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Folklore

Duffy, Chris, Editor Fairy Tale Comics
Gr. K–3    128 pp.     Roaring Brook/First Second    2013
Trade ISBN 978-1-59643-823-1

Goldman, Judy Whiskers, Tails & Wings: Animal Folktales from Mexico
Illustrated by Fabricio VandenBroeck
Gr. 4–6    58 pp.    Charlesbridge    2013
Trade ISBN 978-1-58089-372-5

Lee, H. Chuku, Reteller Beauty and the Beast
Illustrated by Pat Cummings
Gr. K–3    32 pp.    HarperCollins/Amistad    2014
Trade ISBN 978-0-688-14819-5

McHugh, Maura Twisted Fairy Tales: 20 Classic Stories with a Dark and Dangerous Heart
Illustrated by Jane Laurie
Middle school, high school    144 pp.    Barron’s    2013
Trade ISBN 978-0-7641-6588-7

Munduruku, Daniel Amazonia: Indigenous Tales from Brazil
Illustrated by Nikolai Popov
Gr. 4–6, middle school    95 pp.    Groundwood (House of Anansi Press)    2013
Trade ISBN 978-1-55498-185-4

Insects and Arachnids

Arnosky, Jim Creep and Flutter: The Secret World of Insects and Spiders
Gr. 4–6    40 pp.    Sterling    2012
Trade ISBN 978-1-4027-7766-0

Burns, Loree Griffin Handle with Care: An Unusual Butterfly Journey
Photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz
Gr. K–3    32 pp.    Millbrook    2014
Library binding ISBN 978-0-7613-9342-9
E-book ISBN 978-1-4677-2542-2

Huber, Raymond Flight of the Honey Bee
Illustrated by Brian Lovelock
Gr. K–3    32 pp.    Candlewick    2013
Trade ISBN 978-0-7636-6760-3

Lasky, Kathryn Silk & Venom: Searching for a Dangerous Spider
Gr. 4–6, middle school    64 pp.    Candlewick    2011
Trade ISBN 978-0-7636-4222-8
Photographs by Christopher G. Knight

Pringle, Laurence Scorpions!: Strange and Wonderful
Illustrated by Meryl Henderson
Gr. 4–6    32 pp.    Boyds    2013
Trade ISBN 978-1-59078-473-0

Oceanography

Butterworth, Chris See What a Seal Can Do
Illustrated by Kate Nelms
PS–Gr. 3    32 pp.    Candlewick    2013
Trade ISBN 978-0-7636-6574-6

Hibbert, Clare If You Were a Shark [If You Were A... series]
Gr. K–3    32 pp.    Smart Apple    2013
Library binding ISBN 978-1-59920-962-3

Simon, Seymour Seymour Simon’s Extreme Oceans
Gr. 4–6    57 pp.    Chronicle    2013
Trade ISBN 978-1-4521-0833-9

Swinburne, Stephen R. The Sea Turtle Scientist [Scientists in the Field series]
Gr. 4–6, middle school    65 pp.    Houghton    2013
Trade ISBN 978-0-547-36755-2

Turner, Pamela S. The Dolphins of Shark Bay [Scientists in the Field series]
Photographs by Scott Tuason
Gr. 4–6, middle school    76 pp.    Houghton    2013
Trade ISBN 978-0-547-71638-1

Gardening and outdoor discovery

Ancona, George It’s Our Garden: From Seeds to Harvest in a School Garden
Gr. K–3    48 pp.    Candlewick    2013
Trade ISBN 978-0-7636-5392-7

Berkes, Marianne What’s in the Garden?
Illustrated by Cris Arbo
Gr. K–3    32 pp.    Dawn    2013
Trade ISBN 978-1-58469-189-1

Burns, Loree Griffin Citizen Scientists: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery from Your Own Backyard
Photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz
Gr. 4–6    80 pp.    Holt    2012
Trade ISBN 978-0-8050-9062-8

Grow Your Own series

Lanz, Helen Lettuce
Gr. 4–6   32 pp.    Sea to Sea    2012
Library binding ISBN 978-1-59771-311-5

Lanz, Helen Potatoes
Gr. 4–6      32 pp.    Sea to Sea    2012
Library binding ISBN 978-1-59771-312-2

Lanz, Helen Strawberries
Gr. 4–6    32 pp.    Sea to Sea    2012
Library binding ISBN 978-1-59771-313-9

Lanz, Helen Tomatoes
Gr. 4–6    32 pp.    Sea to Sea    2012
Library binding ISBN 978-1-59771-314-6

Root, Phyllis Plant a Pocket of Prairie
Illustrated by Betsy Bowen
Gr. K–3    40 pp.    Minnesota    2014
Trade ISBN 978-0-8166-7980-5

Sports and recreation

Girls’ SportsZone series

Hudson, Maryann Girls’ Golf
Gr. 4–6    48 pp.    ABDO    2013
Library binding ISBN 978-1-61783-985-6

Lawrence, Blythe Girls’ Gymnastics
Gr. 4–6    48 pp.    ABDO    2013
Library binding ISBN 978-1-61783-986-3

Peters, Chris Girls’ Hockey
Gr. 4–6      48 pp.    ABDO    2013
Library binding ISBN 978-1-61783-987-0

Williams, Doug Girls’ Basketball
Gr. 4–6    48 pp.    ABDO    2013
Library binding ISBN 978-1-61783-984-9

McClafferty, Carla Killough Fourth Down and Inches: Concussions and Football’s Make-or-Break Moment
Middle school, high school     96 pp.    Carolrhoda    2013
Trade ISBN 978-1-4677-1067-1

Mulder, Michelle Pedal It!: How Bicycles Are Changing the World [Orca Footprints series]
Gr. 4–6    48 pp.    Orca    2013
Trade ISBN 978-1-4598-0219-3

First Step Nonfiction: Sports Are Fun! series

Nelson, Robin Baseball Is Fun!
Gr. K–3   24 pp.    Lerner    2013
Library binding ISBN 978-1-4677-1101-2

Nelson, Robin Basketball Is Fun!
Gr. K–3    24 pp.    Lerner    2013
Library binding ISBN 978-1-4677-1744-1

Nelson, Robin Dance Is Fun!
Gr. K–3    24 pp.    Lerner    2013
Library binding ISBN 978-1-4677-1104-3

Nelson, Robin Football Is Fun!
Gr. K–3    24 pp.    Lerner    2013
Library binding ISBN 978-1-4677-1746-5

Nelson, Robin Soccer Is Fun
Gr. K–3    24 pp.    Lerner    2013
Library binding ISBN 978-1-4677-1105-0

Nelson, Robin Swimming Is Fun!
Gr. K–3    24 pp.    Lerner    2013
Library binding ISBN 978-1-4677-1106-7

Rosenstock, Barb The Streak: How Joe DiMaggio Became America’s Hero
Illustrated by Terry Widener
Gr. K–3    32 pp.    Boyds/Calkins    2014
Trade ISBN 978-1-59078-992-6

These titles were featured in the May 2014 issue of Nonfiction Notes from the Horn Book.

The post Books mentioned in the May 2014 issue of Nonfiction Notes from the Horn Book appeared first on The Horn Book.

Arnosky, Jim Creep and Flutter: The Secret World of Insects and Spiders
Gr. 4–6   40 pp. Sterling

This introductory volume encourages readers to be “mindful of the small.” Arnosky highlights specimens in labeled groupings that he presents — textually and visually — in accurate, captivating, and even tender detail. Conversational prose is illustrated with the author’s own acrylic and pencil art, some “supersized,” with magnification scale noted. The information-rich layouts are attractively designed; several foldouts enable expansive viewing. Reading list.
Subjects: Insects and Invertebrates; Animals—Insects; Animals—Spiders

Burns, Loree Griffin Handle with Care: An Unusual Butterfly Journey
Gr. K–3   32 pp. Millbrook

Photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz. An explanation of the life cycle of butterflies gets an intriguing twist in this account of the work of a Costa Rican butterfly farm, where blue morpho butterflies are raised and the pupae eventually shipped to museums for display and observation. Detailed discussion of each life stage is accompanied by wonderfully sharp, close-up photographs that show intricate structural details. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.
Subjects: Insects and Invertebrates; Animals—Butterflies; Animals—Caterpillars; Costa Rica; Farms and farm life; Metamorphosis

Huber, Raymond Flight of the Honey Bee
Gr. K–3   32 pp. Candlewick

Illustrated by Brian Lovelock. As the hive prepares for winter, worker bee Scout embarks on a food-foraging expedition, searching for enough nectar and pollen to survive. Huber’s simple but dynamic language hums with an avian vibrancy. In Lovelock’s watercolor, acrylic ink, and colored-pencil illustrations, splattered dots represent pollen and hailstones; textured brushstrokes convey flight patterns, vibrating wings, and pelting rain. A satisfying early science book. Ind.
Subjects: Insects and Invertebrates; Animals—Bees; Animals—Honeybees

Lasky, Kathryn Silk & Venom: Searching for a Dangerous Spider
Gr. 4–6, middle school  64 pp. Candlewick

Photographs by Christopher G. Knight. Lasky shadows arachnologist Greta Binford as she investigates Loxosceles spiders. The text attentively explains the research in absorbing detail, clearly showing how each piece of data provides evidence for the species’ migration and evolution. This care extends to the numerous photographs and diagrams that portray Binford’s meticulous research techniques, the spiders themselves, and the people who find them fascinating. Websites. Bib., glos., ind.
Subjects: Insects and Invertebrates; Animals—Spiders; Scientists; Women—Scientists

Pringle, Laurence Scorpions!: Strange and Wonderful
Gr. 4–6   32 pp. Boyds

Illustrated by Meryl Henderson. Pringle cuts through misconceptions about scorpions with no-nonsense factual information. Scorpion range and habitats, hunting and feeding behaviors, and reproduction are explored. Pringle also provides explanations of scorpion body structures, including the mesmerizing, stinger-tipped tail. Numerous delicate, detailed paintings of scorpions include field guide–like illustrations of single specimens as well as portrayals of the scorpions interacting with other animals. Websites. Bib.
Subjects: Insects and Invertebrates; Animals—Scorpions

From the May 2014 issue of Nonfiction Notes from the Horn Book.

The post Insects and Arachnids appeared first on The Horn Book.

Duffy, Chris, Editor Fairy Tale Comics
Gr. K–3   128 pp. Roaring Brook/First Second

In this fine companion to Nursery Rhyme Comics, editor Duffy has chosen seventeen tales (“Puss in Boots,” “Rapunzel,” and “Hansel and Gretel,” among others) to be adapted by seventeen illustrators and cartoonists, including Raina Telgemeier, Brett Helquist, Charise Mericle Harper, and Jillian Tamaki. A wide range of tone and artistic styles results in a collection that offers something for everyone.
Subjects: Folktales, Myths, and Legends; Cartoons and comics; Fairy tales

Goldman, Judy Whiskers, Tails & Wings: Animal Folktales from Mexico
Gr. 4–6    58 pp. Charlesbridge

Illustrated by Fabricio VandenBroeck. This collection features traditional animal folktales of five lesser-known groups of Mexico’s indigenous people—the Seri, Tarahumara, Huichol, Triqui, and Tseltal. Each engagingly written tale is followed by informative material on the culture’s history, customs, and traditions. Extensive running glossaries of Spanish words and local expressions are helpful. Vivid folk-art paintings enliven the stories. Websites. Bib., ind.
Subjects: Folktales, Myths, and Legends; Native Americans—North America—Tseltal; Native Americans—North America—Triqui; Folklore—Mexico; Native Americans—North America—Seri; Native Americans—North America—Tarahumara; Native Americans—North America—Huichol; Folklore—Animals

Lee, H. Chuku, Reteller Beauty and the Beast
Gr. K–3    32 pp. HarperCollins/Amistad

Illustrated by Pat Cummings. Giving Cummings’s lushly detailed paintings center stage, Lee simplifies the tale and puts it into Beauty’s first-person voice. While the retelling retains the story’s original details, the pictures portray all of the characters as black, in settings inspired by West Africa. The retelling is crisp, the drafting is skillful, and the compositions are dramatic. Princess-lovers of any color should enjoy it.
Subjects: Folktales, Myths, and Legends; Blacks; Princes and princesses; Fairy tales

McHugh, Maura Twisted Fairy Tales: 20 Classic Stories with a Dark and Dangerous Heart
Middle school, high school   144 pp. Barron’s

Illustrated by Jane Laurie. In this hefty volume of fairy-tale interpretations, McHugh provides good variety, offering (often disturbing) twists on the more familiar tales and including many lesser-known stories. Laurie’s illustrations are atmospheric, haunting, and sometimes downright scary; the design, with watermarked borders, old-fashioned-looking graphic spot art, and inset quotes, is eye-catching (if occasionally distracting). No source information is provided.
Subjects: Folktales, Myths, and Legends; Fairy tales

Munduruku, Daniel Amazonia: Indigenous Tales from Brazil
Gr. 4–6, middle school  95 pp. Groundwood (House of Anansi Press)

Illustrated by Nikolai Popov. An indigenous Amazonian tells a dozen tales from seven different tribes. Munduruku narrates with refreshing economy; though his themes are such universals as maturation and survival, the drama is grounded in the jungle. Humor abounds, along with shapeshifters, forthright deaths, and earthy details. In Popov’s full-bleed gouache and ink art, energetic creatures inhabit luminous settings.
Subjects: Folktales, Myths, and Legends; Amazon River region; Folklore—Brazil

From the May 2014 issue of Notes from the Horn Book.

The post Folklore appeared first on The Horn Book.

Hudson, Maryann Girls’ Golf
Gr. 4–6   48 pp. ABDO

Lawrence, Blythe Girls’ Gymnastics
Gr. 4–6      48 pp. ABDO

Peters, Chris Girls’ Hockey
Gr. 4–6      48 pp. ABDO

Williams, Doug Girls’ Basketball
Gr. 4–6      48 pp. ABDO

Girls’ SportsZone series. These volumes survey four sports and the female athletes at their forefronts. Each chapter pairs a technical skill with a prominent contemporary athlete. The books are more overview than how-to, but each takes its sport seriously, depicting how the development of skills has shaped the athletes’ careers. Diagrams of a golf course, ice rink, etc. are appended. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.
Subjects: Sports; Sports—Golf; Sports—Gymnastics; Sports—Hockey; Sports—Basketball; Women—Athletes

McClafferty, Carla Killough Fourth Down and Inches: Concussions and Football’s Make-or-Break Moment
Middle school, high school   96 pp. Carolrhoda

McClafferty’s informative and useful book focuses on football to discuss the serious but historically trivialized condition of concussion. Starting with football’s beginnings, McClafferty details the game’s early casualties; the controversy over its growing presence as a college sport; and how it became entrenched in American culture. She then goes on to cover the neuroscience behind head trauma and the increased awareness of the dangers. Reading list. Bib., ind.
Subjects: Sports; Sports—Football; Human body—Brain

Mulder, Michelle Pedal It!: How Bicycles Are Changing the World
Gr. 4–6   48 pp. Orca

Orca Footprints series. Divided into four chapters, this book looks at the history and mechanics of the bicycle, and explores reasons for its use, such as low cost and environmental impact. Well-captioned photos that show the unusual ways in which bikes have been put to work — from bicycle soccer in Europe to bicycle ambulances in Namibia — illustrate the accessible text. Reading list, websites. Ind.
Subjects: Machines and Technology; Sports—Bicycles and bicycling; Transportation

Nelson, Robin Baseball Is Fun!
Gr. K–3   24 pp. Lerner

Nelson, Robin Basketball Is Fun!
Gr. K–3      24 pp. Lerner

Nelson, Robin Dance Is Fun!
Gr. K–3      24 pp. Lerner

Nelson, Robin Football Is Fun!
Gr. K–3      24 pp. Lerner

Nelson, Robin Soccer Is Fun
Gr. K–3     24 pp. Lerner

Nelson, Robin Swimming Is Fun!
Gr. K–3      24 pp. Lerner

First Step Nonfiction: Sports Are Fun! series. Using the simplest of texts for new readers, these upbeat (if formulaic) books give basic and very broad descriptions of the title sports (“Do you like to throw and catch a ball? You can play football!”). Equipment, rules, and terminology are touched on; random “Fun Facts” are appended. Stock photos show kids playing sports. Glos., ind.
Subjects: Sports; Sports—Baseball; Sports—Basketball; Dance; Sports—Football; Sports—Soccer; Sports—Swimming

Rosenstock, Barb The Streak: How Joe DiMaggio Became America’s Hero
Gr. K–3 32 pp. Boyds/Calkins

Illustrated by Terry Widener. In 1941, with “war spreading like a fever through Europe,” the heroics of Joe DiMaggio offered a summertime respite as he began a hitting streak that would beat all previous records and has yet to be surpassed. Widener is a master at capturing the larger-than-life spirit of baseball through his perfectly attuned acrylic illustrations, and the text matches the art in its exuberance. Bib.
Subjects: Sports; Sports—Baseball; DiMaggio, Joe; History, Modern—World War II; Biographies

From the May 2014 issue of Nonfiction Notes from the Horn Book.

The post Sports and recreation appeared first on The Horn Book.

Ancona, George It’s Our Garden: From Seeds to Harvest in a School Garden
Gr. K–3   48 pp. Candlewick

From spring planting to winterization, full-color photographs chronicle a year in the life of an elementary school garden in Santa Fe; students are shown composting soil, watering plants, and sampling the edible delights. While green is visually ubiquitous, the real star is the white space, which keeps each spread from becoming crowded. Ancona’s no-nonsense text is perfectly suited for newly independent readers. Websites. Bib.
Subjects: Farm Life, Husbandry, and Gardening; Schools—Elementary schools; New Mexico; Seasons; Composts; Plants; Fruits and vegetables

Berkes, Marianne What’s in the Garden?
Gr. K–3   32 pp. Dawn

Illustrated by Cris Arbo. Careful, realistic illustrations in this guessing book show a fruit or vegetable growing in a garden; a page turn shows each being harvested, prepared, or eaten by a child. The adequate rhyming text hints at each plant’s identity, and the reveal includes a related recipe. Additional information on produce, plant parts, and cooking terms are appended. Reading list, websites.
Subjects: Farm Life, Husbandry, and Gardening; Cookery; Fruits and vegetables; Plants; Stories in rhyme

Burns, Loree Griffin Citizen Scientists: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery from Your Own Backyard
Gr. 4–6    80 pp. Holt

Photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz. Burns brings much-deserved attention to four remarkable scientific projects that enlist regular people in data collection: the Monarch Watch butterfly tagging project, the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, a project documenting ladybug species, and a frog study. Detailed accounts of the procedures along with the handsome color photography make the idea of participation highly appealing. Bib., glos., ind.
Subjects: Natural History; Animals—Butterflies; Animals—Birds; Animals—Frogs; Animals—Ladybugs

Lanz, Helen Lettuce
Gr. 4–6   32 pp. Sea to Sea

Lanz, Helen Potatoes
Gr. 4–6    32 pp. Sea to Sea

Lanz, Helen Strawberries
Gr. 4–6    32 pp. Sea to Sea

Lanz, Helen Tomatoes
Gr. 4–6    32 pp. Sea to Sea

Grow Your Own series. With plenty of color photos of kids demonstrating the step-by-step instructions, these guides for beginners make gardening seem approachable and enjoyable. The easy-to-read text describes planting, care, and harvesting, as well as how to spot and solve problems such as pests and disease, over- or under-watering, and frost danger. Each book ends with a gardening calendar and related recipe. Websites. Glos., ind.
Subjects: Farm Life, Husbandry, and Gardening; Fruits and vegetables; Fruits and vegetables—Potatoes; Fruits and vegetables—Tomatoes; Plants

Root, Phyllis Plant a Pocket of Prairie
Gr. K–3   40 pp. Minnesota

Illustrated by Betsy Bowen. There isn’t much prairie left in the U.S., thanks to human farming and development. Readers are encouraged to reverse this trend by planting native plants in their own backyards, and watching what animals are attracted by each plant species. Mixed-media illustrations are placed on white backgrounds, their chunky outlines a modern twist on botanical illustration. The conservation and restoration message is universal.
Subjects: Farm Life, Husbandry, and Gardening; Prairies; Plants; Animals; Environment—Ecology; Environment—Conservation; Minnesota

From the May 2014 issue of Nonfiction Notes from the Horn Book.

The post Gardening and outdoor discovery appeared first on The Horn Book.

Butterworth, Chris See What a Seal Can Do
PS–Gr. 3   32 pp. Candlewick

Illustrated by Kate Nelms. Butterworth tells the story of one gray seal’s search for food. He dives down deep, and on his way back up, he comes across a mackerel shoal (an impressively illustrated motion-filled orb). Facts about seals appear in smaller italicized type throughout the conversational main text. Textured, realistic-looking mixed-media illustrations show the creature at home in both of its natural habitats. Websites. Ind.
Subjects: Natural History; Animals—Seals

Hibbert, Clare If You Were a Shark
Gr. K–3      32 pp. Smart Apple

If You Were A… series. This easy-to-read book provides an accessible glimpse into the world of sharks. Chapters include information on physical attributes, movement, hunting, and use of senses. Photographs show well-known species like the great white as well as the more unusual cookiecutter shark. The organized layout makes this an engaging and approachable book for interested readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.
Subjects: Fish; Animals—Sharks

Simon, Seymour Seymour Simon’s Extreme Oceans
Gr. 4–6   57 pp. Chronicle

Simon presents an informative, wide-reaching overview of the earth’s oceans, each chapter featuring a different aspect of ocean science, from storms, tides, and tsunamis to whales, turtle migrations, and coral reefs. Conservation in light of human interaction and climate change is also discussed. High-quality color photographs in attractive, functional layouts support the text. Ind.
Subjects: General Science and Experiments; Oceans; Animals—Marine animals; Marine ecology; Weather

Swinburne, Stephen R. The Sea Turtle Scientist
Gr. 4–6, middle school    65 pp. Houghton

Scientists in the Field series. This series entry follows Dr. Kimberly Stewart, a.k.a. the “turtle lady,” who studies endangered sea turtles with The Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST) on the island of St. Kitts. Swinburne covers what we know about the species and how we know it, and showcases WIDECAST’s refreshingly cooperative, respectful approach to the island’s human residents as it works for the turtles’ preservation. Reading list, websites. Glos.
Subjects: Reptiles and Amphibians; Animals—Sea turtles; Scientists; Marine biology

Turner, Pamela S. The Dolphins of Shark Bay
Gr. 4–6, middle school   76 pp. Houghton

Photographs by Scott Tuason. Scientists in the Field series. In the ocean waters of Western Australia, the scientists of the Shark Bay Dolphin Project investigate the behaviors of the highly intelligent bottlenose dolphin, which, unique among the species, uses tools. The detailed descriptions of the scientists’ day-to-day activities provide a window into the practice of animal behavior studies. Color photographs portray both the dolphins and the scientists hard at work at their observations. Bib., ind.
Subjects: Mammals; Animals—Dolphins; Scientists; Marine biology

From the May 2014 issue of Nonfiction Notes from the Horn Book.

The post Oceanography appeared first on The Horn Book.