Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

The Speed of Starlight: An Exploration of Physics, Sound, Light, and Space

The Speed of Starlight: An Exploration of Physics, Sound, Light, and SpaceThe Speed of Starlight: An Exploration of Physics, Sound, Light, and Space by Colin Stuart, Ximo Abadía
Published by Big Picture Press on October 1st 2019
ISBN: 1536208558
Pages: 80
Goodreads
three-stars

The Speed of Starlight provides a brief overview of principles within the topics of physics, sound, light and color, and space. Recommended for children ages 8 – 12, Stuart’s text reads more like trivia, and can leave the reader wanting for more. The table of contents is clear; however, the there are no visual indications within the main body of the book to alert readers as to where exactly the larger subject headings change. Readers are dependent up on the table of contents for subject navigation; there is also a notable lack of index and glossary. Abadía’s illustrations are graphic and colorful, with no white space. Perhaps a personal preference, but I find the absence of white space difficult to read for any length of time. The black text printed on darkly colored backgrounds provides little contrast and can tire the reader’s eyes. The Speed of Starlight is an oversized book (approximately 14”x11”); its size in combination with its bold graphic style and overuse of color make it feel as though it is going for the “wow” effect. This eye-catching book is best suited for those looking for a quick overview on a number of scientific topics, rather than for those seeking more substantive information.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

three-stars

Rescuing Rialto: A Baby Sea Otter’s Story

Rescuing Rialto: A Baby Sea Otter’s StoryRescuing Rialto: A Baby Sea Otter's Story by Lynda V. Mapes, Alan Berner
Published by Roaring Brook Press on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 1250147646
Pages: 40
Genres: Informational
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A photojournalist tells the true story of Rialto, a rescued baby sea otter found stranded at Olympic National Park in northern Washington. There are few animals cuter than a sea otter! The text is interesting and readable. Along with the rescue effort the reader learns much about sea otters including their human-caused near extinction and come back. The photographs documented the text but their quality lacked clarity, at times. A nice addition for any library’s marine animals and animal rescue information. Positive depictions of female scientists throughout.

Reviewed by Barb rehmeyer, Liberty Library, Liberty

four-stars

Wacky Inventions Throughout History: Weird inventions that seem too crazy to be real!

Wacky Inventions Throughout History: Weird inventions that seem too crazy to be real!Wacky Inventions Throughout History: Weird Inventions That Seem Too Crazy to Be Real! by Joe Rhatigan, Celeste Aires
Published by Walter Foster Jr. -- Quarto Library on 2019
ISBN: 9781600588006
Pages: 32
Genres: Informational
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

One of the books in the “Wacky Things” series. This book describes some wacky inventions that seem too crazy to be true but are. The entries were entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny, at times, such as an alarm clock bed that tips the sleeper onto the floor to wake him up. In addition to the brief description of the invention, there is also a short vignette of a historical nature. I learned through research for reviews that this seems to be an updated edition of 50 Wacky Inventions Throughout History, which is actually a spinoff of Inventions That Could Have Changed the World but Didn’t (2015) all by the same author.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library, Liberty

four-stars

Super Summer

Super SummerSuper Summer: All Kinds of Summer Facts and Fun by Bruce Goldstone
Published by Henry Holt & Company on May 7th 2019
ISBN: 1250120152
Pages: 48
Goodreads
four-stars

Most books about seasons either are very general or focus on one topic. What makes this a standout is the broad coverage of facts about the summer season. Clear bright photographs from many angles and views show vacation destinations, foods, insect and other animal behaviors, clothing, cooling, plants, and activities. 

Creative presentations of facts include “What does summer sound like?” with the crack of a bat when hitting a baseball instead of just saying baseball is a summer sport. There is also variety in the layout of each two-page spread. Some pages simply label the items in a particular category while other pages provide a paragraph of detailed information, such as explaining why a sunflower follows the sun across the sky. A table of contents would be helpful.

This reviewer will be ordering the companion books, Awesome Autumn (2015), Wonderful Winter (2016), and Spectacular Spring (2018) for her school library collection.

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

four-stars

My Digital Future

My Digital FutureMy Digital Future by Ben Hubbard, Diego Vaisberg
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 154153879X
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Only the last 2 chapters (4 pages) directly address the uncertain future. There are a few statements scattered throughout, such as

MInecraft/lego fans will grab this book just for the block-style images and characters with speech bubbles. The font digital-style font was very difficult to read as it was small and pale against dark fact boxes.

Includes a table of contents, glossary, list of helpful websites and index. Each chapter is a two-page spread on topics such as “Dating Digital Devices,” “Explaining the World,” or “Educating the World.” There are a number of misleading statements, such as “Clever digital citizens want to live in a world of online uses who can use technology well.” Clever?? How about ‘responsible’? This particular page uses that statement to tell children how to teach older people who didn’t grow up with online technology, and the list of suggestions given are directed to children. 

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

two-stars

Mother Goose of Pudding Lane

Mother Goose of Pudding LaneMother Goose of Pudding Lane by Chris Raschka, Vladimir Radunsky
Published by Candlewick Press on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 0763675237
Pages: 48
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Is this a collection of Mother Goose rhymes? Is it a biography of Mother Goose? Is it entertaining? Yes, yes and yes! Raschka has outlined a brief biography of Elizabeth Foster who married Isaac Goose in 1692. Their large family needed stories, rhymes and lullabies for entertainment and instruction, which Elizabeth made up as the children grew. 

Each colorful double page spread begins with a short rhyme. Strung together,Raschka’s original rhymes tell the story of their life from marriage until they “at last grew old and gray.” He then placed on each page traditional Mother Goose rhymes that reflect that aspect of the family’s life. On the “Elizabeth Goose – the family goose – did counsel and advise” page, the reader finds “For early to bed and early to rise is the way to be healthy and wealthy and wise.”

Vladimer Radunsky’s illustrations depict 17th century dress. Animals, objects and people are spaced around the page. Some images are painted, some are simple pencil or charcoal sketches.

If you need something unique for Mother Goose, this book deserves a place in your collection.

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

four-stars

Flippers & Fins

five-stars

Do youngsters understand the invention process? Or that many tools we use are inspired by nature?  “Flippers & Fins” is one book in the ‘Animal Tech’ series which includes “Fur & Claws,”

“Creepy & Crawly,” and “Wings & Beaks” all by this author published in 2019.

Clear photos, insets, colorful layouts, fact boxes, labels, and activities invite the reader to read the text to find out exactly how scientists use these animal concepts. The text is detailed enough to cover how each example of biomimicry works, yet is easy to understand for middle aged elementary youngsters. Readers will also be drawn by the seemingly odd connections. For example, Otto Schmitt studied squid axons in his work to develop the ‘Schmitt trigger’ which is a critical part for electrical switches. Other examples include sharks and swimsuits, cephalopods and camouflage, and whales and wind turbines. 

This book would be a great introduction to science projects, and would make a good partner book to Dora Lee’s “Biomimicry: Inventions Inspired by Nature” (2011). 

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

five-stars

Sembrando historias: Pura Belpré: bibliotecaria y narradora de cuentos

Sembrando historias: Pura Belpré: bibliotecaria y narradora de cuentosSembrando historias: Pura Belpré: bibliotecaria y narradora de cuentos by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Published by HarperCollins Espanol on January 15th 2019
ISBN: 1400212642
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

This enchanting and beautiful Spanish language picture book tells the story of Pura Belpré, librarian, puppeteer, and storyteller. After emigrating from Puerto Rico to her new island home of Manhattan, Pura was hired as a bilingual library aid at her local public library. She loved story time, but realized she wanted to pass on the special Puerto Rican folktales her grandfather had told her with New York’s children. Initially, she simply told the stories orally. Then, she decided she would sew puppets to embellish story time. Of course, a pioneer like Pura was still not satisfied. She wanted to plant the seeds for these stories to live on beyond her time at the library. So Pura kept going until the stories were written down and published. This picture biography is poetically written, elucidating Pura’s captivating and industrious nature. Sembrando historias is a love letter to libraries and librarians everywhere who sew and nurture the seeds of storytelling, a love of reading, and carrying on tradition. Readers who love adventure or who appreciate elegant illustrations will love this book. Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, SAD 17 Elementary Librarian, Oxford Hills.

five-stars

Spectacular Space Stations

Spectacular Space StationsSpectacular Space Stations by Elsie Olson
Published by Lerner Publications (Tm) on August 1st 2019
ISBN: 154155597X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Have you heard about the chef on the International Space Station? His food is out of this world! This book seeks to answer many of your burning questions about life in Earth’s orbit. What do astronauts eat up there? And what is a day in the life of an ISS resident like? How have space stations changed since their inception? And what does the future hold for space stations? This book is well organized and easy to navigate. Each page is loaded with real photographs  illustrating each of the topics covered. Any student looking to do a report on life in space would likely find what they were looking for within its pages. And with Maine’s own Jessica Meir currently living aboard the ISS, this book would make a great addition to any Maine library collection! Recommended for students in grades 3-6. 

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, SAD 17 Elementary Librarian, Oxford Hills.

four-stars

Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter

Harriet Tubman: Freedom FighterHarriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter by Nadia L. Hohn, Gustavo Mazali
Series: I Can Read
Published by HarperCollins on December 31st 2018
ISBN: 0062432850
Pages: 32
Goodreads

This “I Can Read!” (Level 2) biography of Harriet Tubman is concise and includes two sections. The first is a beautifully illustrated narrative of her brave and adventurous life. The second, significantly shorter section, includes a timeline and primary source material as well as more in-depth information about her life and experiences. The coverage of Tubman’s life in this book is realistic and acknowledges how badly enslaved people were treated, while remaining appropriate for the intended audience (kids ages 4-8). There are some claims that seem to come out of nowhere (“She also had a disability.”) and the title lacks a bibliography for a curious reader who would like to find out more. A younger student hoping to learn about significant events in and the basic biographical information of Harriet Tubman’s life would certainly find this book useful. It is an accessible and honest account of the amazing risks Tubman took in order to help improve the lives of many, many enslaved people. 

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, SAD 17 Elementary Librarian, Oxford Hills.