#Nonfiction Monday Our Seasons Board Book


As spring moves to summer, it is a good time to explore the unique board book, Our Seasons: The World in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn by Sue Lowell Gallion and illustrated by Lisk Feng.

Our Seasons is a sculpture as well as a book. Each spread is cut in the shape of a globe sitting on a base. Opened, the book can stand alone because the front and back covers fasten together with magnetic closures, giving it three dimensions. Visit the Phaidon Press website to see photos of how it works.

The text is layered. For those who aren’t familiar with that term, there is a primary rhyming text that would be good for reading aloud to younger readers and a prose secondary text that is perfect for older children who want to learn more.

Our Seasons will likely capture the attention of young artists. It would also be perfect for a lesson on seasons. Open up a copy today!

Related Activity Suggestions:

To understand why we have seasons, it is useful to show the tilt of the Earth. With this book, you can use a flashlight or other light source to show how it works without having to hunt up a globe.

Here’s how it works, check out this cool video:


Do you have a favorite season? Our favorite is fall. Check out our growing list of autumn science children’s books at Science Books for Kids.

 

Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 – 6 years
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Phaidon Press (April 20, 2022)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1838664327
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1838664329

 

Disclosure: The  publisher provided an e-ARC for review purposes. Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

 


Looking for more children’s nonfiction books? Try the Nonfiction Monday blog.

Black Ballerinas by Misty Copeland

Back in 2015, we did a series of review posts of picture books about black ballerinas.

Imagine our delight when we discovered the middle grade collection of biographies, Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy by superstar ballerina Misty Copeland and illustrated by Salena Barnes.


(*Amazon Affiliate link- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)

Unlike most nonfiction biography collections, Misty Copeland’s approach is a very personal one. Told in the first person, each biography reflects how twenty-five different black ballerinas have influenced her career (“My Journey” in the title). In many ways it is Misty Copeland’s memoir.

Misty Copeland didn’t have a lot of exposure to ballet or prominent black dancers as a child. She was in her late teens when she saw black ballerina Lauren Anderson on a magazine cover for the first time. Seeing Lauren  inspired Misty and showed her that she wasn’t alone, that her dream to be a ballerina wasn’t impossible. Black Ballerinas was conceived to allow other youngsters see themselves as dancers.

The illustrations by Salena Barnes are equally inspiring. She captures the motion, the grace, and the magic of ballet on the page, while at the same time revealing the unique person who is the ballerina. Gorgeous! Beautiful! Breathtaking!

Black Ballerinas is a must have for young black dancers and aspiring ballerinas, but also would be lovely for anyone interested in music and dance to enjoy.

Related:

You can see more about Misty and the book in this interview:

Wise words to live by:  “Be open to guidance and advice. ”

Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 years and up
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Aladdin (November 2, 2021)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1534474242
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1534474246

#Kidlit Smitten with Kittens

For a few minutes of quiet reading enjoyment, try the picture book, Smitten With Kittens by the married team of  Florence Minor and Wendell Minor.

Built around a gentle rhyming text,

Who isn’t smitten
with a kitten’s sweet mew
and all the cute things
that kittens do?

and delightful graphite on paper and digital illustrations of kittens playing and napping, this picture book also includes 10 “Fun Facts” about taking care of and enjoying kittens in the back matter.

Smitten with Kittens would make lovely bedtime reading as well as a useful guide to have on hand before adopting a new kitten. Curl up with a copy today!

Related:

There’s a peek inside and a free coloring sheet to download at Charlesbridge.

Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 – 7 years
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Charlesbridge (March 8, 2022)
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1623541670
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1623541675

Disclosure: An e-ARC was supplied for review purposes by the publisher, Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

Some Great Recommendations for Board Books

I’m adding this here so I can review the answers. There are some gems for board books.