Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

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

This Raindrop: Has a Billion Stores to Tell

This Raindrop: Has a Billion Stores to TellThis Raindrop: Has a Billion Stories to Tell by Linda Ragsdale, Srimalie Bassani
on April 7, 2020
ISBN: 1486718175
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is the story of a single raindrop which has existed since the beginning of time.  Dinosaur’s thirst was quenched by water which thousands of years later sits in a puddle.   During its cycle, the raindrop experienced nature at its best.  Ragsdale takes readers to the ocean and to waterfalls, into caverns as well as clouds.  Each environment visited includes short but distinct sentences that are intended to make the young scientist think about the value of water.  Both the texture of the paper and natural colors reinforce the scientific nature of this non-fiction picture book.  Illustrations done by Bassani highlight the stunning vision of nature and beautifully show how water cycles around our planet.

Backpages go into depth to explain the water cycle and water conservation.  Both pages contain information that will be comprehendible to the grade 2-3 students.  Colorful illustrations and the simple text will attract those in K – grade 1.   Add this to primary school media centers and recommended to public library collection.  This book is perfect for Earth Day programs.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, ME.

four-stars

The Ocean in Your Bathtub

The Ocean in Your BathtubThe Ocean in Your Bathtub by Isabel Greenberg, Seth Fishman
ISBN: 0062953362
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
two-stars

 

I’m not exactly sure who I would recommend this book to. It has lots of short facts about the ocean but it comes across as scattered to me. It skips from water cycle to geographical factoids to phytoplankton to pollution, etc. with a new topic on each page.  The length of the facts implies that it would be for smaller children but then it incorporates words and concepts that would be more appropriate for 4th or 5th graders. In their defense, though, it does go into further detail for a few of the concepts (phytoplankton, aquifers and the water cycle) at the end but I think all three of those things would benefit from more information. If a child or class is interested in learning about our oceans parents or teachers could find alternatives to this one that would be more engaging and informative.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

two-stars

Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell

Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni MitchellJoni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell by Selina Alko
Published by HarperCollins on February 25, 2020
ISBN: 0062671294
Pages: 48
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
This picture book biography is beautifully written and illustrated. The illustrations consist of acrylic paint, collage, found objects, and wild flowers. They are full of detail drawing the reader in so as not to miss anything. Joni’s story begins in a small town in Canada. As a child, Joni painted, played piano, danced, and then contracted polio. She recovered and was encouraged by a teacher in junior high to look deep inside herself. Later, her music took her to many places. She connected and worked with a variety of other musicians. She created the artwork of many of her own album covers. She experimented with different types of music. Her life story is an inspiration to budding musicians and artists. The author’s note relates her personal connection to Joni Mitchell. A discography and bibliography are included.

Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

How to Write a Story

How to Write a StoryHow to Write a Story by Kate Messner, Mark Siegel
Published by Chronicle Books on July 7, 2020
ISBN: 1452156662
Pages: 36
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Need a basic primer for elementary students? This would make a great anchor text for students who just don’t know where to start or what to do next when they feel stalled. Is this a complete writing manual? No. Is this useful for framing creative writing and mini-lessons? Absolutely. 

It reads like a story of someone telling the reader ten basic steps in the writing process, beginning with collecting ideas (lots of them!) and almost ending with sharing your story. It says that sharing your story is not the end of writing, as then it’s time to “…start searching for a new idea that wants to be written…”

Colorful illustrations follow a young writer as she explores and considers many ways to start and continue her story. Some pages show parts of a hand-written story; others show imagination bubbles where the writer is thinking. 

Even though the audience, at first glance, seems to be children, any age could use this as a basic framework that encourages thinking, exploring, and discovery of stories that want to be written. This could also be used as a companion book to Messner’s 2015 “How to Read a Story.”

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

four-stars

On Wings of Words

On Wings of WordsOn Wings of Words: The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson by Becca Stadtlander, Jennifer Berne
Published by Chronicle Books on February 18, 2020
ISBN: 1452142971
Pages: 52
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
If you are familiar with Emily Dickinson, this book is for you. If you are not familiar with her or her work, this book is for you. This 19th century poet and her work still have relevance and meaning  today. The author, Berne, has used a tiny sample of Dickinson’s writings to illustrate her life.

The text is spread out across the pages, sometimes phrases, single sentences, or short paragraphs, making the content accessible. Historical accuracy in the soft illustrations is maintained where possible’ many of the illustrations place Emily outdoors, giving the reader a sense of her love of nature. Pieces of her poems are handwritten in the endpages and on occasional pages, deepening the reader’s understanding and appreciation for her work.

Paired with other picture books about Dickinson, such as “Emily” by Michael Bedard, and “My Uncle Emily” by Jane Yolen, middle elementary readers (and older readers!) will enjoy a multi-faceted picture of this poet of whom much is speculated. This would also be very useful for figurative language studies.

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

four-stars

Flight For Freedom: The Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape from East Germany

Flight For Freedom: The Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape from East GermanyFlight for Freedom: The Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape from East Germany by Kristen Fulton, Torben Kuhlmann
ISBN: 1452149607
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Quick. Make a list of all the ways someone might escape from East Germany during the Cold War… 

Did you have ‘balloon flight’ on your list? I didn’t either, until I read this incredible account of not only one, but two families who made their escape in a home-made hot-air balloon!

This event is made accessible to middle elementary readers as historical fiction with clear but informative sentences and limited text on each page. The reader is introduced to young Peter Wetzel and how he lives with the differences between life in the East and West. The events leading up to the final escape attempt and the escape are told through Peter’s eyes. Upper elementary readers would find this an easy to understand account of a dramatic true event.

Realistic photos, some double-pages spreads and some single, with dark, shadowed tones appropriate to the confinement and night time escape. A map of their route from East Germany to West appears on the end pages. Back matter includes information on how their balloon was made and functioned, author notes, photos of the actual balloon and landing site sign, and the Cold War and the Berlin Wall. 

Highly recommended for all post-WWII collections and historical fiction shelves. This could be used with middle to upper elementary readers as an introduction to the Cold War, personal narrative writing lessons, or historical fiction examples.

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

five-stars

What do you do if you work at the zoo?

What do you do if you work at the zoo?What Do You Do If You Work at the Zoo? by Robin Page, Steve Jenkins
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on April 28, 2020
ISBN: 0544387597
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
This is a great early nonfiction book that can serve many purposes. It could be a great dual reader as there are simple sentences followed by more detailed paragraphs. It could be a great launching point for more research into life as a zookeeper. It also introduces readers to animals they may otherwise not know, and it gives them a little information about something that makes them unique. The paper collage style illustrations will keep kids’ attention and help to bring the animals to life. The back pages include more information about zoo controversy (captivity vs. education), the role of zookeepers, even more info about the animals in the book, and a resource list. A recommended purchase for public libraries. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Becoming a Good Creature

Becoming a Good CreatureBecoming a Good Creature by Rebecca Green, Sy Montgomery
on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 0358252105
Genres: Animals, Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Based on the New York Times best-selling memoir, How to Be a Good Creature, this picture book will delight young naturalists and animal lovers of all ages. The first line of the book really sets the tone, “School is not the only place to find a teacher.” It then goes on through the author’s life and the various teachers she’s had: a dog, emus, apes, lions, sharks, and more.

This book exposes kids to many amazing creatures in the world, but it fails to take reality into account for many kids. The author has obviously been very privileged throughout her life with the ability to travel and explore in this way. She’s also clearly been lucky in her animal encounters, both in her ability to see things and also her ability to stay safe while doing so. That being said, this book will spark curiosity and a drive to explore in many children. The illustrations are very colorful and beautifully depict the animals described. Recommended for readers 3 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars