Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Two Books I am Excited About

September 13, 2017 Alyson Beecher

The Quest for Z: The True Story of Explorer Percy Fawcett and a Lost City in the Amazon
by Greg Pizzoli
Published June 13th 2017 by Viking Books for Young Readers
Nonfiction * History * Exploration
Audience: Ages 7 to 10 year olds
IndieBound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads:
British explorer Percy Fawcett believed that hidden deep within the Amazon rainforest was an ancient city, lost for the ages. Most people didn't even believe this city existed. But if Fawcett could find it, he would be rich and famous forever. This is the true story of one man's thrilling, dangerous journey into the jungle, and what he found on his quest for the lost city of Z.

Quick thoughts on this book:
Both books being featured here today are ones that I have been eager to read, but I have unfortunately been crazy busy and only now getting to these books.

The Quest for Z by Pizzoli is his second biographical title. With the first book, Tricky Vic, Pizzoli had to guess at some of the information about Robert Miller's life. However, with his newest biography on Percy Fawcett, Pizzoli had more research and documents to work with. The biography on Fawcett flows on several levels. First, there is the narrative story that tells about the life and work of Fawcett. Second, there are expository text facts shared with readers on various pages. Finally, there is an element of humor in the dialogue bubbles. This may be one of those things that can be a point of discussion with young readers. There is a cartoon style about the characters and the dialogue bubbles and for most readers, they will pick up on the fact that this is not actual dialogue but a splash of humor.

At the end of the book, Pizzoli includes an author, glossary, and selected sources.

Check out Greg Pizzoli's website and blog.

What Makes a Monster?: Discovering the World's Scariest Creatures
(The World of Weird Animals)
by Jess Keating; Illustrated by David DeGrand
Published August 8th 2017 by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Nonfiction * Science & Nature * Zoology
Audience: Ages 6 to 10 year olds
Indiebound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads:
Monsters are real--and they're everywhere in nature! Animal Planet meets Godzilla in this nonfiction picture book that puts the "Ack!" into backyard science.

Some people think monsters are the stuff of nightmares--the stuff of scary movies and Halloween. But monsters can also be found right in your backyard. Animals like aye-ayes, goblin sharks and vampire bats may look scary, but they pose no threat to humans. Others, such as the prairie dog, seem innocent--cute, even--yet their behavior could give you goose bumps.
What makes a monster? Read this book to find out, if you dare. . . .
Jess Keating and David DeGrand, the author illustrator team behind Pink Is for Blobfish will have readers shrieking with laughter at this latest installment to the World of Weird Animals series.

Quick thoughts on this book:
Keating's first book in the World of Weird Animals series, Pink is for Blobfish, is one of my favorite books. I new if the latest book was even half as good as the first book that I would love it as well. From the moment, I flipped through the book, I knew I had another favorite book. Fans of Pink is for Blobfish will be thrilled to read the newest book.

Official Book Trailer:

Keating features 17 creatures in What Makes a Monster? and each animal is featured on a two page spread. Each spread includes basic facts about the animal being featured, a written description, and a little fact about each animal that may provide humor or another level of knowledge about the featured animal.

At the end of the book, readers there are several pages of additional information including a glossary.

Check out this video interview:

Check out Jess Keating's website for lots of great resources.

Pick up both of these books at your local bookstore or community library.

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews...

#Road2Reading Challenge: Early Readers to Check Out from Simon Spotlight

September 12, 2017 Alyson Beecher

Batman is Fast!
by Maggie Testa; Illustrated by Patrick Spaziante
Simon Spotlight, May 23, 2017

Description from GoodReads:
Now very new readers can reach for the stars with Batman in this book that’s part of an all-new Ready-to-Read level, Ready-to-Go!

Perfect for kids at the beginning of their reading journeys, Batman Is Fast! was written for children who have learned the alphabet and are ready to start reading! And what better way to get kids excited than with a fun story with words they can actually read and starring their favorite super hero?

Each Ready-to-Go! Ready-to-Read includes a note to parents explaining what their child can expect, a guide at the beginning for readers to become familiar with the words they will encounter in the story, and reading comprehension questions at the end. Each Ready-to-Go! story contains no more than 100 words and will feature sight words, rhyming words, and repetition to help children reinforce their new reading skills. In this book, readers will learn seventeen sight words and five words from two word families. So come on and get reading with Batman!

BATMAN and all related characters and elements © & ™ DC Comics.

I am a fan of the Simon Spotlight Early Reader nonfiction titles. However, today, I wanted to share a couple of titles from their new series of Ready-to-Read New Readers. I really appreciate that both of the titles that I am sharing in this post are much more accessible for very beginning readers.

In both books, you will notice larger font and limited text per page and repetitive language patterns throughout the pages. This is not typically what you will find with commercial early readers. Often time, I will pick up a reader marked "Level 1" or "Level 2" and think that it is really a book written for students with more skill in navigating text and vocabulary.

Who Can? Daniel Can!
by Maggie Testa; Illustrated by Jason Fruchter
Simon Spotlight, May 2, 2017

Description from GoodReads:
Now very new readers can reach for the stars with Daniel Tiger in this book that’s part of an all-new Ready-to-Read level, Ready-to-Go!

Perfect for kids at the beginning of their reading journeys, Who Can? Daniel Can! was written for children who have learned the alphabet and are ready to start reading! And what better way to get kids excited than with a fun story with words they can actually read and starring their favorite tiger star?

Each Ready-to-Go! Ready-to-Read includes a note to parents explaining what their child can expect, a guide at the beginning for readers to become familiar with the words they will encounter in the story, and reading comprehension questions at the end. Each Ready-to-Go! story contains no more than 100 words and will feature sight words, rhyming words, and repetition to help children reinforce their new reading skills. In this book, readers will learn twenty-three sight words and eight words from four word families. So come on and get reading with Daniel!

© 2017 The Fred Rogers Company

Another feature I appreciate about the books include the addition of a key terms at the beginning of the book and discussion questions listed at the end of the book. Both of these are nice features for parents sharing the book with children.

Look for these and other titles in the Simon Spotlight New Readers series at your local bookstores or community libraries.

All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

Each week, Michele Knott and I post about new early readers and transitional chapter books.

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Her Right Foot

September 6, 2017 Alyson Beecher

Her Right Foot
by Dave Eggers; Illustrated by Shawn Harris
Chronicle Books (September 19, 2017)
Nonfiction * History * Monuments
Audience: Ages
Indiebound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads: If you had to name a statue, any statue, odds are good you'd mention the Statue of Liberty. Have you seen her?

She's in New York.
She's holding a torch.
And she's in mid-stride, moving forward.
But why?
In this fascinating, fun take on nonfiction, Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris investigate a seemingly small trait of America's most emblematic statue. What they find is about more than history, more than art. What they find in the Statue of Liberty's right foot is the powerful message of acceptance that is essential to an entire country's creation.

My thoughts on the book...
It is hard these days not to get a little political with some of my nonfiction posts. As I wrote this review, we were waiting to hear whether the president would end the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. A few weeks ago, White House spokesperson Steven Miller and a journalist had a heated exchange about Emma Lazarus' famous poem at the base of the Statue of Liberty. And issues surrounding immigrants and immigration laws have been in the news constantly the past several months.

Eggers likely envisioned this book and began work on it long before the current political climate and didn't expect how timely it would be, and important. Learning about our history and the symbols that communicate much about what our country stands for.

In HER RIGHT FOOT, Eggers and Harris have created a book that not only shares the history of one of our most famous statues but also reminds us of the need for diversity and inclusion.

I hope that as children read through this book they will learn new facts about the Statue of Liberty and her origin and journey from France to the United States.

And I am thankful for Eggers's focus on "her right foot". I like many others are accustomed to seeing the upper body of Lady Liberty holding her torch up high. It never occurred to me to think about her feet and the sense of movement conveyed by her one leg and foot.

Though The New Colossus poem by Emma Lazarus was added later, it cemented the role of Lady Liberty as a symbol welcoming immigrants.

The Engines of Our Ingenuity is Copyright © 1988-2006 by John H. Lienhard.

For more information about the Statue of Liberty, click here.

HER RIGHT FOOT
Children's Illustration Project

Here's How to Enter:

1. Read this excerpt from the book with a child 12 years old or younger and encourage them to illustrate something inspired by the theme or imagery. We encourage teachers and librarians to share with their students!

2. Take a photo of the illustration(s) and post on Twitter or Instagram (if your profile is public) with the hashtag #HerRightFoot. Please include the first name of the child illustrator and a few words about what the Statue of Liberty means to them.

3. Don’t want to post on social media? Scan or take a photo of the illustration(s) and upload using the "Enter" tab.

4. Alternatively, you can mail a copy of the illustration with your contact details to:
Dave Eggers, c/o Chronicle Books, 680 Second St., San Francisco, CA 94107

Update: Chronicle Books has extended the submission deadline date until December 31st!

Look for HER RIGHT FOOT (when it comes out) at your local indie bookstore or public library.

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews...

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Elephant Pair Ups

August 30, 2017 Alyson Beecher

After reading a variety of elephant stories and watching several videos, I have fallen in love with elephants. They are truly amazing creatures. There are two elephant books coming out this fall that are worth picking up.

Katherine Roy is back and this time with a book about elephants instead of sharks. From the birth of a baby elephant to her growth into an adult, Roy takes readers into the lives of elephant families.

How to Be an Elephant by Katherine Roy (September 19th 2017 by David Macaulay Studio)

The illustrations in this book are gorgeous. It feels as if the elephants are coming right off the pages. I love the focus on elephant families and how important they are for the growth of young elephants. There is also general information provided by the author.

Another book coming out this fall is a fictional story about a young elephant that is separated from his herd and nearly drowns when a teen helps to rescue the baby animal igniting a special bond between the two.

The Elephant Keeper: Caring for Orphaned Elephants in Zambia by Margriet Ruurs; Illustrated by Pedro Cova (October 3rd 2017 by Kids Can Press)

The additional power of this story is how Aaron learns to view elephants differently from how he was raised to perceive them. This story is powerful and can spark deep conversations.

The end of this book features nonfiction text about Aaron and Zambezi along with other facts and vocabulary.

Other elephant books...

A Passion for Elephants: The Real Life Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Moss by Toni Buzzeo; Illustrated by Holly Berry

Natumi Takes the Lead: The True Story of an Orphan Elephant Who Finds Family by Gerry Ellis; Photographs by Amy Novesky

The Elephant Scientist by Caitlin O'Connell, Donna M. Jackson, Timothy Rodwell

A Baby Elephant in the Wild by Caitlin O'Connell; Photographs by Timothy Rodwell

School Library Journal....

For more information about text sets and going beyond leveled reader when reading nonfiction, check out an article written by Mary Ann Scheuer and myself.

A couple of years ago, Mary Ann Scheuer and I started talking about reading nonfiction and text levels. When we see each other in person and also over the phone we have amazing conversations about books, children and nonfiction. Mary Ann got the ball rolling with writing an article for School Library Journal. I am thankful that she included me in the process and excited to share with you the published version. If you want to check it out, click here.

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews...

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: What I am Reading? - August 23, 2017

August 23, 2017 Alyson Beecher

With a super busy start of the school year, I haven't had the chance to do as much nonfiction reading as I would like. However, here are a few titles that I was able to read recently.

Let's Investigate With Nate: The Water Cycle by PBS Host Nate Ball; Illustrated by Wes Hargis (Published August 1st 2017 by HarperCollins)

Here is an interior shot of the first Nate book:

Let's Investigate With Nate: The Solar System by PBS Host Nate Ball; Illustrated by Wes Hargis (Published August 1st 2017 by HarperCollins)

This series by Nate Ball can be read once through with the dialogue bubbles and then with the text.

Hidden Dangers: Seek and Find 13 of the World's Deadliest Animals by Lola M. Schaefer; Illustrated by Tymn Armstrong (August 8th 2017 by Chronicle Books) - I don't have an interior image of this book, but I love the illustrations in the book and I am thinking about ways to use this as a mentor text.

Full of Fall by April Pulley Sayre (August 29th 2017 by Beach Lane Books)

The third book in this series is the follow up to Raindrops Roll and Best in Snow. Though I loved the first two books, this may just be my favorite because I love fall.

Engineered! Engineering Design at Work by Shannon Hunt; Illustrated by James Gulliver Hancock (September 5th 2017 by Kids Can Press)

This book is busy and has a lot of text and illustrations making it a great book for pairs or trios of children to share and discuss as they linger on individual pages.

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