Rounding up the best nonfiction for children and teens
Day of the Dead
by Lori Dittmer (Author)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
Booktalk: This kindergarten-level introduction to the Day of the Dead covers the holiday’s history, popular traditions, and such defining symbols as marigolds and skulls.
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It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2021 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Halloween and Day of the Dead Traditions Around the World
by Joan Axelrod-Contrada (Author) and Elisa Chavarri (Illustrator)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
Booktalk: Explore Halloween and Day of the Dead traditions from around the world, including All Saint’s and All Soul’s Days, the Day of the Dead, and other celebrations.
Snippet: Festivals of the dead such as Halloween happen around the world. In the United States, Halloween celebrates all scary things. Other festivals of the dead are for remembering lost loved ones. Many festivals mix these ideas.
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2021 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Looking for a new picture book biography? Look no further than Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist by Evan Griffith and illustrated by Joanie Stone.
Jeanne Power was born in France, but moved to Sicily with her husband in 1818 when she was 23. Formerly a busy seamstress, she was likely not used to staying at home. To pass the time, she began to study the animals and plants of her new surroundings. The ocean intrigued her the most, but how could she observe what was going on in the water? Build one of the first glass-sided aquariums of course!
During her studies, Jeanne Power concentrated on the paper nautilus, which is a type of octopus. At the time, no one was sure whether the nautilus borrowed the delicate shells they carried from other creatures or whether they grew them. Jeanne Power figured out the answer. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but she was able to publish her findings.
Matching the compelling story, Joanie Stone’s beautiful digital illustrations, from the bubbling water of the end papers to last pages of the text, reflect the vibrant blue palette of the ocean Jeanne Power loved so much. Gorgeous!
The back matter is extensive, including notes about “Jeanne’s Life and Legacy,” “The Paper Nautilus,” information about “Marine Biology and Conservation,” a “Note on Historical Research,” and a “Bibliography.”
As the compelling story of a remarkable woman, Secrets of the Sea would be a great choice for a science unit on oceans or for Women’s History Month. Explore a copy today!
For our full review and activity suggestions, visit Wrapped in Foil blog.
Copyright © 2021 Roberta Gibson All Rights Reserved.
Secrets of Navajo Code Talkers
by Rachael L. Thomas (Author)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
Booktalk: In wartime, unbreakable codes help armies win battles. And what better code than an advanced language. The Navajo language was key to the success of the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.
Read how Navajo Marines risked their lives to translate secret messages during World War II. Learn what makes the Navajo language ideal for encoding messages and the special vocabulary the code talkers used in battle. Finally, try your hand at translating messages yourself.
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It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2021 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
The Ultimate Art Museum
by Ferren Gipson (Author)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
Booktalk: Visit the world’s greatest museum without leaving your home through this imaginary art museum — a survey of world art for middle-grade readers, curated in collaboration with a global team of experts and educators.
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It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2021 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.