Wednesday, July 16, 2014

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.
 
 
Here are the nonfiction picture books I read this  week:
 
My First Day
 
 
This is an awesome video showing Steve Jenkins's creative process:
 
 
 
I love every Steve Jenkins book I read, and this is no exception. I need to get it for my classroom library! Wonderful illustrations and interesting information about what a myriad of animals do on the first day. Includes how they are born/hatched and what their parents do (or don't do)for them. Of course, there is added information at the back.
 
If: A Mind-Bending New Way of Looking at Big Ideas and Numbers
 
 
This picture book could be used in the classroom to connect to all subjects. David Smith looks at the size of the universe, ocean, and continents, history of the world, economics, food, and more, and scales them down to ordinary objects in order to understand them in a new way.
 
 
 
This follow up to How They Croaked was just as informative and entertaining as the first. The research that goes into a book like this must be daunting! I think kids will love this one, just like they loved the first one. However, I was disillusioned at times to find out some not-so-great character traits of some of these famous people. :-( I did like the author's note at the end a lot, encouraging readers to take risks (in a responsible manner): "So fail the best you can: try something new, be brave, make mistakes. Just don't hurt anyone, don't get greedy, and don't act like you're perfect, because you're not."
 
What nonfiction did YOU read this week?
 
 
 

18 comments:

  1. Thanks for the great titles! This was a really expensive blog post...for me!

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  2. I'm so excited to read How They Croaked! :) This week I read The Brain Rules and revisited the books Notice and Note as well as The Book Whisperer. For my classroom shelves, I read Blizzard of Glass: The Halifax Explosion of 1917 by Sally Walker. It was interesting. Thanks again for sharing!

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    1. I'm going to have to look into The Brain Rules and Blizzard of Glass - those are new titles to me. Thanks!

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  3. I need to find IF - it looks good. And of course you can't go wrong with Georgia Bragg or Steve Jenkins.

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    1. I think you're going to really like IF! I didn't realize until Linda said something that it's not out yet. I got a copy at ALA, and it was in hardback, and ARCs are usually paperback, so I thought it was already published. Looks like you'll have to wait until August. :-(

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  4. If... looks like a great one to inspire thinking about things in different ways. How They Croaked was a fun book so I am guessing How They Choked should also be great and of course I always enjoy Jenkins' books. Thanks!

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    1. Look for IF in August, Crystal. :-) How They Choked has so much information!

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  5. Hi Holly, I enjoyed IF and I think many kiddos will find it to be really interesting. I really want to read How they Choked and the Steve Jenkins book. He is amazing!

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  6. Thanks Holly. Students in the past have adored "Croaked", so will pass this title on to our librarian. I love the idea of If... Thank you for sharing that one-not out yet, but will look for it in a couple of weeks!

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    1. Oops - sorry, Linda! You'll enjoy it when it comes out! I got a hard copy at ALA and thought it was already published. :-(

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  7. I need to move How They Choked up closer to the top of my stack. And I totally agree with your assessment of Steve Jenkins' books. I want them all! :)

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  8. I really enjoyed If, I need to get that review typed up

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  9. I have Choked... just need to read it :)
    If looks really good! I'll have to check it out! It's the first time I've seen that title.

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  10. These are such great books. We were sent advance copies of all of these and have already read them. Thanks for sharing them with everyone.

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  11. I borrowed How they Croaked (the first book) from our library several times but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. This second book in the series sounds really awesome. I also borrowed quite a few Steve Jenkins titles for my 12 year old girl and she's enjoying it so far.

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