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:

Tots, Tweens, & Teens Book Fest - Come Join Us

Pasadena and Southern California Friends - Come join in on the fun....

The first Tots, Tweens, and Teens Book Fest will take place on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Pasadena High School in Pasadena, CA. This event is FREE and open to the public.

When: Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 12 pm to 6 pm

Where: Pasadena High School, 2925 E Sierra Madre Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107

Arrive at noon for a special live musical performance by Emily Arrow.

Food will be available for purchase at the festival, so be hungry!
11am – 3 pm The Deli Doctor food truck
12 pm – 3 pm Pie ‘n’ Burger food truck
12 pm – until sold out Cake Girl (gluten-free treats)
1 pm – 3 pm Rita’s Ice of North Hollywood

Once Upon a Time Bookstore in Montrose will be the official bookseller of the event.

Check out the Tots, Tweens & Teens Book Fest Website for more details and to learn more about the authors.

PICTURE BOOK STAGE

Ashlyn Anstee
Bethany Barton
James Burks
Vincent X. Kirsch
Carson Kügler
Tina Kügler
Michelle Markel
Ken Min
Jennifer Gray Olson
LeUyen Pham
Lee Wardlaw
Marcie Wessels
Brian Won
Keika Yamaguchi
with moderator
Carter Higgins

MIDDLE GRADE STAGE

Elana K. Arnold
Pseudonymous Bosch
Barbara Brauner
James Burks
Cecil Castellucci
Andrew S. Chilton
Tracy Holczer
Leslie Margolis
James Iver Mattson
Lin Oliver

YOUNG ADULT STAGE

Elana K. Arnold
Julie Berry
Virginia Boecker
Aaron Hartzler
E. Katherine Kottaras
Michelle Levy
Jessica Love
Nicole Maggi
Gretchen McNeil
Cindy Pon
Amy Spalding
Ann Redisch Stampler
Ingrid Sundberg
Henry Turner
and introducing
Jessica Cluess

It's free, but please register on Eventbrite to let us know you are coming.

Between Picture Books and Middle Grade Novels: Beyond Levels Part I

For years, I believed I was a very good reader. I had read thousands of books. I could discuss books as part of classes and in book clubs. I understood that books had characters, setting or settings, and a plot, possibly several sub plots, and a story arc. I understood that conflict made for a good story. Despite all of my experience reading books, I never really thought about what were essential elements in stories particularly for very young readers.  How do characters stay the same or grow and change? Is there one problem with a solution or resolution at the end or multiple problems that are not always fully resolved?

Over the past several years, I have had opportunities to interact with authors and to discuss the process and craft of writing. I have learned a lot during these conversations. One of the many things I have learned is that I have so much more to learn about writing which of course influences how I read a story or a book.

As I visit classrooms, work with teachers and students, and support the process of teachers becoming better reading and writing teachers, I am more convinced that we need to find ways to support teachers in their own reading and writing. The ah-ha moments happen through conversations and our own time to read or to write.

Two weeks ago, I shared some thoughts about early readers and leveled books. One of my concerns is that teachers will level a classroom library using a book app or a random number from a publisher but not be aware at how random those numbers or letters are. Despite the inconsistent numbers or letters placed on a book to indicate a level. A simple tour of the book can provide a much more accurate way to sort books and match books to readers. Here are some better ways of identifying books than the use of a book app.

Moo Bird by David Milgrim is an example of an early reader for very beginning readers. Books like this often feature dialogue bubbles.  The story is told in a dialogue format where each character speaks to another character in the book. Text is simple and there is often a lot of word repetition. Illustrations provide additional support to understanding the story and there is usually one problem that is resolved by the end of the book.

Other books in this level will feature sentences patterns that repeat from page to page. One or two words may change within the sentence but with the illustrations, beginning readers can often figure out the words. Additionally, there are no more than 2 to 4 simple sentences on a page.  And like MOO BIRD, there is often one problem that must be resolved.

Once children are zipping through very simple stories, the next grouping of books have some distinct characteristics for children to tackle. This category of early readers are often filled with popular characters featured in a series or from picture books or movies. At one end, you have books that feature a main character and the story unfolds over the 32 pages of the book.

Pinkalicious: Tutu-rrific by Victoria Kahn

Prince Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold is a popular early reader series.

Or the 2016 Geisel Winner - Don't Throw It To Mo! by David A. Adler are examples of a stories that may still feature a main character but the story will often take place in a couple of settings (i.e., home and school or home and a park). The protagonist usually faces a personal challenge, like facing a fear or insecurity and in the end all things end on a positive note.

The text has become more challenging in these books. There are more sentences on a page and less patterns. Readers must make inferences or predictions about what will happen.

Overlapping the stories mentioned above are books for readers that either combine 3 stand alone short stories around a theme or introduce young readers to a story that is carried over 3 or 4 short chapters.

Salina Yoon's newest book, DUCK, DUCK, PORCUPINE! combine three loosely connected stories into one book. The characters communicate through dialogue only and the illustrations support the context of the story.

SNAIL & WORM by Tina Kugler is similar in story structure to DUCK, DUCK, PORCUPINE! but the dialogue that tells the story does so without the dialogue bubbles seen in other books. Humor and friendship is evident in both books.

However, at the other end of these early readers with beginning chapters are old favorites that provide young readers with more sentences and more pages to develop their identity as a reader.

Readers get to revisit favorite characters in multiple books and the style of these books are very much the same.  There is a predictability that children find enjoyable and comforting.

But now young readers must think about what is going to happen in the next chapter or hold onto details or identify clues that will help them solve the problem alongside the characters.  And though characters may display emotional reactions to what is happening, there is little growth and change in the character.

Though I can talk more and more about these books and others, I am hoping that you will pick up a few early readers and beginning to look at them in new ways. Do you agree with the number on the front or the letter that an app assigned to it? Or do you feel that you have some new information to consider as you sort books or match books to kids.

Check back in for my next post that will look at the story characteristics of early chapter books and how they differ from early readers in more ways than just number of words or pages.

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:

A Fire Truck Named RED Blog Tour & Guest Post with author, Randall De Séve

A Fire Truck Named RED
by Randall De Séve; Illustrated by Bob Staake
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (May 3, 2016)
Fiction * Family * Special Toys
Audience: Ages 5 to 7
Indiebound | WorldCat

About the book: 
A young boy has his heart set on a brand-new toy fire truck, so he is disappointed when he gets his grandfather's rusty old fire truck, Red, instead. But working together, the boy and his grandfather patch Red right up whileGrandpa tells his grandson all about the adventures he had with Red when he was a boy.

Thank you Randall De Séve for stopping by Kid Lit Frenzy to celebrate the release of A Fire Truck Named RED with a special guest post.

The Birth of a Story:  A FIRE TRUCK NAMED RED

I love an assignment, a concrete goal, the focus that comes with subject and time parameters.  The focus that often eludes me because, really, as a picture book author, I can write about anything, any time.

So you can imagine how thrilled I was to receive the following email from my agent, Steven Malk, in September of 2012:

I mentioned to [Joy Peskin, editorial director of Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers] that I wanted to send her something by you and she commented on how much her son loves TOY BOAT. She wondered if you'd ever consider doing something similar but about a favorite train or car… I think it's a really interesting idea and one worth pursuing.  Let me know if you agree. I think she's very keen on it.

I agreed!

And then began the brainstorming process (aka obsessing).  Here’s a sample of what the next few weeks looked like for me:

Morning:
*Make breakfast for kids and have half-there conversations (while thinking of vehicles)
*Take kids to school (“Look at that police car!”)

9-4:
*Work time:  Vehicles, vehicles, vehicles…

Evening:
*Help with homework (while thinking of vehicles)
*Eat family dinner (“What’s cooler, a train or a car?”)
*Read goodnight story to younger daughter (“Is that a siren I hear?”)
*Snuggle with husband (“What do you think of dumptrucks?”)

Until one day my (exasperated) older daughter said, “Why don’t you write a book about a fire truck named Red.”

Bingo.

Now with a great title in mind, and a character worth exploring, I could do just that.  Since 9/11, I had wanted to write a firefighting story but found the subject too heavy for children and too sacred to lighten up.  (I should say that I live near a firehouse that lost many men that day.)  But here it was, 11 years later; I could fictionalize firefighting now.

There are many, many picture books about fire trucks.  I knew that if I wanted mine to stand out, it had to be about something more.  A toy fire truck, yes, but more than that.  Something personal.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my dad.  He’s an old man—which I find difficult to say because we are very close; and in many ways, he’s quite youthful. He laughs easily; he takes long, vigorous walks (10 miles anybody?); and he thoroughly enjoys life in the moment.  But sadly, he doesn’t remember these moments even shortly after they happen.  So he can’t recount them the way he used to.  Instead, he tells stories from the past.  These he especially loves to share with my children.

A story-telling Papa and a toy fire truck…

Ok, what if the toy fire truck in my story was a grandfather’s old truck?  And what if he gave it as a birthday present to his grandchild, who really wanted a new truck instead?  What if this gift came with a promise to fix up the old truck “better than new”?  For a child, can an old toy ever be better than new?  What if that old toy and grandfather came with some very exciting stories?  Could a young child learn to appreciate the old…?

Voilà!  A FIRE TRUCK NAMED RED.

About the author: Randall de Seve is the New York Times bestselling author of Toy Boat, The Duchess of Whimsy, and Mathilda and the Orange Balloon. Her newest book, A Fire Truck Named Red, illustrated by Bob Staake, is on sale now. he lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband, two daughters and a very wicked dog named Henry Biscuit. Learn more about her at randalldeseve.com.

Enter to win a copy of A Fire Truck Named RED by completing the rafflecopter below. Winner must be 13 years old or older and have a US mailing address.