Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughan, Computer Scientist
by Andi Diehn (Illustrator) and Katie Mazeika (Illustrator)
Booktalk: A picture book biography about Dorothy Vaughan, one of NASA’s first African American managers and one of the groundbreakers on the front line of electronic computing. Includes hands-on STEM activities for an introduction to coding.
Snippet:
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2019 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Robots from Then to Now
by Rachel Grack (Author)
Booktalk: Follow the sequence of how robots have changed from early automatons to today’s autonomous delivery drones.
Snippet:
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2019 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
The Superlative A. Lincoln: Poems About Our 16th President
by Eileen R. Meyer (Author) and Dave Szalay (Illustrator)
Booktalk: Abraham Lincoln is famous for many extremes: he was the TALLEST president, who gave the GREATEST SPEECH and had the STRONGEST conviction. But did you know that he was also the MOST DISTRACTED farmer, the BEST wrestler, and the CRAFTIEST storyteller? Nineteen poems share fascinating stories about events in Lincoln’s life, while history notes go even deeper into how he excelled.
Snippet:
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2019 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
AH-1Z Viper
by Megan Cooley Peterson (Author)
Booktalk: US Marines started using the Cobra helicopter in 1969. Find out what this helicopter looks like today.
Snippet: Engineers began making big changes to the Cobra. The updated chopper became the AH-1Z Viper.
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2019 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Charlesbridge has two awesome picture books coming out tomorrow (November 5, 2019) that celebrate moths. Today let’s take a sneak peak at Not a Bean by Claudia Guadalupe Martínez and illustrated by Laura Gonzalez.
What does a book called Not a Bean have to do with moths? It might be clearer when you find out the bean in question is a Mexican jumping bean. Still not clear? The Mexican jumping bean moves around because there is a tiny larva (caterpillar) inside that eventually emerges as a moth.
Along with gently guiding readers through the life cycle of the moth, Martínez introduces young readers to a smattering a Spanish words including the numbers from one to ten. There is a glossary of Spanish words in the back matter, as well as an author’s note with more details about the caterpillar’s biology.
Laura Gonzalez’s digital illustrations are lush and inviting, with exactly the right amount of playfulness.
Because Not a Bean is multifaceted, it could be used either for a lesson on Spanish language and Mexican culture, or for a science unit on insects (or both!) Plus, who isn’t intrigued by a “bean” that jumps? Investigate a copy today!
For the rest of the review and insect science activity suggestions, visit Growing with Science blog.
Copyright © 2019 Roberta Gibson All Rights Reserved.
Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace
by Ashley Bryan (Author / Illustrator)
Booktalk: A picture book memoir about serving in the segregated army during World War II, and how love and the pursuit of art sustained him.
Snippet:
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2019 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Crazy Contraptions: Build Rube Goldberg Machines that Swoop, Spin, Stack, and Swivel with Hands-On Engineering Activities
by Laura Perdew (Author) and Micah Rauch (Illustrator)
Booktalk: Young engineers are invited to invent, design, create, and play as they make their own Rube Goldberg machines using the engineering design process and lots of imagination!
Try these hands-on engineering projects!
Snippet:
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2019 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Doggy Defenders: Willow the Therapy Dog
by Lisa M. Gerry (Author) and Lori Epstein (Photographer)
Booktalk: Meet helping hound Willow, and follow her as she spends an exciting day at work. Willow visits patients at a hospital, helps children read at a library pajama party, and brings smiles to people who need them.
Snippet:
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2019 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Skulls!
by Blair Thornburgh (Author) and Scott Campbell (Illustrator)
Booktalk: Celebrate one of the most important bones in your body: the skull!
Snippet:
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2019 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
Eerie Parks and Playgrounds
by Joyce Markovics (Author)
Booktalk: In the 11 creepy places in this book, readers will explore a park that’s overrun with ghosts, a playground that was built on a graveyard, a spooky shifting staircase, and more.
Snippet:
It’s Nonfiction Monday!
Copyright © 2019 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
