Two recently released nonfiction picture books, "Amazing Animals Around the World" and "Amazing Insects Around the World" entranced both me and my six-year-old grandson. To be honest, I wasn't sure of his reaction because while he does love nonfiction books about animals, even those aimed at adult readers, these books don't have photographs but rather … Continue reading Nonfiction picture books “Amazing Animals” and “Amazing Insects” around the world are truly amazing
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Two pop-up books for children about animals and dinosaurs would make great holiday gifts
Almost all kids love pop-up books, and pop-up books about animals are sure to be a hit. "Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Creatures" by Arnaud Roi and illustrated by Charlotte Molas and "The Pop-up Guide: Animals" by Maud Poulain and Peggy Nille are two picture books that entranced my six-year-old grandson, and he did think that … Continue reading Two pop-up books for children about animals and dinosaurs would make great holiday gifts
‘Bake’ and ‘Bliss on Toast’ will keep you baking the Great British Bake Off way this winter
Fans of The Great British Bake Off love Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith and their encyclopedic knowledge of all things baking, and with their new cookbooks, "Bake: My best ever recipes for the classics" by Paul Hollywood and "Bliss on Toast" by Prue Leith, we can join in on the baking and fill our homes … Continue reading ‘Bake’ and ‘Bliss on Toast’ will keep you baking the Great British Bake Off way this winter
‘Solito: A Memoir’ by Javier Zamora
Solito by Javier Zamora The Spanish word "solito" means alone, and in his memoir, "Solito," Javier Zamora shares the perilous journey the author made as a fairly sheltered nine-year-old child from a rural town in El Salvador, through Guatemala and Mexico, to the US. A disclaimer: I don't typically like memoirs. But I also lived … Continue reading ‘Solito: A Memoir’ by Javier Zamora
Nonfiction biographies to inspire children
From the iconic Ruby Bridges and Colin Kaepernick to the lesser known Ethelda Bleibtrey (whom I had never heard of prior to reading this book), these nonfiction picture books will teach children about individuals from history whose determination, imagination, and strength impacted the world. So Much More to Helen! We've all heard of Helen Keller, … Continue reading Nonfiction biographies to inspire children
Nonfiction animal picture books for back-to-school adventure and learning
Teachers love using picture books to teach concepts to students from kindergarten through middle school. Picture books are usually easy to understand, and the visuals help all kinds of learners access the information. They can be entertaining as well, so children learn reading is fun, not work. Here are some wonderful new picture books to … Continue reading Nonfiction animal picture books for back-to-school adventure and learning
Nonfiction picture books to inform and entertain
Picture books aren't just for little kids. Savvy educators and parents use picture books as a way to share information with kids as old as middle schoolers. Because picture books are fun, quick, and colorful. And like the picture books listed below, they can be filled with information. Reading a picture book about something like, … Continue reading Nonfiction picture books to inform and entertain
‘Nectar of the Gods: From Hera’s Hurricane to the Appletini of Discord, 75 Mythical Cocktails to Drink Like a Deity”
Nectar of the Gods by Liv Albert and Thea Engst First a disclaimer: I don't really drink much. But after reading and reviewing author Liv Albert's "Greek Mythology: The Gods, The Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook," I knew that I wanted to see "Nectar of the Gods: From Hera's Hurricane to the Appletini of Discord, 75 … Continue reading ‘Nectar of the Gods: From Hera’s Hurricane to the Appletini of Discord, 75 Mythical Cocktails to Drink Like a Deity”
‘The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation’ by Rosemary Sullivan
The Betrayal of Anne Frank by Rosemary Sullivan It was a cold case all right. A very, very cold case. Rosemary Sullivan's fascinating and important study, "The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation," takes us through an excruciatingly detailed account of the 2019 investigation whose goal was to find—once and for all—who was … Continue reading ‘The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation’ by Rosemary Sullivan
Children’s books for Black History Month and every other time of year
Moving Forward by Chris Barton If I were going to teach a unit on prejudice, I'd start with a fabulous picture book, "Moving Forward: From Space-Age Rides to Civil Rights Sit-Ins with Airman Alton Yates," by Chris Barton and Steffi Walthall. There are many, many wonderful nonfiction books aimed at middle grade readers, books which … Continue reading Children’s books for Black History Month and every other time of year
Fabulous nonfiction children’s books you need on your bookshelf: Part One
I know from my decades of teaching elementary students that using nonfiction picture books is an amazing way to begin discussions of events and people, and to share information with students in an entertaining way that keeps them interested in learning (and reading). Here are some nonfiction children's books for children of all ages from … Continue reading Fabulous nonfiction children’s books you need on your bookshelf: Part One
Fabulous nonfiction children’s books you need on your bookshelf: Part Two
Nonfiction books for middle grade readers are an important tool for teachers and librarians. Good nonfiction books serve multiple purposes: they provide factual information in an easier format than many websites or other informational sources; they can engage children by capturing their interest in topic that fascinate them; and they are books that don't necessarily … Continue reading Fabulous nonfiction children’s books you need on your bookshelf: Part Two