Non-Fiction PB Pick: Our Blue Planet

 

Our Blue Planet

Stories from Blue Planet II, BBC

by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe

Illustrated by Emily Dove

A Paula Wiseman Book

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

First published in in Great Britain, 2020

2023 

64 pages

ISBN: 9781665928021

A refreshing dip thanks to lively imagery in both art and narrative. (Kirkus Reviews) 

Beautifully illustrated by Emily Dove, Our Blue Planet is a treasure to hold and read. Young readers will discover secrets of the deep--the oceans which cover 71% of our planet, yet we have better maps of Mars than our own oceans. 

Creatures abound that children and adults have probably never heard of, for example, the vampire squid, the flapjack octopus, the pyjama shark and many others. Each two page spread (or layout) is detailed with eye-catching art and animals that seem to dance off the pages. 

A call to all future marine biologists, scientists, engineers, and ocean lovers to protect our oceans complete this compelling text. A lovely book to gift to any child, but especially to children who are interested in all things marine. 

Highly, highly recommended. Foreward by David Attenborough.

Grades 1-up. This book can be appreciated even for middle grade and YA readers. Reluctant readers will love this book. 

Non-Fiction Pick: Meet the Megafauna!

 

Meet the Megafauna!

Get To Know 20 of the Largest Animals To Ever Roam the Earth

by Gabrielle Balkan

Illustrated by Quang And Lien

Workman Publishing 

2023

56 pages

ISBN: 9781523508600

 Meet the Megafauna! is an impressive book with ten gatefolds that fold out for young readers to see the huge size of the mega-animals. Complete with a nice title page that directs readers to each part of the book including explanations of what megafauna are,when and where they lived (and currently live) and a timetable of geologic periods. 

Twenty giant animals including giant dear, wooly mammoth, supercroc, saber-toothed cat and my personal favorite named the terror bird. The blue whale has a double gatefold that kids will love. Each creature has a text box with facts including their scientific name, period, length, weight, and modern relative animals. 

Where Did They Go? is explained on its own page. Some animals may have suffered due to temperature shifts which caused changes in vegetation and their ability to find food. When land masses moved apart, it caused more animals to compete for food with each other. Humans arrived and began hunting animals for food and hides. Megafauna had much longer gestation periods, sometimes the offspring would take two years to be born. Because of this, many animals couldn't reproduce in numbers to insure their species would thrive. 

Illustrations by Quang and Lien depict the beauty and power of each animal. A true inspiration of art. 

Complete with glossary and list of further books and internet links, this book is a true gem. Because of its glorious design it may limit library use. Every young reader needs their very own copy. 

Highly recommended grades 1 and up.