On March 7, 2017, author Melissa
Stewart wrote a guest post for the Nerdy
Book Club asking us to think about the value of expository literature. She
concluded the post with a list of fifty titles. This school year, 2017-2018,
she is hosting a series of posts asking teachers and librarians to list five
expository titles. Expository titles inform, describe or explain. I
decided to focus on the world of animals
The Big
Book of Beasts by Yuval
Zommer (Thames & Hudson, 2017)
Book of Beasts by Yuval
Zommer (Thames & Hudson, 2017)
Last year we were introduced to
the fascinating world of insects and invertebrates in The Big
Book of Bugs (Thames & Hudson, 2016). In this companion
volume, we venture into a marvelous collection of mammals. Each page turn
will remind you of the familiar but is guaranteed to present something new and
astounding. Sifting through extensive information, Yuval
Zommer selects those details most likely to be remembered by readers. In
a series of conversational statements, beginning with a question, we are given
valuable insights into individual mammals and overviews of special areas.
the fascinating world of insects and invertebrates in The Big
Book of Bugs (Thames & Hudson, 2016). In this companion
volume, we venture into a marvelous collection of mammals. Each page turn
will remind you of the familiar but is guaranteed to present something new and
astounding. Sifting through extensive information, Yuval
Zommer selects those details most likely to be remembered by readers. In
a series of conversational statements, beginning with a question, we are given
valuable insights into individual mammals and overviews of special areas.
Can An
Aardvark Bark? by
Melissa Stewart (Beach Lane Books/Simon
& Schuster, 2017),
Aardvark Bark? by
Melissa Stewart (Beach Lane Books/Simon
& Schuster, 2017),
For nineteen years author Melissa Stewart has been
acquainting readers with the results of her passion for and meticulous research
of all forms of science. In this most recent publication, she explores sounds
made by animals in a variety of habitats. The rhyming questions she asks
in one section, and then answers in another, elevates interest. For each sound,
seven in total, she discusses five animals. At the close of the book Selected
Sources and For Further Reading sections are shown. Melissa
Stewart designed a Storytime
Guide and a Teacher’s Guide to go with it.
acquainting readers with the results of her passion for and meticulous research
of all forms of science. In this most recent publication, she explores sounds
made by animals in a variety of habitats. The rhyming questions she asks
in one section, and then answers in another, elevates interest. For each sound,
seven in total, she discusses five animals. At the close of the book Selected
Sources and For Further Reading sections are shown. Melissa
Stewart designed a Storytime
Guide and a Teacher’s Guide to go with it.
Lesser
Spotted Animals: The Coolest Creatures You’ve Never Heard Of by Martin Brown (David Fickling Books/Scholastic, 2016)
Spotted Animals: The Coolest Creatures You’ve Never Heard Of by Martin Brown (David Fickling Books/Scholastic, 2016)
This upbeat, informative, and
completely hilarious book, introduces us to twenty-three animals we rarely
encounter in books. The manner in which Martin Brown weaves together facts and
humor captivates and fascinates. For each one, Martin Brown provides a clever
remark referencing a distinctive quality followed by a half to whole page
discussion revealing the animals most intriguing characteristics. He also includes
a sidebar with their size, what they
eat, where they live, their conservation
status, and an extra fact. At times, Martin includes an additional
sidebar with other items of interest. He dedicates two pages to a glossary at
the end.
completely hilarious book, introduces us to twenty-three animals we rarely
encounter in books. The manner in which Martin Brown weaves together facts and
humor captivates and fascinates. For each one, Martin Brown provides a clever
remark referencing a distinctive quality followed by a half to whole page
discussion revealing the animals most intriguing characteristics. He also includes
a sidebar with their size, what they
eat, where they live, their conservation
status, and an extra fact. At times, Martin includes an additional
sidebar with other items of interest. He dedicates two pages to a glossary at
the end.
Wild
Animals of the North by Dieter
Braun (Flying Eye Books, 2016)
Animals of the North by Dieter
Braun (Flying Eye Books, 2016)
No single day passes without
observations of creatures in the wild. It can be as normal as birds flying
from one place to the next or as surprising as looking out your window and
seeing the local fox trotting down the sidewalk at dusk. We are most fortunate
to be sharing this planet with beings who have adapted as best they can to
their habitats. This book is a stunning visual presentation of eighty
animals that live in North America, Europe and Asia. Woven into conversational
paragraphs are items of interest to a wide range of readers.
observations of creatures in the wild. It can be as normal as birds flying
from one place to the next or as surprising as looking out your window and
seeing the local fox trotting down the sidewalk at dusk. We are most fortunate
to be sharing this planet with beings who have adapted as best they can to
their habitats. This book is a stunning visual presentation of eighty
animals that live in North America, Europe and Asia. Woven into conversational
paragraphs are items of interest to a wide range of readers.
What Makes A Monster?: Discovering the World’s Scariest Creatures by Jess
Keating (Knopf/Penguin Random House, 2017)
Most dictionaries define the word monster by using the word imaginary. Monsters
are simply not real. Or are they? If you want to read a book, gasping at
every page turn, this is a title you can’t miss! Armed with knowledge of her
subject and gifted for knowing exactly what readers need and want to know, Jess Keating educates
her readers like a master teacher. For each of the seventeen animals, she
begins with an informative narrative paragraph. This is followed by local
superstitions, feeding habits, a detailed explanation of unique traits, and
more. She also includes information about the animals’ size, diet, habitat,
and predators and threats.
Keating (Knopf/Penguin Random House, 2017)
Most dictionaries define the word monster by using the word imaginary. Monsters
are simply not real. Or are they? If you want to read a book, gasping at
every page turn, this is a title you can’t miss! Armed with knowledge of her
subject and gifted for knowing exactly what readers need and want to know, Jess Keating educates
her readers like a master teacher. For each of the seventeen animals, she
begins with an informative narrative paragraph. This is followed by local
superstitions, feeding habits, a detailed explanation of unique traits, and
more. She also includes information about the animals’ size, diet, habitat,
and predators and threats.
Margie Culver can’t remember a time when she
was not reading. With every turn of the page, her views, impressions, and
understanding of the world–past, present, future, and fantastical–have
increased. She’s been educated and entertained; had her heart broken and made
whole again. She began her career as a certified teacher librarian in 1973,
fostering life-long reading and adept gathering and use of information for her
students and staff. In Margie’s words, “It has been the single best decision
that I have ever made.” She writes posts about as many wonderful books as
possible on her blog, Librarian’s Quest. You are welcome to
follow Margie on Twitter @Loveofxena
was not reading. With every turn of the page, her views, impressions, and
understanding of the world–past, present, future, and fantastical–have
increased. She’s been educated and entertained; had her heart broken and made
whole again. She began her career as a certified teacher librarian in 1973,
fostering life-long reading and adept gathering and use of information for her
students and staff. In Margie’s words, “It has been the single best decision
that I have ever made.” She writes posts about as many wonderful books as
possible on her blog, Librarian’s Quest. You are welcome to
follow Margie on Twitter @Loveofxena
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Topics
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2 Responses
I loved Can An Aardvark Bark as well as What Makes a Monster. And Lesser Spotted Animals was a lot of fun. I recall hearing about both the Beast & Wild Animals books, but our library didn't have them at the time. Time to request them! Thanks for the recs, Margie, and thank you for championing nonfiction, Melissa! I'm excited to have 2 NF books coming out next spring 🙂
Thanks, Margie and Melissa. I have a longer list now as "Can An Aardvark Bark" is the only one I know. I can't wait to read some new books! A baby mountain lion was just spotted in our timber. Another critter for me to learn about!
THANKS!