Nonfiction Monday: Chicks and Chickens

We would like to thank the Orland Park Public Library for providing this book for review.

CHICKS & CHICKENS
by Gail Gibbons
32 pages, ages 4-8
Holiday House, 2003


How does a chicken produce eggs? How does a chick grow inside an egg? How many different kinds of chickens are there? Accurate and easy-to-understand language informs readers about the growth, development, and care of chickens. Text explains the different ways chickens are raised, some for their meat, others for eggs. On small farms, chickens roam free and hunt for seeds, fruits, berries, insects and worms; their eggs are hand–gathered twice a day. In commercial facilities, chickens are caged and they are fed chicken food. Readers will learn that there are 113 different kinds of chickens; colorful, cartoon-like illustrations depict eight common breeds. Simple diagrams offer a peek at an
embryo growing inside a shell, as well as a chicken’s digestive and reproductive systems.
The final page offers fascinating triva about chickens and eggs. Youngsters will find this book enjoyable and egg-ceptional!

Gail Gibbons has published over 100 nonfiction books for children. Teaching guides are available at http://www.gailgibbons.com/teachers_guide.html
To learn more about this prolific author, visit http://www.gailgibbons.com/
—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by History with a Twist blog.

Nonfiction monday: Interview with John McGranaghan

Interview: John McGranaghan, author of Meet The Planets.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF: I am married and the father of two teenage boys. I have been working as a school counselor since 1991. I enjoy my work and I love working with so many wonderful students.

WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM? Many of my ideas come from reading other books magazines and whatever else I can get my hands on. As a school counselor I am often trying to present factual material to my students in an interesting and entertaining way. The same translates to my writing. If I have an idea for a book that will have factual information in it I turn to the library and Internet to start doing my reading and research.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING? Before I answer this question I just want to say that I enjoy writing and the entire process that goes along with it. But like anything in life that is worthwhile there are parts that require hard work and commitment, and that is probably the hardest part of the writing process. As a writer you have to find the time, make the commitment, and stick to it.

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED? After reading Bill Bryson book, "A Short History of Nearly Everything" there are so many strange, fascinating, and interesting facts. For instance,Isaac Newton discovered/invented calculus but did not tell anyone for twenty years. Newton also once stared at the sun for as long as he could to see if anything would happen and he once ran a sewing needle around the inside his eye just to see what would happen, fortunately nothing happened on either occasion. And The New York Times sent their golf correspondent to interview Albert Einstein.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK. My latest book, Meet The Planets, started as a story about Pluto but evolved into a story about the planets competing against each other to see who would be the favorite planet. Since Pluto was no longer a planet he could not be in the competition. but he found his place as the emcee.


IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD? Sylvan Dell did a wonderful job with their online voting for readers to pick their favorite planet. I encourage readers to check it and vote, early and often if possible. http://www.sylvandellpublishing.com/votePlanet.php
--Interview by Laura Crawford

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Great Kid Books blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Seed, Soil, Sun

We would like to thank the Orland Park Public Library for providing this book for review.

SEED, SOIL, SUN: EARTH’S RECIPE FOR FOOD
by Cris Peterson,
photos by David Lundquist
32 pages, ages 4-8
Boyds Mill Press, 2010

How does a corn seed approximately the size of your fingernail grow into a tall, towering plant (up to 12 feet) with roots that reach six feet into the ground? Peterson, a Wisconsin dairy farmer, shares an insider’s scoop on how to grow healthy crops. The secret is seeds, soil, sun—and a splash of water. The importance and function of each of these elements is explained in simple language, and it all begins with the seed. Engaging, easy-to-read paragraphs are paired with Lunquist’s eye-popping, full-color photos. One snapshot shows seeds of various shapes, sizes, and colors held in the outstretched palms of eight children. Text explains that tiny organisms live in the soil. They add nutrients which are needed by growing plants. A close-up shows earthworms tunneling through the soil, another shows a tender green shoot and its tiny, hair-like roots. Readers will learn about the sun’s role in coaxing seedlings from the ground and the process of photosynthesis. What is the end result of “seeds, sun, and soil”? A bountiful harvest of luscious fruits, vegetables, and flowers!

This is not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill book about the life cycle of plants. Sun, Soil, Seeds not only underscores the miraculous cycle of seedtime and harvest, but also reminders readers of the important job farmers have providing us with a variety of foods. The final page includes a brief bibliography and recommended reading list for further study. Check out the downloadable lesson plan produced by the American Farm Bureau Foundation: http://www.maefonline.com/attachments/File/AgLiteracyLessonPlan.pdf

Cris Peterson, a dairy farmer, is the author of ten children’s books. She has been honored by a number of dairy and agricultural organizations in United States. In 2004 she was named National Dairy Woman of the Year. Ms. Peterson is also the recipient of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s 2011 Award for Children’s Literature. It is the sixth time one of her books has been chosen for this award. To learn more about Cris Peterson and her books, visit: http://crispeterson.crosstown-creative.com/
—Review and Bio by Heidi Bee Roemer

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Simply Science blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Interview with Johnette Downing

Interview with Johnette Downing, author of Why the Crawfish Lives in Mud and other children’s books.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:
I am a multi-award winning children's book author, musician and haiku poet presenting concerts and author visits for children, and keynotes and workshops for educators globally. Dedicated to celebrating childhood, cultural exchanges and fostering literacy through my music, books, poetry and programs, I have performed in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Central America, North America and the Caribbean, received twenty-one awards and received rave reviews from the Grammy Foundation, School Library Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and numerous parenting magazines. Based in New Orleans and Asheville, my passion is to create and present work that speaks to a child's interests in a thought-provoking, engaging, interactive, entertaining and culturally respectful way.

WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM?
My ideas for my books and songs come from my curiosity about cultures, traditions, food, music and the natural world we live in. Believing that we are all connected, I look for ways to bridge cultures and to celebrate differences and similarities. I also appreciate the impact we have on the natural world and aim to help children appreciate and understand the importance of leaving the world a better place than we found it.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?
The hardest part about writing for me is finding enough time to write. I LOVE to write and when I am writing the time flies by. When I am working on a story, a whole day can go by only to discover I didn't stop to eat or take a walk. When I am working on a book, my boyfriend is my clock. He will check on me throughout the day to make sure I eat, take breaks and enjoy and honor the moment.

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?
I learned many wonderful facts about the Amazon when I was writing and researching my Amazon Alphabet book, which is why I decided to add fun facts throughout the book. For example, I learned that dolphins have 40% more brain capacity than humans, the hummingbird is the only bird that can fly both forward and backward, and the Amazon Rainforest is called the "Lungs of the Planet" because it produces about 20% of the Earth's oxygen.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK.
I have two new books coming out; WHY THE OYSTER HAS THE PEARL (Pelican Publishing, fall 2011) and TODAY IS MONDAY IN KENTUCKY (Pelican Publishing, spring 2012). The Oyster book is trickster story I created in the style of an origin myth tale. It offers several morals about sharing, using only that which you need and the consequences of greed.

The Kentucky book is the fourth in my Today Is Monday series following TODAY IS MONDAY IN LOUISIANA, TODAY IS MONDAY IN TEXAS and TODAY IS MONDAY IN NEW YORK. The book is a culinary calendar describing a delicious meal for each day of the week in the state of Kentucky. Foods such as burgoo and spoon bread are tempting treats for young readers.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
Check out my nine award winning CDs, nine picture books for children, programs, free book activities, free fan club, free email newsletter, calendar of events, music activities and more information about me and my work at www.johnettedowning.com.
–Interview by Laura Crawford.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Shelf-employed blog.

Nonfiction Monday: W is for Waves Giveaway

Wild About Nature blog is wrapping up our spring break with one last giveaway. This week, enter for your chance to win a copy of W is for Waves: An Ocean Alphabet by Roland and Marie Smith. Click to read our review.

Enter to win up to two times:

1. This giveaway is for our Followers. If you haven't already, click the Fans of Wild About Nature Follow button, and leave a comment letting us know that you are a follower.

2. Link to this post on your blog and leave a link to the blog post in the comments.

Our winner will be notified on Saturday, May 7, 2011. Good luck!

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Jean Little Library blog.