Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

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

Death Eaters: Meet Nature’s Scavengers

Death Eaters: Meet Nature’s ScavengersDeath Eaters: Nature's Decomposers and Scavengers by Kelly Milner Halls
Published by Millbrook Press on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1512482005
Goodreads
five-stars

There has been life on earth for over 4 billion years- so where are all the bodies? Kelly Milner Halls has given the reader the answer in this non- fiction picture book filled with fact and photographs .The answer is “recycling.” When something or someone dies it is consumed by the “death-eaters”, scavengers and decomposers – the “clean-up crew.” It is in this selection the reader gets to meet them and though it may seem gross to us- it is amazing and fascinating as to how the earth cleans itself. Ms Halls takes the reader through the five stages of death, explaining each one and introducing the bodily function,  insect or animal that is responsible for addressing each stage. In the first stage for instance, an animal freshly dead, the body begins to shut down and self digest. After about three days, animals such as wolves or hyenas eat or store the somewhat fresh corpse. Then  the, birds from crows to seagulls, insects of all sorts take their turn until nothing is left but bones. Now it is the job of the bone eating worms and finally the bacteria and fungi to leave no trace of the dead. With lots of photographs  and a text easy to understand, this is the completion of any book about insects, birds or animals as to what happens to them after they die. Use with units on nature, animals and recycling.

reviewed by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray

five-stars

Dr. Esperanto and the Language of Hope

Dr. Esperanto and the Language of HopeDoctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope by Mara Rockliff, Zosia Dzierżawska
Published by Candlewick Press on March 12th 2019
ISBN: 0763689157
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

This picture book biography about Leyzer Zamenhof and his invention of Esperanto is well written and has charming illustrations. Zamenhof was born in 1859 in a Polish town with many different groups of people speaking their own languages. He decided at a young age that he would make up a universal language that would help people understand each other and live in peace. As an adult he shared this language in a book and signed it Dr. Esperanto. Although, Esperanto hasn’t become a universal language, it hasn’t disappeared. There is an annual international meeting called The Universala Kongreso for people interested in pursuing Zamenhof’s dream. This fascinating book will delight readers. The author included more information about Esperanto and Zamenhof at the end of the book. There is also a bibliography of print sources. Grades 2-4, Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

Clackety Track

Clackety TrackClackety Track: Poems about Trains by Skila Brown, Jamey Christoph
Published by Candlewick Press on March 12th 2019
ISBN: 0763690473
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Climb aboard to the perfect train poem in this non-fiction picture book by Skila Brown.  The poems are written in a variety of forms that set the tone for the variety of trains depicted.  The welcoming jaunt of the railroad yard, the anticipation that tracks must feel, the “sleek and slick” Bullet train and the calming rhythm felt in a sleeper car come alive with the right mix of words and illustrations.  Snow Plow trains, the Zoo train and the Underground Subway Train are all represented.  The digitally rendered illustrations cover each two page spread with the train as the center piece showing movement, details and a diverse group of people. The poems are brief enough to share the whole book during a train story time.  Young engineers can learn more facts to supplement the poems in a Train facts spread in the back.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

Titanosaur

TitanosaurTitanosaur: Discovering the World's Largest Dinosaur by José Luis Carballido, Diego Pol, Florencia Gigena
Published by Scholastic Press on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 1338207393
Pages: 40
Goodreads
four-stars

“Titanosaur” is actually written by the paleontologists who led the dig on the giant dinosaur, Dr. Jose Luis Carballido and Dr. Diego Pol, which is pretty cool! The book is a bit wordy for younger readers, but works well as an informational picture book. Unfamiliar words are defined in asides and photos of the actual dig and processes are shown throughout the book. The illustrations by Florencia Gigena are beautiful while still being scientifically correct.

You learn a lot about paleontology and how digs work without being overly detailed. The authors conveyed the excitement they must have felt while finding the titanosaur bones through the text: “It’s the biggest dinosaur ever found… for now!” Geared towards children age 5-7, “Titanosaur” is beautiful, informational, and fun. A must-buy for kids who love learning about dinosaurs!

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars

Mary Wears What She Wants

Mary Wears What She WantsMary Wears What She Wants by Keith Negley
Published by Balzer + Bray on January 15th 2019
ISBN: 0062846795
Pages: 42
Goodreads
five-stars

Inspired by an episode from the podcast The Memory Palace titled “Mary Walker Would Wear What She Wanted,” Negley created this picture book to share with the world Walker’s story and her message of wearing the clothes that make you feel the most comfortable. Walker was born in the 1830s when women were expected to wear dresses. She fought this construct, choosing a much more comfortable style of dress – pants!  Using spare text and a palate of pinks and grays in cut-paper collage, Negley focuses on Mary’s childhood when she first chooses to make the switch. She is supported by her father, shunned and chased by other children, and picketed by the townspeople. But Mary persists and by the end of the book things change for the better as more girls choose to wear what is comfortable instead of what is prescribed by society (this message could apply to any gender as it wasn’t about gender at all for Mary, but about comfort). The reader learns in an author note that Mary continued to fight convention by attending medical school and becoming a surgeon and then by fighting for women’s right to vote and wear what they wanted. Readers/listeners will cheer for Mary as they recognize the power struggle that getting dressed can represent but also as they struggle to understand that, once upon a time, girls couldn’t wear what they wanted and she persevered. The book deserves a place on the shelf along with the other books about forgotten women who took a stand and wrought change on an unforgiving and narrow-minded society thereby paving the way for women and girls today to use their voices to cast a ballot or wear the pants.

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

five-stars

Eavesdropping on Elephants: How Listening Helps Conservation

Eavesdropping on Elephants: How Listening Helps ConservationEavesdropping on Elephants by Patricia Newman
Published by Millbrook Press (Tm) on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1541515714
Pages: 56
Goodreads
five-stars

“I see my responsibility as being able to listen,” says scientist Katy Payne. As part of the Elephant Listening Project, Katy has listened to African Forest elephants for years. She knew that eavesdropping  could help scientists protect these important species.”

Katy Payne had listened to whales for some fifteen years . When she got back to Oregon, she was sitting in the elephant barn at the Washington Park Zoo in Portland, listening to the elephants. She wondered if these creatures communicated as whales did, using infrasound – sounds too low for humans to hear. The scientist in Katy had to know. Thus, the Elephant Listening Project was created and still works to study the calls of forest elephants. This middle school book examines the plight of the architects of the forest. It is filled with information on this key species. One third of the African rain forests come from the seeds dropped by elephants. Their daily activities help the forest flourish.  Could this information on the way they communicate help protect them, could the combination of sound and behavior help scientists decode what elephants are saying to each other? The information is still being collected today. This book of 56 pages is filled with photos supporting a clear, concise text. It also includes QR codes to allow the reader to see and hear the forest elephants.  This is a must for collections on conservation of both forests and species.

Reviewed by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray

five-stars