Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Tornado Scientist

Tornado ScientistThe Tornado Scientist by Mary Kay Carson, Tom Uhlman
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on March 19, 2019
ISBN: 0544965825
Pages: 80
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Tornado, the very word strikes fear to the people in their path.  Author Carlson introduces the reader to Robin Tanamachi, a storm chaser. She has been obsessed with severe weather since she was a child and now is a meteorologist, tornado specialist, radar expert, and veteran storm chaser. Her goal- to understand the hows and whys of tornadoes and therefore save the lives of those caught in their path. Young scientists learn how and why these storms form and where these storms are most prevalent. Another Scientists in the Field selection that doesn’t disappoint! Solid information, supported with photographs, glossary, bibliography.  A must for every public and school library, especially now with tornadoes that are becoming the norm rather than an isolated incident. CREAM.

Good for grades 4 and up.

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray, Maine

five-stars

Just Like Me

Just Like MeJust Like Me by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 0525582096
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a picture book of poetry, and it is wonderful. It’s couched as poetry for all kinds of girls, but I’d argue any child will benefit from reading these poems. They encourage strength of character, self love, acceptance of difficulty and challenges, and individual as well as community ability and determination. The illustrations are eye catching, vibrant, and inclusive. This is a great addition to any library collection wanting to highlight poetry for children. Recommended for kids kindergarten and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Honeybee

HoneybeeHoneybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming, Eric Rohmann
Published by Neal Porter Books on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 0823442853
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This book follows the life of a single bee within the beehive. It so perfectly and easily explains the honeybee life cycle, from the various jobs the bees perform to how their bodies change as they age.

This book is gorgeous and informative without being bogged down with too many details. As a beekeeper, I still learned something new. The illustrations are simply stunning. When I picked the book up the first time, I thought the cover image was a photograph. Eric Rohman does a wonderfully detailed job depicting the bees and their lives. This book would be great for kids K-3rd grade.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Packs

PacksPacks: Strength in Numbers by Hannah Salyer
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on January 28, 2020
ISBN: 1328577880
Pages: 46
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

What do you call a group of wildebeest? This book will teach you this and more. This beautifully illustrated picture book explores the different types of animal groups with one overarching message: we’re better/stronger together.

The book starts with several two-page spreads with just one word for the group of animals: packs, herds, etc. The book then gets more into detail about how different animals work together. It circles back to humans with the message that we’re better together. The colorful illustrations have visible brush strokes, are colorful and gorgeous. The text is brief but informative and appropriate for the age of the intended audience. My only complaint about the text is that it’s written as if the animals are speaking, and I don’t enjoy anthropomorphizing of animals in a nonfiction book. This book would be great for kids PreK and up.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Crayola Cinco de Mayo Colors

Crayola Cinco de Mayo ColorsCrayola: Cinco de Mayo Colors by Robin Nelson
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1, 2018
ISBN: 154151095X
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Probably more effective as a book exploring the customs of Cinco de Mayo than a book of color concepts. The photographs are beautiful, but I felt this book was a commercial for Crayola crayons. Don’t get me wrong! I love Crayola crayons, but I don’t need to read a commercial about them. The writing is too simplistic and not relatable, e.g. “YELLOW and BLUE dresses swing as dancers move to the music. You can move to the music, too!” I wonder who the first kid will be to color in the book even though they are invited to copy the pages and color. Part of series “Crayola ® Holiday Colors”: Christmas Colors, Hanukkah Colors, and Holi Colors.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

two-stars

Movin’ and Shakin’ Projects: Balloon Rockets, Dancing Pepper and More

Movin’ and Shakin’ Projects: Balloon Rockets, Dancing Pepper and MoreMovin' and Shakin' Projects: Balloon Rockets, Dancing Pepper, and More by Rebecca Felix
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541554957
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Clear directions and colorful photographs describe how to create a variety of experiments. Some would qualify more as examples of scientific principles than movement. Nevertheless, they all require common materials and kids should be able to complete them without adult assistance. I’m not sure the “unplugged” gimmick will entice many kids but making air cannons might. The “Science Takeaway” for each experiment is written clearly and resulted in my giving the book 4 stars rather than 3.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Killer Kissing Bugs

Killer Kissing BugsKiller Kissing Bugs (Bugged Out! the World's Most Dangerous Bugs) by Kevin Blake
Published by Not Avail on January 1, 2019
ISBN: 1642801704
Pages: 24
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Guaranteed to gross you out! I never heard about a kissing bug until reading this fascinating book even though six to seven million people are infected with the parasite that causes Chagas disease. About 12,000 people die from the disease each year and most did not even know that had the disease. Triatomines were given the name “kissing bugs” because they tend to bite near a person’s mouth while a person is asleep. Once full of blood, the bug defecates on the bite and allows the parasite to enter the body. Another reason to be concerned about climate change – they are spreading north! Pets are also at risk. While fascinating information, I would have liked more about how Chagas disease affects people and how scientists are combating the bugs and Chagas disease. Other books in series “Bugged Out! the World’s Most Dangerous Bugs”: Filthy Flies, Frightening Fleas, Murderous Mosquitoes, Terrifying Ticks, and Wretched Worms. Not for the squeamish but engrossing (pun intended) informational book.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Riding a Donkey Backwards: Wise and Foolish Tales of Mulla Nasruddin

Riding a Donkey Backwards: Wise and Foolish Tales of Mulla NasruddinRiding a Donkey Backwards: Wise and Foolish Tales of Mulla Nasruddin by Khayaal Theatre Company, Sean Taylor, Shirin Adl
Published by Candlewick Press on August 13, 2019
ISBN: 1536205079
Pages: 48
Genres: Folklore
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Twenty-one classic trickster tales about a much-loved character from Muslim cultures. Nasruddin is the wisest man in the village and also the biggest fool. School Library Journal describes the tales this way: “The simple, clipped narrations are witty and conversational in tone,” and I would agree. Fun stories to readaloud. I have mixed feelings about the illustrations. The mixed photo collages are sometimes fun and other times a bit freaky. Then there is one page that is a drawn storyboard rather than a collage????? However odd, the stories in this fun book is wonderful to introduce kids to another culture and folk hero. And why is he “riding the donkey backwards?” “What are you talking about? I’m facing forward. It is the donkey who’s facing backwards!”

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

A Dream of Flight: Albertos Santos-Dumont’s Race Around the Eiffel Tower

A Dream of Flight: Albertos Santos-Dumont’s Race Around the Eiffel TowerA Dream of Flight: Alberto Santos-Dumont's Race Around the Eiffel Tower by Jef Polivka, Rob Polivka
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) on July 30, 2019
ISBN: 0374306613
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Deutsch Prize was the most coveted aviation prize, and a pilot would have to fly a balloon around Paris’s Eiffel Tower in thirty minutes or less to win it. Alberto Santos-Dumont thought he could be the first to succeed.  The story is well written and the illustrations are delightful, reminiscent of the Tin Tin books. I appreciated the authors emphasizing the many times that Santos failed and learned from his mistakes. I would have liked a bit more information about the man. There is a photograph of him at the end of the book. A terrific book to motivate future engineers.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Forest Talk

Forest TalkForest Talk: How Trees Communicate by Melissa Koch
Published by Twenty-First Century Books (Tm) on January 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541519779
Pages: 96
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Have you ever walked through the woods and heard the sound of the trees moving in the wind? Did this make you feel peaceful and at ease? Trees are a vital life force on our planet and in the book scientists share data that shows how trees can improve our lives by reducing stress and so much more. Author, Melissa Koch, covers an amazing amount of material beginning with the Mbuti Pygmies in the rain forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to rainforests of Brazil. In between, Koch discusses medicine made from trees, how trees communicate and protect themselves (“Wood Wide Web”), important scientists, and the important role of trees in the water cycle. Even readers who know a lot about trees will be able to learn something from this book. Large pictures and diagrams work with the text to visually present information and illustrate the text. This book would be an outstanding source for a research project or as a textbook for a unit during an environmental science class. Source notes, a glossary, resource lists for further information, and an index are included. Recommended for grades 6 and up. 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

four-stars