Author: Anastasia Suen

Pura’s Cuentos: How Pura Belpré Reshaped Libraries with Her Stories
by Annette Bay Pimentel (Author) and Magaly Morales (Illustrator)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound

Booktalk: Pura’s abuela always has a cuento to share. She crows ¡Qui-qui-ri-quí! for Señor Gallo, booms Borom, Borom for Señor Zapo, and tells of a beautiful cockroach who loves a mouse. Pura clings to these stories like coquíes cling to green leaves.

When Pura grows up and moves from Puerto Rico to Harlem, she gets a job at the library, where she is surrounded by stories–but they’re only in English. Where is Señor Gallo? Where is Pérez the mouse? Where is Puerto Rico on these shelves? She decides to tell children the tales of her homeland in English and in Spanish.

Snippet:

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

The author, Annette Bay Pimentel, is one of my former students.
Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

The Life of Clara Barton
by Gillia M. Olson (Author)
@ Amazon | IndieBound

Booktalk: This timeline biography explores Clara Barton’s incredible life as a humanitarian. Chapter book readers will learn about Barton’s careers as a teacher and nurse, and how caring for wounded Civil War soldiers inspired her to create the American Red Cross.

Snippet: When the U.S. Civil War (1861-1865) began, Clara wanted to help. She brought soldiers food, water, and other supplies.

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

National Geographic Readers: Kamala Harris (Level 2)
by Tonya Grant (Author)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound

Booktalk: Explore one of the most powerful and highest-ranking female figures in American history with this biography of Vice President Kamala Harris in this Level 2 beginning reader.

Snippet:
Who Is Kamala Harris?
On January 20, 2021, Kamala
(KAH-muh-luh) Harris became
vice president of the United States.
It is the second highest job in the
United States after president.

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Have I Ever Told You Black Lives Matter
by Shani Mahiri King (Author) and Bobby C. Martin Jr (Illustrator)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound

Booktalk: Celebrating Black accomplishments in music, art, literature, journalism, politics, law, science, medicine, entertainment, and sports. Black lives have always mattered.

Snippet:

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Valentine’s Day
by Mari Schuh (Author)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound

Booktalk: In this beginning reader, simple text and photographs describe the history of Valentine’s Day and how it is celebrated.

Snippet:

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America (Young Reader’s Edition)
by Candacy Taylor (Author)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound

Booktalk: This young reader’s edition chronicles the history of the Green Book, which was published from 1936 to 1966 and was the “Black travel guide to America.” For years, it was dangerous for African Americans to travel in the United States. Because of segregation, Black travelers couldn’t eat, sleep, or even get gas at most white-owned businesses.

The Green Book listed hotels, restaurants, department stores, gas stations, recreational destinations, and other businesses that were safe for Black travelers. It was a resourceful and innovative solution to a horrific problem. It took courage to be listed in the Green Book, and the stories from those who took a stand against racial segregation are recorded and celebrated.

Snippet:

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Your Legacy: A Bold Reclaiming of Our Enslaved History
by Schele Williams (Author) and Tonay Engel (Illustrator)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound

Booktalk: An introduction to African American history for children.

Snippet: Your story begins in Africa. Did you know Africans were the first people on the earth? Africa is a continent that is home to many countries and many thriving nations.

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Holidays & Celebrations: A Shine-A-Light Book
by Carron Brown (Author) and Ipek Konak (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Hold a light behind the see-through pages to take a glimpse behind the scenes of some of the world’s most wonderful festivals, holidays, and celebrations.

Snippet:

The Year of the Tiger begins on February 1, 2022. The Lunar New Year celebration lasts for 15 days.

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Man on the Moon
by Anastasia Suen (Author) and Benrei Huang (Illustrator)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound | WorldCat

Booktalk: It was 1969 and no one had ever set foot on the moon. Some said it couldn’t be done. But astronauts Mike Collins, Buzz Aldrin, and Neil Armstrong were going to try . . . The true story of the first moon landing, when a man set foot on an unexplored world and showed us that the boundaries of our world were limitless.

Snippet:
Moon,
do you remember
your first visitors?

This week’s mini-comic asks young readers a question, Where would you fly a rocketship? and answers questions about why I wrote this book about the Apollo 11 mission.

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Wired
by Anastasia Suen (Author) and Paul Carrick (Illustrator)
@ Amazon | Bookshop |Hoopla e-book | Hoopla audiobook | IndieBound |Overdrive | WorldCat

Booktalk: From the power plant to your house, electricity is on the move.

Snippet:

This week’s author visit mini-comic asks young readers a question, Can you see the power? It also answers questions about how and why I wrote this book about electricity.

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.