I never tire of learning about these complicated and fascinating men. Kids will love the informal, humorous tone in which Jonah Winter writes about the Founding Fathers. They will also love learning about the early leaders of our country because of the entertaining illustrations, facts and figures, quotes, and the good, bad, and ugly character traits of each one. They may also learn about people and things they might not have known before; I know I did!
I wish I could meet Abe Lincoln! This alphabet book is full of well and little known facts about the president - several for each letter. I enjoyed the illustrations throughout the book - many of them whimsical and humorous. The book is also packed with Lincoln's wise and wonderful, and sometimes funny, proverbs.
Sojourner Truth turned her heartbreaking experiences into a life of inspiration and social action. She defied slavery and prejudice against women. More about her life is told in the Author's Note. I enjoyed the colorful, expressive illustrations and the varying text styles and shapes.
I like how the author juxtaposed the amazing accomplishments and good things that were happening in the early 1960s with the ugliness of prejudice that was going on simultaneously. The 60s were such a time of conflict and change. The metaphor of the seeds of freedom is carried throughout the book - growing, struggling, wilting, recuperating, blooming, and finally producing fruit - as the author explains events such as lunch counter sit-ins, arrests, Blue Jean Sunday, letting go message balloons,I like how the author juxtaposed the amazing accomplishments and good things that were happening in the early 1960s with the ugliness of prejudice that was going on simultaneously. The 60s were such a time of conflict and change. The metaphor of the seeds of freedom is carried throughout the book - growing, struggling, wilting, recuperating, blooming, and finally producing fruit - as the author explains events such as lunch counter sit-ins, arrests, Blue Jean Sunday, letting go message balloons, integration struggles, defeats, and victories. I recognized the illustrations as the work of the illustrator of Each Kindness and Talkin' About Bessie. I love E.B. Lewis's watercolors. He expresses the pain and joy of tumultuous, triumphant, and sad times.
This is one of those blurry genre books - it's technically historical fiction, but I included it today because of the nonfiction text features in the back.
This is a wonderful book of an imagined conversation between Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony. There are lots of facts throughout, putting it in a possible literary nonfiction genre instead of historical fiction. Biographies, additional notes on historical events, and a bibliography are in the back. Grimes's Author's Notes explains how she came up with the idea of the story. Michele Wood's illustrations are gorgeous. I love the rich colors, geometric quilt-like shapes and tapestries, expressiThis is a wonderful book of an imagined conversation between Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony. There are lots of facts throughout, putting it in a possible literary nonfiction genre instead of historical fiction. Biographies, additional notes on historical events, and a bibliography are in the back. Grimes's Author's Notes explains how she came up with the idea of the story. Michele Wood's illustrations are gorgeous. I love the rich colors, geometric quilt-like shapes and tapestries, expressive portraits, and emotion each one exudes. This would make a great mentor text to explore imaginary conversations between characters or historical figures.
I haven't posted on Nonfiction Wednesday for awhile, but I can't let the Mock Sibert 2016 opportunity go by, led by our own Alyson Beecher! I don't want to miss out on the fun! So, I'm going to start with nonfiction books I've rated a 4 or 5 or shelved as "Mock Sibert 2016" and narrow from there. Here are some we're going to start with (in no particular order) - when I read new ones between now and January, I'll add them. I believe they meet the criteria, but when I reread, I will make sure. Here is my list so far (22 - my goal will be to make it 25 by the end of the year):
Uh oh! I don't think I blogged about Growing Up Pedro! Here is my Goodreads blurb:
I always enjoy Matt Tavares's books. Not being a baseball fan, I didn't know anything about Pedro Martinez, but this book taught me a lot and made me appreciate his path to greatness. It's not only about Pedro, though, it's also a tribute to his big brother, Ramon, who inspired and encouraged him throughout his life.
Beautiful illustrations in warm, earthy colors accompany the sounds of favorite birds like the woodpecker, cardinal, and chickadee. But the robin nesting in the tree is silent. Why? Read the interview with her at the end!
This story of Irish-born Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore shows us what one can accomplish with passion and big dreams. I didn't know about the National Peace Jubilee and Gilmore's influence on American music. As usual, I love Tavares's illustrations!
This narrative poem tells the true story of three slaves who escaped a Confederate camp in 1861 and rowed across the harbor to the Union Line. With the philosophy that whatever they would find was "better forward than back" they met Union General Benjamin Butler who claimed them as contraband of war since Virginia seceded from the United States and couldn't claim the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Were they better off as contraband than slaves? It seemed so. The American Missionary Association came to the Grand Contraband Camp and began teaching classes under a giant oak tree, and eventually the Emancipation Proclamation was read there: "We're free! We're free!" Lives changed forever under the Freedom Tree. Beautiful illustrations accompany this fascinating tale of hope and courage.
I got this from the library, but I'm definitely going to buy it for my classroom. I loved this book! Ehlert inspires everyone to be more creative and to pay attention in this memoir of her creative process in making art and books. It is so full of color, energy, and passion. I loved sharing Ehlert's books with my own daughters when they were young. My husband and I can still chant Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and our girls are 18 and 21! Getting a glimpse into Lois's childhood, sketches, collections, and studio is quite a treat. This is a must-have for any language arts or art classroom!
I love the colorful, amazing illustrations of bugs in their environment and the strong verbs throughout this book. Kids will really enjoy this tribute to insects.
This is just a happy book. The vibrant colors, the poems for two voices, the facts about seeds, bees, and butterflies all add up to make a spring book bursting with joy.
This book of poetry about creatures of the sea would be the perfect way to stretch students to use unique and bold similes and metaphors. I love the energetic, vibrant illustrations.
IT'S TIME! I am running out of hours to furiously finish every 2015 book I wanted to before Monday's ALA Youth Media Awards. I have to go ahead and commit to my predictions even though I know I haven't read all that I wanted to in order to prepare. I'm also going slightly overboard on the number of Honors winners in each category, but it's so hard to choose! And you never know - last year there were 6 Caldecott Honors! Here we go!
