New Children's Nonfiction
The Animal Toolkit: How Animals Use Tools by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page
In this latest nonfiction picture book from Caldecott Honor-winning team Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, readers learn all about what makes a tool a tool--and the remarkable ways animals that use them interact with our world. From the tailorbird, which repurposes spider silk to stitch a leaf into its nest, to the gorilla, which uses sticks to test water depth and build bridges, these animals are intelligent, innovative, and creative.
On June 19, 1865--more than two years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation--the enslaved people of Texas first learned of their freedom. That day became a day of remembrance and celebration that changed and grew from year to year. Learn about the events that led to emancipation and why it took so long for the enslaved people in Texas to hear the news. The first Juneteenth began as "Jubilee Day," where families celebrated and learned of their new rights as citizens. As Black Texans moved to other parts of the country, they brought their traditions along with them, and Juneteenth continued to grow and develop. Today, Juneteenth's powerful spirit has endured through the centuries to become an official holiday in the United States in 2021.
Mister Rogers’ Gift of Music by Donna Cangelosi, illustrated by Amanda Calatzis
For a young Fred Rogers, music was a gift. It eased the pain of childhood illness and bullying and helped Fred express how he felt when words alone were difficult. As an adult, he gifted his melodies to the world, showing children by example that they can express themselves, cope with negative feelings, and connect to each other through music. This sensitive, life-affirming biography not only portrays the life of this beloved TV personality, but focuses on Fred's most memorable songs and musical TV moments, and captures the enduring magic of his music in brilliantly colorful abstract illustration. Readers will not only learn about what music meant to Fred Rogers, but find the encouragement and inspiration to brighten their own lives with song.
J Nonfiction
This book explores how things break down, crack, explode, crumple, and shatter. This fun, unique take on a how-things-work book explores the world through the lens of what it takes for things to, well, not work. In these vibrantly illustrated pages, you'll peer through the smoke and rubble of controlled demolitions to discover the properties of building materials. Then get a glimpse of the inner workings of a cracked cell phone screen, peek carefully at mega-avalanches and sinkholes, and hold on tight as wrecking balls swing and car crushers crunch metal. Buckle up with crash-test dummies and travel back in time to explore the world's most famous failures (looking at you, Leaning Tower of Pisa).
The Deadliest Fires Then and Now by Deborah Hopkinson
Perfect for fans of I Survived and the Who Was series, and packed with graphics, photos, and facts for curious minds, this is a gripping look at the deadliest fires in American history.
Infinity: Figuring Out Forever by Sarah C. Campbell
Defining infinity is difficult. But there is one thing people do every day that leads to infinity-counting. No matter what large number you name, there is always a larger number. By reading this book, kids can begin to think about this and other powerful ideas involving infinity, including how infinity relates to rocket science. Featuring clear text and beautiful photographs, this is an excellent choice for kids who want to delve deeper into math and science and for those ready to look at the world in a new way.
Once I Was You: Finding My Voice and Passing the Mic by Maria Hinojosa
Maria Hinojosa is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, a bestselling author, and was the first Latina to found a national independent nonprofit newsroom in the United States. But before all that, she was a girl with big hair and even bigger dreams. Born in Mexico and raised in the vibrant neighborhood of Hyde Park, Chicago, Maria was always looking for ways to better understand the world around her--and where she fit into it. Here, she combines stories from her life, beginning with her family's harrowing experience of immigration, with truths about the United States's long and complicated relationship with the people who cross its borders, by choice or by force. Funny, frank, and thought-provoking, Maria's voice is one you will want to listen to again and again.
For as long as there have been secrets to keep, there have been spies, the world over, trying to uncover this classified information. Spying goes on all the time, and everywhere, but some of the most astonishing exploits occur during wartime. The stories in this beautiful collection unpick some of the most astonishing missions undertaken during World War Two, actions that helped to save many lives.
The World’s Wildest Places and the People Protecting Them by Lily Dyu and Riley Samels
Embark on the journey of a lifetime to 20 of the world's wildest places! Explore each environment and learn about the keepers who are working to preserve them for future generations. Meet the animals and plants who call the wilderness home and discover how you can take active steps to make a difference.
The 500 Million Dollar Heist by Tom Sullivan
Two thieves posing as Boston Police officers gain entry to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Once inside, they steal thirteen pieces of art, including several rare Rembrandts. Eighty-one minutes later, these men walk off with $500 million worth of art. This heist is the single largest private property theft in the United States--and despite decades of investigation and dozens of false leads, the case remains unsolved to this day.