Picture book- nonfiction

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Garter Snake at Willow Creek Lane

October 13, 2011 in Nonfiction, Picture book- nonfiction, STEM Friday by Roberta | 6 comments

Garter Snake at Willow Creek Lane by Janet Halfmann and illustrated by Anne Wertheim, the newest in Smithsonian’s Backyard Book series, is an engaging overview of one season in the life of Garter Snake.

The text models a fiction format with the Garter Snake being the main character who experiences rising conflict, which keeps the story interesting and memorable. The story starts dramatically with Garter Snake’s birth on the first page (yes, some snakes give birth rather than lay eggs). She overcomes several challenges that include encounters with Bingo the dog, but all ends well with her finding a safe, warm place to overwinter. In between, the reader learns a great deal about the life history of garter snakes in general, including what they eat and how they defend themselves. Note:  there is a scene where Garter Snake plays dead, which might be slightly disturbing to sensitive children.

Anne Wertheim’s bright illustrations illuminate the page. The close-up versions of Garter Snake looks like she is going to slither right off the page.

We read the larger softcover version, which is a perfect size to share with others, but Soundprints provides the book in variety of options. You can download an audio version. The book also comes in a “microbook” format, with a plush toy snake. We have several of the microbooks from the series. They are 5 7/8 inches by 4 3/4 inches, a size which is definitely attractive to youngsters with little hands.

Garter Snake at Willow Creek Lane is just what you would expect from the high-quality Smithsonian Backyard series, sure to inspire children to learn more about snakes and nature in general. With so many options, I’m sure you can find a version that fits your needs.

We previously reviewed Little Black Ant on Park Street from the same series.

Make a snake craft and learn more about garter snakes at Growing With Science.

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Soundprints (July 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1607272091
ISBN-13: 978-1607272090

This book were supplied by the publisher for review purposes.

Stem Friday is at Shelf Employed today. Click through for links to more excellent STEM books.

If you would like to participate in STEM Friday in the future, go to the new STEM Friday blog for more information.

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Can We Save the Tiger?

August 22, 2011 in Nonfiction, Nonfiction Monday Review, Picture book- nonfiction by Roberta | 2 comments

Can We Save the Tiger? by Martin Jenkins and illustrated Vicky White is a gorgeous picture book with a powerful message and already has won an award as a 2011 Boston Globe – Horn Book honor book for nonfiction. Jenkins introduces the reader to several interesting animals that have gone extinct and others, like the tiger, that are on the verge of extinction due to human activity, while engaging in a dialogue about how complex conservation issues are.  

Starting with the dodo, which was last seen in 1665, Jenkins first names a few animals that have gone extinct. He then showcases the story of the tiger, an animal most children recognize from experiences at zoos. He goes into quite a bit of detail, showing many sides of the story of why there are so few tigers left in the world today and how they could easily go the way of the dodo. Jenkins doesn’t stick to the tiger, however, he also discusses less familiar or spectacular animals, such as the partula snail and the white-rumped vulture. He mentions the kakapo parrot, the subject of the recent Kakapo Rescue. Unfortunately, he has far too many examples to choose from.

Vicky White’s illustrations are what makes this book so special. She has captured the style of a nature journal, combining simple pencil sketches with a few breathtaking, photo-real full color pieces. It would be worthwhile to pick up the book to share the beautiful illustrations and the facts that accompany each animal.

Although the text is simple and straightforward enough for children, the overall message is disheartening. This brings up a question:  Is this book for children or adults? Have you seen this book yet? What do you think?

Reading level: Ages 5 and up
Publisher: Candlewick (February 22, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0763649090
ISBN-13: 978-0763649098

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 the new Nonfiction Monday blog to see who is hosting each week.

This week’s post is at Ana’s Nonfiction Blog.

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Who Was Dr. Seuss?

August 8, 2011 in Biography, Nonfiction, Nonfiction Monday Review, Picture book- nonfiction by Roberta | 2 comments

Everyone probably has a favorite Dr. Seuss book, but how much do you know about the man behind the books? Who Was Dr. Seuss? by Janet Pascal and illustrated by Nancy Harrison celebrates the life of the person who altered the flavor of children’s books for generations to come.

Punctuated with numerous black and white illustrations, the book reveals many interesting tidbits that are sure to capture a child’s attention. It turns out that Ted Geisel (his real name) loved to draw but wasn’t a very good student. He made a lot of money coming up with funny ads for products, and came to the world of children’s books because that was one of the few areas his contract with advertisers allowed him to explore. As an aside, although he wrote many beloved children’s books, his wife Helen was unable to have children and so Ted never had any of his own.

Written in an energetic and fun style, this book would be a great addition to Read-Across-America, (which is celebrated on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, March 2) for older children. It is also sure to be an inspiration for budding illustrators and writers.

Random House Children’s Books has lesson ideas for using Dr. Seuss books throughout the school year.

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap; Original edition (July 7, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0448455854
ISBN-13: 978-0448455853

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 the new Nonfiction Monday blog to see who is hosting each week.

This week’s post is at Apples With Many Seeds.

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Ben Franklin: His Wit and Wisdom from A to Z

August 1, 2011 in Biography, Nonfiction, Nonfiction Monday Review, Picture book- nonfiction by Roberta | 3 comments

When you first open Ben Franklin: His Wit and Wisdom from A to Z by Alan Schroeder and illustrated by John O’Brien, you might wonder if you have picked up an alphabet book for middle grades. Once inside, however, it is apparent that Schroeder has organized this biography like one of Ben Franklin’s own almanacs. It turns out to be an intriguing collage of facts that fit together into a beautiful overview of this famous man’s entire life.

Besides the nontraditional format, the author has also managed to dig up some tidbits of information about Ben Franklin and times he lived in that I don’t remember reading about before. Ben Franklin was a general in the French and Indian War? People dipped their babies in cold water three times a day during colonial times? Fascinating!

John O’Brien’s watercolor and ink illustrations add illumination and humor to each page. Each page is filled with such detail that you want to come back again and again, finding new things each time.

Ben Franklin: His Wit and Wisdom from A to Z is an inspiring book. It could be used in both history and language arts classrooms. In addition to using it to teach about Ben Franklin, pair this book with a lesson about the history and design of almanacs and then have your students create their own.

Other reviews:

NC Teacher Stuff

The Fourth Musketeer

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Holiday House (April 1, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0823419509
ISBN-13: 978-0823419500

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 the new Nonfiction Monday blog to see who is hosting each week.

This week’s post is at Lori Calabrese Writes!.

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For the Love of Music: The Remarkable Story of Maria Anna Mozart

July 24, 2011 in Biography, Nonfiction, Nonfiction Monday Review, Picture book- nonfiction by Roberta | 4 comments

For the Love of Music: The Remarkable Story of Maria Anna Mozart by Elizabeth Rusch and illustrated by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher gives a glimpse into the life of musical genius Wolfgang Mozart’s older sister who was a musical talent in her own right, but who was forced to give up her career.

Growing up in a time when young women were not encouraged to study music, Maria Anna Mozart managed to convince her music teacher father to give her lessons. Not only did she play well enough to tour with her younger brother, but she also composed pieces (which unfortunately have been lost). When she got older, however, she was forced to stay at home and give up her career. Finally she married and moved to a small town with no outlet for her talents. Rusch manages to keep the text fast paced and light enough that the sadness of the later events of Maria Mozart’s life are not too overwhelming.

The cover of the book indicates the illustrations are “paintings” by Johnson and Fancher, but they are some much more. Each piece has fabric incorporated into it as a collage that is so wonderfully textured you want to run your fingers over it.

How does the story of Maria Anna Mozart matter? For some children it may be simply an intriguing sidebar to history. To children who want to become musicians, however, it may strike a “chord” and the message becomes much more important. There has been a strong bias against women musicians even to this day. One study by two economists, Cecilia Rouse and Claudia Goldin, showed that women were less likely to be hired to perform in orchestras unless the auditions were held blind, that is the identity of the musician was hidden behind a screen (Blind auditions key to hiring musicians). The message that women can be expert musicians may encourage more budding talents to continue with their studies and also to let them know that others have been subject to bias.

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Publisher: Tricycle Press (February 8, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1582463263
ISBN-13: 978-1582463261

And for older children: In Mozart’s Shadow: His Sister’s Story by Carolyn Meyer

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Harcourt Children’s Books; 1 edition (June 1, 2008)
ISBN-10: 9780152055943
ISBN-13: 978-0152055943

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 the new Nonfiction Monday blog to see who is hosting each week.

This week’s post is at Check It Out.

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