Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

The Tree Book

The Tree BookThe Tree Book by Hannah Alice
Published by Candlewick Press on March 7, 2023
Pages: 18
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This book does a thorough job of explaining the life cycles of different types of trees, using clear cutouts to help layer each “season” of the tree. This is a dynamic way to illustrate the cycles; however, there are a few pages where it muddies the message by making it unclear whether the infographic is for the current page, or if it is merely peeking through because of the transparent pages ahead of it. The topic is well-explained in easy-to-understand terms and is exhaustive, but it would have been helpful to have more about conservation at the end of the book, rather than wrapping the topic into one sentence. Overall, a worthwhile addition to a nonfiction collection.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

four-stars

The Book of Turtles

The Book of TurtlesThe Book of Turtles by Sy Montgomery, Matt Patterson
Published by Clarion Books on May 2, 2023
ISBN: 0358458072
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

While Sy Montgomery is renowned for her “Scientists in the Field” series, this nonfiction science book about turtles is not part of that series. The fact-filled text is engaging and the “Celebrity Turtle Profiles” features some of the world’s most famous turtles, including Myrtle, the 90-year-old, 550-pound green sea turtle at the New England Aquarium in Boston. The book concludes with some of the dangers turtles face and how we can help. Patterson’s highly detailed illustrations are accurate and life-like. I recommend this book for all ages. I guarantee you will learn something new about turtles. However, a book for adults Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell by the same author and illustrator duo will be published in September. The first sentence of the book is brilliant – “Sometime around 240 million years ago — about the time of the first dinosaurs, and 9 million years before the first crocodile — the shell invented the turtle.” It goes on to report that the shell, composed of 60 joined bones, makes a turtle a turtle.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

From Shore to Ocean Floor

From Shore to Ocean FloorFrom Shore to Ocean Floor: The Human Journey to the Deep by Gill Arbuthnott, Christopher Nielsen
Published by Big Picture Press on May 2, 2023
ISBN: 1536229741
Pages: 80
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This unique nonfiction picture book explores many aspects of human knowledge and exploration of the ocean. Infographics, timelines, comics, and maps cover an array of topics such as ocean myths and legends across cultures, marine biologists, shipwrecks, and biodiversity. The topics are varied, but all revolve around how humans increased their understanding of the oceans and what they learned as they explored the ocean depths. The distinct illustration and text style add to the book’s cohesion. The textured hand-drawn illustrations have a retro style and color palette and the use of color and shading reflect the information described in the text. While graphics dominate this book, there is a little narrative text sprinkled throughout. The book includes a short table of contents, but there is no glossary or index. In addition to engaging illustrations, another strength of this book is the diversity of perspectives that are included, such as contributions from ancient civilizations, and male and female modern scientists from all over the world. After showing how amazing and important the oceans are, the book ends with a kid-friendly call to action to help care for the oceans. This book would be a great addition to any elementary or middle school library.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Brothers in Arms: A True World War II Story of Wojtek the Bear and the Soldiers Who Loved Him

Brothers in Arms: A True World War II Story of Wojtek the Bear and the Soldiers Who Loved HimBrothers in Arms: A True World War II Story of Wojtek the Bear and the Soldiers Who Loved Him by Jamie Green, Susan Hood
on October 4, 2022
ISBN: 0063064766
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Hood tells the story of Anders Army (a group of Polish POW evacuees from Soviet labor camps) and how they embrace Wojtek the bear, showing him kindness, compassion, and devotion. An author’s note in the front matter sets up the story by briefly telling the history of how Poland was caught between the Germans and Soviets during WWII, and the plight of the Polish people sent to slave labor camps in Siberia. This author’s note allows the reader to jump into the story at the point when Wojtek makes his appearance.

Anders Army adopts Wojtek, bringing him along for training, guard assignments, and eventually into active duty, to capture a German artillery post in Italy. The author explains that after the desperate and cruel circumstances of the Soviet labor camps, the appearance of Wojtek as a bear cub lifts the morale of the Polish soldiers; Wojtek provides an opportunity for them to coddle and care for someone (like an emotional support bear!).

The illustrations are appealing and charming, despite some of the scary moments in the story, and for children interested in history, this is a fine book. The publisher recommended for ages 4 and up; I disagree. The illustrations will engage younger children but the text works better for older (ages 7 and up) children.

The back matter in this nonfiction picture book contains nine separate resources (maps, photos, timeline, etc.) and would have been more effective if rendered more graphically, combining data into fewer, more dynamic resources.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

three-stars

Michael Rosen’s Sticky McStickstick: The Friend Who Helped Me Walk Again

Michael Rosen’s Sticky McStickstick: The Friend Who Helped Me Walk AgainMichael Rosen's Sticky McStickstick: The Friend Who Helped Me Walk Again by Michael Rosen, Tony Ross
Published by Candlewick Press on November 8, 2022
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

I did not want to like this book. I found the title off-putting and wondered how engaging a personal account of Rosen’s physical recovery from a medically-induced coma could be for children. Those more familiar with Michael Rosen (author and British Children’s Laureate) would not be surprised to find that the story of his slow but steady recovery of mobility is thoughtful and relatable to children.

The writing and watercolor/ink illustrations are simple, humorous without ridicule, and empathetic. Both the language and artwork underscore the emotions and physical challenges faced by Rosen during his rehabilitation. Readers will work through his long but successful journey with him, from infirmity to walker to Sticky McStickstick (Rosen’s anthropomorphized walking cane) to independent movement.

An encouraging story about perseverance and patience with oneself and the rewards that come with it, with supporting roles of medical staff that want him to get well. For children whose adults may be working their way back to health, this is a hopeful and welcome title.

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

four-stars

Jack Knight’s Brave Flight: How One Gutsy Piot Saved the U.S. Mail Service

Jack Knight’s Brave Flight: How One Gutsy Piot Saved the U.S. Mail ServiceJack Knight's Brave Flight by Jill Esbaum, Stacy Innerst
Published by Astra Publishing House on March 29, 2022
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In 1921, due to the costs and dangers of plane transportation following several crashes, the U.S. Congress decided to defund the U.S. Air Mail system. As a result, fourteen pilots and their support crews decided to prove Air Mail could be much faster than other delivery systems. Pilot Jack Knight set off from North Platte, NE on Feb. 22, 1921 at 10:44p.m. in his open-cockpit biplane. He was only supposed to fly to Omaha, NE, his normal mail route, but a blizzard hit preventing his replacement from arriving and downing the other two planes in Chicago, IL. Jack, exhausted and freezing, still took off again to fly into the night, into the storm, and into unfamiliar territory. He had a compass, but none of the other technology that makes night flights possible and safe today. After making a perilous stop to refuel in Iowa City, IA, Jack set off once again, finally landing in Chicago just after dawn. He had to be cut out of his flight suit because it had frozen to the seat! Two other pilots were able to finish the relay to New York City. In total, they flew 2,629 miles in 23 hours, 20 minutes, beating the old plane-train record by nearly 39 hours. Within a few days, Congress approved the funding to continue the U.S. Air Mail system.

An author’s note at the end of the book describes the need for a reliable mail system in the United States and includes some historical photographs, a chronology and a bibliography. This picture book is creatively illustrated with watercolors, ink, pencil, rubber stamps and digital images. The harrowing tale should appeal to readers interested in the history of flight, the history of the U.S. Mail, and in true-life adventures.

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

four-stars

The Yawn Book

The Yawn BookThe Yawn Book by Diana Kim
Published by HarperCollins US on April 5, 2023
ISBN: 0358525934
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The Yawn Book by Diana Kim is an entertaining non-fiction picture book about why people and animals yawn. Did you know that bugs don’t yawn? The colorful illustrations and interesting facts make it a fun read. Recommended for grades K-4 this book will leave you yawning in the best possible way! This is a fun addition to your non-fiction section.

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75 Woodside

four-stars

Counting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math Poems

Counting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math PoemsCounting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math Poems by Betsy Franco, Priscilla Tey
Published by Candlewick Press on October 11, 2022
Pages: 40
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Illustrated with whimsical, full-color artwork throughout, this book of fun and educational poems about math ranges from everyday topics, such as age and days of the week, to more advanced concepts, such as palindromes and tessellation. This very creative collection includes a poem for two voices and a poem that is a puzzle (with answers included at the end of the book). The illustrations are fanciful and inclusive, and follow the themes of the poetry well.

Overall, this fun collection introduces readers to many ways math touches our lives, oftentimes without our awareness. I think this book might be an excellent way to entice “math atheists” (to borrow a term from Calvin & Hobbes) to consider mathematical word problems an enjoyable challenge. It could also serve to show the more analytically minded child that wordplay can contribute to the joy of numbers. Highly recommended.

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

five-stars

The Capitol

The CapitolThe Capitol: A Meet the Nation's Capitol Book by Lindsay Ward
Published by HarperCollins US on November 30, 2022
ISBN: 0063203804
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The Capitol: A Meet the Nation’s Capitol Book is a non-fiction picture book about the capitol building in Washington DC and the many people who work there. The book starts by introducing readers to three kids who are visiting family members who work at the capitol in different capacities. These children team up to find a missing cat that is loose on the Capitol grounds. Readers follow their search for the cat as they travel to different parts of the building, reading about the Capitol and its employees along the way. The text is presented in a variety of styles to keep the readers’ interest. Some pages have pictures of people with captions, while others pages include maps and diagrams of the building itself. Pages that are more text driven include highlighted interesting facts and questions that make this book interactive. The backstory of the missing cat and the dialog in word bubbles will also keep readers entertained. The pictures of the capitol employees and politicians show diverse representation and are not gender stereotyped.

This book would be great for elementary students beginning to learn about the United States government or for a unit on different types of occupations. There is a lot of great basic information that teachers or parents can add to. There is no table of contents, but there is a glossary that defines the bolded words found in the text. Sources and other notable facts are also included at the end of the book.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Concrete: From the Ground Up

Concrete: From the Ground UpConcrete: From the Ground Up by Larissa Theule, Steve Light
Published by Candlewick Press on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 1536212504
Pages: 48
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In the suggested subtitle category: “Everything You Should Know About Concrete but Didn’t Know to Ask”. This nonfiction picture book is an homage to concrete’s fascinating history and its ability to outlast its creators by millennia. Strong, declarative sentences accompanied by similarly expressive pen and ink drawings carry the story. “By now, people are getting pretty good at using concrete. They’re even having fun with it.” The cartoonish illustrations with speech bubbles, side bars, and asides are reminiscent of The Way Things Work by David Macaulay.

Theule does a very good job of defining unfamiliar words within the text . . . . “Romans used pozzolana in their cement. Pozzolana is a volcanic ash.” The story gets a little sidetracked with the introduction of Roman emperors and Hadrian. The back matter contains a bibliography of the author’s many interesting sources of information. A timeline would have been helpful here but overall, this is a great example of nonfiction writing that captures the reader’s attention with the right balance of fact and whimsy, a wonderful combination of fact and narrative. Highly recommended for libraries with curious builders (and readers).

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS
Young School Librarian, Saco

four-stars