Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Hack Your Backyard

Hack Your BackyardHack Your Backyard: Discover a World of Outside Fun with Science Buddies (R) by Niki Ahrens
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on January 1, 2019
ISBN: 154153915X
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Science experiments to do in your backyard, such as make your own compass, learn to tell the temperature from crickets, count the stars, and different color pigments that make up plants. Simple instructions and clear photos. QR codes lead to supplemental content. This book was created in partnership with Science Buddies, an organization focused on fostering STEM discovery through hands-on explorations.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library.

four-stars

Samuel Morse, That’s Who!: The Story of the Telegraph and Morse Code

Samuel Morse, That’s Who!: The Story of the Telegraph and Morse CodeSamuel Morse, That's Who!: The Story of the Telegraph and Morse Code by El Primo Ramon, Tracy Nelson Maurer
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on June 25, 2019
ISBN: 1627791302
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Samuel Morse is most often associated as being the inventor of the Morse code.  However, this biography shares with us how much more he accomplished. His first forays into inventing were failures, so he turned to his other love: art.  During his time in Europe, he noticed the telegraph system in France and spent his return voyage sketching out his own telegraph system. Early versions were not successful, but he finally got a working device.  Not only did he invent the code, but he created the means for it to be used as a communication tool. This book is a very approachable tale of this story, which makes connections to current day. Back matter includes a timeline of Morse’s life, additional facts, a bibliography, and an author’s note.  Recommended for ages 5-8.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

four-stars

The Unofficial Guide to Minecraft Mining and Farming

The Unofficial Guide to Minecraft Mining and FarmingThe Unofficial Guide to Minecraft Mining and Farming by Heather E. Schwartz
Series: My Minecraft
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1541538854
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

As the name of the game implies, mining is a huge part of playing the game Minecraft. And in order to survive, a player must also learn to grow food. This guide avoids telling players things they might already know simply from playing the game and sticks to offering tips and tricks about mining and farming better. With plenty of screen shots and some connections to real-world applications, this is a book for those just beginning to play or who are interested in learning if they might like to play the game (and perhaps justifying it to an adult in their life). Not essential, but if it were on the shelf in a school or public library, it would certainly circulate.

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

three-stars

The Moon Book

The Moon BookThe Moon Book by Gail Gibbons
Published by Holiday House on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 0823443248
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

This revised and updated edition of Gail Gibbon’s The Moon Book provides students with a clear introduction to how the moon was formed, its orbit, phases of the moon, solar and lunar eclipse, exploration, milestones, legends, and additional facts. Gibbon’s characteristic illustrations direct the reader’s eye to what is being explained. While the book does not include an index or glossary, there are many labeled diagrams and bold subject headings across the top of the pages. This updated version includes a map of the moon. Recommended for schools and libraries serving k-3 children. Margy Soule, Coffin elementary School, Brunswick, Maine

four-stars

Lion of the Sky: Haiku for All Seasons

Lion of the Sky: Haiku for All SeasonsLion of the Sky: Haiku for All Seasons by Laura Purdie Salas, Mercè López
Published by Millbrook Press (Tm) on April 2nd 2019
ISBN: 1512498092
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Haiku, a form of poetry made up of three lines : five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line and five syllables in the third line. Author Salas has taken this form as an invitation to the reader to explore the four seasons – but with a twist! These haiku poems are riddle-ku and mask poems.Something non human narrates the poem and asks the reader to guess what the narrator is- that is a mask poem  and instead of the well known haiku form that describes something, a riddle -ku invites the reader to guess what object the poem is. Each page offers a riddle with large illustrations that reflect the season where the object can be found. the illustrations may be a bright sand pail found in summer or a snow globe on a gray-blue page that feels like winter.

There are many books of poetry available but there are some that are unique, that make a  school or library collection richer- this is one of those books.

Use with any poetry unit , units on the seasons, or just a mystery read aloud. Good for grades k – 6.

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

five-stars

A Place to Land: Martin Luther King and the Speech that Inspired a Nation

A Place to Land: Martin Luther King and the Speech that Inspired a NationA Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation by Barry Wittenstein, Jerry Pinkney
Published by Neal Porter Books on August 27th 2019
ISBN: 0823443310
Pages: 48
Goodreads

Barry Wittenstein and Jerry Pinkney  has given the reader the story behind Martin Luther King’s  “I Have a Dream” speech in both a conversational  text and classic Pinkney illustrations of watercolor, color pencil and graphite. King was once asked what was the hardest part of writing a speech. His reply was “knowing where to end.” “It’s terrible to be circling up there without a place to land.”  The night before the 1963 March on Washington, King and men he looked to for guidance met to write what would become his greatest sermon ever. The reader meets his inner circle and is invited into that hotel room as these men strategized. Wittenstein’s text is more a conversation and the reader feels like part of the group. Pinkney’s illustrations are large and expressive and take the reader through the night and onto the National Mall. This is a must for all collections  as it gives insight into how one of the greatest speech’s for freedom was written. There is a note from the artist ,short biographies of the men involved nd her voices , who spoke at the March and sources used to write this book.This is not only a visually inspiring book but sheds light into a piece of the Civil Rights Movement. Use in units about the Civil Right movement, Martin Luther King, and American History. Best for grades 4 and up.

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

Fish Everywhere

Fish EverywhereFish Everywhere by Britta Teckentrup
Published by Big Picture Press on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 1536206253
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

The shimmering fish swimming across the cover of this delightful non-fiction picture book lure the young reader to pick it up and glide through its vibrantly colorful pages, which contain introductory information about types of fish, habitats, feeding, raising young, etc. Each two-page spread features a topic and a concise paragraph, which lend well to being read-aloud, while further captions and diagrams offer additional facts. There are also a few “Can You Find It?” challenges that invite the reader to comb through the detailed pages, such as locating the small bristlemouth hiding within the book, which should offer some additional glee.

The gorgeous digital illustrations and creative design layout are what really make this book shine. Recommended for 1st-4th grade readers. Put this one on display and watch it swim right out the door.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

four-stars

Hawks Kettle, Puffins Wheel: And Other Poems of Birds in Flight

Hawks Kettle, Puffins Wheel: And Other Poems of Birds in FlightHawks Kettle, Puffins Wheel: And Other Poems of Birds in Flight by Susan Vande Griek, Mark Hoffmann
Published by Kids Can Press on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 1771389958
Pages: 36
Goodreads
three-stars

Poetry and science coalesce in this nonfiction picture book for elementary school readers that showcases a dozen unique birds found in North America, ranging from the more ubiquitous, like crows and hummingbirds, to lesser-known varieties like gannets and wood-pewees. Each two-page spread features a poem and a paragraph with a few distinct tidbits about each bird. For example, courting bald eagles will lock talons and cartwheel in the air. The illustrations are dynamic and engaging, with sweeping brush strokes and lettering that help bring the birds to life. While not deeply profound, the poetry is straight-forward and evokes a bit of each bird’s essence, such as puffins circling or a hummingbird hovering in flight. Some of the poems also feature creative text layout, like a V-formation for the Canadian goose, or a swooping angle to capture the drama of a peregrine falcon in descent. 

Additional information can be found at the end of the book, including further descriptions of each bird, a glossary of terms, and a feather identification guide that might appeal to the young collector, but overall, the information presented is introductory and brief. This book would likely roost best in an elementary classroom or school library, as this science and poetry crossover could work its way into either curriculum as a creative supplement.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

three-stars

When Birds had Teeth – a Dino Sphere book

five-stars

This simple hardcover book explains very precisely and simply how birds evolved from dinosaurs.  Using limited large font text, it speaks intelligently about dinosaurs, using wonderful illustrations and simple pictures of their fossils to help explain the similarities and differences of modern birds with their prehistoric cousins.

The amazing illustrations are simply labeled, with pronunciation guides as needed.  The fossil prints have wonderful detail, showing what the birds ate, their tail feathers, wings, toes, etc. There is a simple glossary, index, and more sites and books to read in the back of the book.

I would highly recommend this dinosaur book to libraries and parents.  Readers will be able to quickly grasp the connection between our birds today and of the birds of 150 million years ago!

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

five-stars

The Woolly Monkey Mysteries: The Quest to Save a Rain Forest Species

The Woolly Monkey Mysteries: The Quest to Save a Rain Forest SpeciesThe Woolly Monkey Mysteries: The Quest to Save a Rain Forest Species by Sandra Markle
Published by Millbrook Press (Tm) on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1512458686
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

Sandra Markle is a whiz with an animal story and this book is no exception. Upon learning about a project in Peru where camera traps were being set high up in rainforest trees, she had to know more. Her curiosity led to a scientist who was using the camera traps to study a seldom-seen, but necessary rainforest creature, the woolly monkey. Considered the rain forest’s gardeners, these animals are central to the spreading of seeds throughout the rainforest. Markle loves to find out why scientists study animals and how these animals fit into the ecosphere they inhabit and she conveys that intellectual curiosity and passion through her storytelling. This book explains the function of camera traps and delves into the information gathered about the woolly monkey from these devices. Readers will learn about the ecosystem of a rain forest and will hopefully be inspired to continue to learn more about keystone species and the need to fight for and protect the natural resources on Earth before it is too late. Plenty of beautiful photographs accompany Markle’s clearly written text and a few QR codes are included in the book so readers can further explore this topic and see/hear the woolly monkeys in their natural habitat. A glossary, index, and list of sources for further reading are all included. This book would be appropriate for school libraries with students in grades 3-6 but could also be put in public libraries and given to readers interested in the scientific process and/or fascinating animal stories.

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

five-stars