Children's Non-fiction Recent Picks

February 2010

The underlined title links will take you directly to our catalogue.
Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.

The word snoop, by Ursula Dubosarsky; illustrated by Tohby Riddle.
"Pssst! Lean in a bit. I have a secret to tell you. You see, since the beginning of time, I, the Word Snoop, have been skulking around, hiding in the shadows and learning everything there is to know about the dizzying, fascinating evolution of the English language. And now, finally, I'm ready to tell you (yes, you!) what I've discovered. We'll start with the beginning of the alphabet in 4000 BC and finish with the tricks of modern texting, stopping off for everything from anagrams and palindromes, puns and Pig Latin along the way. But don't just sit there - there are puzzles to solve, codes to crack and pun-filled illustrations to decipher! Trust me, you won't want to miss out on this top secret, wild and witty tour through our fair language." (book cover)

Funny business: conversations with writers of comedy, compiled and edited by Leonard S. Marcus.
"'A joke isn't a joke if you need to explain it,' notes Leonard S. Marcus. 'Even so, the hidden clockwork of comedy... has long been considered one of the great riddles of life.' There are many kinds of humor, but capturing their essence on paper is a remarkably difficult (and often undervalued) skill. So how do authors create books that not only stand the tests of time but also make us laugh? In thirteen fascinating interviews, well-loved writers of humorous books for children discuss an array of topics, from their sources of inspiration to the ways they began writing, from their revision processes to childhood anecdotes to the value they place on comedy in their work and lives. Beautifully designed and thoughtfully edited, this collection is bound to tickle the fancy of children and adults alike." (www.amazon.com)

A foot in the mouth, poems selected by Paul B. Janeczko; illustrated by Chris Raschka.
"One voice, two voice, three voice, free voice! Whether rhyming, tongue-tying, over defying structure, the thirty-seven poems in this collection simply beg to be read aloud. So read some to yourself, or with a friend, or two , or three, and discover just how much fun poetry out loud can be!"

When the wolves returned : restoring nature's balance in Yellowstone, by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent; photographs by Dan Hartman and Cassie Hartman.
"Yellowstone National Park's majestic geologic wonders and remarkable wildlife draw millions of visitors each year. But there was a time when the natural system was out of balance because one key piece of the puzzle had been eliminated - the wolf. Now, more then a decade after scientists realized the wolves' essential role and returned them to Yellowstone, the park's natural balance is gradually being restored. The informative dual-level text and spectacular full-colour photographs show the wolves in the habitat that was at risk without them."

How did that get to my house? Internet, by Gary T. Chmielewski.
"How the internet works, the world wide web and ways to connect, are all covered at a very basic level with helpful photographs in this small book." Other books in this series include Electricity, Mail, Music, Natural gas, Telephone, Television and Water.

The yellow house, by Susan Goldman Rubin ; illustrated by Jos A. Smith
"A wonderful introduction to the world of artists for young readers. Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gaughin shared a house in the south of France for two months in the autumn of 1988. This is their story complete with reproductions of actual paintings they painted during this inspirational time." (Cover)

The time book: a brief history from lunar calendars to atomic clocks , written by Martin Jenkins; illustrated by Richard Holland.
"What is time? Where does it come from, what is it made of, and how do we know we've got it right? Read the wonderful and eccentric Time Book to find out." (Book cover)

Why does ear wax taste so gross?: and more top trivia!, by Mitchell Symons.
"Stinky ear wax has been hanging around in the ear canal for nearly a month before it is 'pickable'! Humans share a third of their DNA with lettuce. Cockroaches fart every fifteen minutes. Giraffes never kneel. The average person spends six months of their life on the loo. Amaze your mates and fascinate your family with this book packed with jay-dropping eyebrow-raising facts." (Cover)

Let's make it, senior editor, Laura Gilbert.
"Just think of all the wonderful things you could make with Mister Maker! This great book is packed with more than 50 fantastic ideas. Let Mister Maker show you how to make amazing buried treasure, funny spoon bugs and crazy pasta picture!" (Cover)

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