Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Wrapping Up 2016 With a Few of My Favorites

In 2015, I thought I had a challenging year.  However, 2016 has proven to be even more arduous. Granted, difficult journeys can also prove to be great learning experiences and assist us in weeding out those things that are truly essential from the trivial. I will share a little more about the journey of this past year in future blog posts. However, for today, let me just say that my reading life suffered a little this year. Some of my reading and blogging goals needed to take a back seat for a little while, and there are still a number of nonfiction books that I am tracking down in order to read them before ALA Midwinter and the award announcements. 

Rather than repeat titles from my Mock-Sibert posts, I decided to feature some nonfiction books that I loved even if they did not meet the requirements for a Sibert Award. To see my Mock-Sibert posts click here and here. The books below are listed in no particular order. 

A Poem for Peter by Andrea Davis Pinkney; Illustrated by Lou Fancher & Steve Johnson (Viking Books for Young Readers) - This may be one of my favorite books of 2016 and worthy of whatever bling is bestowed upon it. Andrea Davis Pinkney has written a beautiful biography of Ezra Jack Keats and a nod to Keats' Peter books.

Anything But Ordinary Addie: The True Story of Adelaide Herrmann Queen of Magic by Mara Rockliff; Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno (Candlewick Press) - I love books that introduce me to women who go outside of the norms for their times and have been true to themselves. Rockliff introduces readers to Adelaide Herrmann who became a successful magician in a time when women usually supported their husbands. 

Pink is For Blobfish by Jess Keating; Illustrations by David (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers) - Weird, wild pink creatures get recognized in this book by Jess Keating. Loved the concept of this book and Keating knocked it out of the park. Children will love it.

The Secret Subway by Shana Corey; Illustrated by Red Nose Studio (Schwartz & Wade) - Shana Corey shares with readers the history behind New York's first subway. Creativity, stepping outside of the box, and perseverance helped Alfred Ely Beach create the first "secret" subway for New York City. In the year of 1870, the idea of building a subway underneath the city that could move people from one place to another was a big deal. An excellent selection for a STEM read aloud and discussion.

Tooth by Tooth: Comparing Fangs, Tusks, and Chompers by Sara Levine; Illustrated by T. S. Spookytooth (Millbrook Press) - I loved Levine's Bone by Bone and was excited to learn that she would have another book. The format of the book provides readers with a perspective that they may not have considered and provides a mentor text for comparing and contrasting. 

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy; Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley (Simon & Schuster) - There are many of us who are fans of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and this picture book biography provides young readers with a good introduction to one of the most well known Supreme Court Justices. 

Fly Guy Presents: Snakes by Tedd Arnold (Scholastic) - Fly Guy is a fun series but I really like this nonfiction spin-off. Photographs and humor and Fly Guy as narrator will introduce readers to snakes. 

Cloth Lullaby: The Woven Life of Louise Bourgeois by Amy Novesky; Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault (Harry N. Abrams) - I wish Art History had been taught through a series of picture book biographies. I may have paid more attention. Fortunately, there seems to be several strong biographies each year on various artists and I have become acquainted with artists as a result of these books. Novesky tackles the life and art of Louise Bourgeois. I was fascinated by Bourgeois and her work and how her life significantly influenced her work.

Gorillas Up Close by Christena Nippert-Eng; Photographs by John Dominski & Miguel Martinez (Henry Holt & Co.) - Gorillas! Do I need to say more? I love gorillas and elephants and every year there is at least one really good book about these amazing creatures. Definitely a must read for budding primatologists. 

Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine by Heather Lang; Illustrated by Raul Colon (Calkins Creek) - Though I am not sure I have the courage to tackle flying a plane in 1916, I am fascinated by the story of Ruth Law and her brave attempt to fly from Chicago to New York City. 

Mae Jemison (You Should Meet Series) by Laurie Calkhoven; Illustrated by Monique Dong (Simon Spotlight) - This year I had to include several early reader books on my list. They don't often make many end of the year best book lists but this new series by Simon Spotlight deserved to be recognized for introducing readers to some amazing women. In this book, readers are introduced to Mae Jemison, a scientist and astronaut. 

Women Who Launched the Computer Age (You Should Meet Series) by Laurie Calkhoven; Illustrated by Alyssa Petersen (Simon Spotlight) - As I mentioned above, early readers do not typically make the cut. However, I really l enjoyed learning about the six women who worked as the first women computer programmers during World War II. Sadly, it wasn't until the 1980's that they received recognition for the work they had done 40 years earlier. 

 

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews:

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: My Favorite Time of the Year - Best Book Lists

For some people, the holidays are their favorite time of the year. However, for book geeks, the end of the year signals the time for Best Of lists. However, for nonfiction fans, especially those who love science, the popular lists that you will find coming out are often filled with fabulous fiction but light on the nonfiction.  A few years ago, I discovered a list filled with wonderful science nonfiction books for children. The list is created by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).  This year NSTA created two lists - one for science themed nonfiction and the other features books that highlight STEM content and has a few nonfiction titles thrown into the mix.

Outstanding Trade Books for Students K-12: 2017: 

I was excited to see that I featured a number of the titles on this list over the course of the year However, I was curious about several titles that I hadn't heard about or somehow missed. Here are three that I am curious about...

Best in Snow by April Pulley (Beach Lane Books)

Mantee Rescue by Nicola Davies; Illustrated by Annabel Wright (Candlewick Press)

The Story of Seeds by Nancy Castaldo (HMH Books for Young Readers)

And a new list - Best STEM Books 2017:  This is another list filled with quite of few titles that I am quite familiar with, but there were a few that I am still looking for or were new to me.

Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science by Diana Stanley; Illustrated by Jess Hartland (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books)

Green City by Allan Drummond (Macmillan's Kids Books)

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews:

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 2017 Mock Sibert Picks

In last week's post, I shared with readers about the Robert F. Sibert Award and the criteria that guides the committee. Michele Knott of Mrs Knott's Book Nook is joining me in this year's Mock Sibert. Let's take a minute to review some of the criteria before getting into my Mock Sibert picks.

First, the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award goes to the most distinguished informational book published in the United States. 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.

In addition to the qualities above, you can find further criteria here.  This is where things can get tricky.  One of the criteria is that the author and illustrator must be a citizen of the United States or maintain a residence in the United States. Sadly, this ruled out  couple of books that I would have loved to see on the list. 

Another important consideration is how the Sibert defines informational book. "Informational books are defined as those written and illustrated to present, organize, and interpret documentable, factual material."

A final consideration that I will highlight is how the Sibert defines "children's literature". 

"Children’s literature is defined as the body of books published for an intended and potential child audience.  Such books display respect for children’s understanding, abilities, and appreciation.  Children range from birth through age fourteen.  Books for the entire range are to be considered."

One note, this is NOT my Nonfiction Best Of list for the year. Check back later this month for my favorites of the year.  For this list, I looked back over the previous winners to see about any trends and to get a sense for what has been considered excellent nonfiction.  I, also, tried my best to channel books that might have drawn the eyes of the Sibert committee members. I am still reading so I might have missed something. Also, this year, I highlighted a number of science themed books and books featuring strong women that though they may or may not be selected by the Sibert committee they would be advocated for if I were on the committee. Don't forget  to check out Michelle's Mock Sibert picks to see which ones we have in common. 

Are you ready? Here are my mock Sibert picks in no particular order....

Coyote Moon by Maria Gianferrari; Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (Roaring Brook Press, July 2016) - Informative and beautiful, this book was an immediate favorite from the moment I read it. 

Fascinating: The Life of Leonard Nimoy by Richard Michelson; Illustrated by Edel Rodriguez (Knopf Books for Young Readers, September 2016)- Despite what a public figure Nimoy was, I realized after reading this book that I knew so little about him. A wonderful introduction.

The Great Leopard Rescue: Saving the Amur Leopards by Sandra Markle (Millbrook Press, August 2016) - I love this series by Sandra Markle and eagerly anticipated its release. Markle has an incredible way of making the animal she is writing about the main character of her book and one that we care about. 

The Great White Shark Scientist (Scientist in the Field Series) by Sy Montgomery; Photographs by Keith Ellenbogen (HMH Books for Young Readers, June 2016) - Montgomery has an unique way of showcasing an animal in a way that no one else does. Where as many feature the more gruesome and terrifying aspects of sharks, Montgomery takes readers on a journey to see a complete different side of the Great White Sharks. 

Hillary Rodham Clinton: Some Girls are Born to Lead by Michelle Markel; Illustrated by LeUyen Pham (Balzer & Bray, January 2016) - Markel's skillful text paired with Pham's deeply researched illustrations make this one of my favorite books about Hillary Rodham Clinton. 

The Kid from Diamond Street: The Extraordinary Story of Baseball Legend Edith Houghton by Audrey Vernick; Illustrated by Steven Salerno (Clarion Books, March 2016) - I love biographies and have been a fan of baseball for years. Vernick has introduced me to some of my favorite baseball biographies and that this one features a woman baseball player knocks it out of the park for me.

Giant Squid by Candace Fleming; Illustrated by Eric Rohmann (Roaring Brook Press, September 2016) - This is a beautifully illustrated love song to the mysterious squid It really is a must read. 

Swimming with the Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark by Heather Lang; Illustrated by Jordi Solano (Albert Whitman & Co, December 2016) - It is great to see more and more biographies about women scientists and the significant contributions they made to their field. In Swimming with the Sharks, I learned about Eugenie Clark and her work with sharks. 

Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton; Illustrated by Don Tate (Charlesbridge, May 2016) - I had never thought about who created the super-soaker. I probably assumed it was just a product of a big toy manufacture. Barton and Tate team together again to share with readers about Lonnie Johnson and is invention that has been a huge hit with kids for many years. 

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky (Ten Speed Press, July 2016) - Don't be shocked if you see this one on my "best of" list. There is so much to love about this book from both the way it is designed to the way it features 50 amazing women of science. 

Check back next week for some long form nonfiction picks. And don't forget to check Michele Knott's Mock Sibert picks here. 

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews or any of your predictions for the Sibert Award: