Staff Picks Youth Nonfiction
June 2022
Alphabreaths: The ABCs of Mindful Breathing
by Christopher Willard
Do you and your little one need a short break to recharge or calm down? Practice your ABCs while doing super simple and adorable breathing exercises. Each page presents a letter and a beautiful illustration with an exercise evoking playful visual imagery. Have your child pick their favorite letters or do them all if they are enjoying the mindfulness connection. A great resource to take a moment to be present and enjoy a book together.
Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
December 2021
Unconventional Vehicles: forty-five of the strangest cars, trains, planes, submersibles, dirigibles, and rockets ever
by Michael Hearst
This is not the average transportation book. These vehicles are unconventional indeed. A detailed, yet eye-catching and far from overwhelming read that presents some unimaginable works of engineering and ingenuity, as well as some silly and kind of ridiculous inventions. From the rudimentary such as the handcar or ostrich carriage, to the straight-out-of-Sci-Fi walking truck. Author Michael Hearst uses a very approachable attention-grabbing and humorous writing style. Jensen’s illustrations are intricate and crisp. Each vehicle is introduced in a two-page aesthetically pleasing spread with information divided by clean lines. One side provides manufacturer, date of production, and overview data, while the other side includes fun and interesting facts for all curious minds. A good pick for transportation enthusiasts, as well as non-fiction reluctant readers.
Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
September 2021
The Wild World Handbook Habitats
by Andrea Debbink
A great book for budding environmentalists and nature lovers. This book visits multiple types of habitats and gives facts and mini stories about them. There are also stories about famous activists, photographers, environmentalists and more. In between the stories you’ll find different activities to try out that relate to what you’ve just read. We only have one Earth and it’s our job to help protect it. This book might help middle graders take a step in the right direction.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
Blood and Germs: The Civil War Battle Against Wounds and Disease
by Gail Jarrow
Jarrow takes the reader back to the Civil War and explains the effects of disease and unsanitary conditions on the soldiers. Unbeknownst to doctors, microbes and parasites took the lives of more soldiers than battle wounds. Fortunately, this led to innovations that enhanced medical care going forward.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Director
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
If the World Were 100 People: a Visual Guide to Our Global Village
by Jackie McCann
An eye-opening written and visual account using 2021 statistics as if the 8 billion people populating the Earth were only 100 people. Numbers that we can wrap our heads around as to who speaks what language, who is hungry, who has clean water, etc.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
August 2021
Flint Water Crisis
by Julie Knutson
What happens when the water supply for a large city becomes unsafe? Considered a major environmental catastrophe, this book investigates the causes and impacts of using a new water resource for the city of Flint, MI.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
July 2021
Where is the Taj Mahal?
by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler
As one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, the Taj Mahal is designated as “the Jewel of Muslim Art in India”. The Taj Mahal tomb was built from a blend of Persian, Mongol and Islamic styles that includes a mosque and lovely gardens. The most interesting fact behind the reason for this magnificent building is a true love story. I suggest reading this book if you want to know more about the Taj Mahal’s history. It is a good read for ages 8 and up, as well as adults.
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
June 2021
The Gravity Tree: the True Story of a Tree That Inspired the World
by Anna Crowley Redding
A fascinating read about the tree that grew from a small seed into a tree that dropped the apple with Sir Isaac Newton sitting under it. And that is only the beginning. The tree has influenced other thinkers as well as ordinary people to potentially change the world. Seedlings have been transported all over the world and out of this world to the International Space Station. Over three hundred years later the tree still lives as do the inspired ideas brought on by it.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
May 2021
Animals!: Here We Grow
by Shelley Rotner
An engaging look at the beauty of transformation in nature for preschoolers and emerging readers. On this visual introduction to life cycles, children will learn the different stages of growth of diverse species. Up-close photographs are presented in large panels to depict animal development. The large and simple text introduces the concepts with appropriate terminology. Whether your child is an independent reader or you enjoy reading together, this one is a great pick for nature lovers and inquisitive minds.
Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
The Little Witch’s Book of Spells
by Ariel Kusby
This book will help you find the magic in yourself! It is a wonderful book for all ages and genders. It will help inspire you to slow down, play, and find various forms of magic in your surroundings. It is an incredibly sweet and empowering little book, perfect for aspiring witches, wizards, and others who seek a bit of magic in their lives.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Teen Librarian
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction