I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka & Martin Ganda (w/Liz Welch) Autobiography Biography Memoir Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great!) When Caitlin was 12, she was given the opportunity to choose a pen pal from another country. She picked Zimbabwe because it sounded “like the beginning of an adventure.” She and her pen pal, Martin Ganda, began exchanging letters, and over the years became best friends despite the many miles between them … Read more
Crossing Niagara by Matt Tavares Biography Nonfiction Picture book Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Crossing Niagara is a nonfiction story about a guy named (called) Great Blondin. He crossed Niagara on a 3 inch wide rope and never fell. He did many tricks, including carrying a man on his back and standing on a chair. He finally left Niagara because he felt there was nothing left to accomplish.
Who Was Rosa Parks? by Yona Zeldis McDonough Biography Juvenile Nonfiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Rosa Parks was an amazing woman who stood up for what she believed in. One day when she was on a bus, the bus driver told her to move to give her seat to another man on the bus. Rosa Parks replied, “NO.” So the bus driver called the police. She was put in jail not … Read more
Who Was Joan of Arc? by Pam Pollack and Meg Belviso Biography Nonfiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) When Joan was a young girl she got a vision that she would lead an army into battle and would win. Joan thought it was impossible…Later she was leading the army into battle. She got another vision saying she would be hit with an arrow during battle. And she was hit with an arrow … Read more
A Baby Rabbit Story by Jeni Wittrock First Reader Juvenile Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great!) A Baby Rabbit Story is about a mother rabbit that gives birth to a litter of baby rabbits. The story follows the bunnies’ development from helpless, hairless babies to self-sufficient adults (at 2 months). High quality photographs are paired with simple, but engaging text on facing pages. Large text-size and white (well, green, in this case) space make … Read more
Stardines Swim High Across the Sky and Other Poems by Jack Prelutsky Picture Book Poetry * * * * Stars (Great!) Jack Prelutsky’s poetic field guide to some neologistic creatures – carefully documented in the collages created by artist, Carin Berger – offers much to delight. From the titular “Stardines” which light the night skies and grant wishes, to the ChOrMOranTs who spend all their time engaged in pointless (but very important to them!) tasks … Read more
Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette LeBlanc Cate Nonfiction Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Annette LeBlanc Cate is an enthusiastic amateur bird-watcher who shares her passion for our feathered friends with a young audience in this introduction to bird-watching. Using goofy cartoon birds (who have something to say about EVERYTHING) she explains how to find and identify birds, how field guides work, how birds are classified, and much, much … Read more
For the Birds: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson by Peggy Thomas Biography Nonfiction Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Most kids will not be familiar with Roger Tory Peterson – I didn’t learn about him until I took an ornithology class in college, but Peggy Thomas really brings this artist, naturalist, and bird-lover to life – his passion for birds is clear throughout this eye-catchingly illustrated children’s biography. He used a system … Read more
The Beetle Book by Steve Jenkins Juvenile Non-fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Beetles Insects Juvenile Nonfiction This book will whet young appetites for beetles – learning about them, at least. With over 350,000 different species, readers are sure to encounter some of them in their lifetimes. Steve Jenkins presents almost 80 beetles in this introduction to beetle types, morphology, adaptations, and life cycles. You will come away amazed at all of the different … Read more
Bon Appétit! The Delicious Life of Julia Child by Jessie Hartland Biography Juvenile Nonfiction Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Julia Child and her husband spent many years living abroad in France and other places, traveling when necessary to accommodate Paul’s employer. While they were living in France, Julia took cooking classes and met two other women – Simca and Louisette – who were trying to create a book of French recipes for … Read more