Nonfiction Monday #3 :: Zero Is the Leaves on the Tree

** Nonfiction Monday is a weekly round-up of nonfiction children's literature from around the blogosphere! It is being hosted this week over at Mother Reader! **

Zero Is the Leaves on the Tree

Written by Betsy Franco

Illustrated by Shino Arihara

"Zero is ...

the shape of an egg.

Zero is a number."

Summary from the School Library Journal: "Zero is...the sound of snowflakes landing on your mitten. 0 sounds." "Zero is...the kites in the sky once the wind stops blowing. 0 kites." Using these and other evocative examples from children's everyday experiences throughout the seasons, Franco explores the concept of zero. The gouache illustrations are done in soft, muted tones and have a naive charm that will have substantial child appeal. Most of the scenes are set outdoors, clearly depicting and emphasizing the book's link to the passing seasons. While the idea is a simple one, the presentation is such that it could easily be used to encourage youngsters to think of ways they could use any of their five senses to experience having zero of something.

Mary Elizabeth's Musings:  As an elementary school teacher and a mother of four, I am always looking for books that link math and literature together ... and this book does a fabulous job of doing just that!! Zero is a concept often overlooked in traditional, elementary arithmetic, so a children's book that dicusses this concept is absolutely essential.  The simple prose in this piece of literature is breathtaking, along with its gentle, mesmerizing illustrations.  Children from ages two and up will possess a fundamental understanding of the number zero after enjoying this book.  It works as both a teaching tool and a bedtime story!

Nonfiction Monday #2 :: The Handiest Things in the World by Andrew Clements

Find some more children's nonfiction must-reads over at Shelf-employed this Monday!

:: This book review was part of a post originally published here on 22 July 2010 ::

The Handiest Things in the World

by Andrew Clements

Photographs by Raquel Jaramillo

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

Copyright 2010

"Of all the handy things there are,
the hand itself is best by far.
To grab, to hold, to pull or twist -
the hand itself is handiest."

Publisher's Summary:  Eight fingers.  Two thumbs.  Two flat palms.  And all those knuckles.  But our hands are so much more than that.  They were once the first pair of earmuffs, a primitive visor, and a convenient set of chopsticks.  The work done by hands centuries and centuries ago paved the way for many of our favorite and most useful tools.  The always-clever Andrew Clements reminds us all that the mother of much invention is right at our fingertips!

Mary Elizabeth's Musings:  Delightful, colorful photographs combined with Mr. Clements' poetic verse make this book a gem to share with your little ones! Reminding us how truly spectacular our hands are, this book will inspire children to recognize the special work their hands do every day.  Digging in the dirt, feeling the rain, counting, and reaching out to one another are just a "handful" of ways our hands bring us through each day.  

I recommend this book for ages 2-6 years.

Nonfiction Monday #1 :: Insect Detective by Steve Voake

Visit Abby the Librarian to link up and find some quality non-fiction!!

:: This is part of a post originally published here on June 22, 2010 ::

Insect Detective

Written by Steve Voake

Illustrated by Charlotte Voake

Published by Candlewick Press

First U.S. Edition 2010

"Lift up a stone and you might see an earwig scuttle out.  They like to hide in the damp and the dark.  The pincers on the tips of their abdomens make them look kind of scary, but don't worry - they're completely harmless."

Publisher's Summary:  Right now, all around you, thousands of insects are doing strange and wonderful things:  wasps are building their nests, ants are collecting food, and dragonflies are readying for the hunt.  But it's not always so easy to catch sight of these six-legged creatures...Become an insect detective and find out just what the insects around you are up to!

Mary Elizabeth's Musings:  I must say that I am quite smitten with this book! Its watercolor illustrations pair beautifully with the rich prose, which is filled with exceptionally interesting insect facts.  Giving children practical tips of finding and observing the world of insects around them, the author conveys a quiet message of respect for insects and their place in the ecosystem.  Quite simply, this informative non-fiction book reads as smoothly as any children's fiction book.  You will find it as fascinating as your child surely will!

Why I Recommend This Book:  This gem of a book will encourage your child to observe the intricacies of the natural world right in their own backyard! After finishing this exceptional book, your child will be armed with the knowledge of how to unobtrusively explore the world of insects ... and he or she will be eager to do so as soon as you reach the back cover! I tremendously enjoyed this book - do yourself and your child a favor by grabbing it from your local library today!

Recommended for ages 5 - 9 years.