Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

When Birds had Teeth – a Dino Sphere book

five-stars

This simple hardcover book explains very precisely and simply how birds evolved from dinosaurs.  Using limited large font text, it speaks intelligently about dinosaurs, using wonderful illustrations and simple pictures of their fossils to help explain the similarities and differences of modern birds with their prehistoric cousins.

The amazing illustrations are simply labeled, with pronunciation guides as needed.  The fossil prints have wonderful detail, showing what the birds ate, their tail feathers, wings, toes, etc. There is a simple glossary, index, and more sites and books to read in the back of the book.

I would highly recommend this dinosaur book to libraries and parents.  Readers will be able to quickly grasp the connection between our birds today and of the birds of 150 million years ago!

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

five-stars

The Woolly Monkey Mysteries: The Quest to Save a Rain Forest Species

The Woolly Monkey Mysteries: The Quest to Save a Rain Forest SpeciesThe Woolly Monkey Mysteries: The Quest to Save a Rain Forest Species by Sandra Markle
Published by Millbrook Press (Tm) on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1512458686
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

Sandra Markle is a whiz with an animal story and this book is no exception. Upon learning about a project in Peru where camera traps were being set high up in rainforest trees, she had to know more. Her curiosity led to a scientist who was using the camera traps to study a seldom-seen, but necessary rainforest creature, the woolly monkey. Considered the rain forest’s gardeners, these animals are central to the spreading of seeds throughout the rainforest. Markle loves to find out why scientists study animals and how these animals fit into the ecosphere they inhabit and she conveys that intellectual curiosity and passion through her storytelling. This book explains the function of camera traps and delves into the information gathered about the woolly monkey from these devices. Readers will learn about the ecosystem of a rain forest and will hopefully be inspired to continue to learn more about keystone species and the need to fight for and protect the natural resources on Earth before it is too late. Plenty of beautiful photographs accompany Markle’s clearly written text and a few QR codes are included in the book so readers can further explore this topic and see/hear the woolly monkeys in their natural habitat. A glossary, index, and list of sources for further reading are all included. This book would be appropriate for school libraries with students in grades 3-6 but could also be put in public libraries and given to readers interested in the scientific process and/or fascinating animal stories.

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

five-stars

Homes Past and Present

Homes Past and PresentHomes Past and Present by Kerry Dinmont
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1541503341
Pages: 24
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
two-stars

I’m not sure who this book is for. The text is so narrow and simple that it seems like it must be for toddlers or young children but I don’t think the photographs would engage this group at all. There isn’t enough information to make it useful for, say, learning about the differences between past and present housing and what information it does contain is just kind of strange. For example, there is a page that says “Long ago, many people used logs to build a house. Others wrapped animal skins around a wooden frame.” This is paired with a photo of a log cabin but no picture of an animal skin-wrapped wooden frame which could lead to kids to imagine some bizarre and historically very inaccurate homes. I do like non-fiction books that engage young readers with questions so it gets an extra star for including some.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

two-stars

Cats are a Liquid

Cats are a LiquidCats Are a Liquid by Rebecca Donnelly, Misa Saburi
Published by Henry Holt and Company on October 8th 2019
ISBN: 1250206596
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

The playful and adorable illustrated cats in this book attempt to decipher whether a cat is a liquid, a solid, or…oobleck?!  Simple, rhyming text walks us through all that cats can do, from fitting in everything, to shredding things, to napping on our stuff.  However, many of the cat similes are confusing, and the types of descriptions are not consistent. Back matter talks about the scientific joke that cats are liquid and shares resources for learning more about states of matter, the scientific paper about cats being liquid, and directions on making oobleck. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

three-stars

The Astronaut who Painted the Moon: The true story of Alan Bean

The Astronaut who Painted the Moon: The true story of Alan BeanThe Astronaut Who Painted the Moon: The True Story of Alan Bean by Dean Robbins, Sean Rubin
Published by Orchard Books on May 28th 2019
ISBN: 1338259539
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

Alan Bean was the 4th person in history to walk on the moon.  His experience touched him so, he decided to paint the feeling of being in space.  His impressionist takes on actual experiences and photos became well-known and have been featured in galleries.  The author worked directly with Bean before his passing on this book. The colors used in the illustrations mirrors Bean’s art.  Detailed back matter includes a brief biography of Bean, examples of his paintings, a brief history of space exploration, and a bibliography.  Recommended for ages 4-8.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

Nature All Around: Bugs

Nature All Around: BugsNature All Around: Bugs by Pamela Hickman, Carolyn Gavin
Series: Nature All Around #2
Published by Kids Can Press on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 177138820X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

From the same author/illustrator team that created Trees, Bugs is the second book in the Nature All Around series. Bugs is filled to the brim with information, and a joy to behold visually. Beauty abounds in the depictions of even the most homely bugs, encouraging readers to view these oftentimes underappreciated creatures in a new light. The table of contents, glossary, and index are all easy to navigate. Pamela Hickman utilizes clear and concise text to explain each topic, making the information easily digestible. Paired with Carolyn Gavin’s beautiful watercolor and gouache illustrations, scientific concepts come to life with vibrancy. Pages include eye-catching text headings to draw the reader into the page, and allow for children to choose whether they would prefer to read the book cover-to-cover, or pick and choose topics of interest. Hickman not only provides readers with a wealth of information about bugs, she also encourages children to actively engage with and observe these creatures in nature. Chapters titled Beginner Bug-Watching, Make an Insect Feeder, and Endangered Bugs all encourage children to participate in hands-on learning and conservation. Recommended for kids 7 – 10, this book would be a valuable resource to teachers, parents, and budding entomologists alike.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

five-stars

It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way

It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the WayIt Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way by Kyo Maclear, Julie Morstad
Published by HarperCollins on October 8th 2019
ISBN: 0062447629
Pages: 48
Goodreads
five-stars

Telling the story of artist Gyo Fujikawa, It Began with a Page is a beautifully illustrated and wonderfully told picture book biography. With a propensity for art beginning at a very young age, the story follows Fujikawa’s success as an artist, and the immensely painful separation from her family who were detained in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Fujikawa published her first groundbreaking children’s book Babies in 1963, depicting children of all races playing together, representing racial diversity that was virtually nonexistent in children’s books prior to that time. Julie Morstad’s exquisite artwork perfectly illustrates the difficult and triumphant story of Fujikawa’s life. Balancing both color and black and white imagery, Morstad is skillful in conveying emotion and richly enhancing Kyo Maclear’s direct and concise text. Endnotes include a timeline of Fujikawa’s life, including photographs, as well as notes from the author and illustrator. While recommended for children ages 5-8, this heartfelt biography could easily engage children older than 8, and adults alike.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

five-stars

The Speed of Starlight: An Exploration of Physics, Sound, Light, and Space

The Speed of Starlight: An Exploration of Physics, Sound, Light, and SpaceThe Speed of Starlight: An Exploration of Physics, Sound, Light, and Space by Colin Stuart, Ximo Abadía
Published by Big Picture Press on October 1st 2019
ISBN: 1536208558
Pages: 80
Goodreads
three-stars

The Speed of Starlight provides a brief overview of principles within the topics of physics, sound, light and color, and space. Recommended for children ages 8 – 12, Stuart’s text reads more like trivia, and can leave the reader wanting for more. The table of contents is clear; however, the there are no visual indications within the main body of the book to alert readers as to where exactly the larger subject headings change. Readers are dependent up on the table of contents for subject navigation; there is also a notable lack of index and glossary. Abadía’s illustrations are graphic and colorful, with no white space. Perhaps a personal preference, but I find the absence of white space difficult to read for any length of time. The black text printed on darkly colored backgrounds provides little contrast and can tire the reader’s eyes. The Speed of Starlight is an oversized book (approximately 14”x11”); its size in combination with its bold graphic style and overuse of color make it feel as though it is going for the “wow” effect. This eye-catching book is best suited for those looking for a quick overview on a number of scientific topics, rather than for those seeking more substantive information.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

three-stars

Rescuing Rialto: A Baby Sea Otter’s Story

Rescuing Rialto: A Baby Sea Otter’s StoryRescuing Rialto: A Baby Sea Otter's Story by Lynda V. Mapes, Alan Berner
Published by Roaring Brook Press on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 1250147646
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A photojournalist tells the true story of Rialto, a rescued baby sea otter found stranded at Olympic National Park in northern Washington. There are few animals cuter than a sea otter! The text is interesting and readable. Along with the rescue effort the reader learns much about sea otters including their human-caused near extinction and come back. The photographs documented the text but their quality lacked clarity, at times. A nice addition for any library’s marine animals and animal rescue information. Positive depictions of female scientists throughout.

Reviewed by Barb rehmeyer, Liberty Library, Liberty

four-stars

Wacky Inventions Throughout History: Weird inventions that seem too crazy to be real!

Wacky Inventions Throughout History: Weird inventions that seem too crazy to be real!Wacky Inventions Throughout History: Weird Inventions That Seem Too Crazy to Be Real! by Joe Rhatigan, Celeste Aires
Published by Walter Foster Jr. -- Quarto Library on 2019
ISBN: 9781600588006
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

One of the books in the “Wacky Things” series. This book describes some wacky inventions that seem too crazy to be true but are. The entries were entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny, at times, such as an alarm clock bed that tips the sleeper onto the floor to wake him up. In addition to the brief description of the invention, there is also a short vignette of a historical nature. I learned through research for reviews that this seems to be an updated edition of 50 Wacky Inventions Throughout History, which is actually a spinoff of Inventions That Could Have Changed the World but Didn’t (2015) all by the same author.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library, Liberty

four-stars