Classics, Nonfiction, and Children's Literature
The fictionalized nonfiction picture book On Kiki’s Reef by Carol L. Malnor (illustrated by Trina L. Hunner; Dawn Publications, 2014) tells about the life cycle and habitat of a sea turtle named Kiki in the coral reef habitat. Parallel text appears on each page: one provides details about Kiki’s life (in a serif font), and
Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry (Clarion, 2024) features the friendship between two Sophies: one who is eleven and the other is 88. With a unique and memorable narrator, Lowry’s deceptively short newest offering touches on deep issues such as aging, childhood experience, and the formation of memories. In fact, there was so much in
Two New Years by Richard Ho (illustrated by Lynn Scurfield; Chronicle Books, 2023) features a child in a unique situation: she celebrates two new years each year. I had thought it would be about the Chinese New Year and the traditional January 1 date, but I was wrong. This child celebrates Jewish New Year (Rosh
Although I tend to prefer realistic fiction (historical or contemporary), the animal story The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers (Alfred A. Knopf, May 2023) was an amusing read with a unique narrator and clever situations. Johannes, a free dog in a large park, is just a dog, the author reminds us in the
The nonfiction picture book, Old Enough to Save the Planet by Loll Kirby (illustrated by Adelina Lirius; Harry Abrams, 2021) shows how kids can help our environment. Each two-page spread highlights a real child that made a difference in his or her community by noticing an issue and starting an initiative for change. The top
With a story-frame of the spawning of newborn coral reef, Kate Messner’s The Brilliant Deep: Rebuilding the Coral Reef (illustrated by Matthew Forsythe; Chronicle, 2018) gives a biography of Ken Nedimyer, who began the Coral Restoration Foundation. He grew up with a deep interest in coral reefs and the picture book begins when he is
Big Ideas in Literature (The School of Life; March 2024) is a book all about one of my favorite subjects: literature. It introduces what makes literature literature, the history of literature and books, and what big topics literature can address, even through amusing situations and language. Throughout the book, the authors highlight literature from history
Throughout the picture book Flick a Switch: How Electricity Gets to Your Home by Barbara Seuling (illustrated by Nancy Tobin; Holiday House, 2003), a girl and her dog comment on what they see and learn about switches and electricity. It includes basic facts at an easy-to-read level, making it a great upper elementary-level research book
Fungus is Among Us! by Joy Keller (Innovation Press, 2019) has a fictional and rhyming story-line that follows a girl walking in a forest and through her home. Throughout her walk, she learns about all the fungus that is in her life. This includes mushrooms, moss, mold on old food and on shower walls (ewwww).
In and Out the Window (illustrated by Catherin Peterslund; Philomel 2024) is a creative collection of children’s poetry by Jane Yolen. Poems are divided into thematic sections with further division into the categories of “In” and “Out” of a window. The volume shares poems about many aspects of children’s lives. Different sections featured include “At
Shen of the Sea by Arthur Bowie Chrisman (first published 1925) is a collection of stories taking place in China and featuring Chinese traditions. Although some of the tales are interesting reading, the lack of authenticity and subtle racism of the past make it a questionable book to give young children today. There are many
Dear Katie, The Volcano is a Girl by Jean Craighead George (illustrated by Daniel Powers; Hyperion, 1998) is the story about a grandmother and a granddaughter on vacation in Hawaii. They tour a volcano, and while Katie insists that the volcano is Pele (a goddess) her grandmother disagrees and explains how volcanoes form because cracks
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