Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: What are you reading? The Nonfiction Edition

On Monday's I usually feature what jumps out of the pile. However, since most of my reading this past weekend was nonfiction picture books, I thought I would do a nonfiction edition of the #IMWAYR meme.  

Beatrix Potter and Her Paint Box by David McPhail (Henry Holt and Co., October 6 ,2015) - I loved that this picture book biography about Beatrix Potter comes in a smaller size than the average picture book. It seems especially appropriate given the size of her books.  McPhail provides a focus on Potter's interest in art and how she developed as an artist from her childhood to being an adult.

How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice From the Animal Kingdom by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page (HMH Books for Young Readers, September 1, 2015) - Not just about pigs, this new book by Jenkins and Page looks at a number of "How to" questions and how they are answered in nature.

Here is a glimpse at one of the page spreads:

Where Did My Clothes Come From? by Chris Butterworth; Illustrated by Lucia Gaggiotti (Candlewick, August 4, 2015) - I had not heard about this one but excited to get to check it out this past weekend. Lots of cool information throughout this book.

Here is a glimpse inside: 

One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia by Miranda Paul; Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon (Millbrook Press, February 1, 2015) - I enjoy reading books that i can use in the classroom to support global awareness and also demonstrates some critical thinking skills.

A Passion for Elephants: The Real Life Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Moss by Toni Buzzeo; Illustrated by Holly Berry (Dial Books, September 29, 2015) - Elephants are these amazing creatures and Cynthia Moss has made it her life's work to study them and also find ways to protect these animals from being hunted for their tusks. 

So, what have you been reading?

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews:

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: New and Recent Releases for October

As part of the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge, one of my favorite things is to round-up as many new quality nonfiction books for children and share them with readers of this blog.  Some months, I miss the release of books and add them to the next month's post.  Since I have not seen every book listed, I cannot always confirm if they are truly a nonfiction book or more of an informational fiction text or a bit of historical fiction. 

Links to the previous 2015 release posts: January | February | March | April Part I |April Part II | May | June | July | September

September 22, 2015

What's the buzz? Keeping Bees in Flight by Merrie Ellen Wilcox (Orca Footprints)

October 1, 2015

Ebola: Fears and Facts by Patricia Newman (Millbrook)

Forgotten Bones: Uncovering a Slave Cemetery by Lois Miner Huey ( Millbrook)

The Great Monkey Rescue: Saving the Golden Lion Tamarins by Sandra Markle (Millbrook)

October 6, 2015

Beatrix Potter and Her Paint Box by David McPhail (Henry Holt and Co.)

Human Body Theater by Maris Wicks (First Second)

October 13, 2015

Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine by Laurie Wallmark; Illustrated by April Chu (Creston Books)

Aaron and Alexander: The Most Famous Duel in American History by Don Brown (Roaring Brook Press)

The Fantastic Ferris Wheel: The Story of Inventor George Ferris by Betsy Harvey Kraft; Illustrated by Steven Salerno (Henry Holt, and Co.)

Frankie Liked to Sing by John Seven; Illustrated by Jana Christy (Harry N. Abrams)

Inside Biosphere 2: Earth Science Under Glass (Scientist in the Field) by Mary Kay Carson; Photographer - Tom Uhlman (HMH Books for Young Readers)

Koala Hospital by Suzi Eszterhas (Owlkids Books)

October 20, 2015

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick; Illustrated by Sophie Blackall (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)

October 27, 2015

Mary Cassatt: Extraordinary Impressionist Painter by Barbara Herkert; Illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska (Henry Holt, and Co.)

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews:

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: TCRWP Units of Study

Recently, my reading life has become centered around the new Units of Study for Teaching Reading from Lucy Calkins and the team at Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. 

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to spend the week in New York City at the Coaching Institute for Reading at Teachers College.  It is an amazing opportunity and I was fortunate to be accepted into the Institute as well as be a part of a team sent to the training by my school district. 

Though I don't have a regular blog post for today, please know that I haven't forgotten about nonfiction picture books. Just last week, I had the opportunity to spend time with second and third grade teachers planning out the Writing Unit for Information Writing. Before I left, I pulled together my bins of nonfiction picture books that these teachers could borrow in order to immerse their students in the wonder of nonfiction books and to use these books as mentor texts. 

In addition to reading the Units of Study in preparation for the Coaching Institute, I have also been reading WRITERS AS READERS by Lester Laminack and Reba M. Wadsworth. 

So, what are you reading and how are you sharing them with young readers? 

Don't forget to link up your reviews:

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Concept Books

I love concept books. I think this started when I was teaching in an inclusion preschool classroom. As a teacher, I was constantly searching out books that I could share with children. Books that would creatively introduce or reinforce concepts that we were talking about in class. I quickly learned that not all concept books are the same. Some are brilliant and others less than stellar.  And many times you can have too many alphabet or counting books. Yet, when done well, I always want to add them to my collection. 

Here are two recent releases that have a creative concept that is smartly executed. 

8: An Animal Alphabet Book
by Elisha Cooper
Orchard Books/Scholastic (July 2015)
IndieBound | WorldCat

If you read nothing else on this book, you need to check out the post on Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, here. 

Elisha Cooper's 8: An Animal Alphabet Book introduces to readers to familiar and not so familiar animals for all of the letters of the alphabet. A special pictorial guide at the end provides younger readers and the adults in their lives with an alphabetical listing of all of the animals. On every page, there is one out of all of the animals that is repeated eight times. Children are encouraged to find the animal and count up to 8.  

My next choice may seem like a fiction picture book and well, technically it is a fictional adventure book centered around two mice as the main characters. Certainly, it is a book for toddlers and preschoolers.  It even comes in an adorable smaller square size. However, it made me fall in love with Ruzzier for more than just his art. There was a genius in the way it introduced counting up to three and back from three. When I finished reading it, I smiled. It was fun, and witty, and did something I wasn't expecting.

Two Mice
by Sergio Ruzzier
Clarion Books (September 2015)
IndieBound | WorldCat

Two Mice by Sergio Ruzzier begins with one house, two mice and the fun grows from there.  

And some of the fun is simply in the illustrations.

So, what are some of your favorite abc and number books that are must adds to your collection, and how have you used them?

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews:

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Smithsonian Discover Series

Smithsonian Discover: Earth
Author: Dorothea DePrisco
Silver Dolphin Books (March 3, 2015)
Audience: Ages 8 and up
Nonfiction * Science * Earth
ndiebound

About the book: 
With Smithsonian Discover: Earth, kids can take a tour of Earth’s fiery core, scale Mount Everest, scuba-dive in the Great Barrier Reef, and hunker down during a hurricane, all without ever leaving the safety of their living rooms. A must-have for any kid who calls Earth home, this engaging book contains three sections: Amazing Earth (all about the inside and outside of the planet), the Blue Planet (covering awesome oceans, raging rivers, and great lakes), and Wild Weather (which explains the science of weather and goes inside natural disasters). Each page contains science presented simply, and facts backed by the museum professionals of the Smithsonian.

The compelling content is only the tip of the iceberg (only a tenth of which floats above the ocean’s surface, as you’ll learn). This engaging title also delivers hands-on activities like you would find at the Smithsonian. Bound right into the book are 12 Earth fact cards, a large double-sided map of the world, and materials to construct a three-dimensional paper globe. Though we walk its surface every day, Smithsonian Discover: Earth will surely teach kids that Earth is one fascinating planet!

Smithsonian Sticker Creations: Under the Sea
Author: Emily Rose Oachs
Silver Dolphin Books (July 14, 2015)
Audience: Ages 5 and up
Nonfiction * Ocean * Sea Life
ndiebound

About the book: 
With Smithsonian Sticker Creations: Under the Sea, young explorers will embark on an underwater adventure to learn about life beneath the waves.Smithsonian Sticker Creations: Under the Sea’s hands-on format allows children ages 5 and up to explore the amazing diversity of the sea while interacting with more than 175 reusable stickers and 5 oversized deluxe dimensional stickers. After learning about their favorite sea creatures, children can create their own underwater scene by placing the stickers in the removable framed ocean scene. The beautifully illustrated sticker activity book gives young ocean explorers a creative opportunity to learn about all types of incredible sea creatures!

Smithsonian Everything You Need to Know Series: 

Grades K-1
Author: Ruth Strother
Audience: Ages 5 and up
Category: Science
Indiebound

Curious minds will find hundreds of fascinating facts inSmithsonian Everything You Need to Know: Grades K-1. The flip-top box is packed with 275 fact cards covering categories such as Earth and space, plants and animals, geography, history, and health. Whether it’s the number of teeth in a great white shark’s mouth or how a rainbow forms, kids ages 5–7 will learn a variety of information in a tactile and engaging manner. Each flip of a card not only showcases beautiful color photographs and illustrations paired with a fact, but also presents a new learning moment. With this packed-full box of facts, kids are given an extra opportunity to learn all they need to know for early science, social studies, and history exploration in a fun format that’s sure to engage eager young minds.

Grades 2-3
Author: Ruth Strother
Audience: Ages 7 and up
Category: Science * Education and Learning
ndiebound

How many rings are there around Saturn? What causes an earthquake? How many bones are in a giraffe’s neck? WithSmithsonian Everything You Need to Know: Grades 2-3, kids ages 7-9 will learn exciting and interesting facts about Earth and space, plants and animals, geography, history, and health. Each of the 275 fact cards includes colorful photos and illustrations coupled with a fascinating fact. From the solar system to George Washington to volcanoes, each fact card presents educational material in an innovative and engaging format. Inquisitive kids will have hours of fun discovering everything their young minds need to know in this interest-packed fact card set.

Grades 4-5
Author: Ruth Strother
Audience: Ages 9 and up
Category: Science - History - Nature - Education and Learning
Indiebound

How long is the Amazon River? Who was the first president to have a telephone in the White House? With Smithsonian Everything You Need to Know: Grades 4-5, kids will learn exciting and fascinating facts about the U.S. presidents, weather, outer space, and much more. Each of the 275 tabbed fact cards includes colorful photos and illustrations paired with interesting facts. Whether it’s Abraham Lincoln or tornadoes, each fact card presents a new learning moment. Curious kids will learn about the world around them, past and present, in this loaded fact card box.

My thoughts on the materials: 
Recently, I received an inquiry to review some materials and I am picky about what I accept. However, I loved the sound of these Smithsonian materials published through Silver Dolphin Books. 

Unlike the expository read alouds, I shared last week, these materials are very different. The quality of the books and cards were sturdy and well done. Similar to National Geographic, the illustrations, photographs, and layouts are outstanding. And where I often recommend something for both the classroom and school library, these materials I recommend for home or classroom. 

The Smithsonian Discover series are oversized spiral bound books that are chockfull of facts and information about various topics. They can be shared by two or three children and read together or simply enjoyed by an individual child. The series will require multiple readings and will draw children in again and again.

The Smithsonian Sticker Creation books are also oversized books but with the addition of reusable stickers. Still lots of facts in each book and bright colorful photographs and fascinating facts will keep readers engaged.  These by far outshine those old colorforms I played with as a child. A wonderful gift book that can be enjoyed by a child over and over again. There are also several books in this series. 

Finally the Everything You Know Series contain 275 large cards on sturdy paper. These can be read through or explored in whatever order a child is interested in reading them or by a couple of children playing a game together or by the teacher pulling one card at a time to discuss the content. I would have definitely geeked out over these as a child. 

As we get closer to the holiday season consider picking any of these as gifts for a child in your life or for your classroom use. 

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews: