Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Non-Fiction PB Wed. - Two New!

              Come visit Alyson Beecher at Kid Lit Frenzy for Non-Fiction Picture Book Wednesday!  It's great to see the varied books that others share! 

           Two biographies this time, both inspiring in their life's work! First, I'd like to tell you that I posted yesterday about Non-fiction for older students. Would love to hear ideas for more books if you would like. I've started a list!

A Home for Mr. Emerson - written by Barbara Kerley and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham


               With both front and back endpapers filled with quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson, Barbara Kerley begins this story for children of this important man in our literature. I really didn't know anything about his life except that he lived in Concord, and made his living through lectures and his writing. This book shares the man who loved his home and his community, of his wife and children, and a little bit of how his fame grew. Tragedy struck when he found his home on fire, and throngs of townspeople rushed to save his books and papers, the beautiful treasures in his home. There is a moment that is special, telling about his sorrow for the loss, going to Europe to recuperate, but discovering that home was really where he needed to be. 




The illustrations are rather whimsical, some realistic, but others enlarging the page's concept in the art. For example, when it told of his diving into his collection of books after a nature walk with children, the picture shows him really diving into what are life-sized books. Children will giggle at these pages-just delightful.
         Mr. Emerson lived a life that he "built" and inspired others to do the same. There is a page at the back that offers ideas for conversation with students from three different pieces of advice he gave. Also, there is more information to enjoy about his life, and an extensive bibliography. It's a great resource for studying Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Spic-And-Span: Lillian Gilbreth's Wonder Kitchen - written by Mnica Kulling and illustrated by David Parkins
               Do you remember Cheaper By The Dozen by Frank Gilbreth? I have fond memories of reading it aloud with my children, and have shared it often with students. This is a picture book about the mother of that family, the one who had all those children, lost her husband to a heart attack, and carried on as an industrial engineer, an inventor, a psychologist, an author and a professor! I know the story, and was always inspired that she continued her and her husband's work in "efficiency", but didn't know that she re-designed workplaces, like offices and the kitchen! Or that she designed the electric mixer and compartments in refrigerators! Her work was demonstrated at the World's Fair in 1933. The book says, "she always kept the worker in mind".  It's an inspiring story, but in addition, I wonder if it could spark interest in ideas for students changing the way they might do things, too.  
            
What's Next - a few more NF books from the library, and DON'T FORGET Cathy Mere of Reflect and Refine: Building a Learning Community and Mandy Robek of Enjoy and Embrace Learning are getting ready for August 10th, their annual sharing of #PB10for10, 10 "must have" picture books for the classroom. See all about it here!

19 comments:

  1. Really interesting! I don't think I knew anything about Lililian Gilbreth, sounds fascinating!

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    1. And the story of the family is good, too, Katie. Hope you find and enjoy these books! Thanks!

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  2. I do remember Cheaper by the Dozen! My grandma had it at her house and I would read a little bit each time I went!
    I need to get my 10for10 post together! So much to do :)

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    1. Yes, I need to start finding those 10 special books, too. What a challenge.

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  3. These sound great--I love Barbara Kerley--and I read CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN probably 40 times. It's pry one of the books I've read most. Off to put both of these on reserve. Thanks, Linda!

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  4. Well, shoot. Not only does my library not have SPIC-AND-SPAN, it's not even available through ILL. Can I ask who the publisher is? And is it out yet, or did you get a review copy? Thanks!

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    1. I ordered through Amazon, Laura, & it just came yesterday, the day of publication. I found it through Jama. The publisher is Tundra books. Happy to hear you love Cheaper By The Dozen, too!

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  5. Spic and Span looks fascinating. I may have to check it out. I love the Emerson book, too!

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    1. Thanks, Earl. Wasn't the Emerson book delightful!

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  6. I read and reread the Cheaper by the Dozen books when I was 12 or so. I had no idea that the mother had to carry on without her husband or that she was so incredibly accomplished and busy, busy, busy. Good grief! Just reading your description of her life made me feel like I needed to rest! Will be purchasing that one for sure. I have A Home for Mr Emerson waiting at home to read--just haven't gotten to it yet. Moving it up in the stack!

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    1. Of course, the book shows that the kids helped too, but I still can't imagine having so many children! I still remember going to my grandmother's on many weekends. Other families with cousins came, too, & we had wonderful times. Somehow she managed, & I think we all helped out. Big houses help, too! Hope you enjoy Mr. Emerson. I loved hearing about his 'everyday' life!

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  7. I had the Emerson book in my hand at the book store this week. Now I wish I would have purchased it. I am definitely going to ILL the Spic-and-Span book. Thank you Linda.

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    1. It is good, and so is the other one. Enjoy, and thank you!

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  8. Wow! I obviously knew about the Emerson book but the Spic-And-Span sounds wonderful. Need to find it. Thank you for sharing it with you and the reminder for the August 10 for 10.

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    1. You're welcome, Alyson. Hope you enjoy the Spic-And-Span book. See you in a few days at 10for10.

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  9. What a story - I am very curious about the Spic and Span title - what a story! Thanks for highlighting it here! I am very excited to see everyone's lists for #pb10for10!

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    1. It is a great story, Carrie, & of course our lists will grow & grow with the 10for10!

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  10. I truly enjoyed the Emerson book. The author has such a way of making history so accessible (in all of her books).

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