Happy Sunday, kidlit friends! We have made it a week with no one catching a virus, so I’m calling it a win! I even got three vaccines (including the Covid-19 vaccine), and beyond a sore arm, I feel fine. Fingers crossed, we can have two healthy weeks in a row.
Today, I review biology children’s books for nonfiction November, as well as two new nonfiction releases. I also wanted to let you know about We Need Diverse Books’ new website—Indigenous Reads Rising. I’m so excited about this! The website is dedicated to celebrating Indigenous children’s literature of Native Nations and includes book lists, teaching resources, and more.
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Bookish Goods
New Releases
Small Shoes, Great Strides by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, illustrated by Alex Bostic
While Ruby Bridges is well known for integrating William Frantz Elementary School in 1960, just a few miles away in New Orleans, on the same day, three other girls were the first to integrate the all-white McDonogh No. 19 Public School. This beautifully illustrated picture book tells their story. The girls were escorted into their school where they would be attending first grade by U.S. Marshalls, with a crowd of protestors outside. Inside, the three were taught alone, with no other students in their classroom, and the windows were covered with brown paper so they couldn’t see the protestors outside. It’s a lovely picture book about an important historical moment.
I’m Gonna Paint! by Anne Broyles, illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov
This picture book biography details the life of folk artist and labor organizer Ralph Fasanella. The son of Italian immigrants, Fasanella grew up hearing stories of his mother’s work in a dress factory and unions and strikes. When he grew up, he began work in a garment factory and also joined a union, but when his hands began hurting, he turned to art to help, and in drawing and art, he found his passion. This is a vibrantly illustrated picture book about immigration, worker’s rights, and the power of art as a tool for activism.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
It’s nonfiction November, so I decided to highlight some of the amazing new biology-themed children’s books that have released this year. These would all make great gifts as well!
Surprising Mammals of the Ancient Arctic by Dana Hopkins, illustrated by Aaron Edzerza
This picture book tells the story of Arctic animal life from millions of years ago. Many of these animals are ancestors of current animals, like the megalonyx and the sloth. It’s a really cool read and illustrated by an Indigenous artist. It’s part of a Nunavut-developed leveled book series.
A Home for Every Plant by Matthew Biggs, illustrated by Lucila Perini
This immersive, 124-page nonfiction book looks at the botanical life in different regions. Sections are divided by habitat: tropical, Mediterranean, temperate, arid, cold, and water. Each page spread explores different topics and places within that habitat, such as the Sonoran Desert, Mount Everest, the Congo rainforest, and so much more. It’s heavily illustrated in vibrant, bold colors. Plant lovers of all ages will enjoy it.
Paper World: Human Body by Gail Armstrong
This paper-cut nonfiction is so cool! Each page has flaps to lift to uncover more about the human body. On one page, paper cuts of a running man’s muscles can be lifted to reveal the skeleton and more information about the skeletal and muscular systems. On the next page, ribs can be lifted to reveal the lungs and heart, which can be lifted to reveal a dissection of the heart. Every page is super neat and full of facts. It is for older readers; it says ages 8-12, but my 5-year-old loves it. I just wouldn’t give it to a toddler unless you want all those neat flaps to be torn out.
The River That Flows Beside Me by Charlotte Guillain, illustrated by Jo Empson
This beautifully illustrated accordion-style picture book folds out to 8 feet tall! Both front and back contain lots of fascinating ecological information as it follows a river to the sea. It can be read unfolded or like a normal book. It’s part of a series that includes several other foldout books. I’ve only read one other — The Sea Below My Toes — and loved it as well.
Speaking of nature, we went on a walk Saturday and found a low-hanging abandoned bird’s nest. We discussed how bird’s nests are made, and then my daughter plopped JiJi into the nest for a cozy rest. Later, JiJi plummeted from the tree and needed a little surgery. Thankfully, a vet was on hand (my daughter), and he has made a full recovery. It was not his first injury on our journey, as you can see by the cast on his back leg.
If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, Twitter @AReaderlyMom, and blog irregularly at Baby Librarians. You can also read my Book Riot posts. If you’d like to drop me a line, my email is kingsbury.margaret@gmail.com.
All the best,
Margaret Kingsbury