Nonfiction Biography Picture Books Extravaganza!

It seems like more and more picture book biographies are springing up every year! This is not only GREAT for the rich diversity they add to children's literature, but also because so many children adore nonfiction. I remember there being so few quality nonfiction choices for my students when I started teaching (in the 90's people, I'm not THAT old yet).

Here's a round up of a few from the start of 2019...

Two Books to Add to Every Classroom Shelf & a Little Soapbox on Citizenship

I'm going to talk about two books today that need to be on every classroom shelf ; I'm talking K-12, even though they are listed as for a younger crowd. The reason I want to talk about them BOTH has mostly to do with my own tardiness. When I read Her Right Foot last fall, I was very, very, very remiss in not mentioning it because I so instantly adored it for so, so, so many reasons. Then, when the team of Eggers (writer) and Harris (illustrator) followed-up with What Can a Citizen Do?, and Chronicle Kids sent me a copy, I knew I couldn't just talk about one without the other.

Howl Like A Wolf by Kathleen Yale - book review

There are many times when I pick up a book with high expectations, either because of buzz surrounding it or because I already love the author. This can be a good thing (One & Only Ivan - author expectation) or sometimes a let-down (Wonder - overkill buzz). I had yet to read or hear a word about Howl Like A Wolf by Kathleen Yale when I picked it up; I had zero expectations and was in a big hurry to get out the door on vacation. Lucky me, I ended up dragging it along on vacation, imagining all the ways that teachers and/or parents can use the excellent nonfiction treat of  information and dramatic play all rolled into one!



Howl Like A Wolf is a book that will be well-worn, loved and studied by animal-loving children who want to join in the action with their animal kingdom pals.

Kids get a chance to not only read and learn about 15 amazing animals, but to imagine what it feels like to BE that animal. Each animal has unique features to consider and the author adds reflective questions that guide children towards better understanding and connection to each animal's feelings. The comparative traits side bars further assist children in connecting the animal kingdom, as well as making connections to their own world. This base of not only knowledge of, but compassion for, animals, adds a foundation that can be further expanded with scientific knowledge on comparison topics like adaptation. Further, this book offers interdisciplinary opportunities in science, physical education and drama (along with literacy skills, of course!).

Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla - a must for all elementary classrooms & libraries

When you start to read Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla, if you have already read The One and Only Ivan, you are going to tear up on the first page because you already love Ivan and know his fate. I am obsessed with The One and Only Ivan and have been since I had the chance to read it before release and then again when it won the Newbery. The nonfiction picture version doesn't disappoint with the true tale of Ivan. It is (once again) told with an even hand, one where humans make mistakes and humans fix mistakes. It also contains a special magic that only Ivan can create. That gorilla left a lasting mark on us humans and we need to seriously consider the balance between animal care and exploitation because of having known him.

Add this one to all elementary classrooms & libraries.

Book Review: Two solid picture books to add to the shelves = Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and Mary Walker Wears the Pants

I have been reading so many ebooks this year that it was nice to wrap my hands around some actual paper-based books this past week. Albert Whitman sent me Mary Walker Wears the Pants, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and In Search of Goliathus Hercules (to be reviewed later).  I am trying to let these titles soothe my sadness at having to miss Book Expo America (someone please tell those folks that us educators would like to attend too and that the end of the school year is impossible!). 

First off.......  Mary Walker Wears the Pants: The True Story of the Doctor, Reformer, and Civil War Hero is a nice title to add to the stacks. The nonfiction picture book biography uses the feminist issue of wearing pants as a jumping point to discuss suffrage, the Civil War and equality. The story's telling is somewhat narrow, but it would serve as a good beginning to investigate these topics further. A nice afterword is included for teacher read-aloud or to challenge advanced students. However, the book's simplistic style makes it a bit unchallenging for students above 5th grade so I recommend this one for elementary library purchase and for teaching units that include women's rights, suffrage and/or the Civil War.

Next..... Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is a visually stunning depiction of The Gettysburg Address. It is a title that I would recommend for middle grade students, not only because the depth of understanding needed to comprehend the message of Lincoln's speech itself, but also because of the wonderful interpretive writings by illustrator James Daugherty and Professor of Civil War Studies Gabor Borritt. Daugherty does a fantastic job explaining each of the mural-like illustrations that accompany the speech. His interpretations are perfect for art and social studies educators to incorporate interdisciplinary standards. While I can see some elementary libraries purchasing this title, I would recommend it for all middle grade libraries as well as visual arts and social studies classrooms.

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Genre: Nonfiction
Age: Mary Walker = Elementary, Lincoln = Middle Grades
Pages: Mary Walker = 32, Lincoln = 48
Thank You: Publisher: Thank you to Albert Whitman for my review copies!
Date: Mary Walker = 3/1/2013, Lincoln = 2/1/2013
ISBN Mary Walker = 978-0807549902, Lincoln =  978-0807545508

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 © 2007-2013 Cheryl Vanatti for www.ReadingRumpus.com

Every Day On Earth: Fun Facts That Happen Every 24 Hours by Steve Murrie & Matthew Murrie

I always have a hard time effusing over nonfiction books. This is why I have never joined the Kidlitosphere's popular Nonfiction Monday.  I like nonfiction well enough, but that 'you must go read this now' element is just not there in my writing. So when I tell you about Every Day On Earth: Fun Facts That Happen Every 24 Hours, please don't think it lacking. It's a great book and a great follow-up to the popular Every Minute On Earth. Would it be enough to say that I believe that both should be in every 4th -8th grade classroom?

Like its predecessor, Every Day On Earth is a non-fiction categorized book of facts. Boy, I sure made it sound boring.... when it is anything but. The Every Minute On Earth. and Every Day On Earth books both have that elusive 'wow' factor that nonfiction books need in order to pull a reader inside. Both books have huge kid appeal with random factoids to make them ponder the enormity held within just one minute or day on our planet. Every subject is covered and math is handled especially well. A list of sources at the back provide jumping points for further investigation. Natural curiosity and reflection are a given when reading this book. Perfect for the 8-12 crowd!

A 9-11 Lesson from Tom Brokaw on "A Society Just Going About Their Business"

I wasn't going to do a 9-11 post. There would be too many, "here's a list of 9-11 books" posts; I was sure. A post detailing my, "where were you" moment (teaching a 6th grade class) would hold little attention when compared to what others were doing (loading bombs onto fighter jets - like my husband). But then, I saw the New York Times/YouTube collaboration and stumbled upon Tom Brokow's reflection. Not his reflection on his own place in history, but his reflection on where he thought we would go and where we have gone.

My teacher wheels started spinning..... and I threw together this quick lesson plan with Mr. Brokaw's help:

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010

Students are going to pour over the fabulously stuffed-to-the-brim National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010.  Is it possible to pack any more animals, geography and culture into a book? This book is great for mini-reports or beginnings of further exploration on an amazing array of topics. The only criticism, from a reluctant reader standpoint, is the small text and overwhelming content. Teachers and parents might offer the sections in small chunks to these sorts of readers. 5th - 8th grade readers, especially gifted or strong readers, will have no difficulty, and find the amazing array of facts both fun to read and food for further thought.

-------------------- Resources --------------------

Genre: Nonfiction. Age: 9-12. Pages: 352.
Thank You to Media Masters Publicity for my copy.
Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books. Date: May 2009.
ISBN-13: 978-1426305016
Buy National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010 Here

I began this post hoping to discuss National Geographic Kids Almanac 2010, but I ended up jumping all over the National Geographic websites so I have to include all the goodness here!

National Geographic has long been the leader in the study of the people and creatures of our planet. But do you know about the wonderful resources National Geographic has to offer students? It all begins on their fantastic website, with animal facts, games, quizzes, videos, stories, cartoons, jokes, crafts, recipes, contests, amazing photography and even a club with a personalized Facebook-like page. You can also subscribe to their award winning children’s magazine for $15.

Teachers: scroll all the way to the bottom for an Education Guide link It's a great abundance of teaching support.

There’s also a link to the National Geographic Bee with ten new questions posted every day!

Do you know about the In2Books Community? It’s a group of carefully screened adult volunteer pen pals who will read 5 books and discuss them pen pal style with students.

Most folks have heard of the widely successful ePals, but it’s worth mentioning again. ePals is a global classroom community of pen pals who connect with other classrooms to exchange ideas and discuss current global issues.

Even the little guys have their own site, with Toot & Puddle as their guide! Toot & Puddle rank second only to Olivia in Pig Love with this gal.

Also well worth further investigation is the Giant Traveling Maps. They sure look like fun!

All in all, one could spend a long time exploring the National Geographic National Geographic Website, The place really got this reading educator enthused about geography!

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© 2007-2009 Cheryl Vanatti. www.ReadingRumpus.com

Travels with Tarra & Just For Elephants by Carol Buckley - Book Review, Teaching Support and Fabulous Giveaway

I don't usually go into the personal realm on Reading Rumpus as I consider this a professional site where teachers and parents can find good books and reading ideas. However, when Travels With Tarra and Just for Elephants came to me from publisher Tilbury House (a publishing house I’ve had happy experiences with before), I felt a need to explain why I was so touched by these titles.

Those of you who know me personally, know that my daughter is currently in veterinary medical school, so the subject of animal care and protection

Aint Nothing But A Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry by Scott Reynolds Nelson - Book Review & Teaching Activities

Ask a kid what he wants to be when he grows up. What will you hear? Race car driver? Ballerina? Doctor? Astronaut? Historian… Huh?

In Ain't Nothing But A Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry, Scott Reynolds Nelson has done for historians what Indiana Jones did for archeologists. While the book appears to explain whether a real John Henry, the steel driving man of folk legend, actually existed, it slyly tells a first person story of Scott Reynolds Nelson, historian.

Nelson's personal quest starts as a small kernel of wonder while researching the men who built the railroads. He looks up from his computer screen and a clue pops out at him. From there, Nelson is off to find out if there was a real John Henry.

Ain't Nothing But A Man describes the journey, dead ends and all, Nelson had to mount in order to get proof, one way or another. That journey, in another’s hands, might have been made of stereotypical stuffy old textbooks and kids nodding off to sleep; but Nelson wrote it in first person, sort of like a detective novel. That choice, along with a step-by-step narrative and a storyteller’s sensibility, makes me speculate that a few kids might answer my opening question with “historian” after reading this book.

Oh! And was there a real John Henry? I’ll not tell you the conclusion, it’s just too much fun to spoil, I’ll just recommend you go pick up Ain't Nothing But A Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry for both your classroom or library. You won’t be able to put it down.

-------------------- Resources --------------------

Genre: Nonfiction. Grades: 4th through secondary. Pages: 64.






Themes: History, Research Methods, Racial Tensions
Awards: Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year, Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choice, ALA Best Books for Young Adults, ALA Notable Children's Book
Thank You: Karen @ Media Masters
Publisher: National Geographic Children's. Date: December 2007.
ISBN: ISBN-10: 142630000X / ISBN-13: 978-1426300004

Buy Ain't Nothing but a Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry Here

Note: Ain't Nothing But A Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry also features old photographs, song lyrics, and various historical artifacts as well as appendices, a blurb on the birth of Rock & Roll as related to railroad men, a map, a note about research sources, an index of topics, suggestions for further reading and links where readers can find versions of the songs. It also includes the essay "How to be a Historian" by writer Marc Aronson. He also writes Nonfiction Matters for School Library Journal.

Lesson Plan & Activities

Pre-reading activity: Read or listen to the original song before reading the book to provide background knowledge on the subject. The New York Times has a review with a picture slideshow from the book which would also work well as a story starter activity. You can also listen to a recording of the song from the Smithsonian (left side) there.

Vocabulary (with page found): research 7, locomotive 7, trawling 9, scavenger 11, ammunition 13, impulse 13, jostles 15, archive 16, evidence 19, steam drill 23, nitroglycerine 24, wagered 26, anvil 31, penitentiary 35, contractor 37, archeologist 37, gully 38, theory 38, archivist 39, scholars 39, census 39, convicted 41, embankments 43, siege 43, midst 44, improvised 44, gnashing 44, barbaric 47, trove 52.


Discussion Questions:
Chapter 1:
Predict what Mr. Nelson might have seen with “the clue that changed everything.” (try to get students to back-up predictions with textual clues from Mr. Nelson’s writing in Chapter 1. Example: “Mr Nelson said that he was researching men who worked on the railroad so maybe he saw a picture that reminded him of how John Henry might look”)

Chapter 2:
What is “making the grade?” (Answer: p. 9 photo caption)

Why does Mr. Nelson become a historian? (Answer: whole chapter gives examples of his love of finding the undiscovered clues to how people lived)

Chapter 3:
Who were trackliners? (Answer: p.15 men who go out day after day to realign and maintain the tracks)

How would singing a song help the trackliners? (Answer: p. 17 -18 They would be able to sing the song in a way to create a rhythm between the men realigning the track)

Is Mr. Nelson really trying to find John Henry to prove his existence? (Answer: p. 19 No, he is trying to find out information about the 40,000 missing men)

Chapter 4:
Discuss the steam engine illustration technology vs. technology today. How must people have felt when a mechanical device could do their job? Do you think people today feel the same way about computers and robotics? (own ideas)

Chapter 5:
Mr. Nelsons begins his quest at Big Bend Tunnel. Why? (Answer: p.29 many versions of the songs mention the name Big Bend and there is even a statue there of John Henry)

Why does Mr. Nelson believe that Big Bend is the wrong place to look for John Henry? (Answer: p. 29-31 The rock is too soft there, there was evidence of men working – not machines, the tunnel was not large enough for a steam engine)

Chapter 6:
What do you think? Could Mr. Nelson be on the right track? (Answers that might disprove research = size wrong, name common, no death listed, criminal…)

Chapter 7:
Remind students of the Civil War and the freeing of slaves. Let students discuss how uneasy the country must have been with distrust, prejudice and fear motivating the legal system.

Chapter 8:
Mr. Nelson gets his proof about Big Bend. How does he get it? (Answer: p. 51-52 A library in Ohio has railroad records that state that only men where used on the Big Bend Tunnel)

Where does the report lead Mr. Nelson? Why? (Answer: p.52 to the Lewis Tunnel where the old reports state that men were tested against machine and from old newspaper reports)

How does Mr. Nelson piece this all together? (Answer: conclusion - No machine at Big Bend + Machine & contest at Lewis tunnel + John Henry at Lewis Tunnel)

Chapter 9:
How does Mr. Nelson believe the legend/song got passed to Big Bend? (Answer: p.56 there was a cook and a waterboy who transferred from Lewis to Big Bend)

Did Mr. Nelson find his original answer? Do you believe him?
(Answer: p.57 He believes that the song was a warning about the hardships of working for the railroad, not a literal John Henry died-right-then tale.)


Extend the book further with:
Art: Research the painter Palmer C. Hayden p.8.

Wikipedia lists two other possible theories, both by historians, as to the origins of John Henry. Do a compare and contrast Venn diagram of the theories.

Research folksongs: Mr Nelson tells us that one way historians trace history is to listen to the songs of a specific time period for clues (p.16). He mentions three songs: The Big Rock Candy Mountain, Ring around the Rosy & Bingo. Research the origins, dates and relevant information of these songs.


A study of folklore: Compare to books/stories on folk legends like Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed, Pecos Bill, Mike Fink, etc… Here are a couple good websites to help: American Folklore and The American Folklife Center.

This is the US postage stamp honoring John Henry. Have students make stamps honoring other book or folklore characters that have inspired them to learn more.



Some book recommendations?

From Sea to Shining Sea: A Treasury of American Folklore and Folk Songs

American Tall Tales







Or what about the Steven Kellogg series?
Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan, Mike Fink,

Pecos Bill









And don't forget these two titles to accompany the fun:
John Henry by Julius Lester with illustrations by Jerry Pinkney




John Henry: An American Legend by Ezra Jack Keats




Scott Reynolds Nelson is a professor of history at the College of William and Mary. He was recently awarded a Newberry Library fellowship to research the history of financial crashes. Ain't Nothing but a Man: My Quest to Find the Real John Henry grew out of his adult research book on the same topic, Steel Drivin' Man: John Henry, the Untold Story of an American Legend. You can read a bit more about him on his website or read an interview transcript on Sound Authors.
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© 2007-2009 Cheryl Vanatti for www.ReadingRumpus.com