Chasing The Sun by Timothy Musso

Chasing the Sun

Timothy Musso

Creative Editions. 2023

“An Arctic tern can fly as many as 50,000 miles in its annual migration.”

In his first book, Musso does an excellent job bringing readers along as they follow the migratory path of a female Arctic Tern as she travels from Weddell Sea, Antarctica to the Arctic Coast, Alaska and back to Weddell Sea, Antarctica. 

Readers will be swept along with the simple language, no more than one or two lines per spread, yet each sentence conveys so much of what is reflected in Musso’s woodcuts that are based on his field drawings while exploring remote regions on foot with only his backpack and a sketchbook. The pictures are gorgeous and reflect perfectly the beauty of the natural world.  

“She passes giants as they feed.” The pictures shows many Arctic Terns circling in the clear blue sky, diving for fish, while hungry whales are waiting for one of the terns to drop a fish in their mouths. 

In the corner of each spread, Musso places an image of the Earth and uses a broken while line to mark the path the Arctic Tern is taking. He marks the month, number of miles traveled, and where the Tern is on her journey. 

After traveling 25,000 miles brings the female and mate to their nesting site on the Arctic Coast, Alaska. Four weeks later, in August, Parents and one baby being their journey back to Weddell Sea, Antarctica. 

Included is more details about the Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) and identifies animals the tern saw along the way. 

Pair this book with Polar : Wildlife At The Ends of the Earth by L. E. Carmichael.

How the Sea Came To Be and All The Creatures In It. Written by Jennifer Berne

 

How the Sea Came To Be and All the Creatures In It

Written by Jennifer Berne; Illustrated by Amanda Hall

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. 2023

This delightful informational picture book takes readers on a visually appealing journey that explains the evolution of our oceans over 4.5 billions years.

Each double-page spread includes Hall’s spectacular illustrations that are paired beautifully with Berne’s captivating verse. 

“Billions and billions of years long ago,

when the Earth was young and new,

the world was so hot, rock melted and boiled,

and fiery, wild winds blew.”

Included is a note from the author and illustrator, a look at ocean creatures over time that also includes a brief explanation of each creature, key terms and concepts, and resources.

“Oh, so long, long ago,

    in the far distant past,

        the first life came to be

               in the sea.”

This engrossing journey will whet readers appetite for more facts about how Earth began and all the creatures inhabiting it.

We Go Way Back by Idan Ben-Barak

We Go Way Back: A Book About Life on Earth and How It All Began 

Idan Ben-Barak; Illustrated by Philip Bunting 

Roaring Brook Press. 2023 

What exactly is life is the theme of this charming informational picture book. 

People have been trying to explain what life is, but it is not easy. 

 We know life is not a thing. 

“Life is the way that some things make more things that are a lot like themselves but sometimes a little bit different.” 

In 32 pages, Ben-Barak, who holds a PhD in the history and philosophy of science, takes readers on a journey back before life on Earth began and gives us an understandable theory will understand. 

Accompanying the intelligible narrative are Bunting’s colorful, cartoon-like illustrations. The book would be a great addition to any display on life on Earth. 

An enjoyable read aloud for students in all grades, but especially high school. We Go Way Back is the kind of book that sparks conversations. 

This book does not include any author’s note, further explanations, or bibliography.

Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem by Melissa Stewart; Illustrated by Rob Dunlavey

Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem

Melissa Stewart;
Illustrated by Rob Dunlavey.
Random House Studio. 2023

First off, I must admit that we, at the Nonfiction Detectives, are colossal fans of Melissa Stewart. As a nonfiction writer, her talent to bring facts to life without overwhelming readers is a true gift. She makes our job as a librarians easier because we can trust the book we hand a curious reader. We know they will be able to absorb the information while also just enjoying the narrative. Thank you, Melissa!

In her newest, Whale Fall, Stewart asks readers to imagine what happens after a whale dies. 

“It’s massive body silently sinks down, down, through the inky darkness, finally coming to rest on the soft, silty seafloor.” 

From there, the decomposing body offers “the deep-sea denizen, the hundred of species and millions of creatures” shelter and sustenance for over fifty years. 

In her author’s note, Stewart explains that scientists had no idea that whale fall communities existed until they discovered one off the coast of California in 1987. Studying the sites, scientists have identified more than 500 different species that live on or around whale falls. 

Dunlavey’s lush illustrations, created using watercolor, mixed media, and digital tools, mirror the text. In some scenes, especially when you are looking up through many miles of ocean and you see the shadow of the whale overhead, you feel like you are actually a part of the book, standing at the bottom of the ocean with sea life all around you.

This informational picture book is perfect to share with readers, regardless of age, who are curious about the ocean…and spark those who have yet to take the plunge.

In addition to the author’s note, there is a section that identifies some whale fall species that includes illustrations of the species, scientific name, size, diet, predators, life span, and field notes. Selected sources, more books to explore is also included.

How Birds Sleep Written by David Obuchowski; Illustrated by Sarah Pedry

How Birds Sleep
Written by David Obuchowski;
Illustrated by Sarah Pedry
mineditionus. An Imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers. 2023

“It’s dusk. Unless you’re an owl, it’s time to get ready for sleep. As the sun goes down, birds all over the world are preparing for a good night’s rest. 

So how do birds sleep anyway?” 

This lyrical informational picture book is a perfect companion for any reader, regardless of age, who has ever wondered how do birds sleep? From Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor, United States) to Vernal Hanging Parrot (Loriculus vernal, Thailand); From the United States to Australia, husband and wife team, Obuchowski and Pedry, offers interesting facts of more than twenty bird species from around the world.

Each entry includes information on sleeping arrangements, name of bird with its Latin name and location. 

“The Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagoons, Canada) sleeps in a snowbank to keep warm and hidden.” 

Paired with the accessible text are the gorgeous illustrations by Pedry done by hand in layers using charcoal, ink, and gouache. They are delicious  - luminescent - and perfectly reflect what is being explained in the text. 

Included are two questions (So What is Sleep Anyway? Are Birds Losing Sleep Over Climate Change?) as an opportunity to open up a discussion with students. An author’s note explaining how the author’s came up with the idea for this book. 

Now that Spring is just days away, and birds are migrating back to their nesting grounds, this book is perfect to share all ages. A jumping off place to spark conversations on the importance of preserving natural habitats. 

Deep, Deep Down: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench by Lydia Lukidis; Illustrated by Juan Calle

Deep, Deep Down: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench    
by Lydia Lukidis; Illustrated by Juan Calle

Capstone Editions. A Capstone Imprint. 2023

“Deep, deep down, at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean lies a secret place.”

So begins this engaging informational poetry book on the wonders found in the Mariana Trench. 

Vampire squids                                                                                          Seadevil anglerfish                                                                                       Giant Goblin sharks?

How do we find out what lives there? You must go down, down deep in a submersible to find out.

This slim book is loaded with fascinating details about fish, eels, plants that make this place home. 

Complementing the text are wondrous illustrations by Juan Calle. There is a disclaimer in the book that states that “though the illustrations were researched and accurate, they are not scientifically rendered and may not be drawn to scale.”

Included more facts about the Mariana Trench.

A great book to share with students of all ages who are fascinated by what live deep, deep down in the deep, dark ocean.

We Have a Dream written by Dr. Mya-Rose Craig

 

We Have a Dream: Meet 30 Young Indigenous People and People of Color Protecting the Planet
Written by Dr. Mya-Rose Craig; Illustrated by Sabrina Khadija
Abrams. 2022

All too frequently, the voices of the people whose lives have been adversely affected by climate change are underrepresented in the environmental movement. Environmentalist and race activist, Dr. Mya-Rose Craig, is working to change that. In, We Have a Dream, readers meet 30 Indigenous people and people of color from all over the world who work to address the affects climate change is bringing to their communities. 

Each entry includes the persons’ ethnicity, when they were born, and what started their path to activism, how the changing climate is affecting their home, and the dream they hope to accomplish. The second part of the two-page spread is a drawing done digitally by Sabrina Khadija, a Sierra Leonean American illustrator. Khadija illustrations are bright, colorful, simple drawings shows smiling individuals.

From water conservation, deforestation to indigenous rights, these powerful voices share their dream…

A dream for climate justice.

A dream for a healthy planet.

A dream for a fairer world, for all.

These young advocates are an inspiration. Their passion and commitment will resonate with readers who, like them, are looking for ways to make the world a better place for all. Let’s hope their voices will continue to be heard.

Click here to watch a 6-minute video of Dr. Craig speaking about this important book.

Overview: a New Way of Seeing Earth: Young Reader's Edition by Benjamin Grant and Sandra Markle

Overview: a New Way of Seeing Earth

Young Reader's Edition

Benjamin Grant with Sandra Markle

Crown Books for Young Readers. 2019

Grades 2 up

When astronauts view Earth from space, the sense of oneness they feel is termed the Overview Effect. It describes the awareness that we are all part of the same humanity.  Astronauts, when they see Earth from space, say the experience changes them forever. The view gives them a greater connection to Earth, its people, and the environment. 

The large-format sized book is divided into nine chapters. Each chapter examines a different aspect of our planet. From natures wonders to how humans are affecting the plant, each full-page color photograph is captioned, giving a brief explanation as to why it is included in the book. 

“Uluru, also called Ayers Rock, in Australia’s Northern Territory, is a giant sandstone rock formation that rises above an otherwise flat plan. Estimated to be 600 million years old, Uluru is 1,142 feet (348 m) high and 6 miles (9.7 km) around at the base. Like a land iceberg, Uluru also extends underground another 2 miles (3.2 km). The rock is a sacred site for the Aboriginal people of the area, who first settled there 10,000 years ago.”

Grant and Markle also include environmental concerns to encourage readers to contemplate their role in creating a healthy planet.

Back matter includes bibliography, resources on how you can help our planet to have a healthy future, and index that includes not only page numbers but coordinates to use when searching Google Earth or the satellite mode of Google Maps!

A truly awe-inspiring book.

 To write this review, I borrowed the book from my local public library.