Nonfiction Wednesday

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

 

This week I read:

 

 

My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King III

 

This book gives insight to Martin Luther King, Jr. as a father. His son describes him as warm and playful, but he knew what an important man he was to social change. It's so sad that Martin Luther King III was only ten years old when his father was killed. The illustrations are warm and bold, capturing the heart of both father and son. This would make a nice pairing with My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris.            Martin & Mahalia by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney         Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahalia Jackson were partners in the civil rights movement. They both used their voices to make changes, inspiring people by using their gifts - he with his moving speeches and she with her songs. I love the last couple page spreads when the book culminates like a gospel song, singing "Amen, Amen, Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, Glory Hallelujah!" Brian Pinkney's illustrations are energetic, full of movement. A dove is flying throughout the story, symbolizing peace, and exp...more Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahalia Jackson were partners in the civil rights movement. They both used their voices to make changes, inspiring people by using their gifts - he with his moving speeches and she with her songs. I love the last couple page spreads when the book culminates like a gospel song, singing "Amen, Amen, Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, Glory Hallelujah!" Brian Pinkney's illustrations are energetic, full of movement. A dove is flying throughout the story, symbolizing peace, and explained more fully in the illustrator's notes in the back. Andrea Pinkney teaches us a lot about this inspiring pair. The whole design of the book is creative and lively.     Flying Solo: How Ruth Elder Soared into America's Heart by Julie Cummins, illustrated by Malene R. Laugesen   I loved seeing Ruth Elder in this video.  Hang in there - she comes on about halfway through.         I love stories about the women pioneers in flight. Ruth Elder looked like a beauty queen, but she didn't want to follow conventions in 1927 and stay home to keep house. She wanted to fly an airplane. She wasn't able to cross the Atlantic Ocean flying solo, but that didn't stop her. She still captured America's hearts and went on to the Vaudeville stage and Hollywood. She also competed in the "Powder Puff Derby," a cross-country air race along with nineteen other women, including Amelia Earhart....more I love stories about the women pioneers in flight. Ruth Elder looked like a beauty queen, but she didn't want to follow conventions in 1927 and stay home to keep house. She wanted to fly an airplane. She wasn't able to cross the Atlantic Ocean flying solo, but that didn't stop her. She still captured America's hearts and went on to the Vaudeville stage and Hollywood. She also competed in the "Powder Puff Derby," a cross-country air race along with nineteen other women, including Amelia Earhart. Elder finished fifth. I really enjoyed the illustrations in this story.   What nonfiction have YOU enjoyed this week?