All About Families
by Ruth Owen (Author)
Booktalk: All kinds of families can be found in this words and pictures book for children learning to read.
Snippet:
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2018 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli
The best picture book biographies introduce readers to people who they might not learn about in textbooks. A great example is Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Julie Morstad.
Born in Rome, Italy, Elsa Schiaparelli felt her family preferred her older sister. In fact, she thought she was ugly and when she was seven she covered her face, ears, nose, and mouth with flower seeds in an effort to make herself more attractive. All the seeds did was make her sick, but it showed how she could think outside the box. After she grew up, Elsa used her creative spirit to design beautiful, innovative clothing that turned the fashion world of Paris on its ear.
For the most part, Kyo Maclear’s first person text is enjoyable and informative. Julie Morstad’s gouache, watercolor and pencil illustrations are a perfect reflection of Elsa Schiaparelli’s artistic and creative talent. They aren’t static, but zoom in and out in scale. The focus moves from close up of faces to a panorama of the night sky and back again.
Like a fresh flower, Bloom is a delight to behold. It is sure to inspire young readers to try their hands at clothing design.
See Wrapped in Foil blog for suggested activities to accompany Bloom.
Cutting-Edge Computing With Raspberry Pi
Cutting-Edge Computing With Raspberry Pi
by Krystyna Poray Goddu (Author)
Booktalk: Did you know that a tiny computer the size of a credit card can power robots, video games, and even weather stations? This tiny computer is known as raspberry pi, and people are using it in all kinds of creative ways. Use it with Scratch to make games and cartoons.
Snippet:
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2018 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Emily: 10-Year-Old Champion of Rainforest Animals in Need
Emily: 10-Year-Old Champion of Rainforest Animals in Need
by Cathleen Burnham (Author)
Booktalk: Meet Emily, a real-life young girl active in a youth program to save rainforest animals in western Costa Rica called Kids Saving The Rainforest (KSTR). Emily helps care for an orphaned baby sloth at a local animal sanctuary and more.
Snippet:
“A baby three-toed sloth was brought in to the rehabilitation center this morning,” said Jennifer.
“Is he all right?” asked Emily.
“He isn’t injured. Hikers found him in the jungle. Must have fallen out of a tree. Will you take him for a sloth walk after the meeting? asked Jennifer.
Sure!” Emily loved any opportunity to handle these rare creatures.
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2018 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Wolves
Wolves
by Rachel Grack (Author)
Booktalk: This photo illustrated book will introduce young readers to wolves that live in North America. It explains their history, life cycle, habitat, and feeding habits. Includes a photo diagram, glossary, further resources, and index.
Snippet: Is that a German shepherd dog? No, it’s a wolf! Wolves are bigger. They are wild.
Also available in Spanish as Los Lobos:
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2018 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Fall Weather Fun
Fall Weather Fun
by Martha E. H. Rustad (Author) and Amanda Enright (Illustrator)
Booktalk: Four short chapters use fictional characters to show readers how the weather can change in fall. Each chapter ends with a question for readers to answer.
Snippet:
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2018 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Women Pilots of World War II
Women Pilots of World War II
by Lisa L. Owens (Author)
Booktalk: Learn about the brave women in the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union who trained, flew, and fought for the Allies, blazing a path for women in the military.
Snippet:
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2018 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.