PICTURE BOOK NONFICTION: Red Rover by Richard Ho & Big Cats by Nic Bishop & Manhattan by Jennifer Thermes
ABOUT THE BOOK
On a planet far, far away, one pioneer explores a vast frontier. Many others have come before it seeking an answer to Mars’s many secrets, and the little rover is no different. It plays games.
It looks for water.
And it waits…
…for the next one to come to Mars to explore.
Join Curiosity on its journey across the red planet in this innovative and dynamic nonfiction picture book by journalist Richard Ho, illustrated by Sibert Honor winner Katherine Roy.
REVIEW
This gorgeously illustrated book tells the story of the NASA rover Curiosity and it's work on Mars. This book could have been kind of boring, I mean, the rover just moves slowly over the planet. But Ho and Roy have done an incredible job showing the remarkable things the rover has seen and the amazing pieces of information that it has sent back to Earth. Roy's stunning illustrations show the rover doing a variety of different things from a variety of different angles. There are small pictures of the rover, there are large pictures of the rover, including a four page spread. There are close up images of Curiosity and far away ones. The book even leaves the readers with the question of what the next visitor will be. I also appreciated the inclusion of a diagram of the rover, giving me a deeper understanding of the delicate nature of the rover and leaving me amazed at the incredible work the machine has done and seemingly still is doing. A fabulous book for young space lovers or anyone who just wants to enjoy a wonderfully produced book.
ABOUT THE BOOK
With grace, guile, and unstoppable power, big cats are admired for their speed and strength. Although they are related to house cats, these magnificent creatures are nothing like our pets!
With breathtaking full-page images, Sibert Medal-winning photographer Nic Bishop introduces readers to a variety of beautiful and stealthy big cats. The simple, engaging text presents both basic information and captivating details about the appearance, habits, and remarkable abilities of these amazing felines. An index and glossary are included, along with an author's note detailing his research and the fun stories behind the photographs.
REVIEW
Whenever I hear about a new Nic Bishop book I am always sure of two things. First, the photographs will be amazing. And second, the topic will be a fascinating one. Big cats have always fascinated me. I do have a special place in my heart for them. And I know a lot of children also love learning about them. That particular topic then makes this book a winner from the very beginning. As usual with a Bishop book, the photographs are the best part of the book. But the text is interesting as well. As in his other books, he use larger text to summarize the main idea of each page, before expanding into additional information. Each photograph also has a caption to go with it. Big cats usually include lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards, but Bishop explains that he has also chosen to include mountain lions and cheetahs as well. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and especially studying the photographs. The photographs are mainly close-ups but also include hunting, and feeding shots. I also enjoyed the author's note at the end of the book that explains the work that went into getting the photographs in the book. A great book for young big cat lovers, or those who enjoy great wildlife photography.
ABOUT THE BOOK
"An innovative look back through time, Manhattan Maps follows the history of Manhattan Island from its natural formation to the bustling city today. It explores the ways in which nature and people are connected, tracking the people who lived on Manhattan from the Lenape Indians to Dutch settlers hunting for beaver pelts to early Americans and beyond, and how they've (literally) shaped the island (and vice versa). Jen Thermes highlights watershed moments where nature demanded action of New Yorkers--the Great Fire of 1835, the Great Blizzard of 1888, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012. In special sidebars, she closely traces specific threads of history and their lasting impact today--New York as a hub for immigration and the slave trade, for example. An epic volume that chronicles the rise of Manhattan through the lenses of geography, city planning, sociology, historiography, and more, Manhattan Maps is a groundbreaking format that will fascinate curious readers of all ages".
REVIEW
Thermes has created an absolutely amazing book about the history of the island of Manhattan. Not only did I learn a lot reading it, but I thoroughly enjoyed studying each of the maps to see all the changes that occurred over time. The book is not a complete history of the island, after all it's a picture book. But it gives a nice overview of the events that made a contribution to the development of the island. Major events are illustrated, but at least half the book is made up of the illustrated maps showing the changes to the island as more people came to the island and as the city grew. I appreciated how easy to read the maps were. Normally, I would prefer more precise maps, but these maps are so beautifully illustrated that I loved looking at them. A delightfully informative book that is also beautifully designed and illustrated. A real winner of a book for those young readers who are as fascinated with geography as I am.
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