Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Ready to Fly

Ready to FlyReady to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina by A. LaFaye, Jessica Gibson, Lea Lyon, Sylvia Townsend
Published by HarperCollins on January 28, 2020
ISBN: 0062888781
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

 

An enchanted family tale staring a little girl who wants to learn ballet.   This is a biography about Sylvia Robertson Townsend who grew up poor in goods and wealthy in family love and support.  Told in rich and distinctive text by first time author Lea Lyon is the story of Sylvia’s childhood desire to dance.  Her personal story is shared with authors Lyon and LaFaye who bring the character to life.   Gibson’s illustrations add sparkle to the storyline.  Period clothing and household technology do not date the book, they add to the richness of the content and help expose the racism of the period. Colors are lavishly used and movement is throughout.

It may have taken a small group to write, illustrate, and produce this book but the completed picture book is a quality product.   All young girls who dream of flying (be it performing arts, sports or academics) will be reassured that they are capable.  All it takes is interest, practice, supportive parents, and a local helpful librarian.   An added plus is the short history of the bookmobile, many children may be hearing about this institution for the first time.  Add to all primary school media centers and to every public library as this book is lovely and faces issues of our past and present.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

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

five-stars

Chowder Rules! The True Story of an Epic Food Fight

Chowder Rules! The True Story of an Epic Food FightChowder Rules!: The True Story of an Epic Food Fight by Anna Crowley Redding, Vita Lane
Published by Islandport Press on October 13, 2020
ISBN: 1944762825
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

Which is better: Manhattan Clam Chowder or New England Clam Chowder? That question has been argued for decades. Mainer Cleveland Sleeper, Jr., thought there was only one way to enjoy the traditional comfort-style  milky broth. But when people from New York City tossed in tomatoes, Cleveland saw red, and called it vegetable soup. He sought to have a law passed, but failing that, he proposed a culinary duel. And the winner was….

Great imagery and prose: “…it was the entire stature of Maine in a single bite…”

Full color illustrations show many of Maine’s famous icons, and perspective is given by including a map of the United States, and having the Statue of Liberty hoisting a tomato atop her torch. These visuals assist younger readers in accessing the locals and history. 

One detail about the debate is how the state of Iowa had a huge tomato industry at the time so some residents were very much against such a law banning tomatoes. This book would be an interesting way to introduce how laws are made, advertising hype, and how to debate an issue. This would also be a fun book for Maine or culinary history for middle elementary students.

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

Let’s Explore Honey

Let’s Explore HoneyLet's Explore Honey! by Jill Colella
ISBN: 1541582977
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Part of the “Food Field Trips” series by Lerner, this book first introduces honey, then takes the reader out to see an apiary in crisp, up-close photos. Clean, accessible text nicely describes each photo. Open-ended, thinking questions are posed throughout. Backmatter includes a recipe, activity, brief index and list of additional books and websites to read.

Recommended for any food collection, and as an introduction to the importance of bees in our environment. Pair with Gerald Kelley’s 2017 “Please Please the Bears.”

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

five-stars

Black Bear’s Adventure: An Appalachian Trail Journey

Black Bear’s Adventure: An Appalachian Trail JourneyGenres: Adventure, Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
five-stars

“Black Bear” is a Maine fitness enthusiast and former physical education teacher who invites readers to accompany her on her first through hike of the Appalachian Trail. This book describes in narrative form all the excitement, fears, challenges and success she experiences along the way. She is currently preparing for her third AT trip, and her experience on and off the trail are an inspiration to not only attempt a challenge, but to properly prepare oneself for such an endeavor  . 

The author encourages youngsters through her story, and direct words, “You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” The title and cover invite readers to pick up this book, and the writing will have them feel they are stepping right along with the author, whose trail name is “Black Bear.”

Mixed media, full color collage illustrations capture the emotions and key concepts and common hiking scenes.

The possible uses for this book are limited only by a teacher’s imagination. Use for anchor text of first-person narrative studies, Maine studies, an inspiration to stay healthy, and to follow your dreams, just to name a few!

Consider purchasing “Black Bear’s Adventure Companion Book” for individual use or classroom ideas for journaling and dreaming and recording your own adventures!

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

five-stars

Solar System: By the Numbers

Solar System: By the NumbersSolar System: By The Numbers by Steve Jenkins
ISBN: 1328850978
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Thanks to this book I just learned what an AU, or astronomical unit, is; that it sometimes rains diamonds on Jupiter; and that in 1991 America launched a jellyfish into space. I love infographics and I think they’re a terrific tool for young visual learners. Solar System: By the Numbers is concise and interesting and the graphic design works well with the facts. To keep it sparse, words highlighted in blue are defined later in a glossary.  A perfect book for anyone interested in facts about our solar system.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Strong Voices: Fifteen American Speeches Worth Knowing

Strong Voices: Fifteen American Speeches Worth KnowingStrong Voices: Fifteen American Speeches Worth Knowing by Cokie Roberts, Eric Velásquez, Tonya Bolden
Published by HarperCollins on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 0062572040
Pages: 128
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
This boldly illustrated book highlights fifteen speeches that were influential in the discussion and shaping of the ideals of the United States. From Abraham Lincoln’s well-known Gettysburg Address, to the lesser known I Question America by Fannie Lou Hamer, this anthology offers an inspirational reflection from historical figures of our country. Each speech is preceded by a double spread of contextual information to help frame the influences inspiring the orations. Highlighting the historical context provides readers with a richer depth of understanding than if the speeches were presented independently. The timeline at the end of the book is a helpful visual representation of when these speeches occurred in relation the large events that mark the history of our country. A visually beautiful and inspiring anthology, celebrating the work of advocates for justice, and encouraging readers to contemplate the work that lies ahead. Recommended for children 10 -14 years.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

four-stars

Flash and Gleam

Flash and GleamFlash and Gleam: Light in Our World by Khoa Le, Sue Fliess
on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 1541557700
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is deceptively rich. The rhyming text is so sparse, albeit well done, that it would be easy to blow through it as a read aloud for bedtime or a classroom. It deserves some lingering, though, as each page not only shows the way light is used but also the way it unites us. Families marvel at natural light phenomena and celebrate the Fourth of July, Yi Peng, Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas with luminous and textural illustrations. While the book seems to focus on the relationship between humans and light, there is a page and a half about the science behind it in the back making this a good classroom book.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Rescuing the Declaration of Independence: How We Almost Lost the Words That Built America

Rescuing the Declaration of Independence: How We Almost Lost the Words That Built AmericaRescuing the Declaration of Independence: How We Almost Lost the Words That Built America by Anna Crowley Redding, Edwin Fotheringham
ISBN: 0062740326
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Maine author, Anna Crowley Redding, brings to life the little known but true story about the lowly clerk who saved the Declaration of Independence from being destroyed by the British army in the War of 1812. As a clerk for the State Department, Stephen Pleasonton spent his days immersed in paperwork until the day his boss, then Secretary of State James Monroe, sent an urgent message that the British were on their way to destroy Washington, D.C. and he should “Remove the records.” If he had not succeeded, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Articles of Confederation, and the Declaration of Independence would likely have been destroyed. Fotheringham’s drawings have the look of old-time editorial cartoons. This book would be a captivating readaloud for a U.S. Government unit or for homeschooled students as it brings history to life. (Chowder Rules! is another book by this author.)

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

A Portrait in Poems: The Storied Life of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas

A Portrait in Poems: The Storied Life of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. ToklasA Portrait in Poems: The Storied Life of Gertrude Stein and Alice B Toklas by Evie Robillard, Rachel Katstaller
ISBN: 1525300563
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars
This book uses spare, free-verse poems that relate the fascinating lives of Gertrude Stein and her partner, Alice B. Toklas. It playfully begins with “The next time you go to Paris …” The book concentrates largely on Stein’s domestic life, describing how she and her brother Leo famously collected paintings by Matisse, Cézanne, Gauguin, and Picasso. I think a more conventional narrative format would have been a more interesting choice. Plus, I wanted to know more about what happened to the paintings and about Alice. The Time Line, Snap Shots, and Author’s Note at the end were most interesting.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Real-Life Queens

Real-Life QueensReal-Life Queens by Karen Latchana Kenney
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 154155731X
Pages: 24
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
one-star
With limited text, the highlight of the book is its colorful photographs of living queens around the world with emphasis on Queen Elizabeth II. A queen’s responsibilities involve meeting with her people, give advice to leaders, work with charities, and wear pretty clothing. Interspersed amongst the text are bubbles with questions, i.e. “Why might a queen wear a crown?” I’d like to know the answer to that question! There are no source notes, but photo credits are listed. But this book is really all about the photos. Part of a series: Real-Life Kings, Real-Life Princesses, and Real-Life Princes, which are referred to in “Read More” in the back of the book . I would give all of them a pass.

Note: CIP page has the copyright date as 2020.

Reviewer Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

one-star