Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

If You Take Away the Otter

If You Take Away the OtterIf You Take Away the Otter by Matthew Trueman, Susannah Buhrman-Deever
ISBN: 0763689343
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is a gorgeous exploration of what really happened in the Pacific Northwest following the over hunting of sea otters. From the loss of the otters, to the expansion of sea urchins, to the eventual decline of the kelp forests, this book walks readers through the devastating effects of removing a keystone species.

The text is easy to follow and is accompanied by some well researched asides with further scientific information. The back pages have even more information about the ecosystem as well as lists of resources (both print and web-based) for readers to explore more. The illustrations are high color, and gorgeous. They really bring the ocean scenes to life. I especially enjoyed the highlight of the sea urchin’s five, self-sharpening teeth. Recommended for readers 4 and up but would be enjoyed by even older kids who are ocean science enthusiasts.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle, How Animals Get Ready for Winter

Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle, How Animals Get Ready for WinterSnack, Snooze, Skedaddle by Claudine Gévry, Laura Purdie Salas
Published by Millbrook Press (Tm) on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 1541529006
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This charming non-fiction book includes information about the ruby-throated hummingbird, blue whale, earthworm, chipmunk, northern wood frog, bear, moose, red fox, human, mouse, garter snake, and monarch butterfly. The rhyming text makes this a delightful read aloud for younger children. The colorful illustrations enhance the text. Each animal is depicted in a two-page spread. In addition to the rhyming text is a sentence or two in smaller type with more information about each animal. At the end of the book is a section for older readers about survival strategies such as migration, hibernation, and toleration. This information could be used for reports. A glossary is included. I highly recommend this for ages 5-9.                                              Kris Zuidema,  retired school librarian, Standish.

five-stars

Honey, the Dog Who Saved Abe Lincoln

Honey, the Dog Who Saved Abe LincolnHoney, the Dog Who Saved Abe Lincoln by Chuck Groenink, Shari Swanson
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 0062699008
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This beautifully written picture book biography is about young Abe Lincoln living in Knob Creek, Kentucky. One day he rescues and cares for a honey colored dog with a broken leg. Soon Honey and Abe go everywhere together whether it’s dropping off grain at the mill or going out on adventures. One day Abe ends up trapped between two boulders in a cave. Honey returns to Abe’s mother and leads the town folk to Abe. The soft and colorful illustrations enhance the well written text. The story is a wonderful read aloud. Not only will is appeal to animal lovers, but also to those who enjoy a well told story that happens to be about one of our most famous presidents. There is a fascinating timeline entitled Abraham Lincoln and His Animal Encounters. The timeline includes his childhood in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and continues to his years as the president depicting his lifelong compassion for animals The author’s note explains how this story came to be known. There is also an illustrated map around Hodgen’s Mills where the story takes place. This is the author’s debut picture book.                                                                                          I highly recommend this for children ages 4-9.

Kris Zuidema,  retired school librarian, Standish.

five-stars

The Boreal Forest

The Boreal ForestThe Boreal Forest: A Year in the World's Largest Land Biome by Josée Bisaillon, L.E. Carmichael
ISBN: 152530044X
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

I really liked this book. It takes you through a year in the boreal forest — the world’s largest land biome. The book is broken into the four seasons, and each section has information about plants and animals found in different countries within the boreal forest. The illustrations are striking and really bring the animals to life. After all four seasons are explored, there are several pages with further scientific information: the water cycle, the carbon cycle, and information about the effects of climate change on the boreal forest. There is also a glossary as well as resources for further reading and study. Recommended for 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Lost Cities

Lost CitiesLost Cities by Giles Laroche
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on April 7, 2020
ISBN: 1328753646
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is a fun introduction to many of the world’s lost cities — from Easter Island to Jamestown to Babylon, it covers the world over. Each two page spread covers one city and is complemented with very a very large illustration depicting what the city may have looked like in its prime. There are 5 sections about each city: location, who lived here, why was it lost, how was it found, and what’s mysterious. The illustrations are beautifully done and are comprised of 7 or 8 layers of paper, cut and glued allowing for a truly three-dimensional effect. The end of the book includes a map with all the cities and a timeline putting them in chronological order. There is also a page describing and showing the process of creating the artwork in the book.

This book is sure to please young readers interested in history and other cultures. The beginning of each section asks the reader to imagine what it would be like living in this lost city. It is definitely a launching point for further study as it skims the surface of what’s really known about these cities, but it is very well done and age appropriate. Recommended for 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Ninja Weapons

Ninja WeaponsGenres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
one-star

Myth and what is fact while exploring the tools and weapons of the ninja. The layout of the book and the text size and complexity (or lack of it) seemed incongruous with the topic and the photographs of weapons and historical references. Part of the Ninja Mania series.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

one-star

Police Officer Tools

Police Officer ToolsPolice Officer Tools by Laura Hamilton Waxman
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541555570
Pages: 24
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Simple text and vibrant photos engage very young readers in learning about the tools police officers use to serve their community. About one-third of the featured officers are females, and there is an assortment of photographs of different types of officers (including a K-9 police dog) and assortment of uniforms. Age-appropriate critical thinking questions are a nice addition to the information. This book would be useful to begin a discussion about the police and the scary looking tools they use for preschool and early elementary students. Part of the Community Helpers Tools of the Trade series.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Pro Basketball Upsets

Pro Basketball UpsetsGenres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
two-stars

I am probably not the best reviewer for this book as the topic is not one that interests me and I failed to be engaged with the topic about some of the biggest upsets in basketball history. While the focus is mainly on NBA teams, a couple WNBA teams are included. The elements of a nonfiction book are present. For the specific reader who is interested in this sort of information, it likely would be very fascinating. Part of the Sports Wildest Upsets series.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

two-stars

Not Playing by the Rules

Not Playing by the RulesNot Playing by the Rules: 21 Female Athletes Who Changed Sports by Lesa Cline-Ransome
ISBN: 1524764531
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Focusing on mostly U.S. athletes, a photograph and a snapshot of some revolutionary female athletes who brought change to sports. The information was interesting about some well-known and lesser-known athletes. For an informational book, it lacked some of the common elements of a nonfiction book, such as page numbers, Table of Context, Index, or source notes or any kind of bibliographic references. The white text on brightly colored pages was difficult to read. That said, the book will be entertaining for upper elementary and middle school students, especially the costumes worn by some of the older women.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Nesting

NestingNesting by Henry Cole
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062885928
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is a beautiful look at the American Robin — a very common bird often taken for granted. It follows a pair of robins from nest building in the spring to growing their fledglings to gathering together for the winter. The illustrations are black, gray, and white except for robin’s egg blue highlights throughout. The illustrations are pencil drawings that are exquisitely detailed and gorgeous. They may not engage the youngest readers, though, due to the lack of contrast. Recommended for children 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars