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Optimism fosters a sense of collective action and shows that no effort is too small.
From a picture book about whales to middle grade books on rescuing red wolves and honeybees, these informational texts will encourage burgeoning environmentalists to take on a cause.
From fish farts to how animal poop helps fight the climate crisis, these STEM books will inform and satisfy readers who enjoy supercool titles about the slimy and disgusting.
Hand to high school athletes looking for nonfiction sports stories that are as realistic as they are joyful.
This title will be valuable to report writers, and those with an interest in the Bill of Rights will find it an informative read; selectors in school and public libraries should consider.
PREMIUM
Climate Is Just the Start
Purchase where there are already initiated environmental activists. Those in need of a more practical how-to should look elsewhere.
An engaging read for tweens and teens.
A quality text that should be considered for purchase in large collections with high circulations of animal books, as it can fill a hole in most collections’ animal behavior section. For libraries with limited space, this could be skipped in favor of more animal-specific titles.
This is a novel piece of nonfiction that is fully entertaining for older elementary students.
PREMIUM
This Makes That
A nice addition to beginner graphic novel books for young readers; children will enjoy the details of the classroom and the controlled chaos that often accompanies a group of enthusiastic students.
A factual title that can be enjoyed in bite-sized pieces and which highlights the concept of play for the very audience who would love it.
A pro-nature and pro-ecology poem about the life cycle of the pine tree, this book will appeal to collections seeking gentle science books; it can also be added to the holiday shelves.
A powerful and inspiring book that will resonate with young readers interested in sports, activism, and Indigenous culture.
This fun and unique nonfiction picture book introduces confident elementary school readers to a selection of cute and dangerous animals found around the world.
A great choice for teens who enjoy ghost stories and those interested in con artists or history. Recommended for all libraries.
A fascinating, kid-friendly title on wildlife conservation that will captivate and empower elementary school readers.
A beautiful blend of text and drawings shows the cycle of life through dust. Reminiscent of Carole Lindstrom’s Water Protectors in its masterly marriage of narrative and illustration, this outstanding exploration of a natural phenomenon is a very strong first buy.
While the vocabulary and illustrations are detailed, not all animal and plant life in each amusement park attraction are fully described, but that may serve as a positive way to introduce readers to underwater ecosystems that warrant further exploration.
Celebrating the diversity of the human experience in language through well-illustrated examples, this title provides a plethora of opportunities for discussion as adults try to help young people navigate the human experience and celebrate their uniqueness.
PREMIUM
Our Marvelous Memory
Purchase as needed for collection development or where the other title in the series, Our Incredible Imagination, does well.
This unusual, vibrant picture book guide encourages readers to pursue their passions; a great purchase for all collections.
PREMIUM
Sensational Sharks
This is great for shark enthusiasts looking to pick up a few extra tidbits of knowledge, but it’s otherwise an additional purchase.
This immersive, engaging, and deeply emotional portrait of an unconventional woman is a must-read for enthusiasts of women’s history, journalism, and LGBTQIA+ biographies.
A thoughtful and attractively illustrated STEM-centric biography of an underrepresented figure in Black history.
This luminous work is more than a collective biography. It’s a reclamation of Indigenous stories, often manipulated, destroyed, and untold. A first purchase.
From conservation and recycling to a simple appreciation of nature, these books provide a greater understanding of the world and our place in it.
I usually talk about fiction in these Take Five lists, but there's plenty of great nonfiction out there too as well as plenty of readers who really prefer to read nonfiction.
Highly recommended for all middle and high school collections, as well as the parent/teacher shelves in public libraries.
PREMIUM
Knucklehead: Poems
Recommended for all library collections serving teens, especially where spoken word and slam poetry are popular.
PREMIUM
I’m Building a Nest
This is a must-buy for those looking to talk about diversity of animals and their homes in different biomes, some more common than others.
PREMIUM
Rose Signs Good Morning!
Though limited, this brightly illustrated board book can help introduce young readers and their caregivers to American Sign Language.
This is asurprisingly captivating introduction to particle physics that will serve as a helpful selection to libraries and classrooms.
Masterfully and beautifully written. Not to be missed, this is a first and important purchase for all libraries.
An optional purchase for primary collections outside of New York City, this may do well in the city where Flaco is justifiably famous.
Author Niña Mata discusses her newest book, GIRLS TO THE FRONT
Author Barb Rosenstock talks about ghosts and hauntings and all things American Spirits
A fun read recommended for collections with Taylor Swift fans who want to learn more about the folklore of their favorite artist.
A treasure in versatility and a fine tool for librarians and teachers.
Purchase for high interest nonfiction shelves, for both browsing and reports.
Middle graders will be hoping for more installments of this “Is It Real?” series. Purchase for all nonfiction shelves.
Purchase this impressive STEM title for dino fans, curricular tie-ins, and all nonfiction shelves.
This is a browser’s delight, and readers who can’t get enough of space will gravitate to it.
For all collections, this is a fond twin memorial both to a dog and to a beloved writer and artist.
PREMIUM
My First Book of Evolution
Perfect for students just beginning their study of evolution or for those who need a refresher, this is a worthy addition to the shelves.
A delightful outdoor handbook to ignite curiosity and a passion for nature, this is a great resource for nature units as well as hands-on activities to bring a creative writing program to life.
This is a first purchase for any library’s nonfiction collection.
A solid biography and an important addition to law and LGBTQIA+ collections.
Best suited to a more intimate reading setting, this book celebrates positive homeschooling experiences for elementary school-aged readers.
Not so much a picture book biography as a soaring, enticing tribute to a strong and distinctive artist.
With Americana-style illustrations, this picture book biography about the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court is a solid first purchase.
PREMIUM
Here Is a Book
Focused on capturing the creative process and its power to, in turn, inspire further creation, this title is broad in scope; the wide landscapes and tight vignettes will encourage young people to find the stories around themselves in places large and small.
This book presents compelling information about the history of space travel and the Earthrise image but may struggle to compete with highly colorful, image-rich space books.
Full of interesting information about scat but would likely appeal to a limited audience. An additional purchase.
Gripping and wrenching. A must for all libraries.
PREMIUM
Hello Hello Numbers
A must-have for all libraries; this introduces one of the most fascinating aspects of the language to a group who just loves learning.
A popular choice for libraries and a great tool for encouraging relaxation and mindfulness.
PREMIUM
Curious Me! Feelings
A great resource for supporting emotional literacy in early learners and their families.
PREMIUM
Read-and-Play Rocket
A stellar choice for libraries, classrooms, and space lovers everywhere.
PREMIUM
My First Book of Camping
Perfect for inspiring families to explore nature together, this title is a wonderful addition to collections where camping is valued in the community.
PREMIUM
Trees Stand Tall
This title is a lovely blend of education and storytelling, perfect for shared family reading or classroom use.
A perfect pairing for classes that teach I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings or other works by Angelou, this picture book will also be at home in a read-aloud or elementary setting. Recommended purchase for all libraries.
PREMIUM
The Friendship Guide
Being a good friend is one of the best ways to preserve friendship with others, but it is a skill that must be learned and practiced to be successful. This well-researched guide helps children make a connection with the important choices that make a person a good friend.
This worthy attempt at a book that operates as a two-for-one will need some book-talking to get it into the right hands.
PREMIUM
Taylor Swift: Superstar!
This simple story of Swift’s life will keep young readers enchanted and is a recommended purchase for libraries frequented by Swifties.
PREMIUM
Okchundang Candy
A beautiful, emotional take on family and history. Full of layers to explore with upper elementary students and beyond.
Educators seeking to expand the biography shelves with 1980s icons may find this useful.
Though forced rhymes limit its read-aloud potential, an appealing design and upbeat message make this is an acceptable choice for caregivers looking for a gentle introduction to the ever-popular topic of zoos and animal conservation.
PREMIUM
TIME for Kids: Insects
An informative book about insects, and a welcome addition to libraries looking to expand their early reader nonfiction selection.
A developmentally appropriate choice for the earliest readers, but libraries should consider the title’s short circulation life before purchasing, especially if it gets into the hands of a curious toddler.
A surefire hit for baseball fans young and old, and a resource for social studies, history, and language arts.
PREMIUM
POP! Goes the Nursey Rhyme
Readers familiar with traditional Mother Goose rhymes and those drawn to the absurd will most appreciate this additional purchase.
PREMIUM
In the Desert
This well-crafted book is an excellent resource for language arts, animal studies, and geography units. The eye-catching art and wordplay also make this an excellent choice for reading aloud.
Reading about the determination of these women, both in sports and in life, may encourage young readers to similarly face any challenges in front of them. Share these titles for Women's History Month and all year.
A highly recommended addition to all YA nonfiction collections.
Richly detailed and deeply human, this title serves as both an inspiring tribute to its subjects and a thought-provoking examination of the ongoing journey toward gender equity in STEM.
As a starting place for research, readers will find this book informational.
A fun, engaging rhyming stomp through the farmyard. Hand to fans of Jack Prelutsky or Shel Silverstein.
This thoughtful collection rewards repeat readings, begs to be shared or read aloud, and will resonate with a wide audience of readers and educators.
A solid addition to any collection, providing a pairing of arts and STEM.
A visually stimulating counting book that engages young children both in small and large group settings.
Sure to be read and enjoyed again and again, this is a highly recommended addition for all library collections.
A recommended addition to library and classroom collections.
Add to collections in need of updates, but catalog it with the joke books rather than poetry to reach the right readers.
A handy tool for extending skill with poetry and word play. While it seems unlikely that most children able to both read and do the writing would be attracted to the cheerful animal stories, the clear and well designed writing and thinking exercises could build poetry interest and ability in the early grades.
An excellent introduction to our awesome planet for novice geographers and poets alike.
A beautifully designed addition to biography collections, spotlighting a singular female artist.
An excellent physics primer and inspiration for young engineers who enjoy creating their own machines to perform simple tasks.
Purchase several copies. Your dinosaur fans will hate returning this one.
The beautiful, smooth illustrations accompany this simple yet stunning story that encourages readers’ curiosity to find the beauty in the natural world.
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