Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Saving Emma the Pig

Saving Emma the PigSaving Emma the Pig by Jennifer L. Meyer, John Chester
Published by Feiwel & Friends on May 14, 2019
ISBN: 1250187796
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Emma the pig is pregnant and sick. The farmers of Apricot Lane Farms hope she has a small litter but then she gives birth to seventeen piglets! She’s exhausted and feverish and refuses to eat and the piglets have to live with the farmers for a while. While the writing in this book is a little odd (it took me a few pages to figure out that the narrator was a human and not a rooster, which is probably on me) the illustrations more than make up for it. This whole event was clearly nerve wracking for the farmers and the illustrations and text capture the tenderness and love that the farmers obviously have for their animals.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten free Library, Bath

four-stars

Gymnastics Superstar Simone Biles

Gymnastics Superstar Simone BilesGymnastics Superstar Simone Biles by Jon M. Fishman
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on January 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541538501
Pages: 24
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a simple and concise biography for very young kids.  The photos are great, there’s picture glossary at the end and there are a couple of interactive questions throughout the book. This is the kind of book I really appreciate when reading to small children. The text is informative, minimal and straightforward. I also love that it mentions that Simone Biles jumped on her couch when she was little which might make kids with a lot of energy think differently about themselves.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Crayola Fun Science Crafts

Crayola Fun Science CraftsCrayola (R) Fun Science Crafts by Rebecca Felix
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on January 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541510984
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
one-star

When my kids were smaller I took out every craft and STEAM book in the library and tore through them thinking “Why isn’t there a book of crafts that kids can do without an adult?!”(I eventually found a few.) This book, unfortunately, is one that I would have immediately returned as it’s essentially just an ad for Crayola products. The projects are either boring or too complicated to be done without a parent present the entire time.  It suggests science themed crafts but has no information to explain them. For example, a moon flip-book craft instructs the kids to research moon phases. Why not include a brief explanation for them?

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

one-star

Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species

Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of 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
five-stars

An adaptation of Charles Darwin’s influential work, Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species is visually engaging, beautifully illustrated, and full of information. Endpapers are comprised of detailed illustrations of butterflies and beetles; the author encourages young readers to become naturalists and to observe these insects in nature, as Darwin did. Radeva highlights relevant quotes from Darwin’s work, and expands upon his ideas in a manner that is clear and understandable to a young audience. The conclusion page at the end of the book summarizes Darwin’s theory into five simplified points. Author’s note, appendix, a page addressing common misconceptions, glossary, and recommended readings all add to the enrichment of this book. Intended for children ages 8-11, this book is a valuable addition to public and school libraries, providing a digestible resource for Darwin’s work.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library

five-stars

The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up the World

The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up the WorldThe Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up the World by Robert Ball, The Staff of The Undefeated
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on December 24, 2019
ISBN: 1328940624
Pages: 96
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An important highlighting of influential Black Americans, The Fierce 44 provides profiles of people throughout our culture: entertainment, sports, science, politics, and the military. The number 44 is a nod to Barack Obama, the 44th president, and the first Black president of the United States. Each double spread includes a compelling painted portrait, which captures the essence of the person and brings the figure to life. A brief phrase in bold text highlights the main reason why the person was included in the book, and a page of informational text provides an overview to the person’s accomplishments. Aside from a table of contents, there is a notable lack of supplemental information. Intended for children ages 10 and up, the Fierce 44 is an inspiring collective biography, and illuminates the valuable contributions of many Black Americans throughout history. This book is a great addition to public and school libraries, and would be recommended for children looking to be inspired.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library

four-stars

Leading the Way: Women in Power

Leading the Way: Women in PowerLeading the Way: Women in Power by Alexandra Bye, Hilary Rodham Clinton, Janet Howell, Kylie Akia, Theresa Howell
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on October 8, 2019
ISBN: 1536208469
Pages: 144
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Profiling 50 women who have helped to shape our political landscape, Leading the Way enlightens children on the roles strong and powerful women have played, and continue to play, in United States politics. Leadership roles highlighted include (but aren’t limited to) Supreme Court Justices, Secretaries of State, First Ladies, Senators, and State Representatives. There is a prominent acknowledgment of diversity, featuring many nonwhite women. A double spread is dedicated to each profile, which includes a painted portrait, quotations, and approximately one page of informational text. Power symbols are also provided alongside each portrait, denoting a strong demonstration of a particular quality: integrity, community, courage, etc. A guide to these power symbols, with a more expansive explanation of the quality, is included at the start of the book. Table of contents, index, source notes for further exploration, a take-action guide, and a list of more leaders to discover that were not highlighted in the book, provide valuable supplemental information for the reader. Intended for readers ages 10-13, this is an informative resource to inspire children, and to remind them of the strength and leadership of women throughout the course of history. Leading the Way would be a terrific addition to any public or school library.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library

five-stars

Planet Earth

Planet EarthPaper World: Planet Earth by Bomboland
Published by Big Picture Press on September 17, 2019
ISBN: 153620854X
Pages: 30
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

