Red, White, and Blue (The Story of the American Flag)

Red, White, and Blue (The Story of the American Flag), by John Herman and illustrated by Robin Roraback, is an interesting look at the history of the American flag.  We enjoyed reading about the nicknames of the flag, how the flag evolved, how Congress picked the colors and stripes, and how Francis Scott Key wrote his song while viewing a flag with 15 stripes and stars.  Many facts are found in this book making it a good nonfiction book to explore. 

Question Collection:

*What new facts did you learn about the American flag?

*Where else have you seen pictures of the flag during its history?

*What other questions do you have about the American flag?

The Story of Ruby Bridges

The Story of Ruby Bridges, by written by Robert Cole and illustrated by George Ford, is an inspiring book to read, especially during Black History Month.   Ruby's courage, as a six year old who goes to a segregated school, is told in a way that children can understand.  This historical event is told so movingly with beautiful illustrations.  We think this book can add much to a child's understanding of how our world has changed, and how one brave person can make a difference!

Question Collection:

*How do you think Ruby felt the first day she went to this school?
*How do you think Ruby made a difference?
*Can you think of ways you can make a difference?

Ben Franklin and the Magic Squares

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9........

It's a Month of Math!

Ben Franklin and the Magic Squares, by Frank Murphy and illustrated by Richard Walz, gives children a look at magic squares (grid with nine spaces that use the first 9 digits in horizontal, vertical, and diagonal rows to have the same sum).  This is a book that contains biographical information and some fiction in explaining how Ben Franklin discovered magic squares.  Its’s fun to make up some magic squares of your own after reading the book.  It’s also amazing for children to learn about Ben Franklin’s accomplishments.  Leave some time to work on your magic squares after reading this book!

Question Collection:

*Which of Ben Franklin’s accomplishments is the most amazing to you?

*What else would you like to learn about Ben Franklin?

*Can you make up some magic squares of your own?

Children Just Like Me

Children Just Like Me, A Unique Celebration of Children Around the World, by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley, is a fascinating nonfiction book to introduce readers to other children around the world.   As a DK Publishing book, it maintains the high standards readers are accustomed to as they learn through their books.  We like learning about other cultures so we really enjoy this book.  

This book is divided into five sections:  The Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Southeast Asia and Australia.  Children from various areas representing those sections are presented through detailed photographs of themselves, their families, homes, and artifacts from their daily lives.  This book is another great nonfiction book that may best be seen through a picture walk when it is introduced. 

Some children’s stories are told in one page while others are told in two pages.  There are so many interesting facts and photographs that it might be fun to just read about one or two children at each reading time.  One fun thing we like is that each child writes his/her name so it can be seen with the article.  We’d recommend you have a globe/world map handy when you read this book.  It’s fun to find the countries as you read about each child!

Question Collection:

*Which children have lives most similar to you?  Most different?

*Which children would you like to meet?

*What did you learn about other children?

*What would you like to ask these children?

A is for Abigail

A is for Abigail, the Almanac of Amazing American Women, written by Lynne Cheney, and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, is filled with examples of women of great achievements.  An alphabet format is used to spotlight American women whose name or achievements begin with that specific letter.  In addition to the main woman portrayed, many examples are given of women who have high achievement in similar positions.  For example, B is for Elizabeth Blackwell so other women of medical notoriety are listed. 

This book introduces many women to young readers.  Notes at the back of the book give additional information about the women listed.  We found this book helpful, but we felt it was visually overwhelming on some pages.  For some readers this might not pose a challenge, but the various styles used made it feel a little disjointed to us.  It is however, helpful as a reference point to learn more about American women’s achievements.

Question Collection:

*What amazing woman did you learn about from this book?

*Which women inspired you the most?

*What occupations sounded interesting?

Read more children's ABC books!

A is for Amazing Moments--A Sports Alphabet

A is for Amazing Moments (A Sports Alphabet), written by Brad Herzog and illustrated by Melanie Rose, is a book that will interest any sports fans.  Some letters stand for specific athletes and some represent an accomplishment.  Each letter is told in rhyming verse and accompanied by an in-depth narrative with more facts about the athlete or event.  The quality of the illustrations enhance the reading of A is for Amazing Moments.  Also included is a timeline of amazing moments at the conclusion of the book. Younger children will enjoy the rhymes while older children can gain knowledge from the narrative.  Enjoy learning more!

Question Collection:

*Do you have a favorite athlete?

*What did you learn from this book?

*How do you think these athletes met their goals?

*Are there any of these sports you would like to try?

*Which illustrations do you like the best?

Read more children's ABC books here!

Amelia to Zora, Twenty-six Women Who Changed the World

As a family, we like to find nonfiction books that inspire us.  Amelia to Zora, Twenty-six Women Who Changed the World, written by Cynthia Chin-Lee and illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy, is a book that meets those criteria.  The multicultural female role models in this book are outstanding examples of lives to be studied.

The author names an inspiring woman for each letter of the alphabet (by first names), a narrative that tells more about their lives, and a quote from each woman.  The illustrators use a variety of artistic techniques that exemplify each woman’s achievements.  Amelia Earhart, Imogen Cunningham, Quah Ah, and Wilma Mankiller are a few of the unforgettable women who are listed. This book is a book that’s meant to be re-read for meaning.  It is sure to pique you and your family’s interest.  Fortunately, Ms. Chin-Lee has included a selected bibliography so that you can find more books about the women she introduces in the book.

This alphabet book is a great way to introduce children to biographies.  With twenty-six women to study, it’s easy to see how at least one of them will inspire children to dig deeper into a study of other people’s lives.

Question Collection:

*Which women had you already heard about?

*Which women were new to you?

*Which stories did you find most inspiring?

*What special techniques did the illustrators use to convey the accomplishments of these

women?

*Which quotes did you find most inspiring?

Read more children's ABC books!

Martin's Big Words

Martin’s Big Words, by Dorren Rappaport, is a great book to introduce biographies to your children. It tells the story of Martin Luther King, Jr. in a way that shows children the importance of words. The “big” words that made an impact in his life are typed in a larger font enabling the reader and listener to pause and reflect on those words. A timeline in the back of the book can provide a good review of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life.  The illustrations by Bryan Collier enhance the book’s message.  We enjoyed reading this book and discussing it during Black History Month.

Question Collection:

*How do you think Martin felt when he was excluded from things growing up?

*What big words of Martin’s do you like best?
*Are there any big words you have from your life?