I wanted to share some new nonfiction picture books with you today. The thing about nonfiction, in my humble opinion, is that it really does need to match the reader’s interest in a very specific way. I’ve picked books that I thought my kids would like and a few others that I like that I hope they, and you, will too.
New Non-Fiction Picture Books
Non-Fiction Picture Book of the Day
This nonfiction picture book would work for an Earth Day theme, but I chose it simply because I fell in love with the beautiful illustrations and the hopeful message that it’s possible to save our wild plants and places by simply doing our own small part as best we can.
Plant a Pocket of Prairie by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Betsy Bowen
It’s written in prose that reads like a poem with a compelling “What If?” message that shows the connection of wild things from plants and habitats to animals. [nonfiction picture book, ages 4 and up]
Plant foxglove beardtongue.
A ruby-throated hummingbird
might hover and sip and thrum.
If that hummingbird sips and zips
looking for something more to eat …
Plant butterfly weed.
Monarch butterflies might lay their eggs
on the underside of leaves.
Attack! Boss! Cheat Code! A Gamer’s Alphabet by Chris Barton and Joey Spiotto
“This open beta game is in third-person but first-person is unlockable if you know the cheat code or install this mod, but either way, for the best attack on the boss on this level, try to grab that power-up…”
If this makes no sense to you either, the Gamer’s Alphabet will come in handy. For my gamer 9-year-old son, this is the first alphabet book he’s read since he learned to read where he stalled for as long as he could in order to finish the book. (He got to “P” and plans to finish the book first thing tomorrow!) [alphabet picture book, ages 6 and up]
Sticks ‘n’ Stones ‘n’ Dinosaur Bones by Ted Enik, illustrated by G. F. Newland
I didn’t realize that the war of the dinosaur bones got so personal as to be an all-out vendetta between two scientists, Edward Drinker Cope and O. Charles Marsh. When scientific discovery goes bad, it erupts into a war of words and scandal but the benefactors are the museum-goers because this “Gold Rush” for dinosaur fossils during America’s Gilded Age (1865 to 1890s) sparked the general public’s interest in paleontology that continues today. [nonfiction rhyming picture book, ages 6 and up]
Photos Framed: A Fresh Look at the World’s Most Memorable Photographs by Ruth Thomson
Grasshopper and Sensei is really starting to get serious about photography, so I thought this book which is like a “Sister Wendy ” treatment of the most famous photos would give her a nice background in the history of famous photographs. One fun discovery from this book was learning that The Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville by Robert Doisneu was staged!
Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Emily Sutton
I loved how Tiny Creatures can take something unseen — microbes — and make it real and concrete, even slipping in mathematical concepts like visualizing what a billion looks like. With charming illustrations and a storyline that shows the reader what microbes are and where they exist without freaking them out. Because … you know, “there are more microbes living on your skin than there are people on Earth” !! [picture book, ages 5 and up]
The History of Money: From Bartering to Banking by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura
PickyKidPix was plagued with wanting to know Who Owns the Money and that’s a slippery topic that’s difficult to answer in elementary school age terms. This book will help though! [advanced picture book, ages 9 and up]
Non-Fiction Picture Book GIVEAWAY
I’m giving away three books to three winners. Please fill out the Rafflecopter to win and leave a comment stating your first, second and third choices. Thank you!
Plant a Pocket of Prairie by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Betsy Bowen
Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Emily Sutton
Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story by Karl Beckstrand, illustrated by Luis Sanz
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Bright Star Night Star-1
Tiny Creatures-2
Plant a Pocket of Prarie-3
Thanks so much for entering Lovie!
Preference in order Star book, Prairie book. and Tiny creatures. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for entering Barbara!
#1. Photos framed. #2. Plant a prairie. #3. Tiny creatures. Thanks for the opportunity!
Hi Nadine,
Thanks so much for entering. The Photos Framed is not one of the giveaways but I’ll substitute the Star book and add it last for you if you win.
Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story #1
Plant a Pocket of Prairie #2
Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes #3
Thanks so much for entering Denise!
Plant a Pocket of Prairie really stands out and sounds like a beautiful book that will motivate eager kids. Loved all of your shares. Kids who love astronomy will cherish the Bright Star, Night Star book. I really loved all of your nonfiction shares. Ironically I reviewed a nonfiction book today.
Hi Patricia,
We don’t read as much non-fiction as I would like, so it was wonderful to read this stack. The Plant a Pocket of Prairie is truly a beautiful, lyrical book and I hope my winner and her kids love it as much as I do! I’m looking forward to your book review today too!
Thanks for hosting this giveaway.My daughter would prefer the books in the following order; 1. Pocket of a Prairie, 2. Bright Star, Night Star and 3. Tiny Creatures.
My daughter absolutely loves nature!!
Thanks so much for entering Kasi!
Thanks, Mia! What a great selection of books! I’m a huge lover of nonfiction, especially lyrical nature nonfiction (I write it too). I love the title: Plant a Pocket of Prairie–so lovely. My preference would be as follows:
1. Plant a Pocket of Prairie
2. Bright Star Night Star (since we have a telescope, and my husband has done a bit of astrophotography)
3.Sticks n Stones n Dinosaur Bones
Thank you!!
Hi Maria,
I think you would love the Prairie book especially! If you don’t win, I hope you will be able to find it at the library to read it! It truly is a beautiful book in every aspect!
Plant a Pocket of Prairie – 1
Bright Star, Night Star – 2
Tiny Creatures – 3
Thanks so much for entering Nelida!!
Oh, how to choose. All of these look very interesting to me!
Plant a Pocket of Prairie – 1
Tiny Creatures – 2
Bright Star, Night Star – 3
Hi MaryAnne,
Thanks so much for entering! I can totally see your kids planting a pocket of prairie out there in Northern California!! I hope you get to read that book with your kids!
I love nonfiction and I think you are right, it is about matching to interests.
All three sound great! But If I had to pick… 1.Tiny Creatures 2.Plant a Pocket of Prarie 3.Bright Star Night Star
Thanks so much for entering Ann!
The astronomer in me says 1. Bright Star Night Star, 2. Plant a Pocket of Prairie and 3. Tiny Creatures, although my class would love any of them!
Hi Leslie,
I’m glad you have an inner astronomer!! Thanks so much for entering!
We’ve read Plant a Pocket of Prairie and loved it. That’s my first choice. Second would be the star book and third would be the microbes book. Thanks, Mia!
Hi Trisha,
Plant a Pocket of Prairie is wonderful, isn’t it? It makes me so happy that you loved it too! I nominated it for a Cybil! I hope it wins! Thanks so much for entering!
I would love to win all ! My preference list 1.Bright Star
2. Tiny Creatures 3. Plant a Prarie
Thanks so much for entering Aparna!
Hello, I found your site looking for book recommendations for reluctant readers. I can’t wait to explore more! I would love #1 Tiny Creatures , #2 Bright Star Night Star, and #3 Plant a Pocket of Prairie.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Hi Ashley,
I have a section for reluctant reader posts here: http://www.pragmaticmom.com/category/literacy-school-subjects/reluctant-readers-literacy-school-subjects/
My best post is probably: Getting Kids Reading, 12 Surefire Ways http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2014/01/get-kids-reading-strategies/
Thanks so much for entering!
I am so happy to see a review of Tiny Creatures! I love this book and I am not much of a science enthusiast! I’m planning to review it in a future round up!
Hi Rebecca,
I wasn’t sure if the topic would hold my interest either because it’s been a loooong time since I took biology but I thought it was a well done and fascinating book too! Also, my 7th grader is studying this exact topic so it was nice timing!!
Bright Star Night Star-1
Tiny Creatures-2
Plant a Pocket of Prarie-3
The ABC Gamer one cracks me up. What a fun idea for this generation. Thanks for hosting and sharing this on the #KidLitBlogHop! Entered. 🙂
Hi Cool Mom,
I have to say that my son loves that ABC gamer book and I learned a LOT of what he seemed to pick up through osmosis! Thanks for entering and for co-hosting!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a non-fiction picture book. These are really cool.
2 Plant a Pocket of Prairie by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Betsy Bowen
3 Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Emily Sutton
1 Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story by Karl Beckstrand, illustrated by Luis Sanz
Hi April,
I hope you win so you can check one of the great non-fiction books out! Thanks for entering!
Thanks for sharing non-fiction PBs.
1 Plant a Pocket of Prairie
2 Bright Star, Night Star
3 Tiny Creatures: The World of Microbes
Thanks so much for entering Manju!
1. Tiny Creatures
2. Plant a Pocket of Prairie
3. Bright Star, Night Star
Thanks so much for entering Alyssa!
Awww.. “Plant a Pocket of Prairie” sounds so lovely! I’m a Prairie girl myself! Thanks for sharing in the Kid Lit Blog Hop – I’ve tweeted about your giveaway.
Thanks so much Renee! I’m going to make an effort to plant a pocket of prairie myself. It never occurred to me that it’s that easy to do. I always thought a prairie just had to happen naturally!
Bright Star Night Star-1
Plant a Pocket of Prarie-2
Tiny Creatures-3
Thanks so much for entering Anitha! Good luck!