Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Mapping Sam

Mapping SamMapping Sam by Joyce Hesselberth
Published by Greenwillow Books on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 0062741225
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

An endearing story about a nocturnal cat quickly becomes an educational opportunity in Mapping Sam.  Sam does more than go out for a nighttime walk as she tours the neighborhood sniffing flowers and star gazing.  Her exploration turns a picture book into 32 pages of STEM worthy scientific observations.  Readers will view and learn about the compass, maps, graphs, skeleton, the solar system and blueprints.

While the storyline is well done it is the illustrations that make this title a contender for Cream.  Sam herself is beyond huggable, each page shows her inquisitive and charming personality.  The use of multi shaded background colors add depth to the illustrations and make the movement flow.   Both the map of Sam and the graph measuring the depth of the pond are outstanding illustrations.

Add to all libraries that serve grade K – 3 students and gift to your favorite budding scientist.

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

five-stars

The Truth About Dolphins

The Truth About DolphinsThe Truth About Dolphins: Seriously Funny Facts About Your Favorite Animals by Maxwell Eaton III
Published by Roaring Brook Press on May 8th 2018
ISBN: 162672668X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

This book has adorable, colorful drawings of dolphins and some cool facts. It has a graphic novel like style on many of its pages with a more traditional style on others. This can actually be a bit confusing at times to know where to read for the real facts. There are lots of speech bubbles with humorous ideas or quips and this can make it  harder for a young reader to figure out what is real and what is not unless an adult is there to explain that.

Reviewed by Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

three-stars

Water Land:Land and Water Forms Around the World

Water Land:Land and Water Forms Around the WorldWater Land: Land and Water Forms Around the World by Christy Hale
Published by Roaring Brook Press on May 22nd 2018
ISBN: 1250152445
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

From the colorful and active cover to the fold-out world map this concept book is a winner for pre-school to grade 1 students.   Printed on card stock Water Land is sturdy while the large format and cut out sections are inviting to young readers.  For each body of water the land environment is shown and celebrated by a very creative author/illustrator.  The images change as needed, what is a leaf on one page becomes an open fire on another.  Early readers can easily sound out the simple text as they learn the names for the water forms and land forms.  A positive feature is the addition of a wide variety of water and land animal in their nature habitats.  Blue, green and yellow come alive  as the birds fly through the air, the marine life swims along the shore, and the local people go about their daily business.

Add this book to prep-K and K classrooms and place a copy on the concept book shelves in public libraries.

four-stars

Stickmen’s Guide to Your Brilliant Brain

Stickmen’s Guide to Your Brilliant BrainStickmen's Guide to Your Brilliant Brain by John Farndon, Venitia Dean
Published by Hungry Tomato on August 1st 2017
ISBN: 151243213X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
three-stars

As the newest release in the Stickmen’s Guides to Your Awesome Body series this title is more than serviceable.  Released in the UK last year there is much information contained that is sure to win approval of the USA intermediate and young middle school American student.   The brain is studied and illustrated using the five senses and sections of the brain.  Information is presented in short segments which provide highlights of the functions of the brain.  Human anatomy is rarely this much fun, certainly the colorful graphic illustrations will draw in 8- 12 year old students interested in  science.

Intermediate schools will want this book among their science collection.  Public librarians may be interested but are apt to find the price steep for their budget.  Future scientist and medical personal will want this on their personal shelves at home.

 

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME.

three-stars

No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader GinsburgNo Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Kathleen Krull
Published by HarperCollins on February 27th 2018
ISBN: 0062560115
Pages: 48
Goodreads
three-stars

The latest picture book biography in a string of books about the fiery, level-headed Supreme Court Justice who always keeps civil rights and equality at the heart of her decisions. While the tone of the book is admiring, and while there cannot really be too many books about RBG, this book falls flat. There is a lot of text on each page and the emboldened words on many of the pages feels forced. The catchphrase of the title is true in the same way that there is no ‘i’ in ‘team’, but RBG has fought for equality and justice, and those are different concepts than “truth” which can seem subjective and situational.

The opening of the book places RBG among many other courageous, strong, influential women, but to blankly state that women are not still treated unfairly today is a gross overstatement. I would definitely prefer that the message our young readers/listeners hear be that women are valued today, but there was other more careful, positive language that could have been used to emphasize Ginsberg’s important place in history.

The biography emphasizes how much Ruth’s childhood and adolescent experiences impacted her life path. Being both Jewish and a female, Ginsberg was discriminated against time and again. She had to fight harder for everything that she achieved. The book hardly mentions her personal life except in a strange montage about some of the activities in which she partook (parasailing, horseback riding, water skiing), instead focusing on how her righteous indignation led to some of her biggest court cases (and dissenting arguments). The list of these hard-won moments of fairness are included in the end papers as is the process by which the Supreme Court has a case land on its bench. Not an essential purchase.  

