Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: May Releases

Can’t believe it’s already May and there are more new releases to celebrate. Here are a few of the books that are being released this month. 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

Titan and the Wild Boars: The True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team by Susan Hood, Patthana Sornhiran, Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk (HarperCollins, May 2, 2019)

Crossing on Time: Steam Engines, Fast Ships, and a Journey to the New World by David Macaulay (Roaring Brook Press, May 7, 2019)

The Truth About Crocodiles: Seriously Funny Facts about Your Favorite Animals by Maxwell Eaton III (Roaring Brook Press, May 7, 2019)

Before They Were Authors: Famous Writers as Kids by Elizabeth Haidle (HMH Books for Young Readers, May 14, 2019)

The Girl Who Named Pluto: The Story of Venetia Burney by Alice B McGinty, Illustrated by Elizabeth Haidle (Schwartz & Wade, May 14, 2019)

When Sue Found Sue: Sue Hendrickson Discovers Her T. Rex by Toni Buzzeo, Illustrated by Diana Sudyka (Abrams Books for Young Readers, May 14, 2019)

Serena: The Littlest Sister by Karlin Gray, Illustrated by Monica Ahanonu (Page Street Kids, May 20, 2019)

Our Flag Was Still There: The True Story of Mary Pickersgill and the Star-Spangled Banner by Jessie Hartland (Simon & Schuster, May 21, 2019)

Science Comics: Cars: Engines That Move You by Dan Zettwoch (First Second, May 28, 2019)

The Sound of Silence: Growing Up Hearing with Deaf Parents by Myron Uhlberg (Albert Whitman Company, May 28, 2019)

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews….

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Titan and the Wild Boars by Susan Hood & Pathana Sornhiran

Titan and the Wild Boars: The True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team
by Susan Hood and Pathana Sornhiran, Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
HarperCollins (May 7, 2019)
Nonfiction * Science * Disasters
Audience: Ages 7 to 10 years
Indiebound | Worldcat

Description of the book: Follow the remarkable true story of eleven-year-old Titan, his teammates, and their soccer coach who went exploring the Tham Luang Caves in Chiang Rai, Thailand, only to become trapped inside by monsoon rains. This nonfiction picture book describes the world-wide teamwork that led to the boys’ daring rescue, written by acclaimed author Susan Hood in collaboration with respected reporter, Pathana Sornhiran, who witnessed the events first-hand.

This picture book marries Susan Hood’s lyrical text with Pathana Sornhiran’s first-hand account reporting of the event and is brought to life by Dow Phumiruk’s beautiful illustrations. It will also include an introduction, a timeline, and extensive back matter with additional resources.

Quick thoughts on the book:
Most of the time when I have read a book about an unusual event or disaster, it is about something that happened so very long ago. In the case of the Thai soccer team and their coach, the dramatic rescue was less than a year ago. I remember seeing posts on social media and the headlines in the papers and being amazed by the efforts of the divers and the many volunteers that worked to rescue the team.

Susan Hood and Pathana Sorhiran share with young readers the 18 day rescue through the use of facts, free verse, the letters of the boys to family members, and quotes. Even though I was familiar with the story and new how it turned out, I still found myself getting a little anxious as it took longer and additional challenges arose in the attempts to rescue the boys.

Dow Phumiruk’s beautiful artwork captured the emotions and provided the visual narration to complete the text.

The end of the book includes extensive back matter including an author’s note, fascinating facts, timeline, sources and websites and also an interview with British Divers Chris Jewell and Jason Mallison.

This is a beautiful, powerful story of bravery and hope and perseverance and teamwork that will capture and engage young readers and stay with them for a long time.

Go Behind the Art….

Look for this book at your local indie bookstore or community library.

About the authors:
Susan Hood is the award-winning author of many books for young readers, including Ada’s Violin, Shaking Things Up, and Lifeboat 12. She is the recipient of the 2017 E.B. White Honor Award, the 2017 Christopher Award, the 2017 Américas Award, and the 2017 Bank Street Flora Steiglitz Straus Award, given annually to “a distinguished work of nonfiction which serves as an inspiration to young people.” Visit susanhoodbooks.com.

Pathana Sornhiran was born in Bangkok, Thailand, where she attended the Faculty of Arts at Chulalongkorn University with a major in English and French. She later completed her master’s degree in journalism in London, UK and now works as a journalist in Asia, traveling across the region to find and tell stories that matter.

About the illustrator:
Dow Phumiruk was born in Bangkok, Thailand and came to the United States with her family when she was very young. Her mother was a nurse, and her father, a retired Royal Thai Air Force captain. He worked for Thai Airways for many years, which allowed her family many trips back to Thailand when she was younger. Dow currently lives in Colorado with her husband and three daughters. She is an author and illustrator of children’s books and has been a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators since 2011. Dow is also a general pediatrician who teaches medical students part time. When she is not creating or teaching, she likes to hike the trails near her home. Visit her at artbydow.blogspot.com

Enter to win a copy of the book:

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Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews….

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: What Are You Reading? - 4/24/19

I was wondering if I was going to get a blog post up this week. Two weeks ago part of my ceiling in the living room came down due to water damage. We made a decision to replace the whole ceiling and I spent the weekend packing things up and for the next two weeks, my cats and I are essentially living in my bedroom. While packing up things (including many many books), I read through a stack of picture books. Some I posted in my It’s Monday! What are you reading? post and today I feature some of the nonfiction titles.

