Nonfiction

Good Books for Bad Children: The Genius of Ursula Nordstrom by Beth Klephart, illustrated by Chloe Bristol

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Anne Schwartz Books

Summary:  Legendary children’s book editor Ursula Nordstrom began life as an only child whose parents divorced when she was seven years old and sent her to boarding school shortly thereafter.  Unable to attend college, she began working as a clerk in the college textbook division of Harper & Brothers, eventually becoming assistant to Louise Raymond, editor in the Department of Books for Boys and Girls.  When Louise left, Ursula was promoted to head the department, and spent the rest of her career nurturing authors like E.B. White, Maurice Sendak, Margaret Wise Brown, and Laura Ingalls Wilder (who is surprisingly never mentioned in this book).  Drawing on her own lonely childhood, Ursula understood that kids have different needs, whether they feel sad, mad, or left out, and that having all sorts of books can be helpful.  Includes an author’s note with additional information about Ursula Nordstrom and a list of sources.  48 pages; grades 1-5.

Pros:  I’ve long been fascinated by Ursula Nordstrom and enjoyed this engaging introduction to her life. The endearing illustrations contain lots of references to the many of the classic books and authors that were part of Ursula’s long career.

Cons:  I’m not sure how many children will be interested in the topic.

Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Summary:  Shirley Chisholm learned about the fight for justice by listening through her apartment walls to the union meetings her father was part of.  In college, she took the advice of a professor who told her she should go into politics and joined a variety of movements.  After graduating, marrying, and starting a teaching career, Shirley decided to run for the New York State Assembly in 1964.  A landslide victory led to four years in the Assembly before running for U.S. Representative.  She became the first Black Congresswoman and a force to be reckoned with, fighting for issues that impacted women, children, and the poor.  In 1972, she ran an impressive campaign for President, then returned to Congress for another decade before retiring in 1983.  Her tenure in politics paved the way for other women of color, many of whom are shown on the last page.  Includes an author’s note with additional information and a timeline.  48 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  This book is the latest in a recent group of biographies about Shirley Chisholm and provides a comprehensive look at her life, with illustrations that capture her energy and fighting spirit.  

Cons:  It’s long for a picture book and may work better for kids doing research than as a read-aloud.

Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods by Grace Lin

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Grace Lin traces the history of many foods from a Chinese menu with facts, personal anecdotes, and folklore.  Beginning with a map of China and a timeline that shows where each food fits into Chinese history, the narrative then dives into the food, which is arranged the way it might be on a menu.  From chopsticks to tea to soup, main dishes, and desserts, each section begins with an introduction, followed by different foods within the category, with an illustrated story or two about each one.  Includes an author’s note about the difficult history of Chinese immigrants in the U.S. and how their cuisine has sustained them and been adapted to American tastes; a recipe for Lin’s mother’s scallion pancakes; endnotes with additional information about each food; and a bibliography.  288 pages; grades 3-7.

Pros:  A fascinating, meticulously researched, beautifully illustrated collection of folklore that’s connected to cuisine familiar to many readers.  If you ever wondered who General Tso was or how egg rolls came to be, you will find all the answers here.

Cons:  This feels like it will appeal more to adults than to kids.

What’s Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon? And Other Questions About Moths and Butterflies by Rachel Ignotofsky

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Crown Books for Young Readers

Summary:  From egg to caterpillar to pupa (called a cocoon for moths and a chrysalis for butterflies), butterflies and moths have similar life cycles.  Readers will learn the intriguing answer to the title question, as well as answers to many other questions about butterflies and moths.  Detailed illustrations portray a wide range of caterpillars, butterflies, and moths with labels to identify each one.  In addition to the life cycle, there is plenty of fascinating information about anatomy, food, defenses, and more.  Includes a page of sources and resources.  48 pages; grades K-3.

Pros:  I missed last year’s What’s Inside a Flower? and am delighted that I discovered this beautiful and informative science book.  The illustrations are unique and detailed, containing at least as much information as the text.  Just as I was wishing I knew the differences between butterflies and moths, I turned the page to discover a detailed comparison suitable for framing and hanging in the science corner.

Cons:  This book seemed a little long for the intended audience.  With so much information, you might want to break it up into several sections and read one at a time.

A Place Called America: A Story of the Land and People by Jennifer Thermes

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Harry N. Abrams

Summary:  Beginning with a global view of the Earth when “the land was owned by no one,” Jennifer Thermes dives into American history and the drive to acquire its land, shown by illustrated maps.  She focuses on marginalized people–indigenous, enslaved, immigrants–and how they helped shape history.  The two-page spreads look at a specific year or an era, portraying people and/or maps that show important events and movements of that time.  Includes an afterword about maps and history, a list of sources, and a timeline on the endpapers.  64 pages; grades 3-6.

Pros:  I am always thrilled to learn of a new Jennifer Thermes book featuring her amazing maps. You could use this one to cover a whole school year of American history, beginning with the author’s note with the assertion that “the stories we tell ourselves about what is happening make us who we are.”  Readers will spend hours poring over her beautiful maps and other complex illustrations of the people who made up the various eras that she writes about so engagingly.

Cons:  Except for a spread about 9/11, the history pretty much ends in the middle of the 20th century.

A Long Time Coming: A Lyrical Biography of Race in America from Ona Judge to Barack Obama by Ray Anthony Shepard, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Calkins Creek

Summary:  Six Black Americans are profiled in five chapters: Ona Judge, Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass together, Ida B. Wells, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Barack Obama.  Their stories are told in verse, weaving together scenes from their lives to paint engaging portraits of their work, their dreams, their discouragements, and their successes and failures.  Each section begins with an illustration and a bit of personal history from the author, connecting his life to his subjects’.  Includes a timeline, additional resources, a bibliography and source notes for each section, and an index.  336 pages; ages 12 and up.

Pros:  Ray Anthony Shepard has written a masterful poetry collection, telling stories that will immediately engage readers.  He doesn’t shy away from telling both the terrible events his subjects witnessed and the less-than-great choices they sometimes made to fully portray their humanity.  Definitely deserving of some serious Coretta Scott King Award recognition.

Cons:  I wish there had been some information on the poetry and poetic forms used.

Follow the Flyway: The Marvel of Bird Migration by Sarah Nelson, illustrated by Maya Hanisch

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Barefoot Books

Summary:  The text follows a variety of birds, starting with hatchlings emerging from eggs, and continuing as those babies learn to fly.  By the time autumn comes, they are strong enough flyers to join the flyway of birds migrating to warmer places.  Flying in groups of all sizes, they head south, stopping for a week or two to rest until the cold catches up and sends them on their way.  When they reach the ocean, they settle in and wait until spring arrives to call them back north again.  Includes additional information about bird migration, including ways to help migratory birds; a map of the four North American flyways; thumbnail portraits and additional information about the twelve birds in the book; and sources of additional information.  32 pages; grades K-4.

Pros:  A great introduction to bird migration, with poetic text and lots of interesting pictures of a variety of birds.  The back matter makes it a good resource to begin further research.

Cons:  The only birds covered were water birds.

Stranded! A Mostly True Story from Iceland by Ævar Þór Benediktsson, illustrated by Anne Wilson

~ Janet Dawson ~ 2 Comments

Published by Barefoot Books

Summary:  “This is the story of my grandfather: how he got stranded on a volcanic island, was almost turned into barbecue and found the most important moment in the world.”  The island is Surtsey, formed in the 1960’s by underwater volcanic explosions off the coast of Iceland, where Ævar’s grandfather (also named Ævar) was from.  Ævar Senior was an explorer, a scientist, and a photographer, so when he heard about Surtsey, he wanted to go check it out.  A fisherman dropped him and a friend off, and the two scientists enjoyed a day of exploring.  Unfortunately, the fisherman never returned, and they spent two days trying to keep warm (the molten lava helped) and surviving on the small amount of food and drink they had with them.  On the third day, an American man, part of a U.S. scientific expedition, found them (at the most important moment in the world).  They made it back to Iceland and lived happily ever after, although they never found out why the fisherman didn’t pick them up.  Includes additional information about Iceland, Surtsey, volcanoes, a few Norse gods, and the legend of Surtsey’s tomatoes, which involves poop.  32 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  This quirky book is a total delight, both the folksy story and the illustrations that perfectly capture the magic and colors of Iceland.  The author states on the title page that everything in the story is true, except for one little thing, and invites readers to see if they can spot it.  That made me want to read carefully, which we can hope will be the result for kids as well.  

Cons:  The detail that is not true turns out to be quite the anticlimax, although Benediktsson has fun pointing out the outlandish parts that are true throughout the story.

Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martin

~ Janet Dawson ~ 1 Comment

Published by Dial Books

Summary:  Pedro’s house feels pretty small with his parents and eight brothers and sisters, so when he learns that his grandfather is coming to live with the family, he’s not happy.  Not only that, but the whole family has to travel to Mexico to pick up Abuelito.  The kids are divided into two groups: the five oldest were born in Mexico, and the younger four, including Pedro, arrived after the family had moved to California.  The older group takes a pick-up truck for the big road trip, and the rest of the family travels in a used RV.  There are plenty of adventures both on the trip and during the weeks they spend in Mexico with their extended family.  Pedro is in awe of his grandfather, who was part of the Mexican revolution, but by the end of the trip, he’s shown he has a few heroic qualities of his own.  Available in both English and Spanish language editions.  320 pages; grades 4-8.

Pros:  This road trip graphic novel strikes the perfect balance between funny and poignant, featuring a memorable immigrant family with ties to both Mexico and the United States.  Readers of a certain age will appreciate the loving references to Star Wars, Fleetwood Mac, Happy Days, and other 1970’s touchstones.

Cons:  I found the font a little hard to read, particularly the lowercase d’s that looked more like a’s.

Tee Time on the Moon: How Astronaut Alan Shepard Played Lunar Golf by David A. Kelly, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

~ Janet Dawson ~ Leave a comment

Published by Calkins Creek

Summary:  When Apollo 14 launched in 1971, astronaut Alan Shepard had a secret stash he was carrying with him.  He revealed what it was after he and fellow astronauts Stuart Roosa and Edgar Mitchell had a successful landing, and he and Mitchell had walked on the moon.  Shepard had a golf club and ball and wanted to see how far he could hit the ball in the low-gravity atmosphere of the moon.  In front of TV cameras, he made a couple of unsuccessful swings before giving the ball a good whack, sending it flying into space.  How far?  It took almost fifty years to find out.  A photographer used software to sharpen the moon images and discovered that the ball had only gone about 120 feet–a far cry from the miles Alan Shepard had claimed.  The stunt made viewers think differently about the moon, though, seeing it as a place where one day everyday events like playing sports could take place.  Includes five pages of additional information, including information about each of the Apollo missions, photos, and a bibliography.  40 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros:  Alan Shepard, Jr.’s golfing stunt provides a great hook to draw readers into a history of the Apollo missions, with information on the history of the program, how the launches worked, and the space suits the astronauts wore, among other things.  The additional information provides a good starting place for learning more.

Cons:  The tiny font of the back matter was hard on my elderly eyes.