Look Up With Me Neil deGrasse Tyson: A Life Among the Stars

Look Up With Me

by Jennifer Berne

Come along and read about Neil deGrasse Tyson's childhood, growing up in New York City and going to the Hayden Planetarium one day - the day that changed his life forever. Encouraging kids to keep their curiosity and to realize that dreams can indeed come true with perseverance, we see young Neil walk dogs every day for two years to buy a gigantic telescope that he would then lug to his rooftop every night. 

Digital styled collage art plus a simple story with a glossary make for an educational and winning book for little learners.

Unspeakable: the Tulsa Race Massacre

Unspeakable: the Tulsa Race Massacre

by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper Picture book Illustrator and author Floyd Cooper passed away recently at the age of 65. He received a Coretta Scott King Award for his illustrations in The Blacker the Berry and 2 Coretta Scott King Honors. Starting out as a 3 year old writing on the side of his house, he grew up in low-income housing in Tulsa Oklahoma and went on to receive a scholarship for art. In 1984 he moved to New York City to pursue his career.

Known for his candid, bold, and dramatic illustrations, Cooper always remained positive and stated, “Giving kids a positive alternative to counteract the negative impact of what is conveyed in today’s media is a huge opportunity.” His picturebook collection would make a fine library for any child with subjects ranging from a normal beach trip to a special day for a ring bearer, to a more heart wrenching topic such as the civil rights movement. His hope was for children to learn about the world at large, their place in it, and how they connect with it.

When Unspeakable came out this year there was thought that this could finally be Cooper's year to win a Caldecott, the award issued to an illustrator for the "most distinguished American picture book for children" I wonder, will Floyd Cooper be the first to be awarded a Caldecott Award posthumously?

Richmond Public Library has a selection of Cooper’s work, including his 2021 Unspeakable: the Tulsa Race Massacre in a streaming video read along format. Please make a purchase suggestion if you are interested in works we don’t presently carry. UPDATE: Unspeakable won a 2022 Caldecott Honor.

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365 simple science experiments with everyday materials

365 simple science experiments

By E. Richard Churchill

Here is a book filled with some fun and educational activities for the whole family to enjoy. I thought these might be interesting to try out over Spring Break. E. Richard Churchill, Louis V. Loeschnig and Muriel Mandell have collected and created experiments that children of all ages can enjoy.
Using the idea that science experiments are not just for scientists and students this book brings children and parents the magic of science using everyday materials that we can find in our own home. Some of the experiments will surprise you because of their outcome and others will amaze you because they actually work. The experiments in this book help to introduce children to the wonders of science, with chapters on how earthquakes and energy work; how everyday items can be used in extraordinary ways; and chapters on how to do cool tricks like catching a coin on your elbow. 365 simple science experiments with everyday materials should be a fun addition to your Spring Break reading.


For more great reads check out my helpful lists. Spring Break is just around the corner so place your holds today for some of these fun new titles about to hit the shelves!
Spring Break Reads - Junior Fiction
Spring Break Reads - Junior Non-fiction

Valentine's Day Is...

Valentine's Day Is...

By Gail Gibbons

I thought this would be a wonderful pick for this week. We are nearing Valentine's Day and many children have begun to ask us what is Valentine's day? Why do we celebrate it? Why do we give cards? This delightful book is filled with fun facts about this special day. Children will learn about the history, legends, traditions and symbols of Valentine's day. Learn about Saint Valentine, the tradition of giving cards and the delight of receiving sweet treats. This educational book is available at many of our branches as well as in eAudio form and eVideo streaming on Hoopla.

What is Valentine's day to you?

The Truth About Nature: A Family's Guide to 144 Common Myths about the Great Outdoors

The Truth About Nature

by Stacy Tornio
     Organized by season, this wonderful non-fiction book is an interactive guidebook busting myths like whether or not a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's or if all woodpeckers peck wood.  The book encourages curiosity and exploring the great outdoors. It covers a wide range of topics from animals, to plants, space, weather and lots more. Plus 40 Stranger than Fiction Feature Facts that are so unbelievable that they can't possibly be true, but amazingly are!
     I had a lot of fun learning new things and separating fact from fiction while reading this book. It would be a great book to read outside as the weather warms out, and definitely a fun one to revisit as the seasons change.
Recommended Reading: Ages 9 - 12.

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