Wednesdays I join Alyson Beecher from kidlitfrenzy and other
#kidlit bloggers to share wonderful nonfiction picture books.
The intention of today's blog post is to give professionals that work in the
education field new nonfiction reading material and ideas to use
education field new nonfiction reading material and ideas to use
with students to promote a love of reading nonfiction materials.
Today is the last Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday post for 2020. Today I have a mix of nonfiction picture books to share!
Numbers in Motion: Sophie Kowalevski, Queen of Mathematics
written by Laurie Wallmark
illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg
I always enjoy reading Wallmark's nonfiction picture books because her subjects have such a passion for what they do and Wallmark easily conveys that through her writing. You can't help but root for the person and their dreams!
This was a fascinating story about a woman who truly had a passion for numbers. It's a passion I will never understand, but through Wallmark's words, I was so interested in Kowalevski's work. I loved this particular sentence, "It was as if the concepts were entering through her fingertips, travelling up her arm, and finding a home deep inside her brain." (pg 6). I wish math had worked that way for me!
Wallmark includes quite a bit of information in the backmatter, be sure to have time to linger over it!
The Polio Pioneer: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine
written by Linda Elovitz Marshall
illustrated by Lisa Anchin
This would be a really good read aloud to have on hand right about now. With much of the news about covid19 and the upcoming vaccination, this would help explain to young readers about vaccinations and their contributions in the world. While kids certainly understand what shots are, this gives a better explanation than what they may be used to receiving!
How to Find a Bird
written by Jennifer Ward
illustrated by Diana Sudyka
A perfect beginner's guide to birding. Gives basic information with lots of birds featured - and labelled - in the illustrations!
This Is Your Time
by Ruby Bridges
A small book that packs a powerful punch. Written by Ruby, this book speaks directly to the reader. A first person account, Ruby draws comparisons between what happened to her in 1960 and what is happening now. Maybe because it is in her own words, this particular book really made me think. With photographs from the 1960s and today, it is definitely a reflection of how far (or not) we've come since 1960 and the power of the younger generation.
Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball
written by Jen Bryant
illustrated by Frank Morrison
Beautifully rendered, this picture book biography tells the story of Elgin Baylor and how he changed the way players in the NBA were treated during the civil rights era. Definitely a man who should be celebrated, I love that young readers understand how people stood up for rights and changed how the NBA looks, especially paving the way for players today.
No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History
edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley
illustrated by Jeanette Bradley
Perfect collection of poems to show kids that they CAN make a difference in the world today. You have to stand up, but your voice can make a difference to the issues and policies that are important to you. Each poem is written by a different author and showcases different poetry formats. I love the illustrations on the brown paper background.
Joey: The Story of Joe Biden
written by Jill Biden
illustrated by Amy June Bates
Focusing primarily on his younger years, Dr. Biden writes about her husband, showing us where our President-elect's fierce determination and persistence in everything in life comes from. Bates illustrates the story giving us this "old time" nostalgic view of Biden's younger years.
I always find it interesting to see qualities that make people so determined to succeed already be present in their early years.
Art is Life: The Life of Artist Keith Haring
written by Tami Lewis Brown
illustrated by Keith Negley
"Art is life. Life is art." This became Haring's mantra and permeated through everything he did. Haring is known for his brightly colored, or sometimes black and white, artwork that radiated movement and life and energy, I liked how this picture book biography took the time to talk about Haring's own joyful attitude and his desire to project that attitude into his artwork on the world around him!
Packs: Strength in Numbers
by Hannah Salyer
We've heard of collective nouns and some of the fun words used to describe a pack of animals, but why do these animals stay together? The author looks at a variety of animals, what their pack may be called, and what they do together. Whether it's dance, sleep, or hunt, these animals are always stronger together.
Looking forward to the nonfiction picture books that are coming our way in 2021!
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