Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Welcome to Florida; Welcome to Texas; Welcome to Arizona

Welcome to Florida; Welcome to Texas; Welcome to ArizonaWelcome to Florida (Welcome To) by Asa Gilland
Published by Doubleday Books on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 9780593178256
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A series of picture books about each US state. Each book contains information about the state’s animals, plants, regions, food, people, customs, and fun places to visit. No author or authority is provided. Asa Gilland is the illustrator and her cutesy, cartoonish drawings are bright and amusing. There is not enough information for research, but preschoolers to 7-year olds from each state and those who’d like to visit the state will enjoy the illustrations and fact-filled picture books.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-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: 0062849301
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

Williamina Stevens  Fleming, a woman whose love of the stars and determination to study them is the focus of Kathryn Lasky’s latest book. Fleming , daughter of a Scottish photographer was fascinated by her father’s work and the stars. She worked in the household of Professor Edward  Pickering, director of the Harvard College Observatory, and became his student. With her background in photography, she was able to identify the chemical elements of each star that was photographed. She was  ultimately  able to create a map of the universe.  Pickering, so impressed, hired more women to compute the light of stars at a time when women were not even permitted to look through the lens of a telescope. In 1898, she was appointed curator of astronomical photographs , the first woman to be given an official title at Harvard University. Her work and that of her fellow “human computers” paved the way not only for women but for the advancement of astronomy.

Lasky introduces Williamina’s story  with text easily understandable and that text is supported by bright , inviting illustrations done in pencil and watercolor. She has also included a time line, author’s note and glossary.

Use this in units about astronomy, women in science and Women’s History Month

grades 3-6

submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray Maine

Consider for Cream

 

111 Trees: How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girl

111 Trees: How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girl111 Trees by Rina Singh
Published by Kids Can Press on 2020
ISBN: 9781525301209
Pages: 36
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This inspiring books tells the story of Sundar, the head of the small village Piplantri in India. After losing his mother, daughter and environment to poverty, deforestation and dehydration, Sundar makes the radical decision to plant 111 trees for every baby girl born in the village. It’s a hard sell at first as traditionally the birth of a girl is met with silence while the birth of a boy is met with celebration but he perseveres and convinces the village to try it. His plan is genius; girls and boys start being treated equally, water and food are returned to the area and the village and villagers prosper. The plan returns balance to the surroundings. Not only is this an uplifting story with beautiful illustrations, it’s a great introduction to eco-feminism for kids.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick

four-stars

Birds

BirdsNature All Around: Birds by Carolyn Gavin, Pamela Hickman
Published by Kids Can Press on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1771388188
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This beautifully-illustrated nonfiction picture book packs a lot into 32 pages. Offering information about the general design, features, and habitats of birds, young readers will learn about feather structure, eggs, nests, and where birds go throughout the year. While specific birds are mentioned to illustrate a point, this book is not meant for use in studying specific birds. With it’s oversized pages and stunning illustrations, the book can be used in a classroom or by the budding bird-watcher. The book is part of the Nature All Around Series, which encourages kids to “hone their observation skills in order to appreciate the variety of wildlife that can be found right outside their front doors.” This title certainly has met this goal and author Hickman offers loads of fun facts and compelling write-ups. End matter includes information on how readers can help endangered birds, a bird feeder activity, a glossary, and an index. For grades 2-5.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

The Tale of the Mandarin Duck: A Modern Fable

The Tale of the Mandarin Duck: A Modern FableTale of the Mandarin Duck by Bette Midler, Joana Avillez, Michiko Kakutani
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on February 16, 2021
ISBN: 0593176766
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Bette Midler’s “The Tale of the Mandarin Duck: A Modern Fable” is a story about an unusual duck that found its way to NYC’s Central Park. The duck is so beautiful and different that people look up from their phones to see it and take photos. Photographs of NYC and the beautiful bird in the book are taken by Michiko Kakutani and are accompanied by black and white illustrations by Joana Avillez.

The two distinct styles of art in the book may seem a bit jarring at first, but eventually they complement each other in telling the story. The idea that we are missing out on things while burying our heads in our cellphones is not new, but the fact that this is based on a true story and the great artwork brings a uniqueness to the story.

For children age 4 to 10, this book is not a must-buy for your picture book collection, but would make a good additional purchase for large collections or for readers who love birds.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars

My bed: Enchanting ways to fall asleep around the world

My bed: Enchanting ways to fall asleep around the worldMy Bed: Enchanting Ways to Fall Asleep Around the World by Rebecca Bond, Salley Mavor
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on October 27, 2020
ISBN: 0544949064
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An unusual and creative book for bedtime that highlights the many sleeping traditions from around the globe.  Each spread begins with a bolded headline that provides a detail about the sleeping customs in that specific country. Next comes an embroidered image of an animal animal followed by  a brief explanation of the tradition. The amazing visuals that accompany the text are unique illustrations creating using fabric, beads, wire and yarn on embroidered fabric backgrounds. These outstanding visuals take up 2/3 of the page leaving 1/4 of the page to text.

This book provides a great resource for children to get a global perspective of what they have in common with other children and also how they are different. The fabric illustrations  are very rich and detailed and entice the reader to pore over the pages looking at the amazing artistry of the page. The back pages include a note about the stitching provided by the illustration.  A beautiful way to travel around the world and take a glimpse into children’s bedtime rituals. For children ages 4 to 7. A solid purchase for both schools and public libraries.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Children’s Librarian, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library — Kennebunkport, ME.

four-stars

The Lights & Types of Ships at Night

The Lights & Types of Ships at NightThe Lights and Types of Ships at Night by Annie Dills, Dave Eggers
Published by McSweeney's on October 20, 2020
ISBN: 1952119073
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

I’ve never wondered this before but is it possible to have illustrations be too good? So good that they maybe even detract, or at least distract, from the text? I guess it’s a good problem to have. The illustrations in this book are startling and I found myself begrudgingly reading  the text because I couldn’t wait  to get to the next page, which was a shame because the text is informative and has Eggers’ natural and easygoing sense of humor.  Each page is a different kind of water vessel at night, illuminated by their lights in the dark. Eggers describes each vessel’s function but the book is mostly about how majestic they all are. He’s right and it’s always nice to take a step back and think about the beauty of something we might take for granted.  The backdrop of stars on the pages makes each one look like some kind of glowing space ship, so Eggers’ text is helpful in bringing us back down to earth.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick

five-stars

Old Man and the Penguin: A True Story of True Friendship

Old Man and the Penguin: A True Story of True FriendshipThe Old Man and the Penguin: A True Story of True Friendship by Julie Abery, Pierre Pratt
Published by Kids Can Press on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 1525302086
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Penguins in Brazil. That might be the first amazing fact in this true story. Joao nurses him back to health, and tries to return him to the sea where he belongs. But the penguin comes back, so Joao gives him a name: Dindim, and gives him the freedom to be wild.

Illustrations by Pierre Pratt show various angles and views, giving the reader a fuller feel for the blues and greens of the Brazilian beach setting.. Sparse rhyming text does the story justice.

Pair with any books about Harry Goodridge and Andre the seal of Rockport, Maine, or narratives about oil-soaked animals being rescued or stories of penguins for early to middle elementary levels.

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

five-stars

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