HIKING: Summer Time To Touch Grass

 

This book was released in 2019, just before the Covid lockdown, and it was certainly in the making for years before that. it was also a product of a time before the current "TOUCH GRASS" mantra arrived. THE HIKE, written and illustrated by Alison Farrell, is a testament to the staying power of a picture book at its best. 

CHRONICLE BOOKS, 2019

The target age for this charmer is preschool to kindergarten, and yet it speaks to me from the opening pages. The kid-friendly illustrations throughout invite any reader of any age to dive into the adventurous spirit of childhood and go along for the hike!  

The title page reveals the field guide notebook of one character, Wren, who leads the three sisters from their nature-setting home through a full day of exploration of the bounties and beauties of nature.

The main text is simple, using few but perfectly chosen words: 

"We are going on a hike."

On that same page, hand-lettered labels  reveal names of the sisters and their dog, multiple plants and critters shown in their natural setting, with the colors of nature rendered in simple media including choices that most kids would find in a large set of crayons. Page after page continues the labeling of flora and fauna, sample notes in Wren's field guide, the antics of Bean, and occasional speech bubbles as the girls interact. 

Their roaming consumes the entire day into dusk, but they eventually reach their destination, a mountain top at which each completes her mission. Their return toward a well-lit and welcoming home includes the overhead expanse of stars in labeled constellations. When that happy resolve concludes, Wren's sketchbook offers added spreads and valuable nature information, all presented in child-like speeches and lettering. The model it presents for launching a summer notebook/;sketchbook project for kids at home is both appealing and accessible. 

This is all valuable and appealing on its surface, but the seemingly simple story also resonates with each girl's individuality, with the purposeful and self-directed use of a summer day, with their mutual appreciation of each other and of nature. All of these elevate an apparently simplistic or even scientific choice of story to one that invites return over the days of summer and years of lives. 

To read a prior post featuring two picture books on the power of footloose nature fun, read HERE. 

I recently read two middle grade novels in which the worlds (one incorporating recognizable location names, the other with imagined names suggesting places we now know) are post-apocalyptic from both environmental and political destructions of the resources we too often take for granted. Both include scenes in which characters reflect back, with melancholy, to the people who came before, who failed to appreciate and protect what they had before it was too late. Both, I'll add, are able to offer hope and a suggestion of a better future in various ways, but neither imagines that the harm can be undone. If this sounds interesting to you or young readers you know, check out D-39, A ROBODOG'S JOURNEY by Irene Latham (a verse novel that reads compellingly) and The TEAR COLLECTOR by R. M Romero. My reviews on goodreads are linked to the titles.

JUST IN CASE: SAVING SEEDS in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault

CHARLESBRIDGE, 2025

 For more than year, my writing personal projects have included work on two nonfiction texts related to global hunger. It's quite a heavy subject, and finding ways to make it both intelligible and accessible to young readers presents plenty of challenges. Even so, kids are eager to better understand their "up-close" worlds as well as big picture topics. In the case of JUST IN CASE: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault I have no doubt that readers of any age will be intrigued and excited at the concept and execution of this global project.

Author Megan Clendenan and illustrator Brittany Cicchese have captured the heart and heftiness of a highly technical and surprisingly simple program that could assure the survival of the human race. This one has stakes!

I was aware of this project, and had even read some science reports about it. Even so, this took me right into the depths of the story, and not simply as a good idea well done. Both the text and sprawling spread of the opening pages deliver readers to the barren snowscape of the near-North Pole. Quickly, though, we learn that this location was not only chosen for its low temperatures to preserve the seed samples, but also to remove the facility from most climate and geologic threats. With images and text, readers travel the globe and across time to note the universal necessity of seeds, and practices for their care and preservation. Occasional sidebars and text inserts build background on the significance and nearly magical power of seeds to assure life on our planet. Pages depicting the decisions involving the design, blasting, building, and operation of the Seed Vault are really intriguing. 

It is made clear that the storehouse of seeds is not only for a potential or eventual apocalypse, but these seed reserves are available for active distribution during more localized destructive events. A full-circle effect is evoked as the closing spreads return readers to view of a child, a garden, and the role we can each play in preserving seeds and growing gardens. As impressive as the Svalbard Seed Vault is, this  account is worthy of attention as a literary success. It works across many ages and curricula links, taking a broad and distant concept onto the picture book page. Young readers are fully centered in the story. It's a terrific nonfiction offering (including back matter with further details and resources) while enticing eyes and minds to connect with their personal roles in nature and science. 

IN THE DESERT: Poetry on the Prowl

CANDLEWICK PRESS,  2025

Mid-winter is when some of us snowbound folks travel to warmer spaces, including  Southwest deserts. The poems and creatures featured in IN THE DESERT are residents of the SARAHA Desert, but most of the creatures portrayed have relatives in deserts across the globe. The opening poem is titled THE SAHARA. Its brief lines offer details describing the harshness and minimal biology at first sight, with the last line reassuring that "Here, there is life".

Author DAVID ELLIOTT and illustrator GORDY WRIGHT combine their talents in this large-format, expansive landscape layout to immerse readers/little audiences in experiences they might otherwise never have. The seemingly simple poems invite repetition, while the images portray both scientifically accurate details and even spark emotional responses. The sound of the poems as read aloud incorporate delightful rhythms and rhyme while indicating the endlessly threatening patterns of food chains, venoms, and unnoticed threats.

There is no soft-pedaling of reality and the consequences of ignorance. But there is also a celebratory tone for a family of baboons practicing their "alphabet" of squeals and screeches, of migratory herds, and of an adorably familiar looking SAND CAT who is more than  she appears.Some animals portrayed are familiar (dung beetles and crocodiles) while others are less so (the addax and oryx). Back matter offers a double spread that names each featured animal with short informative text. This is a themed poetry collection, but as a work of nonfiction, I had also hoped for a page of further resources, related books, or at least a brief bibliography of sources. The publisher and creators have standing as reliable sources, but we've reached an era of unreliable sources (social media, AI, and more)  so that a short addition in back pages would have added to the value of this selection. 

If you can't  plan a mid-winter, warm weather getaway, a book like this that lands you in the heart of a desert could be very welcome. Just watch your step and fingers as you move through this remarkable habitat!

A Compelling CARBON Story: From Bam! to Burp!

 For anyone unfamiliar with Melissa Stewart, I urge you to check out some of my past posts HERE, HERE, HERE and click her name to check her website and her other amazing nonfiction books. Among those who read nonfiction picture books, she is an icon of excellence. For those who write (and teach with) nonfiction picture books, she is a generous and highly inspiring guide to the many aspects and uses and purposes of these materials. The back matter in each of her books make for informative and expansive reading, too, including diagrams, definitions, further examples, guides to inquiry, and usually an author note. All of these are rendered with appealing language and with colorful illustrations that serve as kid-magnets for further exploration. 

CHARLESBRIDGE, 2025

That sets a high bar, for Stewart, her various illustrators and publishers, too. She does not disappoint, and that's especially true in the case of FROM BAM! TO BURP! A Carbon Atom's Never-Ending Journey Through Space and Time and YOU! The little Carbon atom with big eyes is the star of a very active and time-spanning story, one that is the result of a student's question during an author visit in 2016. (Reading author notes and  illustrator notes can reveal so MANY rich insights like that one!)

Melissa's career in nonfiction means she has the answers to nearly anything that might be asked. Often, that is. But in this case a third-grader's curiosity about a stated fact left her wondering about the answers. Carbon is, of course, the building block of life on our planet., With its team of two OXYGEN atoms, CO2, is pictured appealingly by illustrator Marta Álvarez Miguéns, and CARBON stars on every page, as it should. 

Stewart's scientific statement was that we are all made of carbon atoms, and those same atoms could have been part of a dinosaur living on the other side of Earth 150 million years ago! The How? Where? When? inquiry from that curious young listener left Melissa wondering, too. That resulted in this action-packed, fast-moving, jaw-dropping story the role of CARBON in life as we know it. 

The end papers hint that CARBON can hide among many molecules, and the first spreads make sure that even quite young readers/learners can picture the variety of ways those carbon molecules move throughout time and space. Without tracing here the amazing arrival and journeys of carbon atoms on our planet step by step, I can't resist mentioning that about 4.5 billion years ago, "Old Earth" was smacked (BAM!) by another planet. That led to CARBON becoming part of our planet while the remnants of that early crashing planet coalesced into what we now know as our moon! That alone is a massive story that is effectively told in two spreads, grounding the story of Earth's layers and eventual evolution. The combination of a CARBON atom with two oxygen atoms makes it possible for CO2 to travel the global wind ways, for plants to develop photosynthesis, for dinosaurs to eat those carbon-filled leaves, and on through page-turning times and places and pancakes. That kids eat! And anyone who has ever burped knows that the next step in a CO2 journey could well be a burp! 

The entire story makes such clear sense that I raced through it to find and absorb the connections and impacts of the never-ending story of CARBON. Then, I immediately went back through the book again, examining the bright and expanding illustrations and digesting the clarity of CARBON's role in life. That has been an abstract nugget of science info for many decades of my life, but this gem of a book truly made that fact come alive. 

Stewart also offers back pages of more "Wonders", such as the ones posed by that curious kiddo during an author talk. That is followed by facing pages with a text descriptor and a scientific drawing of the CARBON CYCLE, and a page of excellent resources to discover more and to confirm that this remarkable story is accurate and verifiable. The author note is accompanied by an illustrator note, indicating that her collaboration with Stewart made her efforts more effective and successful. 

As I said above, each new offering Stewart releases meets and exceeds the standards of the best of the best in nonfiction picture books. This is one whose origin story is a powerhouse to share with kids. Stories, including nonfiction ones, begin with curiosity and questions! What a fine example of taking that inquiry to research and then write. Priceless. 

WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL (Not a Reference to Current Events)

I had the pleasure of working (virtually) with the author of this book while we shared responsibilities on a nonfiction CYBILS AWARDS panel. I enjoyed her thorough readings and comments, her balanced discussions and considerations of nominees, and her strong science background. That makes recommending this new nonfiction picture book a special pleasure. I would have endorsed it and encouraged readers to give it try if I had never met Shruthi, but now I can also feel an association with her success, although the credit for its excellence is all hers. And today is her new book's BIRTHDAY! Read on and join me in celebrating!

Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2025

The opening lines of WHEN SCIENCE STOOD STILL: How S. Chandrasekar Predicted the Existence of Black Holes won me over immediately. They come before the title page and that is a design/editorial decision I fully endorse:

"When scientists get things right, 

Science leaps forward.

When they get things wrong, 

they learn from their mistakes,

and science still marches forward.

But sometimes, 

even when scientists get it right,

nobody pays attention.

Then, 

for a while,

science stands still."

Think about that. It certainly made me pause to think. And that 'think time" prior to reading really mattered to me. This new picture book, written by Shruthi Rao and illustrated by Srinidhi Srinivasan, reveals what is to me a heartbreaking astrophysics story. (Does that description also make you think? Heartbreaking and astrophysics in the same sentence?) There are plenty of heartbreaking stories of brilliance in sciences, math, the arts, etc. in which individuals and their discoveries or talents are overlooked or actively suppressed for a variety of reasons. Most of those reasons have to do with pride, power, prejudice, or pettiness of the general public or a specifically related access-group. 

I am a fan of both the illustrations and the fluid narrative text for this new story. The cover and the first pages reveal that this was a child, then a growing boy, who sought answers in math and science. He pondered the pages of adult texts in his grandfather's library and then pondered the night skies above the beaches at Madras, India. Weaving together hours of reading, puzzling, and imagining with confirmed facts of science, he arrived at a depth of understanding of how gases work inside stars. Eventually, while still very young, he combined equations and physics and insights to realize that dying stars could implode into black holes, something never yet known to exist.

Born in 1910, this conclusion came into his fertile mind at the age of eighteen. Science had no thoughts of such an entity, although today you could pose the question in many kindergartens:  "What is a black hole?" Most if not all of those littles would give a response that echoes Chandra's breakthrough theory.  At the time, though, this seemed a wild idea pulled from the dark, literally. Even so, his rationale and coherent theory about the nature and physics of stars won high praise among India's esteemed scientists.

The story reveals that this young, well-schooled, already accomplished Indian man longed to pursue further study and credibility in England, in part to prove his worth to those whose government had colonized, dominated, and too often dehumanized the people of India. With strong credentials, including multiple published astrophysics papers, he was given a scholarship from his home country and traveled to England.

Is anyone else guessing that his welcome and acceptance may not have been warm and approving? That was my prediction, but I was pleased to see that a prestigious professor praised and encouraged him, even sponsoring him at an academic gathering to present his paper. Here's where my age and experience had me feeling cautious, that things might not go well. The heartbreak comes with the strong negative reactions from that event, which I'll let you read for yourselves. 

Suffice it to say, it did not go well and the reasons behind it were potentially intentional. Possibly sinister, although that is uncertain. That response did, however, lead to Chandrasekhar eventually moving his studies to the United States, where he gained education, success, even fame for various accomplishments in his field. But not on this topic of Black Holes. What that early rejection did was to SHUT DOWN peer acceptance for his theory. His enthusiasm and solid data for his arguments could not get traction, leaving the concept of Black Holes in an academic black hole for decades. As the text so effectively and concisely states:

"Chandra moved on. But the science of stars stood still."

Eventually, other advances in science, including technology and computers, returned Chandra to this topic in collaboration with scientists from other fields. Advanced telescopes eventually revealed the first view of an actual BLACK HOLE, more than fifty years after he first argued for the concept with math and science to back him up. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in astrophysics. As much as this was a huge honor, he reported that his greatest thrill was having science finally acknowledge the truth of the science of stars. Illustration on the concluding pages offers a callback to the little boy still at the heart of a stargazing man, a personification of  the brilliance of stars. 

Back matter provides a thorough profile of Chandra's life, accomplishments, and intervening events. A timeline of the science related to this topic offers valuable sequential insights. Alongside are short passages relating the science of bombs with the science of black holes, some "Trivia" related to the subject, and resources. 

My heartbreak isn't that this took time (science does) or that a career was crushed (it wasn't) or that generations of students and scientists were denied access to studying this material earlier in their careers (they were). All of those realities are true, not only for this topic but for many others.  None of that is right or good, but is part of the reality within academia.  (SUBJECT TO FUTURE CHANGE, I HOPE?) 

My heartbreak is for that little boy who wanted to understand, who  was convinced answers existed, who found and argued for the truths of his theory, but was denied a legitimate audience for his thoughts. It's the SHUTDOWN of free discussion and consideration of ideas that is both emotionally sad and intellectually infuriating. This is also why this book is so important. 

Not only is this a celebration of a brilliant life. Not only is it an account of the long journey from initial theories to final proving and acceptance. It is a cautionary tale about ways in which truth can be suppressed, but assurance that truth can and will find its way to the light. Even in a black hole of denial. My recommendation to read this and share it could not be stronger. 

On a personal note:

I  share my own insights and values within these posts. I try to do so with openness and awareness that not all may agree with me, but I avoid political or direct conflict discussions. Even so, this book left me with some unavoidable contemporary connections that I feel compelled to share.

Today's news is filled with mixed beliefs, reactions, decrees, and distress, especially regarding the validity or reliability of confirmed science. That struggle is real, becoming more widespread, and makes this new book even more compelling. In a sense, the remarkable account of events in this nonfiction picture book left me with even greater concern about those who today deny proven science based on the claims of others. They might find justification in this approach at overturning proven science, thinking that the contrarian claims will one day be proven to be true, The difference, though, is that disputes with current issues (cause/effect of various conditions, effectiveness and necessity for vaccines, and even the reality of accelerated climate change through human actions) are not discoveries or investigations, math or science realities that reveal new facts. Or even science-based theories. They are, as most grounded thinkers affirm, simply claims. Many have been fully debunked through standard science evaluation. Many may be shaped by the same issues Chandra's work faced-- jealousy, power, even potentially sinister self-serving. None of this is mentioned or even implied in the book, but  such things floated through my mind during and after reading. That title, revealing how SCIENCE can stand still, is chilling. To some degree, the disruption of proven science threatens to make past progress and stability stand still, or worse. I hope you'll read this new book, and also reflect on the intent and background of those who are actively undermining science for their own purposes.

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY, Shruthi! 
Readers, watch for an interview with Shruthi in a post coming soon!

THE CRANE and the KEEPER- A keeper of a Picture Book!

 One advantage of living so many years is that much of what a young person might think of as history are actual events and patterns that shaped my life. Memory for such things is easier (at least for now) for lived experiences than for randomly memorized and unemotional facts and dates. As I have recently considered while researching a nonfiction writing project, our mid-century roller coaster ride of technological advances with seemingly miraculous laborsaving results were having subtle-to-catastrophic side-effects. Anchor species like bald eagles and timberwolves were nearly poisoned or hunted to extinction, air pollution was shortening life expectancies on a global scale, addictive tobacco smoking sparked cancerous increases despite tasty filters. The examples of such realizations are staggering. 

Changes were made through the accumulated political and public pressure to save our resources, and, in doing so, to save ourselves and next generations. 

As I view current digital, AI, and smart-technology innovations that also promise wondrous changes in our (nearly immediate) futures, my lived memory of that pattern from the past gives me pause, but also hope. I mention all that because I was living just an easy ride from Baraboo, Wisconsin where the International Crane Foundation pioneered ways to preserve the nearly-extinct sandhill crane population and restored them to natural migration and reproduction patterns. That is only one example from that tumultuous ecological recovery period.

SMITHSONIAN KIDS/Candlewick, 2025

Going back only a few weeks, I posted a review of Susanne Kaufmann's BLUE!  That recent book showcased a magical-realism relationship between a young character and a blue heron. Their mutual appreciation and celebration of each other made me smile before I even opened the cover and I continue to smile whenever I think of the book. 

Cranes are visually obvious cousins of herons, with many similar elements in their appearance and in patterns of behavior. THE CRANE AND THE KEEPER, written by Meeg Pincus and illustrated by Gillian Eilidh O'Mara offers a similarly magical relationship between bird and human, but one depicting informatively accurate, real-world events. 

We meet WALNUT, a twenty-four year old white-naped crane on the opening spreads, where we learn immediately that she presents a major challenge. She has lived in (and been shuffled among) many zoos, all in hopes of breeding her with others of her kind before their genes disappear from the planet. WALNUT, despite being a delightfully clever, curious and healthy bird, wanted nothing to do with any of the few cranes of her species. 

She was kidnapped from her nest as an infant and deeply imprinted on humans. That's a sign she was treated well, but that poor choice activated an identity reaction not uncommon in birds. Imprinting makes them believe that they are the same species as the first beings who care for them. In this case, Walnut thought she was human.

The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), located in Virginia, agreed to take on the challenge with a newly-hired keeper, Chris Crowe. As a boy, his parents took him to Yellowstone National Park where he viewed a most magnificent animal-- a bison. After hearing of their near extinction, Chris reached a firm conclusion that guides him throughout his career: 

"If humans harm wildlife species, then humans must save them."

Chris, only a few years older than WALNUT when he first met her, needed to be able to convince Walnut that he was her mate. She was far too old to un-imprint or avoid that process with techniques eventually developed that disguise human keepers as adult cranes so that imprinting won't occur. Instead, Chris would need Walnut to want to mate with him, to lay an egg that would preserve her species. 

The ensuing pages are every bit as delightful as BLUE! in that Chris and Walnut engage in courtship dances, offerings of treats, and a years-long mutual trust-building. That process taught Chris what Walnut wanted in the way of foods and nesting while Walnut gained trust that Chris was always going to return, even if absent for periods of time due to work trips. In time Walnut welcomed Chris's attention and could be injected without distress, growing and laying her egg. Because imprinted cranes have no parenting experiences, Walnut's egg was taken to be raised by an adult crane pair. Walnut was given a substitute. That, too, required some innovative problem-solving before she settled into her role. 

Despite my impulse to share even more details about the years of success that followed, I will hope that this summary urges you to get the book and read it through for yourself. You'll also find valuable and engaging back master and resources for further investigation of the topic. The narrative for this remarkable account spans years and global issues of consequence, but is appealing and kid-friendly. The illustrations will fascinate and entertain. The reference to breeding is young-age friendly, allowing as much or as little further discussion as adult companions prefer. 

The timing on this book couldn't be more perfect. National Parks are a treasure and inspiration source that MUST be fully staffed and funded. Who knows what family trip might inspire another child (yours?) to rescue a species from extinction? The Smithsonian institutions, including the NZCBI, serve our nation and each one of us, even when we are unaware of the work they do. We need to be more aware, of course, and more outspoken in their defense. To learn more about the origins and mission of our National Museum system, explore the history of its establishment and mission here- launched with NO tax dollars.

Support from each one of us matters. We need to learn and encourage full understanding of our history, in science and in all things, to assure a safe, honest, and improving future for next generations. "Conservation" applies to more than raw resources or even species. It applies to our humanity and heritage. Speak up. 

CATS! Two Terrific Titles

 I grew up with cats as pets, until ... 

Yep, like so many others, I am now highly allergic to cats. But that doesn't mean that I love them any less. In fact, as dear as dogs are to my heart, cats are remarkably capable of telling their own tails  tales, and they do so with nuance or boldness or any other attitude between those.

Two recent releases reveal that irrepressible personality of cats in entirely different ways, but are equally inviting. 

ABRAMS BOOKS FOR KIDS, 2025

The first is I AM A CAT, written and illustrated by Galia Bernstein. This is one of several picture books with the same titles so make note of that  side-eye cat on the cover and the creator's name. I ahve not read the others, but if younger only reading one I AM A CAT picture book, I can assure you that this one will come across as a winner/.

Before I describe the premise, I'll also indicate that I am not alone in this appraisal. This seemingly simple tale received multiple starred reviews, and is available in picture book hard cover or paperback, as well as board book formats. In a tight publishing world, that is a strong indicator of its appeal. 

That apparently annoyed cover star is SIMON, who we meet on the opening spread. The minimal text suggest SIMON is talking to the reader, and is perhaps confused: 

"HELLO, my name is Simon. I am a cat, just like you."

The page turn reveals that readers are observing a conversation of sorts, not part of one. The author/illustrator has mastered a blend of fact and fiction in this  straightforward conversation between SIMON and a range of other "cats", from lions to jaguars and more. The huffiness and self-awareness flows in both directions throughout, revealing in each case a short debate about why SIMON cannot be a cat, due to NOT being something the wild variety happens to be. 

THat's where the factual content shines, clarifying in comparisons and in an eventual and satisfying conclusion just exactly what makes a cat a cat! The illustrations carry the conversation forward, species after species, portraying on stark white backgrounds the sense of differences, but also of personalities. Small but intentionally effect details add information about the cats and the habitats, qualities, or behaviors that distinguish them, while conveying grin-worthy situations. This is a strong recommendation for kids of any age who take an interest in CATS, of course, but also science and wildlife and humor, and debate, and Terrific entertainment!

KIDS CAN PRESS,  2025

WHAT IF I'M NOT A CAT? is written by Kari-Lynn Winters and illustrated by Kelly Collier.  The cover should introduce you to the absurdity of this question, since a naive donkey is the one asking it! 

I paired these two because  each of the titles has to do with establishing a sense of identity as well as belonging. The above cat, Simon, is confident and able to assert his place in the family of cats without qualms. In Donkey's case, that identity comes from the voice of authority, Farmer, who greets and bids goodnight to a barn-full of cats, which seemingly includes Donkey. 

The central clue about how Donkey could have been so apparently confused comes on the first page turn. There, readers find the statement that Donkey used to be a straggly stray. 

The spot illustrations on that page reinforce Donkey's life story- having no one to love in his life to becoming part of a loving community- of cats! Using the examples from those cats to become the very best cat he can: playing, licking his fur, and strutting around the barnyard. The following pages reveal all the ways Donkey imitates cats .(Feel free to laugh at that even without illustratrations!) Succeses and failures do not introduce doubts, but a simple remark from Farmer  raises the question- What if I am not a cat? The delightful cats and kittens who have been his loyal (if sometimes skeptical) companions try to help, soldiering various attributes that might explain Donkey's identity. 

The text and illustrations prevent a very poignant story from losing its humor. Even when things feel dire, Donkey rises to the occasion, blending his cat-skills with his own nature to provide a thoroughly satisfying resolution, with raucous laughs at the final wordless spread. Don't imagine that I've spoiled a good read with the details above. This is one that merits repeated read-agains, combined with close inspection of elements of illustration. Include in that the tiniest of details, despite these images being cartoonish in nature. In  fact, the success of conveying emotion and expression with the slightest variation in eyes, head tilt, and other elements can serve as mentor images for those attempting to work in this style. 

Afterthought: Take a look at one more cat book: I AM CAT, by Peter Bentley, illustrated by Chris Chatterton. A lively, funny, rhyming cat who knows what a cat really is and does!

THE MUSEUM ON THE MOON: A Lunar Lyrical Picture Book

MOONSHOWER
Imprint ofBUSHEL & PECK, 2023

There are picture books aplenty about the moon.  Some are purely lyrical and others are firmly informative. In the case of this lovely offering, readers get the benefit of both approaches. THE MUSEUM ON THE MOON: The Curious Objects on the Lunar Surface is written by Irene Latham, illustrated by Miriam Wares. Both talented creators are established in their picture book careers, with Latham's success as a poet leading to awards and fans. Her poetry in each case is in conversation with well-written brief expository passages that explain the history and consequence of various human/Moon engagements since the Apollo program.

The illustrations capture the ethereal expanses of the Moon as well as the interpretive approaches to the factual details reported. In a few cases the art incorporates an apparent contemporary young person, appearing as they would on Earth, in company with an astronaut. There is a grand range of the kinds of detritus that mankind has managed to deposit on that distant globe. Many were intentionally prepared and placed one the Moon's surface as markers/mementos, including a plaque, a canister of ashes, and a family portrait. Many itmes were used while exploring but left behind according to plan, providing available weight for returning rock and other samples. 

Some examples of the trash on the Moon were familiar to me, since I lived through those years of Moon exploration. I and countless other Earthlings followed each step, literally, and each moment from landing to leaving caused us to hold our breath and hope. Even so, several residue items surprised me. One was a small gold olive branch to symbolize our hopes for peace. The reflecting mirrors that remained are used to establish the distances from Earth (within a centimeter!). I appreciated surprises, and also very appropriate poetic choices in tone, flow, structure, and voice  to suit each revelatory page of information. The conclusion raises a hopeful voice for a future of Human/Moon development with accountability and positivity.

This would be a wonderful addition for classrooms, libraries, and poetry collections.

CYBILS Awards Countdown.... Nonfiction Elementary GIft Ideas

 Here are a few short notes about several of the nearly one hundred nominees for elementary nonfiction books. From resource/reference books to superb storytelling, there are plenty of holiday gift ideas for young readers you know:

Creative Editions, 2024

Herbal Activities for Kids: 50 Nature Crafts, Recipes, and Garden Projects (Paperback) by Molly Meehan Brown will become a go-to favorite throughout the year. Also a superb gift idea for a teacher or youth leader.

The publisher's description of this lively content calls it a compendium, and it truly is that. With elements of the natural world intended as art and craft  media, the narrative text provides concise and accessible information about nature and science, while sparking awe at the diversity of our environment, its functions, and  its potentials.

This is a "just right" book for crafty kids (and adults) but will likely invite curious observers to examine its pages and perhaps give a few activities a try. Great for school and home libraries, or even as a table top book.

WELBECK CHILDREN'S BOOKS, 2024

MEET THE CATS, by Kate Peridot, is a title that will introduce readers to a series. If you love this one, check out the other nonfiction topics they offer.

This adventure-packed nonfiction picture book invites readers to tag along on a virtual global search for the "Big Cats" of the planet. Each depiction reveals distinct species differences but also provides parallels to other big cats and cats as a broader category. The repetitive patterns within the content presented allow for clear comparisons, and the premise of ma young child making the trip has deep appeal. The early notes to prepare with camera, notebook, and art supplies offer strong support for field work and full engagement in the process of observation and analysis in the field. 

The young adventurer uses the information provided to consider preferences and/or engagement.

The connection to the pet cat at home is not only charming, but allows for preview of facts and agency for the young observer.

And here's a title for those who savor flight, space, humor, and history: Almost Underwear: How a Piece of Cloth Traveled from Kitty Hawk to the Moon and Mars, by Jonathon Roth. I had this (and more) to say about it in a recent post:

This delightful nonfiction picture book is a winner on many levels. First, progressively smaller swatches of sturdy muslin fabric (woven for use as the ubiquitous but unglamorous role of becoming underwear) are showcased in their roles in aviation history. Spanning the years from 1903, and experimental situations from Dayton, Ohio to Mars, this clever and true account of lesser known science history is gently personified with two eyes and a set of expressive eyebrows. 

That muslin cloth served as wing coverings for the Wright Brothers early attempts, with a small swatch honored as part of a travel pouch accompanying Neil Armstrong on the first Moon landing. Decades later an even tinier swatch from that original bolt of fabric became part of the experimental helicopter flight on Mars, launched by one of the Mars Rovers. This appealing cloth/character makes the span of more than a century read cohesively and compellingly.

Next, the illustration approach uses a visually clever technique, mounting full spreads or small inserts of photographic images from actual sites in Dayton, from Kitty Hawk, from the lunar module and the first Moon landing, on to helicopter test flights on Mars. Those dramatically anchoring images are inset with (or framed by) charmingly simple art that depicts the people and activities that are depicted.

Finally, the subject matter of flight, space exploration, following dreams, and innovation are strong hooks for many ages and backgrounds. The backmatter includes a helpful author note as well as an illustrated glossary/explainer about six of the advanced technology tools being used in space exploration. This will be a hit and offers a bibliography for anyone seeking further details! Don't miss other titles by this space-loving author!

And that's only a few of the many remarkable books I enjoyed reading and evaluating since nominations began. You can find more great titles in this link to other CYBILS nominees in nonfiction and other categories. HERE.  Books are a superb gift, at the holidays or any time!

HOW TO KNOW A CROW: The Biography of a Brainy Bird

Whether you already know what a fan I am of birds and bird books, or not, I'm telling you to READ THIS BOOK! 

Whether you already know, or not, that I support picture books for any age, but especially for use with older readers, I'm telling you to READ THIS BOOK!

Whether you think crows are pests or varmints or troublemakers of some kind, or not, I'm telling you to READ THIS BOOK!

Now let's get started...

HOW TO KNOW A CROW: The BIOGRAPHY OF A BRAINY BIRD is written by Candace Savage and illustrated by Rachel Hudson. 

Before I comment on the complex and compelling content of this remarkable book for upper elementary and middle grades, I want to say I was not surprised at its excellence. It was produced by a true dream team of creators. GREYSTONE BOOKS for KIDS is a Canadian small press with an intentional approach to producing books celebrating nature, indigenous people, and environmental themes for young readers. By inviting author Candace Savage to take on this project, they called on board an established nonfiction nature writer (and CROW expert in her own right), then enhanced the project by using an illustrator whose sole focus is nature, Rachel Hudson. The result is a picture book for older readers, one whose illustrations DO support and clarify the text, but also include science-based charts, insets, and other visual materials that enrich the content without disrupting the flow of thoroughly appealing narration. 

Savage's voice, language, and engaging style invite readers to be co-discoverers of the astonishing workings of a single, particular crow whose very nature will never have a  "single" mode. The familial and larger flocking patterns of crows, especially American Crows, are attributed to instinct but also to generational learning and innate intelligence. Those socialization processes are intriguing and sometimes even jaw-dropping. None are antropopmorprized or assigned human thinking or intentions. Trust me, crows are fabulous enough that they don't need us to pretend they are human.

Finally, enter the book with me. 

At 106 pages it is far from a typical early picture book. Text per page is usually several paragraphs, written in third person but as if able to closely accompany a first-to-hatch crow from a clutch of five. Oki is the designation for this seemingly fragile, utterly dependent crow. Its development and growth eventually lead readers to understanding AND appreciation of the inner and observable workings of American crows. We also meet and learn about Oki's immediate family, extended family, and broader crow society.

Each step along Oki's three year journey reveals further scientifically verifiable aspects of crows' lives and aspects of the science behind them. Examples of insets are identifiers of various crow subspecies, science diagrams, behavioral patterns, and much more. These have small icon tags called "CROW LAB" and encourage readers to actively engage with nature/science activities suggested. In most cases a short  "pro tip" is included to suggest direct connections to readers' lives. This text design and formatting allows readers of many levels and interests to read from front to back or dip in and out to follow trails of observation in the real world or simple curiosity.

Throughout these revelations, Oki's observed behaviors range from sound/song production, communication, intelligence, and brain structures to crow intelligence compared to other animals. And so much more. If you are imagining that this is dry or dull, think again. The familiar tone (as if spoken aloud to a nearby kid)  and related illustrations in each case pulls readers closer and closer to crows, providing tantalizing tidbits and facts but also developing a solid foundation of information about the high level functioning of crows. 

If you thought chimpanzees and other primates are the only species (other than human) capable of constructing and using tools, think again. If you have trouble remembering faces, get a crow tutor. Crows easily tell each other apart. Rarely can humans identify individual crows without tags or odd physical variants. Crows recall identified human faces and REMEMBER, as well as holding grudges when needed. 

Stop me now. I could (and would) go on and on about the many ways I admire crows and am more curious about them now than when I began. I'd put money down that readers will feel the same and enthusiastically tell others about what they learned. Back matter includes the usual nonfiction materials (glossary, index, etc.) but also bibliography and resources. The author's note clarifies something (includes a SPOILER about Oki), and allows readers to recognize the variety of ways in which animal science can serve us- in science laboratories as well as in the field. 

I also enjoyed a recent adult memoir by Amy Tan is THE BACKYARD BIRD CHRONICLES and it came to mind while I read this. In it, Tan recounts how she became a careful observer of birds, sketching and recording and learning along the way. The many Crow Lab insets and Pro Tips in HOW TO KNOW A CROW may yield a cadre of long-term bird-observers, sketchers, and journal-writers.

I hope you can feel how much I like this. Without scrolling back the top of page, READ THIS BOOK!

THIS BOOK IS FULL OF HOLES: I Like It A WHOLE Lot!

PEACHTREE, 2024

 As you can see from the cover, HOLES really spark curiosity. These curious characters and more populate the pages of THIS BOOK IS FULL OF HOLES: From Underground to Outer Space and Everywhere In Between, written by Nora Nickum and illustrated by Robert Meganck. 

(When you get your hands on this book, check out the BACK cover and endpapers to appreciate the extent to which illustrations set the tone for making something as mundane as HOLES a truly fun topic to explore with mind-expanding potential!)

The direct address and informative text approach is enhanced by arranging simple questions and explanations in attention-grabbing text colors and fonts, laid out in bright boxes and other shapes on pages with various characters demonstrating HOLES, even familiar ones, in ways readers may not have noticed them before. Some pages include elaboration of text from the basic Q/A pattern, explaining ways in which an archeologic dig can be considered a hole, how and where various holes develop, and even where one might feel concerned that holes exist at all! 

The range of examples take readers from their own school bus or yard through nature sites, games, and even the physics of holes, affecting the toys and sports equipment they use .From science to art to everyday life, readers will find themselves looking at their own lives with an eye out for holes and the ways in which they affect our lives. This is a great example of a timeless and worthy addition to home, school, and library shelves, combining solid information with entertaining language, visuals, and new thinking for young readers.

Speaking of classic and timeless, Maurice Sendak and Ruth Kraus created A HOLE IS TO DIG more than a half century ago. it has been reissued many times and some of the original prints are truly valuable. It can still be found in many libraries, and you can view a reading of it on YOUTUBE, HERE.

History At Its Best: THOMAS JEFFERSON'S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE

Happy book birthday! And congrats to the winner of the giveaway @AnnieLynn215!

(Contest ended 5/14/2024)

ASTRA BOOKS/ CALKINS CREEK, 2024

I'm excited to introduce you to THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE, Bias, Truth, and a Mighty Moose, written by Beth Anderson, illustrated by Jeremy Holmes. Following my review of the book, I'm pleased to offer an interview with Anderson. This is a longer post than usual, but I hope you'll find it worth reading! A book giveaway and other features are included there, so read on!

Of course you know that name. Thomas Jefferson is considered to be a Founding Father of this country, the  primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Like most other famous figures of his time, his name triggers conflicted responses from modern observers. As a landed, slaveholding, white man of privilege and education, Jefferson’s complex life and choices invite a closer look. In this book, superb researcher and writer Beth Anderson explores Jefferson's lifelong study of natural science and its documentation. The book cover and opening spread incorporate examples of a few of the things he observed, measured, and recorded throughout his life. Anderson’s first line is:

 “Thomas Jefferson measured his world.” 

That opening page then reveals that Jefferson's passion was not only to acquire science data, but to record it and share his love of science, one reason he founded the University of Virginia. Throughout the pages, Anderson’s informative, fascinating, and humorous text appears across illustrations that incorporate artfully rendered versions of Jefferson’s archival notes, notebooks, and objects from his collections of fossils and natural artifacts, gathered and preserved by him, and by friends who knew of his intense interests. 

Interior: Opening Spread

Interior: Jefferson Questioning

During Jefferson’s time, a French naturalist, Count Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon, was considered the ultimate expert on nature, proclaiming information about Europe and beyond in his multi-volume Encyclopedia of the Natural World. Jefferson’s deep admiration for that publication turned to furious indignity when he read Buffon’s “factual” accounts of North America’s nature. Buffon had never traveled there, relying instead on anecdotal reports from those who had visited the continent. His conclusions were shaped by those limitations and his bias that natural resources in Europe were immeasurably better than those in the “New World”. Buffon asserted that this new country was mainly a miserable swampy land and climate, with NO creatures or flora of significance, certainly none that could rival those found in Europe.

Jefferson’s ire led him to write his own nature study book, documenting his findings with actual measurements and confirmable observations. Spanning years of his life, his challenges to the information in Buffon’s Encyclopedia did little to overcome its wide circulation or the naturalist’s firm authority on the topic. The role of that enormous MOOSE in the subtitle played a crucial role in Jefferson’s motivation (and eventual success) at documenting the truth of his own claims, arguing against Buffon’s assertions and his biased beliefs. Packed with intensity and lighthearted moments (a rotting, one-antlered moose in a crate!) this picture book reveals Jefferson to be a devoted scientist of his day, seeking truth even when the discoveries eventually unstitched the fabric of his own beliefs (his denial of extinction, among others).

 

Not only is the main text a blend of compelling narrative with intriguing details of history, and personality, it is embedded with natural science. It also demonstrates the ways in which Jefferson intentionally and regularly used the scientific inquiry process (summarized in back matter). Always curious, he noticed, questioned, observed closely, collected and analyzed data, and drew conclusions based on facts, recording every step along the way. 

 

Anderson’s author notes are, as always, invaluable to expand resources and better understand the contents through a wider lens. In this case she directly addresses the questionable aspects of Jefferson’s life: slaveholding, errors in his science, the impact on First Nations that resulted from the westward explorations of Lewis and Clark as ordered by Jefferson while president, as well as his own confirmation bias in pursuit of science. She also explains confirmation bias and its effect on scientific studies and interpretation. The point is clearly made that science is always developing further facts and shifting our understanding of new and prior material reported as “facts”. In science, and in social/general information, it is essential to consider the reliability and intentions of the sources of data, the possible omission of related data, and other factors before accepting claims of factual content as fully correct.

 

Interior
Inquiry Process Graphic

The illustrations throughout, both in main text pages and back matter, are priceless in providing readers with verifiable details regarding the account of Jefferson’s life and science passion. Evidence of research (both deep and wide) using primary sources appear on every page and in every paragraph. This new release is a perfect example of my thesis that quality picture books will find eager audiences at every age. This nonfiction offering allows the youngest to expand understanding of an American icon while enjoying many animal facts and images. The portrait of Jefferson’s national pride, personal interests, love of nature and science, and passionate commitment to the truth will impress older readers, including adults. The depiction of Jefferson’s habits and personality give us an engaging and entertaining story. The science of his time and through today make this not only a STEM asset but one well-suited to social studies inclusion as well. I highly recommend it. Check out Anderson's website, and a few of my reviews of her earlier, equally informative and entertaining picture books, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

And now, on to a short conversation with Beth Anderson!

SB:  Congratulations on this recent release, Beth. Your track record for finding and sharing the stories of lesser-known historic figures took an intriguing turn with this look at Jefferson and his love of natural science. He’s among the most well-known of our national figures yet I admit to only a passing awareness of his naturalist/scientist identity. I’m anxious to know how you encountered this topic and what made you commit to the extensive research and writing involved. 

 

BA: Thanks so much for the opportunity to share THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE! I saw an article about Jefferson and the moose, and it struck me as jam-packed with all sorts of good stuff: history, science, quirkiness, curricular connections, and consequential concepts of truth and misinformation that ring loud and clear in the world today. I found the topic IRRESISTIBLE! There was a lot of research to wade through—which is good, but also a challenge. While a couple other picture books about Jefferson mention this incident with Buffon and focus on exploration or measurement, I saw it as a story about misinformation and truth. Kids get it on the most basic level of truth vs lies. And they tend to think, like Buffon, that bigger means better. And there was a bit of “ew.” So there was a lot immediately relatable, but I also saw an opportunity to push their thinking a bit and provide something for the classroom. 

 

This incident is one piece of Jefferson’s use and misuse of science, so there was a huge heaviness with the subject, too. I started it in 2018 with the idea that, though facts seem simple things, they’re not. They can be manipulated or made up (nonfacts) and cause tremendous problems. This focus fit with curriculum standards about opinions, facts, and nonfacts, and could model and encourage essential critical thinking skills. There was just so much potential in this story—which is exciting, but also a bit daunting when trying to figure out how to shape and focus it. Once I see so much, I can’t let go and am determined to find a way. 

 

SB: I was impressed with the balance you achieved in discussing this conflicting use of science. Your writing is always filled with lovely language, insights, and heart. Those qualities are evident in this text, too.  Was it challenging to find a story narrative behind this science-focused and detailed topic? If so, how did you go about finding your way forward to this success?

 

BA: I found the basic narrative right away. A narrative with science. The question was how to use the science within the narrative. It was also a challenge to find the beginning and ending, how to make it ring today, and what to do with the negative pieces. I didn’t want to ignore the hard truths. But since those can’t always be scientifically measured, how do they fit, or not, in the story? I carried a few of the hard truths through many revisions, with the idea that larger human truths can only be measured with the heart. Though I loved that contrast, it pulled away too much. If I could share a story that helps kids understand bias and how important it is to question, then I could leave the more difficult ideas in back matter to be pondered. 

 

I know kids are taught to “think like a scientist” when they question and verify, so that was my first path. After I worked with the information (for nine months!), I realized that it fit the basic scientific inquiry process. In revision 23, I began to shape and word it to correspond to that. To find the ending, I went back into the research and found that Jefferson’s book had been published in various forms in the U.S. while he was away. Because of that, science made its way into the hands of everyday people…and parts were in school books. Yes! Now I knew that what Jefferson did was impacting a new generation, a way for me to carry that forward to today. And in a great quote that’s in the back matter, he said he hoped future generations would continue to move science forward, better than his generation did. That was the key to the ending, but that too didn’t come for a very long time. 

 

SB: I suspect that your deep research revealed plenty of surprises involving Jefferson and his extensive records and interests. Will you share one or more of your discoveries that caught you by surprise or had a powerful impact on your text development?

 

BA: Seeing Jefferson’s total obsession with science contributed a lot to character and how it all played out on the page. 

 

Here’s one of the many quotes that were cut. When Jefferson arrived at Buffon’s home for dinner, he was handed one of Buffon’s papers to read while he waited for the scientist. Buffon said, “When Mr. Jefferson shall have read this, he will be perfectly satisfied that I am right.” LOL! Quotes like that reveal attitudes. 

 

An interesting historical tidbit is the letter to Jefferson from James Madison in which he goes on and on about government business and then launches into meticulous details of a dead weasel which he had examined and measured. Just goes to show you how irresistibly fascinating science is and how a network of enthusiasts supported Jefferson’s efforts. 

 

Oh, one more good one…with an “ew” factor. The moose was already quite bedraggled when it was put in the shipping crate and placed at the dock for shipment. But then, the ship captain forgot it. Sullivan had to find another captain to take it to France. More waiting. And then of course, the long journey across the Atlantic. That’s what’s behind the “monstrous stench” when Jefferson opens the crate. So even though you can’t include all those extras, they impact word choice. 

 

Although many quotes and details had to be cut, I think illustrator Jeremy Holmes could read my mind! He included so many historical, (some hysterical), details in the art. His illustrations absolutely blew me away!

 

SB: I particularly admire your use of the author note to directly address some of the more concerning aspects of Jefferson and his role within our country’s very troubling history. You used a very balanced hand to discuss the wrongs of society and Jefferson’s place within that history without being judgmental. Can you discuss how you found that balance with readers here?

 

BA: Jefferson is a controversial topic, for sure. While some of the details of his obsession with science are fun and commendable, there was also flawed thinking that used “science” to support racist and damaging ideas. I don’t think it’s right to share one without the other. (If this story was written fifty years ago, most of that back matter wouldn’t be there.) This story about misinformation, mistruths, and bias is also about how we determine value. Buffon’s conclusions that “bigger” implies “better,” and that “different” is “inferior” are common with kids. We judge things through the lens of what benefits us. I have a tendency to want to share these kinds of big ideas, which creates a challenge, but I think kids are very capable thinkers. My hope is that if kids can understand this with animals and environment, that they can then move to understanding the tremendous problems with this kind of thinking about human beings. It’s also valuable for kids to see that we are complex and flawed creatures—and we all carry biases. The challenge is to recognize them and be able to admit when we’re wrong and have more to learn. Not only should we search for truth with facts, but also by considering how the consequences of our actions impact others. I tried to be straightforward and choose words carefully—words to promote thought.

 

SB: Naturally, there had to be MANY details left out of your final work, elements not included because they did not serve this story well. Do some of those remain unforgettable to you? Any that nag you into writing more about them in some other platform?

 

BA: You’re right—SO many great details had to go. One of the tidbits I found amusing, and astounding, was the inconsistent logic in Buffon’s information and how (and why) he could come to some of his bizarre conclusions. Here are a couple. North America is cold and swampy. Huh? Well, the French explored Canada and the Louisiana area, right? Yep, swampy and cold. Now I get it—a bit of over generalization. Another one: all the creatures in North America were smaller than in Europe. Except for the apparently giant mosquitos and reptiles…haha! Learning these things made me ever more certain that I wanted to impress upon kids the importance of critical thinking when reading. 

 

I’m going to pass on Buffon and the Giant Bugs. 

 

SB: As I always ask, what kinds of upcoming works should we be watching for? Any projects not yet ready to announce but ones that feel especially exciting to you? 

 

BA: There are two in the pipeline with Calkins Creek. One story found new life after years in the drawer. I pulled it out when recent events brought it to mind. HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: KATE WARNE AND THE RACE TO SAVE PRESIDENT LINCOLN, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport, is about the Baltimore Plot, when conspirators tried to prevent Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration. Warne was the first female detective in the U.S. I recently saw the sketches and WOW! It’s going to be amazing! That’s spring 2025. 

 

And in spring 2026…the story of a spunky teen, SCULPTING PRESIDENT LINCOLN: VINNIE REAM CARVES OUT HER FUTURE, illustrated by Jenn Ely. Clearly, I love stories of spunky young women! And a good Lincoln story! 

 

I have a new manuscript out on sub…..stay tuned. Another story that recent events have made newly relevant!

SB: Thanks so much for your generosity of time insights. And thank you for making THESE offerings possible:

 

CLICK HERE for the Educator Guide for THOMAS JEFFERSON'S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE.

Fans of BETH, SCIENCE, JEFFERSON, and TRUTH can purchase signed copies HERE, 

and preorder at any bookstore, online, or at the publisher.

As is often the case with BETH ANDERSON, special added features are developed to introduce her remarkable books to readers, like this short VIDEO CLIP.

Beth has also generously offered a copy of this new book. Any comment added to this post enters you in the giveaway. If you share the post on Insta, X(Twitter), or FB, add a link to your share in the comments for an extra entry. The winner will be chosen and announced on May 14, 2024, BOOK BIRTHDAY for this terrific new offering. The winner's name  will be added to the top of this post and also included in a new post on that day. Looking forward to sharing it with someone!