Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Cloth Lullaby

Cloth Lullaby: The Woven Life of Louise Bourgeois
by Amy Novesky; Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
Harry N. Abrams (March 1, 2016)
Nonfiction * Art * Biography
Audience: Grades 2 to 4
Indiebound | Worldcat

About the book: 
Louise Bourgeois (1911–2010) was a world-renowned modern artist noted for her sculptures made of wood, steel, stone, and cast rubber. Her most famous spider sculpture, Maman, stands more than 30 feet high.
 
Just as spiders spin and repair their webs, Louise’s own mother was a weaver of tapestries. Louise spent her childhood in France as an apprentice to her mother before she became a tapestry artist herself. She worked with fabric throughout her career, and this biographical picture book shows how Bourgeois’s childhood experiences weaving with her loving, nurturing mother provided the inspiration for her most famous works. With a beautifully nuanced and poetic story, this book stunningly captures the relationship between mother and daughter and illuminates how memories are woven into us all.

My thoughts on the book:

On Sunday, in response to a post I made about reading Cloth Lullaby, author, Anne Nesbet tweeted the following:

It really is amazing that we can have books such as this to share. Picture book biographies open a door for children to learn about individuals who have made all types of contributions to society. Including the opportunity to learn about a French-born American Artist who influenced and inspired dozens of young artists. 

Amy Novesky focuses on Bourgeouis's relationship with her mother and how it significantly influenced her career as an artist. 

Her early work with cloth and the weaving together of pieces of cloth and tapestries, alongside her mother, lend to the art design of the book and the themes that pop off the pages. 

Though I was not familiar with Bourgeois or her most well-known work of art, Maman, by the end, I was curious to learn more about this amazing artist.

This video from YouTube shows the installation of Bourgeois' MAMAN. Fast forward to the last minute or so to see the complete sculpture.

Pick up a copy of Cloth Lullaby at your local indie bookstore or check out a copy at your community library.

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews:

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday:

This week I stopped by one of my favorite bookstores and picked up a few books I have been eager to read. Each of these books feature individuals who were creative and took risks in their own ways. And each of these books present information about people, and of inventions and history that many children and even teachers may not know about. Don't miss the great author notes in each of these books. So if you are looking for some new picture biographies, you will want to add each one of these to your collection. 

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions
by Chris Barton; Illustrated by Don Tate
Charlesbridge (May 3, 2016)
Nonfiction * Biography * Science & Technology
Audience: Ages 7 to 10
Indiebound | WorldCat

About the book: 
A cool idea with a big splash

You know the Super Soaker. It’s one of top twenty toys of all time. And it was invented entirely by accident. Trying to create a new cooling system for refrigerators and air conditioners, impressive inventor Lonnie Johnson instead created the mechanics for the iconic toy.

A love for rockets, robots, inventions, and a mind for creativity began early in Lonnie Johnson’s life. Growing up in a house full of brothers and sisters, persistence and a passion for problem solving became the cornerstone for a career as an engineer and his work with NASA. But it is his invention of the Super Soaker water gun that has made his most memorable splash with kids and adults.

Quick thoughts on the book:

Chris Barton is in his element when writing picture book biographies and his newest biography of Lonnie Johnson is a fascinating and informative read.

I love that it focuses on an inventor who not only has a fascinating story but also one who happens to be African American. When working with students in urban schools, I particularly enjoy being able to share stories to inspire students who don't always see themselves well represented in certain careers. 

And beyond all of the good science and engineering that Lonnie Johnson developed, he created something super fun, the SUPER-SOAKER.

Anything But Ordinary Addie: The True-Story of Adelaide Herrmann, Queen of Magic
by Mara Rockliff; Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno
Candlewick (April 12, 2016)
Nonfiction * Biography * Performing Arts
Audience: Ages 6 to 9
Indiebound | Worldcat

About the book:
Some girls are perfectly happy never doing anything out of the ordinary. But Addie was anything but ordinary. She longed for thrills and excitement! At a time when a young lady appearing onstage was considered most unusual, Addie defied convention and became a dancer. And when she married the world-famous magician Herrmann the Great, she knew she had to be part of his show. Addie wanted to shock and dazzle! She would do anything to draw the crowds, even agree to be shot out of a cannon. But when Herrmann the Great died, Addie couldn’t disappoint her loyal fans — the show had to go on. What could she do? She would perform the show all by herself! From the creators of Mesmerized, this rollicking romp tells the true story of one fearless magician’s rise to glory, featuring exquisitely lavish illustrations by Iacopo Bruno. Extensive back matter, including instructions for performing one of Addie’s original tricks, makes this a dazzling celebration of one of the first female conjurers in show business. 

