Thank you everyone for participating each week in the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge (#nfpb2015). It is one of my highlights of the week to see all of the books that everyone has read and included in their posts. Today's post is a mixture of mini reviews and spotlights on new releases. - Happy Reading!
2015 Mock-Sibert Award:
If you haven't checked out the Mock-Sibert Predictions that Kellee Moye (Unleashing Readers) and Carrie Gelson (There is a Book for That) and I have made, there is still time to do so and also enter the giveaway.
Mini Reviews:
Earmuffs For Everyone!: How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs by Meghan McCarthy (Simon & Schuster, January 2015) - Meghan McCarthy has a way of mixing humor with her work to draw in readers. I enjoyed how she provided readers with the history and how Chester Greenwood was credited with the invention despite others having put in patents earlier. Though this one may appeal more to those in colder climates, teachers can discuss the issues of getting patents, and who gets credit for discovering or inventing things with the reading of this book.
Raindrops Roll by April Pulley Sayre (Beach Lane Books, January 2015) - Beautiful photographs and lyrical text made this a favorite of mine. Sayre provides young children with a delightful read aloud about rain and water, and older students with a mentor text for writing. This one is a must have in my opinion.
The Founding Fathers!: Those Horse-Ridin', Fiddle-Playin', Book-Readin', Gun-Totin', Gentleman Who Started America by Jonah Winter; Illustrated by Barry Blitt (Atheneum, January 2015) - This book is part background information, part encyclopedia, and part questions and answers all mixed with a reasonable amount of humor. This one can be read a little at a time and in whatever order that a student would like. I enjoyed learning new facts about the 14 Founding Fathers featured in the book.
Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees by Franck Praevot; Illustrated by Aurelia Fronty (Charlesbridge, January 2015) - I think I have read every picture book biography on Mama Miti. I enjoyed the focus on the political challenges that Wangari had to take on in order to see her dream come to fruition. A welcome addition to the collection of books on this amazing woman.
Books I missed for the New Release Post:
28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World by Charles R. Smith; Illustrated by Shane W. Evans (Roaring Brook, January 13, 2015)
Gingerbread for Liberty!: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution by Mara Rockliff; Illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch (HMH Books for Young Readers; January 27, 2015)
Whale Trails, Before and Now by Lesa Cline-Ransome; Illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Henry Holt and Co., January 20, 2015)
Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews: