Nonfiction Wednesday

Thanks to Kid Lit Frenzy, I made a goal to read more nonfiction this year which I will be featuring on my blog every Wednesday.

This week's nonfiction included:

Becoming Babe Ruth by Matt Tavares

2013-book, biography, nonfiction, nonfiction-challenge-2013, reading-gap-challenge-2013, sports

Another book I read and really enjoyed that was illustrated by Matt Tavares was Helen's Big World.  It won a Kiddo Book Award.

I learned a lot about Babe Ruth in this biography. I thought it was interesting that he was a trouble maker and had to be sent to a strict school for boys to straighten him out. It was so strict the students there were called inmates! While he was there, though, he discovered baseball, and that changed his life forever. It just goes to show that if kids find their passion, they will excel. I loved that Ruth had the opportunity to give back to the school that made such a difference in his life.  I love Tavares's illustrations.

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

2013-book, art, biography, nonfiction, nonfiction-challenge-2013, picture-book

 

I knew nothing about Horace Pippin, so I thought his story was fascinating. Melissa Sweet, as usual, makes the biography come alive with creative and whimsical illustrations. Pippin is the personification of passion and determination. I loved the real photograph of him at the end.

War Dogs: Churchill and Rufus by Kathryn Selbert

2013-book, biography, creative-nonfiction, dogs, history, nonfiction, nonfiction-challenge-2013, picture-book, reading-gap-challenge-2013, war

I really enjoyed this story about Winston Churchill and his dog, Rufus. The story is told in limited third person point of view, focusing on Rufus, who is Chuchill's loyal companion. We are taken on a journey through war, Winston's relationship with his wife, and leading his beloved United Kingdom. I love reading about Churchill, and kids will have a wonderful and unique introduction to this larger than life historical figure in an endearing way - through Rufus. Great Churchill quotes throughout the book, also. Good notes about Churchill's dogs and timeline in the back.

What nonfiction did YOU read this week?