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The air becomes the narrator in this very simple look at the air and what it does. Blending clear text with colorful artwork, Karas introduces the idea that this invisible gaseous substance is always around you, but it cannot be observed by seeing it or smelling it. Still, air plays a vital part in carrying matter, moisture, and sounds; climate and weather patterns; shielding the Earth from harmful rays; and more. A concluding author's note provides additional information. This book makes a great start to investigate the atmosphere, weather, and climate. Ages 4 - 7 Atmosphere; Weather; Earth; Nature; Personification |
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This Skirt Won't Work!: How Women Athletes Changed Their Clothes and Changed the Game by Jennifer Cooper; illustrated by Eva Byrne Lively rhyming text and colorful cartoon artwork introduce female athletes from the past who dared to make changes to their expected attire, allowing them to up their game! Readers meet Katherine "Kittie" Knox who donned knickerbockers in place of a skirt in 1890s Boston to improve her bicycling speed; Australia's Annette Kellerman who designed a sleeker swimsuit in the early 1900s; and France's Suzanne Lenglen who put aside a long dress for a shorter, sleeveless tennis outfit in 1919. An author's note provides a bit more detail and points out some more recent breakthroughs in women's sportswear. Ages 5 - 10 History; Sports; Biography; Women's History; Defying Social Norms
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Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? This clever nonfiction picture book tells the tale of American produce king John Nix, who wanted to import and sell tomatoes in the late 1800s. However, when the produce was classified as a vegetable, not a fruit, the resulting import taxes impacted his profits. He set out to prove that tomatoes, which have seeds and grow on vines, were fruits, arguing this claim all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Told with a light touch and illustrated with appealing humor, this fact-packed book invites readers to analyze the arguments for both "Team Fruit" and "Team Vegetable." A section at the end presents definitions, lists additional facts and resources, and provides pointers for how to persuade someone to agree with you (a mini-introduction to debating). Ages 7 - 12 United States History; Fruits and Vegetables; Court Cases; Debating |
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Fleming invites readers to become detectives and join the effort to uncover the truth about this legendary beast. "You are an investigator for the Black Swan Scientific Investigation (BSSI) team. Your job is to uncover — if you can — the natural world's greatest mysteries." Blending text with historical photos, chapters present reported sightings and evidence of Nessie through the years. In addition, Fleming provides information about how to evaluate and interpret evidence (explaining, for example, the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence). This engaging book taps into curiosity while fostering critical thinking skills and scientific methodology. Ages 8 - 12 Mysteries; Science; Monsters; Detectives |
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Night Chef, a raccoon, has lived her entire life in the walls of a human restaurant, where she secretly cooks after hours. One evening, while creating a new dish, she saves a just-hatched baby crow and accidentally becomes locked out of the restaurant. Determined to find the chick's family, she sets out on an adventure that will utilize all of her chef's skills and bring her face to face with danger. Along the way, she finally finds a family to call her own. This enchanting graphic novel is illustrated with shimmering watercolor artwork that sets the scenes and conveys the characters' emotions. The book ends with a recipe for "Fly Frittata" (the faint of heart — or stomach — can substitute pretzels for crickets and peanut butter/sun butter for mushy worms). Ages 7 -12 Graphic Novels; Cooking; Animals; Adventures; Friendship; Families |
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Though she prefers to stay in the forest, Minerva Shrew is called upon by her cousin Tenacity to tackle a mystery in the nearby human house. A string of pearls has gone missing, and the diminutive detective must solve the crime before the human owner goes into extreme extermination mode. The resulting adventure unfolds with wordplay and wit, delightfully drawn characters, enchanting illustrations, and a good opportunity for readers to solve the crime along with the "shrewd" detective. Minerva has papered her walls with pages discarded from a dictionary, adding aptly applied vocabulary words and their definitions to the mix. A delightful read, from beginning to satisfying ending. Ages 7 - 12 Mysteries; Detectives; Animal Stories; Pygmy Shrews; Vocabulary |
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Set in late 12th-cenury France, this historical novel stars 12-year-old Blanca, princess of Castille, whose life is upended when her elderly grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, comes to visit. Headstrong, impetuous, and fearless, Blanca has been busy exploring the castle grounds and eavesdropping on the latest gossip. Her focus soon shifts to getting to know her stern grandmother and understanding the woman's expectations. (She is forging a political alliance with France and determining which princess of Castille will marry Prince Louis.) Before long, Blanca finds herself on a perilous journey to Paris, along with her handmaiden and friend, Suna. Historical facts and strong characterizations are woven into a fascinating story of adventure, personal growth, family relationships, and friendship. Ages 9 - 14 Historical Fiction; Adventure; Friendship; Destiny; Queens; Women's Role in History |
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When a girl and her father pluck delicious cherries from their backyard tree, Daddy tells her they should be grateful to Ah Bing for the treat. That night, the child imagines his story, embracing an American tall-tale style of narration. Born in China, Bing arrives in San Francisco and wades ashore. He travels to Oregon, where he picks fruit from trees without a ladder and uses his singing voice to make trees grow taller. When people who hate Chinese workers attack Bing and his men, he builds a wall to protect them. His tears water cherry seeds that eventually grow into trees loaded with the luscious fruits that would be named for him. The bold illustrations perfectly fit the larger-than-life telling. An author's note provides background about the real Ah Bing, and two cherry recipes are included. Read this story and identify how facts become exaggerated. Compare and contrast to other tall tales such as those about Johnny Appleseed and Paul Bunyan. Ages 5 - 10 Food; Cultures; Immigrants; Chinese-Americans; Farmers; Heritage; Family; American Tall Tales |
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This story's young narrator is in awe of his dad, and his ability to know so many things and answer so many questions...until a certain night at the dinner table. After everyone else in the family blows on their very hot potatoes to cool them off, his dad dives right in to take a bite. His reaction — eyes popping, hands flapping, head bopping before spitting out the food — is hilariously over the top, and the artwork makes the most of the slapstick humor. Skillfully told from a youngster's perspective, this book captures an important moment of realization in a child's life. ("That's the day that I found out that my dad does not know...everything.") Family Stories; Humorous Stories; Food; Family Interactions; Learning that Parents Make Mistakes |
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A mother and two children bake bread together in a family activity that satisfies both stomachs and hearts. As they measure ingredients together, explore with their senses, dance around the kitchen while the loaf rises, and dream of the tastes to come, they enjoy spending time together and the activity of creation. This charmingly illustrated book ends with an author's note and a bread recipe. Read this story and then research the many different types of breads available and the cultures that created them. Discuss your own family's bread rituals. Ages 4 - 8 Family Stories; Food; Baking; Family Togetherness; Traditions |
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"What does it take to make life...delicious?" Lively rhyming text and colorful artwork provide the answer, introducing an ancient condiment that fills the mouth with umami ("the spirit of savory"). A smidgeon of history is conveyed, along with the idea that everyone makes soy sauce differently: Luan makes Chinese soy sauce with shiny pearly soybean seeds; Haru adds toasty wheat for a Japanese version; Yoo-mi mixes in jujubes and chilis for Korean spicy-sweet flavor. Whatever the ingredients, good soy sauce takes years to make but is worth the wait! An author's note provides additional information. Ages 4 - 8 Food; Cultures; Cooking; Family Stories; Traditions |
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Family Feast! by Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrated by Frank Morrison Big Ma and Pops are up early, eager for extended family to arrive at their rowhouse in the city. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and more pitch in to help with the preparations, until the feast is laid out on the table; thanks are given; and everyone digs in. The refrain, "Tastes like home when family meet; / a bond so warm, so strong, so sweet," is repeated throughout the rhyming text, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of this love-filled celebration. The artwork is packed with details that warmly depict the large cast of characters and their interactions. This book is a lovely ode to family celebrations. Ages 4 - 8 Food; Family Celebrations; Cooking; Love; Traditions |
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Pikes Peak Library District
P.O. Box 1579, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80901
(719) 531-6333https://ppld.org/ |
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