Nonfiction

Cute chibi animals : learn how to draw 75 cuddly creatures book cover

Cute chibi animals : learn how to draw 75 cuddly creatures

Im, Phoebe, author.

j743.6 Im
Nonfiction, Art / Art History, Animals

"Chibi is Japanese slang for "short," and the characters in Cute Chibi Animals live up to this description, with their cute, roly-poly bodies that make them extremely lovable and huggable. Phoebe Im, the popular Instagram artist behind Bobblejot, shows you how to master this anime and manga drawing style with 75 step-by-step tutorials of your favorite animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and more."

Casey's picture

I love both of the chibi drawing books from Phoebe Im. This series is certain to be a hit with anyone of any age who likes to draw cute animals. -Casey

The science spell book : magical experiments for kids book cover

The science spell book : magical experiments for kids

Florance, Cara, author, illustrator.

j507.8 Florance
Nonfiction, Science

"Have you ever wished you could cast a real spell with the wave of a magic wand? Have you ever wanted to mix a real color-changing potion? Now kids can perform magical feats with a few simple ingredients and a little help from science."--

Casey's picture

Added by Casey

Before music : where instruments come from book cover

Before music : where instruments come from

Pimentel, Annette Bay, author.

j784.19 Pimentel
Nonfiction, Music

"Music doesn't come out of nothing. It always starts somewhere... with something... with someone. Discover how music is made in this survey of musical instruments from around the world."

Casey's picture

Added by Casey

Packing for Mars for kids book cover

Packing for Mars for kids

Roach, Mary, author.

j629.45 Roach
Nonfiction

"What is it like to float weightlessly in the air? What happens if you vomit in your helmet during a spacewalk? How do astronauts go to the bathroom? Is it true that they don't shower? Can farts really be deadly in space? Best-selling Mary Roach has the answers. In this whip-smart, funny, and informative young readers adaptation of her best-selling Packing for Mars, Roach guides us through the irresistibly strange, frequently gross, and awe-inspiring realm of space travel and life without gravity. From flying on NASA's Weightless Wonder to eating space food, Packing for Mars for Kids is chock-full of first-hand experiences and thorough research. Roach has crafted an authoritative and accessible book that is perfectly pitched to inquiring middle grade readers"--

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Added by Casey

The animal toolkit : how animals use tools book cover

The animal toolkit : how animals use tools

Jenkins, Steve, 1952-2021, author, illustrator.

j591.5 Jenkins
Nonfiction, Animals

Featuring cut-paper illustrations, this picture book teaches young readers all about what makes a tool a tool--and the remarkable ways animals use them to interact with the world.

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Added by Casey

The wolves and moose of Isle Royale: restoring an island ecosystem book cover

The wolves and moose of Isle Royale: restoring an island ecosystem

Castaldo, Nancy F. (Nancy Fusco), 1962- author.

j599.77 Castaldo
Nonfiction, Animals, Nature

"On Isle Royale, a remote island national park surrounded by frigid Lake Superior, a thrilling drama is unfolding between wolves and moose, the island's ultimate predator and prey. For over sixty years, in what has been known as the longest study of a predator-prey relationship in the world, scientists have observed the importance of wolves to Isle Royale's unique ecology. But due to illness and underlying factors, the population of wolves on the island has dropped while the number of moose has increased, putting the Isle Royale ecosystem in jeopardy."--

Casey's picture

This is a fascinating read for young environmentalists! -Casey

Into the forest : wander through our woodland world book cover

Into the forest : wander through our woodland world

Dorion, Christiane, author.

j577.3 Dorion
Nonfiction, Nature

"Into the Forest is a celebration of trees and wildlife all around the world. Children will find out how trees change color through seasons, how to plant their own trees, and the importance of protecting our forests through sustainability"--

Casey's picture

Added by Casey

Animal watching book cover

Animal watching

Carson, Mary Kay, author.

j590 Carson
Nonfiction, Animals, Nature

"Rewild your life! Outdoor school includes immersive activities to get you exploring for animals by recognizing bird silhouettes, spotting nests, identifying mammals and more."

Casey's picture

This entire series, or any of its titles, would make a great gift for outdoor enthusiasts! -Casey

The occult, witchcraft & magic : an illustrated history book cover

The occult, witchcraft & magic : an illustrated history

Christopher Dell

133.4 /Dell
Nonfiction, History, Art / Art History, Nature

From the earliest Paleolithic cave rituals, magic has gripped the imagination. Magic and magicians appear in early Babylonian texts, the Bible, Judaism and Islam. Secret words, spells and incantations lie at the heart of every mythological tradition. Today, magic means many things: contemporary Wicca is practised widely as a modern pagan religion in Europe and the US; 'magic' also evokes the cathartic rituals of Chaos magic, but stretches to include the non-spiritual, rapid-fire sleight of hand performed by slick stage magicians who fill vast arenas. The book is packed with authoritative text and a huge and inspired selection of images, chosen from unusual and hidden sources. The material is presented in 100 entries, and includes some of the best-known representations of magic and the occult from around the world.

Melody's picture

This book was so popular when it came out that we had to stock multiple copies. This is a book for you if you love history, art, and illustrations. It doesn't have to be Halloween for me to love leafing through this book! -Melody

Imaginable : how to see the future coming and feel ready for anything--even things that seem impossible today book cover

Imaginable : how to see the future coming and feel ready for anything--even things that seem impossible today

Jane McGonigal

303.49 /McGonigal
Nonfiction, Technology, Science, Self Help

"War in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, increasingly frequent climate disasters--events we might have called "unimaginable" or "unthinkable" in the past are now reality. Today it feels more challenging than ever to feel unafraid, hopeful, and equipped to face the future with optimism. How do we map out our lives when it seems impossible to predict what the world will be like next week, let alone next year or next decade? What we need now are strategies to help us recover our confidence and creativity in facing uncertain futures. In Imaginable, Jane McGonigal draws on the latest scientific research in psychology and neuroscience to show us how to train our minds to think the unthinkable and imagine the unimaginable. She invites us to play with the provocative thought experiments and future simulations she's designed exclusively for this book..." -- Inside front book jacket.

Melody's picture

I started listening to the audiobook version of this on hoopla (https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/15013684) and wound up buying my own copy to switch back and forth. Some parts are better read so you can stop and ponder McGonigal's probing questions and go through her "creativity training." I mean, who doesn't love creativity training?! Now some of us ICPL staff are in an Imaginable book club where we imagine the future of libraries and the Iowa City community. It's been a fun discussion so far, and I'm looking forward to seeing which of our predictions comes true. -Melody