Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday (8)


As part of the Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge 2012 (Twitter: #nfpb2012), my goal is to read and review as many of the new non-fiction picture books that are released this year.  Wednesdays will be my primary day to post the reviews.

This week's Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday is coming to you courtesy of Penguin Books. Thanks to Publisher Rep extraordinaire, Nicole, one lucky reader has a chance to win a copy of The Camping Trip that Changed America by Barbara Rosenstock and The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba.  In addition to these two wonderful books, there is also a signed print from Maira Kalman's book Looking At Lincoln


The Camping Trip that Changed America
Author: Barbara Rosenstock
Illustrator: Mordecai Gerstein
Publisher: Penguin Group (January 19, 2012)
Audience: 2nd to 5th grade

Can you imagine going on a camping trip with the President of the United States?  True, I am not much of a camper, it doesn't prevent me from thinking about what it would be like to have some undivided time with one of the most influential people in the world.  Of course, it wouldn't be very easy to accomplish this today.  Can you imagine how many Secret Service men would have to join you?  However, this story takes place in 1903, when it was still possible for the President to go off on an adventure. 

Though this is more of a fictionalized telling of a fateful camping trip that President Theodore Roosevelt went on with naturalist, John Muir, there is still some great information in this book. Barbara Rosenstock does a nice job depicting the enthusiasm which Roosevelt possessed and the sense of adventure and appreciation for nature as beheld by Muir.  My favorite part in the book is a two page spread where Roosevelt and Muir are camping out under the skies and Muir tells Roosevelt about all the wonderful things there were in the United States.  All I can imagine is how these two men influenced each other in some important way.

Mordicai Gerstein illustrations lend a certain mood that perfectly suits the book.  Rosenstock includes some quotes and important author notes at the end of the book which provide slightly more information.  I found this a fun read and would certainly recommend it for a classroom or school library.



The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Author: William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer
Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon
Publisher: Dial (January 19, 2012)
Audience: 2nd to 5th grade

"In a small village in Malawi, where people had no money for lights, nightfall came quickly and hurried poor farmers to bed.  But for William, the darkness was best for dreaming."  

In a world, where so many children have so much and sometimes believe that they should receive a grade or a position for just showing up, it was refreshing to read about William Kamkwamba's story.  In a poor village, in face of a drought, and without the funding to attend school, William used his ability to dream and his curiosity about how things work to develop a solution that would help his family and community.  Creating a windmill at a teenager in the best of circumstances would be a challenge, but having to scrounge the pieces from junkyards and wherever else he could find things made the challenge even that much greater.  William's story is inspirational and should be shared with children. 

Elizabeth Zunon's mixed media illustrations bring an extra dimension to this story and makes both William and his windmill stand out and pop off the pages.  A fascinating story paired up with well matched illustrations makes this a wonderful book to add to a classroom or school collection.


Looking At Lincoln
Author/Illustrator: Maria Kalman
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books (January 5, 2012)
Audience: 2nd to 5th grade

Starting with the penny and a five dollar bill, Maria Kalman introduces children to the 16th president in quirky but factual manner.  As with the previous title, there is an element of the story being fictionalized but there is accuracy in the facts of the story.  It was particularly interesting for me to pick up a couple of other picture books written at very different times and by very different authors and find that certain aspects of Lincoln's life was prominent in each of the books. 

The often humorous, yet touching look at the life and habits of Lincoln, including his relationship with his wife, and how he stored notes in his hat, made this important president seem even more humble and significant.  The illustrations also done by Kalman add to the feeling of the book, and I especially liked how she tied the story together at the end with the Lincoln Memorial.  Though I believe children ages 7 and up will enjoy the book, I do think the 2nd and 3rd graders may particularly connect to the illustrations and story format.

Giveaway Rules:

1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.).  If you do enter personal information, you comment will not be posted.
2.  You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.

3.  The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on February 29, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on March 6, 2012.

4.  You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.

5.  If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail.  If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

6.  International participants are welcome to enter the contest.






Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday (6)


As part of the Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge 2012 (Twitter: #nfpb2012), my goal is to read and review as many of the new non-fiction picture books that are released this year.  Wednesdays will be my primary day to post the reviews.

What Color is My World: The Lost History of African American Inventors
Authors: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Raymond Obstfeld
Illustrators: A.G. Ford, Ben Boos
Publisher: Candlewick Press (January 3, 2012)
Audience: Grades 3 to 7
Source: Borrowed Copy

Description from GoodReads:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball legend and the NBA's alltime leading scorer, champions a lineup
of little-known African-American inventors in this lively, kid-friendly book.

Did you know that James West invented the microphone in your cell phone? That Fred Jones invented the refrigerated truck that makes supermarkets possible? Or that Dr. Percy Julian synthesized cortisone from soy, easing untold people's pain? These are just some of the black inventors and innovators scoring big points in this dynamic look at several unsung heroes who shared a desire to improve people's lives. Offering profiles with fast facts on flaps and framed by a funny contemporary story featuring two feisty twins, here is a nod to the minds behind the gamma electric cell and the ice-cream scoop, improvements to traffic lights, open-heart surgery, and more - inventors whose ingenuity and perseverance against great odds made our world safer, better, and brighter.



An interview with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

 

My thoughts on the book:
Some books make you wonder about the conversation that might have taken place between publisher, editor, author, illustrator.  If I was a more talented writer, I would recreate this hypothetical conversation for the entertainment of readers.  However, I will spare you that digression and jump into my thoughts on the book.

When I look at a book, especially a nonfiction picture book, I have a hard time stepping out of my educator mindset.  Yes, I want to enjoy a book simply because it is an enjoyable book.  However, with nonfiction, I am also trying to consider how to use it with children.  Basketball great - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has stepped into the role of celebrity debut author with his new children's book What Color is My World: The Lost History of African American Inventors.  His comment in the video above indicating his desire to show children a piece of African American History beyond Slavery and Civil Rights is most admirable.   I want children to know about the rich history and culture of African Americans too.  For that we are in agreement.  We are also seeing eye to eye on the wonderful facts provide on the various men and women inventors which are included in this book. 

Where we diverge, the format of the book and the voice of the story.  The format is a large-size picture book with flaps which in my mind is typically for younger audiences.  The text written for the facts about inventors is written for student in grades 4 and up.  The story portion of the book has an excessive amount of text (again for an older audience) but a voice that almost seems appropriate for younger readers.   

It is true that I haven't had a chance to look at this book with children, and so my opinion might change.  And though, I think there are wonderful facts and parts to this book, I would discover a way to share this book so children will get the most from it.

Click here to check out Candlewick's Book Trailer for What Color is My World?

It's that time of the week...add your nonfiction reviews to the Mr. Linky below.  

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday (5)

As part of the Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge 2012 (Twitter: #nfpb2012), my goal is to read and review as many of the new non-fiction picture books that are released this year.  Wednesdays will be my primary day to post the reviews.

Here is my first foray into February nonfiction picture book releases.


A Leaf Can Be
Author: Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrator: Violeta Dabija
Publisher:  Millbrook Press (February 1, 2012)
Audience:  Ages 4 to 8
Source: Copy for Review and Giveaway

Some books defy my image of nonfiction.  I have to admit that I was truly a solid fiction reader and that nonfiction usually meant dry, boring, and connected to coursework.  As I have searched for nonfiction picture books, my beliefs about them are changing.  Seldom anymore do I utter the words dry and boring when reading these books.

The team of Laura Purdie Salas and Violeta Dabjija has created a beautiful book.  With the simple phrase "A leaf can be...", Salas explores all of the roles a leaf can play from a water ladle to food maker to frost catcher and more.  Dabjija's gentle and whimsical illustrations are a perfect match to Salas' sparse text making the book completely accessible for younger readers.  The end of the book takes each of the descriptors used in the book and explains them with more details.  There is also a glossary and some further reading which can both be useful resources for a teacher.

A Leaf Can Be would be a wonderful addition to a primary grade level classroom.  It would also make a lovely gift for a young child.

Giveaway Rules:

1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.).  If you do enter personal information, you comment will not be posted.

2.  You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.

3.  The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on February 8, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on February 15, 2012.

4.  You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.

5.  If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail.  If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

6.  International participants are welcome to enter the contest.


Nonfiction Picture Book Releases February 2012


The Nonfiction Detectives and I are hosting a Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge.  At the beginning of each month, my goal is to post all of the new non-fiction picture books being released over the next 30 days. 

February 1, 2012

*A Blackhole is Not a Hole by Carolyn Cinami Decristofano, Michael Carroll

A Leaf Can Be by Laura Purdie Salas, Illustrated by Violeta Dabija

Snowmobile: Bombardier's Dream Machine by Jules Older

February 8, 2012

The President's Stuck in the Bathtub: Poems About the Presidents by Susan Katz, Illustrated by Robert Neubecker

February 14, 2012

Citizen Scientist by Loree Griffin Burns, Ellen Harasimowicz

*The Impossible Rescue by Martin W. Sandler

There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Whoever Lived by Matt Taveres

Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature by Nicola Davies, Illustrated by Mark Heard

February 15, 2012

I Lay My Stitches Down: Poems of American Slavery by Cynthia Grady, Illustrated by Michelle Wood

February 16, 2012

Women Explorers by Julia Cummins, Illustrated by Cheryl Harness

February 28, 2012

*Boston's Great Molasses Flood by Deborah Kops

Georgia in Hawaii: When Georgia O'Keeffe Painted What She Pleased by Amy Novesky, Illustrated by Yuyi Morales

The links for the above books will take you directly to the IndieBound.org book page for purchasing information, unless otherwise noted.  Please note, I do not make anything off these links or profit in anyway from posting the links.   If you know of a book that should be included in this list, please include the title and author in the comments section and I will update the list. 

* Indicates Non-fiction children's books that are not specifically picture books.

Nonfiction Picture Book Giveaway


At the end of each month, I hope to hold a giveaway featuring nonfiction picture book(s).  Chronicle Books has graciously offered up 4 titles from their collection for our first giveaway.  An Egg is Quiet is one of my personal favorites in this collection.  I found it to be beautifully illustrated, simple in execution, and very well done.  

Thank you Lara for supporting the Non-fiction Picture Book Challenge of 2012 with this wonderful collection of books which will be great in any classroom or school library.  Don't forget to check out the Chronicle webpage for each of these books.  They have included teaching guides to use with the books.
 





Here are the rules:

1.Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.).  If you do enter personal information, you comment will not be posted.
2.  You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.
3.  The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on January 25, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on January 31, 2012.
4.  You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.
5.  You do not need to follow the blog to enter the contest, but you will receive additional entry points if you are participating in the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2012.  
6.  If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail.  If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
7.  Only those with US and Canadian addresses are eligible to enter this giveaway.