For Your Information- Reviewing 5 Information Children's Books
1. It's So Amazing: A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Babies, and Families- Robie H. Harris
It's So Amazing is an informational children's book for ages 7- 10 about topics such as sex, the human body, pregnancy and love. Harris and illustrator Michael Emberley accomplish an informative book about topics that are important for growing children to learn though not always an easy task to explain. With their use of comic art style and diagrams mixed with factual text they create an information book that would prove useful for any parent who wishes for their child to learn the scientific truth about bodies and where babies come from. Harris and Emberley do implement the element of anthropomorphism to relay the information of this text. A bird and a bee speak back and forth to progress the story. There are also anthropomorphic sperms and eggs. Throughout the book there are instances of using a cartoon narrative in order to explain bodily functions. For example, the sperm are depicted within a factory, conveyor belt like setting, to explain how sperm "races" to fertilize the egg. While these are departures from the realistic and factual matter in which Harris relays the sex education of this book, they are not without their purpose. The use of anthropomorphism is this text, enhances the delivery of information that can sometimes be awkward or embarrassing. By using a cartoon style and anthropomorphism, it gives the book a more light-hearted and humorous tone that helps to relieve any awkward feelings. Though the book maintains that this text is for ages 7 and up, there are sections of this book that may be a little advanced for a seven year old. The recommended reading age should be 8-12.
2. Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement- Angela Joy
Choosing Brave is a biographical children's picture book that tells the story of Civil Rights Movement tffigure, Mamie Till Mobley and her son Emmett Till. Choosing Brave reads like one long beautifully sad poem about the life of Mamie Till Mobley from her days as a long girl all the way up to her involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Her and Emmett Till's story in a way that is equal parts poetic and explanatory. This book is a great aide to explaining the impetus to the civil rights movement and how the crime and injustice done to Emmett Till was the impetus. It also shines a light on a historical figure that is not spoken of a lot in the education of civil rights movement. The inclusion of such iconic figures as Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, will help students contextualize and correlate the life of Mamie and Emmett Till with what they already hopefully know about the Civil Rights Movement. The book also includes more in depth information about Mamie's life and the murder of Emmett Till, as well as a timeline of events of Mamie Till Mobley's life within the Civil Rights Movement. Overall a great biographical picture book about an important female figure who has gone down in history for her unwavering motherly love and quest for justice.
3. Shipwrecked!: Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor- Martin W. Sandler
Shipwrecked! is an example of a densely packed informational concept children's book. This text contains accounts of famous ship wrecks through history and across the world. Any child who has a deep fascination with history, archeology, boats, and even anthropology would find this book appealing. However, it must be said that this book is so densely populated with information and historical accounts that would most likely appeal most to the child who is very interested in those aforementioned topics. A child who has a mild interest in sunken ships might find this book to be a little too detailed. Sandler effectively details the events of such shipwrecks as the Antikythera of Ancient Greece, The Mary Rose of the Tudor Period, the Sao Jose Paquete de Africa of the transatlantic slave trade, and the Hunley of the Civil war era, to name a few. But overall, Sandler's inclusion of photographs, diagrams, and spotlights on specific events and people result in an informational book that will provide a new learning opportunity on each read. This book contains and Index as well as a table of contents.
4. Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains- Anita Yasuda
Yasuda, Anita. Up, Up, Ever up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains. Illustrated by Yuko Shimizu. HarperCollins, 2024. 48 pages. Tr $21.24, ISBN 9780063242418
Up, Up, Ever Up! is a biographical children's picture book about the life and ambition of the first female to reach the peak of Mt. Everest, Junko Tabei. Tabei's story is told through the poetic narration of Yasuda and the beautiful illustrations of Shimizu. But this book is not only about Tabei's life as a climber, but about how she shattered a glass ceiling and never gave up on her dreams and ambitions. It's as much as a biographic tale and celebration of Tabei's journey as it is an example of conquering goals and wildest dreams in the face of doubt and injustice. Stories of the indomitable human spirit will always be worth telling. Tabei's story is no exception. What makes her such a great focal point for a children's picture book biography, is her impulse and desire to always do the right thing and help those in need. Her story demonstrates the valuable life lesson and moral that not only should you never give up on your dreams but that you should strive to be someone who helps others. In a world where it feels like people are drawn to the egotistical ideology that you should step on people to get ahead, Junko Tabei reminds us that we put one foot in front of the other so that we are one step closer to helping someone else.
5. The People's Painter: How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice with Art- Cynthia Levinson
Levinson, Cynthia. The People's Painter: How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice with Art. Illustrated by Evan Turk. Abrams, 2021. 48 pages. Tr $17.55, ISBN 9781419741302
The People's Painter is a biographical children's book about artist and activist Ben Shahn. This book highlights the life of Shahn through a more story centered narration coupled with artwork reminiscent of Shahn's own art style. The use of Hebrew words throughout the story reflect the moral and purpose of Shahn's activism on behalf of the immigrants of America in the early to mid 1900s. Levinson demonstrates artfully Shahn's nature and personality through her use of carefully selected aspects of his life and childhood. Turk's use of illustrations reflective of Shahn's art style acts as a clear demarcation that this story is just that: a biography of an artist. Not only is this children's picture book a retelling of the life of Ben Shahn but also acts as a great opportunity to deliver the message and moral that your culture is worth fighting for, injustices exist in the world but you must keep fighting them, that others have a right to be treated humanely no matter how different they may be from you and your family, and always use your voice because it is the most powerful tool you have. This is a great read for grades 2-5 and a fantastic opportunity to instill a creativity in students/children surrounding injustice and how to speak out against it.
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