Non-fiction | Page 2 of 10

Arctic Adventure: A Tundra Tale, illustrated, poetic, STEM gold for 4-8

That’s a handful of alliterations in that short title, aren’t they? And while young readers might not appreciate its clever wordplay, they will immediately notice the glossy aspects to the book’s cover. The arctic fox is looking at its kit, while a mother and her daughter are in a boat in the horizon. In the background are whirling colors that older readers will associate with the aurora borealis. Younger readers might not know that fascinating light show, but will associate the pattern with something akin to Willy Wonka and be immediately curious about the show. That magic will continue as kids open Arctic Adventure. They’ll fall into wanderlust and become the armchair traveler that great illustrated books can help kids embark on.

Arctic Adventure: A Tundra Tale is an illustrated book that uses fabulous, dreamy art and succinct text to create a world that young readers will willingly get lost in.

An arctic Adventure that’s great any time of the year

Fearless Firsts: Athletes Who Changed the Game, a one-note song for fans

Fearless Firsts: Athletes Who Changed the Game is a book with a very narrow scope and interest level. The subject matter is mainly on par with those upper-elementary school students. These are those students in fifth grade who will have to do their first essays on inspirational people, careers or interesting animals. It’s quite the juxtaposition because it’s comparing athletes from somewhat different time periods, in different sports, yet their ‘firsts’ have a frustratingly high amount in common. Not surprisingly, the solution to their ‘firsts’ and the athletes’ reactions to them are the same too.

First!

The Atlas of Languages: Words Around the World educates and entertains

What’s the fastest-growing language in the United States? *Which language’s word for television is literally translated as “fool’s looking box?”**What language has the very flattering phrase that translates to, “even monkeys fall from trees,” to mean that everyone makes mistakes?*** The Atlas of Languages is loaded with those tidbits of information that younger ages and trivia fans love to share. The readable reference book is one that’s pretty rare, especially outside of the Nat Geo Kids Venn Diagram. That uncommon field is even rarer if it’s regarding a topic that is not animal-based.

The Atlas of Languages: Words Around the World makes a reference book on languages entertaining, a la the 500lb gorilla in non-fiction reference.

Refernce/entertainment/reference/entertainment/6,7

Howdy! Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry gives to the place past its fanbase

In 2023 I saw Crowded House at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. I didn’t know anything about the venue or its historical significance. I simply knew it was the first time they had toured in a decade and that this was the closest stop to me. Once you get to downtown Nashville the history and pedigree of that venue casts a long shadow. Howdy! Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry! Is an illustrated book that’s as much a love letter to live entertainment, as it is to country music and the physical entity where that great band from New Zealand played.

Howdy! Welcome to the Grand Ole Opry is an illustrated book that uses mixed media and short text to be effortlessly entertaining

Holla! YEE Haw! Hee Haw! Fun Reading come hither

The Moment is Special: A Dia de Muertos Story is holiday magic 411

For people of a certain generation, Coco emblazoned The Day of the Dead and its significance to Mexican people and those of Latino heritage. In addition to being a fabulously told story, it’s a well-made movie and introduced a large about of people to the customs behind the holiday. This Moment is Special: A Dia de Muestros Story is an illustrated book that channels the same spirit and has a twist.

This Moment is Special: A Dia de Muertos Story serves as a primer for The Day of the Dead, as well as, an enjoyable standalone book.

The Day of the dead is more remembrance, than spooky

Rebels, Robbers, and Radicals makes the Bill of Rights interesting, for real

I just had an Arsenio Hall moment. During his talk show, he had a catch phrase where he’d say “Things that make you go hmmmm.” As best I can remember, Hall would pause his monologue or joke and say his phrase. He wouldn’t directly state the implication that he was going for, because that’s to be determined by the audience. In my “hmmm” moment, I was reading about the Dred Scott decision. It’s just one of the multiple dozens of court decisions that are discussed in a common-sense manner in Rebels, Robbers, and Radicals: The Story of the Bill of Rights.

Rebels, Robbers, and Radicals looks at one of the simplest, yet confusing documents in United States history and makes in interesting for ages ten and up.

The nat geo effect, but with government for middle school

The Music Inside Us, a look at the life of Yo-Yo Ma, with takeaways for all

As a younger man I was always skeptical of biographical movies because you always know how they end. Since then, my thoughts on entertainment have evolved somewhat as to what makes a movie entertaining. That same qualifier has never existed for books, even when it came to children’s literature. The Music Inside Us is the story of world-renowned cellist Yo Yo Ma. It’s a safe bet most elementary school ages don’t know Yo-Yo Ma, much less what a cello is or can isolate its deep, soul searching sounds were they to hear it. As an illustrated book, The Music Inside Us is not a typical biography. Instead, it opens the book by asking a question about the purpose of music. This soft introduction works in partnership with the art that is realistic, painted, and muted in all the right ways.

The Music Inside Us: Yo-Yo Ma & His Gifts to the World is the life story of the world’s most famous cellist, but has life applications for those who are a prodigy.

The life story of Yo-Yo Ma, but with a takeaway for everyone

Letters to Misty is a ballet-centric, self-help Q & A for girls aged 8-12

If you are an elementary school aged girl, or otherwise that age and in ballet, Letters to Misty is your jam. From its soft pink and purple cover to the lovely ballet dancer on the cover this book knows its target audience. This is self-help for those young people (mainly girls) who are navigating soft social skills and personal interactions that have the potential to vex people of any age. It might be helpful if you know that Letters to Misty is written by Misty Copeland with Nikki Shannon Smith, but it’s not mandatory.