Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - What are you reading?

Thank you everyone for signing up for the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2014.  It is going to be an amazing year of sharing nonfiction books with one another.
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For the past 32 days, I participated in the Slice of Life March Challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers. It was a fabulous experience but one that resulted in some of my other routines getting shifted around.  Since I missed a number of What are you reading? posts, I thought I would feature a special edition one that focuses on my nonfiction picture books.

Next week's post will include new releases for April and May.

Here is what I have been reading and enjoying lately...

The Animal Book by Steve Jenkins (HMH Books for Young Readers, October 2013) - Why did it take me so long to find this book and read it? I think this is one of Jenkins best yet.  If you can only buy one of his books, make it this one. Amazing!

How to Make a Planet: A Step-By-Step Guide to Building the Earth by Scott Forbes, Illustrated by Jean Camden (Kids Can Press, March 1, 2014) - There is a lot of fun packed into this slim volume. Humor, and facts and directions for building planet earth. I shared this with a bunch of teachers recently and they loved it too.

Creep and Flutter: The Secret World of Insects and Spiders by Jim Arnosky (Sterling Children's Books, April 2012) - I saw this book over on a post that The Nonfiction Detectives did and wondered why I hadn't read it?!  I quickly corrected that oversight and I love this one, especially the pull out pages.

On Kiki's Reef by Carol Malnor; Illustrated by Trina L. Hunner (Dawn Publication, March 1, 2014) - A narrative story on the life of a sea turtle from hatchling to adult. The illustrations are beautiful and I also enjoyed the facts throughout the book and the end notes and resources.

Aviary Wonders Inc., Spring Catalog and Instruction Manual by Kate Samworth (Clarion Books, March 4, 2014) - Okay, this is technically not nonfiction, but there is some good information in this one. Thanks Carrie Gelson for tipping me off to this book. I simply love it.

Feathers: Not Just for Flying by Melissa Stewart; Illustrated by Sarah S. Brannon (Charlesbridge, February 2014) - I am a huge Melissa Stewart fan and love the way she is writing and creating her books. Text and design work beautifully in this one.

As a result of some of these books, I now want to read:

Sea Turtle Scientist by Stephen R Swinburne (HMH Books for Young Readers, January 2014)

The Case of the Vanishing Golden Frogs by Sandra Markle (Millbrook Press, 2011)

The Case of the Vanishing Honeybees by Sandra Markle (Millbrook Press, 2013)

I know when I begin checking out all of your links there will be dozens more to read as well. Don't forget to link up so that we can see your reviews too.

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - Women's History Month Part II

Thank you everyone for signing up for the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2014.  It is going to be an amazing year of sharing nonfiction books with one another.

Last week I mentioned that I was having difficulty finding 2014 nonfiction picture books that celebrated women.  This messed up my plans for my March posts. Oh well! Last week, I featured 5 of my favorite picture book biographies of women.  This week I am sharing nonfiction books that still have quite a few illustrations or photographs but are geared for a slightly older audience, and still celebrate women and their contributions and honor the intent of Women's History Month.

For Part II, I  feature 5 of my favorite longer length biographies of women:

Cleopatra Rules! The Amazing Life of the Original Teen Queen by Vicky Alvear Shecter (Boyd Mills Press, 2010) - If you have not read this book, find it and read immediately. Written in a way that will pull in even the most reluctant nonfiction reader, the book is filled with great facts and just the right amount of humor.

Zora!: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston by Dennis Brindell Fradin; Judith Bloom Fradin (Clarion Books 2012) - I was so sad that I discovered this after I did my Literacy Café on the Harlem Renaissance. A very accessible biography on Zora Neale Hurston for ages 10 and up.

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone (Candlewick Press, 2009) - I am a huge fan of Tanya Lee Stone and this was the book that began my journey to learn about what was new in children's nonfiction and eventually led me to begin my nonfiction picture book challenge.

Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way) by Sue Macy (National Geographic Children's Books, 2011) - Sue Macy is another author that I enjoy reading. However, I would have picked this one up just based on the title alone. I learned so much in reading this one. I had never thought about how a bicycle would provide women with a certain amount of mobility which would then lead to freedom.

Wideness and Wonder: The Life and Art of Georgia O'Keefe by Susan Goldman Rubin (Chronicle Books, 2011) - Whether you are a fan of the artist, Georgia O'Keefe, or just interested in women's biographies, this is an interesting read about the early influences over O'Keefe's art and development into the artist she would become.

And my bonus pick...I sat on the fence with this one...however, it was such an amazing book that I needed to include it.

Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer (National Geographic Children's Books, 2011) - When I read this book, I remember thinking that I knew about the Salem Witch Trials.  However, there was a lot that I did not know and I could not put this down. 

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews...

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2014

This will be my third year of doing a Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge.  At first, it was a way to challenge myself to read more nonfiction picture books.  It was wonderful to find so many special books.  Now, I have found that it has become a wonderful habit and one that I am not ready to give up.  Since I had a lot of fun with this challenge last year, I am hosting it again this year.   

Though I did not read as many books as I hoped last year, I am rolling up my sleeves and diving into the new year with new goals.  I am also hoping that many of you will continue your nonfiction posts because I loved reading what others had posted as well.   

My goal will be to read as many 2014 informational picture books that I can find and try to increase my reading of MG/YA nonfiction books of longer lengths.

Here are the details if you would like to participate in the challenge:

 1. Set a goal as to how many nonfiction picture books (or nonfiction MG or YA books)  you would like to read over the course of 2014. Maybe you want to read one a month or one a week. Will they all be from 2014 or will you be reading ones previously published? Set a goal that will be fun and not stressful.

2. I will be posting my nonfiction book reviews and posts on Wednesdays.  There will be a link if you want to connect up one of your reviews or progress towards your goal.

3. There will be a few giveaways. Keep an eye out for details.

4. If you would like to participate in this challenge, please link up your blog or GoodReads Shelf using the Widget below.

5. If you tweet about what you are reading as part of this challenge, please use the twitter hashtag #nfpb2014.

6. Finally, I am still working on the Challenge images to be used in this blog post, but I should have them for you to grab soon.  You are welcome to copy the one at the top of this for now. Good luck everyone and happy reading in 2014.

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2013

Last year, I had a goal to read more Nonfiction Picture Books.  As a way to hold me accountable, I helped set up the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge (#NFPB2012).

In 2011, I read 55 nonfiction picture books.  In 2012, with the challenge, I read 86 nonfiction picture books and 6 more nonfiction MG/YA books of longer lengths.  With the coming of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the emphasis on nonfiction or informational text, I feel the need to keep on top of what is being released.   Since I had a lot of fun with this challenge last year, I am hosting it again this year.

My goal will be to read as many 2013 nonfiction picture books that I can find and try to increase my reading of MG/YA nonfiction books of longer lengths.

Here are the details if you would like to participate in the challenge:

 1. Set a goal as to how many nonfiction picture books (or nonfiction MG or YA books)  you would like to read over the course of 2013. Maybe you want to read one a month or one a week. Will they all be from 2013 or will you be reading ones previously published? Set a goal that will be fun and not stressful.

2. I will be posting my nonfiction book reviews and posts on Wednesdays.  There will be a link if you want to connect up one of your reviews or progress towards your goal.

3. There may be giveaways. Keep an eye out for details.

4. If you would like to participate in this challenge, please link up your blog or GoodReads Shelf using the Widget below.

5. If you tweet about what you are reading as part of this challenge, please use the twitter hashtag #nfpb2013.

6. Finally, feel free to grab one of the Challenge images used in this blog post. I am working to get the html for bloggers to grab the badge for their websites. Good luck everyone and happy reading in 2013.

Link up with your blog:

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - 2012 Wrap Up

At the beginning of 2012, I challenged myself to read more Nonfiction Picture Books.  This is the last Wednesday post of the year and here is how I did with the challenge.

Throughout the year, I read 86 nonfiction picture books and 6 more nonfiction middle grade books that were heavy on the pictures.  I had so many more on my list.  Some that I am still hunting for and some that I found but just didn't get a chance to read.  In October, I did a guest post on the Nerdy Book Club and listed 10 of my favorites at that point in the year.  I have revised my list and some books made the final top ten and a few other books came on board. 

So, here is my final favorite nonfiction picture books for 2012:

Island: A Story of the Galápagos by Jason Chin - This remains one of my favorites from the whole pile of nonfiction picture books from the year. Text and illustrations worked together beautifully. Definitely a must have.  Read my review here

Here Comes the Girl Scouts!: The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette 'Daisy' Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure by Shana Corey; Illustrated by Hadley Hooper - Again, another book that works well with both text and illustrations.  Corey does a fabulous job creating this biographical picture book about Juliette 'Daisy' Gordon Low and what guided her to starting up the Girl Scouts.  Another must have book. 

Birds of a Feather by Bernadette Gervais - Thanks to the Nerdy Book Club Award nominees, I found this book.  It is over-sized, and creative, and well done.  Children will love looking at the illustrations and learning more about birds. 

Buffalo Bird Girl: A Hidatsa Story  by S.D. Nelson - I was so glad to have discovered this nonfiction biographical picture book.  A great book to add to any collection of biographical picture books.  Read my review here

Fifty Cents and a Dream: A Young Booker T. Washington by Jabari Asim; Illustrated by Bryan Collier - You will quickly notice that biographical picture books dominate this list.  This one came out late in the year, but shouldn't be missed.  Read my review here

There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived by Matt Tavares - I love the paintings in this one and Tavares tells just the right elements of Williams' life in this book.  Baseball fans will certainly want to pick up a copy.  Read my review here

Noah Webster and His Words by Jeri Chase Ferris; Illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch - Ferris found just the right balance in talking about Noah Webster and the creation of the Dictionary.  This one is fun and informative.  Check out the book trailer below:

Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper by Ann Malaspina; Illustrated by Eric Velasquez - Can you tell that I like biographical picture books?  Here is another one that provides great information about Alice Coachman and her quest to become an Olympic High Jumper.

In the Sea by David Elliott; Illustrated by Holly Meade - It was hard to choose which book of poetry to add to this list.  I knew I wanted to include at least one but there were several I could have gone with.  I featured UnBeelievables in the Nerdy Post so I thought I would add In the Sea to this post.  Both are fabulous and should be part of a collection of poetry with a nonfiction twist.

I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr.; Paintings by Kadir Nelson - It is no secret that I love the work of Kadir Nelson and this book combines the full text (as well as a cd) of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech accompanied by the beautiful paintings of Kadir Nelson.  A must have.



Check out all of these amazing books at your local library or independent bookstore.  For more titles, check out my NFPB 2012 GoodReads shelf.  If you participated in the 2012 Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge and did a final post, can you add a link below?