Kids are curious about absolutely anything, so that's what the books in the non-fiction picture book category will be about--absolutely anything! As long as it's true and factual, of course. (it's gotta be "not fiction", after all!). Science, art, history, sports, current events--and more--are all fair game, from slice-of-life biographies and other true stories kids will read beginning-to-end, to list books and other compendiums of information that will delight the browsers in the crowd.
We're looking for fresh subjects or old favorites approached in a new way; writing that sizzles and sings; illustrations that make you say, "Wow."; and all of this between covers young readers (and those read to!) will want to open again and again.
Non-fiction picture books will be 48 pages or less and aimed at younger readers. Non-fiction books 48 pages or more, with longer, denser text divided into chapters, belong in the Middle Grade/Young Adult Nonfiction category.
--Fiona Bayrock, organizer
Please leave a nomination -- including
author and title -- in the comments below. One
nomination per person, per category, please.
United Tweets of America, by Hudson Talbott. A hilarious book about America's state birds. 64 pages long; age range given (at Amazon) is 4 to 8.
Posted by: Susan Thomsen | October 01, 2008 at 04:41 AM
Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of His Faithful Dog by Elisa Carbone
Posted by: Megan Germano | October 01, 2008 at 04:58 AM
Independent Dames by Laurie Hal Anderson
Posted by: Melissa | October 01, 2008 at 05:03 AM
Trout Are Made of Trees by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Kate Endle
Charlesbridge
Posted by: JoAnn Early Macken | October 01, 2008 at 05:48 AM
Finding Home by Sandra Markle, illustrated by Alan Marks
Posted by: EM | October 01, 2008 at 06:05 AM
Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story, by Janet Halfmann
Posted by: Charlotte | October 01, 2008 at 06:08 AM
Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum by Robert Andrew Parker
Posted by: Kelly Fineman | October 01, 2008 at 06:37 AM
Fabulous Fishes by Susan Stockdale
One of my best summer reading experiences - 20 4&5 year olds spontaneously echoing the lines after me!
Posted by: Jennifer | October 01, 2008 at 06:56 AM
The Raucous Royals: Test Your Royal Wits: Crack Codes, Solve Mysteries, and Deduce which Royal Rumors are True. (Houghton Mifflin, 2008)
Posted by: Cynthia Leitich Smith | October 01, 2008 at 06:59 AM
Lady Liberty, by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Matt Tavares
Posted by: Alison | October 01, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Lady Liberty, by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Matt Tavares
Posted by: Alison | October 01, 2008 at 09:03 AM
What to Do About Alice?: How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy! by Barbara Kerley (author) and Edwin Fotheringham (illustrator)
Posted by: Jackie Parker | October 01, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the Move, by JoAnn Early Macken, illustrated by Pam Paparone, Holiday House.
Posted by: Carolyn | October 01, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Flip, Float, Fly: Seeds on the Move, by JoAnn Early Macken, illustrated by Pam Paparone, Holiday House.
Posted by: Carolyn | October 01, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Nic Bishop Frogs by Nic Bishop published by Scholastic
Posted by: Sonja | October 01, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Nic Bishop Frogs by Nic Bishop published by Scholastic
Posted by: Sonja | October 01, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Nic Bishop Frogs by Nic Bishop published by Scholastic
Posted by: Sonja | October 01, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I'm so glad Susan nominated United Tweets! It is a fun book. I know it is over the "page limit" threshold, but that's only because we have 50 states. I suppose we could lop off a few of the problematic ones ...
No nomination here, just one excited panelist ...
Posted by: Tricia | October 01, 2008 at 10:40 AM
A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams by Jen Bryant Illustrated by Melissa Sweet Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Posted by: kbookwoman | October 01, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Abe Lincoln Crosses A Creek: A Tall Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend) by Deborah Hopkinson and John Hendrix, Schwartz & Wade Books
Posted by: Boni Ashburn | October 01, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Lightship, by Brian Floca
Posted by: Joan Paquette | October 01, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Lightship was nominated last year AND it was in the finalists - just didn't know if it could be nominated again. I loved reading it last year and this was my first exposure to it!!
Posted by: BeckyB | October 01, 2008 at 11:54 AM
sandy's circus, by tanya lee stone,
illustrations by boris kulikov
published by viking
Posted by: sarah aronson | October 01, 2008 at 12:17 PM
The Art of Freedom: How Artists See America by Bob Raczka.
This book is a great way to introduce kids to art! It shows the United States through the eyes of eighteen different paintings, sculptures, and photographs.
Posted by: Lindsay | October 01, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Big Words for Little People by Jamie Lee Curtis
Posted by: Stephanie | October 01, 2008 at 12:56 PM
A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero by Gina Capaldi
Posted by: Louise | October 01, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Boys of Steel The Creators of Superman by Marc Tyler Nobleman. Illustrated by Ross MacDonald.
Posted by: Kyle Kimmal | October 01, 2008 at 03:28 PM
"A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero" by Gina Capaldi
Posted by: KT Horning | October 01, 2008 at 04:28 PM
What's Inside Your Tummy, Mommy by Abby Cocovini
Posted by: Becky | October 01, 2008 at 04:32 PM
A couple of reminders...
---books must be Copyright 2008
---tall tales and historical fiction belong in the fiction picture book category
Thanks, y'all
From your friendly neighbourhood category organizer
Posted by: Fiona | October 01, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Manfish: The Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne (ill. Eric Puybaret)
Posted by: Jill | October 01, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Manfish: The Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne (ill. Eric Puybaret)
Posted by: Jill | October 01, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Keep Your Eye on the Kid: The Early Years of Buster Keaton by Catherine Brighton
Posted by: Fuse #8 | October 01, 2008 at 06:53 PM
I'd like to nominate Rembrandt and the Boy Who Drew Dogs A Story about Rembrandt van Rijn by Molly Blaisdell for the non-fiction picture books category.
Posted by: Kim Baccellia | October 01, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Lady Liberty: A Biography, written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by Matt Tavares
Posted by: Tarie | October 01, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery, and Jean Cassels (ill.) (Walker, August 5)
Posted by: Jen Robinson | October 01, 2008 at 11:24 PM
This Is the Feast by Diane Z. Shore
Posted by: Shirley | October 01, 2008 at 11:46 PM
TWO BOBBIES by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery -- a great story about friendship and healing after Hurricane Katrina.
Posted by: Barbara | October 02, 2008 at 05:25 AM
I'm so glad that Jackie nominated "What To Do About Alice?" which is a fine book! History is fun, and full of interesting people like Alice Roosevelt.
Tricia, let's start the United Tweets fan club! I found out about it from your blog--and ordered two copies. One for home and one I gave to my son's teacher.
Posted by: Susan (Chicken Spaghetti) | October 02, 2008 at 05:42 AM
For NFPB: Ballots for Belva by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen
Posted by: jone | October 02, 2008 at 08:34 AM
Since Two Bobbies has already been nominated, I'd like to add Molly the Pony, by Pam Kaster, Louisiana State University Press (April 29, 2008).
Posted by: Laurie Thompson | October 02, 2008 at 01:20 PM
PLANTING THE TREES OF KENYA: THE STORY OF WANGARI MAATHAI
by Claire Nivola
Posted by: Ed | October 02, 2008 at 03:56 PM
Just checking in to say how much I'm loving these nominations! What fun we're going to have wading through them all!
Posted by: Tricia | October 02, 2008 at 03:59 PM
I'd like to nominate Elizabeth Leads the Way by Tanya Lee Stone, published by Henry Holt. It's a terrific PB biography of Elizabeth Cady Stanton (and for teachers...a perfect companion to Laurie Halse Anderson's Independent Dames, too!)
Posted by: Kate | October 02, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator by Sarah C. Campbell
Posted by: Pat Cruzan | October 02, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Give a Goat by Jan West Schrock
Posted by: P.J. | October 03, 2008 at 03:46 AM
Little Lions, Bull Baiters & Hunting Hounds: A History of Dog Breeds by Jeff Crosby & Shelley Ann Jackson
Posted by: Andrea of JustOneMoreBook! KidLit Podcast | October 03, 2008 at 04:12 AM
The new children's book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, by Firefighter Dayna Hilton, is not only fun, but educational, and based on the latest fire safety research for children.
978-0-9814977-0-9
Firehouse Dog Publishing, LLC
www.firehousedogpublishing.com
Posted by: margie trembley | October 03, 2008 at 10:51 AM
One Hen by Katie Smith Milway. Published by Kids Can Press, 2008. Through a simple storyline readers learn about micro-economics and global teamwork. It also shows the impact of a small change in a person's life.
Posted by: Jeanette | October 03, 2008 at 12:12 PM
A NOTE FROM THE CATEGORY ORGANIZER....................... ...................................................................... JOAN PAQUETTE (Lightship) and KT HORNING (A Boy Named Beckoning) - the books you nominated have already been nominated (and in the case of Lightship, won last year's category!). You may each nominate another title if you'd like.
Posted by: Fiona | October 04, 2008 at 11:55 AM