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Children deserve the best of all literature including nonfiction, but only if it is presented in imaginative and exciting ways. Children are naturally curious about everything, and they should have access to good books with real life places and things to help satisfy this curiosity.

America the Beautiful, written by Katharine Lee Bates, illus. by Chris Gall, (Little, Brown &
Co., 2004), 32p, All Ages.
Illustrating the lyrics of his famous ancestor's 1893's poem and song, Chris Gall celebrates America in beautiful woodcuts. There are wonderful images of the Statue of Liberty, the Apollo II, the Tuskegee Airmen, heroes of September 11, 2001, and many more. A simplified version of the music is included.

Big Alaska: Journey Across America's Most Amazing State written by Debbie S. Miller, illus. by Jon Van Zyle, (Walker & Co., 2006), 40p, Ages 6-10.
Our largest and least populated state Alaska is America's last frontier. Through the eyes of its national emblem, the bald eagle, readers will view sixteen of Alaska's natural wonders and wilderness locations. Short descriptions and marvelous illustrations take readers to Admiralty Island, Tongass National Forest, Glacier Bay National Park, Prince William Sound, Matanuska River Valley, Anchorage, Kenai River, Kodiak Island, Katmai National Park, Walrus Islands Sanctuary, Yukon Kuskoquim Delta, Yukon River, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Denali National Park, Iditarod Trail, and Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Endpapers contain historical information on each location along with a map of Alaska

Brave Dogs, Gentle Dogs: How They Guard Sheep, written/photographed by Cat Urbigkit, (Boyds Mills Press, 2005), 32p, Ages 6+.
An informative book about a special breed of dogs, the Great Pyrenees, who are raised to guard sheep from predators. As puppies, they are placed in fleece to identify with the smell of the sheep. Gradually they meet their first sheep and the bonding begins.

Cats, Cats, and More Cats, written & illus. by Dana Kubick, (Barron's Educational Series,
2000), 32p, Ages 4+.
A very captivating collection of cats are found in this picture book - large cats, small cats, cats with stripes and cats with spots, from snow leopards to ocelots, caracals and cheetahs, all are beautifully illustrated.

Dr. Welch and the Great Grape Story, written by Mary Lou Carney, illus. by Sherry Meidell, (Boyds Mills Press, 2005), 32p, Ages 4-8.
With his son's help, Dr. Welch believes he can create a sweeter drink than wine. After squeezing the grapes, heating the juice, and filling the bottles, he succeeds, but no one cares for it. The true story of a journey from imagination to invention to success.

An Egg is Quiet, written by Dianna Aston, illus. by Sylvia Long, (Chronicle Books, 2006), 36p, Ages 5-10.
Exquisitely illustrated, over sixteen types of eggs are introduced for children's enjoyment and education. From miniature hummingbird eggs to giant ostrich eggs, the world of embryology is introduced. Information is given on the animals who laid the eggs, markings that differentiate each egg, size comparisons, and various stages of growth. Overall, a visual delight.

Egypt In Spectacular Cross-Section, written by Stewart Ross, illus. by Stephen Biesty, (Scholastic, 2005), 32p, Ages 9-12.
Father and son set out on a thirty-day voyage down the Nile River during the reign of ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses the Great in 1230 B.C. Each scene is shows a different part of ancient Egypt, the Elephantine harbor, the stone quarry at Gebel el-Silsila, the temples at Karnak, an underground tomb in The Valley of the Kings, and much more. The attention to detail is marvelous.

Gone Fishing: Ocean Life By the Numbers, written/illus. David McLimans, (Walker Books, 2008), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Children are given a glimpse of endangered creatures that inhabit our planet's oceans. An introduction explains the delicate balance and correlation between ocean life and the entire planet. Each creature is incorporated into stunning numerical illustrations from one to ten and back again. Text boxes describe each animal's class, habitat, aquatic location, threat to its existence, and endangered status. Numbers one to ten feature the African Penguin, Humpback Whale, Sea Lamprey, Blue Marlin, Tiger Tail Sea Horse, Antarctic Krill, Sand Fiddler Crab, Blue-Ringed Octopus, Walrus, and Black-Browed Albatross. Numbers from ten to one present the Atlantic Needlefish, Mediterranean Monk Seal, Oarfish, Brown Pelican, Great White Shark, Sloane's Viperfish, Humphead Wrasse, Carnation Coral, Bottlenose Dolphin, and Giant Tube Worm. Endpapers contain additional information on each endangered animal, organizations that monitor and protect marine life, and further reading recommendations. The illustrations are not only marvelous, but also well suited for art classes.

The Journey: Stories of Migration, written by Cynthia Rylant, illus. by Lambert Davis, (Blue Sky Press, 2006), 48p, Ages 7-10.
Migration is usually for survival in the animal kingdom. Whether in search of food or warmth, six types of creatures are featured: desert locusts in Africa, gray whales in the Pacific Ocean, eels that survive both salt and fresh water, delicate Monarch butterflies, caribou from the Artic north, and tiny terns who fly from the North Pole to the South Pole and back.

Lady Liberty: A Biography, written by Doreen Rappaport, illus. by Matt Tavares, (Candlewick Press, 2008), 40p, Ages 6-10.
The origin and development of America's famous national symbol in New York Harbor is told from various viewpoints of historical figures that were responsible for its creation, design, and completion over a twenty-year period. In 1865, Professor of law, Édouard De Laboulaye tells of his dream of erecting a monument to commemorate the American Revolution and to celebrate the friendship between France and the United States. Ten years later, Sculptor, Auguste Bartholdi discusses the various models used, from clay, wood, and plaster to copper shells. It took another eleven years to design the copper sheeting and engineer the internal steel structure of this hundred-foot structure. Publisher, Joseph Pulitzer, tells of the lack of enthusiasm from New Yorkers for the project and campaigns for funds. When funds come in, Pulitzer publishes the donor names and their amounts in his newspaper. Endpapers contain information on the statue's dimensions, important events in chronological order, author and illustrator notes, and selected sources. This historical account of the fervor and ingenuity of many individuals who took part in creating, designing, and completing a wonderful project, plus stunning illustrations work well to make a rewarding experience for those who read the book.

Mud City: A Flamingo Story, written/illus. by Brenda Z. Guiberson, (Henry Holt Books, 2005), 32p, Ages 4-8.
From egg to chick to adult, the flamingo's life cycle is depicted in a salty lake of the Inagua National Park in the Bahamas. Information on diet, habits, hardship, and the flamingo's change from fluffy white to pink will be of interest to children as well as adults.

My Goose Betsy, written by Trudi Braun, illus. by John Bendall-Brunello, (Candlewick Press,
1999), 28p, Ages 4-7.
Betsy has smooth soft feathers, a long white neck, two blue eyes, a wonderful waddle, and a nest full of eggs.

A Pair of Polar Bears: Twin Cubs Find a Home at the San Diego Zoo, written by Joanne Ryder, (Simon & Schuster, 2006), 32p, Ages 4-8.
Abandoned in Alaska, three-month-old polar bear cubs are transported to the San Diego Zoo and nursed back to health. Tatqiq and Kalluk soon adapt to their new surroundings in the Polar Bear Plunge where they can romp and play. An uplifting true story of survival and love. The photographs are supplied by the zoo.

A Seed Is Sleepy, written by Dianna Hutts Aston, illus. by Sylvia Long, (Chronicle Books, 2007), 40p, Ages 5-10.
From the creators of "An Egg Is Quiet" comes another elegant and informative book about seeds. From tiny redwood seeds and hamburger bean seeds to Texas mountain laurel seeds and pods of fluffy milkweed seeds, information is presented on two levels. For younger children, poetic phrases such as "A seed is secretive"; "A seed is fruitful"; "A seed is inventive" are easy to understand. For older children, science concepts and general information is given in short paragraphs. "Ninety percent of the plants on Earth are flowering plants. Flowering plants produce fruits–fruits of all shapes and textures that keep the seeds cozy until they have found the right place to grow." A helpful chart depicts various seeds as they grow over days, months, and years into adult plants. Pages filled with attractive illustrations and interesting plant information will surely help children develop an interest in botany.

Song of the Water Boatman & Other Pond Poems, written by Joyce Sidman, illus. by Beckie Prange, (Houghton Mifflin & Co., 2005), 32p, Ages 5-9.
Teeming with life and surprises, the pond is a dramatic place. This collection of poems takes a closer look at the animals, insects, and plants that call these wetlands home, with accompanying information on each

The Story of Salt, written by Mark Kurlansky, illus. by S. D. Schindler, (G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2006), 48p, Ages 7+.
Vital to human existence, salt has been a major contributor to history, science, and technology. Adapted from an adult bestseller, every aspect of salt is explored. Salt built ancient Chinese dynasties and empires, preserved mummies in Egypt, became the key to trade routes, and expanded world trade. From Gandhi's famous Salt March to the sources of salt, its uses in the preservation of food, and the healing of wounds, salt truly is the rock that "shaped the history of the world" .Endpapers contain a time line from 9750 B.C. to 1924 A.D.

There's a Babirusa In My Bathtub!: Fact and Fancy About Curious Creatures, written by Maxine Rose Schur, illus. by Michael S. Maydak, (Dawn Publications, 2009), 32p, Ages 7-12.
"When all the animals were in the ark/ The good Lord said to Noah,/'You've got the dog; you've got the frog,/But where is that little jerboa?'" Thirteen clever and humorous poems feature little-known animals and their odd habits and habitats. In addition to the little Jerboa, the Indonesian Babirusa, the jungle Civet, the rainforest Colugo, the Australian Dingo, the ocean-bottom Hagfish, the Central American Kinkajou, the Southeast Asian Loris, the Manatee and Dugong, the Amazon Matamata, the Okapi of the Congo, the Amazon Tamandua, and the Australian Tasmanian Devil are featured with lush illustrations depicting their unusual environments. Endpapers contain tips for teachers and parents to promote reading and comprehension, with an emphasis on fluency, phonics, and vocabulary.

This Boat, written & illus. by Paul Collicut, (Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2001), 28p, Ages 3-6.
With its simple text and beautiful pictures, all kinds of boats and ferries are depicted. The endpapers feature marine vessels from around the world and down through the ages.

This Plane, written & illus. by Paul Collicut, (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2000), 28p, Ages 3-6.
Many planes are featured, each one different and with a special purpose.

Turtle Crossing, written/illus. by Rick Chrustowski, (Henry Holt & Co., $16.95,
ISBN 0-8050-7498-8), 32p, Ages 4-7.
From May through June, all across North America painted turtles are found crossing roads in search of places to lay their eggs. From the time a baby painted turtle hatches and emerges from the ground, her only desire is to search for water, which means crossing the road to the pond. There she lives for five years, mates, and makes her way back across the road to lay her eggs. In this telling, as a turtle crosses the road, a car stops and a boy carries her safely to the other side. Endpapers describe the painted turtle, it's habits and history.

Turtle Tide: The Ways of Sea Turtles, written by Stephen R. Swinburne, illus. by Bruce Hiscock, (Boyds Mills Press, 2005), 32p, Ages 7+.
After a mother sea turtle swims to shore, lays her hundred eggs, the hatchlings' fight for survival begins. Many of the eggs provide food for raccoons that prowl the dunes. As the hatchlings scurry to the sea, some are stopped by crabs and herons. Upon reaching the water, sand sharks and gulls grab at them. Eventually one lone turtle survives and heads out to sea.

A Young Shepherd, written/photographed by Cat Urbigkit, (Boyds Mills Press, 2006), 32p, Ages 6+.
On a sheep farm in Wyoming, a twelve-year-old cares for newborn lambs that have lost their mothers. Photographs tell the story of raising orphaned lambs, providing not only food, water, and shelter, but protecting them from diseases and predators. It is a busy life but a very rewarding one.