NF wrap up

BRUSH OF THE GODS by Lenore Look and Meilo So. Schwartz and Wade, 2013.

Wu Daozi lived
In China long ago and
Was renowned for art.

THE MYSTERY OF DARWIN'S FROG by Martha Crump. Boyds Mills Press, 2013.

Frog full of tadpoles
And a father frog no less?
Filled with surprises.

REPTILES by Penelope Arlon. Scholastic, 2013.

Learn about reptiles
Deadly, cold-blooded creatures
Picture, facts, and fun.

WEATHER by Penelope Arlon. Scholastic, 2013.

Thunderstorms and more
Tornados and hurricanes
Threaten life on earth.

Lessons from Books

A DAY WITHOUT SUGAR/UN DIA SIN AZUCAR by Diane DeAnda with illustrations by Janet Montelcalvo. Pinata Books, 2012.

Tia Sofia tells the kids that tomorrow will be a day when they will try to discover the hidden sugar in foods and avoid it. At first, the kids are less than thrilled. However, Tia Sofia offers them alternatives to foods laden with sugars, and the kids agree it is not too tough to eat healthier. <343>




FREDA STOPS A BULLY by Stuart J. Murphy. Charlesbridge, 2012.

When a classmate teases Freda about her new shoes, she tells her mother who offers lots of advice for dealing with teasing and bullying. Walk away. Ask for help. Say stop. Good basic information for kids about how to deal with bullies. <344>





OUT ON THE PRAIRIE by Donna Bateman with illustrations by Susan Swan. Charlesbridge, 2012.

This rhyming patterned text focuses on the wildlife found on the prairie including prairie dogs, howdy owls, and bison. Set in the Badlands National Park, readers will learn about the wildlife while enjoying the rhymes.





SOFIA AND THE PURPLE DRESS by Diane Gonzalez Bertrand with illustrations by Lisa Fields. Pinata Books, 2012.

Sofia is excited to be invited to her first quince. She wants to wear a purple dress given to her by her favorite cousin Rosaria, but it is too tight. So, Sofia and her mother decide to get get more exercise and eat more healthy foods. Will the dress fit? <346>





SCHOOL DAY MATH by Barbara Barbieri McGrath with illustrations by Tim Nihoff. Charlesbridge, 2012.

A slew of math concepts are introduced in this simple picture book: grouping, addition, subtraction, fractions, and more can be a great way to get kids to think about numbers in new ways. <347>

Nonfiction hits

A BUTTERFLY'S LIFE by Ellen Lawrence (Bearport 2012) is part of the Animal Diaries Life Cycles series. It begins with an adult butterfly laying eggs and follows the transition to caterpillar to chrysalis and finally butterfly. Each double page spread contains facts about the butterfly in its various forms. Readers are also encouraged to interact with text by measuring objects, creating butterfly gardens, and more. <268>

DOLPHINS IN THE NAVY by Meish Goldish (Bearport 2012) demonstrates how dolphins (and other mammals) are being used to help spot mines in the water and other threats to the Navy ships. The care and handling and training of the dolphins is included as well as a word or two about the controversy of using mammals in this fashion. Nice and well rounded reporting makes this a good introduction for kids. <269>

Many kids will already know the exploits of the subject of the Basketball Heroes series. KEVIN DURANT by Michael Sandler (Bearport 2012) helped his team, the Oklahoma Thunder win the Western Conference Semifinals last year. This short biography follows Kevin from childhood into adolescence and ultimately, the NBA. <270>