Non-Fiction (Just for Fun!): New Kids’ Books, August 2015 Edition
Non-fiction books aren’t just for school projects. There are many amazing non-fiction books for kids that span any topic you can'think of for inquirers of all ages. Here are my top picks for new non-fiction books that are high interest and informative.
Edible Numbers
by Jennifer Vogel Bass
This simple concept book invites children to count the different types of fruits and vegetables on each page. The white backgrounds contrast beautifully with the colourful photographs of different varieties of familiar foods. Preschoolers will love comparing a traditional Navel orange to 12 other types of citrus fruits. My favourite is the Buddha's Hand citron!
We Dig Worms!
by Kevin McCloskey
Worms are fascinating little creatures! McCloskey’s cartoon illustrations take children through the life of a worm from the tunnels they make in the dirt to helping plants grow to the anatomy of their insides. (Did you know that garden worms have 5 pairs of hearts?) The layout is accessible and fun and curious minds will soon want to explore the great outdoors looking for worms…especially after it rains!
Trombone Shorty
by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews
Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Narrative non-fiction is a great way to explore a topic in a casual way. It’s an especially great way to learn about a specific person you may never had known about before. Troy Andrews is “Trombone Shorty” a New Orleans based trombone player. Collier beautifully illustrates the story of how Andrews first got hold of a trombone as a child in Tremé, his music drenched neighbourhood of New Orleans. Andrews worked hard his whole life playing the trombone and now tours the world with his own band as well as playing with bands and musicians such as U2, Prince and B.B. King. You can check out some of his CDs from the library as well.
4 thoughts on “Non-Fiction (Just for Fun!): New Kids’ Books, August 2015 Edition”
Good to know.
I recommend a book by Jim West called Libellus de Numeros (The Book of Math) that my 11-year-old daughter just finished reading. The story is about Alex, a young precocious girl, who mysteriously gets transported to a strange world where Latin and Math combine in formulas and equations with magical effects. With a cruel council leading the only safe city of its kind in this world, she will have to prove her worth to stay as well as help this city as it is the target for two evil wizards who seek to destroy the city and its ruling council. To help the city and also get back home, she will need the help of the greatest mathematician of all time, Archimedes. In a world where math is magic, Alex wishes she paid more attention in math class.
A Goodread 5-star review said:
“The storyline inspires a hunger for knowledge and a ‘can do’ attitude – a strong message of empowerment for young readers. I’m sure that this book will be interesting to read for both, boys and girls, as well as adult readers. Libellus de Numeros means ‘Book of Numbers’ and it’s a magical textbook in the story. Math and science are wonderfully incorporated into a captivating plot: Latin and math are presented as exciting tools to make ‘magic’ and while Latin is often used as a language of magic the addition of math is definitely a fresh approach.
“The main heroine Alex is a very relatable character for young people, especially girls. I love that she has her flaws and goes through struggles all too familiar to a lot of young people. Alex is an authentic female role model – a very courageous girl, who is not afraid to stand up for herself and others and who is able to learn fast how to use knowledge to her best advantage.
“She can definitely do everything that boys can and I find this to be a very powerful message that is needed in our modern society. Furthermore, it was a pleasure to read through the pages of a well-formatted eBook. Highly recommended!”
Thanks b!
Thanks for the suggestion Tamara!