Nonfiction Picture Book 10 for 10 #nf10for10

Thank you to Cathy Mere and Mandy Robek for hosting the Nonfiction Picture Book 10 for 10 (#nf10for10).  The rules are simple:

What:  10 nonfiction picture books you can't live without.
Hashtag:  #nf10for10
Who:  Anyone interested --- educators, media specialists, librarians, parents, and book lovers.  
When:  Thursday, February 19th
Where:  All posts will be linked on the 2015 #nf10for10 page of our Picture Book 10 for 10 Google Community Site.  

Last year, I did my first nonfiction picture book 10 for 10 challenge.  When I have checked out the posts of other teachers/librarians/bloggers, I am excited to see what books are selected and how they are arranged. This year's theme came from a comment I made to some friends..."It is pretty much a given that I will like it if it has a bear in it." So I decided to do my favorite nonfiction picture books about bears.  They are in no order and I haven't said a lot about them but they are all worth picking up and checking out. And go #teambear 

If You Were a Panda Bear by Florence Minor; Illustrated by Wendell Minor (Katherine Tegen Books, 2013) - I love books with beautiful illustrations and Wendell Minor is one of my favorite illustrators. Beautiful illustrations and great facts about different types of bears.

Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh by Sally M. Walker; Illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss (Henry Holt and Co., January 20, 2015) - A picture book biography about the bear who inspired the Winnie the Pooh story. Did not know about this one but very touched by it.

Wild About Bears by Jeannie Brett (Charlesbridge, 2014) - Another fun fact book about different types of bears.

The Polar Bear Scientist (Scientist in the Field) by Peter Lourie (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2012) - Do I have to say much about this one? Love the Scientist in the Field Series. 

Moon Bear by Brenda Z. Guiberson; Illustrated by Ed Young (Henry Holt and Co., 2010) - I did not know a lot about the moon bear so this one was enlightening to me.

Ice Bear: In the Steps of the Polar Bear by Nicola Davies; Illustrated by Gary Blythe (Candlewick, 2005) - Polar Bears are just so majestic and this book is a beautiful tribute to the great white bear of the north.

Waiting for Ice by Sandra Markle (Charlesbridge, 2012) - Markle always finds a way to connect emotionally to her readers and this story about an orphaned 10 month old polar bear will definitely touch you. 

Fraser Bear: A Cub's Life by Maggie de Vries, Renné Benoit (Greystone Books, 2010) - Black bears are more common for many of us and this story of a cub's life will be an enjoyable read with younger students.

Eat Like a Bear by April Pulleye; Illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Henry Holt and Co., 2013) - For very young students, this book in verse looks at the life of a bear.

Mrs. Harkness and the Panda by Alicia Potter; Illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012) - Though we cannot just take a bear out of another country these days, this story tells of a woman in the 1930's who traveled to China and brought a panda back to the United States.  An interesting piece of history.

Check out the hashtag #nf10for10 on twitter for more nonfiction picture book posts by other teachers and librarians and bloggers. 

Kid Lit Frenzy, There is a Book For That, & Unleashing Readers 2015 Mock Sibert Picks

Over the past three years, I (Alyson) have hosted, and Kellee and Carrie have participated in, a book challenge to push ourselves to read more nonfiction picture books. Since we read many of the best nonfiction picture books published each year, we decided to host a Mock Sibert Award. Our first Mock Sibert Award was in 2014 and though only one book (Parrots Over Puerto Rico) that I picked won the Sibert Award in 2014 that hasn't deterred me from trying it again.

The American Library Association's Robert F. Sibert Award is given annually to the most distinguished informational book published during the preceding year. Although the Sibert Award is not just for picture books, we are going to focus on the nonfiction picture books we feel would be honored or win this year.

To be honored/win the Sibert Award, the book must include these important elements and qualities:

-Excellent, engaging, and distinctive use of language.

-Excellent, engaging, and distinctive visual presentation.

-Appropriate organization and documentation.

-Clear, accurate, and stimulating presentation of facts, concepts, and ideas.

-Appropriate style of presentation for subject and for intended audience.

-Supportive features (index, table of contents, maps, timelines, etc).

-Respectful and of interest to children.

After reviewing the qualities and elements needed to win the Sibert Award, and agonizing over all the wonderful books that I have read this year, I chose the following five titles as my Mock Sibert Finalists that I hope will win or be honored on February 2nd.

This year I decided to order them by 4 honor books and the book I predict will win. Since I am so good at predictions (*rolls eyes*), this should be perfect, right?! *smiles* 

My honor selections are:

Born in the Wild: Baby Mammals and Their Parents by Lita Judge (Roaring Brook Press, October 2014) - Maybe I simply love Lita Judge's artwork but her stories are truly engaging and I always learn something new after reading one of them. I have a soft spot for baby animals, which made this title a personal favorite. This one is also a wonderful read aloud for younger children who will connect with the story on a personal level as they learn about how baby animals are cared for by their parents. 

Related Video - Lita Judge Talks About Her Creative Process

Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate; Illustrated by G. Brian Kara (Clarion, October 2014) - After reading The One and Only Ivan in 2012 and being in the audience when it won a Newbery Medal in 2013, I have had a very fond spot in my heart for Ivan and his story. To have this picture book companion to the novel, also provides younger readers with a way to meet Ivan, and for others to learn about the Ivan who inspired the book. 

Official Book Trailer:

Beetle Busters by Loree Griffin Burns (HMH Books for Young Readers, October 2014) - It is not a secret that I have a special fondness for the Scientist in the Field Series and would make sure that one of these titles were on this list every year. However, with four books to pick from this year, it was a bit difficult. Yet, I chose Beetle Busters because Griffin Burns captured the incredibly complex issues of how a small beetle, hardwood trees, and community residents all have a starring role in how the needs and health of the environment often require difficult decisions to be made.  

Related Video - Wild Marlborough: Asian Long Horned Beetle (long but informative):

Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman; Illustrated by Rick Allen (HMH Books for Young Readers, November 2014) - I do not consider myself a poetry expert but I do have my favorites and Sidman is one of my must have poets. I love how she combines poetry and information together in a book and she must be one of the luckiest authors for scoring the most amazing illustrators who have brought her text visually to life. 

Related Video: Fox Dives Head First Into Snow: 

and the winner:

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant; Illustrated by Melissa Sweet (Eerdmans Books for Young Children, September 2014) - The team of Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet is incredible. Their combined attention to detail and ability to tell a story in both text and pictures is amazing. ln my mind, their books move to a category all their own. Last year, A Splash of Read: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin won a Schneider Family Book Award. a Sibert Honor, and NCTE's Orbis Pictus Award. I am hoping for an actual Sibert medal for Team Bryant and Sweet this year with The Right Word. If not, please know that the woman sobbing at the front of the Youth Media Award's auditorium will be me. 

Official Book Trailer:

Check out There is a Book for That and Unleashing Readers to see what Carrie and Kellee chose as their picks.

We would also love your input! Which of our titles do you think will win the Sibert? Enter our Rafflecopter below to not only enter to win a copy of one of our picks (your choice!) as well as vote for which book you think will win. Note: US or Canadian mailing addresses only. 

Little Elliot Big Family Cover Reveal

Sometimes when you meet a character in a book, a magical spark ignites. In Mike Curato's debut book Little Elliot, Big City, readers met Little Elliot and his new friend Mouse. I fell in love with Elliot and Mouse. If you have not read it, you really should.

Since we are thinking about Little Elliot, you can check out Mike's guest post from August, or Mike's Celebration Post this week. Maybe take a moment and watch the book trailer for Little Elliot, Big City. I will wait.

Didn't that just make you feel all warm inside? 

And if you really love Little Elliot, MerryMakers, Inc. are coming out with a plush toy version. Check it out here.

However, I know that you are really waiting to see the new cover for the newest Little Elliot book. On October 6, 2015, Little Elliot Big Family will be available to all. I want to thank the wonderful folks at Macmillan Kids for letting me preview the new book, as well as, share with you the cover and a piece of interior art. Of course lots of thanks goes to Mike Curato, who has done it again and given us another fabulous story. Little Elliot, Big Family is just as wonderful as the first book. 

Isn't this a charming cover? 

And yes, Mouse has a really big family.  Below is an interior spread from the book. In the story, Mouse has a family reunion to attend. Little Elliot decides to go for a walk and eventually goes to a movie theater. 

Mike Curato is amazing at capturing the emotions that Little Elliot feels while Mouse is away. However, in true Little Elliot fashion, the ending is just perfect. I can't wait to share this newest Little Elliot and Mouse story with students and friends. Mark your calendars for its release day, on October 6th. 

Check out the following blogs for additional glimpses into the new Little Elliot, Big Family book:
Watch.Connect.Read
Sharpread
Librarian in Cute Shoes
Read, Write, Reflect

Links: Mike Curato's Website | Little Elliot, Big Family Book Page | Little Elliot Website | Facebook 

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Abayomi The Brazilian Puma

Abayomi: The Brazilian Puma
by Darcy Pattison; Illustrated by Kitty Harvill
Mims House (March 2014)
Audience: K-3
Nature * Science * Mountain Lions
Amazon * WorldCat
 

Description from GoodReads: ***Outstanding Science Trade Book 2015 from the National Science Teacher's Association***

From the award-winning team that brought you WISDOM, THE MIDWAY ALBATROSS, comes a new heart-warming story of an orphaned puma cub. 

A mother puma, an attempt to steal a chicken and an angry chicken farmer—the search is on for orphaned cubs. Will the scientists be able to find the cubs before their time runs out?

In this “Biography in Text and Art,” Harvill takes original photos as references to create accurate wildlife illustrations. These aren’t generic cats, but one particular individual in detail. Pattison’s careful research, vetted by scientists in the field, brings to life this this true story of an infant cub that must face a complicated world alone—and find a way to survive. 

My thoughts on this book: 
I discovered Abayomi: The Brazilian Puma on the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books list a couple of months ago. Darcy Pattison saw my post and reached out to me about her book. Since I had marked it as one of the titles that I wanted to read, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review the book.

Though I was interested in the story of Abayomi, it was Harvill's illustrations that initially captured me. The soft watercolors were the perfect backdrop for the story Pattison was about to tell. In clear, straight-forward language, Pattison shares the story of a mother puma and her cub. Readers feel the emotions that rise as we learn of the loss of the mother puma and the relief when the cub is finally found. 

This story is accessible as a read aloud for younger classes and older students can read this one independently. The addition of the videos shown below provide students with a greater connection to this special cub, and also an awareness of how we need to be aware of crowding out animals from their homes, and create a safer environment for them to live.

For further background information about the impact the work of Pattison and Harvill have had, check out this article on the Mims House Website.  

Check out these videos of Abayomi.  Since I do not read Portuguese, I am not exactly sure what the text says, but the videos are self-explanatory.:

Abayomi protecting his food:

Abayomi checks out his surroundings:

Website: The Brazilian Puma Corridor Project

Thank you everyone for your support of the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge. Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews and stop by the other blogs to see what everyone is reading. 

Favorite Fiction Picture Books of 2014

Each year, I pour over stacks of picture books. I love looking at the illustrations and enjoying the storytelling. I use stacks of picture books to unwind and find a place of calm when all else is crazy. Some picture books make me smile and some make me laugh and some make me think long after I finish them. Some picture books are amazing works of art and others are just my personal favorites for reasons all my own. The list below include books that may not fit the criteria for a Caldecott and may or may not have landed on any best of list; however, they made my list.

Here are my top 14 picture books of 2014 in no particular order...

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spire (Kids Can Press) - I loved everything about this book - the characters, the message, and more.

Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio; Illustrated by Christian Robinson (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) - Some books just make you smile, and this was one of those books.

Quest by Aaron Becker (Candlewick) - The art in this book is amazing and the details within the illustration used to tell the story are incredible.

Little Elliot, Big City by Mike Curato (Henry Holt & Co) - What a sweet friendship story and it has cupcakes.

The Lion and the Bird by Marianne Dubuc (Enchanted Lion Books) - This is another friendship story that just seemed special and the illustrations are gorgeous.

Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads by Bob Shea; Illustrated by Lane Smith (Roaring Brook Press) - Some books just do it all - text and illustration work together and make for a great read.

The Troublemaker by Lauren Castillo (Clarion Books) - The racoon in this book made me love it even more.

Three Little Peas by Marine Rivoal (Enchanted Lion Books) - There is something about these two little peas and Rivoal's artistic style that makes this story so very special.

Vanilla Ice Cream by Bob Graham (Candlewick Press) - It is Bob Graham. Do I need to say more?

Found by Salina Yoon (Walker Children's) - Yoon has special magic with storytelling and emotions. This is such a charming book.

Hug Machine by Scott Campbell (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) - Hugs are wonderful and Campbell catches all of the wonderful of hugs with his story and illustrations.

Julia's House for Lost Creatures by Ben Hatke (First Second) - Hatke's illustrations are charming and I love how Julia handles all of the lost creatures. It makes you want to visit.

Flight School by Lita Judge (Atheneum Books for Young Children) - A penguin with the soul of an eagle? And we all need friends like he has.

Winter is Coming by Tony Johnston; Illustrated by Jim LaMarche (Simon & Schuster) - I could feel winter coming in LaMarche's illustrations.

So, what picture books are on your list?