Tuesday, March 18, 2014

19/31 Non-fiction Picture Books Are Better and Better

   Great to be writing for the Slice of Life Challenge at the blog, Two Writing Teachers.   And today I'm also posting at Alyson Beecher's blog, Kid-Lit Frenzy for Non-Fiction Picture Book Wednesday.



        Here's a shout out for my colleagues who are slicing for the first time this year:
    Teaching From Behind - Max (bringing along his students)
     Under Construction - Susan
     Me & My Soliloquy - Suparna
                  I'm glad they're here with me, and proud for sticking to the challenge! It's not easy for anyone with so much going on at school!



           It's amazing what wonderful non-fiction picture books are available for us as teachers and for students today. I used to love reading the encyclopedia (yes, I did!) and loved even more when the topics had good pictures. I'm not old enough to have had this textbook on the left, but someone did! Here are two good books that tell different and interesting stories that kids will love. 










Peter Kent’s City Across Time – written and illustrated by Peter Kent 

                With help, even younger readers will have a wonderful learning experience with this book. With amazingly detailed illustrations, Peter Kent takes the reader on an archaeologist's dream trip, from digging down through town after town, then city after city. The work of an archaeologist is explained in detail, and highlights of the time since the Stone Age are shown, as cities change, grow, decline, disappear, and re-build. It's a fascinating book even for adults. It shows the changes of tools from stone, when metal was discovered and worked, when people began settling into groups and planting crops. I enjoyed the ending too which offered some future predictions. Kent has added an illustrated glossary, which will aid in understanding some terms further.

Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile – written by Gloria Houston and illustrated by Susan Condie Lamb
         These two wonderfully creative artists have also collaborated on My Great Aunt Arizona.

          This biography is of a Miss Dorothy grew up in a Massachusetts town, and always thought she would love to be the librarian in a library just like the one in the center of her hometown. She went to Radcliffe to acquire the degree, but ended up moving to rural North Carolina with her new husband. When her friends, avid readers, realized that the area was just too small to support a library, they donated enough money to purchase a bookmobile, and Dorothy began traveling and bringing books to the people, including schools, of three counties, and she did it all her life. She kept her additional books in the basement of her house, climbed up and down stairs carrying stacks and stacks of books that would please her customers. There are some poignant tributes at the end of the book that readers will love.

           I lived in a small town until junior high, and the bookmobile was the highlight of my life, every two weeks I waited for this wonderful woman who brought books by authors I loved because she knew me well, and also chose books she thought would please. She was wonderful, just as I imagine Miss Dorothy must have been.

photo credit: kencf0618 via photopin cc

32 comments:

  1. Linda, I love your blog for a number of reasons, one of which is how you bring attention to the good work of others. Thanks also for the book reviews.

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    1. Thanks Deb, I appreciate the compliment! Have a great day!

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  2. Great recommendations my friend. My list is growing.

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    1. Hi Bonnie, hope the week back is going great!

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  3. I haven't heard of either of these. Have to go check them out. And how terrific that you have friends slicing with you. I think we should have a slicers breakfast some Saturday in April.

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    1. Maybe we can, Carol. We have break coming up & I assume you do, too!

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    2. I loved reading the encyclopedia too. I had forgotten about that! We had one that my dad bought used an Encyclopedia Britannica. Love the story of Miss Dorothy.

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    3. I think the internet has taken the encyclopedia's place, but occasionally I do see a child with one in our library, looking and looking! Thanks Julieanne!

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  4. These look fabulous. Off to put them on reserve. My husband read all the Book of Knowledge encyclopedias for fun when he was a kid:>)

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    1. We never had the Book of Knowledge, but did have those wonderful encyclopedias! It was just so much fun to browse!

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  5. Linda Thanks for the mention of My Great Aunt Arizona - I just marked it as To Read on Goodreads - it looks wonderful. I bought my own copy of Ms. Dorothy as I just love this celebration of bringing books to people. If I could live in another time - I would want to do this!

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    1. There are places that still need bookmobiles Carrie-maybe in retirement! Wouldn't it just be delightful! So glad I gave YOU a book to find! I'll be there to visit the class later!

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  6. I have been trying to read many new blogs, so I haven't been here in while - I have missed it. I need to go back and read about the progress on the loom! Both of these books sound great. My niece is with an archeologist today. We have a federal park here in our town and they are doing some work there today. My bother works there and he asked if his daughter could join them. She gets to wear the helmet and everything! She might enjoy the first book. I have heard some recent talk about Miss Dorothy too. I must check these out.

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    1. How exciting for your niece and yes, I imagine she will love the book, Leigh Anne. After March, I think we'll be visiting each other again, don't you? Thanks for coming by!

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  7. Miss Dorothy - I remember my father in law talking about the bookmobile lady in his little upstate New York town, and what a joy it was to have her roll in. I will need to check this book our, Linda - have fallen off the reviewing wagon for the month of March.

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    1. These books just came in from the library, Tara, & couldn't resist sharing. The bookmobile was a special thing for those too far from a library!

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  8. Thank you for your suggestions! There are many wonderful non-fiction books available and you helped me nab two more.

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    1. Thanks Kim-we have our Scholastic Book Fair now-more!

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  9. My mother's name is Dorothy and we used to have a bookmobile too. I love reading your thoughts about books.

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    1. Aw-nice connections, Margaret. That bookmobile saved my reading life!

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  10. I was an encyclopedia reader too (and the dictionary). You always share the best titles and because I teach high school they are often new to me. Thank you for that. I love Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile! That is a dream of mine (to have a book mobile!). Have you seen The Night Bookmobile? more of an adult or high school story, but a treasure too.

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    1. Great to find a new title-Lee Ann. Thanks for that one. I'll be sure to find it! Lots of great books available now.

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  11. Hi Linda, Peter Kent's book looks so interesting. Sadly, I know very little about archaeology. I also shared Miss Dorothy's book today. Love that story.

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    1. If you don't know much about archaeology, you will love this book, Gigi. It gives a terrific look at it. And how great about you sharing the bookmobile book. Isn't it nice?

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  12. I love finding new nonfiction! Thanks for sharing these titles.

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    1. You're so welcome Elsie. We could have a good time sharing books I think!

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  13. I loved Miss Dorothy too! City Across Time looks intriguing. I'll have to add that one to my pile! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hi Michelle, I guess many of us are loving Miss Dorothy. Can you imagine how excited the author was when she began researching for the story? I hope you like City Across Time!

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  14. My Great Aunt Arizona is one of my favorite all-time books, so I am going to have to meet Dorothy, as well. Thanks for sharing, Linda!

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    1. Great to make another connection, Melanie! I like it a lot, so need to find My Great Aunt Arizona too! Thanks!

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  15. I always love reading your posts. You come up with some great titles. Do you know "Rocks in his Head " by Carol Otis Hurst.

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  16. Missed stopping by yesterday, but I'm adding bookmobile to my list of slicing ideas. For now, I'm off to request Dorothy and the Bookmobile!

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