The Frog Book

The Frog Book
by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019
Grades PreK-3

After publishing dozens of science picture books featuring various animals, Steve Jenkins and Robin Page give readers a glimpse into the fascinating world of frogs. The survey book packs a lot of information into 33 pages.

The first page is an interesting introduction to frogs. Did you know frogs live on every continent except Antarctica? The book then focuses on rare species such as the ornate horned frog, tomato frog, and waxy monkey frog.

A two-page spread illustrates the physical features of frogs using scientific terminology. Bold, cut and torn paper collage illustrations depict the various species of frogs. My personal favorite is the front view of the Amazon horned frog on page 21. Near the end of the picture book, the authors describe dangers facing frogs today including pollution, climate change, and loss of habitat.

The Frog Book is sure to be a hit with readers who like learning about amphibians, and it may even give readers a new admiration for the importance of frogs in our environment. Math and science-minded readers will have a great time poring over the table featured on the final two pages of the book. Each frog from the book is listed with information about size, diet and location.

Liberty Arrives! : How America’s Grandest Statue Found Her Home by Robert Byrd

Liberty Arrives! : How America’s Grandest Statue Found Her Home 

by Robert Byrd

Dial Books for Young Readers. 2019

Grades 4 up

The Statue of Liberty has been our visual symbol of freedom to all immigrants who have come to our shores seeking a new life. France gifted the statue to the United States on our 100th birthday in 1876. Robert Byrd, with his usual flair tells us the story of the how Lady Liberty came to be and the sculptor, Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904) and his dream of making this amazing gift.  

“and how Lady Liberty almost didn’t come to stand in America at all.”

Byrd’s signature style is the perfect pairing for his narrative. Each chapter design resembles a headlining newspaper story. Incorporated into the book are sidebars, diagrams, quotes, and well-captioned illustrations that mirrors the text. The artwork was created using ink-line, watercolor and colored inks on 140 lb. cold press Arches watercolor paper. The drawings are bright and very detailed. 

Back matter shows the statues measurements (the width of the tablet is 13 feet; 7 inches), a timeline, along with more information on the statue. A bibliography, online resources, and an author’s note rounds out this engaging informational book.

A story that will delightful readers of all ages.

New Nonfiction in June

Here are nonfiction titles that hit the shelves this month.

You Are Home: An Ode to National Parks

by Evan Turk

Back to School
by Maya Ajmera and John D. Ivanko

update of the 2001 edition

Destination Moon: The Remarkable and Improbable Voyage of Apollo 11

by Richard Maurer

The Magnificent Migration: On Safari with Africa's Last Great Herds

by Sy Montgomery

Moles: The Superpower Field Guide

 by Rachel Poliquin and Nicholas John Firth

Homes in the Wild: Where Baby Mammals and Their Parents Live

by Lita Judge

Liberty Arrives!: How America's Grandest Statue Found Her Home
 by Robert Byrd

The Unabomber 

by Bryan Denson

Moth: An Evolution Story

 by Isabel Thomas and Daniel Egneus

Ask a Scientist 
by Professor Robert Winston

When Plants Attack

When Plants Attack: Strange and Terrifying Plants
by Rebecca E. Hirsch
Millbrook Press, 2019
Grades 3-6

Upper elementary readers will delight in this nonfiction picture book featuring plants adaptations that help them survive in the wild. Hirsch writes in an expository style with a conversational tone that engages readers with the text. Each chapter focuses on a different plant species.

Readers will learn about pitcher plants that trap insects and pisonia trees that catch birds with their sticky seeds. Other plants featured in the book include the dodder vine, swollen thorns, and kudzu. Close-up photographs of the plants accompany the descriptive text.

When Plants Attack would make a great read aloud in a science class learning about plant and animal adaptations. It's also likely to be a popular nonfiction read with kids who love the gory aspects of science.

101 Small Ways to Change the World: how you (yes, you) can make a difference! Written by Aubre Andrus

101 Small Ways to Change the World: how you (yes, you) can make a difference!

Written by Aubre Andrus

Lonely Planet Kids. 2018

Grades 3 and up

In 101 Small Ways to Change the World, Andrus makes the case that in addition to doing all we can to save our environment, it is equally important that we care for ourselves, and others.

The book’s design is fun and encourages browsing. Each double-page spread begins with a topic and then one or two suggestions follow. 

For example: #78 DISCONNECT.  

“From TVs to tablets to laptops to phones, kids are spending a lot more time sitting and staring at screens these days. Sure, there are so many fun games, movies, shows, and text messages just waiting for you, but it’s really important to take a break from screens every now and then. Not only will it give your eyes a rest, it will also give your mind a rest.”  

Following are a few specific suggestions on what to do.

Bake cookies or make slime

Read a book on magic tricks, a craft idea, or science experiment

Do a puzzle or get your entire family to help with a Lego project.

Write a story or poem!

Each page includes some fun art.

The book offers a checklist so avid changemakers can tick off each one as they complete it, and, a list of further reading, books and websites, on others who are trying to change the world. 

Yes! One person, one kid, can change the world.

Her Fearless Run by Kim Chaffee

Her Fearless Run: Kathrine Switzer’s Historic Boston Marathon

By Kim Chaffee; Illustrated by Ellen Rooney

Page Street Kids. 2019

Grades 1 – up

In 1967, women did not run in marathons. Men thought women were not strong enough. “Women weren’t supposed to sweat,” and running for 26.2 miles would cause serious injury. In Her Fearless Run, Chaffee tells the exciting story of Kathrine Switzer and her courage to challenge the status quo to become the first woman to register, run, and finish, the Boston marathon. (She was disqualified when the officials realized she was a women)

The narrative is exciting as we read how Kathrine loved running at a young age. To her, it was magic. In college, her ability to run longer distances got her an invitation to join the men’s track team. “The team needed more runners, and Kathrine was eager to join.”  When she began classes at Syracuse University, she could train with the men, just not compete in races. The more Kathrine heard about the Boston Marathon, the more she wanted run in it.

Rooney’s vibrant, colorful full-page illustrations, rendered with mixed media collage using paint, paper, pencil, and digital media, capture the mood and tone of the story.

Back matter includes an author’s note and bibliography. Also included is a brief explanation on how five years after Kathrine’s run, in 1972, women where officially allowed to run the Boston Marathon.

A perfect book to share with all ages. Read along with The Girl Who Ran : Bobbi Gibb, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon by Frances Poletti & Kristina Yee, and/or Girl Running : Bobbi Gibb and the Boston Marathon by Anette Bay Pimentel.

New Nonfiction- May 2019

Here are the new titles that hit the shelves in May.

Mummies Exposed!: Creepy and True

by Kerrie Logan Hollihan

We Are the Change: Words of Inspiration from Civil Rights Leaders

Disaster Strikes!: The Most Dangerous Space Missions of All Time

by Jeffrey Kluger

When Sue Found Sue: Sue Hendrickson Discovers Her T. Rex

by Toni Buzzeo and Diana Sudyka

The Girl Who Named Pluto: The Story of Venetia Burney

by Alice B. McGinty and Elizabeth Haidle

Undaunted: The Wild Life of Birute Mary Galdikas and Her Fearless Quest to Save Orangutans

by Anita Silvey

The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets

by Gayle E. Pitman

Birds of a Feather: Bowerbirds and Me

by Susan L. Roth

The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon: The Story of Alan Bean

by Dean Robbins and Sean Rubin

The Boy Who Touched the Stars

by Jose M. Hernandez and Steven James Petruccio

An Invisible Thread: Adapted for Young Readers

by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski