Tuesday, October 14, 2014

A Bit of Non-Fiction

            Thanks to Alyson Beecher we can discover favorite non-fiction picture books every Wednesday when others link up on her blog, KidLit Frenzy.  Come visit!









Goldie Takes A Stand, Golda Meir’s First Crusade – written by Barbara
Krashner and illustrated by Kelsey Garrity-Riley
         I was lucky enough to read this book at my poetry workshop in their library. It is good to hear the story of a later world leader who did some fund-raising for a cause when she was only nine years old. Goldie Mabowehz became concerned that young immigrant children could not afford school books, so she formed a group and began the journey of raising money for those needy. It’s a story of persistence to do the right thing even when it seems impossible, to find new ideas when the first ones don’t work. 





Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes – written by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Emily Sutton
           It’s a creative and clear explanation of these tiny microbes found everywhere, existing for hundreds of different purposes. Emily Sutton’s illustrations enhance the factual information and invite the reader to explore each page in minute details. It’s terrific!






Three Monks, No Water - written and illustrated by Ting-xing Ye

               I guess this really is not non-fiction, but it’s a real fable, and I wanted to share it here, because it really seems like a true story that’s been passed down through many, many years. I’ve used it to discuss cooperation and feeling a part of things, not sitting back and allowing others to make the decisions, thinking for oneself. It’s a lovely story  about one monk that lived at the top of a mountain and went down the mountain to get his water every day. When the second one arrived, there was some disagreement as to who might fetch the water, and the third one arriving didn’t help either.  I read it to some six and seven year olds who are studying taking care water, finding ways to help everyone have clean water.         

Happy Reading Everyone! I found My Season With Penguins, an Antarctic Journal by Sophie Webb at my library. Up next!

18 comments:

  1. I need to read more NFs about young people making a difference. One of our customers who's 4 years old wants to be Malala for Halloween!

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    1. It would be good to make a list, wouldn't it? Love hearing about your little customer!

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  2. I love Nicola Davies's book about Poop (much to my husband's chagrin--when I was reading that book, I interrupted him constantly to share interesting poop-related facts!) and so I am sure I will love Tiny Creatures. I find the cover art quite appealing as well. Looking forward to your thoughts on My Season with Penguins.

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    1. We could have a good conversation about poop, Elisabeth. I love that one, plus Poop Happened by Sarah Albee-fascinating!

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  3. I was surprised with Tiny Creatures - it was interesting and informative! Such great NF is being published these days! Can't wait to hear about the Antarctica book!

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    1. I agree, Michele, it's really good. A student at school is studying microbes & it's perfect for this young student.

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  4. I didn't know any of these--thank you for sharing and introducing me to them!

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    1. Terrific, Kellee. Hope you find a book here you love!

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  5. Tiny Creatures is a title I plan to share with my students quite soon. They are more and more interested in science concepts and I think this title does such a fantastic job of making a concept relatable.

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    1. The book takes this concept and shows what it is & what they do so beautifully, I think. Thanks, Carrie.

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  6. Hi Linda,

    Goldie Takes a Stand goes perfectly with the biographies we posted yesterday. We are going to add that one to our collection.

    Best
    Tammy and Clare

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    1. Agreed! I've started a list of those kinds of books.

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  7. Just added Tiny Creatures to my tbr list--looks fantastic! Thanks, Linda!

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    1. You're welcome, Laura. It's well worth taking a look. Maybe another poetry books for you about the tiniest of things?

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  8. This is the second time I've seen Goldie mentioned in the past week. I've got to get a hold of it!

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  9. Goldie Takes a Stand would be a very interesting read, especially now that I've read Joe Sacco's Palestine. :)

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  10. Great choices, Linda. My family says I'm a frustrated biologist, so that book on microbes caught my eye.

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