Several new additions have been recently added to the youth non-fiction collection that will intrigue young readers of all ages and provide information and perspective on key topics.
Starting Out Baby Animals series by Kate Riggs – This irresistible series about unique baby animals utilizes simple words and explanations for the youngest readers. Close-up pictures show clear examples of how baby animals can look very much like their adult counterpoints, or very different. Anatomy, life cycles, and habitats are covered, with a glossary of key words. I loved hearing the flamingo vocalizations at the link provided in Baby Flamingos. Baby lemurs, red pandas, and zebras are also included in this collection.
Spotting Differences series (Beaver or Muskrat?, Frog or Toad?, Octopus or Squid?, Hedgehog or Porcupine?) by Kirsten Chang – This series will teach something new to both kids and adults. Each book compares two animals that seem very similar and points out their differences in appearance, habitat, and lifestyle to help the reader identify which is which. A side-by-side summary is provided at the end of each book that recaps the differences between these animals. Did you know that you can tell a beaver from a muskrat by whether its tail shows while swimming?
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul by Carole Boston Weatherford – This picture-book biography is an artful, poetic beauty honoring the musician and civil rights activist. Franklin’s story is told in a verse style, with each page dedicated to a word that describes her, spelled out just like her eponymous chart-topping song. The illustrations are brilliantly rendered, playing with texture and perspective to exemplify the phases of Franklin’s life. A perfect read-aloud biography.
Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals by Katy S. Duffield – The theme of, ‘over, under, across, through’ carries through this wonderful book about various types of animal crossing structures from all over the world. Bridges, underpasses, and tunnels built specifically for animals to safely traverse busy roadways are simply explained from both the structural and biological aspects. All sorts of animals, from black bears to salamanders to penguins, grace the pages in this delightful example of humans and wildlife living in harmony.
Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution: The Story of Trans Women of Color Who Made LGBTQ+ History by Joy Michael Ellison – The story of trans rights renegades Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson and the Stonewall Rebellion is told in a positive yet truthful manner understandable for even the youngest readers. Though the text is brief and the illustrations are simple, this book captures the core of Rivera’s and Johnson’s fight for social justice. Abundant additional resources will point parents and teachers to more information and provides thought-provoking discussion questions.
All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornovat – The harrowing story of twelve young soccer players trapped in a cave in Thailand captivated the world in 2018. This meticulously researched book brings their story to light in intimate, thorough detail. With real photographs of every step of the rescue, this story reads like an adventure tale and honors the bravery of the players, their rescuers, and those who witnessed it unfold all over the world.
Visit your LPL to check out these titles and many other new additions to the youth collection.
