National Non-Fiction November (7th November National Non-Fiction Day) Part 1 Authors and Illustrators

National Non-Fiction November was set up by the Federation of Children's Book Groups in the UK as a way to highlight the importance of information books and to promote reading non-fiction for pleasure. 

National Literacy Trust research (2022), said more than half (56%) of children and young people told us that they read non-fiction. We also found that children and young people who read non-fiction are more engaged with environmental issues.

Overall, this report found that more children and young people who read non-fiction were motivated to read for educational purposes, to satisfy curiosities, to foster social connections and to support their mental wellbeing.

Each year, National Non-Fiction November has a different theme. The theme for 2024 is Why Don’t You…? and is designed to stimulate discussion around hobbies and leisure activities and to encourage young people to try something new. (More about this in Part 2)

Non-Fiction books for young children have definitely changed from the traditional non-fiction books used for research which had short tiles, photographs, a contents page, an index, a glossary and other features ideal for researching. Now some of the most exquisitely illustrated books in the library are in the non-fiction section of the library. Another difference is the amount of narrative nonfiction that now exists and it is not only biography.

Author/illustrators such as these excel at non-fiction and while the list is not exhaustive, these will make a great beginning reading-wise and display-wise.

• Jason Chin

• Nicola Davies 

• Jenni Desmond

• Candace Fleming

• Meredith Hooper

• Martin Jenkins

• Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

• Claire Saxby

• Melissa Stewart

• Yuval Zommer

Read Grow Inspire Book Week Slogan 2023 (Part 4) GROW

GROW    HOW?

Back to the definition of 'grow'... to become larger or greater over a period of time. How does this happen? Lets read to find out...

Grow: Secrets of Our DNA  by Nicola Davies and Emily Sutton

This book begins with the statement, "All living things grow."

The corresponding illustrations show that plants, animals, and humans do just that. 

This understanding is further refined by the next observation: "The way living things grow helps them to survive in different places." Complementary illustrations depict plants and animals that grow quickly or slowly depending on their location.

Beautifully lucid, engaging sentences blend with detailed, informative illustrations that artfully extend big ideas about growth and the role of DNA. 

Something simpler that looks at how young animals — and people — grow into unique individuals is 

Grow by JoAnn Early Macken and Stephanie Fizer Coleman

As We Grow  by Libby Walden and Richard Jones 

No one knows what lies ahead or who they’ll grow to be, It’s all a part of growing up.

In this stunning picture book, Richard Jones’ enchanting illustrations sensitively depict each stage of life and the journey of transformation that we undergo as we grow up. 

The Growing Story by Ruth Krauss and Helen Oxenbury

A little boy, some chicks and a puppy live on a farm. They see the first signs of spring growing in the fields and the little boy asks his mother if he and the puppy will grow too. Of course you will, she assures him, and as spring turns to summer he sees his dog growing taller and the chicks become chickens. But as the seasons change and everything grows around him, the little boy feels like he has stayed the same. Can he really be growing too?

Now to the most obvious way to celebrate growing...look at books about, plants, gardens and growing things for yourself. (Pinterest on Gardening)

Grow! by Rizanino Reyes and Sara Boccaccini Meadows 

Here we meet  fifteen plants and fungi with incredible powers, then learn how to grow them.

Beginning  by   Shelley Moore Thomas and Melissa Castrillon

A father and child see all the wonders and connections in nature and in life as they go about their day.

From a seed to a plant, from an egg to a chick, from a caterpillar to a butterfly, a child and father observe the cycles of nature and come to see that as each journey ends, new adventures begin.

You will not have any trouble finding five books on growing for a book a day!

21st June World Giraffe Day

World Giraffe Day is an annual event initiated by the Giraffe Conservation Federation to celebrate the longest-necked animal on the longest day of the year. I have blogged about it before but this time I want to highlight two biographies about Anne Innis Dagg, the first giraffologist and the new book by Nicola Davies and Emily Sutton, The Season of Giraffes.

When Anne Innis Dagg saw her first giraffe in a zoo she was entranced. So much so that a love for giraffes shaped her whole life. She decided at a young age that she would one day travel from her home in Canada to study giraffes in their natural environment in Africa. 

After overcoming obstacles based on her gender, Anne succeeded in fulfilling her dream in 1956 and became the world's leading scientific expert on giraffes and continues to be an advocate for giraffes in their natural environment through her foundation.

Her work is now accessible to child readers through these two books.

• Anne and her Tower of Giraffes (2022) by Karlin Gray and Apart Varma 

Read a review 

•The Girl Who Loved Giraffes and Became the World's First Giraffologist (2021)by Kathy Stinson and Francois Thisdale. See review here.

The Seasons of the Giraffes is an inspiring story of how giraffes have dealt with modern climate change. Here's the blurb:

In this powerful picture-book, bestselling children's author Nicola Davies writes in collaboration with conservationist Kisilu Musya to explain how one of the world's best-loved animals has dealt with the challenges of climate change. Giraffes were once a part of daily life in Niger – but after severe droughts one year, when the rains eventually return, the giraffes are nowhere to be seen. However, as award-winning artist Emily Sutton's magnificent illustrations capture, The Season of Giraffes ultimately has a hopeful, celebratory story to share ... and an important point to make about how human beings can change for the better.

Here's Nicola Davies blogging about this book.

3rd September Hummingbird Day

The first Saturday in September means it is time to celebrate hummingbirds. These very small, delicate- looking, pretty birds are fascinating because of their long migration and special skills, but we do not have them in Australia.  Perhaps that is why they fascinate me. Most Australian birds are large and noisy so perhaps hummingbirds have novelty value for me, like robins do.

Hummingbirds are tiny, colourful, thin-beaked birds that get their name from the humming noise that occurs when they flap their wings very fast. The over 300 species of hummingbirds are natives of North and South America.

Hummingbirds lay the smallest eggs of all birds. They are smaller than a jellybean!

A hummingbird's heart rate is more than 1200 beats per minute. Our heart rate is only 60 to 100 beats a minute.

It is easy for Australian children to learn about hummingbirds from beautifully illustrated children's books. Try these:

• Hummingbird  by Nicola Davies and Jane Ray

• Tiny Bird  by Robert Burleigh and Wendell Minor

• My Tiny Life by Ruby T. Hummingbird by Paul Meisel

And there is a lovely section about hummingbirds in The Most Important Animal of All by Penny Worms and Hannah Bailey

Looking for nonfiction?

• Hummingbirds  by Quinn M. Arnold

 • Hummingbirds  by Bonnie Bader

 • Time to Shine: Celebrating the World's Iridescent Animals by                Karen Jameson and Dave Murray

And stories:

• The Little Hummingbird by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas

This inspiring children's book is based on a South American indigenous story about a courageous hummingbird who defies fear and expectations in her attempt to save the forest from fire. The illustrated story is supplemented by a natural and cultural history of hummingbirds, as well as an inspiring message from Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. The evocative artwork by internationally renowned Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas complements this optimistic tale that encourages everyone to take responsibility for their home and the planet. 

• Hector and Hummingbird  by Nicholas John Frith

• Soar by Hillary Daecher and Angie Hohenadel

22nd April World Earth Day

 

Earth Day is celebrated every year as a day of action to raise awareness of environmental challenges and issues that negatively impact our planet. It is celebrated annually on the 22nd of April. But this year, organisers are calling for three days of climate action from the 20th - 22nd April.

The theme of Earth Day 2022 is “Restore Our Earth”. 

This theme is not only about reducing the negative environmental impacts we have on the planet, but also about how we can help restore our earth after the effects of COVID-19, and about ways we can help repair the damage we have done to our planet.

Since its inception in 1970 Earth Day has only grown in popularity and observance, being recognised in over 190 countries by over 1 billion people! Today, Earth Day is widely recognised as the largest secular observance in the world. 

Recently we have added some amazingly good books to the library in support of UN SDG 17 Global Partnerships. These four stand out.

• One World, a new book by Nicola Davies and Jenni Desmond is the book for this event because it is a spectacular tour of Planet Earth with a powerful rallying cry for all children to be informed about and do something for their planet.

Here is the blurb:

Where on Earth are you, right now? It's late where I am and almost everyone's asleep, but I'm awake, looking out into the night. Wondering... As the clock strikes midnight, a little girl and her sister visit animals of every shape and size, all around the world - discovering that, in some places, creatures have just started their day, where in others they're already busy hunting for food. Turning the popular concept of time-zones on its head and combining it with a powerful climate message and delightful illustrations, this book is narrative non-fiction at its most spellbinding. 

• It 's Up to Us: A Children's Terra Carta for Nature, People and Planet by Christopher Lloyd

Here is the blurb:

We live our lives surrounded by people and other living things. Together, we are Nature. As far as we know, this extraordinary web of life exists in just one precious layer of a single planet - Earth. But today Nature is under threat, and we must demand change to save it - and ourselves. Join His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, author Christopher Lloyd, and 33 diverse, award-winning artists from around the world on a beautiful, lyrical and thought-provoking voyage through Nature, the threats we face, and an action plan for the future. It’s Up to Us is based on the Terra Carta, a roadmap to sustainability issued by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and his Sustainable Markets Initiative. More than 400 corporations have already signed on, agreeing to put the health of Nature, People and the Planet at the heart of their activities. Now it’s up to all of us to make sure our leaders keep their promises.

You can find out about the origins of this book here.

• I Have the Right to Save My Planet by Alain Serres and Aurelia Fronty

Here is the blurb:

All children have the right to learn about the world, to celebrate the water, air and sunshine, and to be curious about the animals and plants that live on our planet. All children also have the right to learn about endangered species, to be concerned about plastic in the ocean, and to understand what a changing climate means for our Earth.

Scientists tell us that every living thing is connected. When we cut down forests, we destroy animal habitats. When we throw plastic in the garbage, it never really goes away. When we spray pesticides on our fruit and vegetables, we poison the earth, animals and ourselves.

What can children do to help? Told from the perspective of a child, this colourful and vibrant book explores what it means to be a child who dreams of a beautiful future for their planet.

• Do Something for Someone Else  by Loll Kirby and Yas Imamura

Here is the blurb:

Meet kids - just like you - whose small acts of kindness are changing the lives of others. Learn about the work they do and discover how the future of our world starts here - with you.

Features a how-to-help section, with simple steps to inspire young readers to take action at home and at school. 

16th July World Snake day

It's World Snake Day! I'm certainly not enamoured of snakes, but the students I teach are. In fact the snake books in the library are nearly as popular as the shark books. Usually they want to borrow expository texts and marvel at the photos. We have many books that satisfy this need, the most popular probably being Damian Goodall's The Snake Book: Slip Sliding Away, but if you are looking for some picture books, these are some of the newer and more popular ones in the library:

• I (Don't) Like Snakes by Nicola Davies and Luciano Lozana
• Python by Christopher Cheng and Mark Jackson
• There's a Snake in My School!  by David Walliams and Tony Ross
• Boa's Bad Birthday by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
• Anna and Otis  by Maisie Paradise Shearring
• I Saw Anaconda by Emma Dodd and Jane Clarke

If you want to share a short novel, try:
• Akimbo and the Snakes  by Alexander McCall Smith
• The Snake Who Came to Stay by Julia Donaldson
• Snake and Lizard  by Joy Cowley

I have written about snakes before here.