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

three-stars

Inside the US Army

Inside the US ArmyInside the US Army by Jennifer Boothroyd
Published by Lerner Publications on August 1st 2017
ISBN: 1512433918
Pages: 24
Goodreads
three-stars

Part of a new series of high interest nonfiction by Lerner, Inside the US Army, offers glossy color pages with large font to explain the basics of joining up and working in the military.  The photography captures the action and intensity of life in the service though the brevity of pages keeps the details to a minimum.  Readers looking for more in-depth or personal accounts of soldiers will be left wanting. Written at a 2nd or 3rd grade level, upper elementary readers will also find this quick and appealing.  The books include a useful appendix to demonstrate the type of normal gear worn while in service, a history of the US Army and a glossary. A good addition to nonfiction collections in need of more variety and appeal for emergent and new English language learners as well as students with an interest in the military.  

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook

three-stars

Pass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How Monopoly was Invented

Pass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How Monopoly was InventedPass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How Monopoly Was Invented by Tanya Lee Stone, Steve Salerno
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on July 17th 2018
ISBN: 162779168X
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

What a crooked and complicated history for a beloved board game!  Pass Go and Collect $200 shares the remarkable and overlooked story of Lizzie Magie, the brainchild behind the mega-successful game.  In the early 1900s, Lizzie created the Landlord’s Game in an attempt to remind humanity of its better nature, that the rich don’t need to get richer off the backs of poor tenants.  She even received a US Patent for her idea, a rarity for a woman, which represented the first patent ever for a board game. Lizzie tried selling her game to Parker Brothers but was unceremoniously turned down.  Years later, the Landlord’s Game continued to grow in popularity. People made their own boards and pieces and one man, Charles Darrow, even started selling his version of the board (similar to the iconic board played on today).  He became so invested in his work that he came to believe that he was a legitimate inventor himself. When he approached Parker Brothers, the time was ripe to acquire the rights. In a double cross that Lizzie never saw coming, she accepted $500 from Parker Brothers who then gave full credit and millions to Charles Darrow.  Pass Go and Collect $200 is a colorfully illustrated book with a fascinating history. For younger children with a knowledge of Monopoly, this would make a fantastic read-aloud while elementary-aged readers will enjoy racing through each page to find out if Lizzie ends up winning the ultimate game. End pages with trivia, Monopoly Math and an Author’s Note are also not to be missed.  Great addition to any nonfiction collection.

Reviewed by Suzanne Dix, Westbrook Middle School, Westbrook

five-stars

A Frog’s Life

Published by Holiday House four-stars

A stunningly illustrated nonfiction picture book,   A Frog’s Life will be perused, poured over, and quoted from by primary grade students.  Both the text and illustrations are accurate and attractive.  Young readers will be entertained by these amazing frogs as they learn many facts such as favorite food and habitats.   The text offers simple science that is presented in fact sections and story like paragraphs.  Endangered frogs are examined and the index list the species that have been rescued. This book provides written and visual content that takes readers through the entire life cycle of frogs.

Several light shaded background pages allow for dark or light colored illustrations.  Each frog stands out or reseeds into its environment as in nature.  The last two pages are a bonus as they share the challenges of climate change and its effect on frogs.  This is a scientific offering that will be appreciated in primary classrooms and on library shelves.  School and public librarians should consider this attractive and educational book for their collections.

 

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian

four-stars

Pocket Bios: Marie Curie

Pocket Bios: Marie CurieMarie Curie by Al Berenger
Published by Roaring Brook Press on July 17th 2018
ISBN: 1250166152
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

This “Pocket Bios” biography of Marie Curie was written by Patricia Crété and has been translated into English by Catherine Nolan. Illustrations are by Bruno Wennagel and Mathieu Ferret. The book starts with her childhood in Poland and studies in France, then continues on to her marriage to Pierre and scientific discoveries, and ends with her death in 1934 and the posthumous move of their coffins to the Pantheon in Paris to rest with other heroes of France. The book provides a lot of interesting information about Marie Curie at a PreK to 2nd Grade level. The illustrations are simple and humorous and definitely add to the enjoyment of the book. I learned a few things that I did not know about Madame Curie and think this book is a good introduction to her life for a younger child. The back of the book also has a timeline of her life, a map with important places in her story, and “People to Know.” This book is similar to the Brian Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos “I Am” series. If you have a Juvenile Biography section at your library or a child who is very interested in learning about historical figures, I would purchase this book.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars

Pocket Bios: Charlie Chaplin

Pocket Bios: Charlie ChaplinCharlie Chaplin by Al Berenger
Published by Roaring Brook Press on July 17th 2018
ISBN: 1250166233
Pages: 32
Goodreads
four-stars

The “Pocket Bios” series comes from France. The Charlie Chaplin biography was written by Patricia Crété and has been translated into English by Catherine Nolan. Illustrations are by Bruno Wennagel, Mathieu Ferret, Aurélien Fernandez, and Aurélie Verdon. This book provides a concise and easy to read biography of Charlie Chaplin, from the beginning of his life in London through his success in film, multiple marriages, and death in 1977. The illustrations are humorous and are my favorite part of the book. The book is historically accurate (at least as far as basic knowledge about Charlie Chaplin goes) and provides a lot of interesting information geared towards a PreK to 2nd grade level. I also enjoyed the timeline, map with important places in his life, and “People to Know” in Chaplins life that are included at the end of the book. This reminds me very much of the Brian Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos “I Am” series. If you have a Juvenile Biography section at your library or a child who is very interested in learning about historical figures, I would consider purchasing this book.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars