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Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Wednesday-non-fiction fun

 You can find favorite non-fiction picture books every Wednesday with Alyson Beecher on her blog, KidLit Frenzy
underGround - written and illustrated by Denise Fleming
         It's hard to resist resist the poetic and gorgeous illustrations Denise Fleming gives us in this wonderful book. She shows and writes "Creatures dig/Past highways and by-ways/Squirm-ways and worm-ways./ And there they are, chipmunks and worms and moles, all kinds of creatures doing things  underGround! The back matter identifies each of the animals shown, and gives additional information about how they work underGround. Young children will be fascinated.


Ben Franklin's Big Splash - written by Barb Rosenstock and illustrated by S.D. Schindler
      The extended title of this book says "The mostly true story of his first invention", so I guess this isn't exactly non-fiction, but there is also extra back matter about Benjamin Franklin's life, including a timeline, and it is based on a true story.  The story focuses on one invention mentioned and that is swim fins. Ben Franklin loved to swim, and even growing up, he was always asking "what if", and what is written as his first invention is "swim fins." The story integrates some other bits of history, like the fact Ben is looked upon as strange because he swims a lot. During the Revolutionary War era, the book tells us that most people, even sailors, did not know how to swim. It's a fun book that can introduce young children to this famous man.
          I have a few biographies from the library, looking forward to those, too! Happy Reading!


          

9 comments:

  1. These are both new for me - I've seen a few reviews of Ben Franklin but haven't picked it up yet!

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  2. Both are new to me also. I too enjoy Denise Fleming's work. It's so kid friendly.

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  3. Happy that I could share new ones, Michele and Crystal. Yes, Denise Fleming's work is wonderful!

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  4. I am a huge fan of Denise Fleming. In fact I have done an author study with my kindergarten students for years. I just read the Ben Franklin book this morning. Barb Rosenstock is an excellent writer.

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    1. I need to find more about and by Denise Fleming. This book is just beautiful.

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  5. I love Denise Fleming. I should get this title for my classroom collection - I always have such a range of readers.

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    1. Even the most reluctant reader will learn much from looking, too, Carrie. Hope you do get it, and enjoy it!

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  6. Underground is popular at our store. I'll check it out.

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  7. As you know I have a very special leaning with picturebook biographies. Ben Franklin's Big Splash sounds like a new title I should definitely find.

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