Non-Fiction Greats!

Hosted by Alyson Beecher at Kid Lit Frenzy, this is a great place to find terrific non-fiction picture books. Come visit to see what everyone is sharing.

        I was gone all the weekend, and didn’t read many non-fiction books, but the two I want to share are worth a look. These two respected authors have given so many books to savor.

The Scraps Book – written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert

            I’ve had this book for a while, and finally sat down and read all of it, not just looked often at a few pages. I imagine it would be in every classroom that encourages art and playful creativity. Lois Ehlert writes of her childhood beginnings, her parents who encouraged her by providing the materials and teaching her to use them. She took the art table her father built for her to art school!  On one page: “I created lots of art, though not for books right away. But I didn’t worry. Everyone needs time to develop their dreams. An egg in the nest doesn’t become a bird overnight.” Other pages show how she creates pages, where ideas are developed, simple materials available that are used. It’s an inspiring book for all ages.

The Moon of The Alligators (The 13 Moons series) – Written by Jean Craighead George and illustrated by Michael Rothman

            This is an old book I use often for non-fiction writing lessons. Even the younger writers can enjoy Jean Craighead George’s beautiful images in her books about nature. If you wish to share a book about how nature takes care of things, without human help, and sometimes in spite of it, read this. It shows a cycle through the year, the challenges in the Everglades that alligators face, and how they manage. The language, like all George’s book, is gorgeous.  Here is part of the opening paragraph: “Two eyes poked above the still water. Each iris was silver-yellow and each pupil black and narrow. They were the eyes of the alligator of Sawgrass Hole, who was floating like a log on the surface of the water as she watched for food.”  It is a useful book, for learning about alligators and about writing.

       I have a few new books coming from the library, but these final weeks of school are going to take time, time, time, as I'm sure all of you know! 

Best wishes to everyone for a terrific final few weeks! And Happy Reading!