Good Eating: The Short Life of Krill

Today at Growing With Science blog we are featuring the new nonfiction picture book, Good Eating: The Short Life of Krill by Matt Lilley and illustrated by Dan Tavis.

Krill are shrimp-like crustaceans that live in the ocean. They are incredibly important as an integral link in ocean food webs.

As the punchline of this humorous picture book says,

…krill are really good at eating and krill are really good eatin’.

Matt Lilley spells out the complex metamorphosis of one species, the Antarctic krill, Euphasia superba.  We learn about all the unusual developmental stages — some discovered not that long ago — and also about how krill can glow, shrink if there isn’t enough food, and live for a relatively long time for their size (if they aren’t eaten).

The delightful illustrations by Dan Tavis match the flavor of the text perfectly. The pink-orange color of the krill and the blue of the ocean water are a lively example of complementary colors. Plus, Tavis obviously did his homework regarding krill anatomy and metamorphosis.

Good Eating: The Short Life of Krill is likely to inspire budding oceanographers and marine biologists. It is a perfect read to accompany a trip to an aquarium or to the ocean. Delve into a copy today!

And stop by Growing with Science for the full review and activity suggestions.

Copyright © 2022 Roberta Gibson All Rights Reserved.

Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America

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:

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Your Legacy: A Bold Reclaiming of Our Enslaved History

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.

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Holidays & Celebrations: A Shine-A-Light Book

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.

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Man on the Moon read aloud

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.

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Wired read aloud

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.

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Pigskins to Paintbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist Ernie Barnes

Pigskins to Paintbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist Ernie Barnes
by Don Tate (Author / Illustrator)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound

Booktalk: Young Ernie Barnes wasn’t like other boys his age. Bullied for being shy, overweight, and uninterested in sports like boys were “supposed” to be, he instead took refuge in his sketchbook, in vibrant colors, bold brushstrokes, and flowing lines. But growing up in a poor, Black neighborhood during the 1930s, opportunities to learn about art were rare, and art museums were off-limits because of segregation laws. Discouraged and tired of being teased, Ernie joined the school football team. Although reluctant at first, he would soon become a star.

But art remained in Ernie’s heart and followed him through high school, college, and into the NFL. Ernie saw art all around him: in the dynamic energy of the game, the precision of plays, and the nimble movement of his teammates. He poured his passion into his game and his craft, and became famous as both a professional athlete and as an artist whose paintings reflected his love of the sport and celebrated Black bodies as graceful and beautiful.

Snippet:

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

The author, Don Tate, is one of my former students.
Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Fred & Marjorie: A Doctor, a Dog, and the Discovery of Insulin

Fred & Marjorie: A Doctor, a Dog, and the Discovery of Insulin
by Deborah Kerbel (Author) and Angela Poon (Illustrator)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound

Booktalk: In 1921, Frederick Banting was a young doctor with an idea: could the mysterious secretions of the pancreas be used to treat diabetes? We now call this substance insulin, and its life-saving discovery was an impactful milestone in medical science.

Banting and his assistant, Charles Best, worked together in a small lab to test the theory with street dogs. Banting formed a special bond with one of his test dogs and gave her a name: Marjorie. After Marjorie responded well to insulin treatments, the treatments went on to be used for humans with diabetes–and the results were deemed practically miraculous.

Snippet:

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2022 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.