What I read in 2013 - continued

Non-Fiction/Poetry picture books (again - in no particular order)

Lifetime: The Amazing Numbers in Animal Lives by Lola M. Schaefer ~ If you have a child that loves to count and also loves nature -- find this book!  How many egg sacs will a spider create in its short lifetime (Fans of Charlotte - you know this one!)  How many holes will a woodpecker peck?  How many teeth does a dolphin have?  Fascinating.  And it even includes a few word problems!

The Animal Book: A Collection of the Fastest, Fiercest, Toughest, Cleverest, Shyest--and Most Surprising--Animals on Earth by Steve Jenkins ~ This is our new coffee table books. Steve Jenkins has written more than 30 books on animals and he draws from many of those to create this one book to talk about LOTS of different kinds of animals.  For those who want to learn more about the amazing world of animals.

Birds On a Wire:  A Renga 'round Town by J. Patrick Lewis & Paul B. Janeczko ~ What is a Renga?  An ancient form of poetry writing where one person writes a verse and another responds to it.  This is an older book so look for it in your local library and then - create some renga on your own!

The Story of Silk:  From Worm Spit to Woven Scarves by Richard Sobol ~ A very interesting look at the history of silk and how it is manufactured today (at least - in the village in Thailand where he centered his book!)  5,000 silkworms to create one silk dress!

Unspoken:  A Story from the Underground Railroad by Henry Cole ~ A young girl discovers a runaway slave hiding in her family's barn.  The wordless book format is perfect for this book about keeping secrets and remaining silent and still.  It allows ample opportunity for discussion.

Stardines Swim High Across the Sky: and other poems by Jack Prelutsky ~ A menagerie of wonderful new animals!  My own personal favorite?  The Slobster!  Time to get busy creating your own animals! 

Year of the Jungle:  Memories from the Homefront by Suzanne Collins ~ Yes.  The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins.  This is a very personal memoir of the year she was five and her dad was sent to Vietnam for a year.  Have someone in your life who deploys for a long period of time? Check this one out.  

Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed ~  I loved this book!  The author explores the different kinds of ice that take her and her family through the winter.  A great book to have for the winter many of us are experiencing this year!  

Step Gently Out by Helen Frost and Rick Lieder (photographer) ~ An invitation to look more closely at the wonderful world that surrounds us.