has its place as a discussion starter or a comfort after a traumatic event.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free library, Bath

five-stars

Honeybee

HoneybeeHoneybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming, Eric Rohmann
Published by Neal Porter Books on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 0823442853
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This book fills me with absolute awe for honeybees. I thought I knew bees are busy and I thought I knew that they work altruistically and tirelessly for their entire, short, lives for the sake of the hive but, really, I had no idea. The book follows the life of one worker bee, Apis, as she emerges from larvae-hood and embarks on her journey. She immediately starts working and the book follows her from one task to the next and stresses how much work is accomplished before she even leaves the hive to look for nectar. This book is really fascinating and is beautifully illustrated. It’s perfect for younger grades but could also be used for slightly older students (4th-5th grade) looking to learn about bees.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Sprouting Wings: The True Story of James Herman Banning, the First African American Pilot to Fly Across the United States

Sprouting Wings: The True Story of James Herman Banning, the First African American Pilot to Fly Across the United StatesSprouting Wings: The True Story of James Herman Banning, the First African American Pilot to Fly Across the United States by Floyd Cooper, Louisa Jaggar, Shari Becker
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 1984847627
Pages: 48
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is the true story of James Herman Banning, the first African American pilot to fly across the country. Banning, a farm boy from Oklahoma, always dreamed of flying. After many struggles, he achieves a journey in an airplane that would span 3,300 miles, take twenty-one days, and inspire a nation. A well researched book, including Banning’s own writings and an interview with the aviator’s great-nephew, that is complemented by Floyd Cooper’s earth-toned dreamlike illustrations. This picture book biography content will appeal to fans of Hidden Figures and upper elementary and middle school students.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer. Liberty Library

four-stars