Nonfiction Wednesday

I'm excited that Alyson Beecher, at Kid Lit Frenzy, is continuing her Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge for the third year in a row.

 

 

The nonfiction books I read last week:

 

 

The Long, Long Journey: The Godwit's Amazing Migration by Sandra Markle, illustrated by Mia Posada

 

 

I really enjoy Sandra Markle books. I liked learning about the godwit and its amazing journey from Alaska to New Zealand every September and October. What I especially liked is that the people of New Zealand celebrate the godwits' arrival and departure. Beautiful illustrations accompany this informative and entertaining book.  Here are some other Markle books I've read, all of which are great for the classroom library:

 

       

 

 

Volcano Rising by Elizabeth Rusch, illustrated by Susan Swan

 

	2013-book, nonfiction, nonfiction-challenge-2014, onomatopeoia, picture-book, science

 

 

I liked how this author described volcanoes as creative. "But volcanoes are not just destructive. Much more often, volcanoes are creative. They grow taller and wider. They form majestic mountains. And they build new islands where there were none before." I also thought the illustrations were beautiful. This would be a good book to teach onomatopoeia while sneaking in some nonfiction! Great "Volcano Vocabulary" in the back.

 

 

JFK by Jonah Winter, illustrated by AG Ford

 

2013-book, biography, nonfiction, nonfiction-challenge-2014, picture-book-long, presidents       Jonah Winter was only one year old in Dallas, TX when he saw John F. Kennedy drive by, only moments before he was assassinated. He writes of the legacy of JFK's Irish Catholic family and how John rose to power to become the President of the United States. The vivid illustrations capture the Kennedy family's charisma and Camelot-like charm.

 

 

nest by Jorey Hurley

 

2014-book, birds, circular-structure, creative-nonfiction, nature, nonfiction, nonfiction-challenge-2014, picture-book, seasons     Through simple text (only one word per two-page spread) and eye-catching illustrations, Hurley captures the essence of the life cycle of robins (which is symbolic of growing up for all of us). The author's note contains lots of information about robins. I'm not exactly sure how to categorize this next one.  I'm choosing to put it with my nonfiction post, mostly because I just read it, and I want to share it NOW! What's Your Favorite Animal? by Eric Carle and Friends 2014-book, animals, art, compilation, humor, memoir, picture-book     I LOVED this compilation of children's artists' favorite animals! Some are funny, some are touching, and some are outlandish. All are wonderful. I'm going to use it for an upcoming memoir unit. I'm confident my students will want to write about memories of their favorite pets. This copy came from the library, but I'll purchasing my own. It's definitely one you'll want for your classroom library. It would make a great gift book, also. Mini-biographies of the artists are at the end. All royalties...more I LOVED this compilation of children's artists' favorite animals! Some are funny, some are touching, and some are outlandish. All are wonderful. I'm going to use it for an upcoming memoir unit. I'm confident my students will want to write about memories of their favorite pets and animals. This copy came from the library, but I'll purchasing my own. It's definitely one you'll want for your classroom library. It would make a great gift book, also. Mini-biographies of the artists are at the end. All royalties from this book will go to The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Art, so when you buy it, it's also raising money to promote the arts. It's a win-win! What nonfiction are YOU reading this week?