Narrative Nonfiction – Page 11

2015 Mock Sibert: Considered Nonfiction Picture Book Titles

February 4, 2015 by Kellee

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and was started to help promote the reading of nonfiction texts. Most Wednesdays, we will be participating and will review a nonfiction text (though it may not always be a picture book).
Be sure to visit Kid Lit Frenzy and see what other nonfiction books are shared this week!

First, I want to share my excitement for The Right Word, our Mock Sibert winner, becoming the actual Sibert winner! So ecstatic that we got it right! Also, Neighborhood Sharks was honored which makes me super happy because it might have been my favorite.

Part of hosting the Mock Sibert is reading as many nonfiction books (we focus on nonfiction picture books and children’s books) as possible. Today I wanted to share with you some of the amazing titles that we considered for the Mock Sibert, but that I hadn’t been able to post about yet. They may not have been in my top 5, but were definitely some of the best nonfiction titles I read in 2014.

A Boy and a Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz
Published May 6th, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

I loved loved loved this book. The messages about animals and human are the same: all living things should be respected. I am so glad that the Schneider committee recognized the power of this book.

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos
Published October 14th, 2014 by Roaring Brook Press

Carl Sagan is such an inspirational person, and this book is the perfect introduction to him. I really loved how this author tied Dr. Sagan’s childhood of curiosity and exploration to his success as a scientist. He is such an inspiring man and his story shows how anyone can build a repertoire of knowledge and grow up to make a difference.

Born in the Wild: Baby Mammals and Their Parents by Lita Judge
Published October 21st, 2014 by Roaring Brook Press

A beautifully illustrated picture book that focuses on what each baby needs to thrive.

Chasing Cheetahs: The Race to Save Africa’s Fastest Cats by Sy Mongomery
Published April 1st, 2014 by HMH Books for Young Readers

Beetle Busters: A Rogue Insect and the People Who Track It by Loree Griffin Burns
Published October 7th, 2014 by HMH Books for Young Readers

These were my first two “Scientists in the Field” books I’ve read after years of people suggesting them to me. I now know why everyone likes this series. They are interesting, have phenomenal illustrations, and makes the stories they are sharing accessible to their readers.

The Case of the Vanishing Little Brown Bats: A Scientific Mystery by Sandra Markle
Published September 1st, 2014 by Millbrook Press

This book takes the reader through the scientific inquiry process while the scientists work to figure out the mystery of the bats. Quite an adventure!!

When Lunch Fights Back: Wickedly Clever Animal Defenses by Rebecca Johnson
Published September 1st, 2014 by Millbrook Press

This book talks about some truly strange, fascinating, and cool animal defenses on the planet. The illustrations are amazing, and this book is going to definitely be a kid magnet.

We also considered The Noisy Paintbox, Gravity, and A Home for Mr. Emerson, but I have already reviewed them. Click on the book covers to read my review of these titles.

Also, check out my Mock Sibert partners’ lists of favorite 2014 nonfiction books (Alyson Part 1 Part 2 | Carrie) to see other titles that are must reads!

What were your favorite NF books from 2014?

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

June 28, 2015August 6, 2014 by Kellee

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

And Tango Makes Three
Author: Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Published June 1, 2005 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Summary: In the zoo there are all kinds of animal families. But Tango’s family is not like any of the others. This illustrated children’s book fictionalizes the true story of two male penguins who became partners and raised a penguin chick in the Central Park Zoo.

Kellee’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I love penguins. I hate books being challenged. And Tango Makes Three is a wonderful book, a true story about penguins, that is on the top ten list of most frequently challenged books in 2012, 2010 (#1), 2009, 2008 (#1), 2007 (#1), and 2006 (#1). Why you ask? Because it happens to be too real for some people.

This story is a beautiful story of love and parenthood, and there are people who do not want it to be shared just because the love is between two male penguins. With the recent focus on the need for diverse books for our children, And Tango Makes Three is a perfect way to introduce the idea of diverse families to children.

[Aside: I just don’t understand how someone can challenge a true story! Well, I don’t understand how anyone can challenge anything, but a true story just doesn’t make sense! It would be like trying to ban a nonfiction book about the Holocaust because it is too hard to read. This story is TRUE, how can you argue with it?! I am just flabbergasted. I think the idea of the challenge comes from A) the idea that the book may have an agenda; B) that this topic is inappropriate for children. However, if you have read the book, you know that the story is told without an agenda. Nowhere in the book does the author share opinions or have any sort of propaganda, they just tell Roy and Silo’s story which is a wonderful story about a family, nothing more.]

Ricki’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I chuckled as I read Kellee’s review. This is the reason I love blogging with her. She is very passionate, and she has students’ best interests in mind. I heard about the negativity behind this picture book before I read it. When I was making a list of the books I wanted to request from other libraries, this one came to mind. Censors often don’t realize that by banning a book, they are promoting it. The title stood out in my head because I knew it was controversial, even though it was published years ago. Like Kellee, I was surprised to read the book. There is no agenda! It is a true story about penguins—not a book where authors are trying to promote homosexuality or show anything about sexuality. To be honest, I found the book to be incredibly innocuous.

As Kellee stated, this is a book that would be great to show the various types of families. We need to face reality. Our students come from different types of families, and it is harmful solely to promote the “traditional family” to children. If students aren’t learning about different family structures, they may feel different or alienated. We must teach students to celebrate their differences, rather than push them to feel negativity because they don’t fit the mold of two parents, 2.5 children, and the dog named Spot.

I would also consider pairing this book with desire. Roy and Silo watch the other families and want an egg of their own. They even adopt a rock. I’d ask students to share what they most desire, and whether this desire is possible—even if it comes in a different form than they imagined. The egg Roy and Silo adopt is not what they imagine, but they make it their own. Students can learn a lot from this.

Discussion Questions: There are many different types of families and Roy and Silo are just one example of a diverse family. What are some other varieties of family?; How were Roy and Silo able to have a child?; How are you different? How is your family different? How might we celebrate these differences?

We Flagged: “Two penguins in the penguin house were a little bit different. One was named Roy, and the other was named Silo. Roy and Silo were both boys. But they did everything together. They bowed to each other. And walked together. They sang to each other. And swam together. Wherever Roy went, Silo went too.” (p. 10-11)

Read This If You Loved: Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester, Penguin on Vacation by Salina Yoon, If You were a Penguin by Florence Minor, ABC A Family Alphabet Book by Bobbie Combs, Donovan’s Big Day by Lesléa Newman, The Family Book by Todd Parr

Recommended For:

Hidden Like Anne Frank: 14 True Stories of Survival by Marcel Prins and Peter Henk Steenhuis

July 31, 2014 by Ricki

Hidden Like Anne Frank: 14 True Stories of Survival
Authors: Marcel Prins and Peter Henk Steenhuis
Published: March 25, 2014 by Arthur A. Levine Books

Summary: Fourteen unforgettable true stories of children hidden away during World War II

Jaap Sitters was only eight years old when his mother cut the yellow stars off his clothes and sent him, alone, on a fifteen-mile walk to hide with relatives. It was a terrifying night, one he would never forget. Before the end of the war, Jaap would hide in secret rooms and behind walls. He would suffer from hunger, sickness, and the looming threat of Nazi raids. But he would live.

This is just one of the incredible stories told in HIDDEN LIKE ANNE FRANK, a collection of eye-opening first-person accounts that share what it was like to go into hiding during World War II. Some children were only three or four years old when they were hidden; some were teenagers. Some hid with neighbors or family, while many were with complete strangers. But all know the pain of losing their homes, their families, even their own names. They describe the secret network of brave people who kept them safe. And they share the coincidences and close escapes that made all the difference.

Review: This collection showed me the misconceptions I had about those who hid during the Holocaust. These fourteen brave, young people showed me the diversity of experiences that existed among the hidden. For example, I didn’t know that it was common that they were beaten. Many people agreed to hide Jews because they were paid money by the Resistance. They didn’t always do it because they were being morally good people, so they did not have favorable feelings toward the people they hid. Also, I wasn’t aware that many of those who hid during the Holocaust moved from house to house and were frequently uprooted. These are just some of the many lessons I learned from this text, and I think readers will truly appreciate the insight it provides.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: I don’t know many school systems that don’t teach a book that is set during the Holocaust. If teachers are unable to use this whole text, I would highly recommend they select a few stories to show students how different the experiences were.

Discussion Questions: How did the Holocaust impact those who hid? After the war was over, how did it affect them emotionally?; What dangers did the Jews face when they hid? Would you accept the danger and work with the Resistance?

We Flagged: “My feelings from back then are very distant. I can still see myself as a boy of six, seven, roaming around Amsterdam, ringing doorbells, getting into mischief. I can think about that boy, about his relationship with his father, with his mother, and with his grandfather. But I can’t feel the emotions I had back then—it doesn’t work. I just can’t reach them anymore. Maybe I’ve automatically kept the past at a distance because I had to hide away for years and deny my background. Or maybe it’s just that impossible to relive those feelings from the past, and so I have to make do with memories.” (Chapter: “Older than my Father”)

Please Note: This quotation is from an advanced reader copy. It may be different in the published text.

Read This If You Loved: The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank; The Nazi Hunters by Neal Bascomb; Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust by Loïc Dauvillier; Night by Elie Wiesel

Recommended For:

The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock

June 29, 2014June 11, 2014 by Kellee

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art
Author: Barb Rosenstock
Illustrator: Mary Grandpré
Published February 11th, 2014 by Alfred A. Knopf

Goodreads Summary: In this exuberant celebration of creativity, Barb Rosenstock and Mary Grandpre tell the fascinating story of Vasily Kandinsky, one of the very first painters of abstract art. Throughout his life, Kandinsky experienced colors as sounds, and sounds and colors–and bold, groundbreaking works burst forth from his noisy paint box.

Review: I love the visual arts. Growing up with a father that ran an art museum, going to visit museums and learning about art was part of my life. Throughout all of this exploration, I found that I loved modern art more than any other: Seurat, Rauschenberg, Picasso, etc. Kandinsky is one of the artists whose art I really enjoyed. This book let me see into Kandinsky’s mind, and see how abstract art came to be through his synesthesia. Fascinating!

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This is a perfect introduction to Kandinsky and abstract art. Abstraction is a hard concept to understand (though kids seem to get it more than kids), and this book helps explain how abstract art came to be. I can see this book being used in a lit circle/jig saw type fashion where kids learn about different creative people through narrative nonfiction biographies and research, write an evidence-based biography, and then share them with the other groups.

Discussion Questions: How did Kandinsky change art?; Have you ever had teachers/parents who didn’t understand you? What happened?; What is synesthesia? How did it affect the art Kandinsky made?

Book Trailer:

We Flagged: “His artist friends understood. They too were tired of painting pretty landscapes and pretty ladies. They thought art needed to change.
‘Art should make you feel,’ Vasya told them. ‘Like music.’
‘Exactly!’ said his friends. But none of them knew how to paint feelings…
until the day Vasya grew brave enough…
and invited the world to see the paintings roaring from his noisy paint box.”

Read This If You Loved: Linnea in Monet’s Garden by Christina Björk, Sky Color by Peter H. Reynolds, Sandy’s Circus: A Story About Alexander Calder by Tanya Lee Stone, Art by Patrick McDonnell, Art & Max by David Wiesner, Concerning the Spirituality in Art by Wassily Kandinsky

Recommended For:

The Man with the Violin by Kathy Stinson (Ricki’s Review)

July 27, 2015January 23, 2014 by Ricki

The Man with the Violin
Author: Kathy Stinson
Illustrator: Dusan Petricic
Published August 8th, 2013 by Annick Press

Goodreads Summary: This gorgeous picture book is based on the true story of Joshua Bell, the renowned American violinist who famously took his instrument down into the Washington D.C. subway for a free concert. More than a thousand commuters rushed by him, but only seven stopped to listen for more than a minute. In The Man With the Violin, bestselling author Kathy Stinson has woven a heart-warming story that reminds us all to stop and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.

Dylan is someone who notices things. His mom is someone who doesn’t. So try as he might, Dylan can’t get his mom to listen to the man playing the violin in the subway station. But Dylan is swept away by the soaring and swooping notes that fill the air as crowds of oblivious people rush by. With the beautiful music in his head all day long, Dylan can’t forget the violinist, and finally succeeds in making his mother stop and listen, too.

Vividly imagined text combined with illustrations that pulse with energy and movement expertly demonstrate the transformative power of music. With an afterword explaining Joshua Bell’s story, and a postscript by Joshua Bell himself.

Review: My aunt bought my son this book when she heard people raving about it in the bookstore. It is an absolutely wonderful story. People pay hundreds of dollars to hear Joshua Bell play his violin, yet few stopped to listen when he played in the subway. It begs the question—just what are we missing each day, as we pass through our lives bustling about, blind to the beauty in the world around us? I can’t wait until my son is a bit older, as I think this would be a fantastic book to read together and then head out into the world, stopping and noticing.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: This would be a great book to read before a field trip or an outdoor walk. I also love that the author turned a news article into a picture book. It would be really fun for students to choose a news article to transform.

Discussion Questions: Just what are we missing each day?; Why do you think children noticed Joshua Bell more often? What does this say about people, in general?

We Flagged: “Who is playing that beautiful music in the subway? And why is nobody listening?”

Read This If You Loved: Walden by Henry David Thoreau, Little Bobo by Serena Romanelli, Little Rat Makes Music by Monika Bang-Campbell

Recommended For:

Jimmy the Joey by Deborah Lee Rose and Susan Kelly

November 13, 2013 by Kellee

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Jimmy the Joey: The True Story of an Amazing Koala Rescue
Authors: Deborah Lee Rose and Susan Kelly
Photographer: Susan Kelly
Published July 9th, 2013 by National Geographic Children’s Books

Goodreads Summary: This warm and inspirational photographic picture book for ages 4 to 8 is a compelling and uplifting true story, with a sweet message about coping with loss that draws attention to an important and threatened wild animal.

Jimmy is an adorable baby koala whose tender tale is sure to strike at the heartstrings of every animal lover. Readers will marvel at Jimmy’s new life at Koala Hospital, being raised by loving human caregivers and interacting with other koalas healing from injury. The book also introduces young readers to the need for conservational awareness: Through Jimmy’s life story readers will come to understand the many obstacles koalas and other species face today.

My Review: So I must warn you. This book is full of adorable. You fall in love with Joey instantly and will love every second of his story. Joey’s story is combined with information about koalas as well as information about conservation. However, it never gets preachy; it is just the facts of Jimmy’s story. Oh, and did I say ADORABLE?!?!

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: This will be a favorite read aloud in elementary classrooms. How can you not love reading about this adorable koala. The read aloud cold easily move into cause and effect discussions about how the environmental changes are effecting animals. Jimmy would be a great introduction to deforestation.

Discussion Questions: How did the tearing down of forests effect Jimmy’s life?; Why does the Koala Hospital let the koalas go after they are better?

We Flagged: “Many trees in the forest had been cut down to make room for roads and people’s houses. The mother koala needed to find a new tree with plenty of fresh leaves to eat. One starry night, with her joey holding tight to her fur, the mother koala climbed slowly to the ground.” (p. 6)

Read This If You Loved: Seymour Simon animal nonfiction books, Let’s Make a Difference: We Can Help Orangutans by Gabriella Francine, Can We Save the Tiger? by Martin Jenkins, Seabird in the Forest by Joan Dunning

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Tracey at Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy for review!!**

Faithful Elephants by Yukio Tsuchiya

November 6, 2013 by Kellee

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People, and War
Author: Yukio Tsuchiya
Translator: Tomoko Tsuchiya Dykes
Illustrator: Ted Lewin
Published October 30th, 1997 by HMH Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Summary: A zookeeper recounts the story of John, Tonky, and Wanly, three performing elephants at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, whose turn it is to die, and of their keepers, who weep and pray that World War II will end so their beloved elephants might be saved.

My Review: I picked up this book as soon as I read that Jillian Heise thought that it’d be a good companion to Endangered. I read aloud Endangered with my 8th graders last year, and I trusted that Jillian knew what she was talking about. The subtitle warned me that this picture book would definitely not be a cheery one, but I could not have prepared myself for how emotional the book actually was. The lyrical writing and soft, watercolor illustrations add to the intensity of the story. Be warned: tears will happen.

Teacher’s Tools For Navigation: This book not only would be a perfect companion to Endangered, it is definitely a wonderful picture book to lead to deep discussions in the classroom. Children are always very emotional about books pertaining to animals, so I know they will have an intense opinion about what happens in this book. As the zookeepers kill the animals to protect the city in case of a bombing, students will definitely disagree with this decision and this will lead to a great debate. The story also lends itself towards discussions about animal emotions and abuse as well as cause and effect discussions.

Discussion Questions: In what ways is the story of the elephants in Faithful Elephants similar to the story of the bonobos in Eliot Schrefer’s Endangered?; Was there an alternate solution that the zookeepers could have considered for the elephants?

We Flagged: “Not far from the cheerful square, there stands a tombstone. Not many notice this monument for the animals that have died at the Ueno Zoo. It is quiet and peaceful here, and the sun warms every corner.” (p. 8)

Read This If You Loved: Endangered by Eliot Schrefer, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, The Outside of a Horse by Ginny Rorby

Recommended For: