Monday, November 12, 2012

It's 11-12-12 and Nonfiction Monday



I'm pleased to be hosting Nonfiction Monday here at The Flatt Perspective. I can't wait to see what nonfiction books other Kidlitosphere bloggers have been talking about this week. I know it's going to be great. Please leave the info about your Nonfiction Monday post here on the Google form. Then check back tomorrow, Tuesday, to see the complete round-up of what's what in nonfiction for kids and teens this week.

For now, I'd like to share the terrific "Counting on Fall" Teacher's Guide pdf that OwlKids Books put together for my newest nonfiction picture book. It's free and full of activities and reproducibles for the K-2 classroom or home or library. "Counting on Fall" is about math and fall nature phenomena. What if animals and plants knew math, just like you? Would leaves fall in patterns? Would whales enter a race? Count on some math fun while thinking about those what if's and more.

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll count on seeing you tomorrow!

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Okay, now we're ready for our roundup! Don't you love how those asterisks let us jump in time? Magical I tell you.

Nonfiction Picture Books
Waiting for Ice | Going Up!: Elisha Otis's Trip to the Top | Seahorses

Laura Salas is talking about Waiting for Ice over at her blog LauraSalas: Writing the World for Kids.  Laura says "Waiting for Ice is a beautiful nonfiction picture book about an orphaned polar bear cub's efforts to survive."

From The Nonfiction Detectives, Louise and Cathy share that "We had the opportunity to interview Monica Kulling about her new picture book biography." Check out the interview and a review of Going Up! by Monica Kulling.

Jen at Perogies & Gyoza is also featuring Monica Culling's  Going Up!: Elisha Otis's Trip to the Top this week. She says of the book: "Great introduction to the world of invention and entrepreneurship via the invention of the elevator."

Over at Shelf-Employed, Lisa is featuring a review of the nonfiction picture book Seahorses, by Jennifer Keats Curtis.  She adds "Check out the video, too!"
Noah Webster & His Words | Barnum's Bones | Brothers at Bat
Hop on over to Supratentorial to see Alice's review of these three books. Alice says: "I am sharing three new picture book biographies: Noah Webster and His Words, Barnum’s Bones and Brothers at Bat. The subjects are different but all three books have in common that they are great short biographies for elementary school students."
Helen's Big World | Touch the Sky | A Leaf Can Be...

Amy at Hope Is the Word features Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller. Amy adds "This is a fantastic new picture biography of Helen Keller by Doreen Rappaport.  It is a part of her Big Words series." Amy highly recommends it.

Jeanne's blog True Tales & A Cherry On Top features the picture book biography Touch the Sky - Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper. Jeanne says: "Touch the Sky is an inspiring true story about a young woman who dreamed to soar, and pursued her dream. As the book jacket says, 'In Alice Coachman's Georgia hometown, there was no field where an African-American girl could do the high jump, so she made her own crossbar with sticks and rags.'"

And don't miss Heart of a Child where Rob Reid features A Leaf Can Be.... as a great read-aloud choice. And there are a few Q&As, too, with the book's author, Laura Purdie Salas.
Animals Big and Small | Patterns Outside

Finally Roberta of Wrapped in Foil brings us two titles in the Math Every Day series. She says "These books are a great way to introduce beginning math concepts."

Early, Middle Reader and YA Nonfiction
Bill the Boy Wonder | Snakes | Environmental Disasters
Amelia at Challenging the Bookworm features Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman. She explains, "I bought this book for my library specifically with a graphic novel fan in mind, and she didn't disappoint me. I've never known a lot about comics, although I've enjoyed the films over the years, and now I can impress someone with my new knowledge. Plus, it's a Cybils contender in the Nonfiction Picture Books category."

And you won't want to miss Sal's Fiction Addiction where Sally shares Nic Bishop Snakes. Sally says, "I love sharing the books that I am reading with others who are interested in literature for children and their adults...be they teachers, parents or extended family."

SimplyScience features the timely Environmental Disasters. Shirley describes the book: "Environmental Disasters is about several major environmental disasters, their causes, and their consequences. It discusses the efforts made to change or improve conditions so that they don't occur again."
Becoming a Ballerina | National Parks | Surf Dog Miracles
Abby of Abby the Librarian shares that "Just in time for Nutcracker Season, I have a book all about the behind-the-scenes of becoming a ballerina and starring in the show." She does indeed. She features Becoming a Ballerina.

At A Teaching Life Tara brings us National Parks: A Kid's Guide to America's Parks, Monuments and Landmarks  by Erin McHugh. Tara enthusiastically states that the book is "a wonderful book on National Parks and monuments." You'll want to head on over to see the other great nonfiction titles she's highlighted as well.

Jennifer of Jean Little Library gives us a quick overview of some new Bearport titles. Featured books include the Water Babies series, Meat-Eating Plants: Toothless Wonders from the Plant-Ology series, and, from the Dog Heroes series, the title Surf Dog Miracles.
Veterans Day | Lives of the Presidents
Janet features the title Veterans Day written by Marlene Targ Brill with illustrations by Qi Z. Wang over at All About the Books.

Keeping right up with current affairs, Mother Reader reviews Lives of the Presidents by Kathleen Krull and Kathryn Hewitt.
The Magical Life of Long Tak Sam | Home Front Girl
Over at The Biblio File, Jennie has a review of the graphic novel memoir, The Magical Life of Long Tak Sam.

And don't forget to visit Charlotte at Charlotte's Library. She notes "I have a lovely YA book this week--Home Front Girl: A Diary of Love, Literature, and Growing Up in Wartime America, the actual diary of Joan Wehlen."
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I think that's all for Nonfiction Monday this week. Did you enjoy it as much as I did? It's been a pleasure to look at this terrific selection of books and blogs. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone (if so just email me to let me know and I'll add you). Have a great week!

Please check in next week for Nonfiction Monday 
on November 19 
when it will be hosted by