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Home » Juvenile Nonfiction » STEM
Ages 5-9, Animal Life Cycles, Animals, Children's Book Reviews, Earth Sciences, Education & Reference, Environment & Ecology, Juvenile Nonfiction, Nature & the Natural World, Nature & The Natural World, Science & Nature, Science Studies, STEM, STEM, The Environment, U.S.A., Wildlife
THE RIVER THAT WOLVES MOVED:
A True Tale from Yellowstone
Written by Mary Kay Carson
Illustrated by David Hohn
(Sleeping Bear Press; $17.99, Ages 5-9)
The title of Mary Kay Carson's new picture book drew me in: The River That Wolves Moved: A True Tale from Yellowstone. What?! How? I wanted to find out. Using the structure of "The House That Jack Built," we learn why wolves are a crucial part of the ecosystem. Without them, elk overpopulate, overgraze, and, ultimately, cause muddied rivers to forge different paths.
Pages incorporate new lines while repeating what's come before. Additional information is provided below the main text to paint a broader picture of each animal's contribution to diversifying the environment.
Interior spread from The River That Wolves Moved written by Mary Kay Carson and illustrated by David Hohn, Sleeping Bear Press ©2022.
Yellowstone National Park was created in 1872. In the subsequent years, wolves were legally hunted, trapped, and poisoned by rangers and ranchers. By the early 1900s, wolves were gone. Facts are presented in a manner that kids can understand and, rather than seeing wolves as the bad guys, we learn they are helpful and necessary.
The illustrations by David Hohn capture the beauty of nature through the eyes of a young girl and her grandfather. Evocative, warm art combined with the lyrical text make this important topic accessible for the youngest child, hopefully fostering environmental stewardship.
Reviewed by Christine Van Zandt (www.ChristineVanZandt.com), Write for Success (www.WriteforSuccessEditing.com), @ChristineVZ and @WFSediting, Christine@WriteforSuccessEditing.com
Ages 7 and up, Animals, Children's Book Reviews, Education & Reference, Environment & Ecology, Juvenile Nonfiction, Nature & The Natural World, Oceans, Oceans & Seas, Science & Nature, Science Studies, STEM, STEM, Underwater
DEEP, DEEP DOWN:
The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench
Written by Lydia Lukidis
Illustrated by Juan Calle
(Capstone; $18.99; Ages 7-11)
"Deep, deep down, at the very bottom of the ocean, lies a secret world. Through lyrical narration, this spare-text STEM picture book takes readers on a journey to a place very few humans have ever been—the Mariana Trench. The imagined voyage debunks scary myths about this mysterious place with surprising and beautiful truths about life at Earth's deepest point. Deep, Deep Down shows a vibrant world far below, and teaches readers how interconnected our lives are to every place on the planet."
Interior spread from Deep, Deep Down written by Lydia Lukidis and illustrated by Juan Calle, Capstone Publishing © 2023.
Lydia Lukidis and Juan Calle bring the underwater world of the Mariana Trench to life in Deep, Deep Down, a narrative nonfiction title with art that hints at the color and form that may be hidden down below. (Since no one knows for sure what that world would be like to the human eye, I appreciate the disclaimer given on the copyright page, though would like it to be larger to grab readers' attention.) And while I would not call this a "lyrical" title (it doesn't have the consistent rhythm I would expect from a lyrical title—even the non-rhyming ones), the text reads smoothly and the author has done a good job of describing this world using vivid, child-friendly verbs and adjectives.
I especially love the added sidebars and captions on each spread that indicate both where we are in the ocean and the creature highlighted in the illustration. These added bits of information (and the three pages of backmatter!) make this title perfect for all ages of fact-hounds; however, I'd like to point out that the suggested age for this picture book is seven to eleven years old. I can see this title being used in the classroom both as a science text and an excellent example of vivid language, and becoming a favorite of students who just want to sit and browse the beautiful illustrations.
*A Recommended Read
Click here for an Educators Guide.
Reviewed by Roxanne Troup
Picture Book Review by Roxanne Troup – Iceberg
Ages 3-6, Animals, Antarctica, Children's Book Reviews, Children's Books > Science, Earth Sciences, Geography & Cultures, Juvenile Nonfiction, Nature & the Natural World, Polar Region, Science, Science & Nature, Science & Technology, STEM, STEM, The Environment, Underwater
ICEBERG: A LIFE IN SEASONS
Written by Claire Saxby
Illustrated by Jess Racklyeft
(Groundwood Books; $19.99; Ages 3-6)
"An iceberg shears from a glacier and begins a journey through Antarctica's seasons. In the spring, penguins trek across the ice while krill stir beneath. With summer comes more life…the sun softens its edges and undersea currents wash it from below. When autumn arrives with cooling temperatures, the sea changes and the iceberg is trapped in the ice for the winter freeze. Then spring returns and the iceberg drifts into a sheltered bay and falls, at the end of its life cycle. But if you think this is the end of the journey, look closer ― out in the ocean, an iceberg shears from a glacier and settles to the sea, beginning the process anew."
Claire Saxby's beautiful, poetic language and Jess Racklyeft's luminous art bring this nonfiction concept to life for young readers who'll never see this ecosystem with their own eyes. Here, "ocean, sky, snow and ice dance a delicate dance."
Interior spread from Iceberg: A Life in Season written by Claire Saxby and illustrated by Jess Racklyeft, Groundwood Books ©2022.
Though most people think of Antarctica as a cold, barren icescape, ICEBERG proves otherwise. Racklyeft even includes an amazing center gatefold highlighting the beauty and life thriving just below the ocean surrounding Antarctica.
Originally published in Australia by Allen & Unwin, Groundwood Books adds an author's note and a glossary explaining the effects of climate change (without being moralistic) and positioning ICEBERG for use in the classroom. *Highly recommended!
Picture Book Review – Wake, Sleepy One
Ages 4-8, Children's Book Reviews, Education & Reference, Environment & Ecology, Flora & Fauna, Juvenile Nonfiction, Nature, Nature & the Natural World, Science Studies, STEM, STEM
WAKE, SLEEPY ONE:
California Poppies and the Super Bloom
by Lisa Kerr
Illustrated by Lisa Powell Braun
(West Margin Press; $17.99; Ages 4-8)
From seed to "super bloom," debut author, Lisa Kerr, introduces readers to the California desert poppy in a combination of lyrical and expository nonfiction text. From the publisher: "A lyrical ode to California's most treasured wildflower, Wake, Sleepy One gently captures the quiet strength of the poppy in all its breathtaking wonder."
Interior spread from Wake, Sleepy One written by Lisa Kerr and illustrated by Lisa Powell Braun, West Margin Press ©2022.
As the sleepy poppy wakes, it "rises" from the ground "reaching" for the sun and "waiting" for her time to shine. This "tiny dancer" swirls and twirls in the breeze as it is joined by hundreds of other waking seeds in a rare natural phenomenon of the desert super bloom.
Lisa Powell Braun's charming artwork supports Kerr's spare text and offers a variety of reading options for this book. The youngest of listeners will be able to grasp the story's concept and watch the poppy "wake…rise…reach…wait…unfold…dance" and "shimmer" with a simple reading of each page's single italicized line. Preschool and kindergarten listeners will delight in the added emotional tension of the entire main text, while older readers will appreciate the facts in Kerr's nonfiction sidebars.
Interior art from Wake, Sleepy One written by Lisa Kerr and illustrated by Lisa Powell Braun, West Margin Press ©2022.
Two full spreads of stellar backmatter add to its usability in the classroom, and make this a perfect resource for learning about desert landscapes!
Picture Book Review – Ducks Overboard!
Ages 7-10, Children's Book Reviews, Children's Books > Science, Earth Sciences, Juvenile Nonfiction, Nature & the Natural World, Nature & The Natural World, Oceans, Recycling, Science & Nature, STEM, The Environment
DUCKS OVERBOARD!:
A TRUE STORY OF PLASTIC IN OUR OCEANS
by Markus Motum
We Don't Need to Wait Until Earth Day to Pay Attention to Our Environment
If you're looking for a nonfiction book that reads like a story, you've found it! Narrated by a rubber ducky, this picture book by author-illustrator Markus Motum, Ducks Overboard!: A True Story of Plastic in Our Oceans, explains how 28,000 ducks ended up in the middle of the ocean. The reader adventures along with the ducks in unknown territory as they encounter sea creatures and garbage. Viewing it from the duck's perspective reinforces how animals are endangered by plastics in their environment, eating them or becoming entangled.
DUCKS OVERBOARD! © 2021 Markus Motum. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA on behalf of Walker Books, London.
A world map clearly explains how the ducks traveled on ocean currents to various destinations. Our duck, however, becomes stuck in the swirling Great Pacific Garbage Patch—a mass of trash about twice the size of Texas—until, finally, freed. Though this duck's story has a happy ending, much is learned in the process that gives us cause to think about how our everyday choices are hurting our planet.
The mixed-media illustrations are done in beautiful ocean blues which showcase the bright yellow duck(s). Back matter includes "Lost at Sea" (about other missing shipping containers) and "Ocean Currents" (explaining ocean movement and gyres). "Plastic Facts" and "How You Can Help" reminds us that 40 percent of plastic is single-use and, because most cannot be recycled, those items break down into smaller and smaller pieces causing far-reaching damage. I appreciate how this book handles such a dire topic in a manner that feels as lightweight as your bathtub ducky.
Reviewed by Christine Van Zandt (www.ChristineVanZandt.com),
Write for Success (www.Write-for-Success.com), @ChristineVZ and @WFSediting, Christine@Write-for-Success.com
Picture Book Review – Night Becomes Day
Ages 4 and up, Children's Book Reviews, Children's Books > Science, Juvenile Nonfiction, Nature & the Natural World, Science & Nature, STEM
NIGHT BECOMES DAY: CHANGES IN NATURE
Written by Cynthia Argentine
(Millbrook Press; $29.32, Ages 4-9)
Cynthia Argentine's picture book, Night Becomes Day: Changes in Nature is such a great idea for a children's book. Through lovely, lyrical prose coupled with stunning photography, this nonfiction book takes readers on a kind of before and after look at nature's wonders which youngsters might take for granted or do not have time to notice during a day at the beach, a walk in the woods, on a wilderness adventure or a national park visit.
Children will learn that "nature is always at work, transforming." Some of the changes detailed are small, subtle even and others are large. And the results can be so different. A footprint in the sand washes away with the first wave and yet over time, the Colorado River has worn away the stone, carving out a massive space we know as the Grand Canyon.
Photo credit: Interior spread from Night Becomes Day © 2022 Millbrook Press ™, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group.
Some changes can be witnessed quickly while others cannot. They can occur in just a few minutes like when "A pumpkin tendril wraps around a rope in minutes." Or slowly over time as an acorn grows into a majestic oak. Argentine notes that change brightens—such as when desert flowers bloom following rain and change dulls—such as when a fallen leaf becomes mulch supporting "new life."
One of my favorite changes in nature depicted is how diamonds are formed over eons making them ancient as compared to a snowflake or sparkling new ice crystal. "Everywhere on Earth—from shore to mountain, field to forest, surface to sky—nature is at work, TRANSFORMING."
The power of observation and the beauty of nature are in focus in this wonderful ode to change that should get kids taking more time to notice what's around them. Argentine has created a clever study in contrasts that is enjoyable to read aloud and to admire since the photos are breathtaking.
The author's note in the three pages of back matter highlights how some things like a healing wound or out-growing a pair of shoes are examples of change or metamorphosis. And things don't have to be alive to change—think rocks, waves, caves. Changes that occur at the intersection of living and nonliving things, Argentine explains, are called ecology. This helps children understand their impact on the world and how important that is.
Kids can read through page 29 for the more poetic portion of the book or carry on through page 32 for additional scientific notes Argentine's included that refer back to each section: Beaches and Canyons – Geology; Pumpkin Tendrils and Oak Trees – Botany; Deserts and Forests – Biology; Clouds and Caverns – Chemistry and Geology; Volcanoes and Glaciers – Geology; and Diamonds and Snowflakes – Chemistry, Geology, and Physics. Whether reading for pleasure or for a class project, this STEM book is an engaging and accessible introduction to the science of change that will be welcomed by parents and teachers alike.
Reviewed by Ronna Mandel
To support local bookstores, here is the link for Bookshop.org:
https://bookshop.org/books/night-becomes-day-changes-in-nature/9781541581241
Educators may also use Lerner's website: https://lernerbooks.com/shop/show/21209
Glossary/free eResources can be found here: https://lernerbooks.com/teaching_guides/620
Nonfiction Picture Book Review – Tu Youyou's Discovery
1900s, Ages 4-8, Biography, Children's Book Reviews, History, Juvenile Nonfiction, Juvenile Nonfiction - Biography/Autobiography, Science & Nature, Science Studies, STEM, STEM, Women
TU YOUYOU'S DISCOVERY:
Finding a Cure for Malaria
Written by Songju Ma Daemicke
Illustrated by Lin
(Albert Whitman & Co.; $16.99, Ages 4-8)
In 2021 malaria is a preventable and treatable disease but it wasn't always the case. Hundreds of thousands used to die from it annually but the mortality rate has declined since the medicine to cure it was approved. That's why I was curious to read about Tu Youyou, the woman whose determination led to finding a cure for malaria and becoming the first Chinese woman to win a Nobel Prize.
In Tu Youyou's Discovery written by Songju Ma Daemicke with art by Lin, readers are brought back in time to Beijing, China in the 1930s. Youyou attended school when most girls her age stayed home but contracted tuberculosis as a teenager and had to drop out.
Interior art from Tu Youyou's Discovery: Finding a Cure for Malaria written by Songju Ma Daemicke and illustrated by Lin, Albert Whitman ©2021.
Fortunately, she survived due to antibiotics prescribed by her physician but was greatly weakened. A steady diet of "her mother's herb soups slowly nursed her back to full strength." This sparked her interest in how both "modern and traditional" medicines had helped her get well. Always a compassionate person, Youyou chose to pursue a career in science in order to help save lives. Little did she know then what a major contribution she would ultimately make when in 1969 malaria, like Covid-19 now, swept across the world bringing death in its path. After graduating from Peking University, "in 1955" she "became a researcher at the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing." As part of a research group, Youyou was determined to find a cure for malaria and was in the right place at just the right time.
Youyou traveled around the country to document cases in hopes of gaining new insight into the disease. She found it when she met a farmer who had cured his own high fever by eating a local plant called qinghao, known in English as sweet wormwood. In her lab, she and her team tried various methods to create a cure using the qinghao, but nothing worked. However, Youyou did not give up. Despite little to no funding for the latest equipment, Youyou's team performed experiment after experiment with no luck.
Then what appeared to be a breakthrough came from an unexpected place. Studying her family's indispensable "A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies, an ancient Chinese remedy book," Youyou revisited the qinhao remedy only to realize that the book recommended just soaking the herb in water when all along her team had been boiling it. Perhaps the healing part of the plant had been destroyed during the experiments. Much to her dismay, this too yielded no results. Again, Youyou persevered. Many male colleagues had questioned her commitment to traditional medicine but "After 190 unsuccessful experiments, the test result of sample 191 stunned the team." Sample 191 completely killed the parasites and so in 1971 a successful cure had been found. And while Youyou initially credited her entire team in research papers, over time "other scientists finally realized how involved she had been in the discovery." In October of 2015, Tu Youyou was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine at a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden. Her commitment to finding a cure for malaria has saved millions of lives and continues to do so to this day.
I'm so glad Songju has introduced Tu Youyou to me and to children in such an accessible way. I felt as if, despite knowing the outcome, that I was right alongside a detective solving a mystery. This nonfiction picture book bio provides engaging STEM reading for budding scientists, doctors, and inventors and puts Youyou's name up there alongside other women in STEM history makers such as Marie Curie, Marie Maynard Daly, and Ada Byron Lovelace. Lin's nice use of contrasting flat color palettes creates bright illustrations that have a print-making quality to them. Songju shares how labor-intensive the six steps of the scientific method are (see back matter for this info) but also how crucial. While not all experiments yield life-changing results, Youyou's story is a great example of how teamwork and not giving up can make a difference. I was surprised to learn in the Author's Note that although the first clinical trials for the malaria medicine known as artemisinin took place in 1972, it wasn't until 1986 that the drug gained approval from the Chinese government and started being used around the globe.
Nonfiction Picture Book Review – Out of The Blue
Ages 6-9, Animals, Children's Book Reviews, Children's Books > Science, Education & Reference, Evolution of Animals, Juvenile Nonfiction, Nature & The Natural World, Nature & the Natural World, Science & Nature, STEM, Underwater
OUT OF THE BLUE:
How Animals Evolved from Prehistoric Seas
Written by Elizabeth Shreeve
Illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon
(Candlewick; $17.99, Ages 6-9)
★Starred Reviews – Kirkus and School Library Journal
Before the text begins, Elizabeth Shreeve's nonfiction picture book cleverly has readers guess, among hippos, dolphins, and sharks, which two animals are the closest relatives? For the answer, you'll have to read Out of the Blue: How Animals Evolved from Prehistoric Seas.
OUT OF THE BLUE. Text copyright © 2021 by Elizabeth Shreeve. Illustrations copyright © 2021 by Frann Preston-Gannon. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA.
Shreeve impressively chronicles life on Earth from its beginning until present. Yet, for such an intricate topic, her kid-friendly text is easy to follow. Readers wanting more data can reference the time periods (noted at the bottom) or learn from the notes accompanying various creatures. The back matter includes sources and further reading.
The illustrations by Frann Preston-Gannon add drama and dimension showing lava-flowing eruptions and the starkness of what scientists call the Great Dying when temperatures soared and life perished. However, most of the art depicts brightly colored celebrations of the wonderful creatures that have inhabited our planet. I like how sketches are used in the sidebar to demonstrate, for example, the size of a prehistoric dragonfly in comparison to a human. (These insects grew huge because of the abundant oxygen levels.)
Information is conveyed in an exciting manner, encouraging page turns to discover the changes of life on Earth while also learning the answer to the opening question. This comprehensive reference book will engage curious young readers.
Reviewed by Christine Van Zandt (www.ChristineVanZandt.com), Write for Success
(www.Write-for-Success.com), @ChristineVZ and @WFSediting, Christine@Write-for-Success.com
NOTE: I received the book for free from Candlewick Press in exchange for a review.
Nonfiction Picture Book – A Brief History of Underpants for National Underwear Day
Ages 4-8, Children's Book Reviews, Education & Reference, Fashion, Humor, Juvenile Nonfiction, STEM
A BRIEF HISTORY OF UNDERPANTS
Written by Christine Van Zandt
Illustrated by Harry Briggs
(becker&meyer!kids; Paperback $9.99, Ages 4-8)
Let's talk tushes, well what goes on them to be precise.
Before I do though, and for the record, debut picture book author Christine Van Zandt is a long-time reviewer for this blog. But even if she weren't, I'd still have to gush about A Brief History of Underpants because I think what she's uncovered about underwear is fascinating. More important than what I think is what kids will, and I don't know how they'll be able to resist getting the low-down on undies or all the punderful facts Christine points out that'll crack kids up. Plus the cool cover reveal-wheel is simply hard to stop spinning, even for an adult.
Interior spread from A Brief History of Underpants written by Christine Van Zandt and illustrated by Harry Briggs, becker&meyer!kids ©2021.
This entertaining, informative, and fast-paced 48-page nonfiction picture book is compact and perfect for kids to bring along on a trip or give as a gift. Conveniently broken down into four accessible chapters, and an Extras section (to be read in one go or slowly to be savored like a treat), A Brief History of Underpants makes learning about this topic a jaunty journey through the ages then back to the present day.
Chapter One, "Crusty Old Buns," is brief but interesting as it addresses the need for underpants (see photo above) that we may take for granted while also shedding light on some discoveries that confirmed how far back in time the garments were worn. Chapter Two, "Underpants Around the World" is my favorite. Travel the globe and back in time for a glimpse of the usually unglimpsable "unmentionables" while finding out how various cultures viewed the value of underpants. Whether one's interested in what King Tut put on his "royal rear" or what Genghis Khan wore to avoid getting himself killed by a poison-tipped arrow, it's all there and more.
Christine's also peppered fun facts throughout the book such as how a person's age or social status could be reflected in the "fabric, style and decorations on their loincloth" or how making red dye in Ancient Egypt involved using sheep poop! We even learn how pee mixed with ashes was used in the cleaning process of undergarments in Europe. Chapter Three, "Cheeky Inventions" shows just how far undies' technology has come. For example, buttons were made in Pakistan thousands of years before buttonholes evolved in 13th century Germany! The sewing machine meant home-sewn underpants could be replaced by multiple store-bought ones and the invention of elastic made keeping on one's undies so simple. Chapter Four introduces readers to "Tushes Today Worldwide" covering the 1980s to now and why this post was scheduled for today. It's National Underpants Day in the U.S.A. so we can celebrate how far (including the International Space Station) these "unmentionables" have come.
The "Extras" chapter features a craft for making Japanese fundoshi, a long strip of cloth worn by Samurai warriors, some jokes, and further reading. I know I'm ready to read more about King Tut and the 145 pairs of underpants that he was buried with. Christine's well-researched text, coupled with Harry Briggs's outlined, doodle-style, hilarious art has just the right kid appeal for this age group. I give this book a resounding bottoms (okay thumbs) up and hope your children find it as enjoyable and educational as I did. Not only will this be a looked-forward-to nonfiction read for kids, but teachers and librarians can welcome the heightened interest this most delightful delve into a fashion staple provides.
Click here for a cover reveal of this book with some insights about the inspiration from Christine.
Kids Picture Book Biography – The Polio Pioneer: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine
Ages 4-8, Biography, Biology, Children's Book Reviews, Children's Books > Science, Education & Reference, Famous Americans, Juvenile Nonfiction, Juvenile Nonfiction - Biography/Autobiography, Science & Nature, Science Studies, STEM, STEM
THE POLIO PIONEER:
DR. JONAS SALK AND THE POLIO VACCINE
Written by Linda Elovitz Marshall
Illustrated by Lisa Anchin
(Knopf BYR; $17.99; AGES 4-8)
A topic on everyone's tongues these days is vaccinations. When she wrote this book, Linda E Marshall likely had no idea how relevant her book would be today and how once again, an innovative vaccine is saving lives around the world.
The book opens with four-year-old Jonas Salk sitting on top of his father's shoulders during the victory parade celebrating the end of World War I. But Jonas doesn't understand the cheering when all he sees are injured soldiers. Jonas, readers learn, sees things differently. Find out about the man and the story behind the life-changing vaccine he developed in THE POLIO PIONEER: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine written by Linda Elovitz Marshall with illustrations by Lisa Anchin.
Interior illustrations from The Polio Pioneer: Dr. Jonas Salk and the Polio Vaccine written by Linda Elovitz Marshall and illustrated by Lisa Anchin, Knopf BYR ©2020.
Anchin's art brings a warmth to the subject of science painting in soft colors of oranges and blues as the reader walks through the life of the main character Jonas. Whether that's refereeing his friends' games when not reading because he knows the rules or helping his Yiddish-speaking mother learn English after his Jewish family migrates to New York City. The kindness and love of the Salk family are depicted with each page turn as the family celebrates Shabbat with freshly baked Challah and Jonas' inner thoughts are shown "when Jonas prayed that he might someday, help make the world a better place."
Marshall writes about the financial difficulties the Salk family faced, but Jonas kept moving forward "attending the City College of New York where tuition was free and where, unlike at many other colleges and universities, Jews were welcome." With a grin on his face and apron tied around his neck, Jonas discovers chemistry while mixing liquids amongst classmates in the college lab. Salk is determined to gain a better understanding of science so that he can make medicines to help people and decides to become a doctor. Illustrated wearing glasses and a white lab coat, Jonas enters medical school where he befriends his teacher Dr. Thomas Francis and the pair team up with an idea as the flu is killing millions. "What if … a person was given some flu virus that was killed by chemicals so it could not cause disease?" Dr. Salk and Dr. Francis thought this could be a way of fighting the flu. And they were right.
With men, women and children lined up on the streets, dressed in their Sunday bests, a nurse in white stands next to one of Anchin's realistic illustrations with a chalk-written sign reading FLU VACCINE CLINIC. "Since then, flu shots have saved thousands of lives each year."
"But another disease was raging … Polio". Readers see Franklin Delano Roosevelt sitting in a wheelchair in the oval office, as others are lined up in beds, victims of this new disease. People are shown hiding in their homes, just as we all have done these past fifteen months from COVID, and the similarities are not unnoticed. Today's scientists learned a lot from Dr. Salk. "He and his team of scientists labored day and night, night and day."
"On April 12, 1955, Dr. Francis joins the team and announced to the world: "The vaccine WORKS!" POLIO could be CONQUERED!" Dr. Salk continued his studies by establishing the Salk Institute for Biological Studies where they have worked on cures for cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and many other problems.
Marshall writes in a way that makes a tough topic easy to follow with her understandable language and flowing sentences, while Anchin's drawings transport the reader to 1918 and beyond. The timing of the release of this book last year during the pandemic could not have been more prescient and still resonates today with over 49% of the population vaccinated for Covid-19. As for polio, America has been free of the disease since 1979 due to the amount of participation. Maybe a picture book about our current pandemic will be next to teach future kids about what we have been experiencing. Marshall's book is fabulous for elementary-age children and higher. In the Author's Note, Marshall heartwarmingly explains the backstory behind her reasons for writing the book and how Dr. Salk is her hero. She thanks the Salk family for sharing family stories and photos, including writings from Michael Salk, grandson to Jonas. Dr. Salk, as Marshall tells, was a Mensch, the perfect Yiddish word to describe a man whose good work, kindness, and dedication helped make the world a better place. And he did.
Reviewed by Ronda Einbinder
An Interview with Anna Crowley Redding – Author of The Gravity Tree
Ages 4-8, Author Interview, Education & Reference, Juvenile Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science & Nature - Physics, STEM
ANNA CROWLEY REDDING
THE GRAVITY TREE:
THE TRUE STORY OF A TREE THAT INSPIRED THE WORLD
Illustrated By Yas Imamura
(HarperCollins; $17.99, Ages 4 to 8)
★Starred Review – Kirkus Reviews
SHORT SUMMARY:
The Gravity Tree: The True Story of a Tree That Inspired the World
Written by Anna Crowley Redding and illustrated by Yas Imamura
From Emmy Award-winning journalist Anna Crowley Redding comes a captivating nonfiction picture book that explores the fabled apple tree that inspired Isaac Newton's theory of gravity. From a minor seed to a monumental icon, it inspired the world's greatest minds, including Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. This tale is an ode to the potential that exists in all of us to change the world
"A sweet windfall of history and inspiration." —Kirkus (starred review)
"This picture book may resonate with science-minded children." —Booklist.
Colleen Paeff: Hi Anna! Congratulations on the release of The Gravity Tree: The True Story of a Tree That Inspired the World. What sparked the idea for this book?
ACR: I came across an article that not only mentioned Isaac Newton's apple tree, but mentioned there were descendants of the tree on every continent except Antarctica. Then I found out the original tree was still alive. It blew my mind!
CP: I love the way you start and end with the idea that something small can change the world. Was that story structure there in your early drafts or did it develop over time?
ACR: Thank you! Those were the first words I actually wrote because that's what really struck me about this particular tree … that a tiny seed could indeed change everything. I loved the truth of it.
CP: Were you particularly surprised by anything you learned as you conducted your research?
ACR: I did not originally know that Albert Einstein had visited the tree until I stumbled upon a newspaper article written at the time of his visit. I could NOT believe it. I was literally jumping for joy in front of my computer. There was even a picture!
CP: What was your reaction when you saw Yas Imamura's wonderful illustrations for the book?
ACR: Her work is just stunning. The texture, the layering, and the contrast. She uses these elements to really drive the visual storytelling. What surprised me is how her work has an innovative edge and yet feels very classic. I love that!
Interior art from The Gravity Tree written by Anna Crowley Redding and illustrated by Yas Imamura, HarperCollins BYR ©2021.
CP: Your books Elon Musk: A Mission to Save the World and Google It: A History of Google are for Young Adult readers. Black Hole Chasers: The Amazing True Story of an Astronomical Breakthrough (coming in September 2021) is for a middle-grade audience, and Rescuing the Declaration of Independence, Chowder Rules, and The Gravity Tree are all picture books. Is your research process different for picture books, middle grade, and YA?
ACR: My process is really the same in terms of learning as much as I can about a topic. With a longer format piece, I'll dig way more into the details whereas picture books I'm constantly honed in on the heart of the story with every single word.
CP: Can you tell me three favorite research tips or resources that you wouldn't want to be without?
ACR: The ability today to access primary sources from your computer is an unbelievable gift. And I love reading old newspaper articles, research papers, photos, contemporaneous drawings, and maps. But I also love talking to people and experts and asking lots of questions. That really helps with context. Eeep! I think that was more than three!
CP: No problem! The more the better. How do you decide which age level is most appropriate for a story idea?
ACR: Sometimes the amount of information available and the scope of a story will dictate that. But if ever I am debating it, I'll check in with a librarian and look for books that handle similar material. And I will also talk to my agent and bounce these ideas and questions off of her. She has a sharp eye for this!
Interior spread from The Gravity Tree written by Anna Crowley Redding and illustrated by Yas Imamura, HarperCollins BYR ©2021.
CP: Do you find it easier to write for one age group or another?
ACR: No! Each type of book comes with its own challenges and sweet spots!
CP: In addition to being a talented author, you're an Emmy Award-winning investigative television reporter! Tell me about how you won that Emmy and what it felt like.
ACR: I was covering an ice storm in North Carolina and as my photographer shot video of line workers trying to restore power on the main lines. And there was a house nearby. And in the window was a little boy with his flashlight absolutely loving every minute the whole show… the ice, the workers, the trucks, the power outage, the flashlights… all of it. We found him just four hours before deadline and put together a story that celebrated the childhood joy of ice storms. I loved everything about it. Winning an Emmy for that story was really an honor. It was a difficult category to win. But as a little girl, I never dreamed that such a thing was possible for me. And so it felt really rewarding. And I was sure to mention that little boy by name in my acceptance speech!
CP: Wow! It really sounds like you were meant to tell children's stories! What are some skills you used as an investigative television reporter and news anchor that have served you well in your career as an author of books for children?
ACR: The research skills have come in super handy and not quitting. Becoming a TV News Reporter can be as impossible as becoming a published author … so not giving up is super important. In both fields you need to put your work in front of people who know more about it than you do and get their feedback and learn from it. It's scary, humbling, and SUPER helpful. So having a thick skin or ability to receive criticism is useful.
CP: Do you think you'll ever go back to reporting the news on television?
ACR: No plans for that at this stage. I love writing for children and young adults. There is a freedom and creativity to it that I just adore.
CP: You co-lead a couple weekly audio chat rooms for writers on Clubhouse, and I'm always so impressed with how welcoming and encouraging you are to new writers who join in. As I read your incredibly moving blog post, If Not for Tom Ellis: The Mentor Who Changed My Life and the Lessons he Leaves Behind, I found myself wondering if part of the appeal of Clubhouse for you is that it allows you to play a mentorship role for aspiring authors. Do you think that's true?
ACR: Thank you for reading that post. Tom Ellis was a superstar Boston TV anchor who was so generous to me with his time, talent, and expertise. And I think we all need someone to remind us that we can accomplish difficult things and then give us some tools to get there. So, yes, having been the recipient of enormous generosity in both of my careers makes me so excited to hopefully be that little beacon of light to others who may need it. It's also wonderful to join with other authors, illustrators, and agents to do that together, as a group. It's been very moving and rewarding for me.
CP: I know you love visiting schools. Can you tell me about a school visit activity that's been especially successful and fun?
ACR: I love handing kids a clipboard, magnifying glass, some primary sources that relate to a particular book or story, and then asking them to prove or disprove the story based on their research. It's so much fun and the kids love it!
CP: What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you on a school visit?
ACR: I got a migraine headache midway through. The teacher had Excedrin on hand. I took it. It did not touch this headache. I was leading a super hands-on writing exercise and I was starting to sweat from the pain. There were just twenty minutes left of the clock. I was desperate–begging God to get me through it. Finally, the school bell rings. YES! And then the active-shooter alarm is activated. We had to hide in the dark library. Thirty minutes later the police cleared the school. All was well and I grabbed my special tote Macmillan gave me and started to drive for home. But at a stoplight I was overcome with migraine nausea. Quickly dumped the books out of my special tote … and threw up in it!
CP: Oh no!!! That's terrible! At least you made it out of the school before you threw up. Haha! Let's move on to a happier topic. What's the best part about being a children's book author?
ACR: I think when you have the opportunity to enter the sacred space of a book being held by a child … it's like being the honored host of a critically important conversation, a special experience that could shape this young person by inspiring them, or seeing them, or making them laugh, or regain hope. I mean, how awesome is that?!
CP: Is there anything else I should have asked you?
ACR: Do you actually know Colleen Paeff?
ACR: Yes, she is incredibly talented, a very nice person, and everyone should buy The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London's Poop Pollution Problem and follow her on Instagram. (Seriously, you will not be disappointed.)
CP: Aw! Thank you! That's very kind. What's next for you?
ACR: I'm working on a couple of picture books right now that I am wild about. And I've decided to try my hand at memoir writing and have to say, I really love it.
CP: How exciting! Based on what I know about your life so far that is a memoir I will definitely want to read. Thanks for chatting, Anna, and best of luck with The Gravity Tree and all your upcoming projects.
ACR: Thank you so much! This was so much fun and such a thoughtful conversation and I really appreciate it!
Anna Crowley Redding Photo Credit: Dave Dostie
Anna Crowley Redding is the author of Chowder Rules!, Rescuing the Declaration of Independence, Google It, Elon Musk: A Mission to Save the World, and Black Hole Chasers. The recipient of multiple Edward R. Murrow and Associated Press awards, Crowley Redding uses her Emmy award-winning investigative reporting skills to dig into compelling topics that are shaping our world. Her works have been translated into multiple languages, garnered national news coverage, and been recognized by the National Association of Science Teachers for excellence. Crowley Redding lives outside of Portland, Maine with her family.
Website: annacrowleyredding.com
Instagram: @annacrowleyredding
Twitter: @AnnaRedding
FOR MORE ON ANNA CROWLEY REDDING:
Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb
Epic Achievements and Fantastic Failures
Kidlit411 Author Spotlight: Anna Crowley Redding
ABOUT INTERVIEWER COLLEEN PAEFF:
Colleen Paeff is the author of The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London's Poop Pollution Problem, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter (available August 31, 2021, from Margaret K. McElderry Books) and Rainbow Truck, co-authored with Hina Abidi and illustrated by Saffa Khan (available in the spring of 2023 from Chronicle Books). Click here for more info.
Kids' Nonfiction Picture Book Review – Becoming a Good Creature
Ages 4-7, Animals, Children's Book Reviews, Children's Books > Science, Juvenile Nonfiction, Nature & the Natural World, STEM, Wildlife, Zoos & Zoo Vets
BECOMING A GOOD CREATURE
Written by Sy Montgomery
Illustrated by Rebecca Green
(HMH BYR; $17.99, Ages 4-7)
★Starred Reviews – Kirkus, School Library Journal
Sy Montgomery's New York Times best-selling memoir, How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals, inspired the picture book, Becoming a Good Creature. Herein she conveys her beliefs that we can—and should—learn from animals. Montgomery's fundamental messages include "respect others," "find good teachers," and "see for yourself." She encourages us to take a closer look at the world and everything inhabiting it. In doing so, we are bound to "love little lives" and find ways to nurture them because we're all in this together.
Interior spread from Becoming a Good Creature written by Sy Montgomery and illustrated by Rebecca Green, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt BYR ©2020.
While naturalist and adventurer Montgomery has led an extraordinary life, traveling the world and living with animals, we don't have to fly far away to find something worth exploring.
During the pandemic, my family has discovered and interacted with previously overlooked insects in our garden. Becoming a Good Creature reinforces such behavior. It also shows that women can make their own families and forge their own paths.
Rebecca Green's paintings, full of delightful animals, depict Montgomery from girl through woman and showcase how curiosity inspired her positive interactions with animals around the globe. For example, alongside the beautifully poignant illustrations of an octopus, a young Montgomery wonders what could we possibly have in common with them; the answer is playing! This uplifting book stresses the importance of communication and caring—much-needed actions for successful coexistence on our planet.
Click here then scroll down the page to learn more about Rebecca Green's artwork.
Read a review of another picture book about animals here.
Reviewed by Christine Van Zandt (www.ChristineVanZandt.com), Write for Success (www.Write-for-Success.com), @ChristineVZ and @WFSediting, Christine@Write-for-Success.com
Nonfiction Picture Book Review – The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity
Ages 5-9, Biography, Children's Book Reviews, Children's Books > Social Situations > Family Life > New Experiences, India, Juvenile Nonfiction, Juvenile Nonfiction - Biography/Autobiography, People & Places, STEM, STEM
THE BOY WHO DREAMED OF INFINITY:
A Tale of The Genius Ramanujan
Written by Amy Alznauer
Illustrated by Daniel Miyares
(Candlewick Press; $17.99, Ages 5-9)
★Starred Reviews – Booklist, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly
Did you know Srinivasa Ramanujan was one of the greatest mathematicians the world has seen? I didn't, but was thankful to come across The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity by Amy Alznauer and learn a little bit about this man whose amazing accomplishments are still studied today.
THE BOY WHO DREAMED OF INFINITY. Copyright © 2020 by Amy Alznauer. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA.
Born in a small South Indian village in 1887, Ramanujan began questioning the world at an early age: "What is small? And what is big?" He spent endless hours writing and erasing on his slate, trying to capture his thoughts about numbers and size. "Ramanujan was a number theorist, a person who studies the properties and patterns of numbers." This book's examples make these large concepts easy to understand such as when Ramanujan takes food to the man by the river who claims to see odd creatures that aren't there. To this, Ramanujan says, "Sometimes even invisible things can be real." Kids can relate to this while their parents have a greater understanding of what Ramanujan meant.
This self-taught genius felt alone with his thoughts until reaching out to Cambridge University in England because of its great mathematical center where he finally connects with top mathematician, G. H. Hardy (whose pamphlet on infinity Ramanujan had recently discovered). Just six years after making that connection, Ramanujan died in 1920, at the age of thirty-two. "The profound originality of his ideas has been a source of inspiration for mathematicians ever since."
Daniel Miyares's lovely illustrations show us Ramanujan's India blended skillfully with the boy's thoughts. One of my favorite scenes discusses how numbers whisper to Ramanujan in his sleep; he tries catching ideas before they disappear. The accompanying art has multiple images of Ramanujan leaping and climbing on numbers, set against a night sky. Get this book for the kid in your life with big thoughts—whether anyone else can see them or not.
Click here to order a copy of The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity.
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Recommended Reads for the Week of 10/19/20
Picture Book Review – The Boy Who Thought Outside the Box
Ages 5 and up, Biography, Children's Book Reviews, Famous Americans, Inventions, Juvenile Nonfiction, Juvenile Nonfiction - Biography/Autobiography, STEM, Technology
THE BOY WHO THOUGHT OUTSIDE THE BOX:
The Story of Video Game Inventor Ralph Baer
Written by Marcie Wessels
Illustrated by Beatriz Castro
(Sterling Children's Books; $16.95, Ages 5 and up)
I like the play on words in the title, The Boy Who Thought Outside the Box, written by Marcie Wessels and illustrated by Beatriz Castro, which you'll understand after you read the review of this interesting and recommended nonfiction picture book.
The book's main character, Ralph Baer, was born in Cologne Germany and enjoyed doing things other kids his age did, like riding his scooter or playing stick hockey. Wessels doesn't mention specific dates, but adults and older readers will know the action was unfolding in the 1930s during Hitler's rise to power, which is mentioned. Around that time, readers are told, Hitler began making life difficult for the country's Jewish people. And, since Ralph was Jewish, "Even former friends became enemies." He was bullied, and attacks by the Nazis were not uncommon.
Interior spread from The Boy Who Thought Outside the Box written by Marcie Wessels and illustrated by Beatriz Castro, Sterling Children's Books ©2020.
"With no one to play with, Ralph spent more time indoors, tinkering with his construction set." Not only was Ralph able to complete all the models in the manual, he also came up with many clever ideas of his own.
Restrictions on Jews didn't stop Ralph from learning even despite being kicked out of school at age 14 for being Jewish. In 1938 Ralph and his family fled Germany. Once in America, his inventiveness proved invaluable. When he saw a way to speed up handiwork that he, his sister and his mother were doing to help make ends meet, Ralph created a prototype machine. Soon they doubled the amount of projects being completed, increasing their earnings. Always industrious, Ralph took a radio repair course which led to "… fixing radios for the entire neighborhood."
In the army, since necessity is the mother of invention, Ralph constructed a radio for his barracks from whatever bits and pieces he could find. Then, after WWII he learned how to build a TV set (the box in the title I referred to earlier). The advent of television heralded in a new era in family entertainment and Ralph saw immense "possibilities." I was impressed with how Ralph's career anticipated or paralleled the rise of home technology.
While Ralph saw the TV as a vehicle for playing games, his ideas were initially disregarded. He eventually held jobs building equipment for the U.S. military and for NASA. In fact "he embedded a radio transmitter in the handle of the video camera that astronaut Neil Armstrong took to the moon." As time passed Ralph still envisioned the potential of TV and imagined "using an external box to control the TV to play games." With the blessings and funding from one of his bosses, Ralph secretly created a home gaming system and "… the Brown Box, was born!" After numerous rejections, Magnavox took on Ralph's invention and in 1972, the first iteration of the Odyssey went on sale. As we all know, the video game industry would grow in leaps and bounds over the decades and Baer can be credited with being one of its pioneers.
Wessels has made the story of Ralph Baer's innovations an accessible and fascinating one. She's managed to take a lifetime of Baer's ingenuity and whittle it down to just 48 pages. While the book may read quickly, it definitely invites revisiting to let the scope of Baer's achievements sink in. When children read the book or have it read to them, they'll learn about more of Baer's inventions and can find further sources for information in the back matter. Castro's comic-like art wonderfully complements Wessel's words. There is just enough realism to the illustrations when detailing the technology. She also conveys the right mood with the red palate during the dark days of Hitler. I'd love to see her do a graphic novel and could easily see Wessel's story succeed in that format, too. The Boy Who Thought Outside the Box is a motivating STEM bio that will definitely resonate with unconventional thinkers and could very well inspire kids to pursue exciting new paths in learning.
Ten Children's Books for the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing
Juvenile Fiction, Juvenile Nonfiction, Juvenile Nonfiction - Biography/Autobiography, Middle Grade Nonfiction, STEM
TEN+ TERRIFIC MOON-THEMED CHILDREN'S BOOKS
TO CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE APOLLO 11 MOON LANDING
FUTURE ASTRONAUT
Written by Lori Alexander
Illustrated by Allison Black
(Cartwheel Books; $8.99, Ages 0-3)
With its catchy opening line of Ground Control to Major Baby, a play on popular David Bowie lyrics, Future Astronaut is off and running! You want cute? This is cute! Twenty-four pages playfully pit Alexander's prose plus Black's whimsical side by side illustrations of what it takes to be an astronaut against whether or not baby has what it takes to join NASA. Note its logo emblazoned on several uniforms worn by the adults. Healthy hearts, good eyes, and strong teeth are needed. Check! Baby's passed that test. Astronauts swim and so does baby. Looks like baby's on track so far! What about two astronauts working together as they float in orbit? Astronauts live and work in small spaces. On the opposite page are two friends playing inside cardboard boxes. Small spaces are Baby's favorite places! My favorite illustrations show first an astronaut eating from her plastic dehydrated food packs while baby clearly enjoys playing with plastic too, though not as neatly! But cleverly, once space travel involves leaving home to visit "far-off places," baby's not quite ready to take the next step and Alexander wraps things up beautifully with a blissful baby ready to travel as far as dreamland.
LOOK, THERE'S A ROCKET!
Text by Nosy Crow
Illustrated by Esther Aarts
(Nosy Crow; $7.99, Ages 0-3)
Another fun interactive book in Aarts's "Look, There's a … " series of board books, this one's ideal for little hands of Moon and Mars minded toddlers. Ten sturdy die cut pages let youngsters peek through the holes to see what's next while answering easy questions in the rhyming text. Look, there's a star and some planets outside. / Can you see three comets? / What a bumpy ride! Here's a chance to introduce space travel in a colorful way that rocketeers will find hard to put down.
MOON'S FIRST FRIENDS
Written by Susanna Leonard Hill
Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
(Sourcebooks Jabberwocky; $17.99, Ages 4-8)
The Moon has always held such a fascination for mankind. What is it like up there? Is the Moon affecting our mood in addition to our tides? How long will it take to get there? But Hill's picture book, Moon's First Friends, turns that curiosity on its head by presenting a story told from the Moon's point of view.
This Moon, friendly and a bit lonely, is watching Earth and its inhabitants evolve. From dinosaurs to caveman, from bicycle riders to hot air balloonists, from early rocket engineers to the Apollo 11 crew, the Moon sees everything, hoping, waiting … until one day in July it happens. Earth men blast off into space towards the Moon. Hill's lyrical language here capture's not only Moon's joy, but everyone on Earth's too. "At thirty stories high and weighing six million pounds, the rocket rose into the air amid an explosion of flames." Several days later the mission makes it to the Moon. Then the most amazing thing occurs in Moon's lifetime (and it's my favorite part of the story), men emerge from the module and walk on Moon's surface. Nothing would ever be the same after that visit. Young readers will share the delight felt by the Moon as expressed through welcome gifts of rocks and moon dust offered to the visitors. The astronauts bestow a token of their friendship as well by leaving a plaque that reads: HERE MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON / JULY 1969, A.D. / WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND. They then plant an American flag and zoom back to Earth. The Moon is now confident others will follow suit.
Paganelli's artwork is charming and cheerful, breathing life into the Moon and all the events leading up to July. Readers can find a selected bibliography in the front of the book as well as back matter about the Apollo 11 voyage plus a couple of photos. Another cool thing that's been included is a scannable QR code so kids can listen to a recording of Neil Armstrong's historic first words on the Moon!
ALIANA REACHES FOR THE MOON
Written by Laura Roettiger
Illustrated by Ariel Boroff
(Eifrig Publishing; $9.99, Ages 4-8)
Add Aliana Reaches for the Moon to your assortment of Moon books because, while this one's not about that historic time in July 1969, it is about the Moon's influence on one clever young girl.
Aliana is creative and observant, great qualities for an aspiring scientist. She tells Gustavo, her little brother, that she's planning something secret to present him on his upcoming birthday. A calendar in the illustration that accompanies her dialogue shows that there will be a full moon on May 26, Gustavo's big day. What is Aliana up to that involves making such a mess at home? Thankfully, her parents don't complain because they know that whatever she's creating will be worth it. Inspired by great women of science before her, Aliana wants to invent something unique for Gustavo but that requires a lot of reading and preparation so she takes out a ton of library books to begin researching.
When the full moon arrives at last, Aliana shares the glowing result of her experiment. Behold an amazing "magical birthday cake!" And all it took was the ingenuity of gathering up five (Gustavo's turning five years old) vases and glasses, filling them with marbles, coins, pieces of quartz and topping them "with a crystal from her collection … " and waiting for the full moon to shine. Roettiger's story shows readers what's involved in inventing with the goal of motivating children to experiment themselves. By using the moon as her source, Aliana has harnessed the lunar light to bring her invention to life. Boroff's jewel toned illustrations complement Roettiger's prose as they convey the joy and satisfaction transforming a dream into reality can bring. An author's note at the end explains the moon cycles for budding inventors.
I AM NEIL ARMSTRONG
Written by Brad Meltzer
Illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos
(Dial BYR; $14.99, Ages 5-8)
The fifteenth book in Meltzer's best-selling "Ordinary People Change the World" series is like Armstrong himself, it doesn't fail to deliver. Kids as well as adults will learn so much from the 40 pages of Armstrong's biography. I didn't know that even as a young child, the future first man on the Moon exhibited astronaut-worthy traits such as patience, bravery, and intelligence (he loved to read). He was obsessed with airplanes too. He worked hard from an early age to earn money for flying lessons, earning his pilot's license even before his driver's license!
After joining the navy and "flying in seventy-eight missions during the Korean War," Armstrong went on to become a test pilot after college. He eventually heeded President Kennedy's challenge of "… landing a man on the Moon" and applied to NASA and was accepted into their astronaut program. The rest as they say is history, but that doesn't mean it's not fascinating. A double gate-fold in the center of the book shows the Apollo 11 astronauts' glorious view of the Moon and Eliopoulos's other cartoon-style artwork playfully depicts the space journey with the Eagle ultimately landing on the Moon's surface. Parents can remind children to keep an eye out for a picture of Meltzer hidden somewhere in this and all his other books in the series. I love how both astronaut John Glenn and mathematician Katherine Johnson are also featured in one of the illustrations because their contributions to our successful space exploration deserve recognition. As a humble individual, Armstrong always credited the entire team that helped put a man on the Moon.
When Armstrong took his first steps, "One-fifth of the world's population was watching on TV." Children love to learn facts like that which are not easily forgotten. I am Neil Armstrong provides age appropriate and always interesting information conveyed in a kid-friendly fashion that demonstrates how one man's determination and humility changed the world forever. Meltzer mentions what Armstrong's family said after he passed away: "Next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the Moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink." Back matter includes a time line of the space race and several color photos including ones of the Apollo 11 crew.
MOONSTRUCK! POEMS ABOUT OUR MOON
Edited by Roger Stevens
Illustrated by Ed Boxall
(Otter-Barry Books; $16.99, Ages 7 and up)
Moonstruck!'s over 50 fab poems not only help children reflect on the momentous occasion from 50 years ago, but also touch upon so many different aspects of the moon orbit, landing as well as the mystery and majesty of the Moon itself. "The Lonely Side of The Moon" by Laura Mucha is about Michael Collins' radio silence when he was separated from Armstrong and Aldrin for 48 minutes while Doda Smith's "Dear Mr. Astronaut" features a child requesting some moon dust to add to his amazing collection of things. James Carter's concrete poem, "The Moon Speaks!" is told from the moon's perspective and B.J. Lee's rhyming "Moon Marks" considers how long a dozen spacemen's footprints will remain, frozen in time.
Classic poems from Emily Brontë and Robert Louis Stevenson join new ones from Catherine Benson and Celia Warren and many more. Not only is this an awe-inspiring anthology of moon-themed poetry from internationally known poets, it's got interesting facts when they can add to the appreciation of a particular poem's topic. Boxall's beautiful black and white linocuts add another delightful dimension to what's already an out of this world anthology. Keep this one on hand for National Poetry month!
ROCKET TO THE MOON!
Big Ideas That Changed the World #1
by Don Brown
(Amulet; $13.99, Ages 8-12)
★Starred Reviews – Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal
If you love graphic novels, don't miss picking up a copy of Brown's Rocket to the Moon! because it's an excellent way to experience the trajectory of space exploration in cartoon format. It's also the first in what promises to be a super new series, "Big Ideas That Changed the World." This fast yet engaging read taught me more than a thing or two about the history of rockets with its attention to detail both through the text and the illustrations. Celebrating "the hard-won succession of ideas that ultimately remade the world" the novel uses a narrator drawn from real life named Rodman Law to share the ups and downs of rocketry. We're pulled into the story by this American daredevil's attempt to launch a homemade rocket in the early 20th century.
Contrasting the entertaining introduction to the subject matter, Law takes us back in time to first century China where gunpowder was invented then fast forwards many centuries to explain how the British used rockets to bombard Fort McHenry in the War of 1812, hence Francis Scott Key's lyrics in our national anthem, "… And the rockets' red glare … " We also find out how Jules Verne's prescient science fiction novel, From the Earth to the Moon, influenced rocket scientists from Russia, Germany and the U.S. and how his vision translated into actual technology used during WWII. When the war ended, several German scientists surrendered to American authorities. Not long after, the space race began when the Soviets launched the first satellite and America, not be outshone by the Soviets, created NASA and the quest for U.S. travel beyond Earth began.
Brown goes above and beyond in recounting and depicting in his illustrations exactly how the competition played out which is what I'm sure tweens will enjoy. From sending dogs, mice, monkeys and chimpanzees into space (with some humorous and sad asides) to the ins and outs of peeing and pooping in a spacesuit, Brown doesn't hesitate to illuminate us. But he manages to perfectly balance the funny facts with the serious ones including failed launches and devastating disasters resulting in death. About a month before President Kennedy announced the plan to land a man on the Moon, the Soviets sent Yuri Gagarin into space on the first manned trip. So, with the clock ticking, NASA's planning began. We see and read about how many missions prior to Apollo 11 led the way for America's historic achievement but it wasn't easy and it didn't happen overnight. It took dedication, smarts, teamwork, billions of dollars and eight years to get a man to the Moon. Yet Brown poignantly shows us how also, after all that had been accomplished, the last astronaut to walk on the moon was Apollo 17's Gene Cernan in 1972, which is when Brown's novel ends. Throughout the book, Brown's artwork seamlessly succeeds at pushing the narrative forward and only adds to the emotional connection readers will feel with the subject matter. Ten pages at the end offer a helpful timeline, info about Rodman Law, Notes, a Bibliography and an Author's Note. Needless to say, I devoured all 136 pages of Rocket to the Moon! It was carefully researched and presented in such an exciting format making it an invaluable and must-read graphic novel for middle grade kids.
COUNTDOWN: 2979 DAYS TO THE MOON
Written by Suzanne Slade
Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez
(Peachtree Publishers; $22.95, Ages 10 and up)
The title of this middle grade nonfiction book, Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon, refers to the amount of time it would take to land a man on the moon starting from May 25, 1961, the day President Kennedy first made his historic challenge. This clever date-driven concept, presented in winning free verse by Slade, combines with Gonzalez's dramatic illustrations to give a well-rounded account of that critical time in our nation's history. Black and white as well as color photos add to the energy that emanates from Countdown.
Readers will find they soar through the book as Slade deftly describes the missions from Apollo 1 through Apollo 11 including the tragic Apollo 1 fire that killed astronauts, Grissom, Chaffee and White. The sacrifice made by those three courageous men on January 27, 1967 was not in vain and resulted in life-saving improvements in subsequent missions. Following the fire Apollo 2 is grounded and "NASA decides there will never be a mission called Apollo 3." Apollo 4 and 5 are unmanned and successful. "The dream is still alive." Following that triumph, Apollo 6 fails and fears about the future loom large. Soon Apollo 7 is manned for space travel and will circle Earth. The crew even make TV appearances then return home jubilant. "It's time for Apollo to head to the Moon!" Tweens may recognize the names of the Apollo 8 crew, Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders. They become the first humans to fly above Earth orbit and to reach lunar orbit. I cannot imagine how it felt when they could see the Moon!
Slade intersperses actual astronaut dialogue which heightens the impact of these mind-blowing moments. She gets into more technical detail than I will here, but suffice it to say kids will learn the lingo and understand who and what's involved in getting a mission off the ground. Apollo 9 and 10 are also monumental achievements, with their advanced space technology put into action with a space walk, a lunar and command module separation and re-connection, and flying the lunar module just miles from the Moon surface. Look out Moon, here we come! Of course Apollo 11 is given no short shrift but I'm out of space (no pun intended) so get this book and experience the excitement this 50th anniversary is celebrating. When the book ends, 18 astronauts will have braved the risks of space travel and fulfilled President's Kennedy's dream. On July 20, 1969, President Richard M. Nixon said of the Moon landing, "For one priceless moment in the whole history of man, all the people on this Earth are truly one; one in their pride in what you have done, and one in our prayers that you will return safely to Earth."
This inside look at the Apollo missions confirms the contributions of a vast team of individuals (400,000) whose dedication to the shared vision "never wavered." Slade and Gonzalez have clearly worked hard to brought that vision to every page of this beautiful book. Enjoy additional info in the Author's and Illustrator's Notes plus more photos in the back matter.
TO THE MOON AND BACK: MY APOLLO 11 ADVENTURE
A Pop-up Book
Written by Buzz Aldrin with Marianne J. Dyson
Paper Engineering by Bruce Foster
(National Geographic Children's Books; $32.00, Ages 8-12)
Prepare for liftoff, lift up (pop-up and pull really) then prepare to be wowed by the impressive and brilliantly executed paper engineering along with a fascinating first hand account by astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon in To The Moon and Back.
Kids even younger than eight will enjoy the design element of this book but the text truly is geared for an older reader who will appreciate the candid and detailed commentary Aldrin has contributed to the book. In just 16 pages, readers are filled in on all that was involved in beating the USSR to a Moon landing and having the first men walk on its surface. I like how we're pulled in immediately by the first spread showing photos of a newspaper headline, President Kennedy and the Apollo 11 crew positioned on top of a powerful image of the lunar module floating in space near the Moon. "Historians have called this story humanity's greatest adventure" and I agree, especially considering how much was at stake.
The second spread and first pop-up depicts Aldrin's space walk on the last Gemini flight, 12, juxtaposed against an enormous shot of Earth. It's definitely the first "Wow!" moment but not the last! Here we learn Aldrin was nicknamed Dr. Rendezvous because of his excellent abilities at docking, a crucial element of the Moon mission. This page also features a recollection by Jan Aldrin, Buzz's daughter about the day that Gemini 12 took off for space. Additional exclusive reflections can also be found on other pages. Filled with an insider's anecdotes, this book is not only a great way to learn about Moon exploration, it's also a fast, entertaining read.
What works in an interactive book like To the Moon and Back is how the story of Apollo 11 comes alive. By learning from Aldrin himself how he first came to join NASA in 1963 all the way through to his ultimate achievement of reaching the moon is inspiring. At the same time looking closely at the the pop-ups and other interesting images along with Jan Aldrin's recollections, make this a powerful educational tool for kids. The engaging nature of the book means space enthusiasts can easily follow along on the successive missions, while reading about which astronauts were involved and what new goals were accomplished or sadly, sometimes not. Before that decade had ended, America had achieved what had once seemed impossible, confirming the "endless endurance of the human spirit."
A bonus paper model to build is included. Tweens can assemble the Apollo11 Lunar Module and go to natgeokids.com/to-the-moon for additional step-by-step and video instructions.
SPACE RACE: THE STORY OF SPACE EXPLORATION
TO THE MOON AND BEYOND
by Ben Hubbard
(B.E.S. Publishing Co.; $18.99, Ages 10-13)
There's more to this book than simply a comprehensive history of "humanity's journey into space." It's actually a book that's been enhanced with augmented reality (AR). All readers need to do is download the Space Race AR app to be able to see detailed 3D spacecraft and vehicle models appear right on the pages of the book! Kids can also "watch videos come to life on the page, including real-life footage from NASA. How cool is that?
From Sergei Korolev, the Soviet Union's chief rocket designer whose identity was kept top secret "for fear the Americans would assassinate him," to the search for alien life (aka SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), it's all here to soak up in 96 fantastic pages.
The book is broken up into six accessible chapters averaging between 13-16 pages: "The Race for Rockets", "Humans in Space," "The Moon in View", "Space Stations and Shuttles," "Probing the Planets," and "Into the Future." Tweens can choose to read the book in order or pick their favorite topic and indulge themselves. What's wonderful is that even without using the AR app, I found the illustrations absolutely gorgeous. There are also a tremendous amount of photographs that capture important moments in time, and quotes such as one from Gus Grissom before his tragic death on Apollo 1 when killed by fire, If we die, do not mourn for us. This is a risky business we're in and we accept those risks." One of my favorite spreads in Space Race is the one where we get a peak inside the Apollo spacesuits. Its designers really thought of everything and I'm sure Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins were grateful! For readers eager to learn more about living in space, the space station section offers detailed info on life aboard MIR.
This book will be a hit in classrooms, libraries and at home. Pick up a copy to be up-to-date on what's happening in outer space and beyond the solar system.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED READS:
HELLO WORLD! MOON LANDING
by Jill McDonald
LUNA: The Science and Stories of Our Moon
by David A. Aguilar
National Geographic Early Reader Level 3
by Kitson Jazynka
A COMPUTER CALLED KATHERINE: How Katherine Johnson
Helped Put America on the Moon
by Suzanne Slade
Illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison
Read a fascinating article about Katherine Johnson called "The Path to The Moon" written by Joseph Taylor in Cricket. Johnson, who worked at NASA "helped figure out the mathematics behind space travel—specifically the path astronauts would take to make it to the moon and back."