NNFN2023: Boats! (and other things that float)

Perfect for introducing young readers to the world of boats, ‘Boats! (and other things that float) is an engaging and informative book. Each spread focuses on a different type of watercraft, fully illustrated and with plenty of details to spot on every page.

The range of boats - and other things that float- covered is impressive. Starting with a look at the different types of sails which are used, the parts of a boat are explained, using a carefully labelled diagram. Key words are given in bold, but used in a sentence which explains the meaning to the reader, perfect for supporting comprehension.

Information is presented in small sections, making it an accessible read, and appealing illustrations encourage the reader to look closely and notice details. From fishing boats to dragon boats, from submarines to pedalos, there is something here to interest everyone. The book ends with ten fun floating facts and a spread encouraging the reader to look for things to spot throughout the book.

Perfect for this year’s NNFN theme, Wonderful Water, ‘Boats! (and other things that float) is a book to be enjoyed time and time again!

Boats! (and other things that float)

Maria Brzozowska

Welbeck Publishing ISBN: 9781783128358

NNFN2023: Home

Day 6 of NNFN2023! Today’s review shows how information can be delivered through poetic text and stunning illustrations, offering a very different experience to a ‘traditional’ non-fiction book.

Each creature’s home is captured through beautiful illustrations and nestled amongst these is a poetic reflection on how and where it is created. Much factual information is contained in these words which could easily become the starting point for further research and investigation. ‘Mossy Miniature Home’, for example, describes the home of the hummingbird and the reader learns about the size, composition and location of the nest as well as the number and size of its eggs.

The book covers a wide range of creatures from the less well-known such as the European fan worm or the foam-nest tree frog to the more familiar like the harvest mouse and the Sumatran orangutan. How each these skilful creatures create, decorate and build their homes is incredible, but the book also underlines the common need for somewhere safe to call home.

Home

Isabelle Simler, translated by Vineet Lal

Wide Eyed Editions ISBN: 978-0711287099

NNFN2023: Chews Your Own Tasty Adventure

Day five of National Non-Fiction November 2023 and we’re cooking on gas!

There are cookery books for children - and then there is this cookery book! ‘Chews Your Own Tasty Adventure’ is a highly engaging, creative approach to cooking and baking which allows the reader to choose (or chews!) their own culinary adventure.

My son used to love the ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ series when he was younger which called upon the reader to make decisions at key points of the story, giving him a sense of involvement. This cookery book works along similar lines, challenging the reader to take make choices which will alter the final dish! The book starts by introducing the ingredients used in the book, starting with flour. Having offered a bit of historical background, a fun fact or two and a little rhyme about each, the reader is then asked to either make a choice- hot or cold, sweet or savoury- or at a point where they have all the required ingredients, to head to a recipe.

There are sweet and savoury treats included here, each a vegetarian recipe. A short introduction offers a little background information- perhaps how to pronounce a name, a little about their origin and the ingredients, all building a young cook’s knowledge of the ingredients and recipes they are using and encouraging them to engage with food, have fun with cooking and enjoy the experience. There are tips and bonus recipes to discover along the way and at the end of each recipe are are page numbers for the reader to choose the final element of their recipe!

A comprehensive glossary, an index of recipes and a recipe index (covering the ingredients) make this a very user-friendly book as well as something exciting and different- a great gift to give- not just for a child, but for a whole family to explore and share. The use of fun, bright illustrations is another stroke of genius as the usual photographs of unattainable perfection in a cookery book can be really off-putting!

A really fun and engaging way of encouraging an interest in, knowledge and enjoyment of the food we eat, ‘Chews Your Own Tasty Adventure’ is a real winner!

Chews Your Own Tasty Adventure

Dr Sai Pathmanathan, illustrated by Lucia Vinti

Faber ISBN: 978-0571370641

You can read more from Dr Sai Pathmanathan in the piece she wrote as part of the NNFN2023 celebrations on the FCBG website.

NNFN2023: Let’s Play

The importance of play, both free and imaginative and guided, cannot be underestimated - and yet, it seems to be something on the decline. Developing teamwork, independence, resilience, empathy… there are so many reasons why it should be encouraged and this fabulous book is perfect for home or school.

The fact that these games are taken from across the world only adds to its appeal. Some may be familiar or a twist on those already known whilst others might be completely new. Each game is carefully explained with step-by-step instructions and illustrations. Some are for playing independently, others for playing with friends- all could be adapted with a little imagination! Extra challenges and suggestions are also included, extending the fun. Children can be encouraged to look at a map of the world to locate the country of origin for the game, making connections and realising how much people have in common!

This is a brilliant resource, not only for home, but also school. Encouraging dinner staff as well as anyone on playground duty to organise a few games is always a brilliant thing to do, making playtimes more enjoyable for the staff on duty as well as engaging children. There are activities here which could also be used during wet playtimes or indoor play. A spread at the end of the book encourages children to think about developing their own games.

A brilliant, inspiring book!

Let’s Play!

Nancy Dickmann, illustrated by Monica Andino

Words and Pictures ISBN: 978-0711283756

NNFN2023: Human 2.0

Day three of National Non-Fiction November 2023!

Celebrating the almost unbelievable achievements which have been made in medical engineering, ‘Human 2.0’ is a completely fascinating read! It presents this complex subject clearly, from the first prostheses to future possibilities.

The developments are interspersed with the real-life stories of people who have benefitted from them. Claire Lomas, foe example, became the first person to finish the London Marathon using a ReWalk exoskeleton whereas Keith Hayman became one of the first people in the UK to receive the Argus II Bionic Eye. Each development is clearly described with technical vocabulary carefully explained. But the book also poses the question, ‘How far are we willing to go?’, considering the risks and rewards as technology moves ever onwards.

Author, Patrick Kane, is a triple amputee and became the youngest person to be fitted with a bionic arm. He has created an absorbing text, enlightening readers on this topic and no doubt inspiring them to find out more and perhaps to investigate a career in this field. Attractive illustrations add to the book’s appeal, making it a book which will be returned to and re-read!

Human 2.0

Patrick Kane, illustrated by Samuel Rodriguez

Big Picture Press ISBN: 978-1800781689

NNFN2023: The Story of Conservation

Long ago, our planet was blanketed with dark forests, dripping rainforests, frozen deserts, mighty mountains, sun-baked grasslands and rich blue seas.

Called ‘The Story of Conservation’ for good reason, this lovely book explains the changes in the human relationship with the planet and how we have come to better understand our relationship with, and responsibility for, our planet. Clearly written in accessible language, the text does indeed tell a story, which, although not shying away from the damage being done, ends on a note of hope for the future.

Laid out chronologically with the date clearly shown on each spread, the story moves from prehistory to the present day. Throughout the book, respect is shown for Indigenous peoples, living in traditional ways and keeping in harmony with nature, who were often moved from their lands to make way for ‘development’ and even for conservation when Yellowstone became the world’s first national park. The book also celebrates actions being taken by local communities- those in Japan which blocked coal-fired power stations which polluted the environment, those in Ghana which keep snails, rabbits and bees instead of hunting, those in Oslo who have created bee-friendly gardens- offering inspiration for those reading the book.

The glossary at the end of the book is perfect for supporting children’s understanding of the terms used in the book. This attractive and informative book is perfect for reading multiple times, allowing children to take something more from it with each read.

The Story of Conservation: A First Book About Protecting Nature

Catherine Barr and Steve Williams, illustrated by Amy Husband

Frances Lincoln ISBN: 978-0711278035

‘The Secret Life of Oceans’ written by Moira Butterfield is a perfect book for this year’s Wonderful Water theme and a guest post by Moira is being shared on the FCBG blog today. As well as celebrating life in ocean, it also shares some watery traditional tales from around the world.

The Secret Life of Oceans

Moira Butterfield, illustrated by Vivian Mineker

Happy Yak ISBN: 978-0711278691

You can read my review of ‘A Turtle’s View of the Ocean Blue’ by Catherine here and ‘The Secret Life of Bees by Moira here.

NNFN2023: Celebrate

Today kicks off a month of non-fiction reviews to celebrate National Non-Fiction November! There are so many fantastic information books on offer that it has been very hard to choose, but here we go!

‘Celebrate!’ from Nosy Crow and the British Museum is a joyful book, offering an introduction to 50 festivals from around the world. The bright red cover with its tumbling letters just invites readers to discover more about the little illustrations surrounding the title.

In terms of traditional non-fiction text features, the book has an excellent contents page which organises the festivals into those which are Worldwide and then by continent, a clear glossary and a comprehensive index, making it easy to locate information quickly and with ease. As it says in the introduction, ‘It would be impossible to include every festival from around the world…’, but the author, Laura Mucha, has done an amazing job of including a very diverse and fascinating range, making this book a joy from start to finish!

Each festival is given two pages, bursting with appealing illustrations which reflect the spirit of the occasion. The date and location of each festival is given and information is presented in accessible chunks, spread across the pages with an explanation of why and how celebrations take place. Touches of humour are added through speech bubbles and the pictures where appropriate.

I learned so much from reading this book and would happily add it to any school, class or home library, confident that children would both enjoy it and gain much from it. Beautifully presented, it is a real celebration of celebrations- a lovely gift!

Celebrate!

Laura Mucha, illustrated by Hannah Tolson

Nosy Crow and the British Museum ISBN: 978-1839940415

You can read my review of ‘Welcome to Our Table’ here- another book from Nosy Crow which celebrates the diversity of food around the world- and the 2023 Nature Month-by Month: A Children’s Almanac here, a lovely book which guides you through the year!