Year: 2010

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Mammoths and Mastodons

Mammoths and Mastodons:  Titans of the Ice Age by Cheryl Bardoe centers on a traveling exhibit by the Field Museum of Chicago.

In fact if you would like to see it, the exhibit is at the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey until January 9, 2011. Check here for the itinerary.

Let’s take a look at what the Mammoths and Mastodons exhibit is all about in this video:

Mammoths and Mastodons:  Titans of the Ice Age has many wonderful aspects, and was nominated for a Cybils award in the nonfiction picture book category. It was recently highlighted in a review post at the Cybils blog.

I do have a note of caution about this book, and the exhibit as well. Young, sensitive children may find the visuals of a dead, mummified baby mammoth upsetting. In the text are also vivid stories of dying animals, and one account of a scientist who ate a dead horse over a period of time. I know, it was in  the name of science, but I’m an adult scientist and I found that revolting!

Bottom line, there will be a lot of kids who will love Mammoths and Mastodons, but it probably would be better off in the middle grade level based on content.

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers (March 1, 2010)
ISBN-10: 081098413X
ISBN-13: 978-0810984134

And for the young, sensitive types:

nonfictionmonday

Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. We invite you to join us. For more information and a schedule, stop by Anastasia Suen’s Nonfiction Monday page. This week’s post is at Check It Out.

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Answers to Children’s Author Trivia Volume 21

44. We’ve had authors who write with their spouses, and friends who write together, so today we’re going to look at two brothers who co-author books. One of the brothers is a journalist and professional musician, the other a history professor (now emeritus). Together they write historical fiction for children. One of their books is a Newbery Honor book. They have also written a nonfiction series: Drama of American History. They came from a family of writers, including their father. Can you name these two brothers?

James Lincoln Collier is a journalist, children’s book author and professional trombone player. Christopher Collier has a doctorate in history and was nominated for a Pulitizer Prize for one of his books for adults. Together they collaborate on historical fiction and nonfiction for children and young adults. One of their books, My Brother Sam Is Dead, is a Newbery Honor Book.

Have you read any books by the Collier brothers?

45. This prolific author of over 300 children’s books has recently published a few books of poems accompanied by her son’s photographs, but she has worked with many illustrators. She has won numerous awards and honors. Two of her books have won Caldecott medals. She is a strong storyteller who likes her stories to have a distinct setting and to have a happy ending. She often has ten or more books in the works at once. Do you know who this author who followed in her father’s footsteps (he was a journalist) is?

Jane Yolen is more than prolific, she’s in a class all by herself. She says she has won awards and made money writing books, but the thing she is most passionate about is the book she’s currently working on, whichever that is.

See for yourself:

Just a few of Jane Yolen’s books:

Do you have a favorite book by Jane Yolen?

We’ll be back with more trivia in the new year.

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Journey Into The Deep Has Real Depth

Middle grade and older students who are interested in science have it so good these days, with new books like Journey Into The Deep: Discovering New Ocean Creatures by Rebecca L. Johnson. Readers learn about cutting edge science, view glorious full-color photographs of creatures never seen before, and get glimpses into the lives of scientists at work. It is so appropriate for kids at an age where they are getting ready to explore their world, as well as starting to think about their career options. This book is sure to inspire everyone to want to study marine biology.

Journey Into The Deep is an overview of the Census of Marine Life, a world-wide effort (carried out from 2000 to 2010) to survey, count, and investigate all the living things in the ocean. Johnson describes where and how the searches were carried out, and describes in detail some of the exciting findings. As of the time the book was published, the participating scientists had found some 5,600 new species, from tiny and colorful lobsters to zombie worms that feed on bones without the benefit of having mouths or stomachs. (The zombie worms are actually a lovely, delicate pink color, so zombie may be a bit of a misnomer.) You just have to see the photographs of these new creatures. They are amazing!

As an example of the level of thought that went into this book, the pages start with light blue hues in the background, symbolizing the color of the water at shallow depths. As your get “deeper” into the book, the page backgrounds darken, until they are black with white text. It is subtle, but adds to the effect that you are right there with the scientists exploring the ocean depths.

Tucked in sidebars are things that any individual can do to help the oceans, and information how you can become a scientist who studies the oceans. And believe me, after reading this book you are going to want to become an ocean scientist,  because it is so inspiring. Pick up a copy and see for yourself!

This short video from National Geographic gives you an idea what the Census of Marine Life is all about.

Journey Into The Deep is nominated for a 2010 Cybils award in the MG/YA nonfiction category.

Resources:
Discussion Guide at Lerner Books (check right sidebar)

Other popular and science books at Census of Marine Life

Reading level: Young Adult
Library Binding: 64 pages
Publisher: Millbrook Press (September 2010)
ISBN-10: 076134148X
ISBN-13: 978-0761341482

nonfictionmonday

Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. We invite you to join us. For more information and a schedule, stop by Anastasia Suen’s Nonfiction Monday page. This week’s post is at Simply Science.

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Good Night, Little Sea Otter

Sweet, adorable, gentle, soothing, serene. Those are the words to describe Good Night, Little Sea Otter, a new bedtime book for the youngest set by Janet Halfmann, with illustrations by Wish Williams.

Little Sea Otter is getting ready to go to sleep in his bed of kelp with his mother. Before he can shut his eyes, however, he must wish all of his friends good night. Your children will have a delightful time naming and pointing out all of Little Sea Otter’s sea creature friends, while the soothing tone of the book prepares them for their bedtime as well.

Janet Halfmann, who stopped by for an interview earlier this year, writes that she fell in love with sea otters when she was doing research for a magazine article about two young scuba divers.  The divers dove in a kelp forest off the coast of California, so Janet got to know the creatures found there. If you are familiar with kelp forests, you will recognize many of the characters in this book.

In fact, reading Good Night, Little Sea Otter would be an absolutely fantastic way to get children excited about to a trip to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium and also a sweet remembrance of their adventures afterward.

Sweet dreams!

Related activities and information:

Curriculum connections at Star Bright Books.

Southern Sea Otter information at Monterey Bay Aquarium

Critter Cards at Monterey Bay Aquarium

Reading level: Ages 4-8 (could be read to much younger children)
Publisher: Star Bright Books (September 15, 2010)
ISBN-10: 1595722548
ISBN-13: 978-1595722546

Book was provided for review purposes.