Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Women's History Month Continues

March 14, 2018 Alyson Beecher

During the month of March, I dedicate my Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge posts to Women's History Month and focus on books that celebrate women and their contributions to our world. If you check out the National Women's History Month website, you will discover that their theme for 2018 is "Nevertheless She Persisted".

Last week, I shared 18 picture books celebrating women that have been or are just about to be released in 2018. You can check out the post, here. This week, I continue to share titles that celebrate women but are longer in length. All of the titles below are from either 2017 or 2018.

Happy reading...

Maya Lin: Thinking With Her Hands by Susan Goldman Rubin (Chronicle, 2017)

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2018)

Fly Girls: The Daring American Women Pilots Who Helped with WWII by P. O'Connell Pearson (Simon and Schuster, 2018)

Roses and Radicals: The Epic Story of How American Women Won the Right to Vote by Susan Zimet (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2018)

Votes for Women: American Suffragists and the Battle for the Ballot by Winifred Conkling (Algonquin Books for Young Readers 2018)

March Forward, Girl: From Young Warrior to Little Rock Nine by Melba Pattillo Beals (HMH Books for Young Readers, 2018)

Mary's Monster: Love, Madness, and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lita Judge (Roaring Brook Press, 2018)

Women Who Dared: 52 Stories of Fearless Daredevils, Adventurers & Rebels by Linda Skeers; Illustrated by Livi Gosling (Sourcebook Jabberwocky, 2018)

For the Early Reader & Chapter Book audience....

A Girl Named Rosa: The True Story of Rosa Parks by Denise Lewis Patrick; Illustrated by Melissa Manwell (Scholastic, 2018)

A Girl Named Hillary: The True Story of Hillary Clinton by Rebecca Paley; Illustrated by Melissa Manwell (Scholastic, 2018)

You Should Meet: Roberta Gibb by Laurie Calkhoven; Illustrated by Monique Dong (Simon Spotlight, 2018)

You Should Meet: Katherine Johnson by Thea Feldman ; Illustrated by Alyssa Petersen (Simon Spotlight, 2017)

And here are a few more picture books, just because I love picture books....

Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Illustrated by (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2018)

Write to Me: Letters From Japanese American Children to the Librarian They Left Behind by Cynthia Grady; Illustrated by Amiko Hirao (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2018)

Marie Curie by Demi (Henry Holt and Co., 2018)

Gloria's Voice: The Story of Gloria Steinem - Feminist, Activist, Leader by Aura Lewis (Sterling, 2018)

Long May She Wave: The True Story of Caroline Pickersgill and her Star-Spangled Creation by Kristen Fulton (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2018)

Long-Armed Ludy and the First Women's Olympics by Jean L.S. Patrick; Illustrated by Adam Gustavson (Charlesbridge, 2017)

Margaret and the Moon: How Margaret Hamilton Saved The First Lunar Landing by Dean Robbins; Illustrated by Lucy Knisley (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2017)

And for the reader looking for adult titles...

If you are looking for some adult biographies on women, A Mighty Girl has a list of stories of Mighty Women published in 2017, check it out here.

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

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Women's History Month 2018

March 7, 2018 Alyson Beecher

And let's not forget that tomorrow, March 8th is International Women's Day. They even include resources for teachers, here, and here.

Recently, I discovered The History Chicks podcasts. If you are looking for ways to celebrate Women's History Month while driving around in your car, check out any of their awesome podcasts. (Note: These are geared for adults.) I just finished the two part podcast on Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and the podcast on Coco Chanel. Both were fun to listen to and informative.

Over the course of the past year, we have seen the Women's March and the anniversary of the first Women's March, the #Metoo Movement, and a record number of women are running for political office. And in book to movie celebrations, I am looking forward to Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time that will be out this week. The book was written by a woman, and features a woman director (Ava DuVernay) and screen writer (Jennifer Lee).

In the children's book world, I am celebrating the following books released in 2018 to date. I am starting with a new favorite book...

Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Susan Hood; Illustrated by 13 women illustrators (HarperCollins, 2018)

Last Friday, I shared this book as part of READ ACROSS AMERICA and to celebrate the start of Women's History Month.

I love that the book is illustrated by 13 different women illustrators.

And I love the combination of poems and short biographical information listed for each women.

Here are other titles that have come out since January 1, 2018. Don't miss any of them.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison (Little, Brown Young Readers, December 2017)

Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten by Laura Veirs, Illustrated by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh (Chronicle Books, 2018)

Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen by Deborah Hopkinson; Illustrated by Qin Leng (Balzer & Bray, 2018)

Brave Jane Austen: Reader, Writer, Author, Rebel by Lisa Pliscou; Illustrated by Jennifer Corace (Henry Holt & Co., 2018)

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly; Illustrated by Laura Freeman (HarperCollins, 2018)

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed; Illustrated by Stasia Burrington (HarperCollins, 2018)

Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird by Bethany Hegedus, Illustrated Erin Mcguire (Balzer & Bray, 2018)

Free As a Bird: The Story of Malala by Lina Maslo (Balzer & Bray, 2018)

Born to Swing: Lil Hardin Armstrong's Life in Jazz by Mara Rockliff; Illustrated by Michele Wood (Calkins Creek, 2018)

No Truth Without Ruth: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Kathleen Krull; Illustrated by Nancy Zhang (HarperCollins, 2018)

Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli by Kyo Maclear; Illustrated by Julie Morstad (HarperCollins, 2018)

Girl Running: Bobbi Gibb and the Boston Marathon by Annette Bay Pimentel; Illustrated by Micha Archer (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018)

A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women's Rights by Kate Hannigan; Illustrated by Alison Jay (Calkins Creek, 2018)

Who Says Women Can't Be Computer Programmers: The Story of Ada Lovelace by Tanya Lee Stone; Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman (Henry Holt & Co., 2018)

Anybody's Game: Kathryn Johnston, the First Girl to Play Little League Baseball by Heather Lang; Illustrated by Cecelia Puglesi (Albert Whitman Company, 2018)

The Flying Girl: How Aida de Acosta Learned to Soar by Margarita Engle; Illustrated by Sara Palacios (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2018)

She Persisted Around the World: 13 Women Who Changed History by Chelsea Clinton; Illustrated by Alexander Boiger (Philomel Books, 2018)

And coming in May 2018...

Just Being Jackie by Margaret Cardillo; Illustrated by Julia Denos (Balzer & Bray, 2018)

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

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: What I am Reading? - 2/28/18

February 28, 2018 Alyson Beecher

I am always excited to share as many nonfiction books as possible. Last week, I did a "What I am Reading?" post and following up with another one this week with some very recent releases. In March, I am looking forward to starting my weekly Women's History posts.

Here is what I have been reading recently...

Awhile ago, Maureen Palacios, the owner of Once Upon a Time Bookstore, asked if I would be willing to moderate a panel with Madeleine L'Engle's granddaughters. I can't believe the event is finally here and happening tonight. If you are in the Pasadena/Glendale area, I hope to see you.

Becoming Madeleine: A Biography of the Author of A Wrinkle in Time by Her Granddaughters by Charlotte Jones Voiklis and Léna Roy (Farrar Straus Giroux, February 6, 2018) - L'Engle's granddaughters share photos, letters and journal entries to help readers develop an indepth view of the famous writer and her life.

The Secret Kingdom: Nek Chand, a Changing India, and a Hidden World of Art by Barb Rosenstock; Illustrated by Claire A. Nivola (Candlewick Press, February 13, 2018) - A beautiful picture book biography by Rosenstock and Nivola. I sadly did not know about Nek Chand and his art and there are a number of books coming out recently focusing on India in 1947 and I am appreciating the opportunity to learn more about the events in India during this time.

Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet by April Pulley Sayre (Greenwillow Books, February 20, 2018) - Another beautiful book by Pulley Sayre. Simple text and beautiful photographs help young readers learn to express their gratitude to our wonderful planet.

What Makes a Blizzard? by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld; Illustrated by Maddie Frost (HarperCollins, January 2, 2018) - A look back at the blizzard of 1888 as the way of introducing young readers to blizzards.

Look for all of these titles at your local bookstore or community bookstore.

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction posts below....

#Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: What Am I Reading?

February 21, 2018 Alyson Beecher

Between last weekend at ALA Midwinter and the long weekend for Presidents' Day, I have been working on catching up with some of the piles of books. Here is what I have been reading and enjoying...

Snowy Owl Invasion! Tracking An Unusual Migration by Sandra Markle (Millbrook, January 1, 2018) - The latest Sandra Markle book. I am always excited when I get my hands on one of Markle's books. Fascinated to learn more about owls.

Meet My Family! Animal Babies and Their Families by Laura Purdie Salas; Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman (Millbrook, March 1, 2018) - I am a big fan of Laura Purdie Salas and love her newest book and how she introduces young readers to baby animals and their family units.

Fossil by Fossil: Comparing Dinosaur Bones by Sara Levine; Illustrated by T.S. Spookytooth (Millbrook, January 1, 2018) - This is Levine's third book and I enjoy how she compares dinosaur bones with human bones.

Abraham Lincoln's Dueling Words by Donna Janell Bowman; Illustrated by S.D. Schindler (Peachtree Publishers, April 1, 2018) - This was an interesting piece of Lincoln's history that I was unfamiliar with.

When Paul Met Artie by G. Neri; Illustrated by David Litchfield (Candlewick Press, March 20, 2018) - I was pretty young when Simon & Garfunkel were releasing music. However, I remember playing a number of their songs on repeat as I read through the Lord of the Rings in high school. Weird what connections we make between songs and books.

Girl Running: Bobbi Gibb and the Boston Marathon by Annette Bay Pimentel; Illustrated by Micha Archer (Nancy Paulsen Books, February 6, 2018) - Excited to read Annette's newest book and to have heard Nancy Paulsen book talk it at ALA Midwinter. Also, weird to realize that it has been within my life time that women earned the right to run in a marathon.

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders; Illustrated by Steven Salerno (Random House, April 10, 2018) - A nice introduction to Harvey Milk for young readers.

Alabama Spitfire: The Story of Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird by Bethany Hegedus; Illustrated by Erin McGuire (Balzer & Bray, January 23, 2018) - I didn't know much about Harper Lee and this picture book biography was a nice introduction.

Currently Reading...

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman (HMH Books for Young Readers, February 20, 2018)

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

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Congratulations to the Sibert Winners

February 14, 2018 Alyson Beecher

The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award goes to the most distinguished informational book published in the United States. Last week, I made my predictions. On Monday, at the ALA Youth Media Awards the Sibert Winners were announced. Click here to read the ALA Press release for the 2018 Robert F. Sibert Medal Winners.

When the announcements were made, I was thrilled to hear that they had selected four honor books and one winner. Last year, the winner and honor books skewed a bit older. This year, there were 4 picture books and one longer form title. Additionally, I loved that there were two science related titles and one of the biographies featured an individual with a disability. Go Sibert Committee!

Unfortunately, only one of my Mock Sibert predications were correct. Despite my poor predictions, I feel like we are all winners with these titles. Congratulations to all of the authors, illustrators, and publishers.

For more nonfiction announcements, check out the CYBILS winners here.