Posts filed under 'Non-Fiction Monday'
POP! The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy. 2010. Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, May 2010. Ages 4-8.
A delightful addition to the world of nonfiction! There are subtle lessons of “try, try again” but I didn’t even feel that lesson until long after I had read the book to children several times. The artwork by McCarthy adds significantly to the “feel” of the story…and children think it is such fun to learn why the gum was pink in the beginning, a bit of history and then the great two-page spread at the end giving more about the founder of bubble gum, some “facts” about gum that debunks some myths our mothers always told us, and quotes about gum for those doing more in-depth reporting on bubble gum! McCarthy’s website highlights reviews including The New York Times feature as well as “gum art” (who knew?) which was mind-blowing in its detail and many more fun features. I liked the little tune used in the trailer, it plays over and over in my head pleasantly!
POP! has been named a Junior Library Guild Selection and a Society of Illustrators Original Art Pick of 2010.
The book is almost more like a mystery book; most children with whom I have shared the book have no idea they are being enticed into a story about “true” things. It’s a fun one, try it!
Happy Reading!
Carol
September 6th, 2010
Somewhere, sometime prior to publication I read a fascinating story about this guy who had written a book about the men who invented day-glo paints. I was intrigued by the review and watched carefully for the book to become available. And I was even more hooked on this Cybils award winning book when I was able to read for myself The Day-Glo Brothers. I knew exactly what child would first receive it as a gift from me along with a set of what else but day-glo paints?! And I have given many of the book/paint sets since that time. Then I saw this guy Barton mentioned on Facebook which led to us befriending one another and then we were both on twitter… and what fun it has been getting to know Chris through social media with a treat of saying hello in person at ALA in DC this summer and getting books autographed for my grandson. Thank you, Chris, for joining us today at Rasco from RIF; and even more, thank you for your terrific contributions to children’s literacy!
Charles Darwin & James Bond: The Intersection Between Fiction and Nonfiction
by Guest Blogger Chris Barton
Don’t ask me how this happened, because I still haven’t figured it out myself, but until recently my six-year-old son had managed to confuse Charles Darwin with James Bond.
Besides being good for a laugh, his mental mix-up got me reflecting on the intersection between fiction and nonfiction, and on just how entwined the two genres can be, especially for me as a writer.
Last year, as I awaited the publication of my picture book biography The Day-Glo Brothers, I was putting the final touches on another worlds-apart book, the completely silly Shark vs. Train. As that book was making its debut this spring, I was chasing down final facts for my upcoming young adult nonfiction project, “Can I See Your I.D.? True Stories of False Identities.” And this summer, when galleys arrived for that book, I was working on fiction (a middle grade novel involving anthropomorphism and explosives) while also thinking ahead to other nonfiction projects.
I slide back and forth between fiction and nonfiction without really thinking much about it, my experiences with one building on the other. I suspect the youngest readers approach the two genres pretty much the same way—when you’ve explored only a smidge of the world, all books are about exploring more of it. It’s as we get older, as both readers and writers, that our tastes divide.
Or rather, it’s when our tastes divide that we see ourselves as preferring, say, fiction over nonfiction. Among other creators of books for children and young adults, I’ve seen this manifested in what I call “Nonfiction Face.” Remember Mr. Yuk, the nauseated-green frowny-face poison-control logo of yore? I’ve seen that look on many of my peers when I’ve brought up writing nonfiction.
I suspect that’s partly because they still think of the less-then-compelling nonfiction of their youth rather than of the creative and powerful contemporary work of the likes of Tanya Lee Stone, Phillip Hoose, and Brian Floca. But I also believe that too many makers of Nonfiction Face have simply never taken the time to consider what sort of nonfiction book they would most like to create.
For each of them, there’s bound to be one such book. I’m convinced that for every last maker of Nonfiction Face, there’s some real-world subject that they already know more about, care more about, or simply find more interesting than most people do. I teach an entire workshop on this, but a self-help approach can yield the same results: If they simply give it some thought, they’ll realize that they would bring passion and enthusiasm to some angle on that subject that most people simply could not.
And based on my own experiences slipping back and forth between genres, I believe they might even find inspiration for their next fiction project. I’d ask, however, that they not get any bright ideas about 007’s famed expedition to the Galapagos. That one’s spoken for.
August 30th, 2010
FRACTIONS, DECIMALS, AND PERCENTS by David A. Adler and illustrated by Edward Miller. 2010. Holiday House, Inc.
Last week when I first picked up the book Fractions, Decimals, and Percents I saw the back cover before the title cover; there on the back was a sign stating “County Fair Today” which intrigued me given fall is “fair” time and I miss going to the fair! Imagine my surprise to turn the book over and find it is a math book.
Written by David A. Adler, a former math teacher and illustrated by Edward Miller, this book uses a visit to the county fair to illustrate these math concepts which certainly will awaken interest in many children quicker than a math book alone! Bright, clear illustrations with some photography inserted a couple of places when coins are discussed go even further to make the book far more appealing that it would be initially for the targeted age group of 6-10.
While I am not certain many children will choose to pick up this book initially on their own to read, it is another way for a teacher to carry out both an introduction as well as review of these “parts” concepts. At the end there is a game the students can construct with a visit to the illustrator’s website making that construction even easier.
Adler’s website is a storehouse of information for teachers and for students. Students will perhaps also enjoy this interview by some students about the biographies David A. Adler has written.
Enjoy your nonfiction today and happy reading every day!
Carol
Twitter: @RascoFromRIF
Thank you, Booknosher, for hosting us today and a big round of applause for Anastasia Suen for sponsoring Nonfiction Monday!
August 30th, 2010
Recently when visiting Books of Wonder in NYC, I spied this book: ANTICS! written and illustrated by Cathi Hepworth. I would have bought my three copies simply based on the cover, but I was really excited when I looked inside and found the contents. It’s an alphabet book and each letter of the alphabet has a word with the “ant” within it. And the pictures featuring the family Formicidae – ants - are quite humorous and playful. ANTICS! is an ALA Notable Children’s Book and won the Booklist Children’s Editors’ Choice.
So why did this particular alphabet book excite me? My sisters and I for some reason (note to self: ask Marmee and MiMi how this started) at some point told our nieces and nephews we are Ant Carol, Ant Marmee, Ant Mimi…and they humor us. So we look for “ant” motif gifts. I now have ANTICS! for each of my sisters, they can share with their children and grandchildren!
Tantrum and Unpleasant (has a plate piled high
with green peas)
Happy Reading!
Ant Carol
July 19th, 2010
How have I missed THE FANTASTIC UNDERSEA LIFE OF JACQUES COUSTEAU by Dan Yaccarino? I have always been fascinated with Jacques Cousteau and often watch documentaries featuring his work. This book through its spare use of text and the bright, bold art captures what I have always envisioned as the spirit of Cousteau. There are circles throughout the text giving us quotes from Cousteau himself. A favorite of mine is “When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself.”
The book can serve as an inspirational one for children as it tells of Cousteau’s weak and sickly status as a little boy and how he was encouraged to learn to swim to build up his strength. As a young man he was hurt in a car accident and again, he turned to the sea and swam daily to avoid the arm braces his doctors predicted he would wear “for the rest of his life.”
I have previously written on Rasco from RIF regarding my fondness for endpapers; there are beautiful endpapers present here that reflect well the art and the content of the book.
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers, this picture book will be enjoyed most by K-4th grade. I believe it would also be a good writing “prompt” example for older children when exploring non-fiction topics.
Today’s NONFICTION MONDAY postings can be found at 5 Great Books.
Enjoy, happy reading!
Carol
July 5th, 2010
SIT-IN: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down is a 2010 release from Little, Brown and Company written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney. Meet Andrea and Brian Pinkney in this video as they discuss their book and its personal meaning to them.
My mother’s birth town was Greensboro, North Carolina. I remember my first visit there as an adult; I saw the commemorative street sign noting just what happened there in February of 1960 at the Woolworth’s lunch counter.
It was February 1, 1960.
They didn’t need menus.
Their order was simple.
A donut and coffee,
with cream on the side.
The Pinkney’s created this book as a 50th anniversary tribute to the lunch counter event. In it, Brian changes his expressive style to be one of water colors with bright colors, visible motion and deep emotion. Andrea uses poetic storytelling…it is a book that captures the time period, the sense of action, the deep and sincere beliefs held by the four students who started a movement which took on the rallying theme of “A donut with coffee, with cream on the side.” The Pinkney duo has also included a Civil Rights Timeline as well as notes about the research involved in the book.
With starred reviews from School Library Journal and Booklist, SIT-IN is a book that can be effective with children in all elementary grades. There are many books about the civil rights movement, this one brings a fresh approach that will engage young people and not only share the history but instill a greater appreciation for the work of students in creating that history.
Happy Reading!
Carol
June 7th, 2010
Memorial Day always marks the beginning of summer for me even if not the “official” start date. And summer brings to mind many things, including tennis (oh, no, not me as a player, just seeing tennis players on courts, seeing it on television!). Several months ago I happened upon Nothing but Trouble: The Story of Althea Gibson by Sue Stauffacher and illustrated by Greg Couch. Regrettably the name Althea Gibson was not one I knew. Now I do…I am glad as I have learned from her story.
This picture book biography is a seamless effort in appearance between Stauffacher and Couch; the words and pictures both portray the constant motion in which Althea operated. It is a great early biography in my opinion as Althea is portrayed realistically, a person with flaws who eventually listened and learned how to maneuver in this world in which she found herself. Noted in most quarters as a book for ages 5-8 it is one even some older classes might review when studying biographies. The end papers show a good timeline of Althea’s journey to Wimbledon success.
Receiving a starred review from School Library Journal, the book combines history, humor and journalism to share with students some of life’s important lessons about “getting along” in the world of human relationships.
And to learn more about Althea (how even the Queen presented the trophy to Althea at Wimbledon!), visit:
http://www.altheagibson.com/default.htm
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/gibsonalthea/a/althea_gibson.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmbLdCJNpR8
This entry will be posted at Lori Calabrese’s site where Lori is hosting a Memorial Day Edition of Nonfiction Monday. Thank you, Lori!
Happy Reading!
Carol
Twitter: @RascofromRIF
May 31st, 2010
From Caterpillar to
proBoscis
bUckeye butterfly
meTamorphosis
molTing
dEborah heiligman, auth.
baRi weissman, illus.
Fly away
Leaves for food
chrYsalis
HarperTrophy
1996
Ages 3-6
See the Nontraditional Nonfiction Monday Reviews at 100 Scope Notes today.
Happy Reading!
Carol
Twitter: @RascofromRIF
May 24th, 2010
Hello, and Happy Reading on Monday, May 17, 2010! Let’s share some nonfiction. I put out the call (yes, a bit late) that I hoped we could particularly share books this week that might be helpful to parents or enticing to kids for summer reading….so here goes, summer reading ideas and more!
Please leave for me in the comment section the name of your book and the link to your review – I am ready to see the great list that is always available to each of us by the end of the day! Don’t forget, you can see the current schedule for Nonfiction Monday on the blog PICTURE BOOK OF THE DAY; thank you, Anastasia Suen, for organizing this great weekly festival of nonfiction for all.
Here goes:
100 Scope Notes reviews a great book for enticing older elementary youngsters to nonfiction: Disasters by Brenda Z. Guiberson. This certaily appears to be a great book for discussion starters surrounding current disasters like the oil spill, the Iceland volcano, etc. Perhaps a good writing “prompt” or summer mini-research project made enjoyable? Thanks, Travis!
Scrapbooking Just for You! by Candice Ransom and Everything Spring by Jill Esbaum were read by Laura at laurasalas while traveling…great way to share the season of spring with a child and the scrapbooking guide could be a wonderful activity for kids in the summer, writing and reading and collecting and more!
At Abby the Librarian, there is a review of a new addition to the “Scientists in the Field” series – Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World’s Strangest Parrot by Sy Montgomery. Abby, thanks for the follow up information on the increasing numbers of Kakapos!
Lori notes a celebration of National Transportation Week at Lori Calabrese Writes! and has reviewed Driven: A Photobiography of Henry Ford, and she says it is an amazing book! Transportation is a great topic for summer reading for many, Lori will have more great suggestions for you by the end of the week I am sure!
Marie reviewed EMMA’S POEM for the Association of Jewish Libraries’ blog. Emma Lazarus was an activist for the poor and the author of “The New Colossus,” the famous poem about the Statue of Liberty. Searching for poetry about places to be visited or after the visit would be a great summer literary activity!
MsMac from Check It Out shares three books of Ralph Fletcher as she prepares for his visit to her library on Friday! The first two are for students, the third one for staff: Poetry Matters: Writing a Poem From the Inside Out, A Writer’s Notebook: Unlocking the Writer Within You, and Pyrotechnics on the Page: Playful Craft That Sparks Writing. I wish I could be there Friday, don’t you as well?
Shelf-employed’s post today falls under your “enticing to kids” category. The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary is the most fun you can have reading non-fiction! Rasco from RIF agrees, such great fun!
At The Book Nosher, Robin has reviewed When Marian Sang, a lovely picture book biography about Marian Anderson by Pam Munoz Ryan with illustrations by Brian Selznick. RIF sponsored Brian in some classroom talks here in DC several years ago and he spoke about his work on this title….the students were mesmerized, great choice, Robin. And as you note in your blog entry, there are so many teachable moments in this book!
Tricia from Miss Rumphius is sharing today a review of three books for use in the math classroom. I was impressed and excited by all the approaches shown by these three books but I was particularly “taken” with FIRST SHAPES IN BUILDINGS which uses photographs of architectural buildings to discuss math concepts. Whether traveling by armchair or other mode, a great book for summer!
Kim from The Wild About Nature blog has a review of Older Than the Stars by Karen C. Fox. Kim notes this book explains clearly the Big Bang theory both through verse (which was jazzy and fun from the excerpts she includes, great for the younger children) and sidebar facts that allow older children to dig into the meaning. Plus, I love the cover, it is really inviting!
Over at A Patchwork of Books, Amanda has a review of The Hive Detectives: Chronicle of a Honey Bee Catastrophe. This is another title in the “Scientists in the Field” series noted earlier today. Here we learn more about the missing bees featured on newscasts over recent months. I am eager to read the actual book now as it is indeed such a natural wonder mystery; for children who have indicated interest in mystery books, this is a mystery of a different sort in which they might become engaged in and use the internet over the summer with parental assistance. Thanks, Amanda!
Wendie’s Wanderings allows us to find out How Do Animals Keep Clean? Now that is a FUN topic for summer exploration, reading and writing! Wendie also indicates a great feature of the book: The first sentences on the page are short and easy to read. Then a longer paragraph (in a colored box) gives more information about the animal.
Anastasia at Picture Book of the Day has shared The Honey Bee’s Hive which is part of the Spectacular Animal Towns Series; there are six of the books, and they look to me like great summer exploration guides!
I have chosen myself today to share with you Life-Size Zoo by Teruyuki Komiya with Toyofumi Fukuda as the photographer. I learned first about this book when it showed up on the 2009 Cybils Finalists for Non-Fiction Picture/Information Books, a category in which I was honored to serve as a judge. This book intrigues me as the photos are indeed life-size showing some feature of the animal! More than twenty animals are featured with the end papers having small photos and some initial facts….and then, you go to the contents of the book and find these HUGE photographs in some cases and all these great facts that will fascinate children. Recommended for ages 4-8 I see this book as invaluable for preparing children for that first visit to a zoo whether in your own home or in a group setting …perhaps learning of each child’s top choices for viewing on the day specified, giving some facts to dispel myths, and introducing totally new animals to some children. And it could be valuable on subsequent trips being planned to a zoo to decide what new animals you and the children wish to explore. So, do you know how you can tell a sea lion from a seal? You’ll learn that and much more in Life-Size Zoo.
Happy Reading!
Carol
Twitter: @RascoFromRIF
May 17th, 2010
Recently a friend called to say her upper elementary school aged children want to see INVICTUS, the recently released movie featuring Nelson Mandela and his quest during his first term as President of South Africa to use the 1995 World Rugby Cup as a way to unite his country. She wondered if I knew of a biography of Mandela they might read before seeing the movie. In looking over lists and talking with friends who are librarians, I was directed by several people to The National Geographic biography series that includes Mandela: The Rebel Who Led his Nation to Freedom by Ann Kramer.
The narrative of course draws the reader to want to learn more and more about this man named Mandela who showed the real meaning of “unwavering commitment” to freedom and unity. The book like others in this National Geographic series uses personal diaries, family photographs and primary quotes to create a scrapbook format along with time lines showing key events.
Remember it’s Nonfiction Monday, don’t fail to read about more great nonfiction books for children and youth today at In Need of Chocolate.
Happy Reading!
Carol
December 14th, 2009
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