Nonfiction
Why We Read: On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out
Shannon Reed
OverDrive eBook
Nonfiction, Memoir, Humor
*NATIONAL BESTSELLER**A Good Housekeeping Reads pick*A hilarious and incisive exploration of the joys of reading from a "beloved and wonderful writer" (George Saunders), teacher, bibliophile, and Thurber Prize SemifinalistWe read to escape, to learn, to find love, to feel seen. We read to encounter new worlds, to discover new recipes, to find connection across difference, or simply to pass a rainy afternoon. No matter the reason, books have the power to keep us safe, to challenge us, and perhaps most importantly, to make us more fully human.Shannon Reed, a longtime teacher, lifelong reader, and New Yorker contributor, gets it. With one simple goal in mind, she makes the case that we should read for pleasure above all else. In this whip-smart, laugh-out-loud-funny collection, Reed shares surprising stories from her life as a reader and the poignant ways in which books have impacted her students. From the varied novels she cherishes (Gone Girl, Their Eyes Were Watching God) to the ones she didn't (Tess of the d'Urbervilles), Reed takes us on a rollicking tour through the comforting world of literature, celebrating the books we love, the readers who love them, and the ways in which literature can transform us for the better.
Cicada symphony
Fliess, Sue, author.
j595.752 Fliess
Picture Books, Nature, Nonfiction
"There are about three thousand different kinds of cicadas but only the males make the sound we know. Some cicadas appear every year but other kinds only show up every seventeen years, but no one knows why. And there can be trillions of them! Interesting facts and a rhythmic, rhyming verse combine with colorful illustrations to portray one of the most fascinating insects in the world"--
Watch for this one in the BookWalk at Willowcreek park during cicada symphony season! -Casey
Habitats : a journey in nature
Pang, Hannah, author.
j577 Pang
Nonfiction, Picture Books, Nature
"Nature is like a magical journey that transforms with every step...Interactive split pages create an immersive experience that allows readers to take a visual journey through each unique home as they meet the incredible animals that live there"--
This is a beautiful nonfiction, seek and find, picture book! -Casey
Listen to the birds
Kroodsma, Donald E., author.
j598.097 Kroodsma
Nonfiction, Picture Books
"Discover North America's birds and their varied and beautiful songs with this informative, brightly illustrated picture book and its easy-to-use app. Hold a phone with the paired app up to the art and watch--and listen--as the birds spring to life and sing. From the woods of the East to the deserts and plains of the West, and common species such as cardinals and robins to lesser-known birds such as the Western Wood-Pewee and the Black-Headed Grosbeak, ornithologist Donald Kroodsma showcases his unparalleled knowledge of each bird's songs and calls, behavior, and habitat. ."--
This book has an accompanying app to hear all the bird songs featured making for a great and beautiful resource for young birders. -Casey
Arborama : the marvelous world of trees
Voisard, Lisa, 1992- author, illustrator.
j582.16 Voisard
Nonfiction, Picture Books, Nature
"Learn how to identify the most important North American trees. Along the way, you'll explore how trees reproduce and grow into the largest plants on earth, how they make our life possible, and what we can do to save them. Be astounded by the marvelous world of trees all around you!"--
This book would be a wonderful gift! -Casey
If you want to ride a horse
Novesky, Amy, author.
jE Novesky
Nonfiction, Picture Books
"A whimsical guide through the steps of riding a horse, whether the horse is real or lives in the imagination"--
I LOVE this book! It's a bit too long for a read-aloud at storytime, but would make a wonderful lap-sit or solo reading adventure for horse riding minded littles. Be sure to check out the secret cover! -Casey
The Great Lakes : our freshwater treasure
Rosenstock, Barb, author.
j977 Rosenstock
Nonfiction, Picture Books, Nature
"A picture book about the five largest lakes in North America - how they formed, the importance of these waters, and how they've become a national treasure"--
As a Lake Michigan dunes native, I approve! -Casey
One day this tree will fall
Barnard Booth, Leslie, author.
jE Barnardb
Picture Books, Nonfiction, Nature
A tree's life story is told from its beginnings as a seed to its survival in the wilderness until it finally falls, but continues its life as a log, an animal habitat, and finally decomposes to provide nutrition for future trees.
One Day This Tree Will Fall is a beautiful and fun read-aloud! It's a great large size for sharing in classrooms and storytime settings too! -Casey
Chess from beginner to winner! : master the game from the opening move to checkmate
Kévin Bordi
794.12 /Bordi
Nonfiction
Chess streaming sensation Kevin Bordi and FIDE master Samy Robin introduce you to a world of fun and excitement. Drawing on their experiences and unique playing style, they demystify the rules of the games, arm you with winning tactics and propel you towards success.
I really enjoy playing chess with my son, but, honestly, I only know the basics. I picked up this book to help me improve and expand my understanding of the game. The book has a nice, attractive design and everything is laid out and easy to understand. -Brian
Comet chaser : the true Cinderella story of Caroline Herschel, the first professional woman astronomer
Pamela S. Turner
j520.92 Herschel
Science, Picture Books, Nonfiction
"Once upon a time there lived a girl who swept floors and washed dishes, and was little more than a servant to her family. Until, one day, an invitation arrived. It was an invitation to a new country and a new beginning--a place where Caroline's dreams, her fascination with the night sky, and her extraordinary talent would open up a world of beauty and renown, and make her the belle of the scientific ball. From humble beginnings and in spite of many obstacles, Caroline Herschel and her brother William developed and built the best telescope in the world--in their back yard! Together they went on to discover a new planet, new moons, and vast arrays of unknown nebulae and comets. From a child who seemed doomed to a life of servitude, Caroline grew into a woman recognized by kings and queens-and a scientist whose work and discoveries continue to shine today. Pamela S. Turner and Vivien Mildenberger invite readers into Caroline Herschel's true Cinderella story in this inspiring account of the transformative power of curiosity and the magic-better than any fairytale-of science"--
Long-overdue recognition for Caroline Herschel, a European female astronomer working in the late 1700s who did not receive a formal education and seemed destined to be the unpaid servant for her family, until she left home and moved in with an adult sibling, who discovered a latent talent for advanced mathematics. The brother-sister duo built what was then the world's most advanced telescope and Caroline used her mathematical ability to calculate the position of stars and other celestial bodies, leading to precise and detailed catalogs and maps of the solar system that are still used to this day. She discovered and mathematically mapped over 2,000 comets, a feat that was truly mind-blowing at the time. Also, she and her brother literally discovered Uranus. -Anne W
Perfect for those that love reading about other people reading in order to inspire you to read more. -Annie