Picture books are my all-time favorite genre! Especially because of the wide variety of ways they present factual information. Have a look at AVIARY WONDERS, INC. by Kate Samworth (Clarion Books, 2014) and you’ll know exactly what I mean. The subtitle, “Spring Catalog and Instruction Manual” gives a hint at what lies between the covers of this fabulous book…. Read more »
October 2014
Non-Fiction Minute
All month the ReaderKidZ have been posting about OUR NATURAL WORLD and we want to make sure teachers and librarians know about an amazing new website called, The Nonfiction Minute. With the roll-out of Common Core and interest at the state and district level in increasing student exposure to nonfiction, this site is a goldmine! Each post includes a short… Read more »
Seasonal Adaptation – Juxtaposed
Author Carrie Pearson has penned two books in which she explores the biological seasonal changes in a creatively contrasted manner. In A Warm Winter Tail and A Cool Summer Tail (published by Sylvan Dell), she inhabits the minds of young animals who wonder if human children prepare for the change in seasons in the same… Read more »
Librarian’s Corner: “Poetry Friday” Poems About Nature
Today, guest blogger Monica Harris picks six great poetry collections to help kids learn about natural science. POETRY– like the sound of waves crashing on the shoreline, poetry can provide a rhythmic and emotionally stimulating way of looking at the world around us. Without actually studying the mechanics of poetry, young readers can appreciate the… Read more »
Librarian’s Corner: The Natural World in Fiction
This week, guest blogger Monica Harris has picked a peck of nonfiction, fiction and poetry that will feed young readers hungry for information about the natural world. Today is fiction. For readers who want to discover the natural world through a story setting, there are plenty of books that deal with the environment, animals, and… Read more »
Librarian’s Corner: Guest Blogger Monica Harris Picks Natural World Reads
Having a teaching background, I know how important it is to be able to explain a concept six different ways for six different types of learners. So when it comes to sharing the natural world with readers, why limit their exposure to just one ‘explanation’ or genre? This week, let’s examine inspiration for kids in… Read more »
Not Very Scary
Searching for a Halloween book that’s not scary? Then be sure to have a peek at NOT VERY SCARY by Carol Brendler, illustrated by Greg Pizzoli, winner of the 2014 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. This cumulative tale is rich with repetition, alliteration, and one brave little monster – Melly – who is – well, maybe – just… Read more »
