Thank you to Cathy Mere and Mandy Robek for hosting the Nonfiction Picture Book 10 for 10 (#nf10for10). The rules are simple:
What: 10 nonfiction picture books you can't live without.
Hashtag: #nf10for10
Who: Anyone interested --- educators, media specialists, librarians, parents, and book lovers.
When: Thursday, February 19th
Where: All posts will be linked on the 2015 #nf10for10 page of our Picture Book 10 for 10 Google Community Site.
Last year, I did my first nonfiction picture book 10 for 10 challenge. When I have checked out the posts of other teachers/librarians/bloggers, I am excited to see what books are selected and how they are arranged. This year's theme came from a comment I made to some friends..."It is pretty much a given that I will like it if it has a bear in it." So I decided to do my favorite nonfiction picture books about bears. They are in no order and I haven't said a lot about them but they are all worth picking up and checking out. And go #teambear
If You Were a Panda Bear by Florence Minor; Illustrated by Wendell Minor (Katherine Tegen Books, 2013) - I love books with beautiful illustrations and Wendell Minor is one of my favorite illustrators. Beautiful illustrations and great facts about different types of bears.
Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh by Sally M. Walker; Illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss (Henry Holt and Co., January 20, 2015) - A picture book biography about the bear who inspired the Winnie the Pooh story. Did not know about this one but very touched by it.
Wild About Bears by Jeannie Brett (Charlesbridge, 2014) - Another fun fact book about different types of bears.
The Polar Bear Scientist (Scientist in the Field) by Peter Lourie (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2012) - Do I have to say much about this one? Love the Scientist in the Field Series.
Moon Bear by Brenda Z. Guiberson; Illustrated by Ed Young (Henry Holt and Co., 2010) - I did not know a lot about the moon bear so this one was enlightening to me.
Ice Bear: In the Steps of the Polar Bear by Nicola Davies; Illustrated by Gary Blythe (Candlewick, 2005) - Polar Bears are just so majestic and this book is a beautiful tribute to the great white bear of the north.
Waiting for Ice by Sandra Markle (Charlesbridge, 2012) - Markle always finds a way to connect emotionally to her readers and this story about an orphaned 10 month old polar bear will definitely touch you.
Fraser Bear: A Cub's Life by Maggie de Vries, Renné Benoit (Greystone Books, 2010) - Black bears are more common for many of us and this story of a cub's life will be an enjoyable read with younger students.
Eat Like a Bear by April Pulleye; Illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Henry Holt and Co., 2013) - For very young students, this book in verse looks at the life of a bear.
Mrs. Harkness and the Panda by Alicia Potter; Illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012) - Though we cannot just take a bear out of another country these days, this story tells of a woman in the 1930's who traveled to China and brought a panda back to the United States. An interesting piece of history.
Check out the hashtag #nf10for10 on twitter for more nonfiction picture book posts by other teachers and librarians and bloggers.