Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Nature All Around: Trees

Nature All Around: TreesNature All Around: Trees by Pamela Hickman, Carolyn Gavin
Published by Kids Can Press on April 2nd 2019
ISBN: 1771388048
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a beautiful, comprehensive introduction to trees of the United States and Canada. Colorful, painted illustrations that are at once playful and descriptive serve to support and further explain the thorough scientific coverage of photosynthesis, respiration, tree growth, trunk and leaf structure, pollination, and more. The book, which includes a table of contents, informational sidebars throughout, a regional map, and a glossary, is divided by season. The author smartly predicts readers’ questions along the way and refers them to pages later in the book for answers. For example, when we learn early in the book why leaves are green, it would seem intuitive to immediately provide the answer to why they change color. That answer does come along, but not for another 6 pages, so the author adds a little blurb with a page number referral for those readers who would rather find out sooner than later.

The book includes activities for young readers, including tree-watching and tree journaling tips and suggestions, planting information, and suggestions for protecting trees. It does not neglect the interconnectedness of nature with illustrations of animals for whom trees are home or a source of food. A two-page spread includes drawings and information about strange and unusual trees.

Thoroughly enjoyable. A great classroom, school or public library addition. For grades 2 to 5.

Reviewed by Kelly Greenlee, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

four-stars

Life: The First Four Billion Years

Life: The First Four Billion YearsLife: The First Four Billion Years: The Story of Life from the Big Bang to the Evolution of Humans by Martin Jenkins, Grahame Baker-Smith
Published by Candlewick Studio on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 153620420X
Pages: 80
Goodreads
four-stars

Life is one of Candlewick’s recent spate of oversized book releases.  Clocking in at 14 inches long, with the heft to match, this is will not be an easy book for kids to carry around.  Life begins with facts about humans and follows their lineage back in time to lead you into the beginning of the book which starts at the forming of the sun and our galaxy. The book leads the reader through the historic time periods up to the Neogene, where our ancestors the primates were living around 22 million years ago.  Each time period has illustrations of creatures that were likely alive during that time as well as explanations of what was taking place on the planet.  The illustrations are fascinating, and you learn some really interesting facts, such as there was once a relative of a mushroom as tall as a tree.  However, the vocabulary is difficult, even with the glossary at the end.  And the text is quite small in most places. While very thorough and well-researched, this book is very academic and therefore not necessarily a good choice for kids.  Best for ages 12+ but probably enjoyed by teens and adults.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library, Augusta

four-stars

Experience Nature: How Time Outside Makes You Feel

Experience Nature: How Time Outside Makes You FeelExperience Nature: How Time Outside Makes You Feel by Jean C. Lawler
Published by Red Chair Press on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1634403770
Goodreads
three-stars

Would you rather go to the mall, be outside with friends, or watch a movie at home? This initial question of the book clearly has one ‘right’ answer, as the two inside choices are not discussed at all. Organized into three chapters, nature is explained and the reader is encouraged to use their senses, explore, interact, and listen to their ‘inner voice.’

Special features include a Power Point, a Try It Out, and Moving On. Each of these only appears once but could have been repeated with additional ideas and points. 

Clear, crisp photos (some are full page, some are insets) invite the reader to try a small variety of outdoor activities; more examples could have been included. The brief index points readers to unusual topics such as ecosystems, human-made, and inner voice. Predominance of green borders and green tones help set the outdoors mood.

One of several titles in the “Experience Personal Power” series that includes topics such as “…Food You Eat…”, “…Your Media Choices…”, and “…Quiet Time…”

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town.

three-stars

Amazing Origami Dinosaurs

Amazing Origami DinosaursAmazing Origami Dinosaurs (Amazing Origami) by Rob Ives
Published by Hungry Tomato (R) on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1541542827
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Fold and turn and push and rotate and… voila! A dinosaur! Directions and information about six popular dinosaurs and a prehistoric tree are given, along with basic origami strategies. 

The Contents lists the dinosaurs; the index lists topics such as legs, craft shop, fish, and vegetation.

Each set of directions are done in a different color origami paper with contrasting background colors with adequate white space – helps set each one apart. Each fold is numbered, some are completed on a two-page spread, others fill 3-4 pages.  A few facts about each dinosaur are also provided

Now, to find some origami paper…and a youngster to try these with!

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

four-stars

Just Like Us! Cats

Just Like Us! CatsJust Like Us! Cats by Bridget Heos
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on January 15th 2019
ISBN: 132879184X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

How are cats ‘just like us’? Young readers may find a few similarities, but many facts given are not connected to humans. Some pages have no mention of the comparison. The cartoonish illustrations that dominate the pages attempt to provide a little humor and are superimposed over a few photographs. Each two-page covers one topic, such as ‘Kittengarten’ or “Take Your Cub to Hunt Day’ with fact boxes that are quite text-heavy for younger readers, and most have an easy-to-read font but some are in another hard-to-read style.

An index or table of contents would be helpful. The verso page shows reading levels for Lexile (850), Guided Reading (T), Fountas & Penell (R), and the interest level (grades 2-6). “Say What” provides the glossary, and a helpful bibliography are included. This author has previously published Fish, Birds, Ant and Plants in this series. 

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

three-stars

Cool Indy Cars

Cool Indy CarsCool Indy Cars by Jon M. Fishman
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1541519922
Pages: 24
Goodreads
three-stars

Cool Indy Cars by Jon M. Fishman is just what many k-2 students want, clear colorful photographs and just a little text. A table of contents at the beginning and diagram of an Indy Car, facts,  and  index at the end will be welcomed by educators who are teaching young children how to read informational books. Each page has a photograph , two or three sentences,  and often an inserted caption for the photo to break up the reading. Beginning researchers and young racing car fans will increase their  knowledge about a popular subject with this book.

Recommended by Margy Soule, Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, Maine 

three-stars

Squares, Rectangles, and Other Quadrilaterals

Squares, Rectangles, and Other QuadrilateralsSquares, Rectangles, and Other Quadrilaterals by David A. Adler
Published by Holiday House on December 24th 2018
ISBN: 0823437590
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

Squares, Rectangles, and Other Quadrilaterals  by David Adler and illustrated by Edward Miller presents geometric information for students in grades first through fourth.  A jaunty cartoon style dog and cat are on each page to encourage young mathematicians to grow their knowledge. Taken in small bits and pieces and not all in one reading, children can learn to use terms such as  polygons, angles, horizontal, vertical, 90 degrees, parallelograms,  rhombus, and trapezoid. This amount of information may be overwhelming to some, but the glossary at the end will help. The information is clearly presented. Will some elementary school age students be turned off by the dog and cat guides? Perhaps, but the friendly characters do offer readers a sense of hope.  If this happy dog and cat can learn math, than I can too.

Recommended by Margy Soule, Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, Maine

three-stars

The Frog Book

The Frog BookThe Frog Book by Steve Jenkins, Robin Page
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 0544387600
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

The Frog Book by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page will interest both casual browsers and and beginning researchers alike. Children k-3 will find fascinating facts on every page, and like peanuts, readers and listeners will gobble them up. Jenkins’ characteristic cut paper collage illustrate this nonfiction work. Careful thought went into the cover’s bold design, back dust jacket, illustrated front flap, and marbled endpapers. The table at the end directs beginning researchers to the page where a specific frog is found, along with a chart with body length, diet, and range. Each double page spread has a uniting theme in bold face such as “What do frogs eat?” and “It’s all about the eggs.” Highly recommended for Cream of the Crop by Margy Soule, Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, Maine

five-stars

Beware of the Crocodile

Beware of the CrocodileBeware of the Crocodile by Martin Jenkins, Satoshi Kitamura
Published by Candlewick Press on March 12th 2019
ISBN: 0763675385
Pages: 32
Goodreads

Crocodiles, we have read how cunning, scary and ruthless they are if something gets in their sight. Martin Jenkins introduces young scientists to  this toothy , scaly reptile. Along with the scary part, Jenkins paints a kinder side to the crocodile. they sunbathe in the sand, cool off in the water and crocodile mothers are protective and gentle with their young. In a conversational text, readers learn a lot about one of the deadliest reptiles in the world. Satoshi Kitamura’s illustrations done in mixed media are true to fact but soften the scarier facts about crocodiles. He has added additional information and websites for those interested in furthering their interest in this reptile.This is the book for the budding herpetologist. Good for grades k-5.

Reviewed by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray

Greek Myths and Mazes

three-stars

Gods, heroes, fantastic creatures and historical events await the reader in a series of detailed two page mazes. An introduction to ancient Greek myths, legends, monsters and places, this interactive format will keep readers engaged. For readers who enjoy finding their way in mazes, they will also discover the myths and the world of ancient Greek by playing close attention to the illustrations and captions.  There is more detailed information in the back of the book in the Explanatory Notes section that correlates with each maze.

The mixed media illustrations in the book were inspired by the artwork of numerous ancient Greek vases, frescoes, and statues.  A fun and interactive way to learn about the culture of the ancient Greeks.  The large format presents a challenge in storing the book but would work well to have book displayed  with Greek collection.  Not recommended as a first purchase but a secondary purchase for most libraries with a strong collection.  For readers age 10 and up.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public  Library, Kennebunkport, ME

 

 

three-stars