Wild About Nature

Nonfiction Monday: Sled Dogs

2012-01-28T17:29:00.000-08:00

Sled Dogs
by Kimberly M. Hutmacher
24 pages, age 5 -7
Capstone Press, 2011

What kind of dogs pull heavy sleds over ice and snow in the coldest parts of the world? They are the hardworking sled dogs, typically Alaskan huskies, Siberian huskies or Alaskan malamutes. From the time of birth, sled dogs work and play together. During puppyhood, they’re trained to wear harnesses, obey simple commands, and pull light loads. Hutmacher’s simple, yet captivating text introduces readers to the kind of life these dog teams lead and the work they do. Beautiful, full-page color photographs capture these creatures in various activities: running, resting, and even racing in a popular yearly event called the Iditarod.

Geared for reading level K-1, Capstone’s Pebble Plus series helps children improve their reading and listening skills. Repeated words and phrases help emergent readers expand their vocabulary. Backmatter includes a glossary, suggested reading list, and safe internet sites for further learning. If your child or student enjoys Sled Dogs, check out other books in the Working Dogs series: Assistance Dogs, K-9 Police Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, Television and Movie Star Dogs and Therapy Dogs.

Book source: Orland Park Public Library
—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Wendie's Wanderings blog.

Nonfiction Monday: The Wildlife ABC

2012-01-15T13:27:00.000-08:00

The Wildlife ABC:
A Nature Alphabet Book
by Jan Thornhill
Owlkids Books, Inc., 2012

Jan Thornhill provides a beautiful experience to children as they learn the alphabet and explore nature in this gorgeous new picture book. From the stanza for the letters A and B: A is for Auk/ Who lives by the sea/ B is for Beaver/ Felling a tree, to the final stanza in the book: Y is for Yellowjacket/ Who might live near you/ And Z is for zoo/ Can you tell who is who?, lyrical text and framed vibrant illustrations bring nature to life. Back matter includes nature notes that provide a plethora of information about each animal featured. Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher. We would like to thank Owlkids Books, Inc. for providing a copy of this book for review.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by The Swimmer Writer blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Small Wonders

2012-01-08T15:40:00.000-08:00

Small Wonders: Baby Animals
in the Wild
Written by Marilyn Baillie
Illustrated by Romi Caron
Maple Tree Press, 2006

Young audiences who are learning and discovering about their own world, will enjoy looking at and learning about young animals who are doing the same. We see polar bears feeding their cubs and learn that soon the cubs will learn to swim and hunt. We see raccoon kits learning to climb, beaver kits learning to build and an orca learning to communicate. Along the way, we also get to visit many different habitats. From mountains to prairies to lakes and oceans and even our own back yards, we see young animals at work and at play. Back matter includes more interesting facts about each animal featured. This book was named an Outstanding Children's Book by the Animal Behavioral Society, Best Book by the Association for the Advancement of Science and was an Our Choice Selection by the Canadian Children's Book Center. Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher.

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

Nonfiction Monday: Earth and Sky

2012-01-01T12:30:00.000-08:00

Earth and Sky: A Lift-the-Flap
Guide to Our Solar System
Written by Pascale Hedelin
Illustrated by Laurent Richard
Owlkids Books, Inc., 2009

Dive into the ground beneath you, the city where you live, the trees, rivers, and mountains that paint the landscapes. Explore the sun, the moon and the stars! The text in this book is simple and engaging. The beauty of this book is the action-filled lift-the-flaps. A pull of one flap illustrates continental drift while another demonstrates what happens when it is both sunny and rainy at the same time. We see the changing appearance of the moon and how erosion can drastically change a landscape. Every page provides flaps that connect to and inform the reader. This book is a winner! Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher. We would like to thank OwlKids Books, Inc. for providing a copy of this book for review.

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

Nonfiction Monday: Laura Crawford's Year-In-Review

2011-12-18T10:01:00.000-08:00

2011—LESSON LEARNED!
I learned many lessons in 2011…and the first was in January at a convent. Yes, a convent.
I live in Illinois, a state with a variety of SCBWI events each year. A week into the new year, I attended a weekend retreat at the Cenacle in Chicago. People asked why I paid good money to sit in a silent room in a silent building when I live alone. The answer was simple: I’m easily distracted. I needed to get away from the Kardashians, dumb TV movies, laundry and schoolwork. I was unbelievably focused and productive—I wrote 3.5 books in 3 days! Lesson learned: I need peace and quiet to get stuff done.
Lisa Wheeler’s Picture Book boot camp was in February. There is only way to describe this weekend: the single best thing I ever did to improve my writing. Picture book writers…find Lisa. Now. Hurry. Many, many lessons learned.
March and April were filled with book signings and school events. Fun! In May, I went temporarily insane and took part and signed up for the challenge of writing seven complete picture books in a week. Lesson learned: I can get a lot done when I set my mind to it!
In June, I did not write anything. Too much stress at work. Needed to relax. I was just not feeling it, and if I’m not feeling it, I can’t force it…so I went swimming instead. And then came….
July! Words By the Lake in Springfield was 3 days of solitude by the lake while writing. The peace and quiet was refreshing and calming. Lesson learned: nature makes me more creative.
August and September—I headed back to school. I had no time and no desire to write. But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t making progress on my books. I thought about them every day…just because I was too busy to type does not mean I wasn’t getting closer to being done! And I decided to look for an agent.
And then came October…and 14 rejections. I hate looking for agents. (Sorry if you are an agent reading this…but picture book writers who don’t illustrate need love too!) I also set a goal: one week to finish the book I started at the convent. No Facebook. No TV. No cleaning the house. Much to my surprise, I finished it in 4 days and sent it off to my experts! Lesson learned: I always think it’s going to be harder than it is…
November…Prairie Writers Day (the Illinois SCBWI conference.) Busy, busy, busy. Luckily I walked away with a list of editors because I did not have a creative thought in weeks!!! I’m really not worried about it though, because it always returns.
Plus—I SOLD A BOOK!! Yay!! Benjamin Franklin From A to Z will be coming out with Pelican Publishing. It will be dedicated to the students and coworkers of Sleepy Hollow Elementary who support, encourage and inspire me every day.
And now it’s December…and I made it through the first round of the www.meegenius.com contest. Feel free to stop by and vote!
It’s been a great year: I’ve learned a lot. And I just signed up to go to the convent again!!! I hope 2012 is as productive as 2011.

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

Nonfiction Monday: Heidi Bee Roemer's Year-In-Review

2011-12-11T18:13:00.000-08:00

HEIDI BEE ROEMER’S Year-in-Review
High fives to Kim and Laura, my talented blogger buddies, on all their accomplishments and reports of glad tidings and good cheer. They are a hard act to follow!

Writing news…
I now know the difference between a rhombus and a trapezoid—Yay! Laura Crawford and I co-authored a math-themed poetry book geared for third graders. We’re seeking a publisher for 2-D Poe-ometry! Poems about Flat Shapes. (If you know an editor who likes NF with a creative kick, please email me. We offer cash and/or first born child if your recommendation results in a sale.) Our companion book, 3-D Poe-ometry! Poems about Space Figures, is, you might say, shaping up nicely. I hope next year Laura and I can jubilantly report that our “math blaster” collections have been sold!

Editing news…
To someday be a children’s poetry editor has been at the top of my wish list for YEARS and Canadian-born Carol-Ann Hoyte made my dream come true. Carol-Ann and I are co-editors for her brainchild, a children’s poetry anthology about sports. The ebook is strategically due for release July, 2012, just in time for London’s summer Olympics. Our vision is to showcase emergent talent from around the world. So far, we’ve received submissions from Japan, the U.K., Canada, New Zealand, plus poems from U.S. writers, including uber-talented poetry geniuses, such as J. Patrick Lewis, Charles Ghigna, Jane Yolen, Charles Waters and W. Nikola-Lisa. Want to submit a poem for possible publication? Don’t dillydally! Take a sneak a peek at the guidelines: http://davidlharrison.wordpress.com/tag/heidi-bee-roemer/

Author visit news…
School and library visits have been sluggish this year, but thanks to Carmela Martino and Monta Hernon, I am teaching poetry to 26 home school students, ages 4 to 10. They love to read, write, and recite poetry. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Teaching & Critiquing news…
I continue to offer my critiquing services and The ABC’s of Poetry workshop, a correspondence course for adults who want to write and publish children’s poetry. A Canadian writer whose manuscript I critiqued emailed me with good news—his book sold! Keep your eyes peeled for Pat Camozzi’s ALPHA BONES CANDY, due 2013.

Other news…
I’ve read more books than ever this year, particularly the nature, picture book and poetry varieties, my favorites. I’ve also been tinkering in the kitchen with new vegan recipes and maintaining a regular schedule at the gym. This year I added kickboxing and rock climbing to my routine. Next year, maybe fencing?

Thus ends my swashbuckling year-in-review. Thanks for blogging along with us and hope you’ll do more of the same in 2012. Touché!

Be sure to share your year-in-review. What books have you read that you really connected with? Any book launches? Contracts signed? Don't be shy. We want to celebrate your news, too!

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

Nonfiction Monday: Kimberly M. Hutmacher Year-in-Review

2011-12-04T11:13:00.000-08:00

Normally, we use this space to celebrate books created by other authors, but once a year, we like to give our readers an update on what each of the Wild Writers has been up to. I'll begin our Year In Review this week, and Heidi Bee Roemer and Laura Crawford will follow up the next two weeks.

KIM’S YEAR IN REVIEW, 2011
This year brought the release of six new books. First up is a five-book series published by Capstone Press that encourages children to explore their communities with their senses. The titles are: Your Senses at the Beach, Your Senses at the Dentist's Office, Your Senses at the Fire Station, Your Senses at the Grocery Store and Your Senses at the Zoo. Also new this year is my latest book for Libraries Unlimited. Picture Book Parties does exactly what the title says--celebrates popular picture books with games, classroom center ideas and book specific snacks. The book even includes party invitations! Picture Book Parties is meant to be a helpful and fun guide for teachers, librarians and media specialists to plan everyday story times or larger school literacy events, such as the ever-growing family reading night.

In addition to celebrating recently-published books, I also wrote two new book series for Capstone Press. The “I Want a Pet” series explores the ins and outs and positives and negatives of owning different kinds of pets in order to help children make good decisions regarding what pets would be best for them. The four titles are: I Want a Dog, I Want a Cat, I Want a Hamster and I Want a Fish. The second Capstone Press series is about telling time and giving children an idea of how long segments of time are. The titles in this rhyming four-book series are: How Long is a Second? How Long is a Minute? and How Long is an Hour? In addition, I wrote a series of four earth science books for Rourke Publishing. Most of these books will probably be available in 2012. Yay! Lots of book birthdays to look forward to!

When I wasn't writing this year, I was fortunate enough to spend time in schools celebrating my books and my passion for writing with children. Some days were spent doing interactive story times with K-3 graders. Other days were spent doing poetry clinics with 4-6 graders. And still other days were spent sharing my journey from struggling reader to published author with middle grade students. Wherever I was, I can tell you that I was inspired and impressed by children who had a love for story as big as my own!

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU!
Please share your own year in review in our comments. What did you read this year? What did you write about? Any sales or publications? Fill us in. We want to hear from you! And don't forget to check back over the next two weeks to learn about what Wild Writers Laura Crawford and Heidi Bee Roemer have been up to.

P.S. Just an FYI for those interested: You can learn more about my school and library workshop offerings by clicking here. The Wild About Nature Writers are also available to speak as a a duo or a trio. Email us for more information.

Here's to 2012!

Kimberly Hutmacher

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

Nonfiction Monday: Over in the Meadow

2011-11-27T11:17:00.000-08:00

Over in the Meadow
Written and Illustrated by Jan Thornhill
32 Pages, Ages 4-8
Owlkids Books, 2012

Jan Thornhill's rhythmic romp through the meadow begins:

Over in the meadow
in the sand in the sun
lived an old mother turtle
and her little turtle one.
"Dig!" said the mother.
"We dig!" said the 1.
So they dug all day
in the sand in the sun.

This delightful sing-song rhyme introduces young readers to animal families they would encounter in the meadow and helps them practice their counting skills, too! If that weren't enough, the illustrations are bold and unique. Thornhill builds illustrations out of common everyday objects. For instance, a baby crow is created from a radio and a pine cone. Readers will make surprising discoveries at every turn of the page.
Reviewed by Kimberly M. Hutmacher. We would like to thank Owlkids Books for providing a copy of this book for review.

Jan Thornill has led (and leads) an adventurous life! As a child she explored the woods and fields with friends while bringing home things such as birds, fossils, animal skulls and insects for their own personal museum. As an adult, she’s made contact lenses, sewn beads on Dolly Parton’s dresses, freelance work and now, she writes for children. She and her husband live in Ontario where she scours the forest looking for slime mold and mushrooms to eat. Check out her fantastic website at www.janthornhill.com.
Biography by Laura Crawford.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by A Curious Thing blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Sea Stars: Saltwater Poems

2011-11-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Sea Stars: Saltwater Poems
by Avis Harley
Photos by Margaret Butschler
32 pages, ages 4-8
Wordsong, 2006

Anyone angling for a book about marine life will be hooked by this spellbinding collection, thanks to the thoughtful pairing of eloquent poems and stunning photographs. Butschler’s snapshots capture crisp, evocative images such as a baby beluga swimming alongside its mother, a hermit crab emerging from its shell, and an otter afloat on its back blissfully enjoying its lunch. Drawing inspiration from the eye-catching photos, Harley uses a variety of poetry forms to describe creatures of the deep. A tanka incorporates word-play to describe the delicate Moon Jellyfish. “How can / this moon jelly / play host to hot shocks?—Such / sea-through beauty seems too sublime / to sting.” A rhymed couplet warns readers about the prickly Lionfish: “In every lionfish’s spine / lies a foison of poison beneath the design,” while clever terse verse takes note of the fierce Reef Shark: “Surf-slicer, ghost-glider, shadow-by-the-shore / flesh-finder, frenzied-feeder, coastal carnivore…” The "Looking Deeper" pages contain additional information about these amazing plants and animals. Sea Stars is truly a “see-worthy” collection for all ages. Book source: Orland Park Public Library—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

Avis writes and illustrates at her desk in front of a large window which overlooks flower boxes and hummingbird feeders in British Columbia. Writing in longhand with lots of space to cross out and revise, she writes, rewrites and reads her work out loud before typing. Avis says the different stages are like a metamorphosis and enjoys the revision process. Her love of children's poetry grew out of her love of working with children when she taught her first class at age nineteen. She has been fascinated with language ever since. Her other nonfiction titles include The Monarch's Progress: Poems With Wings, Sea Stars: Saltwater Poems, and Fly with Poetry: An ABC of Poetry. –Bio by Laura Crawford.

Thhis post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Books Together blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Amazing Eggs

2011-11-13T11:06:00.000-08:00

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

Amazing Eggs:
We Both Read series (Level 1)
by Fran Hodgkins
Illus. by Wendy Smith
40 pages, ages 4-8
Treasure Bay, Inc.

Eggs can be as large as a grapefruit or so tiny you’ll need a magnifying glass to see them. They can be round or, believe it not, rectangular. They may have hard shells, leathery shells, or be shell-less and jelly-soft. Some eggs float, others sink. Some eggs are snuggled in soft nests, others are buried in sand, and some eggs have no nest at all. Readers learn that from these various eggs, hatchlings grow into birds, insects, fish, turtles, snakes, and, yes, even mammals. (Think platypus!) Color photos and detailed illustrations allow readers to view these fascinating capsules up close. See a baby reptile half-emerged from its leathery egg. Notice how the shark’s rectangular egg is tied to seaweed by its tendrils so it doesn’t drift away. Study the zoomed-in photo of tiny butterfly eggs resting on a leaf. Yes, eggs are amazing!

Designed as a joint reading experience, this book helps children practice their reading and listening skills as they learn about eggs. Left-side pages of the book contain an informative paragraph meant to be ready by an adult. Geared for emergent readers, pages on the right feature large-size, simply worded text comprised of a short sentence or two. Front matter includes a note to parents offering tips on how to encourage and help their young readers. Not only is this science and nature “book for two voices” educational, but fun for children to read aloud with a parent, teacher, or friend. Available in Spanish and paperback. To see other We Both Read books, go to www.WeBothRead.com.
—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

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

Nonfiction Monday: African Animal Alphabet

2011-11-06T05:32:00.000-08:00

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

African Animal Alphabet
by Beverly and Dereck Joubert
48 pages, ages 4-8
National Geographic Children's Books, 2011

If you’d like to see a grinning crocodile close-up, or watch two warthogs kiss, or see three silly squirrels piggy-backed on top of each other like they’re doing cheerleading stunts, African Animal Alphabet is the book for you. As one would expect from National Geographic, this book is as informative as it is visually engaging. See striking full color photos of 26 different animals from around the world and view them in A-B-C order. And there’s more! Each animal description is a lesson in alliteration, as the text prominently utilizes the featured alphabet letter. For example, “B is for Baboon: “…boisterous baby baboons…babble and bicker…in an African baobab tree.” Each page also features a “Did You Know?” sidebar. Critter fact: “An adult male baboon’s teeth are long than a lion’s.”

After you’ve enjoyed romping with the rhinos, oooing over the baby impala, and groaning at the dung beetles’ dirty antics, check out the end pages. A colorful two-page spread featuring (what appears to be) miniature ABC playing cards, is actually the clever format used to present more fascinating animal facts: habitat, animal size, food it eats, sounds it makes, and number of babies. Glossary, book and website lists are included for more learning fun. I give this book and its creators high fives. Animal lover or not, I think you’ll be wowed, too!—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Charlotte's Library blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Around One Log

2011-10-23T11:35:00.000-07:00

We we would like to thank Dawn Publications for providing a copy of this book for review.

Around One Log: Chipmunks,
Spiders, and Creepy Insiders
Written by Anthony D. Fredericks
Illustrated by Jennifer DiRubbio
Dawn Publications, 2011

Several years after a large old tree tumbles to the ground and rots, is the tree really dead? Author Anthony D. Fredericks gives readers a tour of this special habitat. Along the way, they'll see roly-polies and daddy long legs creeping here and there, while crickets and beetles dash about. Readers will see an entire community at work in the remains of this old tree. Rhyming text, supported by field notes and "fantastic facts" bring this story to life and will have readers yearning to examine that old log in their own back yard. This is the sixth book in this habitat series by Fredericks. Other titles include Under One Rock and In One Tide Pool. All of the books in the series were beautifully illustrated by Jennifer DiRubbio.
Reviewed by Kimberly Hutmacher

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Apple With Many Seeds blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Interview with Author Phyllis Perry

2011-10-16T14:51:00.000-07:00

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF.
I grew up in a small gold mining town in northern California. I attended the University of California at Berkeley, where I met my husband, David. I worked for a number of years in the field of education as a teacher, director of talented and gifted education, and as an elementary school principal. We now have two daughters, and four grandchildren.
Two of the grandchildren are right here in Boulder, Colorado and we get to see them often. One granddaughter lives in Australia, and our grandson is in Xi'an China on a Fulbright working on his dissertation.

WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM?
I enjoy animals and spending time on trails in the woods and parks. I've written about many animals that interest me and children. When my granddaughter moved to Australia, I was reading about that country and got interested in the many poisonous
creatures off the Great Barrier Reef. Then I wrote, FIELD GUIDE TO OCEAN ANIMALS about eight of these creatures.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?
I enjoy writing fiction as well as nonfiction. Both pacing and voice pose challenges. How to put in enough detail to make it interesting and real but not slow down the pace of the story. How to combine description, dialogue, and internal thoughts to make the book a page-turner.

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?
The deadliest of all creatures, measured by how many people an ounce of its venom would kill. and how quickly, would be the sea wasp. Once stung, a human dies in 30 seconds to 4 minutes. An ounce of its venom wold be enough to kill 60 people.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK.
My newest children's books is PANDA'S EARTHQUAKE ESCAPE (Sylvan Dell). It tells about the real earthquakes that hit the Wolong Panda Reserve in 2008, killing people and knocking down walls so that several pandas escaped for a few days. The books tells the story of what might have happened to LiLing and her cub, Tengfei on the days they were lost and on their own. I was proud when it won the Mom's Choice Gold Award.

Also just out is STICKS AND STONES, 39 FUN AND SIMPLE GAMES FROM AROUND THE WORLD (Red Chair Press.) For each game, there are interesting facts about the country and directions for playing the games which require no equipments except sticks and stones!

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
My newest adult books is SPEAKING ILL OF THE DEAD; JERKS IN COLORADO HISTORY. I enjoy writing about the history and national parks in Colorado for
both children and adults.

Interviewed by Laura Crawford

Nonfiction Monday: Compost Stew

2011-10-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

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

Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth
by Mary McKenna Siddals
Illus, by Ashley Wolff
32 pages, ages 4-8
Tricycle Press, 2011

How do you turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into rich compost for your garden? Making your own compost is as easy as one, two, three—or, rather, A, B, C. This jubilant recipe-in-rhyme contains an alphabetical list of ingredients: “Apples cores, Bananas, bruised, Coffee grounds with filters used…” As children of different cultural backgrounds pitch in to make the robust compost stew, the playful gauche and collage illustrations—made from bits of yarn, ribbons, textured paper, tea bags, and string—further support the idea of recycling odds and ends. Illustrations also denote seasonal activities: in spring a curly red-headed girl clad in sandals and a short-sleeved dress tends to young shoots in the garden. A summertime scene shows an African American boy cutting grass. In autumn, a child is pictured in a pumpkin field, and in one winter scene, readers see an Asian girl recycling her Christmas tree. On the final page titled, “Chef’s Note,” the author shares do’s, don’ts, plus additional tips for first-time composters. Are you ready to concoct your own earth-friendly compost pile? It’s easy! If you have a heap of “…grass clipping, hair snippings, (and) an insect or two,” you’ll know just what to do: “Add it to the pot and let it all rot into Compost Stew!” For related activities, teaching resources, and lesson plans, go to www.siddals.com/compost-stew.html
—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

During the cold Canada winters, Mary McKenna Siddals loves to cuddle up with a blanket and read books. Picture books are her favorite (to both read and write!) As the author of Compost Stew, she says ‘Composting is nature’s way of recycling, so what starts out as trash is turned into treasure – a dark and crumbly, rich and sweet, delicious treat for the Earth.’ She has written dozens of articles, stories and poems in a variety of magazines over the years. —Interview by Laura Crawford

Interested in other books on the subject of composting? Be sure to read these reviews, too!

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

Nonfiction Monday: Interview with Carole Gerber

2011-10-02T13:02:00.000-07:00

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF.
After a brief career teaching high school and middle school English, I went to grad school and earned an M.A. in journalism (all expenses paid on an assistantship.) I then spent 20+ years writing magazine articles, ad copy, speeches – you name it – before taking freelance jobs writing more than 100 elementary reading and science educational texts. This reawakened my interest in writing my own books, especially my desire to write in verse, which dates back to my high school creative writing class.

WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM?
Sometimes they come from poems I’ve written and set aside as not yet ready for rejection (ha, ha!). I then immerse myself in research before beginning to write. For example, Charlesbridge has published two of my books about trees told in verse: Leaf Jumpers and Winter Trees. Both were commended by the National Science Teachers Association and Winter Trees was named outstanding K-6 trade book by the Children’s Book Council in 2008. My third book in the series, Spring Blossoms, will be published in 2012. I will soon begin working on a summer book to complete the series. (Title ideas anyone?!) More often, I get my ideas by constantly reading what other authors are writing. I got the idea for Little Red Bat after reading a picture book about a tiny South American bat. I thought, “Hmmm, why not find a cute, amazing bat that lives in most parts of the U.S.?” Brown bats are well known, so I discounted them. Red bats are all over the place (mistaken for birds) and they do unusual things.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?
The hardest part is actually finding my “lead.” (Remember, I was trained as a journalist). I love the research but must know when to set it aside and start writing – and discarding - my first verse or prose page. Doing a full “first draft” has never worked for me. As a poet, I want perfect rhyme and meter, every line to flow and every verse to lead seamlessly into the next. I have learned not to beat myself up when I don’t find the flow. Instead, I set it aside and either work on another piece of writing or go outside and find true peace by working in my flower garden.

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?
In researching Little Red Bat, I learned that when little red bats are ready to give birth, they work with gravity by hanging by one wing (instead of by one foot). When their baby emerges, they catch it with their other wing. (I must add that learning about nature makes me feel incredibly humble about being a “mere” human! Despite our large brains, we are kind of a ho-hum species.)

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK.
I have five new books coming out between now and 2015 (so far away – wah!). They are: Annie Jump Cannon, Astronomer (Pelican, fall 2011); Spring Blossoms (Charlesbridge, 2012); Seeds, Bees, Butterflies and More: Nature Poems for Two Voices (Holt, 2013); A Band of Babies (HarperCollins, 2015); and Tuck-In Time (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, pub date to be determined). Except for the picture book biography of Annie Cannon, all are told in verse. Right now I am working on a story about gorillas told in verse. And yesterday I finally wrote an acceptable lead. Hooray!

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?
Be your own tough editor and revise, revise, revise. Expect rejection and take constructive criticism to heart. The executive editor at HarperCollins said she liked the peppy verse in A Band of Babies and noted that she’d take another look if I could come up with “more of a story arc.” I looked at the manuscript in a new light, invented a main character, added some new action verses and sent it back to her within a week. She accepted it right away without requiring further revision. She commented that she was amazed that a writer acted upon her suggestion. (Huh?) So, if an editor offers you the unexpected gift of asking for a revision, jump at the opportunity. Interviewed by Laura Crawford

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by 100 Scope Notes blog.

Nonfiction Monday: The Story Goes On

2011-09-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

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

The Story Goes On
by Alieen Fisher
Illus. by Mique Moriuchi
32 page, ages 4 -8
Roaring Brook Press, 2005

Reminiscent of “There was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly,” award-winning poet, Aileen Fisher, explains the food chain cycle in this lively, ear-pleasing rhyme. The timeless tale begins with a seed that grows into a plant and is eaten by an insect. The insect, in turn, is gobbled up by frog, and the hapless frog becomes dinner for a snake, and so on. The charm of the tale is in the rhyme, rhythm and flow of the poem. “And then, in a flash, / with the stealth of a thief, / a frog’s sticky tongue / flicks out at the leaf / and snatches a meal… the bug comes to grief.” Later in the story, beetles nibble the remains of a carcass and bury the rest. “And then in the soil / made rich in this way, a seed will start sprouting / and growing some day.” Moriuchi’s textured paints and colorful collage illustrations compliment the text beautifully. Bold pictures capture the animal’s actions and facial expressions, suggesting gentle humor. After his meal, the satisfied frog smiles and pats his rotund tummy. But on the following page, an “uh-oh” look appears on the frog’s face as the sneaky snake grabs him from behind. Here’s a picture book that “ignores the gore” and presents the “food chain facts” simply and gently.—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

Aileen Fisher was born in 1907, sold her first poem in 1927 and her first book in 1933. Over her lengthy career, she went onto write over 100 books. She authored stories, plays, biographies and picture books, but her favorite genre was poetry. She frequently chose subjects that showed her appreciation of the natural world. In 1978, she was awarded the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. She passed away at the age of 96 in 2002. —Interview by Laura Crawford

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by True Tales and a Cherry On Top blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Interview With Nonfiction Author Jennifer Keats Curtis

2011-09-18T10:17:00.000-07:00

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:
I feel lucky to live in Maryland, which is considered a small state; but has everything, from the ocean to the mountains! I grew up near the water and developed a passion and appreciate for the Chesapeake Bay and its critters early on. As a children’s author, I want to help bring that same sense of excitement and wonder to children and help them gain knowledge of and appreciation for the animals that probably live right in their own backyards. By diligently researching my topics and interviewing real experts, including children working to help preserve and protect local wildlife, I’ve developed a knack for teaching even the youngest children about important ecological issues and what they can do to help.

My current books include: award-winning Oshus and Shelly Save the Bay; the Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award Finalist Turtles in My Sandbox (Sylvan Dell, 2006); Osprey Adventure (Schiffer Publishing, 2007); Da Vinci Eye award winner Baby Owl's Rescue (Sylvan Dell, 2009) and Saving Squeak: The Otter Tale (Schiffer Publishing, 2010). My first creative nonfiction, SEAHORSES, (MacMillan) will debut next year, followed by two more Schiffer books on squirrels and tree frogs respectively.

WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM?
My ideas usually come from something I read in the paper, or online, or something I learn about when I’m interviewing for a story!

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?
Reducing word count! I get SO excited about all of the details and it’s really hard for me to edit out exciting facts and details that interest me. For example, in the owl book, I learned about whitewash (owl poop) and pellets (what they throw up after they eat) and thought these would be awesome clues for the kids to find so that they would know where to look for the mother owl. But, there just wasn’t enough space and we had to edit it out.

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?
I’ve learned lots of strange but fascinating facts about animals. (I love trying to work those into the stories!) Perhaps one of the strangest facts is the ways in which otters appear to taunt and tease each other—much like brothers. One of the odd but sad things that I’ve learned is that bats often get stuck to fly paper. (I told you it was odd.) I’m hoping to write about bats in the near future and perhaps will be able to include tips on how to prevent this tragedy. Many people don’t like or afraid of bats; but, they are incredibly important to us because they eat so many insects. If you go outside and don’t get bitten by a mosquito, thank a bat!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK. I’ve had a lot of fun working on SEAHORSES and was thrilled to be able to include the details that make these creatures so extraordinary. No wonder so many people think they are mythical!

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?
During the school year, I regularly present to students (and sometimes adults) in the mid-Atlantic region about my books and about specific animals. I also teach writing to elementary and middle school students through workshops and author-in-residencies. A teacher talked me into offering presentations and workshops when Turtles In My Sandbox first came out. I LOVE it! I have so much fun with the kids and never fail to be like a proud mama when the kids tell me that they have learned that, hey, they actually LIKE writing!

When I’m not in schools, or working on a new book, I’m busy with Maryland Life Magazine where I serve as editor-at-large. We are also aiming to launch a magazine for middle schoolers this fall. I can’t wait!
Interviewed by Laura Crawford

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Tales From the Rushmore Kid blog.

Nonfiction Monday: In the Wild

2011-09-11T16:33:00.000-07:00

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

In the Wild
by David Elliott
Illus. by Holly Meade
32 page, ages 4 -8
Candlewick Press, 2010

Which creature is a “Stilt-walker, Tree-topper, Long-necked show-stopper”? What one-horned animal has a boot-like face? Who is the “bamboo bandit” in silk pajamas, that is the color of cookies and cream? If you guessed giraffe, rhinoceros and panda, you’d be right! Animals rule in this delightful collection geared for younger readers. Packed with humor and imagery, Elliot’s pithy poems pay tribute to 14 amazing mammals. Terse verse, quatrains, triplets, apostrophe poems and other poetic forms skillfully reveal a unique feature about each subject. Jaguar’s spotted coat is metaphorically described as “delicate rosettes.” The closing line warns, “Beware of jungle-raised bouquets. Beware these hidden thorns.” And Sloth, who is “small and rather hairy…only moves when necessary.”
From the polar regions, to the savannah, to the rainforest, arresting woodblock images and watercolors in subdued shades of blue, brown, green, and gold, depict animals and their habitats across full double page spreads. Readers who are wild about this book will surely enjoy On the Farm, also written and illustrated by the talented Elliot and Meade team.—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

Before he was an author, David Elliot was a singer in Mexico, an English teacher in Libya, a cucumber-washer in Greece, and a popscicle-stick-maker in Israel. He says that when he began writing for children, all of his main characters turned out to be nine or ten years old, so that became his target audience. Even though his books are usually funny, he takes writing very seriously because he believes in the power of the imagination and its ability to transport and change a person.—Interview by Laura Crawford

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Wrapped in Foil blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Interview with Author Lisa Wheeler

2011-09-04T12:37:00.000-07:00

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:
I love the world of children’s books! I have been writing professionally for about 16 years and prior to that, hand-sold books in a children’s book department. Books have always been a huge part of my life and I am passionate about the work I do.
Not only do I write, but I also get to speak about this passion. I visit elementary schools throughout the country sharing my love of writing and mammoths with kids. I also do workshops for adults who want to learn to write picture books.
My 30th book just came out in April and I pinch myself every day. I feel so fortunate to make a living doing what I love.

WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM? (Laura, I am changing this slightly since I only have 1 NF book)
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR IDEA FOR MAMMOTHS ON THE MOVE?
I have been in love with woolly mammoths ever since I first saw Mr. Snuffleupagus on Sesame Street.
When I became an author, I knew it was only a matter of time before I did a mammoth book. The problem I had was that I write fiction. I did not want to fictionalize nor anthropomorphize the mammoth. I wanted to write about the real woolly mammoth that lived on this earth over 10,000 years ago. I also wanted to make the book accessible to young children. At that time, when I looked in the library for non-fiction mammoth books, I only found books for older kids.
I knew I needed a hook—something to ground and frame my book. After watching a Discovery Channel special on mammoths, I decided that the migration was what excited me the most. I could just imagine that herd of mammoths, crossing the plains in one wonderful family group, tromping through the front yards of cave-children!

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?
I think the hardest part in writing for kids is being able to tell a complete story in as few words as possible. While people who write for adults can use thousands of words to get a point across, we children’s authors have to do it in 500 words—and in rhyme!
The research was a bit tricky as well. Since I was writing about an extinct creature, I found that not all scientists agree on every aspect of their behavior. I had to read a spectrum of books and then choose the most common theories for my work.

Plus, I had to highlight what would appeal to kids. There were so many things I learned during my research, but not all of that could fit into a 32 page book. I had to be selective and choose only those facts that would appeal to my young readers.

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?
Of course, not everything I learned made it into the book. Some of the things I found to be interesting about mammoths was that they have 5 sets of teeth throughout their lifetime and they only had 4 very huge teeth in their mouths.
I also was fascinated to read about how they would mourn lost family members. If a mammoth died on the migration, the herd would stop at the spot she died for many years and mourn their lost sister.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK.
My newest books came out this year. In February, Carolrhoda released the fourth book in my dinosaur sports series. This latest installment, illustrated by the talented Barry Gott, is Dino-Basketball. It follows Dino-Hockey, Dino-Soccer, and Dino-Baseball. The series is popular and has recently gone international with the printing of a French version of Dino-Hockey for French Canada.
My 30th book, which I mentioned above, came out with Atheneum, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, in April. Spinster Goose: Twisted Rhymes for Naughty Children was illustrated by Sophie Blackall. I am in love with the artwork. Sophie is amazing and she truly captured the spirit of the book and its characters.
I am always working on new projects—usually two or three at a time. Right now I am working on a poem about Temple Grandin for an anthology, shopping around two completed manuscripts, and beginning a future dinosaur sports book.
It’s all a labor of love.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
If you would like to know more about me, my books, or my presentations, please visit my website: www.lisawheelerbooks.com
Interviewed by Laura Crawford.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday round-up hosted this week by Playing by the Book blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Around the World on Eighty Legs

2011-08-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank the Orland Park Public Library for providing this book for review.
Around the World on Eighty Legs
by Amy Gibson
Illus. by Daniel Salmieri
32 page, ages 4 -8
Candlewick Press, 2010

From the Arctic to Antarctica, South America to Asia and from Africa to Australia, this poetry collection focuses on creatures of the wild. Sixty poems packed with wordplay, bits of wit, and “pun-ny” quips, offer animal factoids aplenty. “The migration of the Arctic tern is certain to astound / for it leaves the Arctic… to summer on Antarctic shores—Then tern must turn around.” Another poem explains that hyenas use their bone-crushing jaws to tear carcasses apart, providing their garbage clean-up services for free. To any would-be princess hoping to kiss a frog and find Prince Charming—beware! Don’t mess with the Poison Dart Frog, the poem warns. His poison will kill. You’ll also want to keep your distance from the electric eel. He’ll deliver five hundred volts to his prey. Shocking!

Whimsical illustrations (watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil) playfully portray animals in action. A blubbery walrus hoists itself onto the ice with its tusks, an acrobatic gibbon swings in the treetops, and a cluster of striped zebras underscore the concept of camouflage. A double-spread world map and “A Menagerie of Facts” featuring additional animal facts are included. Do you want to know about the odd-ball habits, attention-grabbing characteristics, and unusual features of animals around the world? This is the book for you. Run, do not walk, to the library or bookstore the nearest you!—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

On her website, Amy Gibson states ‘As an author I get to read. And write. And inspire learning. And read to kids.’ This describes her life: as a child she taught herself to read and spent hours emerged in books. Her poem was published in first grade, and she learned all about animals from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. In high school she found pleasure in working with kids, and eventually became a 2nd grade teacher and a mother. The entire time, books have been a huge part of Amy’s life. Check out her awesome website- www.amygibson.com —Review by Laura Crawford

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

Nonfiction Monday: Interview with Author Sara Latta

2011-08-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:
I'm a scientist-turned-science writer, married, mother of three terrific kids, author of fourteen books, and science geek. I'm planning to stop by Philadelphia on my way to visit my daughter in Brooklyn this summer because I've always wanted to visit the Mütter Museum (http://www.collphyphil.org/site/mutter_museum.html), which is all about the history of medicine (Bones! Bleeding bowls! The Soap Lady!). We may also see the touring mummy exhibit there. My family has come to expect this kind of behavior from me.

WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM?
I read a lot, obviously. What author doesn't? I try to keep up with the research in the areas of science that interest me, and when I come across something that strikes me as cool and kid-friendly, I file it away in my tickler folder. Also, see travel, above.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?
I'm so easily distracted, it's pathetic. Even if I put Facebook, Twitter, and the many wonderful book blogs, yours included, etc., aside--and I don't--I often find myself falling into research-related rabbit holes, only to emerge an hour later, eyes blinking, with a greater understanding of the decomposition process after death (see the Soap Lady, above), but without the critical details I needed about soap making. The internet is both my blessing and my curse.

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?
Can I list two? Each of them led to a couple of my favorite books. The first is that ordinary matter, the stuff that we can observe with our eyes and all of our sophisticated telescopes, accounts for only 5% of the universe. Five percent--holy cow! What's the rest? Well, scientists aren't sure exactly, but they've dubbed about 25% of that "missing matter" dark matter. Isn't is just mind-boggling that we know so very little about the stuff that makes up our universe? That fact led to my book, Stella Brite and the Dark Matter Mystery (Charlesbridge, 2006). The other strange fact is that the bacterial cells that live in our bodies outnumber our human cells ten to one--and we are utterly dependent upon the great majority of those bacteria. That one led me to write a proposal for The Good, the Bad, the Slimy: The Secret Life of Microbes (Enslow, 2006). I wanted to show that microbes weren't simply icky, disease-causing bugs (although they are that, too), but essential to life on earth.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK.
I'm very excited about a series of books on forensic science I have coming out this fall: Bones: Dead People DO Tell Tales; Cybercrime: Data Trails DO Tell Tales, and DNA and Blood: Dead People DO Tell Tales, (all from Enslow, due out Fall 2011). They all use true stories to illustrate the ways in which forensic scientists solve crimes. They're not for the younger reader or the faint of heart--many of the stories do involve dead people, after all.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?..
I guess I'd just tell aspiring nonfiction writers to pursue those stories that interest them, even if they're not the trending topics of the day, and to tell those stories in the most compelling way that they can. I got my first big break in children's science writing with an article for Highlights on the search for the top quark (one of the fundamental subatomic particles). Not your usual fare for children's science writing, but I thought it was cool and apparently so did a lot of other people. And finally, thanks so much for hosting this interview--you guys rock.
Interviewed by Laura Crawford.

You can learn even more about Sara at her website or her blog.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Ana's Nonfiction blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Hello, Baby Begula

2011-08-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

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

Hello, Baby Beluga
by Darrin Lunde
Illus. by Patricia J. Wynne
32 pages, ages 4-8
Charlesbridge, 2011

Baby Beluga is a playful little fellow and he wants to answer all your questions. Ask him, What do you look like? Where do you live? What do you eat? He’ll tell you: He’s five feet long and he lives in the Arctic Ocean. Some of his favorite foods are shrimp, small fish, and his mother’s milk. Got any more questions? He’ll tell you!

This charming baby whale of a tale is perfectly suited for emergent readers as the brief question-and-answer format makes for easy reading. Large size text appears on left side pages. Opposite pages feature scenes of the happy-go-lucky beluga baby in soft shades of blue, gray, and white. Still curious about the little guy? Additional fun facts are offered on the final two pages. You and your child can preview the entire book online at: http://www.astorybeforebed.com/books/322-hello-baby-beluga-by-darrin-lunde-illustrated-by-patricia-j-wynne —Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

As a boy, Darrin Lunde wanted to be 'a museum man'. As an adult, he’s worked as a mammalogist at the American Museum of Natural History for over 15 years. As a child, he visited his grandparent's farm in upstate New York each summer. He explored the fields, forests, orchards, swamps and ponds. As an adult, he has studied animals in the remote forests of South America, Africa and Asia. He chooses to write children's books about animals that are unusual, but not obscure. He wants to teach his readers about animals and exploring the world around them. Visit this website for an in depth interview with Darrin.
-Bio by Laura Crawford

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Amy O'Quinn blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Interview With Amy Hansen

2011-08-07T14:01:00.000-07:00

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:

I’m a writer. I’m married. I’m the mother of two boys and proud owner of a new dog and two cats. I’m also a constant presence in the schools as PTA president and general volunteer. I like exploring new places, hiking, singing, and reading.

WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM?

I like ideas that I can’t answer immediately. I’ve been a reporter for much of my career. I know how to research and how to interview. So I look for questions that take me some time to unravel. I’m a big fan of mysteries. When I find an idea that is a mystery, I am hooked.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?

The first draft is often the hardest. I have so much research but I’m often confused about the shape of the story I’m trying to tell. I feel like I’m pulling taffy. Once I start and it works, the whole thing comes, but usually it takes several tries to get the right shape.

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?

Oh, one of my favorites is the Arctic Woollybear Caterpillar. This bug freezes solid in the winter and thaws in the spring. Then it eats like nothing special has happened. Not only is the freezing phenomenal, but this caterpillar does the freeze/thaw routine for at least seven years before turning into a moth. That insect is older than many of my readers!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK.

My favorite, if not quite latest, book is Bugs and Bugsicles: Insects in the Winter (Boyds Mills Press, 2010). I loved researching and writing this book because it was a mystery. Every fall the bugs disappear. Every spring they come back. How do they do it? This is the mystery that my book answers. The book is doing well. Among other awards, Bugsicles earned a spot on the John Burroughs list of outstanding nature books for young readers, a list made by the American Museum of Natural History and the John Burroughs Association.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

Many of my books are for educational publishers. They came to me saying they want a book about hermit crabs, or about solar power. I work to get these assignments, not only because they pay the mortgage, but also because I get to explore other ideas and topics that I might not have thought of by myself. I also love writing fiction, but have not yet published much of it. When I do, though, you know I’ll be publishing mysteries.

To see more about my work visit my website
Interviewed by Laura Crawford.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Apple with Many Seeds blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Cousins of Clouds

2011-07-30T17:11:00.000-07:00

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

Cousins of Clouds: Elephant Poems
by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
illustrated by Sean Addy and Megan Halsey
32 pages, ages 4-8
Clarion, 2011

Elephants are fascinating and intelligent creatures. If you don’t think so, just read Cousins of Clouds and you’ll surely be convinced. Zimmer uses a delightful variety of poetry forms—tanka, sonnet, free verse, poetry riddle, parody, list poem, and others—to celebrate this magnificent mammal. A haiku notes that the elephant’s super-sized, flapping ears serve as an “air conditioner”. An unrhymed poem describes the complexities of the elephant’s trunk by comparing it to a “finger, fork, arm, nose, straw, megaphone, telescope, and rope.”(Did you know that this amazing appendage contains forty thousand muscles?!) A mask poem reveals an elephant’s euphoria as it wallows in a muddy pool to cool its skin. Other pachyderm poems explore the creature’s playful nature, how they communicate, family bonds, emotions, memory, and intelligence. Full-page mixed media collages compliment the text.

But that’s not all. The sobering problems elephants face in today’s world, such as poaching, starvation, restricted migration movement, and abuse while in captivity, are also addressed. Sidebars paired with eloquent poems expand on some of the solutions that have proven successful: enforcing laws to stop poaching, zoo guidelines requiring more humane treatment, funding for elephant rescue, recruiting out-of-work elephants into the tourism industry, and even elephant orphanages, hospitals, and retirement communities! To learn more about pachyderms and poetry, take advantage of this downloadable Teacher’s Page:
http://www.tracievaughnzimmer.com/COUSINS_files/Cousins_Clouds_Guide.pdf
—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

Tracie Vaughn Zimmer teaches English and writes children's books in the Ohio town where she grew up. She has six books for children: they include poetry, historical fiction and novels in verse. Her books have won many awards and starred reviews. Tracie also presents to teachers and librarians around the country. Her advice to young readers: Just write. A lot. Don't worry about publication either. That's a whole other mess to figure out and what's important for now is that you fall in love with writing itself. And most importantly: Read, read and re-read. —Interview by Laura Crawford

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Lori Calabrese Writes! blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Interview with Author Deborah Ruddell

2011-07-24T04:32:00.000-07:00

Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a late-bloomer. I've been an art teacher, a volunteer, a mom, a freelance graphic designer, and an editor/designer for a school district community relations department. I didn't start writing seriously until my younger child finished college, 13 years ago. Since then -- to my amazement -- I've published three books for kids: TODAY AT THE BLUEBIRD CAFE (Simon & Schuster/McElderry, 2007); A WHIFF OF PINE, A HINT OF SKUNK (Simon & Schuster/McElderry, 2009); and WHO SAID COO? (Simon & Schuster/Beach Lane Books, 2010).

Where do your ideas come from?
My best ideas come in through the back door, when I'm busy doing other things -- walking in the woods, reading, overhearing a conversation, working in my garden, driving my car.

What do you consider the hardest part about writing?
Self doubt ... the pesky inner critic! Pushing through all that and just getting something down on paper is my biggest challenge.

What is the strangest fact you have learned?
I do a lot of research for my nature-themed poetry collections, but for some reason I'm never really drawn to the "strange" facts. So here's a fact that's not all that strange, but presented me with a vivid, funny image: A badger, with it's massive shoulder muscles and fierce claws, can dig faster than a human with a shovel. Even before I read that fact, I pretty much knew that I would lose to any self-respecting badger in a digging contest. I haven't used this information in a poem yet, but the image has stuck with me for several years, so it may show up someday.

Tell us about your latest work.
Last year, I realized a long-held dream, when I was paired with my twin sister, Robin Luebs, for WHO SAID COO? (a picture book about a pig in pajamas). Robin is a wonderful painter with two other books to her credit. Finally, we got to work together!

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I have to give a shout-out to SCBWI. Without it, I wouldn't have a book. I feel so lucky to be part of the children's book world!
Interviewed by Laura Crawford.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Check It Out blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Saving Samantha

2011-07-17T15:29:00.000-07:00

Saving Samantha: A True Story
by Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen
illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen
48 pages, ages 4 to 10
Sleeping Bear Press, 2004

Here’s another heartwarming true-life animal rescue story written and illustrated by the the van Frankenhyzen husband-and-wife team. Robbyn, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, discovers an injured fox pup in a trap, brings it home, and names it Samantha. Robbyn’s journal entries and narrative text record the pup’s path to recovery. As Sam grows stronger, she interacts with other members of her adopted family in amusing ways; cavorting in the field with Miles, the gentle family dog, dodging Igor, the cranky rooster, chasing the chickens and terrorizing the barnyard cats. Life on the farm suits Sam for a while, but eventually, just as Robbyn had hoped, Sam is drawn back to the wild to begin a family of her own. Glowing paintings in rich, warm tones bring each rural vignette scene to life. As youngsters read Samantha’s story, they’ll also learn about the red fox’s natural habitat and life cycle. The final “Fox Facts” page offers additional information sure to please curious animal lovers.

If you enjoy this book, check out Robbyn’s newest title, Itsy Bitsy & Teeny Weeny, the true-life tale of an unlikely friendship between a lamb and an orphaned fawn. Are you interested in visiting the Frankenhuyzen’s family farm? See details at: http://my.voyager.net/~robbyn/pages/artist/edprog.htm#day_with_Robbyn
—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen has always been an animal lover. As a child, she brought orphaned animals to her home and cared for them. As an adult, people bring them to her. After attending Michigan State University and studying to be an animal technician, she now creates books on the subject. When working in a clinic, she met her husband Gijsbert. Part of their process is journaling, and they often share its value with children and adults. They both create books for Sleeping Bear Press.—Bio by Laura Crawford

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Chapter Book of the Day blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Interview with April Pulley Sayre

2011-07-10T05:08:00.000-07:00

Interview with April Pulley Sayre

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:

I am a fulltime children's book author. I've written about 60 published books, mostly nonfiction about nature and animals. I was born and raised in South Carolina and now live in the Midwest.

WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM?

My ideas come from my everyday life, which consists of reading about science and nature, traveling to see wild creatures and habitats, and gardening for wildlife and vegetables.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?

The hardest part of writing as a career is not losing your real life while you are busy creating. It's easy to be a workaholic when you love your work. Hours pass and I come up from the haze of being enthused about what is on paper and computer. Fortunately, my husband and my friends are very understanding. They know I become totally obsessed with my work and then pop up like a woodchuck from its burrow. Then suddenly, I'm ready to relax. "Okay, where is everybody, let's play!"

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?

Some rainforest flower mites hitch rides from flower to rain forest flower by dashing up hummingbird bills when the birds visit the blooms. The mites then ride inside the hummingbirds' nostrils. When they reach another flower, they can dash down and hop into their new flower home. Yeah, I know an awful lot of gross facts kids love.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK.

Rah, Rah, Radishes: a Vegetable Chant, which was just released, sprouted in 2006 when I was watching a little show by Jamie Oliver on BBC. It was called "School Dinners," I believe. Anyway, he interviewed kids and found they did not know the names of vegetables. That saddened me. I had to do something. After all, how can kids, many of whom are struggling with obesity, move toward healthy foods like vegetables if the words and shapes in the produce aisle are foreign to them? I decided to write a chant, a rollicking piece full of the juicy joy of vegetable names, so kids could easily learn them. I visited my local farmer's market and photographed their produce to illustrate the book. It's a book full of color, shape, rhythm, and rhyme. I'm excited about it. I'm a true veggie fan. Currently, I'm working on photographing the sequel, about fruit, called Go, Go, Grapes.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

Well, my passion, other than nature, is nonfiction voice. I love experimenting with the possibilities in expository and narrative nonfiction. It's a great time to be a nonfiction writer. So many terrific writers and editors are pushing the edge of what can be done in children's nonfiction publishing. I think parents who have not read nonfiction in a while should plop down in the nonfiction section of the library and just browse and read a loud. Pull out some books. I think they'll be amazed at what's being done in this field.

Interviewed by Laura Crawford

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

Nonfiction Monday: Honk, Honk, Goose! Canada Geese Start a Family

2011-07-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank Henry Holt and Company for providing this book for review.

Honk, Honk, Goose!
Canada Geese Start a Family
by April Pulley Sayre
Illustrations by Huy Voun Lee
32 pages, ages 4 to 8
Henry Holt, 2009

Honk! Honk! A male Canadian goose is doing what he does best—fending off intruders as he and his mate tend to seven precious eggs. The female’s job is to warm and turn the eggs, while protecting the nest is a task the male takes very seriously. A hungry raccoon in search of an easy meal is no match for the vigilant father. Honk! Honk! Hiss! Too late! The frightened bandit runs away, but one luckless egg lies broken in the scuffle.

Geared for emergent readers, Sayre combines simple vocabulary with delicious devices of sound. The result is an informative and delightful read-aloud. “Crack! Crick! Peep!” Six chicks hatch. Later, the downy goslings slip into the pond where they “dabble, dip, paddle, pluck, pull (and feed) on plants.” Readers get a true-to-life glimpse into the drama the adult geese face as they raise and protect their wobbly-legged chicks. Bright cut-paper collage illustrations present a backdrop of the geese’s habitat—textured green grass, blue water, and seamless sky, while the foreground captures the family engaged in various activities—feeding, strolling, swimming, and snuggling. And, as always, there’s father goose standing guard, keeping an eye out for danger. Hiss! Final pages explain the bird’s life cycle in more detail, the difference between migrating and resident geese, and a call to readers to become active bird-watchers and scientific observers. To learn more about this award-winning nonfiction author and her books, visit http://www.aprilsayre.com/
–Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

Stop by next week to read our interview with author, April Pulley Sayre.

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

Interview Wednesday: Author Rena Jones

2011-06-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:

I’m a homeschooling mom of four. My two girls have graduated, so I’m just teaching my boys now. I enjoy reading, writing, camping, kayaking, wildlife watching, and photography.

WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM?

All around me! I live in northwestern Montana and have an abundance of wildlife in the area. We’ve had bears come right up to our house and look in the windows. That’s kind of freaky at 4am! My family also spends a lot of time in national parks and those places are just bursting with ideas for stories about animals, science, and nature.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?

The hardest part for me is coming up with the idea. Once I have something to work with, I’m good and can write easily. Sometimes I do get stuck in a rut and don’t know what to write about, which makes me a little crazy.

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?

There are so many to pick from, but … if you were to combine the weight of all the ants in the world, it would equal to the same weight as all of the people on Earth. That’s an interesting way of looking at it, especially if you compare the size of a person to an ant.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK.

My latest work is a picture book called Pony Strings & Critter Things, which is due out later this year by 4RV Publishing, LLC. It’s a collection of rhymes introducing kids to various animal congregation names. Everyone knows a group of lions is called a pride, but what is a group of spiders? Or a group of moles? This is the third book in what I call the Critter Series. As of yesterday, I just completed a fourth book to hopefully add to the collection.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

A lot of what I write is fiction, but I do have some nonfiction work. And most everything relates to animals or nature somehow because that’s one of my biggest interests. For more information on me, please visit my website @ http://home.centurytel.net/RickRena/index.html

Interviewed by Laura Crawford

Nonfiction Monday: Seed Sower, Hat Thrower

2011-06-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

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

SEED SOWER, HAT THROWER: Poems about Weather
by Laura Purdie Salas
Ages 4-8, 32 pages
Capstone, 2008

What is wind? What is lightening? What is frost? (Dew you really want to know?) This poetry collection is a charming introduction to weather, from summer’s heat to winter’s chill, from fog to floods, and from tornados to rainbows. Salas uses a variety of poetry forms to engage and educate her readers. An acrostic poem spells the word, “icicle,” which it describes as a “frozen tear.” A haiku notes the electrifying effects of lightening, while an unrhymed mask poem, “I am Fog,” tells the fog’s point of view. Striking color photos fill the pages. The poem, “Main Street,” paired with a full-page snapshot of a flooded street, reads, “River road rises,/ River road flows./ Hop a boat—follow/ where River road goes…” The tone of the book is lighthearted and reassuring, even when describing hazardous weather. Final pages include a glossary, two “Language of Poetry” pages that explain various poetry terms and forms, a recommended reading list and an internet site specifically related to this book. My advisory forecast is that young sky watchers and junior meteorologists will thoroughly enjoy this creative and informative weather themed poetry-photo collection! To learn more about the author, visit http://www.laurasalas.com/ --Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

Click here to read an interview that Laura Crawford did with author, Laura Purdie Salas in October 2009.

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

Interview Wednesday: Rhonda Lucas Donald

2011-06-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:
I am an award-winning author who specializes in writing about science. I fell in love with science as a kid, and read every dinosaur book in the school library. In addition to more than a dozen books, I’ve also written for Ranger Rick, Your Big Backyard, the National Geographic Society, and Discovery Education.

WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM?
I get ideas from news on the Internet, and I love documentaries about animals. There is nothing more thrilling for me than to see a wild animal. So my first bear sighting was spectacular!

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?
The hardest part about writing for children is keeping it short. It’s so much easier to ramble on!

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?
Recent theories in physics suggest that there may be 10 or more dimensions. So in addition to up/down, forward/back, left/right, and time, there are at least six other dimensions. Huh? The good news is that they are curled up into coils tinier than an atom. Wow!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK.
My latest book, Deep in the Desert, features new lyrics to familiar tunes about deserts and the plants and animals that live in them. Kids can frolic with meerkats, fly with cactus-loving bats, and watch out for the Gila monster. Here’s a verse about the javelina to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”

I’m a javelina, short and stout.
Here are my hooves, and here is my snout.
I will eat a cactus, not a trout.
It’s desert life for me, no doubt.
The book features 10 desert animals, and is full of fun facts about them and the harsh environment they call home.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
I am enjoying promoting the book and doing presentations at schools and bookstores. Learn more about my work and upcoming events at www.browntabby.com.
Interviewed by Laura Crawford

Nonfiction Monday: Chicks and Chickens

2011-05-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-08T05:15:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-02T05:47:00.000-07:00

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.

Nonfiction Monday: The Robins in Your Backyard Giveaway

2011-04-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

Wild About Nature blog continues our spring break with another giveaway for our readers! This week we are giving away The Robins in Your Backyard by Nancy Carol Willis. To read our review, just CLICK! Enter to win up to three times:
1. This giveaway is for our Followers. If you haven't already, click the Fans of Wild About Nature Follow button. Leave a comment letting us know that you are a Follower.
2. Link to this post on your blog and leave a comment with a link to your post.
You may enter up to three times. We will email our winner on Saturday, April 30, 2011. Good luck!
3. Post a link to our giveaway on Facebook and leave the link in the comments below.

Thanks for entering and good luck!

This post is part of this week's Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Writing Nonfiction For Children blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Flowers Bloom Giveaway

2011-04-17T07:11:00.000-07:00

FREE BOOK GIVE AWAY!
This week we are giving away Flowers Bloom by Mary Dadson Wade. If you would like a chance to win this fabulous book, here are the rules. You may enter up to three times. Here's how:
1. If you haven't already, become a Wild About Nature fan. Just click the Follow button.
2. Leave a comment.
3. Link to this post on your blog and leave a comment with a link to your post.
We will email our winner on Saturday, April 23, 2011. Good luck!

Flowers Bloom

Mary Dodson Wade’s extensive list of nonfiction books for children is known to be both well- researched and student friendly. The readers learning from her historical and science based books range from kindergarten through high school. Her topics range from biographies to plants to medical subjects such as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She began writing when she was twelve, but found her poems were awful. They now serve as a reminder that the more you practice a skill, the better you get. Her book Flowers, Bloom is part of the I LIKE PLANTS series by Enslow Publishers. Other titles include Seeds Sprout and People Need Plants.

This post is part of this week's Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted by The Cat and The Fiddle blog.

We Have a Winner!

2011-04-11T04:46:00.000-07:00

Mary from Life's Beautiful Path blog won a copy of Leslie Bulion's At the Sea Floor Cafe.

Nonfiction Monday: At the Sea Floor Cafe Giveaway

2011-04-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

At the Sea Floor Cafe
by Leslie Bulion
Peachtree Publishers, 2011

This week we are giving away a copy of this new poetry collection by Leslie Bulion.
From the publisher's website:

The ocean covers two-thirds of our planet. It is Earth's largest ecosystem, full of organisms that make a living in wildly different and even extreme environments.
This clever collection of poems for kids describes the devious and sometimes surprising methods ocean denizens use to forage for food, capture prey, trick predators, and protect their young. The poems bobble and swim effortlessly from page to page, leading us from the snailshell home of the jeweled anemone crab to a raft of violet snails hanging upside down in their bubble houses. At the Sea Floor Cafe includes science notes with details about each animal's behavior, a glossary, and an appendix explaining the types of poems that appear on each spread. Striking linoleum prints round out this title, which can be used across the curriculum.

Reviews

“...This gathering of humorous poetry and fascinating facts should be welcomed as a companion to Bulion and Evans' previous collaboration, Hey There, Stink Bug! (2006) - even the surprise among the school of krill on the endpapers will make readers smile.” ―Kirkus

“...Beguiling lines should spark readers' interest in poetry and marine biology alike...” ―Publishers Weekly

Enter up to three times. Here's how:

1. If you haven't already, become a fan of Wild About Nature by clicking the Follow button.

2. Leave a comment.

3. Link to this post on your blog and leave a comment with a link to your post.

We will email our winner on Saturday, April 9, 2011. Good luck!

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by L.L. Owen's blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Insect Detective

2011-03-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

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

INSECT DETECTIVE
by Steve Voake
32 pages, ages 4-8
Candlewick, 2010

How can you find an ants’ nest? Just follow an ant, and eventually it will lead you to its home. Where do earwigs live? Turn over a stone, and you’ll most likely see them; they like to hide out in dark, damp places. How might you find a paper wasp? Listen for a scratching sound near an old fence or wooden picnic table. Perhaps you’ll see a wasp collecting bits of wood which she’ll use to build a nest. In this delightful exploration of the insect world, readers are encouraged to stop, look, listen, and observe these curious, six-legged creatures. Large-size text introduces readers to the habitats and habits of solitary bees, leaf-miner caterpillars, ground beetles, dragonflies and more; smaller-size text defines terms and offers brief, additional fun facts. Delicate pen and ink illustrations in subdued tones show insects making nests, collecting food and using camouflage to hide from predators. Young scientists will “go buggy!” over the final double-page spread that offers instructions on how to entice backyard insects to their own backyards for a better, up-close look. –Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

Steve Voake and his wife Charlotte created Insect Detective together. They live in Somerset, England with their two children. He is a former headmaster at a primary school in his hometown, but recently resigned to write full time. He is currently Senior Lecturer in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University and is a regular tutor for the Arvon Foundation. He is the author of the 'Daisy Dawson' series and has another series titled Hooey Higgins. –Bio by Laura Crawford

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by The Children's War blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Feathers

2011-03-06T11:43:00.000-08:00

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

FEATHERS
by Eileen Spinelli
40 pages Ages 9-12
Henry Holt, 2004

What bird gathers items of blue to woo his lady love? What aquatic bird flies on flippery wings through “watersky?” Which bird mimics sound of a whistling train, an alarm clock, a goose, a gong, a fire siren? This engaging collection features poems about 17 selected birds from Africa, Egypt, Australia and the U.S. Highlighting an unusual behavior or characteristic of each bird, Spinelli’s playful verses are both amusing and enlightening. Young readers will learn the road runner zips along at super fast speeds, the fairy tern lays her egg—not in a nest— but balanced on the branch of a tree, and the brave plover hops inside the crocodile’s mouth for a meal. Realistic watercolor-and-acrylic illustrations feature birds posed various activities: singing, swimming, splashing, soaring, racing, hunting, eating, courtship, nest-building, egg-tending, and chick-raising. Colorful, eye-catching borders frame each page or double page spread, adding dimension and interest to the scenes. The final two pages offer additional fun facts about the feathered subjects. Packed with kid-friendly poems and eye appealing illustrations, this book is a perfect introduction to bird studies for children in primary grades. —Review by Heidi Bee Roemer.

Eileen Spinelli decided to become a writer when she was just a child. Her father made her a desk from orange crates and gave her an old black manual typewriter, and her mother filled a box with paper. She wrote constantly—at the laundromat, the grocery store line, at the airport and the bus station. Now her favorite place to write is home in her office. She does not use a computer; she writes her stories longhand and then types them out on her electric typewriter. She and her husband Jerry live in Pennsylvania. —Bio by Laura Crawford

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by The Book Nosher blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Cheep! Cheep!

2011-02-27T04:15:00.000-08:00

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

Cheep! Cheep! By Julie Stiegemeyer,
Ills. by Carol Baicker-McKee
24 pages, ages 0 to 5
Bloomsbury, 2006

Mama Bird, Papa Bird, and Baby Bird are awakened by a “peep-peep” sound emitting from an egg. Eep! At last their littlest fluff ball has hatched! To celebrate the new chick’s arrival, the feathered family leaps, tumbles and cheep-cheep-cheeps until they’re so pooped (yawn) they snuggle up and fall fast asleep. Check out the charming 3-D collage artwork: the fluffy foursome made of clay and covered with yellow terrycloth each sport a wispy feather. The facial expressions of these precious cuddle fluffs couldn’t be cuter! Stiegemeyer’s well-chosen, one-word rhymes printed on stiff chewable cardboard pages are perfectly suited for babies and toddlers. This “soft science” book heralding the arrival of spring and new life is sure to be a hit with our youngest readers. Named Best Book of the Year by both Parenting and Nick Jr. magazines.—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF.
I am originally from Denver, Colorado, but have lived all of my adult life in the Midwest. A little over a year ago, I moved with my family to the Chicago area and love it here. I was trained to be an English teacher, and I consider myself both a writer and a teacher now. My time is fairly evenly divided between the two. My teaching has focused on English as Second Language learners over the years, and currently, I am tutoring ESL students at a local high school. My first book came out in 1999, called "Things I See in Church." It was followed by six other board books in the same series. Since then, I've worked on improving my writing craft and focus mainly on writing picture books. Currently, I have had more than twenty books published for children. I have worked with Concordia Publishing House, Bloomsbury, Dutton Children's Books, Marshall Cavendish, and most recently, Zonderkidz. My last book was "Seven Little Bunnies," released in 2010 (Marshall Cavendish). I also write curricular material as well as magazine pieces--really anything I can get my hands on.

WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS FOR NONFICTION COME FROM?
Often my work is inspired by true events from which I usually create a fictional story. "Cheep! Cheep!" is a seven-word story about a chick being hatched from an egg. The extremely spare text is paired with three-dimensional fabric and clay artwork. The inspiration of the book came from real events: I researched and watched chicks hatching. I visited a farm where there was a chick hatchery. I read books and looked online. Then I played around with rhyming words to see if I could create a story arc using one rhyming syllable throughout the book. So, the chicks "cheep," "creep," "leap," "sleep" and "peep."

Another fictional story I wrote is "Gobble Gobble Crash: A Barnyard Counting Bash" (2008, Dutton). It's about wild turkeys goofing around in the middle of the night and what the barnyard animals do to protect them from becoming a "turkey feast" for the angry farmer. Even though it's just a silly story about crazy turkeys, surprisingly, I did need to know quite a bit about turkey behaviors and habits in order for it to be somewhat authentic. Although I doubt that turkeys would really create a ruckus in the middle of the night, I did have to find out how high wild turkeys could fly, what color their feathers are, etc. This was inspired by a true-life event that happened when I lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I'd never really seen wild turkeys until I lived in Pittsburgh, but they are everywhere in that city. Once, I was driving on a twisty, tree-lined road, when this giant "thing" flew over our car. We had no idea what it was because it was gone so fast. But friends of ours told us it was probably a wild turkey. After that event, I saw wild turkeys in that area and figured that must be the case. This event, paired with other experiences at that time inspired the story.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?
The easiest part of writing is getting ideas and working with that initial spark to create something new. The hardest part is carrying that idea through the many, many stages of revision, polishing, marketing, promoting, etc. until an idea turns into a book.

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?
I always find real-life events to be wonderful launching points for stories. For example, I've been working for about three years on a story about a pig in an English sausage farm (who became the family's pet) who didn't like mud. It's a true story! The pig did not like going in the mud. So the family's sixth-grade daughter had an idea. She had mini-rain boot pencil holders that were just about pig-sized. So, she put one little wellie-boot on each of the pig's hooves, and then he went happily into the mud. Every morning from that day, he would run over to the family to get his boots on before going out in the mud. The story has seen many revisions, but I have yet to find an editor who loves it enough to publish it. I'm hoping for success with that story partly because I just love this little pig so much!

Another strange fact I learned is about the baobab tree--the tree of life in central Africa. If you've ever been to Disney's Animal Kingdom park at Disneyworld, you would have seen this tree. It's probably just a replica, but the real trees in Africa are enormous. They are very alien-looking. The branches look like roots, and the trunks are incredibly large. The strange fact I learned was that not only are these massive trees gathering places for villagers, but they also can store items, people live inside of them, and the weirdest thing is they can be resting places or graves for the dead.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST WORK.
My latest work is hard to define. Currently, I am working on about six or seven different projects--articles, curricular material, editing projects, as well as poetry and picture book revisions. My two works under contract right now are "Under the Baobab Tree," a story set in Africa where the village gathers under this huge tree. This is a story which will be published by Zondervan, I believe in 2012. Also, I am working on another book with my "Cheep" illustrator Carol Baicker-McKee. We are working on a version of "The Little Red Hen" but told with monsters. Carol creates this fabulous 3-D fabric and clay art, which will bring the little red monster and her lazy brothers to life.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
Thanks for the opportunity to share some thoughts and ideas.
—Interview by Laura Crawford

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Rasco from RIF blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Our Shadow Garden

2011-02-20T18:03:00.000-08:00

FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY ALERT!

Attention, Readers! Win your very own autographed copy of OUR SHADOW GARDEN! To enter, click on the Follow button and/or leave a comment. Our winner will be notified in one week.

We would like to thank Bright Sky Press for providing a copy of this book for review.

Our Shadow Garden
by Cherie Foster Colburn
32 page, ages 4-8
Bright Sky Press, 2010

Nana’s doctor says she’s too frail to work in her garden under the hot sun anymore. Knowing how much Nana misses her blossoms, butterflies and backyard birds, Nana’s granddaughter pans to surprise her with an “evening garden.” Secretly the child and Poppa plant moonflowers, four o’clocks, star jasmine, evening primroses, and other nocturnal plants. As the pair work, they discover unexpected serenity in the moonlit garden—fragrant blossoms, furry and feathery nocturnal visitors, and the nighttime songs of cicadas, crickets, and whippoorwills. Will Nana be as enchanted and comforted by the shadow garden as they hope?

Colburn, a certified master gardener, tucks interesting gardening facts into sidebars. Playful, full-color illustrations in various mediums—crayon, watercolor, colored pencil, mixed media, and collage—were created by young patients at the Children’s Cancer Hospital in Texas. The names and ages of these artists are noted at the back of the book. A Shadow Garden Glossary, information about the moon, and websites containing gardening tips for kids are included in the final pages. This inspiring tale offers a message of hope and healing for readers of all ages. Downloadable lesson plans available
http://shadowgardenbook.com/Teacher.html —Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

In addition to writing, Cherie Colburn owns a landscape design company specializing in the plants of Texas. She also creates learning gardens and habitats with schools throughout Texas. After an illness which prohibited her from going outside, she began speaking and writing about gardens. Our Shadow Garden was written after a dream during her illness and illustrated by young artists battling cancer. She has found that being an author allows her to affect a larger audience and has given her a greater ability to encourage a new generation of gardeners. —Bio by Laura Crawford

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Three Turtles and Their Pet Librarian blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Here Comes the Garbage Barge

2011-02-13T13:17:00.000-08:00

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

Here Comes the Garbage Barge!
by Jonah Winter,
illus. by Chris Sickels
40 pages, ages 4-8
Schwartz & Wade, 2010

Islip, New York had a problem: too much trash and no place to put it! Then came a “brilliant” solution: bury it somewhere else. On March 22, 1987, 3,000 tons of stinky garbage was loaded on a barge and headed south. However, city after city refused to allow the hapless barge captain to unload his pungent cargo. Thus began the embarrassing 162-day saga of “the garbage barge.”
This astounding story, fictionalized here by Jonah Winter, treats readers to a humorous account of Captain Duffy St. Pierre’s six-thousand mile journey hauling New York’s garbage in search of a place to dump it. Gino Stroffolino (a fictionalized character whose speech sounds decidedly gangster-like), initiates the hair-brained scheme. When Captain Duffy isn’t allowed to unload his cargo in North Carolina as planned, Gino moves to Plan B. “Bring dat garbage to New Orleans,” he says. “I know dis guy—Tony Capone. He’ll take it.” Poor Cap’m Duffy has no idea what trouble he’s in for!
Sickels’ ingenious 3-D illustrations infuse the tale with whimsy. The charactes’ heads are sculpted polymer clay; their faces reveal a wide range of emotions. On the opening page, the Captain’s smile is eager and confident. Mid-way through the story, he dons a gas mask, and later, a clothespin pinches his nose shut because—duh!—rotting garbage stinks! The buoy bobbing in the ocean on the final page drives home the moral of this story: “Don’t make so much garbage!”

Check out Sickel’s book trailer showing how he created the illustrations from clay, wire, foam, plastic bags, cardboard, house paint, junk, toys, and other found objects. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKag0LPVISA –Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

Jonah Winter was born in Texas, but instead of going to the rodeo or playing football, he painted pictures, played musical instruments, wrote poems and enjoyed baseball. As an adult, he does these same things, in addition to creating books for young children. He has written and illustrated several picture book biographies about his baseball and sports heroes including Sandy Koufax, Roberto Clemente and Mohammad Ali. The beginning of he career in writing picture book biographies began when his mother invited him to write the text for Diego, a book about a famous Mexican muralist. Jonah says he writes about people who matter to him and who matter to the world. –Bio by Laura Crawford

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Wrapped in Foil blog.

Nonfiction Monday: The BLUES Go Extreme Birding

2011-02-05T16:26:00.000-08:00

The BLUES Go Extreme Birding
By Carol L. Malnor and Sandy F. Fuller
Illustrated by Louise Schroeder
36 Pages, Ages 5-9
Dawn Publications, 2011
Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher

We would like to thank Dawn Publications for providing a copy of this book for review.

Our five little bluebirds are back, and the Bird X-Games are coming soon! Sammi, the sportster bird, wants to enter, but she isn’t sure what she can do. On her quest to discovery, Sammi and her family travel the world to see the most “extreme” birds.

The “extreme” birds they encounter include the fastest animal on Earth- the Peregrine Falcon. They see the Emperor Penguin, who happens to be the world’s deepest diver. They also see the Bar-headed Goose, who is the highest flying bird champion! As they encounter more and more “extreme” birds, The BLUES discover that they have become pretty “extreme” themselves.

This fun and educational book also includes “Extra Extreme” facts from Eggbert the Expert, journal notes from Sammi and field guide information. You can read our review of another book in this series, The BLUES Go Birding Across America here.

We are happy to be hosting the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up this week! If you would like to participate, please leave a comment below including the title of the book you are reviewing, the name of your blog and a link to the post, and we will add links throughout the day.

Archimedes Notebook blog reviews Winter Trees by Carole Gerber.

The Golden Pathway blog has a review of America's Black Founders: Revolutionary Heroes and Early Leaders by Nancy L. Sanders.

NC Teacher Stuff blog has a review of What Does the President Look like? by Jane Hampton Cook.

Abby the Librarian reviews Great Migrations: Whales, Wildebeests, Butterflies, Elephants and Other Amazing Animals on the Move by Elizabeth Carney.

Prose and kahn reviewed Investigating Influenza and Bird Flu: Real Facts for Real Lives.

Jean Little Library reviews Hero of the high seas: John Paul Jones and the American Revolution by Micheal Cooper.

Jeannine Atkins reviews Soar, Elinor by Tami Lewis Brown.

Simply Science blog reviews Yucky Worms by Vivian French.

Rasco from RIF shares a new set in an Exploring Habitats group entitled "Who Lives in a .....?" with the featured book the habitat of "Wild, Wet Rain Forest."

Picture Book of the Day blog takes a look at The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder.

Lawral the Librarian reviews Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing.

Dance educator Nichelle Strzepek reviews Pilobolus: The Human Alphabet at Picture Books & Pirouettes.

Wrapped in Foil blog reviews E.H. Gombrich's A Little History of the World.

The Happy Nappy Bookseller reviews I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher.

The Children's War blog takes a look at The Double V Campaign: African Americans and World War II.

Janet Squires reviews The Prairie Builders: Reconstructing America's Lost Grasslands by Sneed B. Collard III.

Apples With Many Seeds blog looks at Cleopatra Rules.

Laurie Thompson reviews George Sullivan's TOM THUMB.

Check It Out blog reviews Phillis Sings Out Freedom: The Story of George Washington and Phillis Wheatley.

Jeanne Walker Harvey reviews The Extraordinary Mark Twain at True Tales and a Cherry On Top blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Over in Australia

2011-01-30T05:36:00.000-08:00

Over in Australia: Amazing Animals Down Under
Written by Marianne Berkes
Illustrated by Jill Dubin
32 Pages, Ages 3-8
Dawn Publications, 2011
Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher

We would like to thank Dawn Publications for providing a copy of this book for review.

Travel down under with author Marianne Berkes and learn about animal babies native to Australia. Readers count to ten, while watching the babies snap, hop, munch, splash and more all across the outback. Readers also get to enjoy Marianne’s snappy sing song rhyming text:

Over in Australia
In a tree that reached to heaven
Lived a furry sugar glider
And her little joeys seven.
“Lap,” said the mother.
“We lap,” said the seven.
So they lapped on the sap
In a tree that reached to heaven.

Back matter includes a map to help readers find out what part of the country they would encounter each animal featured. It also includes more facts about the animals and tips from the author and illustrator. This book would make a great addition to any early elementary unit on Australia.

Learn more about Marianne Berkes and her books by clicking on her interview link on the side of the page.

This book is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by The Miss Rumphius Effect blog.

Nonfiction Monday: More Life-Size Zoo

2011-01-23T14:59:00.000-08:00

We would like to thank Seven Footer Press for providing a copy of this book for review.

More Life-Size Zoo by Teruyuki Komiya
Seven Footer Press, 2010
Ages 4-8, 48 pages

A sequel to the “wildly acclaimed” Life-Size Zoo, (a Parents' Choice Gold Award winner), Komiya’s newest release offers readers another chance to view amazing eye-popping photos of wild animals, many with fold out pages. The actual-size photo of a male orangutan’s face covers a double page spread. His grimace seems to say, “Don’t mess with me!” Simple large-print text states that his cheek pads grow larger with age. Zoom in on the giant tortoise’s upper body; his head is the size of a man’s hand! Gaze into the spotted seal’s dark liquid eyes, study the baby gibbon’s extra-long arms and fingers, and see the similarities and differences between the cheetah and the leopard. But most astonishing of all are the full-color, up-to-four-page foldout spreads of the big guys—a female polar bear, the partial mug-shot of a humongous hippopotamus, and the poster-sized countenance of an 8-year-old male lion. Cascading down the edge of each page is a sidebar containing critter fun facts. Endpapers present snapshots of each animal and are paired with information about its size, weight, and habitat. Rated “Wow” by animal lovers around the world, this book lets you get up-close and personal to wild critters without worries about being swallowed alive. –Review by Heidi Bee Roemer
Click here to read our review of the first book in this series, Life-Size Zoo.

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

Interview With Illustrator Laurie Klein

2011-01-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

Recently, Wild Writer Laura Crawford had the opportunity to interview nonfiction illustrator, Laurie Klein.

About Me:
I am an illustrator, and I have always wanted to draw. From my earliest childhood memories I have drawn pictures and told stories to go along with them. Besides children's books my other major influences in the picture/storytelling genre were/are: Gene London's Cartoon Corners General Store (a local children's program in Philadelphia) and all the classic Disney animated films.

My Non-fiction Picture Book:
I have 4 published children's picture books (for Sylvan Dell) out now, with a 5th coming out in Spring 2011.
"If A Dolphin Were A Fish" by Loran Wlodarski, does a compare and contrast thing with a dolphin morphing into different types of animals to demonstrate the specific feature being discussed. "Little Skink's Tail" by Janet Halfmann tells the story of a little skink who loses her tail in a tragic crow encounter and then imagines what it would be like wearing other animal tails until her own grows back. "Where Should Turtle Be?" by Susan Ring finds a little baby sea turtle lost in the woods (having taken a wrong turn due to lights) and different animals suggesting various types of turtles our little hero could attempt to be. "Fur and Feathers", also by Janet Halfmann, is a bit of a departure - being kind of a fantasy/dream story. Unable to sleep due to a wind storm, a little girl counts animals and in her dreams the storm and the animals get all squooshed together resulting in the wind blowing off all the animal's fur and feathers. The little girl winds up having to re-dress everyone using creative ingenuity and the materials found in her grandmothers sewing basket. "Meet the Planets" by John McGranagham (the 2011 book) is a fun tale about a "Best Planet in the Solar System" contest - where the reader gets to pick... well the best planet. Lots and lots of research went into the artwork for this book.

Where do I get my ideas:
Well, as an illustrator of other people's stories - the ideas come to me. Or at least the words do. How to take those words and portray them visually is a bit harder to explain. Though I guess it's pretty similar to just doing an original painting, sketch or sculpture. I do lots and lots and LOTS of research, so all that information often helps direct the look of the final artwork.

Hardest part of writing:
For me - getting started. Though I am an illustrator I also love the written word, and have notebooks full of story ideas. My dream is to become an "Illustrator-slash-Author" but while I have no problem coming up with outlines and notes and characters and scenes I have a much harder time actually putting all that together into narrative form. I keep trying however - so, fingers crossed, I hope one day to finish one of my stories (I'm currently excited about 2... so we'll see).

Strangest fact learned:
That polar bear skin is black and their fur is actually clear (that's a great ice-breaker when doing school talks). The planet book also resulted in so much information I literally made a 12 page notebook of collateral facts to go along with the finished illustrations and am trying to figure out what to do with it.

Anything to add:
Just that I love being part of the book/writer/illustrator/publisher/book shop community. My house is full of books. I always have the one by my side. I cannot imagine ever living without the written word and the amazing eclectic fine art found in books and do everything in my power to encourage children and adults to read, read, READ!

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by NC Teacher Stuff blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Interview with Kelly Milner Halls

2011-01-09T15:20:00.000-08:00

Instead of our regular review feature, this week wild writer Laura Crawford shares an interview she did with one of our favorite nonfiction writers, Kelly Milner Halls. Helly's latest books are Saving the Baghdad Zoo and Dinosaur Parade. You can read more about Kelly and all of her fabulous books on her Wonders of Weird website.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I've been writing nonfiction for young readers for almost 20 years now. I started with magazines and newspaper sections because it was most like journalism, which I studied in college. After ten years and 1,500 articles and book reviews, I made the leap to nonfiction books for kids ten years ago, and I've been writing book ever since. I specialize in quirky nonfiction books that engage reluctant readers. I love anything "weird" or "odd."

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR NONFICTION IDEAS?
I get my ideas from being observant. In fact, there are more ideas than there is time to write them all. Once you get in the hang of being ever aware, finding ideas isn't a problem. I do read a lot of newspapers and I have learned to talk to any stranger willing to talk. Ideas spring from unexpected places, at times, so it's good to keep those channels open.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF WRITING?
The hardest part about writing, for me, is remembering to stay balanced. I tend to get so immersed in what I'm writing, I forget to take time to sleep or stay connected with the world. The fact that I do a LOT of school visits helps. Nothing like hanging out with schools and kids to remind you why you do this. But that external piece is really important.

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?
I deal in strange facts, so you'd need a lot of room to list all the strange facts I've unearthed, from fossilized dinosaur skin and poo to Bigfoot tracks to mummified lions. Strange is what I do, and I love it.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Tales From The Rushmore Kid.

Nonfiction Monday: Arctic Lights Arctic Nights

2011-01-02T10:01:00.000-08:00

We thank the Orland Park Library for providing a copy of this book for review.

Arctic Lights Arctic Nights
by Debbie S. Miller
32 pages, ages 5-9
Walker and Company, 2003

Most children know Alaska is a place of ice and snow. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. Using simple yet eloquent language, this Alaskan author describes the breathtaking beauty of the seasons and the changes in Arctic light. She also records observations of wildlife that have successfully adapted to this harsh environment. Van Zyke’s cool-palette, acrylic illustrations depict the moose, hare, crane, caribou, and others, as they forage for food, migrate, and hibernate over the course of one year.

Like a scientific journal with monthly entries, the top of each page notes the date, the average temperature highs and lows, the time of sunrise and sunset, and the number of hours the sun shines each day. For example, on July 21, which marks the beginning of the summer solstice, the sun shines for almost 22 hours! Compare that to December 21, when there are less than 4 hours of daylight. As for the extreme arctic temperatures, they typically fluctuate from a pleasant 72 degrees in summer to a bitter minus 40 degrees in winter. A map of Alaska, an introductory note, and back-of-the-book glossary explains somewhat unfamiliar terms such as alpenglow, blinks, diamond dust, aurora borealis, sundogs, and vernal equinox. Scientifically accurate and lyrically delightful, it’s no surprise that Arctic Lights, Arctic Nights has garnered a number of awards and positive reviews. —Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

Debbie Miller can look out her window in Alaska and see a moose walking by and a chickadee feeding. As a former teacher, one of her goals is to share the wonders and beauty of Alaska through writing nonfiction for children. Debbie says, ‘It’s my hope that readers will truly experience the environment of Alaska and the lives of animals when reading my books.’ She works closely with illustrator Jon Van Zyle, whose beautiful paintings reflect the Alaskan Wilderness. This duo has worked together on nine picture books. Check out her interactive website: www.debbiemilleralaska.com. —Bio by Laura Crawford.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Charlotte's Library blog.

Nonfiction Monday: African Acrostics

2010-12-27T05:23:00.000-08:00

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

African Acrostics: A Word in Edgeways
by Avis Harley,
photographed by Deborah Noyes
40 pages, ages 9-12
Candlewick, 2009

Look closely at the large-size, full color photo of the lazy crocodile. Note his terrifying razor-sharp teeth and the sinister gleam in his eye. Can you adequately describe him in 25 words or less? Award-winning poet, Avis Harley, can. In her acrostic terse verse, “A Croc Acrostic,” she calls the great beast a “Cracker-jack attacker / Reptile-in-my-dream/ Old-mythmaker / Carnivore-supreme…” Notice the first 4 letters in these opening lines spell “Croc…” To describe 18 African animals, Avis uses the simple acrostic poetry form, the double acrostic (the first and last letters of each line make words), the cross acrostic (highlighted letters reveal a hidden diagonal word), and even the amazing multiple acrostic. Wow! Not only will you be captivated by the gorgeous wildlife photos, you’ll also be intrigued by the word puzzles cleverly hidden in each poem. Hitch a ride on this African safari and you’ll be introduced to the bat-eared fox, buffalo, bonobo, rhino, kudu, hornbill, elephant, stork, zebra, giraffe, ostrich, wildcat, lion, leopard, impala, and hippopotamus. The book concludes with a 2-page mini-poetry lesson that encourages readers to write acrostic poems of their own. “Nature Notes” contains additional fun facts about the featured creatures, and an endnote by the photographer offers a fascinating glimpse into her dedication and work behind the camera to capture these vibrant color photos. This splendid collaboration of animal facts, ingenious word-crafting, and stunning photography is sure to inspire animal lovers and poets alike.
—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

Avis writes and illustrates at her desk in front of a large window which overlooks flower boxes and hummingbird feeders in British Columbia. Writing in longhand with lots of space to cross out and revise, she writes, rewrites and reads her work out loud before typing. Avis says the different stages are like a metamorphosis and enjoys the revision process. Her love of children's poetry grew out of her love of working with children when she taught her first class at age nineteen. She has been fascinated with language ever since. Her other nonfiction titles include The Monarch's Progress: Poems With Wings, Sea Stars: Saltwater Poems, and Fly with Poetry: An ABC of Poetry. –Bio by Laura Crawford.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Check It Out blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Pierre the Penguin and a Giveaway!

2010-12-19T19:08:00.000-08:00

FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY ALERT!
Attention, Readers! Win your very own autographed copy of PIERRE THE PENGUIN! To enter, click on the Follow button and/or leave a comment. Winner will be notified in one week.

We would like to thank Sleeping Bear Press for providing a copy of this book for review.

Pierre the Penguin: A True Story
by Jean Marzollo
Illus. by Laura Regan
32 pages, ages 4-8
Sleeping Bear Press, 2010

Pierre, an African penguin, has lost his waterproof feathers and now he’s in trouble. He shivers miserably and is unable to what penguins do best—swim. Worse yet, the other penguins living in the California aquarium shun Pierre because he looks and acts so strangely. Prescriptions and warming heaters do nothing to improve Pierre’s dire situation. Finally, Pam, an aquatic biologist, designs a custom-made wetsuit for the bedraggled penguin. Will it keep Pierre warm? Will he rejoin the other penguins and swim again?

Realistic, full-page water-color renderings by noted wildlife artist, Laura Regan, show the featherless bird in his most pathetic state. Contrast that to the illustration depicting Pierre wearing his wetsuit and taking his first jubilant dive. The water droplets seem to almost bounce off the page! Easy-to-read rhymed couplets tell the dramatic tale of the brave little penguin who, with a little help and ingenuity from his human friends, leads a healthy, comfortable life in the zoo’s penguin colony today. Young animal lovers will be charmed by this true-life story with a happy ending! If they want to know more about Pierre the penguin, check out this video featuring Pierre, the zoo biologist, and the illustrator:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=view_from_the_bay/puppies_kittens&id=7532224 Pierre’s story is also included in the bonus DVD disc of March of the Penguins.
Downloadable teacher’s guide available at: http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/TeachersGuides/PenguinGuide.pdf
—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

Jean Marzollo is a prolific author with over 130 titles including the I Spy series and various rhyming fiction and nonfiction books. She says "Rhythm and rhyme are like music without the tune; they lure and excite the ear. Children love rhythm and rhyme, and so do I." She has taught high school English and worked on early childhood research projects. In recent years, Jean has developed interactive books for young children to read while n the internet. She works on all aspects of creating ebooks and says it's the children who teach her what works best for them. Visit her website at www.jeanmarzollo.com
—Bio by Laura Crawford.

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

Nonfiction Monday: EcoMazes and a Giveaway

2010-12-13T09:51:00.000-08:00

BOOK GIVEAWAY ALERT!
Attention, Readers! Win your very own autographed copy of either ECO-MAZES: 12 EARTH ADVENTURES—or—DESERT DAYS, DESERT NIGHTS. To enter our drawing, click on the Follow button and/or leave a comment. Two winners will be notified on Friday, December 17th. We would like to thank the author for providing copies of these books for review and giveaway.

EcoMazes:12 Earth Adventures
by Roxie Munro
40 pages, ages 4-8
Sterling, 2010

Imagine you are a biologist trekking through the tropical rainforest, a scientist climbing the Alpine mountains, a naturalist paddling a boat in the wetlands, or a camper picking up trash in the temperate forest. Keep your eyes peeled! What animal species do you see along the way? This well-researched picture book invites you to explore 12 biome-themed mazes and find the hidden inhabitants on each large-size page.

For example, the detailed, color-ink double-page landscape featuring the arctic polar region is paired with simple text prompting readers to find 3 walruses, 1 beluga whale, 3 puffins, 1 arctic fox, and 2 arctic terns. Can’t find them all? Just check the visual answer key to help you locate all 350 hidden creatures. Want to learn more? A note from the author, a list of related websites and books, fun facts, and further information about each biome, its inhabitants, climate, and vegetation are provided at the back of the book. Not since the popular Where’s Waldo series has there been such a fun, interactive way to search hidden picture puzzles while learning about ecosystem at the same time. Already in its 3rd printing (and just released April, 2010) this creative art-science-nature book is a must-have for Earth Day and every day. You’ll also enjoy Munro’s newest book, DESERT DAYS, DESERT NIGHTS.
—Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

AUTHOR BIO:
Roxie Munro is the author/illustrator of more than 30 books for children. At the age of six, she won a contest for her painting of a bowl of fruit and once worked as a television courtroom artist. She uses watercolors, oils, drawings and cityscapes for US galleries and museums. Her books have been translated to French, Italian, Dutch, Chinese and Japanese. Another interesting fact-her studio is in an old makeup factory in New York! Visit Munro’s website to learn how she did the research for EcoMazes.
http://www.roxiemunro.com/makingecomazes.html
—Bio by Laura Crawford
This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Books Together blog.

Nonfiction Monday and Another Giveaway!

2010-12-05T13:24:00.000-08:00

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

Attention, Readers! Win your very own autographed copy of Elaine Landau's wonderful book, PUGS ARE THE BEST!. To enter, click on the Follow button and/or leave a comment. Our winner will be notified on Friday, December 10th.

We would like to thank Lerner Publications, Inc. for providing a copy of this book for review.

Pugs Are The Best!
by Elaine Landau
Ages 4-8, 32 Pages
Lerner Publications, Inc. 2011

This book is part of Lerner's The Best Dogs Ever Series. These books are great for children who just love dogs and/or are researching to find out which dog would make the best pet for them.
This book begins with a chapter on characteristics of pugs. It follows up with a short history of the breed in Chapter 2. In my opinion, Chapter 3 is the best. This chapter helps readers decide if this particular kind of dog would be a good pet for them. We learn that pugs are cute, loyal and friendly, but we also learn that they shed a lot, do not enjoy much exercise, and they certainly wouldn't make a great watchdog. If readers decide that a pug is the dog for them, Chapter 4 will show them how to welcome this dog into their family and how to care for it properly.
Back matter includes a glossary, and a bibliography of books and links to websites that will provide more fun dog facts. __Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher

Many of Elaine Landau's 300 books for children were written while sipping lemonade and sitting under a palm tree. Elaine lives in Florida with her husband who often does research on her nonfiction book projects. Her subjects include biographies, earth science, dinosaurs, animals and a variety of contemporary issues. She says her favorite trip was to Scotland to research the Loch Ness monster. Have your children or students check out her website at www.elainelandau.com.___Bio by Laura Crawford

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round Up hosted this week by The Reading Tub blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Elephants: Life in the Wild

2010-11-28T14:39:00.000-08:00

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

Attention, Readers! Win your very own autographed copy of Monica Kulling’s fascinating new release, ALL ABOARD! ELIJAH McCOY’S STEAM ENGINE. To enter, click on the Follow button and/or leave a comment. Our winner will be notified on Friday, December 3rd.

We would like to thank the Orland Park Library for providing a copy of this book for review.

Elephants: Life in the Wild
by Monica Kulling, Ilus. by Michael Maydek
48 pages, ages 4-8
Random House Books for Young Readers, 2000

Are you looking for an engaging book about African and Asian elephants? This is it! Kulling’s easy-reader is jam-packed with intriguing ele-facts. Elephants, the largest land animal, can weigh up to 15,000 pounds—that’s as much as a school bus! These humungous herbivores chow down 20 hours every day, packing away 400 pounds of grass, leaves, and bark. Some readers may be surprised to learn that elephants can live in several habitats—savannahs, rain forests, and even the desert. What other surprising facts will readers learn? The elephant’s truck is strong enough to yank up a tree by its roots, yet delicate enough to pluck a blade of grass. A baby elephant needs almost a week to learn how to drink water with its trunk. Elephants, like people, can be left or right-handed, using one tusk more than the other to dig for water or tear bark off trees.

Realistic, muted watercolors depict elephants in their natural settings, while simple text, averaging 30 words per page, offer facts about the elephants’ family structure, behavior, ability to communicate, intelligence, habitat, diet, and survival techniques. Here’s an informative book that will help emergent readers better understand and appreciate these fascinating creatures of the wild. Check out other titles in Golden Books’ acclaimed Road to Reading Series. Be sure to look up Monica’s newest title, All Aboard!, a delightful biography about Eiljah McCoy and the invention of the steam engine.
—Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

Interview with Monica Kulling

Tell us about yourself.
I live in a big city now — Toronto, Ontario — but grew up in a small town, Chilliwack, in the heart of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia. The natural world was just outside my door. I hiked and rode my bike everywhere. In the early mornings, I would often ride my bike up a nearby mountain, biking as far as I could and hiking the rest of the way. There was a paved road running up the mountain and one or two houses. At the top, I could view the wide, meandering Fraser River and trees as far as the eye could see.

I began writing in my teens. I wrote poetry and nothing but poetry. Then I went to university to study creative writing and in the process took a course in children’s literature. I immediately fell in love with all the wonderful, imaginative works and began writing my own stories and poems for children. My first picture book was published in 1992.

Where do you get your non-fiction ideas?
I get ideas from everywhere—the Internet, the newspaper, listening to people. The world is full of fascinating ideas and not enough time to capture them on paper. When an idea pops out at me, I scribble it down on my handy notepad. I’m never without my handy notepad.

What is the hardest part of writing?
Sticking with a project until it’s finished.

What is the strangest fact you have learned?
I don’t know about strange, but I’ve come across many surprising facts in my research for the animal books and biographies. For example, in researching Life In the Wild: Elephants, I was surprised to learn that elephants mourn when one of their group dies. They even gather round to pay their respects. That made me pause.

In the research I did for It’s A Snap! George Eastman’s First Photograph, I thought it strange that a wealthy, successful man should shoot himself upon learning that he had a debilitating ailment. But Eastman had seen his mother confined to a wheelchair and he didn’t want the same for himself.

What are you currently working on?
I am writing another biography of a 19th century African-American inventor and gathering notes for a middle-grade novel. –Interview by Laura Crawford.

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

Nonfiction Monday: Champ's Story

2010-11-20T15:39:00.000-08:00

Champ’s Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!
By Sherry North
Illustrated by Kathleen Rietz
Ages 4-8, 32 Pages
Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2010
Reviewed by Kimberly Hutmacher

Book Source: We would like to thank Sylvan Dell Publishing for providing a copy of this book for review.

Like most dogs, Champ begins this story happy and active. One of her favorite ways to spend her time is running an obstacle course at a local park. One day, after her run, Champ’s owner, Cody, discovers a bump on Champ’s stomach. Readers soon learn that Champ has cancer. Touching illustrations depict Champ’s treatments, her good days and bad days and the constant support of her friend Cody.

The story and back matter introduce the concept of cancer, possible treatments and facts about the disease. Readers also learn about coping with both the disease and treatments, and they learn tips for cancer prevention. The text educates readers and also offers hope and inspiration to those who have pets, family or friends dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

Visit Sylvan Dell Publishing’s website to learn more about Champ and to view the many classroom activities designed to accompany this book.

Sherry North began writing stories for children in 1999 when she was a producer for CNN Headline News. She found it refreshing to take out a notebook and 'make stuff up' after spending her day focusing on the facts. She is the author of six books for children and has had many articles published in Highlights magazine. She is currently a freelance writer and educational television producer in Florida.

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

Nonfiction Monday: Survival at 40 Below

2010-11-14T10:03:00.000-08:00

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

Survival at 40 Below by Debbie S. Miller
illus. by Jon Van Zyle
40 pages, ages 9-12
Walker Books for Young Readers, 2010

Have you ever wondered how animals survive the frigid temperatures, deep snow, and biting winds of an Arctic winter? As Miller explains, arctic animals have adapted various ways to prepare, adapt, and endure one of the harshest environments on Earth. Caribou pack on a thick layer of fat during their summer grazing. Red squirrels, chickadees, and weasels stash food for the coming winter. Musk oxen sport small ears, short legs, and a fluffy underwool that offers extra warmth. In addition to its thick, pillowy tail, the arctic fox has two winter coats, an insulating underfur and a thick outer coat. Most readers know that grizzlies hibernate, but so do frogs and ground squirrels. One amazing arctic survivor is the Alaska blackfish, a bottom feeder that can breathe through its mouth! It surfaces in winter and inhales oxygen through ice holes. Equally impressive are creatures whose bodies produce antifreeze-like fluids that keep them from freezing to death. Coming full circle, melting snow signals the onset of spring and renewal of life. True-to-life animal close-ups and the Alaskan landscape are skillfully presented in Van Zyle’s muted, acrylic illustrations. Author’s Note, Alaskan map, glossary, book and website lists are included. Readers will be intrigued by the chart showing the amazing record high and low temperatures of the region. Fascinating! –Review by Heidi Bee Roemer
Debbie Miller can look out her window in Alaska and see a moose walking by and a chickadee feeding. As a former teacher, one of her goals is to share the wonders and beauty of Alaska through writing nonfiction for children. Debbie says ‘it’s my hope that readers will truly experience the environment of Alaska and the lives of animals when reading my books.’ She works closely with illustrator Jon Van Zyle, whose beautiful paintings reflect the Alaskan Wilderness. This duo has worked together on nine picture books. Check out her interactive website- www.debbiemilleralaska.com. –Bio by Laura Crawford
This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by In Need of Chocolate blog.

Interview with Author Melissa Stewart

2010-11-08T04:33:00.000-08:00

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I have written about 130 books about science and nature for kids, and I feel very lucky to have such an awesome job. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do. I get to read and write about interesting things all day long. I can set my own schedule. And since my office is just ten steps from my bedroom, I can even work in my pajamas if I want to. How cool is that!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NONFICTION PICTURE BOOK.
My latest picture book, A Place for Frogs (Peachtree, 2010), is part of a group of books that describe the efforts of scientists and ordinary citizens to save endangered animals and their habitats. These books began with A Place for Butterflies (Peachtree, 2006). A Place for Birds was published in 2009, and A Place for Fish is scheduled to come out in 2011. Two more books are in the works.

In each of the books, every two-page spread has two levels of text—a simpler main text and a more sophisticated extended sidebar. This format is perfect for a young child reading with a parent or teacher. The books are also ideal for Reading Buddy programs, which pair a first or second grader with an older child. Each student can read text written at his or her own level. Then they can look at the beautiful art created by the uber-talented Higgins Bond and discuss the content together.

WHERE DO GET YOUR NONFICTION IDEAS?
They come from everywhere—things I read, people I talk to, experiences I have. I never know when inspiration might strike, so I carry a little notebook with me wherever I go.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE HARDEST PART ABOUT WRITING?
I’d have to say creating and maintaining voice. I write in a variety of different voices, depending on the topic, grade level, and the intent of the publisher. Switching back and forth between projects that involve different voices takes a lot of energy and concentration.

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FACT YOU HAVE LEARNED?
Oh gee, that’s a hard question. I think it would have to be all the amazing ways other animals use spit—to build homes, to attract mates, to attack enemies, to paralyze prey, to cool their bodies, to heal wounds, to shoot prey out of the air. The list goes on and on.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
Thanks so much for maintaining this blog. It’s great to see a place where parents, grandparents, teachers, and librarians can go to find great nature-themed books for kids.

Nonfiction Monday: Why Are Animals Orange?

2010-11-06T07:14:00.000-07:00

Why Are Animals Orange?
By Melissa Stewart
32 pages, Ages 4-8
Enslow Publishers, Inc. 2009
Reviewed by Kimberly Hutmacher
Bio by Laura Crawford

Book Source: We would like to thank Enslow Publishers, Inc. for providing a copy of this book for review.

Animals come in all colors of the rainbow. This book shares the fascinating reasons why some air, land and sea animals are orange. Orange helps some animals like the Scarab Beetle to blend into its surroundings and not be noticed by its predators. We learn that orange helps animals like the Golden Mantella Frog to send a message to other animals. The message that this frog sends is that it tastes bad and would not make a good meal. We see that other animals like the Panther Chameleon use their bright orange color to attract a mate. Beautiful photographs and easy-to-read text educate readers about how the color orange not only helps some animals to survive but also to thrive.

Back matter includes a guessing game, a chart displaying where in the world you might find each of the animals featured and recommendations of other books and websites where readers can find out even more on this topic. This book is part of Enslow's Rainbow of Animals Series. You can download a free educator’s guide for this book here.

Melissa Stewart is an award-winning author of over 100 books for children. She believes that firsthand research is critical, and has visited the tropical forests of Costa Rica, the Galapagos Islands and East Africa. Utilizing her degrees in biology and science journalism, she was a children’s science editor for nine years. As a child, Melissa loved science, and her curiosity was sparked as she walked through the forests near her home with her father. Some of her unique subjects include grubs, maggots, fossilized feces, and dinosaur urine. Melissa is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and resides in Massachusetts.

Read our interview with Melissa Stewart here.

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

Nonfiction Monday: What's the Difference Between a Leopard and a Cheetah?

2010-10-31T15:24:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank the Elmhurst Public Library for providing a copy of this book for review.

What’s the Difference Between a Leopard and a Cheetah?
by Lisa Bullard, illus. by Bandelin-Dacey
24 pages, ages 4-8
Picture Window Books, 2009

Leopards and cheetahs are impossible to tell apart, right? Wrong. Bullard’s book explains that while these members of the cat family have many similarities, telling them apart is easy if you know what to look for. Simple large-size text offers comparisons regarding habitat, body shape, claws, facial markings, patterned fur, speed, endurance, hunting methods, verbal communications, and life styles. Detailed, full-page watercolor illustrations depict the two cats in double-page spreads for obvious, easy-to-see comparisons. Each page also contains a brief sidebar containing a fascinating fact or statistic. Did you know that an adult leopard can weigh up to 200 pounds, and that cheetahs can run as fast as 70 miles per hour? Or that leopards can be found in more places in the world than any other cat? In addition to a final recap of the differences and similarities between the leopard and cheetah, backmatter contains a glossary, index, fun facts, and list of suggested books and websites for further study. –Review by Heidi Bee Roemer

Lisa Bullard has been writing for years- her first published work was a letter to the local newspaper when she was in grade school. Almost thirty years later, her picture book Not Enough Beds! was published. She continues to write picture books and informational books for the educational market. She enjoys doing school visits to teach students about writing and publishing. Her book You Can Write a Story assists her as she encourages young authors. Check out her website www.lisabullard.com. –Bio by Laura Crawford
This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Capstone Connect blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Fabulous Fishes

2010-10-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

Book Source: We would like to thank the Claredon Hills Public Library for providing a copy of this book for review.

Fabulous Fishes, written and illustrated by Susan Stockdale
32 pages, ages 4-8
Peachtree Publishers, 2008

Welcome to the underwater world where varieties of fish abound! Stockdale’s deceptively simple text introduces readers to 20 exotic and familiar fish. Youngsters will be hooked by the rhyming, rhythmic lines: “Shiny fish, spiny fish, / Fish that hitch a ride. /Flatfish, catfish, / Fish that ride the tide.” Bold acrylic illustrations depict fish in action— diving, leaping, hitching a ride, hiding in the sand, hunting prey and glowing in the dark. Who wouldn’t be interested in learning more about the swordfish, flounder, remora, lantern fish, mudskipper, porcupine fish and others? The final two-page spread contains a brief factoid about each of the species, noting its proper name, habitat, and an unusual characteristic or behavior. Primary grade school students and young biologists in the making are sure to be reeled in by this fascinating, fun-to-read book.
–Review by Heidi Bee Roemer.

Susan Stockdale is an award winning author and illustrator. She says that her artistic talents were influenced by her childhood experiences in Miami and Ireland. She loved the bright colors she saw at Parrot Jungle and the lush Irish landscape. When studying art in college, she found herself drawn to the ‘fanciful imagery’ from her youth. Susan’s love of words and persistence came from her mother who was an author and poet. Susan has considered writing fiction, but then finds another topic that fascinates her…and she’s back to doing research! –Bio by Laura Crawford.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Write About Now blog.

Nonfiction Monday: What Holds Us to Earth?

2010-10-17T12:08:00.000-07:00

What Holds Us to Earth?
A Look at Gravity
By Jennifer Boothroyd
32 Pages, Ages 4-8
Lerner/ Lightning Bolt Books, 2010
Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher
Book Source: We would like to thank Lerner Publications for providing a copy of this book for review.

Waterfalls, falling leaves, and a young child racing down a slide are some of the examples used to gently introduce young readers to the concept of gravity. A baseball bat hitting a ball illustrates one example of a force stronger than nature. Readers are also introduced to the concepts of mass and weight. In this section, the author explains that thanks to gravitational pull in space, we would weigh much less in space than we do on Earth. I think I would rather go my space weight, thank you very much. J

Interesting photos accompany simple and engaging text. Back matter includes a fun activity demonstrating the concepts covered in the book. I also had the opportunity to read What Floats? What Sinks? A Look at Density. I found it to be just as well done as the gravity title. Both books are part of the Lightning Bolt Series Exploring Physical Science, and both would be a wonderful addition to any elementary classroom bookshelf or library.

This review is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by MotherReader blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Lots of Spots

2010-10-10T15:44:00.000-07:00

Lots of Spots by Lois Ehlert
40 pages, ages 4-8
Beach Lane Books, 2010

Book Source: We would like to thank the Calumet City Public Library for providing a copy of this book for review.
This “look and listen” book, featuring a menagerie of creatures with spots, dots, stripes and streaks, has plenty of kid appeal. Each super-sized, colorful collage is fun to study. Look for the stripe that rings the pheasant’s neck, the black splotches that dot the Dalmatian’s white fur, and the Mandrill baboon’s hairy blue-striped face. Compare the zebra’s stripes to tiger’s, the Buckeye Butterfly’s ringed spots with the cheetah’s black furry ones, and the Wood Duck’s speckled breast to the distinctive markings that appear all over the baby Spotted Owl. Each eye-catching illustration is paired with a simple four-line poem. Listen to the delightful rhymes that combine fact and whimsy: “When a toad/ jumps in the air, / it shows off/ spotted underwear.” Or this: “The gaudy macaw / is so conspicuous, / trying to hide/ would be ridiculous.” In addition to the 50 featured animals, the final page includes a note from the author offering more facts about the function of animal markings. This science-and-poetry combo is sure to please emergent readers and their teachers!—Review by Heidi Bee Roemer
Lois Ehlert is a Caldecott winning illustrator. Lois grew up in a very artistic household- her family loved to create things. Her father was a woodworker and her mother was a seamstress, and she was always surrounded with materials for her creations. Using her mother’s leftover fabric or her father’s extra wood scraps, Lois was allowed to ‘leave a mess’ on her table as long as she continued to create. She encourages kids to keep their work area filled with their art supplies at all times, so when they are inspired, they can get right to work before their idea leaves!—Bio by Laura Crawford
This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Picture Book of the Day blog.

Nonfiction Monday: A Day on the Mountain

2010-10-03T05:01:00.000-07:00

A Day on the Mountain
Written by Kevin Kurtz
Illustrated by Erin E. Hunter
32 Pages, Ages 4-8
Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2010
Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher
Book Source: We would like to thank Sylvan Dell Publishing for providing a copy of this book for review.

Come spend A Day on the Mountain where readers are introduced to a variety of animals that inhabit the different layers of the mountain. We see big horn sheep, salamanders, snow fleas and many other interesting creatures. Kurtz shares fun facts about each of these animals with his lyrical rhyming text. My favorite stanzas are:

Keep hiking up the mountain,
and it may be hard to see,
but a single Great Grey Owl
perches in a tree.

It looks like it is coughing-
a pellet drops from its beak.
It's the leftover hair and bones
of a vole it ate this week.

Back matter includes more facts about mountain ecosystems and an animal matching activity. As with all Sylvan titles, you can find even more activities on their website.
This book is a companion to A Day in the Salt Marsh by Kevin Kurtz. Both titles would be excellent additions to any study on ecosystems.
This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Madigan Reads blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Insects

2010-09-25T17:28:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank the Orland Park Library for providing a copy of this book for review.
Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

Insects: Biggest! Littlest! by Sandra Markle, photos by Dr. Simon Pollard
32 pages, ages 4-8
Boyds Mills Press 2009

Why are some insects tiny and others big? Why do some insects have super-sized body parts? Markle’s delightfully buggy book examines 19 insects and explains why size does matter! For instance, the Western Pygmy Blue Butterfly has a wingspan of less than ½ inch. Its small size means it is less likely to be spotted by a hungry predator. In contrast, the colorful Birdwing Butterfly measures nearly a foot from wing to wing. Its large-size wings help mates find each other. The easy-to-read text also explains why having unusually large features may be beneficial to some insects. The Hummingbird Hawkmouths’ proboscis is extra-long, allowing it to probe deep inside tube-shaped flowers where other nectar sippers can’t reach, while the dragonfly has huge eyes (actually made of many small eye units) that allow the insect to quickly spot its prey. Insect anatomy, metamorphosis, why males are typically larger than females, and the advantages of being part of a large group, such as honeybees and Carpenter Ants, are also explained. Breathtaking, larger-than-life color photos of featured insects are included on each page. My favorite is the photo of the huge, dangerously fierce-looking Hercules Beetle perched on a person’s thumb. Backmatter includes a glossary, additional reading, websites, and a world map identifying where each insect lives.
This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Wendie's Wanderings blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Animal Colors

2010-09-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

Animal Colors: A Rainbow Of Colors
from Animals Around the World
By Beth Fielding
Ages 4-8, 32 Pages
EarlyLight Books, 2009
Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher

Book Source: We would like to thank EarlyLight Books for providing a copy of this book for review.

The first thing you will notice about this book is how absolutely stunning the photographs are. Each illustrates vividly the bold and beautiful color of animals from around the world. From the yellow tree frog, to the green iguana to the orange Bearded Dragon to the rainbow of colors represented on a Red-Eye Tree Frog, you will be amazed at the gorgeousness of our animal kingdom. The book could stop with just the photos and be amazing, but it offers even more! Each photo is accompanied by a short paragraph detailing some aspect of the animal’s diet, behavior, and/or where that particular animal can be found. We also learn all the ways in which color can benefit our animal friends. The publisher’s homepage states that their books will excite, challenge and expand minds. This book certainly will!
This review is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Wrapped in Foil blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors

2010-09-05T06:17:00.000-07:00

Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature’s Survivors

by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beckie Prange

40 pages, ages 6-12

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2010

Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

Bio by Laura Crawford

Book Source: We would like to thank the Orland Park Public Library for lending a copy of this book for review.

Planet Earth, in existence for over four billion years, has been home to a vast variety of species. 99% of these life forms are now extinct. The remarkable survivors—only 1 %—are still with us today. How have they managed to survive when so many others have perished? How did these species become ubiquitous? Sidman’s playful poems zero in on 14 of nature’s survivors: bacteria, which existed 3.8 billion years ago, mollusks, lichens, sharks, beetles, diatoms, geckos, ants, grasses, squirrels, crows, dandelions, coyotes, and lastly, the new-comer, man. Humans have inhabited Earth for a mere 100,000 years!

Various poetry forms are paired with simple text to explain when these successful life forms first appeared, their botanical division, habitat, size, unique characteristics, and how they evolved to avoid extinction. Prange’s gorgeous full page spreads of bold linocuts and vivid watercolor accurately depict each species within its natural habitat. Back matter includes glossary, author’s and illustrator’s notes. Of special interest is the string timeline (see back endpaper) that gives further insight regarding the “recent” appearance of complex life forms. Given starred reviews by major children’s book reviewers, this engaging poetry-art-and-science collaboration is destined to be a favorite in the classroom and at home.

Joyce Sidman says ‘poetry is vivid and sleek- like a racecar.’ She likes using imagery and metaphors when explaining her thoughts and feelings in her books. She says poetry comes naturally to her, and has been writing since she was a child. Joyce believes that everyone needs ‘pondering time’ for writing and life. Her pondering time is without noise and distraction, and happens during her walks in the woods. Visit her web site at www.joycesidman.com.

Nonfcition Monday: Going Home: The Mystery of Animal Migration

2010-08-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

Going Home: The Mystery of Animal Migration
Written by Marianne Berkes
Illustrated by Jennifer DiRubbio
32 Pages, Ages 4-8
Dawn Publications, 2010
Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher

Book Source: We would like to thank Dawn Publications for providing a copy of this book for review.

Going home, going home,
We feel the urge to go.
It’s time for us to travel on,
It’s something we just know.
Many of us look for food,
Others find a mate.
And when the weather starts to change,
There is no time to wait.

This award winning book follows animals by land, by sea and by air. We follow the Loggerhead turtle from the ocean to the beach where she was born to hatch her own eggs. Herds of caribou travel two thousand miles from winters spent in evergreen forests to summers spent northward on the Arctic tundra. As winter looms, Monarch butterflies travel south. They rest sleepily in the same trees their ancestors occupied the year before. Following these animals and many more, this book educates readers about these seasonal navigators. We admire their intelligence and their determination. How do they do it? They don’t have maps. How do they find their way? That is the mystery of animal migration that the reader is left to ponder.
Lovely poetry paired with sidebars of interesting facts and beautiful illustrations tell the story. Back matter contains even more facts and several activities that could be done at home or at school to extend the book.
This review is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Book Nosher blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Astro: The Stellar Sea Lion

2010-08-22T10:22:00.001-07:00

Astro: The Stellar Sea Lion
Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey
Illustrated by Shennen Bersani
32 Pages, Ages 4-8
Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2010
Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher
Bio by Laura Crawford

Book Source: We would like to thank Sylvan Dell Publishing and Blue Slip Media for providing a copy of this book for review.

Children as well as adults will enjoy reading this new book based on the incredible life of one amazing sea lion. We learn early on that Astro was orphaned when he was just a few days old and cared for by the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. When he was old enough, several attempts were made to release him back into the wild. Astro, who had become accustomed to his human friends, would have no part of life in the wild. He kept returning to the place and the people who had cared for him from the beginning. Realizing that Astro could not be returned to the ocean, his human friends found a safe new sanctuary for him to live in Mystic, Connecticut. Now everyone can visit this stellar sea lion in person.
The For Creative Minds section in the back contains more facts about sea lions including information about their life cycle and what sets them apart from seals. There is also a map highlighting where sea lions can be found in the wild and a timeline of Astro’s adventures.
For more information and teaching activities click here.
Jeanne Walker Harvey always wanted to be a writer. When she was young, she saved her money to buy magazines on writing. Now, she is a middle school Language Arts and writing teacher. Jeanne was intrigued by Astro after reading about him in the local newspaper. She wanted to write a book honoring the volunteers who helped Astro after he had been abandoned. She also wanted to educate people on how our actions can affect marine life. She currently lives in Marin County, California.
This review is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted by Playing by the book blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Wild Alphabet

2010-08-14T17:01:00.001-07:00

Wild Alphabet: An A to Zoo Pop-Up Book
Written by Dan Green
All Ages, 64 Pages
Kingfisher, 2010
Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher

Book Source: We would like to thank Kingfisher and Blue Slip Media for providing a copy of this book for review.

What a wild and wonderful way to learn to identify the letters of the alphabet and a whole host of animal life. Each page of this delightful book is dedicated to one of the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. Each letter literally pops with a new animal accompanied by fun text describing the animal’s behavior. The following is the text describing the Jaguar:

A real cool cat, I slink through the South
American jungle, where my spots make me
almost invisible.
I’m a grade-A climber and I love to swim.

This book is beautifully made and story time ready. It is easy to imagine children wanting to get up and imitate the animals that they are encountering on this WILD adventure.

This book is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Apple With Many Seeds blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Our World of Water: Children and Water Around the World

2010-08-08T09:43:00.000-07:00

Our World of Water: Children and Water Around the World
By Beatrice Hollyer
Ages 9-7, 48 pages
Henry Holt, 2009

Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

Bio by Laura Crawford

Book Source: We would like to thank the Downers Grove Library for lending a copy of this book for review.

Not everyone in the world can simply turn on the faucet and get a cool drink of water whenever they like. Meet seven-year-old Gamachu who lives in southern Ethiopia. Here rain is scarce, making it difficult to grow crops and to find water for thirsty cattle. Gamachu doesn’t go to school. Instead, every morning he takes the calves in search of water. It is a long, hot ten-hour day. Gamachu’s mother doesn’t have it much easier. She walks three hours twice a day to fetch water from a small pond to use for washing and cooking.
Seven-and eight-year-olds from six countries—Ethiopia, Peru, Mauritania, Tajikistan, Bangladesh, and the United States—tell their stories about the various ways they obtain and use water in their daily lives. Included are quotes from the children and descriptions of how water plays a critical role in their survival. Engaging, full color captioned photos show the children in action: at play, collecting water, harvesting food, brushing their teeth, getting cleaned up, washing clothes, eating and drinking, and caring for plants and animals.
Readers will enjoy viewing a world map that shows where each child lives. Additional facts about water are included at the end of the book, as well as a two-page glossary of terms from each culture. Some young readers may find this book a real eye-opener as they learn just how critical water is to all living things.

Beatrice Hollyer's first story was called "A Misty Morning', a tale she wrote when she was eight years old. Later stories were inspired by her work as a journalist. where she often photographed school children she encountered on her assignments. Combining her imagination and her interest in other cultures, she creates stories that explore the feelings and thoughts of these children. Her favorite books include Charlotte's Web, Ballet Shoes and Gone with the Wind. As a television reporter and newscaster, she covered conflicts in the Gulf, the Middle East, South Africa, and the former Yugoslavia, and reported from Europe and the United States. She was born in South Africa and has been living in London, England, for the past twenty years.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Moms Inspire Learning blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Animal Baths

2010-08-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

Animal Baths: Wild & Wonderful
Ways Animals Get Clean
Written by Beth Fielding
Illustrated by Susan Greenelsh
Ages 4-8, 48 Pages
EarlyLight Books, 2009
Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher
Bio by Laura Crawford

Book Source: We would like to thank EarlyLight Books for providing a copy of this book for review.

This book is an education on how many different animals get clean. We start by learning that some animals have to get really dirty first, in order to eventually get clean. Elephants, rhinos and zebras partake in dust and mud baths. When these animals shake the dust off, bugs and parasites are shaken off, too. When mud dries on their bodies, it cracks and falls off, taking dead skin and/or shedding fur with it. Sounds a bit like our facials, doesn’t it?
Next, we are reminded that animals do not use washcloths and soap to clean themselves. Some animals use their tongues, claws and teeth to do the trick. In one example, squirrels use their tongue to lick their front paws. Their paws then act as a washcloth to clean their faces and necks. To clean their tails, they bring them up to their mouths and use their teeth like a hairbrush to clean their tail fur.
In the final section, we learn that some animals get someone else to do the dirty work for them, and some simply shed their dirty skin. Oxpecker birds eat bugs and parasites off of large animals like buffalos and antelopes. We learn that frogs shed their skin the same way we would take off our shirts. Starting at the bottom of their bodies, they move the dead skin up and over their heads.
This book uses these and many more interesting facts and charming illustrations to connect children, animals and baths- an activity they can easily relate to.
In addition to Animal Baths, Beth Fielding is also the author of other nonfiction titles from EarlyLight Bookstitles including Animal Colors and Animal Eyes. She began writing animal books for children after she spending thousands of hours reading to her own children and volunteering in the public schools system.
This book is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Three Turtles and Their Pet Librarian blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Whoo Goes There?

2010-07-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

Whoo Goes There?

By Jennifer A. Ericsson

Ilus. by Bert Kitchen
Ages 4-8, 40 pages
Roaring Brook Press, 2009

Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

Book Source: We would like to thank the Westchester Public Library for providing a copy of this book for review.

Owl is hungry. From atop his perch in a tall tree, he waits and listens as various small creatures scurry, scamper, waddle, and hop in the moonlit landscape below. Hoping to find a tasty mouse for dinner, he is disappointed to see a cat. Moments later, he thinks he hears a squirrel, but instead, spies a skunk. He hopes to snag a bird, but finds a bat. He waits to retrieve a fish, but finds a beaver. And so this cumulative pattern continues. Ericsson’s carefully-crafted sentences create mounting tension as the luckless Owl gets hungrier and hungrier. At last Owl spies the mouse he’s been waiting for. But just as he swoops down to snatch it, the mouse is frightened away by a loud noise. And both the hunter and the hunted must continue their nighttime search for a satisfying meal.
Complementing the repetitive format are Kitchen’s rich, detailed illustrations of thirteen animals in their natural habitats. Readers can see the porcupine’s finely-drawn, needle-sharp quills, the squirrel’s tufted tail, and the fish’s scales glimmering in the moonlit. The muted palate of green, brown, and blue set a quiet mood for the nighttime setting. Not only does Whoo Goes There? offer young readers a suspenseful animal tale, but also provides information about animal survival from the predator’s point of view. An excellent read-aloud, this is a great choice for home or classroom use.

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

Nonfiction Monday: Ready, Set...WAIT!

2010-07-18T09:22:00.000-07:00

Ready, Set…WAIT!
What Animals Do Before a Hurricane
Written by Patti R. Zelch
Illustrated by Connie McLennan
Ages 4-8, 32 Pages
Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2010
Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher

Book Source: We would like to thank Sylvan Dell Publishing for providing a copy of this book for review.

We see images on television of long lines of people at the grocery store stocking up on non-perishable food items, bottled water, candles, batteries, etc. We also see people boarding up their homes and evacuating. We know what humans do when a hurricane is moving in, but what about animals? How do they prepare for and protect themselves and their families from an approaching storm?
This insightful new title introduces us to animal behavior prior to a hurricane. Ready, Set…WAIT! shows us fish banding together, searching for food and safe shelter. Sharks head for the safety of the deep blue water. Lobsters burrow down in holes in the sand. Butterflies wedge under rocks. Manatees hold up near seagrass beds where they will have plenty to eat. This book clearly illustrates that these creatures and many others prepare for a hurricane the same ways in which we do. And just like humans, the animals get ready, get set…and wait!
As with all Sylvan Dell titles, this book contains a For Creative Minds section. This fact-filled back matter delves further into what a hurricane is, other names for a hurricane, storm preparation and animal behavior. Click here for related websites, interactive math, reading and comprehension quizzes and teaching activities.
This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by In Need of Chocolate blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Mites to Mastodons

2010-07-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

Mites to Mastodons

by Maxine Kumin

Ilus. By Pamala Zagarenski
Ages 4-8, 24 pages
Houghton Mifflin, 2006

Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

Book Source: We would like to thank the Orland Park Public Library for lending a copy of this book for review.

Combining wit, whimsy, and an assortment fun facts, Pulitzer Prize-winner, Maxine Kumin, introduces readers to 19 small-to-large animals. The two-spotted mite, for example, is oh-so-small, "..that you might at first glance see nothing at all." In contrast, the towering giraffe is so tall that it "…feeds on treetops’ leafy tips / where no one else can reach, except / for elephants, whose trunks can stretch / as high as the giraffes’ slim necks."
In addition to learning comparative sizes of several wild and domestic animals, Kumin’s rhymes also divulge information about the creature’s physic, diet, habit, habitat and/or life cycle. Did you know that an anteater uses its two-foot-long tongue to snag 30,000 insects each day? That a newborn baby kangaroo resembles a lima bean? That a giraffe can clearly see a small creature a half-mile away? "Polliwogs" is a particularly clever and succinct poem. After noting these creatures live in swampy bogs, the poem continues: "…Polliwogs begin as eggs. / First sprout tails, and, later, legs. / Eggs are laid by mother frogs, / who began as polliwogs." Closing poems comment on prehistoric and extinct species. The combination of Zagarenski's eye-catching paint, paper, and photo collages compliment the text beautifully, making this must-have book for the science classroom or for any young animal lover!

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

Nonfiction Monday: Are You Ready for Summer?

2010-07-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

Are you Ready for Summer?
Written by Sheila Anderson
32 Pages, Ages 4-8
Lerner Publishing Group, 2010
Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher
Bio by Laura Crawford
Book Source: We would like to thank Lerner Publishing Group for providing a copy of this book for review.

Baseball, bike rides and lemonade. Ahh….it must be summer! With fun easy to understand text, engaging photos and a bold colorful design, this book introduces the sights, sounds and weather of summer. Readers not only learn what summer is like for humans, but also for our animal friends. We see dogs panting to keep themselves cool and mother bears teaching their cubs how to catch fish. We also learn how vegetables grow and what humidity is. The book ends with tell-tale signs that fall is near. Back matter includes a summer solstice fact page, glossary and suggestions for further reading. Are You Ready for Summer? Is part of Lerner’s Lightning Bolt Series titled Our Four Seasons. Other books in the series include:

Are You Ready for Fall?
Are You Ready for Winter?
Are You Ready for Spring?

The entire collection would make a nice addition to any lesson plan revolving around the seasons.

Sheila Anderson is a very busy author with Lerner Publishing. Her nonfiction subjects include an eclectic collection of biographies including Roberto Clemente, Miley Cyrus and Jimmy Carter. Her landform titles include Plateaus, Valleys and Islands. Her newest series of ‘Are You Ready For’ books were released in January of 2010. Sheila is a former teacher.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by 5 Great Books blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea

2010-06-27T09:08:00.000-07:00

Down, down, down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea

by Steve Jenkins
Ages 4-8, 40 pages
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009

Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

Book Source: We would like to thank the Orland Park Public Library for loaning a copy of this book for review.

Hop aboard an imaginary deep sea vessel and travel down, down, down some 35,000 feet (seven miles!) to the Challenger Deep, the deepest spot of the sea. Our journey begins on the surface of the Pacific Ocean where you’ll see wondrous and remarkable sights. Stunning cut-and-torn paper collages depict a soaring albatross, flying squid, playful dolphin and a Great White Shark. Turn the page, and we descend deeper, into the Sunlit Zone where marine life flourishes: sailfish, tuna, mola mola—and holy mackerel!—that, too. Small-sized text offers fascinating facts about the mysterious creatures that live at various levels of the ocean depths, including predators, filter feeders and soft bodied animals. You’d need a special diving suit to plummet 1,600 feet down. That’s when you approach the Twilight Zone. Here, nine out of ten animals are bioluminescent, (they produce their own light). And that’s not all. There are several more breathtaking stops before you finally reach the ocean floor.
It doesn’t take much for readers to imagine themselves being submerged into these mysterious and unfathomable depths, thanks to Jenkin’s dramatic text and stunning artwork. Astonishing creatures are highlighted against blue and pitch-black backgrounds: frightful creatures with teeth, animals that resemble plants, and still others that glow in the dark. On the right hand side of each page, a thermometer-like gauge shows readers exactly how far down they are from the surface. Some may be surprised to learn that at even at the deepest spot of the cold, dark ocean, there is life. When your deep sea journey has ended, you’ll want to pour over the five end pages of this book, as they contain information about recent discoveries and new scientific research. No doubt, you’ll be eager to share this riviting oceanic journey with a young friend soon!

Learn more about Steve Jenkins and all of his wonderful books by visiting his website.

This book is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Bookish Blather blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Little Black Ant on Park Street

2010-06-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

Little Black Ant on Park Street
Written by Janet Halfmann
Illustrated by Kathleen Rietz
32 Pages, Ages 4-8
Soundprints (Smithsonian's Backyard), 2009
Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher
Bio by Laura Crawford
Book Source: We would like to thank Soundprints for providing a copy of this
book for review.
Janet Halfmann takes readers under and above ground, deep into the life
of a little black ant that lives on Park Street. We see her underground home complete with nurseries, bedrooms, food storage and sickrooms connected by intricate tunnels expertly constructed by Ant and her family.
We observe Ant hunt for food and the team effort her family displays when Ant's find is too large to hall alone. We see what happens when another ant species tries to hone in on Ant's kill. Warning: Do Not Mess With Another Ant's Dinner!
This book is educational and entertaining. Halfmann's text is clear and tells a wonderfully engaging story. The bright and colorful illustrations bring the story to life. Children will be left curious and anxious to observe and learn more about the ant families that reside on their own streets.
Janet Halfmann has quite an extensive book history. She double majored in English and Spanish and later earned a degree in journalism. Janet freelanced, worked as a reporter and created coloring books and activity pages. She even started her own magazine. At one time she planned on teaching, but an ad for a course in writing for children changed her goal ~ she now dreamed of becoming an author. The first step toward her dream was an assignment to write insect books for Creative Company. Now, she has written over 30 books. Visit her website at www.janethalfmann.com.
This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Books Together blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Turtle, Turtle, Watch Out!

2010-06-07T05:01:00.000-07:00

Turtle, Turtle, Watch Out! (Paperback)
By April Pulley Sayre, Ills. by Annie Patterson
Republished by Charlesbridge, 2010

Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

Book Source: We would like to thank the Orland Park Public Library for loaning a copy of this book for review.

Many animal stories show how man’s careless actions cause problems for creatures in the wild. But Sayre’s engaging narrative about the loggerhead turtle’s life tells a different tale. In addition to learning about the sea turtle’s life cycle, readers will see how "helping hands" assist one particular little turtle as she encounters challenges and life-threatening dangers. Children will enjoy chiming in on the catchy refrain, "Turtle, turtle, watch out!"
Even before the turtle hatches, her life is in jeopardy; a hungry raccoon family digs near the nest for eggs. Young hands come to the rescue, scaring the bandits away and placing writer mesh around the nest site. Clever hands protect the turtle eggs by posting a "Beached Closed" sign. Small hands turn off a bright light when the hatchling mistakenly heads for it instead of following the moonlight on the ocean. A boater’s quick hands snatch a floating plastic bag from the water which would have choked and possibly killed the turtle had she taken a bite out of it. Sayre’s simple yet expressive text draws readers into the story. Best of all, readers will come to understand that even small "helping hands" can have a positive, far-reaching effect on turtles and other endangered species.
Captivating color illustrations follow the female’s life cycle: her birth on a Florida beach, her 20-year life in the ocean, and her return to the beach where she mates, digs a hole in the sand, and lays a clutch of her own eggs. The final page includes information about seven species of sea turtles and conservation efforts. Originally in hardcover, illustrated by Lee Christiansen, the new 2010 paperback edition has been re-illustrated by Annie Patterson.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Charlotte's Library blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Amy's Light

2010-05-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

Amy's Light
Written and Illustrated by Robert Nutt
32 Pages, Ages 4-8
Dawn Publications, 2010
Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher
Bio by Laura Crawford

Book Source: We would like to thank Dawn Publications for providing a copy of this book for review.

Tucked in her bed on a warm summer night, Amy is mesmerized by the shadows dancing on her walls. She jumps out of bed and looks out her window.

Out in her yard
such spectacular sights....
billions and zillions
of flickering lights.

The magical light of fireflies draws Amy out into the yard.

Now she ran, then she jumped,
as she gathered with glee,
first thirteen, then sixteen,
and now twenty-three.

Amy admires her jar of fireflies, but quickly becomes sad when they stop shining their beautiful light. Amy soon realizes that in order to be truly happy and full of light, the fireflies need to be free.

She ran to the window,
took the lid off to see,
and the lights became brighter,
now suddenly set free!

Robert Nutt's beautiful book also has interesting and educational back matter. Readers will learn what inspired this story and also lots of firefly facts. Did you know that there are over 200 species of fireflies in North America and over 2000 throughout the world?

View the book trailer for Amy's Light here.

As Robert Nutt and his wife walked down the street in Asheville, North Carolina, he was inspired when he saw a house with a yard filled with flickering lights. That night as he lay in bed, Robert began writing Amy's Light. "It just started spilling out of me, and I wrote it down," Robert said. As an experieiced designer, he used pictures of his own daughter as the basis of the photo-illustrations for the book. Amy's Light is his first book.

This book is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Lori Calabrese Writes blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Lily's Victory Garden

2010-05-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

Lily’s Victory Garden

by Helen L. Wilbur

Illustrated by Robert Gantt Steele
Ages 4 and up, 32 pages
Sleeping Bear Press, 2010

Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

Book Source: We would like to thank Sleeping Bear Press for providing a copy of this book for review.

Eleven-year-old Lily dreams of someday having a big garden of her own. One day she learns that her town is offering a lottery for land plots for Victory Gardens. Lily tries to apply, but is told that she’s underage. Undeterred, Lily summons her courage and asks her cranky neighbor, Mr. Bishop, if he’d be willing to let her plant a Victory Garden on a small portion of his land. Reluctantly, he agrees, cautioning Lily not to disturb his wife who is grief-stricken over the loss of their son, killed in action. Eagerly, Lily prepares the soil and plants seeds. As beets, beans, and carrots blossom, so does Lily’s friendship with Mrs. Bishop. Lily discovers that a garden is not just where vegetables and flowers thrive, but a place where a fragile human heart can be nurtured and find healing, too.
Old-fashion seed packets decorate the end pages while charming, full-page watercolor illustrations take readers back to America’s "yesteryear" through accurate depictions of 1940’s clothing fashions, car models, and building styles. This story set during WWII offers opportunities for discussion on topics such as community spirit, patriotism, civic duty, rationing, overcoming obstacles, loss of a loved one, and, of course, gardening and its therapeutic effect. The book’s final two pages, "World War II and the Home Front," contain information about wartime recycling, rationing, Victory Gardens, and more. Check out Sleeping Bear Press’ fabulous collection of classroom worksheets in this 26-Page Teachers’ Guide: http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/TeachersGuides/LilyGuide.pdf

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by 100 Scope Notes blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Older Than the Stars

2010-05-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

Older Than the Stars
Written by Karen C. Fox
Illustrated by Nancy Davis
Ages 4-8, 32 Pages
Charlesbridge, 2010
Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher
Bio by Laura Crawford
Book Source: We would like to thank Charlesbridge Publishing for providing a copy of this book for review.
Told in a “House That Jack Built” style of cumulative rhyme and paired with fact-filled side bars, Older Than the Stars explains the Big Bang Theory of how our universe came to be. The bold illustrations that pop with oranges, reds, pinks and purples and the fun rhyme will entertain and educate younger children.

This is the star of red hot stuff
that burst from the gas in a giant puff
that spun from the blocks
that formed from the bits
that were born in the bang
when the world began.

While the rhyming text is fun, it is the side bars that provide the meaty information for older children to really dig in, learn and understand this scientific theory. Back matter includes a timeline of the universe and a glossary of terms.
On the whole, the art and text present scientific information clearly and in an enjoyable way!

Karen C. Fox knew as a child that she wanted to be a writer and a physicist. After earning degrees from Amherst in English and physics, she began writing about science. She has worked in almost every area of communications including newspapers, magazines, radio, the web and is the author of two adult books. After two decades of being a full-time science writer, her first picture book, Older Than the Stars, was published by Charlesbridge. Karen lives near Washington, DC with her family.

This book is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Rasco From RIF blog.

Nonfiction Monday: What the Sea Saw

2010-05-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

What the Sea Saw by Stephanie St. Pierre
Ages 4-8, 48 pages
Peachtree, 2006

Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

Bio by Laura Crawford

Book Source: We would like to thank the Orland Park Public Library for providing a copy of this book for review.

Beach lover or not, readers will fall under the spell of this gentle read-aloud, as exquisite lyrical language describes the seashore’s panoramic beauty: blue sky, foaming sea, slivery fish, perfect pink shells, ripened beach plums, and a purple night full of stars. Delicious-sounding words and phrases mimic the rise and fall of ocean waves and evoke a feeling of calm. Told from the point of view of the sea and sky, the text is paired with stunning air-brush illustrations. Lush images of the gull, fish, shark, starfish, sandpiper, seaweed, lobsters, crabs, oysters, fox and spider are shown in their natural habitat. What a captivating introduction to various plants and animals that live in and near the ocean!
Junior scientists will find the final pages of the book equally intriguing: information on the ecosystem, specifically, the shoreline, dunes, and ocean, and "Eco-tips" of what to do and not do when visiting the beach. This is a fitting title for youngsters studying ecosystems and a mesmerizing tribute to ocean life.

Stephanie St. Pierre has been writing books for young readers for over twenty years. One of her favorite topics is nature; her titles include Pill Bugs, Dragonflies, and Earwigs. Stephanie has also written many books in the Sesame Street series. When presenting to schools, she stresses the importance of how a scientist uses observation and then records it in pictures, sounds or movements. Stephanie lives in Brooklyn, New York.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Picture Book of the Day blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Meet the Howlers!

2010-05-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

Meet the Howlers!
Written by April Pulley Sayre
32 pages, Ages 4-7

Charlesbridge, 2010

Reviewed by Kim Hutmacher

Bio by Laura Crawford

Book Source: We would like to thank Charlesbridge for providing a copy of this book for review.

They are loud, impatient and selfish. They are lazy and they do not brush their teeth. If they were people, we would say that these boys and girls are pretty ill-mannered and wild. But, they are not people. They are howler monkeys, and this behavior is just what is expected of this animal.

Using fun rhyming text paired with fun facts in prose, April Pulley Sayre introduces readers to this wet, wild, and interesting rain forest animal. We learn that howlers are named for the Woo-hoo-hoo! Ah-Uh Oh! sound that they make. We learn how they keep themselves clean, how often they sleep, what they eat, how large their family groups are, and how they mark their territory.
Back matter gives us even more insight into these fascinating creatures. If you’re looking for a nice read aloud for your rainforest unit, I highly recommend this book.

April Pulley Sayre uses her B.A. in biology from Duke University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Vermont College when creating picture books for young children. With over 55 titles to her name, she strives to educate readers about nature through unique perspectives, storytelling and the use of rhythm. She speaks to 15,000 children each year on the writing process and her adventures which include her adventures to Madagascar, Panama and the Amazon.

This book is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Bookends blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Poetrees

2010-04-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

Poetrees

Written and illustrated by Douglas Florian
Ages 4-8, 48 pages
Simon and Schuster/Beach Lane Books, 2010

Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

Bio by Laura Crawford

Book Source: We would like to thank the Orland Park Public Library for providing a copy of this book for review.

The word-play master and pun crafter is back with a tree-mendous new poetry collection that will leave yew begging for more. Embedded in each witty poem are fascinating nature facts that will pique the interest of any curious reader. What’s so interesting about the baobab tree? Florian calls it a "Jug tree. / Hug tree. / Upside / Down tree…" The Japanese cedar? It’s "…ex-seed-ingly old / ex-seed-ingly tall. /And all from a seed so / ex-seed-ingly small." The paper birch? "…Smooth white birch bark / Grows where it’s cold. /Paper birrrrrrrrrrch: / A sight to behold." And the sequoia? It’s "gargantuan," the world’s tallest tree. The lighthearted verse also cleverly cautions one should "…never destroy a Giant sequoia."
In a rather unconventional format, the book opens vertically, like a lid, allowing tree-tall poems and artwork to extend full length down double page spreads. Florian, who is both poet and illustrator, uses a variety of mediums—oil pastels, gauche, water color, colored pencil, rubber stamps, and collage rendered on brown paper bags—to enhance texture, depth perception, and whimsy. Additional facts about trees and related topics (seeds, roots, leaves, and bark) are included in the two-page "Glossatree." Pun-ny and edu-sational, young readers will be rooting for yew to "Read it again, please!"

Douglas Florian is the author and illustrator of more than 30 books for children. As a child, his teachers often said he was a good student, but he did not follow the rules. As a poet, he demonstrates the same behavior! He believes there are no rules when writing; he frequently uses incorrect grammar and spelling on purpose and likes to make up words for his poems. When working on a book, he usually writes on one day, and paints on another. He lives in New York City with his wife and five children.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Check It Out blog.

Nonfiction Monday: Oil Spill

2010-04-17T15:50:00.000-07:00

Oil Spill!

By Melvin Berger

Illustrated by Paul Mirocha
32 pages, Ages 5-10
HarperCollins Publishers, 1994

Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

Bio by Laura Crawford

Book Source: We would like to thank the Orland Park Public Library for providing a copy of this book for review.

In 1989, the Exxon Valdez, a huge oil tanker, slammed into an underwater reef. Eleven million gallons of oil, (enough to fill 1,000 big swimming pools) gushed out of its smashed tanks polluting 1,250 miles of Alaska’s coastal waters. The oil coated the feathers of marine birds. It poisoned fish, otters, seals and whales. As a result, millions of birds, fish, and other kinds of marine life died. This oil spill was the worst in our country’s history. Sadly, it was not the last. Did you know that an oil spill occurs somewhere in the world almost every day of the year?
How do oil spills happen? How do they affect ocean plants and marine life? How can oil spills be prevented? Berger answers these questions in clear, simple language. Watercolor and colored pencil illustrations portray beautiful marine life, clean up crews hard at work, diagrams of the equipment used to clean up oil spills, and a map. The final pages of the book list ways oil spills can be prevented in the future. It also encourages young readers to take action by using less electricity and gasoline at home, and by writing letters to the U.S. Senate pleading for stricter oil transportation laws. Part of the Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series, Oil Spill is appropriate for classroom use when studying marine life, animal habitats, conservation, and pollution. Why not read it to your student or child in recognition of the fortieth anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, 2010? This oldie-but- goodie is a great fit!

Melvin Berger is a multi-talented and busy individual! In addition to writing almost 200 books for children, he is also a professional viola player. He used writing and music to escape the pressures that the Great Depression created for his immigrant family. In fact, his first book was titled Science and Music. His more recent books range from insects and zoo animals to sports medicine and diseases. He and his wife Gilda currently live and frequently write together in their East Hampton, New York home.

This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by Wrapped in Foil blog. This is the third in our series of posts celebrating Earth Day. Be sure to check out our other reviews in this series:

Into the Deep: The Life of Naturalist and Explorer William Beebe

Garbage Helps Our Garden Grow: A Compost Story

Nonfiction Monday: Garbage Helps Our Garden Grow

2010-04-11T09:55:00.000-07:00

Garbage Helps Our Garden Grow: A Compost Story
Written by Linda Glaser
Ages 9-12, 32 Pages
Millbrook Press, 2010
Reviewed by Kimberly M. Hutmacher

Book Source: We would like to thank Millbrook Press for providing a copy of this book for review.

When most of us think of coffee grounds, cantaloupe rinds and peanut shells, we probably think of discarded garbage. With engaging text and photographs, this book educates readers about how this seemingly useless garbage, actually helps our gardens to grow.
Step by step, Glaser explains the process of composting, from layering garbage with leaves and grass clippings to spraying to keep the pile moist to turning the pile with a shovel. We learn that this process is repeated until one day, what was once table scraps, has turned into nutrient rich soil that helps our garden grow.
The back matter of this book is full of commonly asked questions and answers about composting. Readers are left with a good basic knowledge of the composting process and the inspiration to start a composting bin of their very own.
I was impressed to learn that this book was made with 30 percent recycled post-consumer waste fibers. Also, the mills that manufactured the paper, purchased certified renewable energy, such as solar or wind energy, to cover its production.

To learn more about author, Linda Glaser and her books, click here.

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

This post is the second post in our series celebrating Earth Day. To read the first post, a review of Into the Deep: The Life of Naturalist and Explorer William Beebe, click here.

Email Poetry Course

2010-04-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

I am once again offering my email poetry course, Beyond Jack and Jill: A Study in Children's Poetry. This four-week class covers rhyme, meter, and scansion. Students will read a variety of poetry and gain a good understanding of poetry forms and the tools poets use in creating their works. Students are asked to read at least 2 children’s poetry collections per week. Students will be asked to submit 2 of their own poems for critique each week. I will also share children's poetry market information with students. This class is designed to be completed in four weeks, but if something comes up and you need extra time to complete assignments, I'm flexible. The cost of the class is $100.
For those of you who do not know me, I’m the author of nine books, eight of which are for children. I'm the former poetry editor for Wee Ones Magazine. I've written two poetry ebooks for A to Z Kid's Stuff. I've had over 60 pieces of fiction, nonfiction and poetry accepted for publication in magazines.
If you are interested in registering and/or if you have any questions, please email me at kiddos@warpnet.net.

Kim Hutmacher

Nonfiction Monday: Into the Deep

2010-04-04T03:47:00.000-07:00

Into the Deep: The Life of Naturalist and Explorer William Beebe

Written and Illustrated by David Sheldon
Ages 9-7, 48 pages
Charlesbridge, 2009

Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer

Bio by Laura Crawford

Book Source: We would like to thank the Midlothian Public Library for providing a copy of this book for review.

William Beebe’s passion for nature was evident early on. As a child, he roamed the New Jersey hillsides studying animals. He and his mother participated in the Audubon Society’s annual bird migration count. By age twelve he was an expert animal tracker. He mounted insects and collected plants and rocks. A young self-taught taxidermist, his bedroom was filled with stuffed birds, aquariums and terrariums. He was only eighteen when he began writing nature articles for magazines and newspapers. And before graduating from college, Beebe became the assistant curator of birds for the New York Zoological Park (The Bronx Zoo). His early years foreshadowed what was to come.
This large-size picture book chronicles the life of a remarkable American naturalist ecologist, conservationist and deep-sea explorer, William Beebe. Sheldon’s colorful, action-packed double page spreads in India ink and acrylics show Beebe riding a burro in South America, scaling a tree in Amazon jungle, and diving into the ocean off the Galapagos Islands. Most famous for his record-breaking deep-sea dive, readers will be intrigued to learn that Beebe helped design the Bathysphere, and in 1934, descended into the unexplored depths of the ocean to view fascinating, eerie underwater creatures that no man had ever seen before!
Readers curious to learn more about Beebe’s groundbreaking research and scientific discoveries will find a more detailed summary at the end of the book, as well as quotes from Beebe’s journals, a glossary and bibliography. Children who enjoy wildlife television programs such as "Wild Kingdom" and Steve Irwin’s "Crocodile Hunter," will find Into the Deep irresistible. A National Science Teachers Association Recommends, this book is a fascinating study of how one man’s passion help shape our views of ecology.

David Sheldon has been illustrating since first grade when he was the hit of the class because he could draw scary monsters. As an adult, he says "I try to go 'all out' with colors and details to really give the young reader an 'amazing journey'"'. When he was young he loved to look at the photos in science books, but the books had too many words for him to read. His goal is to make inviting picture books that children can read and examine independently. He began as an illustrator, but also likes to write his own stories, sometimes using his middle name and pseudonym, Quentin. Check out his online portfolio at http://www.davidquentinsheldon.com/.

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