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Isabella: Girl on the Go

February 17, 2012 in Picture book- fiction by Roberta | No comments

Have you discovered the Isabella picture books by Jennifer Fosberry and illustrated by Mike Litwin yet? There’s a new addition to the series coming out this month, Isabella: Girl on the Go.

Isabella is a purple-haired girl with an out-of-this-world imagination and boundless energy. In the course of a single day she takes a trip around the world and tries on different roles while never leaving her own back yard. During her adventure, she visits many famous places while “the father” helps add vocabulary and transitions from the Eiffel Tower to the Great Wall of China to Chichén Itza to the Statue of Liberty.

Mike Litwin’s equally imaginative illustrations add depth and humor. See how he creates an illustration step-by-step in this video. Fascinating!

In the back matter is a lovely synopsis of each of “the places that changed the world” that she visits with a small color photograph of the real structure, as well as a description of the jobs or roles she tries out. It is a great addition for discovering more when the questions start coming.

Isabella is going on a book tour starting next week. Check the Isabella:  Girl on the Go Tour for locations of events, a downloadable activity kit and a passport. If you are going to be in Arizona, you might want to catch Jennifer Fosberry at Changing Hands Bookstore’s Story Time Thursday March 1st, 2012 from 10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Let me know if you are going, and maybe I’ll see you there.

Reading level: Ages 4 and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (February 21, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402266480
ISBN-13: 978-1402266485

Book was provided by publisher for review purposes.

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And the Winner is…

February 14, 2012 in Cybils 2011 Nonfiction by Roberta | No comments

It’s official, the winners of the 2011 Cybils Awards are now posted.

As a first round judge for the MG/YA Nonfiction category, I am pleased to announce the winner is:

Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming is a must read biography sure to keep you glued to the pages until the very end.

Great choice!

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Nonfiction Monday Gathering

February 12, 2012 in Nonfiction Monday Review by Roberta | 22 comments

Welcome to the February 13, 2012 Edition

of Nonfiction Monday!

Tomorrow, February 14, is a big day in the children’s book world. First of all, it is International Book Giving Day. Will you be participating?

It is also a special day because (drumroll please) the Cybils 2011 winners will be announced. Do you have a favorite nonfiction picture book or MG/YA that you are hoping will win?

We are celebrating and commemorating a number of events this week. Look for books for Black History Month, President’s Day, 200 Years of Charles Dickens and even National Children’s Dental Health Month. Thank you to everyone who participated.

(Note:  Title links go to the review posts, blog links go to the home page of the blog.)

For Black History Month, Jeanne has Back of the Bus by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Floyd Cooper at True Tales & A Cherry On Top.
Jeff at NC Teacher Stuff reviews an account of how human error led to disaster in The Great Molasses Flood: Boston, 1919 by Deborah Kops.
At her blog, A Teaching Life, Tara shares four books, three of which are picture books that commemorate Black History Month.
Jama says, “I’m sharing my love for Maira Kalman’s Looking at Lincoln,” today at Jama’s Alaphbet Soup in honor of President Lincoln’s birthday.
Myra tells us, “In GatheringBooks, Fats did a review of Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant that Ever Lived by Ralph Helfer – said to be perfect for Valentine’s Week. “
The team of Louise and Cathy have There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter That Ever Lived
by Matt Tavareson on  The Nonfiction Detectives blog today. The book is being released tomorrow and they are offering a giveaway.
Ms. Yingling says, “For Black History Month, I have a review of Cynthia Levinson’s We’ve Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March” at Ms. Yingling Reads.
Andrea at RovingFiddlehead Kidlit reviews Baby Mammoth Mummy Frozen in Time! by Christopher Sloan, with Bernard Buigues.
Doret is in with Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass by Lesa Cline-Ransome and illustrated by James E. Ransome, reviewed at The Happy Nappy Bookseller. (James Ransome taught himself to draw. It’s an incredible story).
At Booktalking, Anastasia highlights Rosa’s Bus by Jo S. Kittinger and illustrated by Steven Walker, another perfect choice for Black History Month.
Jennifer compares a selection of books on recycling at Jean Little Library. See what she found out.
Maeve wrote a post to celebrate the bicentenary of Charles Dickens at Yellowbrickreads.
Missing the real stuff, Even in Australia reviewed two nonfiction books about snow. (Turns out the blogger is actually from NYC, check her story).
Deborah reviewed Arctic Wolf by Laura DeLalb at The Swimmer Writer. She says, “this picture book takes the reader on a visit to two biologists who study the arctic wolf in its native habitat.” I’ll bet they were not missing snow.
At All About the Books with Janet Squires, Janet has selected If I Ran for President written by Catherine Stier and illustrated by Lynne Avril, right in time for President’s Day.
Heidi has a review of Uri Shulevitz’s How I Learned Geography at Geolibrarian. It is based on Shulevitz’s childhood memories of World War II.
Lisa is featuring Meltdown! The Nuclear Disaster in Japan and our Energy Future – released just in time for the one year anniversary – at Shelf-employed.
Sherry reports, “We read Africa Is Not a Country by Margy Burns Knight and Mark Melnicove,” at Semicolon Blog.
At Apples with Many Seeds, Tammy looking at a series of books that show how different cultures have contributed to different technological advancements.
For National Children’s Dental Health Month, Allison has reviewed Melvin the Magnificent Molar, by Julia Cook and Laura Jana, MD at Better With A Book.
Larry Dane Brimner booktalks Black & White: The Confrontation between Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene “Bull” Connor at Nonfiction Book Blast.
Let’s not forget Step by Step Experiments With Plants by Shirley Duke at Shirley’s Simply Science Blog.  Be sure to go see what great books Shirley has been writing.
At Wrapped in Foil we have The Great Molasses Flood: Boston, 1919 by Deborah Kops with a related hands-on science activity at Growing With Science.

Hope you have a

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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 Booktalking to see who is hosting each week.

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The Great Molasses Flood

February 12, 2012 in Nonfiction, Nonfiction Monday Review by Roberta | 5 comments

The Great Molasses Flood:  Boston 1919 by Deborah Kops is an account of a very unusual disaster. On a quiet day in January 1919, a huge tank of molasses burst open and flooded a Boston waterfront neighborhood. The massive wall of sticky liquid did an amazing amount of damage. People were injured and eventually 21 died. Several buildings were destroyed and the elevated train tracks were damaged. After the immediacy  of rescue and clean up efforts came the questions. Why had the giant tank broken open? What caused this disaster?

In the prologue, Kops sets the historical stage to the flood by recalling the significant events of the previous year, including the outbreak of the Spanish flu and the ending of World War I. In chapter one she targets the happenings of the area right before the tank bursts, giving an introduction to some of the people and places involved. Chapter two recounts the events of the disaster from the third person perspective of a number of the victims. The next chapter covers the rescue and clean up efforts, and the final three chapters discuss the mystery surrounding how the tank burst and the resulting legal investigation.

After recently reading books about Prohibition (Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition) and World War I (Unraveling Freedom), this book revealed how the events of the time were intertwined in yet another way. It turns out that the previous batches of molasses owned by the U.S. Industrial Alcohol Company had been turned into alcohol that was used in the manufacture of ammunition for World War I. Now that the war had ended and Prohibition was on its way, the company had to convert the molasses to alcohol fast or it would lose a lot of money. Talk about a sticky situation.

Not only will The Great Molasses Flood thrill history buffs, but it is also a very good mystery. Definitely deserves a spot on the library shelf.

Investigate the science behind the disaster with a hands-on activity at Growing With Science.

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 112 pages
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (February 1, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1580893481
ISBN-13: 978-1580893480

Book provided by the publisher for review purposes.

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 Booktalking to see who is hosting each week.

This week’s round-up is here at Wrapped In Foil.

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50 Poisonous Questions: A Book With Bite

February 10, 2012 in Cybils 2011 Nonfiction, Nonfiction, STEM Friday, Science by Roberta | No comments

50 Poisonous Questions: A Book With Bite by Tanya Lloyd Kyi and illustrated by Ross Kinnaird explores the world of toxins, poisons, and venoms in a well-balanced and humorous way. It was nominated for a 2011 Cybils award in the MG/YA nonfiction category.

Starting with, “Stop! Do not, under any circumstances, eat this book,” 50 Poisonous Questions is sure to capture the attention of young readers. Written in a question and answer format, and filled with lively creepy crawlies and dangerous chemicals, it is also sure to hold their attention. Add the humorous illustrations to make readers laugh (and sometimes groan), and you have a real winner.

Kyi has done her homework and provides a even-handed look at some of the problems that result from toxic chemicals. Sometimes there aren’t easy answers. For example, she points out that although DDT causes environmental issues, such as interfering with eagle reproduction, it also can save the lives of many people when used to control the mosquitoes that cause malaria. Other times what seems like an awful toxin or venom may have potential to be a powerful medicine in the future.

50 Poisonous Questions is one of those rare books that is interesting, fun and educational all in the same package. Budding scientists and forensics experts will find it a compelling read.

(I recently reviewed another fascinating book from Annick Press.)

Reading level: Ages 9 and up
Hardcover: 110 pages
Publisher: Annick Press (January 20, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554512816
ISBN-13: 978-1554512812

This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes.

This week’s STEM Friday round up is at Twillwoven Blog, part of Red Phoenix Books.

If you would like to participate in STEM Friday in the future, go to Booktalking blog and click on STEM Friday for more information.

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