I wouldn't have believed that a book about matter and energy would be read by the picture book crowd, except that my third-grade and kindergarten grandkids are studying physics at school right now. Go figure. At their age, I would have had no idea that a catapult uses a fulcrum---or even what a fulcrum was--let alone build… Continue reading PUSH-PULL MORNING: Dog Powered Poems About Matter and Energy
The human body… more like the heroic body!The Human Body: An Alien’s Guide, written by Ruth Redford and illustrated by Leandro Cunha, is a graphic novel about human biology. This book features two aliens, Zag and Zog, who go on an adventurous mission to learn about the human body. I read it to my 5-year-old brother,… Continue reading THE HUMAN BODY: AN ALIEN'S GUIDE: A Graphic Novel Review by Guest Blogger Brooke Leela-Ann White
Some of you may remember a few years ago when I shared Sue Gallion's unique board book, OUR WORLD (Phaidon, 2020). Since that book came out, she published OUR SEASONS: THE WORLD IN WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER, and AUTUMN and now has another book in the series. OUR UNDERWATER WORLD: A FIRST DIVE INTO OCEANS, LAKES, and RIVERS (also… Continue reading OUR UNDERWATER WORLD by Sue Lowell Gallion: A Nonfiction Picture Book and a Giveaway
It seems as if we just celebrated New Year's and now it's time for Valentine's Day! To help celebrate, I have the perfect book for your child, grandchild, classroom or library-- VALENTINES FOR ALL: Esther Howland Captures America's Heart by Nancy Churnin and illustrated by Monika Rosa Wisniewska. REVIEWFrom the opening of the story where Esther… Continue reading Celebrate Valentine's Day with a Giveaway of VALENTINES FOR ALL by Nancy Churnin
REVIEWThe I'm Trying to Love Germs book by Bethany Barton (Viking Books, 2023) is a great way to teach elementary-aged kids about germs. It provides in-depth descriptions of microbes and germs. The book is silly and fun and gives real-life examples of how you can tell a germ is around, such as sneezing and bathroom… Continue reading I'M TRYING TO LOVE GERMS: A Picture Book Review by Guest Reviewer, Helen Wheeler
Today it is my pleasure to introduce a new teen blogger, Janelle Ekpo. The last time I saw Janelle she was about eight--but now she's in high school and a fantastic writer. I trust you'll enjoy her debut book review and her interview with the author, Gretchen Woelfle -- no stranger to my blog. REVIEWIf there were more… Continue reading HOW BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BECAME a REVOLUTIONARY in SEVEN (Not-So-Easy) STEPS : Review & Interview by Guest Blogger Janelle Ekpo
Have you ever wondered who invented the dishwasher? Read my review and you'll find out!REVIEW of Josephine and Her Dishwashing MachineThis STEM picture book by Kate Hannigan starts with an introduction that gives the reader an idea about this spunky woman and the historical context of the story. And I love how illustrator, Sarah Green, shows… Continue reading JOSEPHINE AND HER DISHWASHING MACHINE: A STEM Picture Book Giveaway
Without a bit of shame, I admit it. I'm a Beth Anderson groupie. Ever since I read Tad Lincoln's Restless Wriggle and Franz's Phantasmagorical Machine and discovered Beth's relentless research to discover the heart of each biography--I want to read and study each book she writes.REVIEWDeborah Sampson's Spirit was always a little too large. Maybe it was the stories of… Continue reading CLOAKED IN COURAGE: A NONFICTION PICTURE BOOK REVIEW and 2 MINI-INTERVIEWS
Last May I reviewed Annette Whipple's fourth book in the "Truth About Series," RIBBIT! Reycraft Books has just released the fifth book in the series, MEOW! I'm delighted to share some snippets and a brief interview with author, Annette Whipple. REVIEWIn keeping with the kid-friendly format that Annette began with SCURRY! The Truth About Spiders, MEOW! answers the… Continue reading MEOW! The Truth About Cats a STEM Picture Book Review, Mini-Author Interview, and Giveaway!
Today I am featuring two more picture books published by Sleeping Bear Press. They're as different as STEM is to wordplay, but remarkably, both feature bugs. LIGHT the SKY FIREFLY!Three years ago I featured Sherry Mary Bestor and Jonny Lambert in their book, Soar High, Dragonfly! Today I'm highlighting another one of their collaborative adventures.My co-publisher of Talking Story,… Continue reading 2 Bug Books and 1 Giveaway