Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown

The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown
by Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Sarah Jacoby
Balzer & Bray (May 21, 2019)
Nonfiction * Biography * Women Authors
Audience: Ages 7 to 10
Indiebound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads:
A dazzling picture book biography of Margaret Wise Brown, the legendary author of Goodnight Moon, Runaway Bunny, and other children’s classics, that is as fearless and groundbreaking as the icon herself was—from award-winning, bestselling author Mac Barnett and rising star illustrator Sarah Jacoby

What is important about Margaret Wise Brown?

In 42 inspired pages, this biography by award-winning writer Mac Barnett vividly depicts one of the greatest children’s book creators who ever lived: Margaret Wise Brown, the author of Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny, and The Little Fur Family. Illustrated with sumptuous art by rising star Sarah Jacoby, this is essential reading for book lovers of every age.

Quick thoughts about this book:
One of the things that fascinates me about writing is the choices or decisions that an author will make especially when writing a picture book. Recently, I got my hands on Mac Barnett’s picture book biography about Margaret Wise Brown. Barnett doesn’t typically write nonfiction, so, I was curious to see how he would tackle a biography about a woman who was certainly a free spirit and also someone who made an incredible contribution to the world of children’s literature.

In recent years, there have been a number of biographies about well known authors (Beatrix Potter, Jane Austen, Harper Lee to name just a few), and though as an adult I appreciated these biographies, I wondered if children had the same appreciation. This is where I think Barnett’s choices were exceptional. Most young children, even today, would be familiar with Margaret Wise Brown’s book GOODNIGHT MOON or the RUNAWAY BUNNY. This creates an automatic connection for young readers. Barnett’s choice to interact directly with his readers in a respectful, intelligent manner is another win. Another choice, which was actually multiple choices, were the decisions he made on what aspects of Wise Brown’s life to include in the book and how he contrasts her life with others in her world including New York Public Librarian, Anne Carroll Moore.

The text is powerful, and thoughtful and leaves both young and older readers with new insight into the life and writings of Margaret Wise Brown. I also need to say that Sarah Jacoby’s artwork pairs beautifully with Barnett’s words. Finally, though I can’t wait to share this book with young readers, I would love to see this shared with older students as a mentor text for writing. I can imagine the discussions that can arise from interaction with this book.

“The important thing about Margaret Wise Brown is that she wrote books.” - Mac Barnett

Check out the interview with Mac Barnett and Sarah Jacoby by Travis Jonkers (100 Scope Notes).

Mac Barnett reads THEY ALL SAW IT by Margaret Wise Brown:

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews…

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Readers and Chapter Books

This week’s nonfiction focus is on a new early reader series for second & third graders and a new nonfiction chapter book series for second to fourth graders.

If You Love Video Games, You Could Be…
by Thea Feldman, Illustrated by Natalie Kwee
Simon Spotlight (May 7, 2019)

For young readers interested in video games and animation, this book describes the careers of video game writer, video game animator, and video game programmer. Additional video game jobs/careers are included at the end of the book. The glossary at the beginning defines key terms used in the book.

If You Love Dolphins, You Could Be…
by Thea Feldman, Illustrated by Natalie Kwee
Simon Spotlight (May 7, 2019)

In this book, readers learn about aquatic veterinarians and marine biologists and underwater filmmakers. The beginning of the book includes a glossary and the end of the book includes some additional ocean careers. I knew about marine biologists but it was interesting to learn about other ocean related jobs.

From an Idea to LEGO
by Lowey Bundy Sichol, Illustrated by C. S. Jennings
HMH Books for Young Readers (July 9, 2019)

I never really thought about who created LEGO bricks and I was fascinated to learn about Ole Kirk Christeniansen and how he and his sons went from carpentry to toy makers to creating the LEGO Group and the LEGO bricks that have now entertained three generations of children. Did you know that LEGO is both singular and plural? To break my habit of calling them LEGOS, I will refer to the colorful plastic squares and rectangles as LEGO bricks. As I read through the book, I found myself sharing out facts to the teen who loved LEGO bricks as a kid.

From an Idea to GOOGLE
by Lowey Bundy Sichol, Illustrated by C. S. Jennings
HMH Books for Young Readers (July 9, 2019)

Similar in format to the LEGO book, FROM AN IDEA TO GOOGLE contains a timeline, source notes, bibliography and additional information specific to the topic of the book. Given how many children have grown up with Google as both a search engine and also an essential classroom tool (including Chromebooks, Gmail, Google Docs, and more), it helps to provide context and a background.

Look for these at your local indie bookstore or community library.

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews…

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: The ALA Annual 2019 Edition

At the writing of this post, I have had about 3 hours of sleep. I flew back from Washington, D.C. fell into bed and a few hours later headed to work and then finally home. So, I apologize in advance for being incoherent.

I was in Washington, D. C. for the American Library Association’s Annual Conference. However, this time, I flew in on Saturday morning and out on Monday and with meetings and events, I certainly didn’t get to spend enough time with all the wonderful publishers in the exhibit hall. And I missed seeing so many friends. Oh well…until NCTE ‘19.

I decided to do a post with the nonfiction I did get to see out on the exhibit hall floor. It certainly isn’t everything but I am so excited to read all of these books. Most of it comes out in the fall but there are a few titles I missed from this spring. Get ready to add to your “to read pile”.

Boyds Mills Press

Gail Jarrow has a new book coming out about the FDA. Am I brave enough to read this one?

Larry Dan Brimner has a new title about to come out.

I am excited to learn about Charles Henry Turner in this new picture book biography.

Another picture book biography….

I am so glad that Barb Rosenstock usually has more than one book out a year. I so love her books and hate waiting.

And for fans of soccer and poetry, a perfect new title.

Candlewick

I expect with the 100 year anniversary of women’s right to vote that we will be seeing more books like the one above.

This YA musical biography looks fabulous.

Okay, I have to admit that I was sold by the foreword written by Hillary Clinton. But seriously, this looks good.

Snow leopards are such beautiful creatures.

Charlesbridge

I had a great chat with Megan from Charlesbridge about this book. She was so excited to share it.

Suzanne Slade has a new book.

I don’t know a lot about Sonny Rollins but this picture book biography looks amazing.

I love books that expose kids to a variety of individuals around a topic and this one celebrates girls!

A fun book for younger readers.

I am always happy to have a new book by April Pulley Sayre.

Elizabeth Rusch’s new book is finally going to be here in November. I can’t wait.

Peachtree

Jen Swanson has a new book coming this fall. This looks great.

Simon & Schuster

A new graphic novel about Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

And another biography on Katherine Johnson by an amazing creative team.

I can’t wait till all these books are out in the world for us to read.

Don’t forget to link up your Nonfiction Reviews…

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Math & Maps

I’m Trying to Love Math
by Bethany Barton
Viking Books for Young Readers (July 2, 2019)
Nonfiction * Math * Humor
Audience: Ages 5 to 8
Indiebound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads:
Do multiplication tables give you hives? Do you break out in a sweat when you see more than a few numbers hanging out together? Then I'm Trying to Love Math is for you! In her signature hilarious style, Bethany Barton introduces readers to the things (and people) that use math in amazing ways -- like music, and spacecraft, and even baking cookies! This isn't a how-to math book, it's a way to think differently about math as a necessary and cool part of our lives!

Quick thoughts:

Math has never come easy to me. I have always been more of a word person than a numbers person. However, when you stop and think about it, numbers are such an essential part of our daily lives. And in Barton’s latest book, she does an outstanding job or reminding readers of how we are surrounded by numbers and math.

I loved Barton’s book about spiders and then loved her book about bees just a bit more and I think I love her math book the most.

Manhattan: Mapping the Story of an Island
by Jennifer Thermes
Abrams Books for Young Children (August 6, 2019)
Nonfiction * History * Maps
Audience: Ages 8 to 12
Indiebound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads:
"An innovative look back through time, Manhattan Maps follows the history of Manhattan Island from its natural formation to the bustling city today. It explores the ways in which nature and people are connected, tracking the people who lived on Manhattan from the Lenape Indians to Dutch settlers hunting for beaver pelts to early Americans and beyond, and how they've (literally) shaped the island (and vice versa). Jen Thermes highlights watershed moments where nature demanded action of New Yorkers--the Great Fire of 1835, the Great Blizzard of 1888, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In special sidebars, she closely traces specific threads of history and their lasting impact today--New York as a hub for immigration and the slave trade, for example. An epic volume that chronicles the rise of Manhattan through the lenses of geography, city planning, sociology, historiography, and more, Manhattan Maps is a groundbreaking format that will fascinate curious readers of all ages"

Quick thoughts:

This is the third book by Thermes that I have read, and I think this is my favorite of them. The illustrated history of Manhattan is beautifully done. There is so much to see and read in this book that you can’t take it all in on one read through. So don’t try. Just plan on savoring it over multiple reads.

Mark your calendars and look for them at your local bookstore.

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews…

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: June Releases

If you are like me and can’t believe we are almost in the middle of June, I find round-up posts good to reference. When I can’t remember what has come out and what is coming out soon, I come back to these blog posts and start checking off of titles. June has some wonderful new books coming out from favorite authors and new to me authors. I have included the links to past month round-ups in case you want to look back on past releases.

January | February | April part I | April part II | May

New books coming this month….

Birthday on Mars! by Sara Schonfeld, Illustrated by Andrew J. Ross (Penguin Workshop, June 4, 2019)

Go for the Moon: A Rocket, a Boy, and the First Moon Landing by Chris Gall (Roaring Brook Press, June 11, 2019)

Hector: A Boy, A Protest, and the Photograph that Changed Apartheid by Adrienne Wright (Page Street Kids, June 4, 2019)

Homes in the Wild: Where Baby Animals and Their Parents Live by Lita Judge (Roaring Brook Press, June 18, 2019)

Moth by Isabel Thomas, Illustrated by Daniel Egneus (Bloomsbury, June 25, 2019)

Samuel Morse, That’s Who!: The Story of the Telegraph and Morse Code by Tracy Nelson Maurer, El Primo Ramon (Henry Holt & Co., June 25, 2019)

Welcome Home: Where Nature’s Most Creative Creatures Dwell by Lisa Mundroff (Feiwel & Friends, June 18, 2019)

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews…