Picture Book of the Day

Welcome to our second Nonfiction Monday!

First the readers…

Jules has an extended interview with Steve Jenkins.

Jill reviewed The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis. A 2007 Caldecott Honor Book, The Wall is an autobiographical picture book of Peter Sis’ life growing up in Cold War Era Czechoslovakia. 

Loree wrote about FROGS, by Nic Bishop … it is even better than his recent Sibert honor-title SPIDERS!

Mary Lee has a post up about April Pulley Sayre’s Bird, Bird, Bird (A Chirping Chant).

Terry reviewed Ron Hirschi’s Ocean Seasons. This is an illustrated picture book that explains how the natural cycles that we experience on land are also seen in the ocean. Ron is a biologist who is devoted to teaching kids about science. The book has a TON of information and can be read on a number of levels, whether you are studying the seasons, plants & animal habitat, or the food chain!

Marcie joins us with We are the Ship by Kadir Nelson.

Abby has a book review of Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science by John Fleischman.

MsMac reviewed George Washington Carver by Tonya Bolden.

Lori read the fabulous book by William Low called Old Penn Station.  ”Buildings are not just concrete and steel. They are the heart and soul of all great cities.”

Andrea reports that Just One More Book has a podcast about Skill & Survival: The Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called Fish, a beautiful, educational and engaging story based upon the Karluk’s last icy voyage. This book clearly distinguishes speculation from fact but might not be up to strict definition of non-fiction.

Andi reviewed Sneed B. Collard III’s 2008 book Teeth. “Animals are shown using their teeth in all their glory. From screaming snow leopard to grinning chimpanzee and diving narwhale, teeth are central.”

Tricia writes about The Story of Salt by Mark Kurlansky.

MotherReader talks about the fine line between nonfiction and historical fiction in biographies - and with a bonus review of an actual picture book biography appropriate for Black History Month.

Becky read Footwork, a picture book biography of Fred Astaire’s life covering his years in Vaudeville, Broadway, and his early Hollywood movies. 

Jen shares Pararescuemen by Michael Sandler, a gripping nonfiction picture book about highly specialized soldiers who undertake rescues using parachutes.

Susan has a little blurb on Honeybees, by Deborah Heiligman.

Faith and her kids read two books by Ann Morris with photographs by Ken Heyman: Bread, Bread, Bread, and House and Home. 

Liz B has a review of National Geographic Investigates, a series about archaeology.

Anastasia shared D is for Drinking Gourd: An African American Alphabet by Nancy I. Sanders (Author) and E. B. Lewis (Illustrator).

Kelly has Nonfiction Monday meet Wicked Cool Overlooked Books!

Jeannine reads One Thousand Tracings by Lita Judge.

Diane writes about Men in Uniform.

And now the writers…

Fiona updated her index of links to online resources “On Writing Nonfiction for Kids.”

Laura blogged about the orphan books you write for packagers and then never get to see.  

Becky wrote about doing “research for the nonfiction book, The Everything Kids’ I Want to Be a Police Officer Book, that I’m co-writing with my friend Lee Lofland.”

Anna announces the launch of a new nonfiction blog: I.N.K (Interesting Nonfiction for Kids) is a new group blog written by 12 nonfiction writers for children. And at I.N.K.,  Jennifer posts about what you can learn from looking at a photograph. 


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