A book of poems that asks philosophical questions to provoke thought, encourage curiosity, and inspire young readers with a new appreciation and understanding about the world around them.
A wonderful addition to any collection, particularly for classrooms or libraries where a focus on social-emotional well-being and community are topics of focus.
A great introduction to dinosaurs for young children. The lively text and colorful illustrations make it a wonderful read-aloud that will engage young readers and ignite their curiosity about these prehistoric creatures. A welcome addition for homes, schools, and libraries.
An ideal big book of ebullient resources sure to promote confidence while young imaginations run wild discovering the art of writing poetry.
Simple, inviting town visits by “wild” animals offer pleasant read-aloud and conversation possibilities.
The perfect book for families to read aloud.
Engle’s thoughtful, lovely collection is a gift to anyone who has an interest in the breadth of women’s artistic achievements. Much to savor. Highly recommended.
A poetic gem for oversized collections that circulate well. Purchase this title to share daily poems at the reference desk or other display areas.
This collection will resonate with readers who enjoy the poems of Naomi Shihab Nye and the works of Elizabeth Acevedo and will appeal to the poet’s many social media followers.
A straightforward, no-nonsense biography that is nonetheless the triumphant story of a young person’s success.
A unique book that will be appreciated by the right readers, especially those familiar with Kwame Alexander’s The Door of No Return.
Concisely and bitingly written with broad appeal and usefulness to researchers and general readers alike. A first and necessary purchase.
With first class writing, this extremely readable postal history gets delivered with an enthusiastic stamp of approval.
Artists continue to be voices of resistance. Readers are introduced to a wonderful example in this impressive debut.
The perfect combination of art history and science, add this title to all nonfiction shelves and STEAM programming.
A must-have nonfiction title for upper elementary and middle school libraries.
A visually appealing concept book.
This concept book succeeds for its strong visual design.
The author asks, “What if talking about racism was as easy as baking a cake?” With this book, it could be. Recommended for all libraries.
A must-purchase for collections serving curious minds, suitable for upper elementary or middle grades.
An interesting narrative about the impact of incarceration on a middle-class family as well as an examination of the author’s various relationships. A good general purchase.
In language that is clear, engaging, and easy to follow, this books shares the mostly untold story of the life of a woman traveling laborer in the 1800s and the story behind the cherished green apple.
Despite the lack of text features to help readers navigate the content, this is a great option for readers approaching fluency who are looking for an compelling nonfiction read.
A messy hybrid of two promising stories results in a lovingly created book that will find an audience but reads like a lost opportunity.
A fun, well-paced, highly readable biography that provides a sophisticated entry point for more nuanced discussions about the complexities of leadership. Recommended.
This is an excellent introduction to the food chain, and will be especially popular among elementary science teachers.
Music education is such an important element in a child’s life; this promising series allows the learning and playing to begin as early as possible.
This updated look at new and old U.S. monuments stands out because of its examination of the monuments from an equitable lens. An integral addition to all collections.
Recommended for larger collections in need of STEAM titles about the moon for younger readers.
A full life through a picture book keyhole, this is a well-done and rare glimpse of book publishing few children see, and a career path that turns serendipity, acute intelligence, and hard work into what only seems like fate.
A fun new addition for the biography section; purchase where the previous books are popular.
A great introduction to a composer who was a disruptor and pioneer; this is a solid addition to school libraries and music departments.
This is useful on many levels for all babies and young children as another way to express themselves, regardless of hearing ability.
Reminiscent of George Ella Lyon’s All the Water in the World, this book demonstrates the journey of the water cycle with an existential edge.
This is a well-timed page-turner due to Slater’s investigative reporting and must be read, shared, and discussed. Make this a priority purchase.
While much of this information has been covered before in other books on this topic, up-to-date inclusion of popular series, full color photos, and an engaging format make this title a worthy addition to most school and public library collections.
A timely approach to world history through bite-size chapters highlighting how the lies and propaganda of the past still impact the present day.
Even though most teens are aware of or living with some sort of supposed stigma, picking this book up could take some prompting. An important purchase for libraries serving teens where nonfiction circulates.
By celebrating a Black academic in the STEM field, this scientist’s memoir envisions a place for anyone who has a dream that the possibility is there to achieve it. Purchase it for teen nonfiction collections everywhere.
A nonjudgmental, conversational guide to menstrual cycles that is essential for all collections serving middle schoolers.
This volume fills a gap for young Nintendo fans until something more substantial comes along.
A brief review of nocturnal animals, quickly consumed and fully forgettable.
Beautiful illustrations feature the diversity of the national parks and the flora and fauna that live within for a wonderful learning experience.
An excellent book to introduce the idea of timekeeping and calendars with humor and personal connections.
This series continues to impress. Purchase for elementary school libraries and where biographies for kids circulate well.
This series continues to impress. Purchase for elementary school libraries and where biographies for kids circulate well.
One of the amazing superpowers of childhood is curiosity, continuously asking “why?” and not being satisfied without finding the perfect answer. These guidebooks will help get them there.
This positive look at the differences we see and enjoy everywhere we look every day is an important viewpoint that should help children see differences that are to be celebrated in every corner of our world.
A good additional purchase for intermediate nonfiction collections.
With a focus on Apgar as a determined woman in the medical field, and an emphasis on her as a quirky individual, this book is an excellent choice for STEM/STEAM collections.
An excellent choice for children’s libraries.
A comprehensive account of this important historic atrocity, this accessible volume is not to be missed.
The anniversary of women gaining the right to vote is a good time to revisit resources and offer titles that teach not only about the suffrage movement, but the women who continued the fight for equal pay, education, and more.
A highly recommended addition to civil rights collections that are looking for a well-written and deeply informative title.
A fun addition to early reader collections that will introduce kids to new vocabulary via popular cultural references, while sparking recent nostalgia in adults.
Suggest these age-appropriate titles to those wanting to learn more about the Manhattan Project and the devastating legacy of the bomb it produced.
For many young readers (and their grown-ups), boarding an airplane is easier said than done. This list features titles to prep young travelers in advance.
My hope for The Phone Book is that it is a helpful resource for preteens, teens, families, and schools to learn about digital citizenship, digital literacy, and how to use technology as a force for good.
Reading a story where you can appreciate the artwork, writing, and storytelling simultaneously is very special.
A lift-the-flap book that will inspire children to look at nature in a new way and to find other examples of biomimicry in their environment.
A comprehensive, accessible, and visually beautiful selection recommended for both school and public libraries.
Readers will find the menagerie of animals covered acutely interesting and the art will draw in animal lovers of all ages. Highly recommended.
A good choice for those looking for collective biographies that feature women not often covered in school curricula.
A solid pick for any collection where memoir is popular or any growing LGBTQIA+ collection.
Not to be missed, grab your chopsticks, some oolong tea, and dive into this culinary treasure trove.
Thoroughly researched with exceptional writing, this riveting narrative is an important addition to Holocaust literature. Highly recommended for all libraries.
Libraries will want to add where Nathan Hale’s “Hazardous Tales,” and the previous “History Smashers” are popular. This accessible curricular tie-in is perfect for history units.
An outright delight for picture book collections.
Children in the United States might not have any knowledge of the Windrush Generation and its enduring impact on British culture, but for many, the experience of leaving home and starting over in a new place will be very familiar. A recommended purchase.
A must-purchase for libraries, specifically for its handling of diversity and adversity among immigrants studying in higher education as well as its ability to show the childhood joy of discovering patterns and having that segue into higher mathematics.
This lively, well-crafted book will delight dinosaur lovers. Educators will also appreciate its insight on the eventful early days of fossil hunting.
Despite some flaws, the queen of hip-hop will move children to dream big in this upbeat alphabet board book.
A first purchase, this excellent treatment of a trailblazing political figure will serve as a stepping stone from shorter picture books to chapter books for young lovers of biography.
A brilliant combination of story, culture, and activism in the cause of protecting the environment. Highly recommended for all collections.
Never patronizing or minimizing, the authors’ guidance offers young writers a solid road map for entering the publishing world. This how-to collection by writers of color is a necessity in the genre, and may likely appeal to non-writers who are fans of the authors for insight into their craft.
An appealingly ridiculous book, recommended for poetry and humor fans.
This is an accessible book for elementary school children interested in break dancing and other forms of movement and dance; it’s of historical and cultural significance and is an important addition to any collection.
Hawkins has taken on too vast a subject to be summarized so concisely without shortchanging cultures. Not recommended.
A solid overview of art from BCE Egypt to almost-present day. Purchase wherever such titles are needed.
An eye-opening look at disabled athletes who turn the stigma of disability on its head. Libraries looking to add titles on adaptive equipment, games and events that are inclusive, or robust bios of great athletes will find this worth buying.
How teachers and librarians have brought nonfiction front and center at their schools.
For reading practice, this book is suitable. For more detailed information on deep sea creatures with relevant photographs, best to continue pursuing the stacks.
A fun choice to round out picture book biography shelves, especially where titles on little-known women in history are needed.
Roy’s unique take on nonfiction is evident in The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of, about astrophysicist Cecilia Payne, and Making More: How Life Begins, about reproduction.
For space enthusiasts eager to expand their knowledge, these YA nonfiction titles explore what we know about our solar system and the universe beyond.
Kids and adults will find this title amusing and educational; a decent addition to the nonfiction sections of all libraries.
Biographies of world leaders and creators, a rollicking take on the way animals sleep, and a primer on race for kids. These Spanish-language selections are perfect for rounding out nonfiction collections.
While not a deep dive into the topic, readers will find this book to be an amusing and illuminating glimpse into the underwater world.
Booktalk this one so that it finds its audience; it’s highly recommended for purchase.
If Marcus still rules the roost, here’s a high-stepping alternative for younger readers.
It’s a party! Little Dumplings is a charmer, taking toddlers on a global tour one happy snack at a time.
Even the scene of a dragonfly chomping on a small fly will not put young bug lovers off lunch. This is a great way to keep their curiosity growing.
A few facts, with delicate digital illustrations that have the look of watercolors, this will engage children in an early ornithology lesson.
There are so many ABC books on hand, this is likely an additional purchase.
A science entry surprise that will likely survive classroom use, too.
In collections where a masculine God is a given, this is a gentle and welcoming book.
Start here, preschoolers; this is the book to hand children who need a bit of a nudge when it comes to socializing.
Not for the early childhood set, this will be a staple on early elementary art shelves.
An old-school hide-and-seek in a refreshingly updated setting, this book rewards the sharp-eyed and has a lot more to point out and label.
A lesson delivered without preaching, no more than a gentle request to cooperate with natural habitats. A good first guidebook to have on hand.
articles