Nonfiction for summer reading

We often think of summer time as a chance to catch up on fiction reading. But, it is also a great time to share nonfiction with children. They love to learn and rather than give their brains a rest in the summer, it's always good to challenge them and give them more to think about. Here is a selection of some outstanding nonfiction. Have fun!

Moon Bears by Mark Newman

 

Moon bears are a species of bear found in most of Asia. This beautifully photographed book taught me many things about moon bears, using real animals in both the wild and within a protected area. While moon bears are cute and look pretty cuddly, they are huge (up to 500 pounds), fast and have claws as long as 2 inches, not an animal I would like to meet on my own. If your child is interested in animals, this is a perfect book for her. And if you want to teach nonfiction writing this year, think about getting this book as a model text for doing reports.

The Deadliest Creature in the World by Brenda Z. Guiberson, illustrated by Gennady Spirin

 

Which is the deadliest creature in the world? Guiberson used first person from multiple animals’ point of view to describe how they can kick, bite, poison and spread disease, ending each small segment with, “That’s why I am the deadliest creature in the world!” Spirin draws realistic pictures showing the animal in question as well as surrounding background to give perspective as to the size and environment of the creature. Kids of all ages will LOVE this book!

One Proud Penny by Randy Siegel and Serge Bloch

 Not technically writing in nonfiction, Siegel gives us  a narrative told by a penny. But, for the most part, the story is based on facts and both the words and pictures combine to make an interesting story, as we follow the penny across the US and into and out of stores. The authors finish with a final page of a brief history of coins in the US as well as facts about pennies. They even discuss the controversy of whether or not we should continue to use pennies. So, go for it, follow the bouncing penny and make sure you get your money’s worth!

 Germs by Lesa Cline-Ransome, Illustrated by James Ransome

Again, not truly non-fiction as the story is told by talking bugs, but, this is a great way to introduce children to the germs around them, both good and bad. And as Cline-Ransome states at the end, the ulterior motive is to get kids to wash their hands! James Ransome (husband to the author) comes through with his typically wonderful illustrations and ensures that the human characters are black, brown and white with several shades in between. The endnotes include facts about germs as well as a glossary of terms used within the book. Another good one to have on the shelf for report writing.

Pedal Power by Allan Drummond

 

Following on the heels of Energy Island, Drummond brings us a story of green energy, how bikes won the day in Amsterdam. As I write this, another cyclist in Baltimore has been killed and it makes me wonder what it will take to make it safe to ride bikes in Baltimore and other cities in the US. Drummond puts together a wonderful mix of facts in a narrative style that is easy and engaging to read. The whimsical illustrations are just right for the topic and also act to pull the reader in. While the topic is one that older readers will relate to, it is told in a way to grab even reluctant readers. Give it a go!

For younger readers of nonfiction

Coyote Moon by Maria Gianferrari, Pictures by Bagram Ibatoulline

While told in a fictional style with the Coyote the main character in this third person narrative, this gives factual information about Coyotes and their potential prey within a somewhat suburban setting. As the story moves forward, Coyote eventually catches a turkey which becomes dinner for her family. Pictures are realistically drawn, but no gore is shown as Coyote gets the turkey home to her den. A realistic view of wildlife living close to humans; the book also contains end pages with great additional information about coyotes.

Good Night, Baby Animals: You’ve had a Busy Day by Karen B. Winnick, 

illustrated by Laura Watkins

Six short stories about baby animals and their mothers. While the illustrations are mostly realistic, the animals’ faces are slightly anthropomorphized, showing primarily human emotions of happiness and surprise. Winnick does a fair job of alternating gender for the babies, with two baby animals being female, three male and the tiger cubs are spoken of together as they. Each story ends with the sentence, “Good night, baby X, you’ve had a busy day.” Throughout the book, there is much repetitive language, making this a good book to support early readers. Winnick ends the book with additional facts about each of the six animals featured here.

Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep by April Pulley Sayre, Illustrated by Steve Jenkins

Steve Jenkins is one of the absolute best children’s illustrators of nonfiction books ever! Sayre’s text is fun, rhyming and easy to read and Jenkins’ pictures work with the text to make this a great book! There is always interesting movement in the squirrels shown here and Jenkins adds the dimension of size, always giving additional objects to show perspective. Sayre ends the book with more facts about squirrels, making this an excellent book for young people to use when writing reports.

Books for Summer Dreaimng

 

What are you doing this summer? I hope you are finding time to read with your children and grandchildren. These books are all about playing, walking and dreaming. Whether you are looking at the clouds to find creatures in the sky, talking to the moon, or sharing a hide and seek game, these books will help you to enjoy the slower pace and quieter times of summer vacation. Have fun!

Daydreaming by Mark Tatulli

Are you a daydreamer? Do you find yourself in another world when you should be paying attention? Henry is a confirmed daydreamer, taking the reader on several adventures in one typical, exciting day. Tatulli uses a combination of comic-type frames along with full page spreads to tell the stories of Henry’s daydreams, using words only in word bubbles when the adults around him chime in to chastise Henry. If you have a daydreamer in your house, you will love Henry as much as I do!

In Plain Sight by Richard Jackson, illustrations by Jerry Pinkney

Whether you have great memories of playing games with your grandparents, or are now in the process of making memories with your grandchildren, this is a super read. Sophie’s grandfather sits by the window each day watching for her to come home from school. When Sophie arrives, Grandpa always has a hidden object ready for Sophie to find. The sweet interaction between grandparent and grandchild is cleverly told and beautifully illustrated. Pinkney does an outstanding job with each two page spread giving details of the home and artfully including the many faces and expressions of Sophie as she goes along with her grandfather’s game. Children may also want to play along trying to find where each item is hidden before Sophie reveals the hidden object.

Ideas are all Around by Philip C. Stead

 

Taking a walk with his dog, Wednesday, Stead finds wonder and worries everywhere he looks. From the people lined up to get something to eat to the blob of blue paint that looks like a horse, the narrative seems to be in control of Stead instead of the other way around. As always, Stead’s illustrations are superb, with a combination of photos, drawings, outlines and prints, the flat colors smudged type give a sense of peace and slowness, perfect for summer, perfect for slowing down and thinking about ideas. Enjoy this take on a slow summer walk.

The Mouse and the Moon by Gabriel Alborozo

A new fable about friendship told with dazzling illustrations. Alborozo tells his tale with black and white inked drawings with only the tiniest bit of color on each page. A little mouse sets out to find his friend the moon. When he finally gets close to the moon, a reflection in a pond, he spends all night conversing with a small fish, thinking it is the moon. Only when the moon vanishes and the two new friends see each other for the first time do the illustrations become more colorful with the black and white receding just as the daylight arrives. This book is a well told story with aesthetically pleasing illustrations. My only complaint is that both the fish and the mouse are given male pronouns. Why can’t one or both of them be female? Just food for thought.

Bathtime with Theo and Beau by Jessica Shyba

Theo and Beau are back for more, after their debut with Naptime with Theo and Beau. Shyba’s beautiful photography captures the playfulness of bathtime with a puppy and three-year-old Beau. Simple words and full page spread pictures make this another winner. Great book to share with any toddler who is reluctant to bathe!

Turtle Tug to the Rescue by Michael Slack

A sea turtle turned into a tug boat ready to rescue all manner of marine creatures, Turtle Tug is resourceful, strong and brave. And to top it off, Slack uses exemplary vocabulary to rhyme his way through the story of the typhoon, the rescue and the calm waters that return after the storm. Treacherous, tempestuous and entangled are just a few of the five star words that are introduced in context and with great excitement throughout this simple picture book. Great read for any early childhood class that is studying sea animals, rescue work or even just community helpers.

Lucy’s Lovey by Betsy Devany, illustrated by Christopher Denise

Lucy has many dolls, but only one special Smelly Baby. Smelly Baby is lost and then found and eventually restored to her best smelly self, making Lucy happy. Devaney gives this familiar story too many details, making a short tale into one that drags, while the details in  Denise’s illustrations are just right, down to the shadows in the dark and Lucy’s tangled hair as she leans out the car window. Lucy’s Lovey is a sweet story but not as endearing as others of the same ilk, such as Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems.