Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Mock Sibert, Mini Reviews, and New Releases

Thank you everyone for participating each week in the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge (#nfpb2015). It is one of my highlights of the week to see all of the books that everyone has read and included in their posts. Today's post is a mixture of mini reviews and spotlights on new releases. - Happy Reading! 

2015 Mock-Sibert Award:

If you haven't checked out the Mock-Sibert Predictions that Kellee Moye (Unleashing Readers) and Carrie Gelson (There is a Book for That) and I have made, there is still time to do so and also enter the giveaway.

Mini Reviews:

Earmuffs For Everyone!: How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs by Meghan McCarthy (Simon & Schuster, January 2015) - Meghan McCarthy has a way of mixing humor with her work to draw in readers. I enjoyed how she provided readers with the history and how Chester Greenwood was credited with the invention despite others having put in patents earlier. Though this one may appeal more to those in colder climates, teachers can discuss the issues of getting patents, and who gets credit for discovering or inventing things with the reading of this book.

Raindrops Roll by April Pulley Sayre (Beach Lane Books, January 2015) - Beautiful photographs and lyrical text made this a favorite of mine. Sayre provides young children with a delightful read aloud about rain and water, and older students with a mentor text for writing. This one is a must have in my opinion.

The Founding Fathers!: Those Horse-Ridin', Fiddle-Playin', Book-Readin', Gun-Totin', Gentleman Who Started America by Jonah Winter; Illustrated by Barry Blitt (Atheneum, January 2015) - This book is part background information, part encyclopedia, and part questions and answers all mixed with a reasonable amount of humor. This one can be read a little at a time and in whatever order that a student would like. I enjoyed learning new facts about the 14 Founding Fathers featured in the book.

Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees by Franck Praevot; Illustrated by Aurelia Fronty (Charlesbridge, January 2015) - I think I have read every picture book biography on Mama Miti. I enjoyed the focus on the political challenges that Wangari had to take on in order to see her dream come to fruition. A welcome addition to the collection of books on this amazing woman.

Books I missed for the New Release Post:

28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World by Charles R. Smith; Illustrated by Shane W. Evans (Roaring Brook, January 13, 2015)

Gingerbread for Liberty!: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution by Mara Rockliff; Illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch (HMH Books for Young Readers; January 27, 2015)

Whale Trails, Before and Now by Lesa Cline-Ransome; Illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Henry Holt and Co., January 20, 2015)

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews:

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 1/19/15

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey.  Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers have adapted it to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Here is what jumped out of the pile this week...

Books already out...

Madame Martine by Sarah Brannen (Albert Whitman, 2014) - An old woman, a dog, and a new adventure.

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña (Putnam; January 8, 2015) - An outstanding story and love the message in this one.

A Letter for Leo by Sergio Ruzzier (Clarion Books, September 2014)- There are certain kinds of friendship stories that make me go "aww" and this is one of them.

Upcoming releases....

Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall (HarperCollins; February 2015) - A good story to discuss differences and embracing our unique qualities.

Toad Weather by Sandra Markle (Peachtree; March 2015) - Love the cover and the lesson and the surprise at the end.

Float by Daniel Miyares (Simon & Schuster; June 2015) - A wordless picture book to add to your list. 

In Mary's Garden by Tina Kugler and Carson Kugler (HMH Books for Young Readers; March 2014) - A beautifully illustrated, picture book biography that celebrates art, creativity, and imagination. 

So, what are you reading?

Perfect Pairs in Action Part II

In November, I posted about our very first Perfect Pairs Lessons with 1st and 2nd graders.  We just recently completed the 3rd lesson with 2nd graders and completed all 3 lessons with 1st graders just prior to winter break.  Perfect Pairs comes from a book by Melissa Stewart and Nancy Chesley called Perfect Pairs: Using Fiction and Nonfiction Picture Books to Teach Life Science in K-2 (Stenhouse, 2014).  An elementary librarian and I have been collaborating on using Perfect Pairs with the classrooms at her school. One of our goals was to model for teachers a way to blend together literacy and science.  Additionally, we wanted to model for teachers how science can be a means for providing rich language and critical thinking opportunities for students.

The challenge that we face is that the book is created to use each lesson over a period of time in the same classroom. We work with each class once a week (if we don't get pre-empted) and only for about 75 minutes per class. This has required Mavonwe (School Librarian) and I (Literacy Specialist) to be creative and determine the central idea and what we must focus on. They rest can be given to the teachers as follow up lessons or tie-in lessons. I mention this since I wanted to respect the work that Stewart and Chesley did but also show that there is a way to do it if you only have a smaller amount of time. Maybe not ideal but it still can provide some benefit to students.

Since we have a large number of students who are English Language Learners and many who need to work on oral and written language, we adapted lessons to expand on what students needed. We have been extremely intentional to include a writing activity and then another activity that will encourage oral language and critical thinking. 

The bulletin board above is in the library and shows all the fiction and nonfiction pairing that we have used. 

The selection of stories for Perfect Pairs has been great and the students have loved them. 

When we used Steve Jenkins' What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You?, we made cards using actual photographs of the various animals mentioned to make sure that the students had a clear reference for what we were talking about.

Every time, we have included a writing activity. Sometimes the activity was a bit shorter or simpler and other times longer.

With the Hermit Crab story, we worked to identify what kind of habitat would a hermit crab need and created an advertisement for that kind of "house".

Since the school has a Dual Language Immersion Program, we allow the children to write in English or Spanish. 

Though we want kids to think of writing as fun, we also want children developing other skills too.

After watching a brief video on hermit crabs lining up to swap homes, we did a bit of our own moving and swapping spaces.

Students love opportunities to look through the books and make their own discoveries.

We also find that hands on activities including ones that incorporate art help develop skills in collaboration and keep everyone engaged.

Turning some activities into games also help in building understanding and focus.

Now that we have completed what we hoped to do with the 1st and 2nd graders, our next plans are to work with kindergarten classes and I hope to be able to introduce Perfect Pairs to other schools.

Here is a short video, I created with pictures from the program....

Thank you Melissa Stewart, Nancy Chesley, and Stenhouse Publishers for your support as we explored the lessons in the book.

Kid Lit Frenzy, There is a Book For That, & Unleashing Readers 2015 Mock Sibert Picks

Over the past three years, I (Alyson) have hosted, and Kellee and Carrie have participated in, a book challenge to push ourselves to read more nonfiction picture books. Since we read many of the best nonfiction picture books published each year, we decided to host a Mock Sibert Award. Our first Mock Sibert Award was in 2014 and though only one book (Parrots Over Puerto Rico) that I picked won the Sibert Award in 2014 that hasn't deterred me from trying it again.

The American Library Association's Robert F. Sibert Award is given annually to the most distinguished informational book published during the preceding year. Although the Sibert Award is not just for picture books, we are going to focus on the nonfiction picture books we feel would be honored or win this year.

To be honored/win the Sibert Award, the book must include these important elements and qualities:

-Excellent, engaging, and distinctive use of language.

-Excellent, engaging, and distinctive visual presentation.

-Appropriate organization and documentation.

-Clear, accurate, and stimulating presentation of facts, concepts, and ideas.

-Appropriate style of presentation for subject and for intended audience.

-Supportive features (index, table of contents, maps, timelines, etc).

-Respectful and of interest to children.

After reviewing the qualities and elements needed to win the Sibert Award, and agonizing over all the wonderful books that I have read this year, I chose the following five titles as my Mock Sibert Finalists that I hope will win or be honored on February 2nd.

This year I decided to order them by 4 honor books and the book I predict will win. Since I am so good at predictions (*rolls eyes*), this should be perfect, right?! *smiles* 

My honor selections are:

Born in the Wild: Baby Mammals and Their Parents by Lita Judge (Roaring Brook Press, October 2014) - Maybe I simply love Lita Judge's artwork but her stories are truly engaging and I always learn something new after reading one of them. I have a soft spot for baby animals, which made this title a personal favorite. This one is also a wonderful read aloud for younger children who will connect with the story on a personal level as they learn about how baby animals are cared for by their parents. 

Related Video - Lita Judge Talks About Her Creative Process

Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate; Illustrated by G. Brian Kara (Clarion, October 2014) - After reading The One and Only Ivan in 2012 and being in the audience when it won a Newbery Medal in 2013, I have had a very fond spot in my heart for Ivan and his story. To have this picture book companion to the novel, also provides younger readers with a way to meet Ivan, and for others to learn about the Ivan who inspired the book. 

Official Book Trailer:

Beetle Busters by Loree Griffin Burns (HMH Books for Young Readers, October 2014) - It is not a secret that I have a special fondness for the Scientist in the Field Series and would make sure that one of these titles were on this list every year. However, with four books to pick from this year, it was a bit difficult. Yet, I chose Beetle Busters because Griffin Burns captured the incredibly complex issues of how a small beetle, hardwood trees, and community residents all have a starring role in how the needs and health of the environment often require difficult decisions to be made.  

Related Video - Wild Marlborough: Asian Long Horned Beetle (long but informative):

Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman; Illustrated by Rick Allen (HMH Books for Young Readers, November 2014) - I do not consider myself a poetry expert but I do have my favorites and Sidman is one of my must have poets. I love how she combines poetry and information together in a book and she must be one of the luckiest authors for scoring the most amazing illustrators who have brought her text visually to life. 

Related Video: Fox Dives Head First Into Snow: 

and the winner:

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant; Illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Eerdmans Books for Young Children, September 2014) - The team of Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet is incredible. Their combined attention to detail and ability to tell a story in both text and pictures is amazing. ln my mind, their books move to a category all their own. Last year, A Splash of Read: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin won a Schneider Family Book Award. a Sibert Honor, and NCTE's Orbis Pictus Award. I am hoping for an actual Sibert medal for Team Bryant and Sweet this year with The Right Word. If not, please know that the woman sobbing at the front of the Youth Media Award's auditorium will be me. 

Official Book Trailer:

Check out There is a Book for That and Unleashing Readers to see what Carrie and Kellee chose as their picks.

We would also love your input! Which of our titles do you think will win the Sibert? Enter our Rafflecopter below to not only enter to win a copy of one of our picks (your choice!) as well as vote for which book you think will win. Note: US or Canadian mailing addresses only. 

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When Otis Courted Mama Blog Tour: Guest Post by Kathi Appelt

When Otis Courted Mama
by Kathi Appelt; Illustrated by Jill McElmurry
HMH Books for Young Readers (January 6, 2015) 
Indiebound | WorldCat

Today, I would like to welcome author, Kathi Appelt to Kid Lit Frenzy and thank her for talking with us about her new book WHEN OTIS COURTED MAMA and how she writes to make the language just right for a read aloud. Thank you Kathi for stopping by.

With all of my work, whether it’s a picture book for the very smallest child, or a novel for an older reader, I try to pay attention to the way it sounds. Because I loved reading aloud to my own children, and also because I had a father who read to me, a text that works for oral reading is important to me. Before I turn in my final drafts, regardless of the length, the last thing I do is read the whole thing out loud. Not only does this help me catch mistakes, but it allows me to consider things like rhythm, flow, and most importantly, sound.

When I was a student at Texas A&M, I took a poetry writing class, and one of the things that my professor said, almost as a throw-away line, was that the best thing a poet could do was to learn the names of the trees and flowers in our own backyards.

I’ve never forgotten that. And so now, I work hard to be sure to include the regional names of my story’s plants. I also pay attention the local wildlife. The flora and fauna of a place, to me at least, are what bring a story to life. Literally.

Writing OTIS was a kick because of the bounty of the desert Southwest. I loved thinking up things like “saguaro syrup” and “jalapeño flapjacks.” The aural vocabulary of the place makes my ears happy, and my mouth too.   

As well, one of the reasons that I chose coyotes as the primary characters in this book was in honor of Coyote, the trickster animal of so many Native American stories. Obviously, my coyotes aren’t tricksters, nor are they related to the iconic Coyote of those tales. But I wanted to pay tribute to them nonetheless, even in a subtle way, and perhaps the best way to do that is to honor the oral tradition from which they originated. 

My huge hope for this book is that it will be read aloud with such enthusiasm that by the end, everyone in the circle has a good ol’ howl. How great would that be?   

For a taste of When Otis Courted Mama, check out the book trailer:

For further information and links, read on: 

Kathi Appelt’s perfectly wonderful stepfather was a terrific storyteller, and she grew up to become a teller of stories, too. She is the New York Times best-selling author of more than forty books for children and young adults. Her picture books include Oh My Baby, Little One, illustrated by Jane Dyer, and the Bubba and Beau series, illustrated by Arthur Howard. Her novels for older readers include two National Book Award finalists: The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp and The Underneath, which was also a Newbery Honor Book. In addition to writing, Ms. Appelt is on the faculty in the Masters of Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives in College Station, Texas.

Links to check out: Kathi Appelt's Website | CCSS Aligned Curriculum Guide for the book

Follow sweet Cardell on all the tour stops:

Mon, Jan 5             5 Minutes for Books

Tues, Jan 6            Cracking the Cover

Wed, Jan 7             Sharpread

Thurs, Jan 8           Unleashing Readers

Fri, Jan 9               Once Upon a Story

Sat, Jan 10            Booking Mama

Mon, Jan 12           Geo Librarian

Tues, Jan 13          The Late Bloomer's Book Blog AND NC Teacher Stuff

Wed, Jan 14          Teach Mentor Texts

Thurs, Jan 15         Kid Lit Frenzy

Fri, Jan 16             The Fourth Musketeer

Enter the Giveaway below:
One lucky winner will receive a copy of WHEN OTIS COURTED MAMA by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by Jill McElmurry (U.S. addresses only).

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