An engaging overview of our planet, Planet Earth explores a wide variety of topics (e.g. tectonic plates, glaciers, deserts, weather). The bold colors and graphic design of the book, coupled with sturdy flaps for young readers to lift, provide an engaging format to explore. Page cutouts and visual layering add depth to each double spread, and pull the reader into the text. Information is presented in short, factual text blocks. Planet Earth provides a solid overview to pique a child’s interest, and can provide the foundation for deeper exploration of a given topic. A clear table of contents and glossary are useful for the reader. Intended for children ages 6-8, this book is well suited for tactile and visual learners, and those looking to explore a wide range of geographical and atmospheric features of our planet.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library

five-stars

Hair: Animal Fur, Wool, and More

Hair: Animal Fur, Wool, and MoreHair!: Animal Fur, Wool, and More by Julie Colombet, Marilyn Singer
Published by Millbrook Press (Tm) on January 1, 2019
ISBN: 1512449156
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A distinguishing characteristic of mammals, the topic of hair is explored in Hair: Animal Fur, Wool, and More. This engaging book provides a sound foundation of knowledge about the different types and purposes of hair on a wide variety of mammals. From humans to cats to dolphins, Hair informs with fascinating facts about this common and taken-for-granted trait. Detailed photographs paired with conversations depicted in speech bubbles between an illustrated sheepdog and bird will draw the reader into the text and keep them turning pages. Hair includes two double spreads of trivia information (How many hair follicles do we have? What is the hairiest mammal in the world?), as well as a glossary, selected bibliography, and further text and web resources. Intended for children ages 7-10, Hair is an entertaining and informative resource that will be popular with inquisitive children. It would be a great resource to have on-hand in a classroom library when studying the subject of mammals.

 Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library

four-stars

Animazes: Extraordinary Animal Migrations

Animazes: Extraordinary Animal MigrationsAnimazes: Extraordinary Animal Migrations by Katie Haworth, Melissa Castrillón
Published by Big Picture Press on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 1536208531
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Readers explore the migratory journeys of 14 creatures in Animazes: Extraordinary Animal Migrations. From Antarctic krill to wildebeests, readers enjoy a wide range of animals and environments. Each double-page spread includes a concise description of the journey the animal makes, and a highly illustrated maze of their migratory paths. Readers are instructed to start the migratory journey at a red flag, and end at a checkered flag; these flags are not always obvious to spot, as they get lost in the wealth of visual information presented. The maze routes provided are fairly straightforward, and many readers will not have a need to consult the answer key at the end of the book. Textual information about the animals’ migratory paths is presented along the maze routes in short, factual sentences. Animazes provides readers with a brief overview of the migratory journeys of these animals in an eye-catching and engaging format. Intended for children aged 6-9, the book would appeal to children who are tolerant of a wealth of visual information and enjoy puzzle formats.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library

three-stars

Even More Lesser Spotted Animals

Even More Lesser Spotted AnimalsEven More Lesser Spotted Animals by Martin Brown
Published by David Fickling Books on July 30, 2019
ISBN: 1338349619
Pages: 56
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A companion to Lesser Spotted Animals (2016), Martin Brown continues to educate and entertain with Even More Lesser Spotted Animals. Spotlighting 21 lesser-known wild animals, Brown increases readers’ awareness of and encourages conservation for these compelling creatures. Brown’s endearing illustrations, interspersed with humorous speech bubbles, grab the reader and pull them into the text. Each double page spread features an animal, providing an illustration, informative text, and a stand-alone box with quick facts including the animal’s size, diet, locale, and conservation status. Brown’s clear, humorous, and delightfully illustrated table of contents and glossary provide readers with a wealth of information in an easily digestible format. Recommended for ages 7-10, this informative book will pique the curiosity and spur the interests of its readers, and may even encourage budding conservationists to take action on behalf of their new favorite animal.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library

five-stars