Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

The Shape of Things: How Mapmakers Picture Our World

The Shape of Things: How Mapmakers Picture Our WorldThe Shape of Things: How Mapmakers Picture Our World by Dean Robbins, Matt Tavares
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on August 20, 2024
ISBN: 0593479254
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

With simple, straightforward text and realistic drawings this book tells the story of mapmaking from cave drawings and bone carvings to modern satellite imagery. It includes numerous types of maps such as papyrus, stone tablets, papier-mache globes, and computer-generated maps. The author also explains how mapmaking has evolved from trying to record what could be directly observed about the physical world, to using compasses and theodolites, to using satellites and lasers. The end of the book includes a timeline with very helpful illustrations, notes, lists of information about mapmakers, and a bibliography. The illustrator, Matt Tavares, lives in Maine.

Recommended for 4-8 year-olds, this book would make an attractive, informative introduction for young readers interested in cartography.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

four-stars

Brown Bears

Brown BearsBrown Bears by Colleen Larmour, Nick Crumpton
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536238775
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Brown Bears, written by Dr. Nick Crumpton and illustrated by Colleen Larmour, is a perfectly balanced nonfiction story book. Brown Bears follows two cubs over the first two years of their life. Each page describes how their mother protects them and teaches them how to one day live independently. There is a harmony between the narrative portions that guide the reader through the story and the nonfiction portions (in a different font) that expand upon the facts presented on the page. Similarly, the illustrations are cute and captivating without compromising the accuracy of the scenery or the harsher realities of being a bear. Though there is no shortage of picture books about bears, this would be a lovely addition to any library.

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

Evidence! How Dr. John Snow Solved The Mystery of Cholera

Evidence! How Dr. John Snow Solved The Mystery of CholeraEvidence!: How Dr. John Snow Solved the Mystery of Cholera by Deborah Hopkinson, Nik Henderson
ISBN: 0593426819
Genres: Mystery, Non-Fiction, Suspense
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A thrilling non-fiction picture book on the start of epidemiology! From Deborah Hopkinson and Nik Henderson’s pencil and paper illustrations is, Evidence! How Dr. John Snow Solved the Mystery of Cholera. In the first few pages, Hopkinson accurately describes London in 1854; “Factories spew yellow smoke. Piles of horse dung line the streets. Sewage and human waste fill cesspools in yards and cellars.” More pages continue to describe the squalor living conditions at the time, and then; cholera breaks out.

Doctors everywhere blame the dirty air, but we are introduced to another doctor who thinks otherwise. Dr. John Snow is on the hunt for clues and we follow him throughout the rest of the book as he takes on the role as a medical detective. He uses maps and gathers facts to prove that cholera is spread by drinking water out of the Broad Street water pump. After going door-to-door, Dr. Snow has found evidence to support his theory. “September 8, 1854–the handle is removed from the Broad Street pump. It’s a milestone in science , a shining moment in the long fight against epidemics. And it all came down to evidence.”

Kids will LOVE the stinky descriptions of London and the thrill of  the hunt to find what is causing cholera. There are resources in the end papers explaining more about the Broad Street pump and epidemiology. There is a whole list of other infectious diseases and their on histories. Recommended for all library collections. Ages 4-8.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Up, Up, Ever, Up! Junko Tabei: a Life in the Mountains

Up, Up, Ever, Up! Junko Tabei: a Life in the MountainsUp, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains by Anita Yasuda, Yuko Shimizu
Published by Clarion ISBN: 0063242419
Genres: Adventure, Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is an exhilarating look at the life of Junko Tabei, the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.  Starting with her early life in Japan, the book profiles a life dedicated to climbing,  and, eventually,  to the care and maintenance  of mountains necessitated by so many people determined to reach the top.  After Junko climbed Everest she continued climbing and achieved all seven major summits of the world.

The illustrations are as colorful as the story, and work in perfect harmony to create a fitting tribute to a trailblazing climber, feminist, and humanitarian. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

The Den That Octopus Built

The Den That Octopus BuiltThe Den That Octopus Built (Animal Habitats) by Anne Hunter, Randi Sonenshine
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536226548
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The Den That Octopus Built

Written by Randi Sonenshine, Illustrated by Anne Hunter

This non-fiction picture book, written for readers ages 4-8, is the latest in the series preceded by The Nest that Wren Built and The Lodge that Beaver Built and is written in a similar narrative format. The book follows the life cycle of an octopus from building her complex shelter with found materials, avoiding predation, hunting, and finally becoming a mother. The book contains many interesting facts about cephalopods; kids will be amazed to learn that octopuses have more brains than arms!  There is also a short glossary, making this a lovely introduction to non-fiction texts.

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Library, Jay

four-stars

Ice Journey of the Polar Bear

Ice Journey of the Polar BearIce Journey of the Polar Bear by Lou Baker-Smith, Martin Jenkins
ISBN: 1536235717
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Ice Journey of the Polar Bear

Written by Martin Jenkins, Illustrated by Lou Baker-Smith

 

This nonfiction picture book, written by a conservation biologist, follows the journey of an arctic polar bear as she navigates the many challenges of climate change and motherhood. The ending offers an ominous warning, which makes the reader question how (or if) the bears will survive. A few suggestions for families to help the environment are included. While the book avoids being preachy and blameful, it invites discussion about the harmful effects of climate change around the world as well as humans’ responsibility in the warming of the planet.

4 stars

Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay

four-stars

Clever Crow

Clever CrowClever Crow by Chris Butterworth, Olivia Lomenech Gill
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235423
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A tribute to the habits and smarts of crows and crow cousins. Gill’s mixed-media illustrations feature individual and group portraits of numerous birds in fine detail. Butterworth’s observations, delivered in multiple sizes of type, are likewise reputable. She writes “Crows are clever birds. Very clever birds.” Then she goes on to describe their intelligence. Children will be interested in the beautiful pictures and to learn more about these birds that are common everywhere. Bird lovers of all ages will enjoy this book!

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

You and the Universe

You and the UniverseYou and the Universe by Lucy Hawking, Stephen Hawking, Xin Li
ISBN: 0593432118
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Partly an autobiography of Stephen Hawking and partly and inspirational book written by Lucy Hawking (daughter of Stephen Hawking), but the primary author is Stephen Hawking, who died in 2018. The book was adapted from a statement made by the late physicist Stephen Hawking that was broadcast into space on Earth Day. A mouse accompanies him as he explains the questions he’s pondered as a scientist – “What’s inside a black hole?” “Is time travel possible?” “Are there aliens?” – before telling readers he needs their help answering other questions: “How can we take care of each other?” “How can we take care of the planet?” “How can we make the future a place we want to be?” The illustrations are panoramas of the cosmos, as well as racially diverse people. The backmatter has information about black holes, time travel, aliens, and the universe, which will likely interest kids more than the book text. This book could be a nice addition or introduction to an Earth Day celebration.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

How to Sing a Song

How to Sing a SongHow to Sing a Song by Kwame Alexander, Melissa Sweet, Randy Preston
on October 1, 2024
ISBN: 0063060930
Genres: Emotions & Feelings, Poetry
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This is the third book by the team that created the New York Times bestselling How to Read a Book and How to Write a Poem. This one  celebrates the magic of listening to the song inside you and letting the music ring out. It begins with noticing the sounds around you and transforming them into toe tapping and finger snapping. Guided by poetic rhythm and humor, eventually you are instructed to ““wail out each wondrous word.” Melissa Sweet (Maine author and illustrator.) does marvelous artwork with her typical collage and intricate drawings, including the text. A real delight! I have often done a Rhythm Story Time theme and this book will be added to the line up. “Those who wish to sing always find a song. – Swedish Proverb”

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Pau: The Last Song of the Kaua’i ‘O’O

Pau: The Last Song of the Kaua’i ‘O’OPau: The Last Song of the Kaua’i ‘o’o by Mackenzie Joy, Tony Piedra
Published by Candlewick Press on September 17, 2024
ISBN: 1536219495
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Pau is an ecological history of the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i focusing on its now extinct songbird, the ‘O’O. We follow through the book with sparse and lyrical text over the course of 5.1 million years. Gorgeous illustrations carry the reader as we discover how the island was created and then became inhabited by animals, including the ‘O’O, and plants over time. As changes came to the island so did effects on the population of the ‘O’O. Scientists studied the bird until there was only one and then none.

Each page is listed with the time period it covers and there is extensive back matter providing information on other animals and how they came to the island. While simple in text this book gives a thorough and beautiful look at a serious topic in a poignant manner.

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian, Lewiston, Maine.

five-stars