Thoughts on the book:

As I was reading about Addie Hermann, I was wondering why I had never heard of her before. Mara Rockliff's new picture book biography focuses on the lesser known life of entertainer and magician, Addie Hermann. Addie and her husband Alexander created "astonished, shocked, and dazzled" audiences. 

Addie was an entertainer and after her husband's death, a magician, in order to keep his act alive.

Addie's memoir was nearly lost but thanks to Margaret Steele and Mara Rockliff we have a chance to learn about this amazing woman.

The Secret Subway
by Shana Corey; Illustrated by Red Nose Studio
Schwartz & Wade (March 8, 2016)
Nonfiction | History | United States
Audience: Ages 7 to 10
Indiebound | Worldcat

About the book: 
New York City in the 1860s was a mess: crowded, disgusting, filled with garbage. You see, way back in 1860, there were no subways, just cobblestone streets. That is, until Alfred Ely Beach had the idea for a fan-powered train that would travel underground. On February 26, 1870, after fifty-eight days of drilling and painting and plastering, Beach unveiled his masterpiece—and throngs of visitors took turns swooshing down the track. 
 
The Secret Subway will wow readers, just as Beach’s underground train wowed riders over a century ago.

Quick thoughts on the book:

The New York subway system is confusing to me. I spent a week in New York a few months ago and wondered how anyone got around in what I saw as a confusing maze. However for New Yorker's, the subway system is an essential part of daily life and transportation. 

Shana Corey shares the story of Alfred Ely Beach's attempt to create the first underground train in New York. Beach had to create away around legal channels to build his rail and train. 

Unfortunately for Beach, politics caught up to him and others created the underground system that led to the current system. I would have loved to have been in the group of people who were there the day Beach revealed his magical subway station.

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews:

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: New Releases

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 previous new release posts: January | February | March | April

April 12, 2016

This Land is Our Land: A History of American Immigration by Linda Barrett Osborne (Abrams Books for Young Readers)

April 19, 2016

Gorillas Up Close by Christena Nippert-Eng (HMH Books for Young Readers)

May 3, 2016

Flying Frogs and Walking Fish: Leaping Lemurs, Tumbling Toads, Jet-Propelled Jellyfish, and More Surprising Ways That Animals Move by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page (HMH Books for Young Readers) 

The Hole Story of the Doughnut by Pat Miller; Illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch (HMH Books for Young Readers) 

We Will Not Be Silent: The White Rose Student Resistance Movement That Defied Adolf Hitler by Russell Freedman (Clarion Books)

Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton; Illustrated by Don Tate (Charlesbridge)

May 17, 2016

The Blobfish Book by Jessica Olien (Balzer & Bray)

Shark Week: Everything You Need to Know by Martha Brockenbrough (Feiwel & Friends)

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews:

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

Every once in awhile, I like to do a nonfiction version of What are You Reading? This week I am sharing five titles that jumped out from the stack. 

Build, Beaver, Build! Life at the Longest Beaver Dam by Sandra Markle; Illustrated by Deborah Hocking (Millbrook Press, January 1, 2016) - I am a big fan of Sandra Markle and love her animal stories. I learned new things about beavers from reading this one. Resources at the end include additional beaver facts, additional websites and books to check out, and a short author's note. This will be a fun read aloud in second and third grade. 

Animal Planet Polar Animals (Animal Bites Series) by Laaren Brown/Animal Planet (Animal Planet, March 1, 2016)

Animal Planet Ocean Animals (Animal Bites Series) by Laaren Brown/Animal Planet (Animal Planet, March 1, 2016) 

Both the above books are produced by Animal Planet and contain fabulous photographs and lots of great facts.

These books tend to be popular books that students share with a peer or two as they read. 

There is an excitement as they share new information and facts learned with friends and often checked out of a classroom or school library.

Interior Spreads Credit: 
From ANIMAL PLANET ANIMAL BITES: POLAR ANIMALS and ANIMAL PLANET ANIMAL BITES: OCEAN ANIMALS
by Laaren Brown; published by Liberty Street, an imprint of Time Inc Books
© 2015 Discovery Communications, LLC

Raindrops on a Roller Coaster: Hail (Bel the Weather Girl) by Belinda Jensen; Illustrated by Renée Kurilla (Millbrook Press, March 1, 2016)

Weather Clues in the Sky: Clouds (Bel the Weather Girl) by Belinda Jensen; Illustrated by Renée Kurilla (Millbrook Press, March 1, 2016)

Bel the Weather Girl is a new series published by Millbrook Press with six titles released at the beginning of March. They are available in both paperback and library binding versions.  Though I only read the two listed above there is a clear formula to the series. The story is told through the point of view of Bel, a young girl who loves weather and has a meteorologist for a mom. The narrative story has weather related facts and vocabulary in boxes woven across the pages. In the book about HAIL, I was excited to discover that if you cut a large hailstone in half you can see rings inside. The end resources include a glossary, further resources to learn more about hail and clouds, and a simple experiment to try with kids. This series can be read aloud to a class of second or third graders or used at home by a parent and child. 

All five books would be nice additions to classroom or school libraries and worth tracking down at your local bookstore or public library. 

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews: 

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Two New Favorites

Tooth by Tooth: Comparing Fangs, Tusks, and Chompers
by Sara Levine; Illustrated by T.S. Spookytooth
Millbrook Press (January 1, 2016)
Nonfiction * Mammals * Comparative Anatomy
Audience: Kinder to Grade 4
Indiebound | Worldcat

About the book: What animal would you be if a few of your teeth grew so long that they stuck out of your mouth even when it was closed? What would you be if your top canine teeth grew almost all the way down to your feet? This picture book will keep you guessing as you read about how human teeth are like—and unlike—those of other animals. 

Quick thoughts on this book: In her first book, Bone by Bone: Comparing Animal Skeletons, Levine uses humor and comparison to show readers what it would be like if they had similar bone structure to particular animals. I really enjoyed the book and was thrilled to know she would be doing another book. Once again, Levine combines humor, questions, and comparison to explore the three types of teeth found in mammals and how they vary depending on the animal's diet. I never really thought about the fact that mammals were the only ones to have three different types of teeth. Resources at the end provide readers with a glossary and further options for learning more. 

Masters of Disguise: Amazing Animal Tricksters
by Rebecca L. Johnson
Millbrook Press (January 1, 2016)
Nonfiction * Biology * Camouflage
Audience: Grades 4 to 8
Indiebound | Worldcat

About the book: 
In the animal kingdom, survival is the name of the game—and not everything is as it seems. A number of animals rely on particularly clever tricks to fool predators or prey. A baby bird mimics a poisonous caterpillar. A moth escapes bats by making sounds that interfere with the bats' echolocation. A tiny rain forest spider builds a big spider "puppet" out of bits of dead leaves, insect parts, and other items. Find out more about some of nature's most bizarre and bloodthirsty con artists and meet the scientists who are working to figure out just how they pull off their amazing tricks. 

Quick thoughts on this book: Similar in style to Johnson's  Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature's Undead and When Lunch Fights Back: Wickedly Clever Animal Defenses , Masters of Disguise: Amazing Animal Tricksters provides readers with interesting facts about nine different insects, spiders, birds, and fish and how they camouflage themselves in order to have a greater chance at survival. In addition, readers learn the science behind these cool ways that animals can conceal themselves. Short chapters, engaging text, fascinating subject all combine to draw in readers and keep them reading. Endnotes include "meet the scientists", glossary, select bibliography, and more to explore. The two videos included below are listed in the resource section of the book and were fun to watch. They would be great for sharing with students to spike further interest in the book.   

Some videos to check out as mentioned in the resources at the end of the book:
Ant-killing assassin bugs:

First Video of New Species Spider:

In addition to both of these books being fun reads, each one would make excellent read alouds for classroom teachers looking for nonfiction read alouds.  Both books will be huge hits in classroom and school libraries and it may be wise to have a copy in both the classroom and the library. In addition to picking up both of these titles, keep an eye out for the other books mentioned in the post. All are definite must have books. 

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews: