Format: Picture Book Nonfiction

Totally Random Facts, Vol. 2

Totally Random Facts, Vol. 2Totally Random Facts Volume 2: 3,219 Surprising, Strange, and Striking Things About the World by Melina Gerosa Bellows
Series: Totally Random Facts #2
Published by Bright Matter Books on 07/04/2023
ISBN: 059351646X
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Totally Random Facts is exactly what the title says it will be!  This nonfiction book is filled with unusual and surprising facts about any topic you can think of.  There truly is something for everyone in this book- facts about history, sports, animals, dinosaurs, technology etc.  There is a table of contents and an index that can help guide readers, but it would also be fun to flip to any page in the book to see what topic they will learn about next.  Each two page spread covers its own topic.  The information provided isn’t meant to be in depth, but rather fun facts that kids will no doubt enjoy sharing with others.  Each layout has colorful and interesting graphics and photographs and the text alternates between black and a color to help separate each fact from the next.  This book would be a great addition to any children’s collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

AlphaBot

AlphaBotAlphaBot by Vicky Fang
Published by MIT Kids Press ISBN: 153622653X
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

AlphaBot is a fun and interactive  book comprised of 26 separate flaps, one for each letter of the alphabet. Readers can mix and match to create 729 possible robots. This book is inviting with playful and bright illustrations and interesting sounding robotic terminology on each flap. It’s also a great vocabulary builder with terms such as LED, yaw and tread. Each term has a simplified definition that’s easy to understand for both children and adults. Sturdily constructed with reinforced carboard and a spiral binding this book is sure to get a lot of use. It would be a great STEM themed addition to a library or classroom for children ages 3-7.

Reviewed by Emily Stowers, Maine State Library, Augusta

four-stars

How to Babysit Your Grown-Up

How to Babysit Your Grown-UpHow to Babysit Your Grown-Up: Activities to Do Together (How To Series) by JaNay Brown-Wood, Jean Reagan, Lee Wildish
Published by Alfred A. Knopf ISBN: 0593479238
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

If you’re looking for creative and engaging ideas on what to do with kids, then this book is a great resource to have! Although the title includes the words, “how to babysit your grown-up” this book is for both kids and adults to use the next time somebody says, “I’m bored!”

This book contains a spread of 44 activities complete with supply lists and a step-by-step guide as well as charming, kid-friendly illustrations of adults and kids interacting with each other and of the activity.

There is a good mix of crafts, STEM projects, snack recipes, outdoor activities and games. All the activities require a short list of common household supplies that take minutes to gather and set up. Additionally, there is a checklist on the last page of all the activities so you can keep track of which ones you have or have not completed. This book seems to be written for families with young kids or for a grandparent or babysitter charged with entertaining a child, but many of the activities are easily transferrable to a classroom setting or a library program. This book is excellent for ages 4-8.

Reviewed by Emily Stowers, Maine State Library, Augusta 

four-stars

Ketanji: Justice Jackson’s Journey to the U. S. Supreme Court

Ketanji: Justice Jackson’s Journey to the U. S. Supreme CourtKetanji: Justice Jackson's Journey to the U.S. Supreme Court by Kekla Magoon, Laura Freeman
on June 20, 2023
ISBN: 0063296160
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

An aspirational picture book biography about Ketanji Jackson, the first Black female Supreme Court justice. Her parents named her Ketanji, which means “lovely one,” dressed her in dashikis, and kept her hair natural. More importantly they helped  her to develop pride and belief in herself and her future. As a young person, she was elected class president, competed on the debate team, and performed with an improv group. She excelled at Harvard College and Harvard Law School. She married, had two daughters, and held 10 different law-related positions before being nominated to the Supreme Court. Magoon’s straightforward prose allows Ketanji’s life story to speak for itself. The theme of Ketanji’s “shining star” connects the phases of her life and shows how she found her purpose. Freeman’s digital illustrations depict spreads showing loving relationships in her family – both with her parents and her husband and two children – as well as being a positive role model in all aspects of her life. Including her daughter Leila’s letter to then President Obama asking that he consider her mother for fill a seat on the Supreme Court was heartwarming, although the nomination did not come until many years later. I am normally not a fan of picture book biographies, but this one was inspirational and causes me to want to read more about her. Recommended for all libraries.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Stone Age Beasts

Stone Age BeastsStone Age Beasts by Ben Lerwill, Grahame Baker-Smith
Published by Candlewick Press on November 7, 2023
ISBN: 1536231347
Genres: Animals, Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a much needed informational book about the Stone Age  – after the dinosaurs and before modern day. After introducing the Stone Age, this colorful book presents some of the large, now-extinct animals that roamed the world back then. Likely the only one you will be familiar with is the wooly mammoth, which also graces the enticing cover. On each double-paged spread is an entry on a creature along with a range map and fact box featuring a stylized human silhouette for scale.  Each beast radiates a ferocious, feral presence that will rivet young viewers. A Conclusion and Glossary are included at the end but I would have liked to see a Bibliography that list where the author and illustrator gleaned their information.

five-stars

Wacky Weather: All About Odd Weather Events

Wacky Weather: All About Odd Weather EventsWacky Weather: All About Odd Weather Events (The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library) by Alan Batson, Aristides Ruiz, Todd Tarpley
Series: The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library
ISBN: 0593433831
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Part of  The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library. With a little help from Thing One and Thing Two, the Cat in the Hat introduces beginning readers to 17 strange but true weather events. A lot of information about Northern lights,  waterspouts, dust devils, ball lightning, snow donuts, fire whirls, red sprites, sundogs, ice tsunamis, clouds shaped like UFOs and cinnamon rolls, diamond rain, and metallic snow is packed into this rhyming text. A fun introduction that likely will cause young learners to further research these topics.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Bears Are Best!: The scoop about how we sniff, sneak, snack, and snooze!

Bears Are Best!: The scoop about how we sniff, sneak, snack, and snooze!Bears Are Best!: The scoop about how we sniff, sneak, snack, and snooze! by Joan Holub, Laurie Keller
ISBN: 0525645330
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

It was difficult to decide if this should be classified as fiction or nonfiction, but there is a lot of factual information about bears so decided on nonfiction. This tongue-in-cheek introduction to the bear family follows a similar design as  I Am the Shark (2021) by the same author and illustrator. Each bear believes it is unique but discovers there are other species. Readers will meet a brown bear, a polar bear, an American black bear, a sloth bear, a spectacled bear, a sun bear, a giant panda, and an Asiatic black bear and learn about their distinguishing physical features, habits and habitats, and favorite foods.  Finally, a bear-masked octopus tries to join the group, which leads to them discussing bears’ many similarities. The author concludes with a summary of the eight species and reminders that bears can be dangerous but are also threatened around the world. Lighthearted illustrations feature cartoon animals with large eyes and makes use of a fair amount of speech bubbles. This book will appeal to ages 5-9 who like information with a dose of comedy.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Cantora Mercedes Sosa, La Voz de Latinoamerica

Cantora Mercedes Sosa, La Voz de LatinoamericaCantora (Spanish Edition): Mercedes Sosa, la voz de Latinoamérica by Melisa Fernández Nitsche
ISBN: 0593704991
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Cantora Mercedes Sosa, La Voz de Latinoamerica” by Melisa Fernandez Nitsche is a picture book biography about Argentiniean singer and activist Mercedes Sosa. We start with Mercedes’ childhood in Argentina, growing up among the sounds of the cicadas and the smell of oranges. She enters a radio competition under a false name and wins handily. From there her singing career took off. She sang songs about poverty and injustice and was called the voice for those who have no voice. The government dictatorship arrested her and she then fled to Europe and spent three years in exile before returning to the country she loved to continue singing.

The illustrations are stylized and colorful. The back of the book contains a note from the author, a timeline, playlist, and selected sources, so there is a lot of supplemental information given in case readers want to learn even more about Mercedes Sosa. Recommended for ages 6 to 8, this book is a suggested purchase for all youth biography sections. I read the Spanish edition of this book.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Kaboom!

Kaboom!Kaboom! A Volcano Erupts (-) by Jessica Kulekjian, Zoe Si
Published by Kids Can Press ISBN: 1525306499
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The story of a volcanic eruption told from the point of view of the volcano. The volcano’s voice is quite poetic – “A little whisper hisses through my magma chamber.”  And “My bubbles boil, pop and burst. I shout … “KABOOM!” The cartoon illustrations of a volcano, especially the one that looks like he is trying not to vomit,  are amusing. The aside narrations from a red bird are displayed with speech bubbles and offers more scientific explanations. e.g. “Pee-ew! Hot stinky gases beneath the volcano push melted rock, called magma, into a pool known as the magma chamber.”  The playful tone of this informational book makes it a good choice to read aloud, although I would read the volcano’s story through, and then go back and read the red bird’s more scientific additions. The four pages in the back also add scientific facts: Phases of Volcanoes, Anatomy of a Volcano, Common Types of Volcanoes, and Author’s Selected Sources. Overall, a splendid introduction to volcanoes for kindergarten – third graders.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

A is for Australian Reefs

A is for Australian ReefsA is for Australian Reefs by Frané Lessac
Published by Candlewick, Candlewick Press on June 13, 2023
ISBN: 1536228303
Pages: 48
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Many alphabet books are done in service to an interesting subject that doesn’t bear up well under the pressure of having to come up with a compelling entry for each letter of the alphabet. A is for Australian Reefs is a marvelous example of an alphabet book that is delightful in its own right and has fascinating and factual entries for even the most challenging letters (looking at you, xanthid crabs!). The book is well-organized; within the alphabetical order, the author has carefully selected entries that take the reader from the big picture (A is for Australian Reefs, B is for Biodiversity) to individual species and subspecies. 

Each full-bleed two-page spread illustrated entry starts with a prominent image of the letter (which contains a depiction of the exemplar for the entry), a broad overview of the entry subject and a number of interesting detailed facts within each entry on the subject, many focused on the important role many species play in balancing the ecosystem. Did you know that “sea cucumber poop contains several substances that fertilize coral, helping it grow”? The illustrations are realistic and whimsical, drawing the reader from fact to fact to fact.

Readers between ages of 7-10 who love browsable nonfiction and are interested in ocean life will find this a terrific read. This beautiful book is specific to Australia but wider issues like conservation and coral reef protection are included. Teachers looking to discuss nonfiction or conservation and ocean life could introduce the text to students by reading the generalized entries at the top of each page, and simply browsing the illustrations. Highly recommended.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS Young School Library Saco, ME 

five-stars