Next Tuesday (February 9), Lauren’s class will be discussing several books. The theme for the day is “The past made present” so they will look at both historical fiction and nonfiction — including one book that’s a hybrid of the two.
Everyone will be reading One Crazy Summer; they will choose to read either No Crystal Stair or Bomb; and they are being asked to explore (but not necessarily read in full) either Claudette Colvin or Marching to Freedom.
We welcome all of you to join the discussion on these posts:
- Two historical fiction books:
- One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
- No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson; illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
- Three nonfiction books:
- Bomb: the Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin
- Claudette Colvin by Phillip Hoose
- Marching For Freedom by Elizabeth Partridge
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Bomb: the Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steven Shenkin
Claudette Colvin by Phillip Hoose
Marching For Freedom by Elizabeth Partridge
Good nonfiction shares many of the qualities of good fiction; the best writers pay as much attention to narrative, style, and characterization as to careful research of the facts. Design is another important feature of much nonfiction. Which literary elements are most notable in the works for this week?
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With all of the push to get young children more interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics, many schools, libraries, and after school programs are integrating these topics into their activities. And, with so many great picture book biographies of scientists available, there is no reason that storytime activities and at-home reading time can’t also complement these activities and help to inspire young children to pursue their interest in STEM topics. Check out some of these books to bring out the inner scientist in your preschool through third grade students.
On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky
This book starts with Einstein’s childhood and introduces readers to a boy who didn’t talk, but did look with wonder at the world around him. As it progresses through to his later life, the book focuses on the way that Einstein thought and how this led to his contributions to science. The illustrations fit well with this focus as they have a decidedly dreamy quality to them. Perfect for younger readers.
Look Up!: Henrietta Leavitt, Pioneering Woman Astronomer by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Raúl Colón
Though Henrietta Leavitt may not be a name that is familiar to most, she made key contributions to the field of astronomy during her time at the Harvard College Observatory during the late 1800s. This biography brings her work to life through a combination of beautiful artwork and a compelling story. Leavitt’s story and the included information about astronomy will inspire young children to study the stars.
The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps by Jeanette Winter
Jane Goodall remains one of the most famous primatologists ever and this book tells her life story starting during her childhood in England through to her time working among the chimpanzees in Tanzania with the scientist Louis Leakey. The book also includes Goodall’s important work as an advocate and activist for chimpanzees and, as such, will introduce children who love animals to the world of activism as well.
Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson
Another great book for children who are interested in stars and the field of astronomy, this book offers an insight into Carl Sagan’s life and inspiration. Starting with a trip to the New York World’s Fair in 1939 and his nights spent looking out his window to stare at the stars, this book follows Sagan throughout his life and career as a renowned astronomer who worked with NASA. This is a wonderful addition to any collection of science picture books.
A Boy and a Jaguar by Alan Rabinowitz, illustrated by Catia Chien
The only book on this list written by its subject, this book tells the story of Alan Rabinowitz, a biologist and conservationist whose love of animals helped him to overcome his stuttering when he found that he could talk to animals without any problem. This winner of the 2015 Schneider Family Book Award will inspire all students to pursue their passions.
This list offers a few suggestions for great science biographies, but there are plenty more to choose from. Let me know in the comments if your favorites didn’t make my list. I also love learning about new science biography picture books!
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In next week’s class, we’ll be talking about four information books:
Things sure have changed since I was in elementary school. Instead of providing every fact known — or at least everything needed to write a report — information books nowadays aim to be as engaging as possible in order to get children interested in their subject. The idea is that it’s better to leave them wanting more and then provide a bibliography at the end of the book. I think this is a big improvement.
The other new development is that many new information books provide information on several levels, often using different typefaces. Every year, some of my ed students are frustrated by this kind of delivery, finding it draining or overwhelming, and they fear their students will dislike it, too. Others, particularly visual learners and those who know kids with attention issues, love it. I think the key is to let children explore these books rather making them “accountable for” reading and retaining every word. If the subject grabs a kid, then he or she might go through the book a second, third, and even fourth time, reading and noticing more and more.
Please join us in discussing these books at the links above. We’re also reading three articles related to Dave the Potter‘s Coretta Scott King award. You can find the articles at the links below, but we’ll discuss them here.
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In next week’s class, we’ll be talking about information books.
Things sure have changed since I was in elementary school. Instead of providing every fact known — or at least everything needed to write a report — information books nowadays aim to be as engaging as possible in order to get children interested in their subject. The idea is that it’s better to leave them wanting more and then provide a bibliography in the back of the book. I think this is a big improvement.
Three of the four books we’re reading do just that (Actual Size by Steve Jenkins; Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell; and Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill, illustrated by Bryan Collier) and the other (Look Up! by Anette LeBlanc Cate) gives lots and lots and lots of information, but still provides a bibliography at the end.
The other new development is that many new information books provide information on several levels, often using different typefaces. Actual Size has large type with bolded animal names, and the youngest children might want that text alone. Page by page, just name the animal. But there is also smaller print providing measurements since that’s really the idea behind this book: how big are these animals? Look Up! delivers its information four different ways: the most important facts and narrative in a regular serif text, goofy and anthropomorphised comments in handwritten word balloons, boxed facts in sans serif type, and brief hand-written facts and labels that give more specific information. The word balloons tend to be light and jokey, and I could imagine kids who aren’t sure if they will like this subject gravitating toward these during their first time through the book. If they are hooked, then they can go back and read the serif text, and maybe the labels and boxed facts as well.
Every year, I find my that some of my ed students hate this kind of delivery, finding it draining and overwhelming and fearing their students will dislike it, too. Others, particularly those who know kids with attention issues, love it. From what I’ve heard about the appeal of these books, children are more apt to be drawn to this style, as long as they are not being “made accountable for it.” In other words, these books are meant to be explored rather than conquered. Reading every single word is not a requirement. But if the subject grabs a kid, then he or she might go through the book a second, third, and even fourth time, reading and noticing more and more.
Please join us in discussing these books at the links above. We’re also reading three articles related to Dave the Potter‘s Coretta Scott King award. You can find the articles at the links below, but we’ll discuss them here.
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