Butterflies in Room 6: See How They Grow by Caroline Arnold (Charlesbridge, March 2019)

I was really curious about this book and hoping it would be good. I can see a lot of teachers using this as part of their units on butterflies. I also wish I had read this when we had an explosion of Painted Butterflies in our area about a month ago. It would have been the perfect book to share as students were fascinated by all the butterflies that surrounded us.

Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope by Mara Rockliff, Illustrated by Zosia Dzierzawska (Candlewick Press, March 2019)

I had heard of Esperanto as a language many years ago but I knew little of its creator. Rockliff gives readers an initial introduction to Leyzer Zamenhof and all of his work. Hopefully it will inspire students to learn more and to try learning some of it.

Weird Animals by Mary Kay Carson (Sterling Children’s Books, January 2019)

I really enjoyed how this book was laid out. The color coding of the text to guide young readers in organizing their thoughts about each of the creatures in the book makes this a fun mentor text for nonfiction writing. Plus all of the great facts will be enjoyable for children to partner share as they read this book.

So, what have you been reading?

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews…

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Borrowing Bunnies by Cynthia Lord

Borrowing Bunnies: A Surprising True Tale of Fostering Bunnies
by Cynthia Lord, Photographs by John Bald, Illustrations by Hazel Mitchell
Farrar, Strauss and Giroux (February 12, 2019)
Audience: Ages 3 to 7 years
Nonfiction * Animals * Rabbits * Foster & Rescue
Indiebound | Worldcat

Description from GoodReads:
This nonfiction photographic picture book is the story of two adorable foster bunnies who find the perfect home— by a Newbery Honor author.

From beloved novelist Cynthia Lord comes the heartwarming tale of the author's own journey in fostering two very special bunnies that is perfect for—but not limited to—Easter.

Peggotty and Benjamin, two Netherland Dwarf rabbits, were rescued by Cynthia's local animal sanctuary. But before they were ready to be adopted, Cynthia had to help them learn to trust people again and feel safe in a new home.

The bunnies' progress—captured by her husband's photography—engaged hundreds of viewers in real time on Cynthia's Facebook page. Now she has adapted the story into a picture book that explores love, responsibility, empathy, and letting go—with a few surprises along the way.

Illustrated with gorgeous photographs and cute spot art throughout. Includes back matter.

Quick thoughts on the book:
Several years ago, I connected with Cynthia Lord on Facebook. She often posts some inspiring and thoughtful posts about writing, school visits, teaching. Along with all these posts, she has also shared dozens of wonderful photos and stories about her sweet dog, her cute guinea pigs, and adorable rabbits. As she went on a journey of fostering rabbits, I and many others followed along with the highs and lows of caring for young rabbits.

Many of the photos in her Facebook posts were taken by Cynthia’s husband. So, it wasn’t surprising when she announced that she would be doing a picture book about her adventures. Well, the book is finally out and it is just as wonderful as I expected.

Readers who followed along with the original posts get to relive those special moments again as they follow along with the story of Pegotty and Benjamin and the surprise birth of 4 tiny bunnies. And a whole new group of readers will fall in love with these very special bunnies and celebrate when they find forever homes.

This will be a wonderful gift for a young reader in your life. Look for a copy at your local indie bookstore or public library.

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews below…

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: More New Releases

Last week, I did a recent release post with about 22 new titles. However, that one didn’t get me through April releases. I am adding another 14 titles this week. I am really thrilled to see so much nonfiction coming out for young readers. Enjoy!

Links to past round-ups: January | February | April Part 1

Hello, I’m Here! by Helen Frost, Photographs by Rick Lieder (Candlewick Press, March 20, 2019 )

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Versify, April 2, 2019 )

Hello Summer! by Shelley Rotner (Holiday House, April 9, 2019)

Nine Months: Before a Baby Is Born by Miranda Paul, Illustrated by Jason Chin (Neal Porter Books, April 23, 2019))

Predator and Prey: A Conversation in Verse by Susannah Buhrman-Deever, Bert Kitchen (Candlewick Studio, April 9, 2019)

Ninita's Big World: The True Story of a Deaf Pygmy Marmoset by Sarah Glenn Marsh, Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman (Clarion, April 29, 2019)

Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising, A Revolution by Rob Sanders, Illustrated by Jamey Christoph

Comics: Easy as ABC!: The Essential Guide to Comics for Kids by Ivan Brunetti, Françoise Mouly (Toon Books, April 2, 2019)

Guitar Genius: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid-Body Electric Guitar and Rocked the World by Kim Tomsic, Brett Helquist (Chronicle Books, April 9, 2019)

A Brief History of Life on Earth by Clemence Dupont (Pristinal

Birth of the Cool: How Jazz Great Miles Davis Found His Sound by Kathleen Cornell Berman, Illustrated by Keith Henry Brown (Page Street Kids, April 16, 2019)

Raccoon Rescue by Kama Einhorn (HMH Books for Young Readers, April 9, 2019)

Anteater Adventures by Kama Einhorn (HMH Books for Young Readers, April 9, 2019)

Greta the Great Horned Owl: A True Story of Rescue and Rehabilitation by Christie Gove-Berg (April 9, 2019)

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews…