Melissa Stewart is one of
my author heroes and her blog has provided an endless amount of resources and
ideas that I have been able to apply to my classroom instruction. I’ve been
following along with Monday’s “5 Faves” posts and, by Tuesday, my bank account
usually feels the effects. Being invited to contribute is an honor.
From the moment I agreed
to write this post, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how I would
possibly narrow down my list of favorite expository nonfiction to just five
titles—a problem I have often when someone asks me for a book
recommendation!
to write this post, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how I would
possibly narrow down my list of favorite expository nonfiction to just five
titles—a problem I have often when someone asks me for a book
recommendation!
I began this journey by
sifting through my nonfiction book bins. I pulled out titles. . . lots of them.
I brought them home, spent the weekend sorting, re-reading, and
analyzing. I read through all of the previous “5 Fave” posts. Then I did
the same all over again the following week. As I sit here writing this, I am
still unsure which five are going to make my list, but what I do know is I want
to include titles that have not yet been included in other lists. Hopefully,
some of these books and/or authors will be new to you, but will soon find a
home in your classroom libraries!
sifting through my nonfiction book bins. I pulled out titles. . . lots of them.
I brought them home, spent the weekend sorting, re-reading, and
analyzing. I read through all of the previous “5 Fave” posts. Then I did
the same all over again the following week. As I sit here writing this, I am
still unsure which five are going to make my list, but what I do know is I want
to include titles that have not yet been included in other lists. Hopefully,
some of these books and/or authors will be new to you, but will soon find a
home in your classroom libraries!
A Warmer World: From Polar Bears to Butterflies, How Climate Change Affects Wildlife by
Caroline Arnold and illustrated by Jamie Hogan (Charlesbridge, 2012)
Caroline Arnold and illustrated by Jamie Hogan (Charlesbridge, 2012)
How many times a week do
our students see or hear something about global warming on the news, on social
media, or around their dinner tables? This book is a great place to start
to help kids understand how climate change impacts animals around the world.
our students see or hear something about global warming on the news, on social
media, or around their dinner tables? This book is a great place to start
to help kids understand how climate change impacts animals around the world.
An introduction provides
an example of how the golden toads of Costa Rica have been impacted by climate
change and goes on to explain the science behind climate change. Following the
introduction, the reader will find headings, such as “Wildlife in a Warmer
World,” “Higher and Cooler,” “Changing Seasons,” and “Warmer Water,” to
name just a few. After an introduction into each heading, information about the
impact on specific animals is noted on what looks like a piece of paper ripped
from a notebook. Each double-page spread includes illustrations of the
animals mentioned in their natural habitats, along with tags that label each
animal in the art. A conclusion at the end focuses on our future in a warmer
world and is followed by backmatter, including a glossary and other website/book
sources to explore. This could be a mentor text in lessons on writing
introductions/conclusions, format choices, and use of subtitles.
an example of how the golden toads of Costa Rica have been impacted by climate
change and goes on to explain the science behind climate change. Following the
introduction, the reader will find headings, such as “Wildlife in a Warmer
World,” “Higher and Cooler,” “Changing Seasons,” and “Warmer Water,” to
name just a few. After an introduction into each heading, information about the
impact on specific animals is noted on what looks like a piece of paper ripped
from a notebook. Each double-page spread includes illustrations of the
animals mentioned in their natural habitats, along with tags that label each
animal in the art. A conclusion at the end focuses on our future in a warmer
world and is followed by backmatter, including a glossary and other website/book
sources to explore. This could be a mentor text in lessons on writing
introductions/conclusions, format choices, and use of subtitles.
Lives of Athletes: Thrills, Spills, and What the Neighbors Thought by
Kathleen Krull and illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,
1997)
Kathleen Krull and illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,
1997)
Like all nine of the books
in the series, Krull profiles a diverse cast. In this case, twenty athletes,
including Jim Thorpe, Duke Kahanamoku, Gertrude Ederle, Babe Didrikson Zaharias,
Wilma Rudolph, Pete Maravich, and Bruce Lee. While well-known names like Babe
Ruth, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, and Pele may be what draw students in, they
will keep reading because these biographies are chock full of little-known
facts. A framed drawing of the featured person begins each biography.
Krull includes a tagline (i.e. Looking Good Without Clothes— Johnny Weissmuller) before each name,
followed by a birth/death place and date. Below that, the reader will find a
quick blurb of sports accomplishments (i.e Record-breaking American swimmer,
winner of five gold medals at the 1924 and 1928 Olympics, later famous as
Tarzan).
in the series, Krull profiles a diverse cast. In this case, twenty athletes,
including Jim Thorpe, Duke Kahanamoku, Gertrude Ederle, Babe Didrikson Zaharias,
Wilma Rudolph, Pete Maravich, and Bruce Lee. While well-known names like Babe
Ruth, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, and Pele may be what draw students in, they
will keep reading because these biographies are chock full of little-known
facts. A framed drawing of the featured person begins each biography.
Krull includes a tagline (i.e. Looking Good Without Clothes— Johnny Weissmuller) before each name,
followed by a birth/death place and date. Below that, the reader will find a
quick blurb of sports accomplishments (i.e Record-breaking American swimmer,
winner of five gold medals at the 1924 and 1928 Olympics, later famous as
Tarzan).
This is a book that
students can dip in and out of, but once I started reading, I couldn’t stop.
Many of the athletes were new to me and reading more about their personal lives
than their athletic fame made me feel like I had the inside scoop! After the
text of each biography, Krull includes a bulleted list of each person’s Athleticisms,
highlighting his/her sports accomplishments. Backmatter includes a Selected
Bibliography. As a biography writing mentor, this book can be used to help
students focus on aspects of a person’s life that haven’t been written about
before, lessons on taglines, and each individual biography can be used to teach
structure and format.
students can dip in and out of, but once I started reading, I couldn’t stop.
Many of the athletes were new to me and reading more about their personal lives
than their athletic fame made me feel like I had the inside scoop! After the
text of each biography, Krull includes a bulleted list of each person’s Athleticisms,
highlighting his/her sports accomplishments. Backmatter includes a Selected
Bibliography. As a biography writing mentor, this book can be used to help
students focus on aspects of a person’s life that haven’t been written about
before, lessons on taglines, and each individual biography can be used to teach
structure and format.
Curious Critters by David FitzSimmons (Wild Iris,
2011)
2011)
From my experience as a
mom and a teacher, kids tend to be drawn to animal books. Curious Critters is eye-catching, with a close-up photograph of a
gray tree frog against a stark white background on the cover. Each page
includes a beautiful photo, along with information about the critter. Some are
written in prose, some in verse, and all are written from the unique perspective
of that particular critter. Twenty-one critters are represented, including
Ohio crawfish, jumping spiders, goldfish, red flat bark beetles, eastern
screech owls, and Chinese praying mantises. FitzSimmon’s backmatter includes
additional information about each critter, a page of life-size silhouettes for
kids to match along with an answer key and color-coded grouping guide, and a
glossary.
mom and a teacher, kids tend to be drawn to animal books. Curious Critters is eye-catching, with a close-up photograph of a
gray tree frog against a stark white background on the cover. Each page
includes a beautiful photo, along with information about the critter. Some are
written in prose, some in verse, and all are written from the unique perspective
of that particular critter. Twenty-one critters are represented, including
Ohio crawfish, jumping spiders, goldfish, red flat bark beetles, eastern
screech owls, and Chinese praying mantises. FitzSimmon’s backmatter includes
additional information about each critter, a page of life-size silhouettes for
kids to match along with an answer key and color-coded grouping guide, and a
glossary.
If you like this book,
there is also a Volume Two, as well as various Curious Critter board books with
critters that are native to various states in the U.S. As a mentor text, this
book has many possibilities for younger and older students. Lessons might include
writing from different perspectives, first-person point of view, onomatopoeia, descriptive
word choice, word placement, sentence variety, ellipses…the list goes on and
on.
there is also a Volume Two, as well as various Curious Critter board books with
critters that are native to various states in the U.S. As a mentor text, this
book has many possibilities for younger and older students. Lessons might include
writing from different perspectives, first-person point of view, onomatopoeia, descriptive
word choice, word placement, sentence variety, ellipses…the list goes on and
on.
You Can’t See Your Bones with Binoculars: A Guide to Your 206 Bones by
Harriet Ziefert (Blue Apple, 2014)
Harriet Ziefert (Blue Apple, 2014)
We are all familiar with
the Dem Bones song, right?
the Dem Bones song, right?
“The head bone is
connected to the neck bone.
connected to the neck bone.
The neck
bone is connected to the shoulder bone . . .”
bone is connected to the shoulder bone . . .”
Ziefert uses the lyrics of
this song to take readers on an in-depth look at our skeletal system. The
introduction includes an image of an x-ray and suggests that readers run their
hands along the bones being described on their guided tour of the bones in
their bodies. The top of each of the following pages includes the lyrics
to the song, followed by information about that particular bone. To appeal to
the child audience, Ziefert uses humor and examples that kids can relate to.
Amanda Haley’s cartoon illustrations, with embedded x-ray images, add to
the humor and the kid-friendly nature of this book. The conclusion reminds
readers that though you can’t see your bones with binoculars, a doctor can use
an x-ray to see your bones. It also reviews the healing process of a broken
bone. The backmatter includes a labeled cartoon skeleton.
this song to take readers on an in-depth look at our skeletal system. The
introduction includes an image of an x-ray and suggests that readers run their
hands along the bones being described on their guided tour of the bones in
their bodies. The top of each of the following pages includes the lyrics
to the song, followed by information about that particular bone. To appeal to
the child audience, Ziefert uses humor and examples that kids can relate to.
Amanda Haley’s cartoon illustrations, with embedded x-ray images, add to
the humor and the kid-friendly nature of this book. The conclusion reminds
readers that though you can’t see your bones with binoculars, a doctor can use
an x-ray to see your bones. It also reviews the healing process of a broken
bone. The backmatter includes a labeled cartoon skeleton.
When I used to teach 5th
grade science, I would use this book during our Skeletal System unit. Now that
I only teach ELA and social studies, this book has become an excellent mentor
text. The fact that Ziefert used the song as the lead-in to each bone can be a
style mentor for writers. Mini-lessons might also include
introductions/conclusions, how illustrations can add to the text of the book,
and how to add humor and voice to expository writing.
grade science, I would use this book during our Skeletal System unit. Now that
I only teach ELA and social studies, this book has become an excellent mentor
text. The fact that Ziefert used the song as the lead-in to each bone can be a
style mentor for writers. Mini-lessons might also include
introductions/conclusions, how illustrations can add to the text of the book,
and how to add humor and voice to expository writing.
Animal Dads by Sneed B. Collard III (Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt, 2000)
Harcourt, 2000)
Sneed B. Collard writes a
few expository texts that I like to use as writing mentors. In this book, he
focuses on the role of dads. The book begins with a page with just text: Dad’s
do many things. The pages that follow have main text that highlights something
dads do (main idea) and secondary text that describes of an animal dad that
fulfills that role (supporting details). For example, on the They build us
homes to live in page, the secondary text explains how sickleback dads
build nests out of pieces of plants for the female sicklebacks to lay their
eggs. This format stays consistent throughout the book, sharing information
about twenty different animal dads. Steve Jenkins’s cut paper collage
illustrations work beautifully with the text. The book ends the way it
begins, with a page of just text on a dark background, which reminds us: Dads
do many things. Dads are many things.
few expository texts that I like to use as writing mentors. In this book, he
focuses on the role of dads. The book begins with a page with just text: Dad’s
do many things. The pages that follow have main text that highlights something
dads do (main idea) and secondary text that describes of an animal dad that
fulfills that role (supporting details). For example, on the They build us
homes to live in page, the secondary text explains how sickleback dads
build nests out of pieces of plants for the female sicklebacks to lay their
eggs. This format stays consistent throughout the book, sharing information
about twenty different animal dads. Steve Jenkins’s cut paper collage
illustrations work beautifully with the text. The book ends the way it
begins, with a page of just text on a dark background, which reminds us: Dads
do many things. Dads are many things.
As a mentor text, this
book can be used to show students how to use a concept to drive their writing,
rather than doing an “all about” piece. The short introduction and conclusion can
be used to compare/contrast with other introductions and conclusions.
book can be used to show students how to use a concept to drive their writing,
rather than doing an “all about” piece. The short introduction and conclusion can
be used to compare/contrast with other introductions and conclusions.
Terrific Tongues! by Maria Gianferrari (Boyds
Mills Press, 2018)
I feel compelled to add
this bonus fave. Gianferrari introduces readers to some of the amazing things animal
tongues can do. The text follows a repetitive pattern: If you had a
tongue like a sword, you might be a …turn the page and you find out which
animal fits that description. The illustrations created by Jia Liu work
perfectly with the text and include a hilarious monkey that shows up in each
image. Gianferrari brings it back to the reader at the end, reminding us
about the terrific things our own tongues can do. Backmatter includes more
information about the tongues of each featured animal even some that aren’t.
Mills Press, 2018)
I feel compelled to add
this bonus fave. Gianferrari introduces readers to some of the amazing things animal
tongues can do. The text follows a repetitive pattern: If you had a
tongue like a sword, you might be a …turn the page and you find out which
animal fits that description. The illustrations created by Jia Liu work
perfectly with the text and include a hilarious monkey that shows up in each
image. Gianferrari brings it back to the reader at the end, reminding us
about the terrific things our own tongues can do. Backmatter includes more
information about the tongues of each featured animal even some that aren’t.
As a writing mentor text,
I will pair this one with Animal Dads
and books from Melissa Stewarts’ Animal Bodies Up Close series to
reinforce creative styles and structures, while focusing specifically on one
particular theme.
Well, I did it! I chose five (+1), though I sit here with a stack of
other expository texts in my lap and spread out on the floor, and I just can’t
help myself. Here are a few more I just have to mention:
I will pair this one with Animal Dads
and books from Melissa Stewarts’ Animal Bodies Up Close series to
reinforce creative styles and structures, while focusing specifically on one
particular theme.
Well, I did it! I chose five (+1), though I sit here with a stack of
other expository texts in my lap and spread out on the floor, and I just can’t
help myself. Here are a few more I just have to mention:
Sneed B.
Collard III’s Most Fun Book Ever About Lizards by Sneed
B. Collard III (Charlesbridge, 2012)
Collard III’s Most Fun Book Ever About Lizards by Sneed
B. Collard III (Charlesbridge, 2012)
What If
You Had Animal Ears!? by Sandra Markle (Scholastic, 2016) and all the other
books in this series
You Had Animal Ears!? by Sandra Markle (Scholastic, 2016) and all the other
books in this series
How to
Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom by
Steve Jenkins and Robin Page (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015)
Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom by
Steve Jenkins and Robin Page (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015)
Thank you, Melissa, for
giving me the opportunity to share. Maybe I’m better suited for a “Fave 15”
series.
giving me the opportunity to share. Maybe I’m better suited for a “Fave 15”
series.
Kristen Picone is a self-proclaimed book nerd, always has been
and always will be. She teaches 5th grade ELA/SS in Kings Park, NY, in a
classroom that is filled to the brim with books of all kinds. Teaching is not
just her job, it’s her passion! When she isn’t opening boxes of new books that
have arrived on her doorstep, she can be found planning for the next
nErDCampLI, or lost among her many TBR towers. Reading to kids of all
ages is Kristen’s absolute favorite thing to do, particularly while snuggling up
with her favorite book-loving 8 year old. Kristen can be found on Twitter at
@Kpteach5 or through her class account at @KPStars5. She often tweets book
recommendations using the following hashtags: #nErDCampLI and #BookJourney.
and always will be. She teaches 5th grade ELA/SS in Kings Park, NY, in a
classroom that is filled to the brim with books of all kinds. Teaching is not
just her job, it’s her passion! When she isn’t opening boxes of new books that
have arrived on her doorstep, she can be found planning for the next
nErDCampLI, or lost among her many TBR towers. Reading to kids of all
ages is Kristen’s absolute favorite thing to do, particularly while snuggling up
with her favorite book-loving 8 year old. Kristen can be found on Twitter at
@Kpteach5 or through her class account at @KPStars5. She often tweets book
recommendations using the following hashtags: #nErDCampLI and #BookJourney.
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3 Responses
Hello, I am Vindi Pujari writing to you from pune, India. I run a preschool and I also take science called – I AM SCIENCE – for 1st – 3rd graders at my centre. How can I get access to these lovely books.
So exciting to be scrolling through Kristen's titles to see my own Terrific Tongues here!!! 🙂
Hi Vindi,
A local bookseller should be able to help you order these books. If not, you could order them through an online bookseller such as Barnes&Noble.com