Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

And the Bullfrogs Sing: A Life Cycle Begins

And the Bullfrogs Sing: A Life Cycle Begins by David L Harrison, Kate Cosgrove
Published by Holiday House on May 21st 2019
ISBN: 0823438341
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

Beyond adequate for preschool story programs this book offers information and a beautiful presentation to young readers/listeners.   Facts are presented in story form accompanied by attractive two-page illustrated spreads.  While table manners are not fully developed by frogs, they know how to live life in the pond.  Children may be surprised by both good and negative relationships with other animals as life in the pond can be dangerous.

Illustrations are descriptive and attractive in shape and color.  The almost circular drawings complete with white space are welcome breaks from all the dark backgrounds. A page of bullfrog facts and references is helpful but this is not a book for school projects.  Recommended for preschools and public libraries who collect science picture books.

 

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

Ranger Rick: I Wish I Was a Wolf

Ranger Rick: I Wish I Was a WolfRanger Rick: I Wish I Was a Wolf by Jennifer Bove
Published by HarperCollins on December 31st 2018
ISBN: 0062432206
Pages: 32
Goodreads
two-stars

I Wish I Was a Wolf is an informational early reader book that aims to give young readers facts about wolves. Each page is a full color picture of wolves with a white box giving information on a certain aspect of wolves’ lives. Bové structures the book to encourage children to compare aspects of their own lives with those of wolves. Unfortunately, this means that Bové then ends the book with an odd page that asks kids if they really want to “live outdoors? Lick [themselves] clean? Eat thrown-up meat?” and then tells them that luckily they don’t have to because they’re themselves. Structuring the book like this takes away from the informational aspects and adds nothing in return. Additionally, some of the facts are simplified to the point of misinformation.

Included in the backmatter are a “Did you know?” section,  a “Fun Zone” with activities based on wolf sounds, a short glossary, and a link to more information. There is no table of contents. Vocabulary seems to best first a first or second-grade reader.

A secondary purchase where animal books for readers are very popular.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

two-stars

Snow Leopard: Ghost of the Mountains

Snow Leopard: Ghost of the MountainsSnow Leopard: Ghost of the Mountains by Justin Anderson, Patrick Benson
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on October 8th 2019
ISBN: 1536205400
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Justin Anderson is a zoologist and filmmaker who spent months in India tracking and filming the very rare and very illusive Snow Leopard. He has offered his findings in this picture book for young zoologists. These  cats live very high in the Himalayas where oxygen is half of what it is at sea level, they have the longest tail of all the cats, their eyes are blue at birth and turn green or gray as they age- all other cats have gold or yellow eyes , they are extremely well  camouflaged, and they are in danger, with less than 4,000 in the wild. Anderson invites the reader along with him as he tracks this rarest of wild cats. Patrick Benson adds illustrations to this journey that are large, quiet and done in shades of browns. The author has included facts about the leopard at the bottom of each page , an authors note, an index, and websites to visit for more information. Add to collections on endangered species. This book is worth reading to readers who will one day be responsible for the fate of this beautiful and mysterious cat.

submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library

consider for Cream

five-stars

Join the No-Plastic Challenge: a first Book of Reducing Waste

Join the No-Plastic Challenge: a first Book of Reducing WasteJoin the No-Plastic Challenge!: A First Book of Reducing Waste by Scot Ritchie
Published by Kids Can Press on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 152530240X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Part of the Exploring Our Community series,author Ritchie introduces readers to Nick and his friends who are learning about plastic pollution. They are challenged to go one day without using single use plastic. Told in story form, this book is filled with facts about the use and misuse of single-use plastics.This is the plastic we use once and throw away: forks, lids, straws, and how it affects every living thing on the planet. The author also explains in text and illustration how plastic is made.  The  text is in two forms, a story form simple and easy for those younger readers and then a bolder more deliberate form for the scientist reader. Each page of text  is supported  with illustrations digitally rendered. There is a glossary of words to know in the back of the book and many suggestions on how to live a more plastic free. This is an excellent STEAM introduction to one of our planets biggest contributors to pollution. It is a must for every library and every reader. CREAM

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library

five-stars

A World of Discovery

A World of DiscoveryA World of Discovery by Richard Platt, James Brown
Published by Candlewick Studio on October 8th 2019
ISBN: 1536207667
Pages: 64
Goodreads
five-stars

An entry in the Candlewick Studios oversized non-fiction books series, A World of Discovery talks about world-changing discoveries throughout history.  The book starts in 3500 BCE with the wheel and ends with artificial intelligence. The book mentions 30 discoveries in total, from simple concepts such as fire, time, and the wheel, to massive advancements such as antibiotics, steam power, and refrigeration.  Each topic receives a 2 page spread with a writeup on the discovery and creator, along with quotes and interesting facts on the left, while the right-hand side has a one color illustration of the invention and how it works. The book takes items, many from our daily lives, and explains how revolutionary they were at one time.  It’s a great reminder to all of us to not take the world around us for granted. Best for ages 8-14.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

My Grandma and Me

My Grandma and MeMy Grandma and Me by Mina Javaherbin, Lindsey Yankey
Published by Candlewick Press on August 13th 2019
ISBN: 0763694940
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

My Grandma and Me

Not only an autobiographical love story of a little girl and her Grandma this book goes beyond the family to include the larger Muslin community in Iran.   Readers feel the adoration in the storyline as they learn about traditions in a culture that may be unlike their own.  Unity of thought however comes alive as the reader remember their own childhood cooking with a grandmother and playing with friends.  The Holidays may be different but the underlying reality of love between generations and sharing of time is comprehended by all.  This title can be seen as a work of art, My Grandma and Me is full of lovely patterns in the curtain, clothing, rugs, tiles and fabrics.   All of the characters are charming as they express their happiness, joy and love in simple daily task.  This is a cultural story of love that will touch all who open the book and read the story.

Add this to primary school media centers, public libraries and gift to families.  A perfect story book for grandmas and granddaughters.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

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