Classics, Nonfiction, and Children's Literature
Circles by David Adler, illustrated by Edward Miller. Adler’s book introduces circles and then describes a hands-on method of learning what a diameter and radius are (tracing a plate, then folding symmetrically and drawing lines). Subsequent pages continue the hands-on directions to draw and define major and minor sectors of a circle and how to draw
Whose Egg is That? by Darrin Lunde, illustrated by Karen Oseid (Charlesbridge, January 2023), is the perfect guessing book for a young reader learning about animals. I almost wrote “birds,” but since this book includes the platypus, labeling this a “bird book” would not be accurate! Only a few animals are covered, but it is
Jadav Payeng was just a boy when he mourned for the snakes and other animals that were swept onto small dry island in the middle of the river during the monsoon season. The sandbars were bare, so when the waters receded, the snakes dried in the hot northeastern Indian sun. Though he didn’t know it,
The Penguin of Ilha Grande by Shannon Earle , illustrated by Renato Alarcao (Charlesbridge, 2023), tells the true story of a friendship between an older man and a penguin. The subtitle is “From Animal Rescue to Extraordinary Friendship,” and the story is entertaining to children as well as educational about the difficult changing climate conditions
For anyone seeking to supplement an ocean animals study with learning about the animals of the Maria Trench, you don’t need to look any further than Deep, Deep Down by Lydia Lukidis, illustrated by Juan Calle (Capstone, 2023). This nonfiction poetic picture book does a wonderful job of matching its intended audience with tone, text,
Before Wilbur and Orville Wright, there was The Flying Man. Otto Lilienthal lived in Germany, and from a young age, he dreamed of soaring in the air like a bird. He and his brother, Gustav experimented with making wings to fly. Unsurprising, wings did not work, as he could not flap them quickly enough and
Note: I received a digital copy of the book for review consideration. Cloaked in Courage by Beth Anderson, illustrated by Anne Lamelet (Calkins Creek, 2022) tells the unique story of Deborah Sampson, a woman who pretended to be a man and joined the army during the Revolutionary War to help fight for freedom. Subtitled Uncovering
I Would Teach You to Fly by Sarah Asper-Smith (Sasquatch Books, 2022) shows mother animals caring for and teaching their baby animals. I Would Teach You focuses on parents of all divisions of the animal kingdom, all of whom are teaching their young. In a sweet bedtime tone, I Would Teach You ends with the sweet
Drop: An Adventure Through the Water Cycle by Emily Kate Moon (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2021). Watercolor (specifically, India ink mixed with water) seems to be the perfect medium for illustrating the water cycle. In Drop, the author/illustrator emphasizes the eternal existence of Drop as she has cycled through Earth’s atmosphere and surface over
Elephants Remember: A True Story by Jennifer O’Connell (Tilbury House, 2022) tells the true story of the “Elephant Whisperer,” Lawrence Anthony, who ran a wild animal reserve in Zululand, South Africa. Despite the wild nature of a herd of elephants, with Anthony’s care and civility, the herd is able to thrive in his reserve. When
Look Where We Live! by Scot Ritchie (Kids Can Press, 2015) is a great nonfiction book for learning about building up a community. Beginning with a map of town, Look Where We Live! shows all of the ways that workers, families, and children are connected within a community, and how they can all sustain one
In the Indian Ocean, fishermen discovered a wounded turtle, which they adopted and named her Yoshitaro. In Yoshi’s Big Swim by Mary Wagley Copp, illustrated by Kaja Kajfez (Capstone, December 2022), Yoshi’s story of healing, growing, and her final swim teach young readers not just about one loggerhead sea turtle but also about how we
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