Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: Race, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Inclusion

For the past week, it has been hard to break away from the news and what is happening. The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis while being held down by police officers was just the latest death of a Black person at the hands of officers and it has set off protests in cities across the country. Additionally, people are beginning to talk more about how do we engage in conversations about racism? How do we talk with children about racism? It is never too early to talk about race.

Image from The Children’s Community School

I have been trying to understand racism and implicit bias for decades. If we are going to make a difference and to learn to talk about race, racism, equity, and inclusion, then we need to open ourselves up to learning. As a white woman, I am especially addressing this to other white people. We need to start reading more about what the world is like for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). We need to get out of our comfort zones and place ourselves in situations where we are truly the minority and listen and learn. We need to stop making the conversation all about us. And we need to stop expecting Black people to do the work for us.

Below are just a few resources and titles to check out.

We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) compiled a list of resources on Race, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Inclusion. Definitely worth checking out this list that includes organizations, book recommendations, Black-owned bookstores, and educational resources.

Here are a few books that I will highlight for now…

Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi, Illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky (Kokila, June 16, 2020) - Though this is not a nonfiction title, it is a great way to start the discussion with young children.

Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood, Illustrated by Theodore Taylor III (Roaring Brook Press, March 2020)- From GoodReads - Woke is a collection of poems by women that reflects the joy and passion in the fight for social justice, tackling topics from discrimination to empathy, and acceptance to speaking out.

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, March 2020) - From GoodReads - “…this book shines a light on the many insidious forms of racist ideas--and on ways readers can identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their daily lives.”

Just Mercy: (Adapted for Young Adults): A True Story of the Fight for Justice by Bryan Stevenson (Delacorte Press, 2018)

The movie version of Just Mercy will be available this month for free rentals.

Consider ordering one of these books from a Black-owned Bookstore. My favorite is Kathy Burnette’s Brain Lair Books. The Brain Lair has also created an Anti-Racist Reading List. It can be found here.

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews…

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: The Next President by Kate Messner

The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and
Unwritten Future of America’s President
by Kate Messner, Illustrated by Adam Rex
Chronicle Books (March 24, 2020)
Nonfiction * Biography * Presidents
Audience: Ages 8 to 12
Indiebound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads:
An inspiring and informative book for kids about the past and future of America's presidents.

Who will be the NEXT president? Could it be you? When George Washington became the first president of the United States, there were nine future presidents already alive in America, doing things like practicing law or studying medicine.

When JFK became the thirty-fifth president, there were 10 future presidents already alive in America, doing things like hosting TV shows and learning the saxophone.

And right now—today!—there are at least 10 future presidents alive in America. They could be playing basketball, like Barack Obama, or helping in the garden, like Dwight D. Eisenhower. They could be solving math problems or reading books. They could be making art—or already making change.

Quick thoughts on the book:
Over the past several months, I have been looking at nonfiction picture books from the perspective of the choices that authors and illustrators have to make when creating a book. What should be kept in the book and what needs to be left out? Whose voice should narrate the book? What angle will uniquely highlight the most important facts without making things unclear. It is how an author answers those questions that often leave me in awe.

Kate Messner’s recent book The Next President happens to be one of those books that left me admiring the choices that she made. Most nonfiction survey books about all of the presidents often focus on a similarity that all of the presidents shared or some quirky fact about each one. However, Messner takes a unique look at the presidents by grouping them around a specific president in office and what future presidents were alive at the time. Did you realize that forty-five presidents can be divided into four groupings?

In addition to these four groupings, Messner includes fun facts and snapshots about various presidents, and other pieces of presidential history to engage readers. Additional resources about the requirements for being a president, and further reading suggestions are included at the end. A fabulous book to add to your classroom library and to share as we look towards our upcoming election in November.

And during this time of #stayhomestaysafe, consider supporting your local indie bookstores .

Check out this video of Kate Messner as she reads aloud The Next President:

About the author: Kate Messner is an award-winning author whose many books for kids have been selected as Best Books by the New York Times, Junior Library Guild, IndieBound, and Bank Street College of Education. She lives on Lake Champlain with her family.

About the illustrator: Adam Rex is the author and illustrator of many beloved picture books and novels, including Nothing Rhymes with Orange and the New York Times bestseller Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich. He has worked with the likes of Jon Scieszka, Mac Barnett, Jeff Kinney, and Neil Gaiman. He lives in Tucson, Arizona.

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews…

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: National Mental Health Month

I’m tired! I don’t know about you but today I felt like I hit a wall. For the past ten weeks, I have done my best to stay at home, and when I do go out, I wear a mask, social distance, and wash my hands a lot. There is a lot of unknown about what will be happening in the next few weeks and the next few months. Forget planning for the next year. I am frustrated with people who don’t believe in science and facts and continue to undermine our ability to deal with this pandemic and keep everyone safe.

As a country, we are mourning the normal routines of our lives that have been disrupted. For others, they are dealing with a loss of income/jobs. For many there is an element of food insecurity and worrying about paying bills. And daily, the news brings up updates about new cases of COVID-19 and more loss of life. Even when an announcement of someone who passed away isn’t related to the corona virus, it is just that much harder to face.

May is National Mental Health Month, and between stressed out teachers, parents, and children, I think we all know people (including ourselves) who need checking on. I really liked this image that was in the California Afterschool Network’s newsletter. It is a good reminder to take care of ourselves and to check in with others.

Source: California Afterschool Network

Resources for Social Emotional support….

California Afterschool Network has a list of resources that includes support hotlines, mindfulness, and information on how COVID-19 is impacting our social emotional health.

National Alliance of Mental Illness has many resources that you may want to explore.

Mental Health America is another website with additional resources and tools to help you learn and thrive.

And if nothing else works…share cute animal pics and videos and send virtual hugs.

Holmes (in front & with attitude) and Watson

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews….

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge - You're Invited to a Moth Ball: A Nighttime Insect Celebration

You’re Invited to a Moth Ball: A Nighttime Insect Celebration
by Loree Griffin Burns, Photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz
Charlesbridge (April 7, 2020)
Nonfiction * Butterflies/Moth/Caterpillars * Citizen Scientist
Audience: Ages 6 to 9
Indiebound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads:
RSVP and have a ball--a moth ball--while studying moths in your own backyard!Kids are usually asleep when moths come out at night. But discovering the diverse moth population is simple--stay up late and set up a party for moths! Nature centers and museums host events called moth balls each summer, but kids can create their own right at home. Captivating photographs show how to lure in moths to study them. Direct address to the reader shows kids the magic of science found at home.

Quick thoughts on the book:
In my first year of teaching in California, I was introduced to silk worms. There was a mulberry tree near my classroom so when it was suggested that we study the life cycle of a moth in my class, I went along with it. Honestly, I had no idea what to expect. I don’t recall studying live moths or butterflies in school and I wasn’t much of an entomologist. Looking back on those days, I wish I had more resources and definitely would have loved to have had Loree Griffin Burn’s You’re Invited to a Moth Ball: A Nighttime Insect Celebration in my book collection.

You’re Invited to a Moth Ball literally invites kids to plan a party to find and observe moths at night. Readers learn about moths, how they are different from butterflies, what will party food is particularly interesting to moths, and what type of lights will best attract them to your party. Additionally, young readers learn what tools are best to have at the Moth Ball.

With simple, engaging text, Burns teaches children how to observe moths and be respectful of their new friends, and to celebrate the wildlife around them.

Resources at the end of the book include an author’s note, photographer’s note, glossary and additional readings and websites. For more of Ellen Harasimowicz’s pictures of moths click here.

Teachers - During this time of distance learning, you may want to share this beautiful book and a few videos with your students. Here are just two of the videos that I found.

Butterfly or Moth? (SciShow Kids):

Why Moths are Obsessed with Lamps | National Geographic:

And during this time of #stayhomestaysafe, consider supporting your local indie bookstores .

About the author: Loree is an award-winning writer whose books for young people have won many accolades, including ALA Notable designations, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book Award, an IRA Children’s Book Award, a Green Earth Book Award and two Science Books & Films (SB&F) Prizes. She holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry and her books draw heavily on both her passion for science and nature and her experiences as a working scientist. Loree is the author of Life on Surtsey: Iceland's Upstart Island, Citizen Scientist: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery in Your Own Back Yard, and Beetle Busters: A Rogue Insect and the People Who Track It. She lives with her family in central New England.

Visit Loree online. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews….

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: New Releases for May

It’s time for my favorite post of the month - sharing upcoming new releases. There are so many wonderful books coming out in May. Here is just a few of the books that will begin releasing in several days.

If you missed the previous posts, you will find them here: 2020 Preview | January/February Post | March Post | April Post

April Releases…

For Spacious Skies: Katharine Lee Bates and the Inspiration for "America the Beautiful" (She Made History) by Nancy Churnin, Illustrated by Olga Baumert (Albert Whitman & Company)

May Releases…

May 5, 2020

Ocean! Waves for All (Our Universe) by Stacy McAnulty, Illustrated by David Litchfield (Henry Holt & Co. BYR)

May 12, 2020

Beneath the Waves by Lily Murray, Illustrated by Helen Ahpornsiri (Candlewick Press)

Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved the Violin by Tracy Newman (Author), Illustrated by Abigail Halpin (Abrams Books for Young Readers)

World of Glass: The Art of Dale Chihuly by Jan Greenberg, Illustrated by Sandra Jordan (Abrams Books for Young Readers)

May 19, 2020

Brian Wildsmith's Animal Gallery by Brian Wildsmith (Candlewick)

How Women Won the Vote: Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, and Their Big Idea by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Illustrated by Ziyue Chen (HarperCollins)

May 26, 2020

If You Take Away the Otter by Susannah Buhrman-Deever, Illustrated by Matthew Trueman (Candlewick)

She Leads: The Elephant Matriarch by June Smalls, Illustrated by Yumi Shimokawara (Familius)

And during this time of #stayhomestaysafe, consider supporting your local indie bookstores .

Don’t forget to link up your nonfiction reviews…