Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

SUSAN B. ANTHONY, Her Fight for Equal Rights

Susan B. Anthony: Her Fight for Equal Rights by Maike Plenzke, Monica Kulling
ISBN: 0593119835
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This beginning picture non-fiction book tells the story of Susan B. Anthony and her lifetime fight for the right for women to vote. In very brief, but informative text, and accompanied by simple but very clear illustrations, the story explains a simplified history of women’s rights.

This would be a good first read for parents and teachers wanting to expand the knowledge and background of their students/children.  It will certainly begin the conversation of the evolution of women’s rights, and help children understand that these rights we have today were not always available.

I would rate this book a 4.

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

four-stars

Bringing Back the Wolves

Bringing Back the WolvesBringing Back the Wolves: How a Predator Restored an Ecosystem by Jude Isabella, Kim Smith
ISBN: 1771386258
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

For 70 years, there were no wolves in Yellowstone National Park. In 1995, wolves were reintroduced to the park in an attempt to bring the ecosystem back to balance. This book chronicles the impacts that both the absence and the presence of wolves has on the Yellowstone ecosystem. How did the reintroduction impact coyotes, bison, ravens, plants, soil, and more? The answers may surprise you.

This book is very well done and will appeal to a wide audience. There are beautiful, colorful, detailed illustrations throughout, and the text is informative without bogging the reader down with too many details. It touches on, and explains, several ecological principles and does so in context making them easier to comprehend. Throughout the text, there are bolded words that are found in a glossary at the end of the book. The vocabulary is a bit advanced, but not so much that a young reader would be unable to follow the story. There are many animals pictured in the illustrations that are not identified, and this seems like a missed opportunity for further education. Recommended for 2nd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Happy

HappyHappy: A Beginner's Book of Mindfulness by Katie Hickey, Nicola Edwards
ISBN: 0593121198
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Mindfulness is all about connecting with ourselves and the world around us.” These opening words set the tone for this wonderful introduction to mindfulness for kids. The book goes through several aspects of being — tasting, touching, feeling, relaxing, discovering — it talks about the ways to experience this in your life, and each page ends with questions for the reader to contemplate about how to experience these thing in their lives.

This is a great introduction to mindfulness for kids while simlutaneously being a good reminder for the adults reading to the kids. The illustrations are gorgeous, colorful, and wonderfully detailed. Recommended for kids 4 and up, this would be a great book to spark discussion or to help kids wind down at bed time.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Wait, Rest, Pause

Wait, Rest, PauseWait, Rest, Pause by Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Published by Millbrook Press (Tm) on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 1541561929
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a non-fiction picture book for readers in grades pre-k to 2nd.  Beautiful nature pictures showing how various plants and animals survive the cold temperatures.  There are varying degrees of hibernation or dormancy which are explained in almost rhythmic prose such as “waiting, resting” or “you would pause.”  Bears, trees, ladybugs and unusual ones like chickadees and an alligator are also pictured.  The large font and rhythmic prose makes this a useful non-fiction choice for preschool story times and browsing.  The back matter includes a full page explanation of Dormancy differences:  Plant, Diapause, Hibernation, Torpor, Brumation and Estivation, as well as book recommendations and websites, although bibliography information is not provided.

Review by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

Beneath the Waves

Beneath the WavesBeneath the Waves by Helen Ahpornsiri, Lily Murray
ISBN: 1536210404
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book is simply stunning. The artwork makes the book, no question. Illustrated by Helen Ahpornsiri, each image is a collage of pressed, dried seaweed and flowers. The text of the book is a very general overview of different parts of the ocean. Broken into four main sections: coast, open ocean, tropics, and polar waters, each section has 7-8 pages with a different topic from within that section. It is very much a skimming the surface of the science situation, and it really just presents a handful of interesting facts about specific oceanic creatures.

This was a difficult book to review because the illustrations are so gorgeous, but the setup of the book seems misaligned with the intended audience. Kids will definitely learn things by reading this book, and the illustrations may entice them to read it when they otherwise wouldn’t. It could be a good launching point for further research as well. The information presented is appropriate for readers as young as 6 or 7, but the text size and varying fonts doesn’t lend itself to beginning readers. I’d recommend this book to kids aged 7 and up who have a general interest in science, the ocean, or art.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

I Wish I Was a Llama

I Wish I Was a LlamaRanger Rick: I Wish I Was a Llama by Jennifer Bove
ISBN: 006243229X
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This early reader asks the question — do you want to be a llama, or do you want to be their wild cousins, the guanaco (wah-nah-ko)? Throughout the book, the differences and similarities are pointed out between the wild guanaco and the domesticated llama. The entire premise of the book is for the reader to decide which of the two they’d prefer to be. The book features full color photographs throughout, and they really help illuminate characteristics of the animals. This is a great book for beginning readers, and topic will resonate with young animal lovers. Recomended for kids 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of the Species

Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of the SpeciesCharles Darwin's on the Origin of Species by Sabina Radeva
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on October 29, 2019
ISBN: 1984894919
Pages: 64
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An interesting attempt to explain a very difficult concept to children. I am not sure if I think it succeeded. Easy to read text and appropriate illustrations add to its appeal. Perhaps more appropriate for middle school ages.

For ages 6-12

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

four-stars

How to Solve a Problem

How to Solve a ProblemHow to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion by Ashima Shiraishi, Yao Xiao
on April 7, 2020
ISBN: 1524773271
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Ashima Shiraishi is a world-class climber, and in the climbing world, boulders are referred to as problems. Shiraishi takes this play on words and runs with it wonderfully. She talks about how she solves problems in rock climbing, and that easily equates to solving problems in life. She takes the reader through her thought processes in bouldering, and she walks through how she learns from mistakes.

This is a great book for kids working through anxiety or who are feeling overwhelmed. It has a similar feel to Kobi Yamada’s What Do You Do With a Problem? but tackles the issue with less metaphor, and thus, may resonate with younger kids more easily. The illustrations are high color and reminiscent of the style found in many graphic novels. This is a great book for one-on-one sharing and would be best for kids 4 and up. Even older kids who are working through some problems of their own will benefit from this book.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Picture book of Alexander Hamilton

Picture book of Alexander HamiltonA Picture Book of Alexander Hamilton by David A. Adler, Matt Collins
Published by Holiday House on December 10, 2019
ISBN: 0823439615
Pages: 32
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Beautifully illustrated biography of the life of Alexander Hamilton, which details all important aspects of his life from birth to death. Included is a time life highlighting important dates in his life. Excellent book to use for child doing a report on his life. I was not happy about how the African Americans were depicted in the book.

For ages 6 to 10

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

three-stars