K-2 Non-fiction
Science
The Emperor’s Egg, by Jane Chapman and Martin Jenkins
Publishers Weekly Best Book 1999
The book “ The Emperor’s Egg” provides an educational adorable take on learning about penguins. The illustrations are captivating of the penguins and the baby penguins. Through reading the book the children can look at the images and learn about penguins and their natural habitats as well as their instincts of laying an egg. The book gives scientific responses for the penguins, which makes for a fun science type of book.
This book can be used to help students to improve and expand their vocabulary. An activity that can go alongside this book would be vocabulary activities to explore words encountered in this book such as word searches and vocabulary match up with pictures.
Publishers Weekly Best Book 1999
The book “ The Emperor’s Egg” provides an educational adorable take on learning about penguins. The illustrations are captivating of the penguins and the baby penguins. Through reading the book the children can look at the images and learn about penguins and their natural habitats as well as their instincts of laying an egg. The book gives scientific responses for the penguins, which makes for a fun science type of book.
This book can be used to help students to improve and expand their vocabulary. An activity that can go alongside this book would be vocabulary activities to explore words encountered in this book such as word searches and vocabulary match up with pictures.
Raindrops Roll, by April Pulley Sayre
ALA Notable Children’s Book 2016
This book is photo-illustrated and explores the water cycle, raindrops, and rain. I will read this book in my classroom during a science lesson or during a day that it is raining.
On a day that it is raining, our class will read this book before going to the window to look outside. We will then come together and discuss the things we saw or noticed about the raindrops, how they fell to the ground, why they didn’t go up toward the sky, how big the clouds were, what they know about the water cycle, how rain is important to plants and animals, etc. As the children list what they observed about the rain and what they know about the water cycle, I will write their observations and facts on the board.
ALA Notable Children’s Book 2016
This book is photo-illustrated and explores the water cycle, raindrops, and rain. I will read this book in my classroom during a science lesson or during a day that it is raining.
On a day that it is raining, our class will read this book before going to the window to look outside. We will then come together and discuss the things we saw or noticed about the raindrops, how they fell to the ground, why they didn’t go up toward the sky, how big the clouds were, what they know about the water cycle, how rain is important to plants and animals, etc. As the children list what they observed about the rain and what they know about the water cycle, I will write their observations and facts on the board.
Water is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle
ALA Notable Children’s Book 2016
Grade Level: 1st - 5th
This book introduces the water cycle to children. The book follows a brother and sister throughout the year as they experience water in its different forms. They experience fog, rain, snow, steam, and more. This book can be used in the classroom during a science lesson about the water cycle and the process water goes through as it changes forms. This book can also be used to help discuss the importance of water to the earth. This book is written by Miranda Paul and is illustrated by Jason Chin.
ALA Notable Children’s Book 2016
Grade Level: 1st - 5th
This book introduces the water cycle to children. The book follows a brother and sister throughout the year as they experience water in its different forms. They experience fog, rain, snow, steam, and more. This book can be used in the classroom during a science lesson about the water cycle and the process water goes through as it changes forms. This book can also be used to help discuss the importance of water to the earth. This book is written by Miranda Paul and is illustrated by Jason Chin.
The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea by Brenda Z. Guiberqson
Notable Children's Award 2016
Grade Level: PK-2nd
Have you ever wondered which sea creature is the most amazing? This book will take you on a journey through the sea where we meet a wide diversity of sea creatures from the vampire squid to the leatherback turtle. Ocean dwellers proclaim themselves to be "the most amazing" by unfolding facts about themselves. The author also includes a note about the importance of helping preserve the most amazing creatures in the sea.
In the classroom this book is great to teach children about different see creatures and to also introduce the topic of conserving the ocean. A fun way is to use art in creating an ecosystem. So, they can create one with an endangered species. Then, show the effects of the ecosystem when the endangered species is gone.
Notable Children's Award 2016
Grade Level: PK-2nd
Have you ever wondered which sea creature is the most amazing? This book will take you on a journey through the sea where we meet a wide diversity of sea creatures from the vampire squid to the leatherback turtle. Ocean dwellers proclaim themselves to be "the most amazing" by unfolding facts about themselves. The author also includes a note about the importance of helping preserve the most amazing creatures in the sea.
In the classroom this book is great to teach children about different see creatures and to also introduce the topic of conserving the ocean. A fun way is to use art in creating an ecosystem. So, they can create one with an endangered species. Then, show the effects of the ecosystem when the endangered species is gone.
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Social Studies
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear, by Lindsay Mattick
Randolph Caldecott Medal 2016
Grade Level: K-3rd
Harry Colebourn is a veterinarian and soldier who, in 1914, rescued a baby bear and named her Winnie. Harry took her with him to war and eventually to the London Zoo where Winnie met another friend, Christopher Robin. This book tells a story of a remarkable friendship and an even more remarkable journey.
I will use this book in my classroom during a history lesson on World War I. I will also use this book in my morning meeting as a lesson about the impact a kind gesture can have on others. Our class can discuss the kind gesture of the soldier toward Winnie and how it now impacts us all through Winnie the Pooh, the world’s most famous bear. I could incorporate this book in my classroom by having the students write out what they think a good friendship is and what a bad friendship is, and then discuss with a partner. Another possible way to apply this book to the classroom would be having it lead into a lesson about family trees or learning about various professions. This book is written by Harry Colebourn’s great-granddaughter Lindsay Mattick and is illustrated by Sophie Blackall.
Randolph Caldecott Medal 2016
Grade Level: K-3rd
Harry Colebourn is a veterinarian and soldier who, in 1914, rescued a baby bear and named her Winnie. Harry took her with him to war and eventually to the London Zoo where Winnie met another friend, Christopher Robin. This book tells a story of a remarkable friendship and an even more remarkable journey.
I will use this book in my classroom during a history lesson on World War I. I will also use this book in my morning meeting as a lesson about the impact a kind gesture can have on others. Our class can discuss the kind gesture of the soldier toward Winnie and how it now impacts us all through Winnie the Pooh, the world’s most famous bear. I could incorporate this book in my classroom by having the students write out what they think a good friendship is and what a bad friendship is, and then discuss with a partner. Another possible way to apply this book to the classroom would be having it lead into a lesson about family trees or learning about various professions. This book is written by Harry Colebourn’s great-granddaughter Lindsay Mattick and is illustrated by Sophie Blackall.
Me... Jane by Patrick McDonnell
2012 Caldecott Honor Book
Age Range: 1-7 years
Jane Goodall is a young girl who carries around her special stuffed chimp, Jubillee. Jane explores and discovers the world around her and dreams about helping animals some day. Jane's dream comes true and she becomes the renowned humanitarian, environmentalist, and animal activist the world has come to know. McDonnell includes true stories from Goodall's autobiography throughout the book.
2012 Caldecott Honor Book
Age Range: 1-7 years
Jane Goodall is a young girl who carries around her special stuffed chimp, Jubillee. Jane explores and discovers the world around her and dreams about helping animals some day. Jane's dream comes true and she becomes the renowned humanitarian, environmentalist, and animal activist the world has come to know. McDonnell includes true stories from Goodall's autobiography throughout the book.
If I Were President, by Catherine Stier
Nonfiction
Society of School Librarians International Honor Book, Social Studies 1999
In this book, different children share ideas about what it would be like to be president. I will use this book during a history or social studies/government lesson about the presidency. During this lesson, we will discuss what a president is required to do and will include a discussion about our current president. We will also discuss the vocabulary in the book that is unknown to my students such as “veto” and “cabinet.” I think children will like this book because it contains descriptive words and colorful images and gives them a simplified overview of what it is like to be president of the United States.
This is a great book to read at anytime of the year, but definitely around an election cycle. To expand on this book, the children could conduct presidential profiles on past presidents to learn more about the past leaders of this country. This book is written by Catherine Stier and is illustrated by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan.
Nonfiction
Society of School Librarians International Honor Book, Social Studies 1999
In this book, different children share ideas about what it would be like to be president. I will use this book during a history or social studies/government lesson about the presidency. During this lesson, we will discuss what a president is required to do and will include a discussion about our current president. We will also discuss the vocabulary in the book that is unknown to my students such as “veto” and “cabinet.” I think children will like this book because it contains descriptive words and colorful images and gives them a simplified overview of what it is like to be president of the United States.
This is a great book to read at anytime of the year, but definitely around an election cycle. To expand on this book, the children could conduct presidential profiles on past presidents to learn more about the past leaders of this country. This book is written by Catherine Stier and is illustrated by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan.
Thank You, Mr. Falker, by Patricia Polacco
Nonfiction Autobiography and Biography
Story Book Award 1998
This book is an autobiography by Patricia Polacco discussing her difficulty in learning to read because the letters get jumbled up.
I will use this book in my classroom during individual reading time to encourage students who have difficulty reading. Throughout this book, I will encourage the children in my classroom that they can overcome any obstacle, and that I am there to help them along the way. I think my students will relate to this book, especially those with learning disabilities, because they will see that they are not the only one who has ever struggled to read or who has ever faced ridicule from their classmates. It will give them hope that there was a girl who had trouble reading and then went on to become an author.
Nonfiction Autobiography and Biography
Story Book Award 1998
This book is an autobiography by Patricia Polacco discussing her difficulty in learning to read because the letters get jumbled up.
I will use this book in my classroom during individual reading time to encourage students who have difficulty reading. Throughout this book, I will encourage the children in my classroom that they can overcome any obstacle, and that I am there to help them along the way. I think my students will relate to this book, especially those with learning disabilities, because they will see that they are not the only one who has ever struggled to read or who has ever faced ridicule from their classmates. It will give them hope that there was a girl who had trouble reading and then went on to become an author.
Blackout, by John Rocco
Winner of several awards, including a Caldecott Honor in 2012.
This book is based on the blackout of New York City on August 14, 2003. A little boy wants someone to play with, but his sister, dad, and mom are all too busy on their computers and phones. Then all of the lights in the city go out, and the family wanders to a block party on the roof, and then to a block party in the street, and everyone has fun in the dark city.
Winner of several awards, including a Caldecott Honor in 2012.
This book is based on the blackout of New York City on August 14, 2003. A little boy wants someone to play with, but his sister, dad, and mom are all too busy on their computers and phones. Then all of the lights in the city go out, and the family wanders to a block party on the roof, and then to a block party in the street, and everyone has fun in the dark city.
Locomotive, by Brian Floca
Randolph Caldecott Medal 2014
Silbhort Honor Book
Grade Level: 4th
This book describes the way the locomotive works and life on the train during long journeys for passengers and engineers. This book takes the readers on a journey through the late 1800's and the beginning of the transcontinental railroad.
I will use this book during a lesson about different forms of transportation. I will also use this book during a history lesson about the transcontinental railroad, the Industrial Revolution, and our young country. We will have a class discussion about how my students think people come up with new ways to travel and why the transcontinental railroad was so important to the United States.
Randolph Caldecott Medal 2014
Silbhort Honor Book
Grade Level: 4th
This book describes the way the locomotive works and life on the train during long journeys for passengers and engineers. This book takes the readers on a journey through the late 1800's and the beginning of the transcontinental railroad.
I will use this book during a lesson about different forms of transportation. I will also use this book during a history lesson about the transcontinental railroad, the Industrial Revolution, and our young country. We will have a class discussion about how my students think people come up with new ways to travel and why the transcontinental railroad was so important to the United States.
Viva Frida, by Yuyi Morales
Caldecott Award 2015
Grade Level: K-2nd
This book is neat because the illustrations and approach to early learning about art/artists. It’s a very simple book, having one word or few word phrases on each page. It also has the phrase in English and Spanish. It’s about Frida Kahlo, and the types of things she did to find inspiration for her art.
Use this when introducing art lessons with children, introductory lessons to artists lives, or even have it available to your young ELL learners due to it’s bilingual pages/phrases. Including this book in your classroom library will show your ELL's that you care about them and their culture.
Caldecott Award 2015
Grade Level: K-2nd
This book is neat because the illustrations and approach to early learning about art/artists. It’s a very simple book, having one word or few word phrases on each page. It also has the phrase in English and Spanish. It’s about Frida Kahlo, and the types of things she did to find inspiration for her art.
Use this when introducing art lessons with children, introductory lessons to artists lives, or even have it available to your young ELL learners due to it’s bilingual pages/phrases. Including this book in your classroom library will show your ELL's that you care about them and their culture.
Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle
Pure Belpré Award 2016
Grade Level: K-2nd
A true story based on a Chinese-African-Cuban girl Millo Castro Zaldarriaga who broke tradition against female drummers. It is set in a time where drumming was only performed by boys but one girl dreamed and longed to drum. Even her father was against Drum Dream Girls desire to play the drums but that did not stop the girl with the dream and she continued to play. This story is about a girl who has the courage to make her dreams a reality because of her love of drums. It is a good way to show us that we can also make our dreams come true.
Pure Belpré Award 2016
Grade Level: K-2nd
A true story based on a Chinese-African-Cuban girl Millo Castro Zaldarriaga who broke tradition against female drummers. It is set in a time where drumming was only performed by boys but one girl dreamed and longed to drum. Even her father was against Drum Dream Girls desire to play the drums but that did not stop the girl with the dream and she continued to play. This story is about a girl who has the courage to make her dreams a reality because of her love of drums. It is a good way to show us that we can also make our dreams come true.
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Math
Zero the Hero, by Joan Holub
Mathical Honor Book Award 2014
Grade Level: 1st-3rd
*While not necessarily nonfiction, this book is about math. Not sure if there are actually nonfiction math books out there...*
Zero is just that...a zero. People always count him out, and they don't understand his importance. When a group of roman numerals come to town and kidnap the other numbers, Zero shows his true importance in outnumbering the baddies.
This book can be used to help students understand why we use zeros. When students learn that zero has no value on its own, they often overgeneralize the concept and become confused when we say that zeros can also make a number huge. A place value activity would go well with this book--students could show their understanding of zeros by filling in number blanks on the board and then stating what the number is.
Mathical Honor Book Award 2014
Grade Level: 1st-3rd
*While not necessarily nonfiction, this book is about math. Not sure if there are actually nonfiction math books out there...*
Zero is just that...a zero. People always count him out, and they don't understand his importance. When a group of roman numerals come to town and kidnap the other numbers, Zero shows his true importance in outnumbering the baddies.
This book can be used to help students understand why we use zeros. When students learn that zero has no value on its own, they often overgeneralize the concept and become confused when we say that zeros can also make a number huge. A place value activity would go well with this book--students could show their understanding of zeros by filling in number blanks on the board and then stating what the number is.