Category Archives: nonfiction

Butler Bookshelf

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This week’s Butler Bookshelf is all about nonfiction – from animals to athletes and artists, these books provide a fascinating glimpse into the world around us. This week we’re featuring Nature: Fascinating Facts You Never Knew About the Natural World by Eric Huang. Think you know everything there is to know about nature? Oh no you don’t! Huang corrects commonly-held misconceptions about the natural world, while providing extra interesting facts along the way. Complete with full-color illustrations from Sam Caldwell, this book is perfect for any budding eco-enthusiast

Check out more selections from the Butler Center’s nonfiction collection below!

David Beckham (Little People, BIG DREAMS)
Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Illustrated by Fernando Martin
The Quarto Group/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Available now!

Maya Angelou Finds Her Voice
Connie and Peter Roop
Illustrated by Noa Denmon
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Aladdin
Available now!

Mud to the Rescue!: How Animals Use Mud to Thrive and Survive
Tanya Konerman
Illustrated by Melanie Cataldo
Web of Life Children’s Books
Available May 20th, 2025

Nature: Fascinating Faces You Never Knew About the Natural World
Eric Huang
Illustrated by Sam Caldwell
The Quarto Group/Words & Pictures
Available now!

Yayoi Kusama (Little People, BIG DREAMS)
Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Illustrated by Ryoko Ichikawa
The Quarto Group/Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Available April 4th, 2025

Butler Bookshelf

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This week, we’re thinking about our friends and family – the people we love and choose to spend our time with. These Butler Bookshelf picks are all about how we show love to the important people in our lives! Our feature pick is Why We Eat Fried Peanuts by Zed Zha, illustrated by Sian James. As they celebrate Lunar New Year, Mèng’s father tells her the story of her tài nâi nai (great-grandmother) and explains the important part that ancestors play in their culture. He recounts the story of Tài Nâi Nai’s kindness towards strangers, and the baby, nicknamed Little Peanut, who she rescued and raised as her own. Complete with definitions and pronunciations for over 20 words in Mandarin and instructions on making your own fried peanuts for Lunar New Year’s celebration, this picture book is a fantastic introduction to Chinese culture, holidays, and celebrations, as well as a heartwarming story about the importance of family.

Check out more books about love, family, and friendship below!

Lily’s Dream: A Fairy Friendship
Bea Jackson
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Aladdin
Available now!

Hand Holds: Love
Fiona Munro
Illustrated by Laura Hambleton
The Quarto Group/Design Eye
Available January 28th, 2025

The Welcome Book
Danna Smith
Illustrated by Juliana Perdomo
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/LITTLE SIMON
Available now!

When Alexander Graced the Table
Alexander Smalls & Denene Miller
Illustrated by Frank Morrison
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Available now!

Why We Eat Fried Peanuts
Zed Zha
Illustrated by Sian James
The Quarto Group/becker&myer!kids
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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For this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we’re highlighting a variety of youth literature in our collection. This list has something for all ages, fiction, nonfiction, and bilingual! The featured book for this week is Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea written by Andrew Hacket and illustrated by Kaz Windness. Ollie is tired of dealing with Everett’s constant bullying. One day, when Everett steals a sapling from Ollie, he has an idea — he will eat an acorn and grow into a mighty tree so that Everett will never be able to bully him again. But when Ollie becomes tall and strong and stands up to Everett once and for all, he realizes that he went about it all wrong. He burps everything up, and Ollie and Everett reconcile and start growing their gardens together. Windness’s colorful, lively illustrations compliment Hacket’s lively and expressive story about how to stand up for yourself and what it truly means to be mighty.

Check out more books for all ages below!

The Flower Shop/La Florería
Written by Lourdes Heuer
Illustrated by Zara González Hoang
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Love Is Hard Work: The Art and Heart of Corita Kent
Written by Dan Paley
Illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

My Father’s House
Written by Mina Javaherbin
Illustrated by Lindsey Yankey
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea
Written by Andrew Hacket
Illustrated by Kaz Windness
Published by Page Street Kids
Available now!

Paige Proves It!: The Curious Cove
Written and illustrated by Amy Marie Stadelmann
Published by Aladdin
Available now!

Zodiac Rising
Written by Katie Zhao
Published by Random House Children’s Books
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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It’s officially the holiday season, which means it’s time to start thinking about what gifts to give. For this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we have compiled a list of books that would make any nature-lover happy! From board books to nonfiction, this list has something for every young reader, including The World in Our Backyard, written and illustrated by Jami Gigot. In this picture book, Gigot encourages young readers to look for the nature in their backyards, whether they live in a rural, suburban, or urban community. Gigot uses a soft, light color palette to bring backyard nature to life, showing realistic scenarios, like playing as animals and bugs “play their gentle country songs” (pp. 9-10) and splashing in water flowing from a fire hydrant. She also adds whimsy to the book by including imaginary adventures, such as bugs hiking through thick forests and children diving through a pool into an coral reef. Throughout it all, Gigot emphasizes the importance of paying attention and delighting in the nature at our fingertips, reminding readers that “the whole world is made up of our backyards, full of wonder just waiting to be explored” (pp. 23-27). With its colorful charm and imaginitive scenes, this book will make a wonderful gift for teachers, parents, or librarians who want to share their love and appreciation for nature with the readers in their lives.

Check out more nature-themed books below!

Creaturepedia: Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth
Written and illustrated by Adrienne Barman
Published by Wide Eyed Editions
Available now!

I Bug You
Written by Dori Elys
Illustrated by Riley Samels
Published by Little Simon
Available now!

Peppa Pig and the Nature Walk
Part of Peppa Pig
Published by Candlewick Entertainment
Available now!

Magic Tree House: Windy Night with Wild Horses
Written by Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrated by AG Ford
Published by Random House Children’s Books
Available now!

The World in Our Backyard
Written and illustrated by Jami Gigot
Published by Paula Wiseman Books
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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November is National Native American Heritage Month, and a great way to celebrate is by reading some books that center Native American characters and history! This week’s Butler Bookshelf will highlight books by and about Native Americans, including Boozhoo!/Hello! written and illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley and translated by Mary Ann Corbiere. Boozhoo!/Hello! is a bilingual English and Anishinaabemowin picture book about forest animals found in Anishinaabe territories. Deers are eating, bees are buzzing, and otters are playing in this fun, whimsical story. The simple, rhythmic text engages with young readers, allowing them to learn both English and Anishinaabemowin simultaneously. The bold art in the Woodland style and bright colors will delight readers, drawing their attention to each animal and what they’re doing. Complete with author’s and translator’s notes about the inspiration and work behind the story and Anishinaabemowin language, Boozhoo!/Hello! is a wonderful addition to collections and storytime programs this month and throughout the year.

Check out more books about Native American history and characters below!

Boozhoo!/Hello!
Written and illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley
Translated by Mary Ann Corbiere
Published by House of Anansi Press
Available now!

Gold Rush: The Untold Story of the First Nations Woman Who Started the Klondike Gold Rush
Written by Flora Delargy
Published by Wide Eyed Editions
Available now!

On a Wing and a Tear
Written by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Published by Heartdrum Imprint
Available now!

The Ribbon Skirt
Written and illustrated by Cameron Mukwa
Published by Graphix
Available now!

This Land: The History of the Land We’re On (Race to the Truth)
Written by Ashley Fairbanks
Illustrated by Bridget George
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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It’s time for another round up of new nonfiction books in the Butler collection! From books about environmental activism to facts about animals all over the world, our collection has an array of nonfiction books to satisfy knowledge-seekers of any age. This week’s Butler Bookshelf feature is Wonderful Words That Tell a Tale: An Etymological Exploration of Over 100 Extraordinary Words written by Tom Read Wilson and illustrated by Ian Morris. Inspired by his experience of traveling around the UK and sharing his first book, Every Word Tells a Story with young readers, Wilson collected over 100 words he heard from children and shares them in this book, along with their fascinating histories. Readers can learn about where words like “barbecue,” “chortle,” “orange,” and many more, as well as where those words originated from and other words they might be related to. Wilson switches between short paragraphs sharing fun facts and lyrical poems to keep readers engaged with the information. Morris’s colorful, whimsical illustrations accompany Wilson’s text to depict the objects, actions, and concepts listed in the book. Wonderful Words That Tell a Tale is an exceptional follow-up to Wilson’s first book and will delight word nerds of all ages!

Check out more nonfiction books in our collection below!

An Animal a Day: 365 Amazing Animals to Take You Through the Year
Written by Miranda Smith
Illustrated by Kaja Kajfež, Santiago Calle, Mateo Markov, and Max Rambaldi
Published by Bright Matter Books
Available now!

Brown Bears
Written by Dr. Nick Crumpton
Illustrated by Colleen Larmour
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now!

Ice Journey of the Polar Bear
Written by Martin Jenkins
Illustrated by Lou Baker-Smith
Published by Candlewick Press
Available November 26, 2024!

Loop de Loop: Circular Solutions for a Waste-Free World
Written by Andrea Curtis
Illustrated by Roozeboos
Published by House of Anansi Press
Available now!

Wonderful Words That Tell a Tale: An Etymological Exploration of Over 100 Extraordinary Words
Written by Tom Read Wilson
Illustrated by Ian Morris
Published by words & pictures
Available now!

Butler Bookshelf

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Diverse stories are an important part of literature for all ages, especially for kids. October is Global Diversity Month, so this week’s Butler Bookshelf highlights some fiction and nonfiction books from authors around the world. One of these books is Look! Look! written by Uma Krishnaswami and illustrated by Uma Krishnaswamy. Krishnaswami tells the story of a young Indian girl discovers a slab of stone in the weeds, and she calls her friends to come and take a look. They work together to clean the weeds, garbage, and other stones up. Soon, more and more people from their village and other villages nearby help them uncover an old step well. Once the well is cleaned up, rain fills the well, and the previously dry and dusty land comes back to life as plants begin growing again and the animals return. Accompanied by colorful, geometric illustrations done in acrylic, poster color, and water color by Uma Krishnaswamy, Look! Look! is a delightlful story that educates readers on ancient Indian step wells and shows how they can potentially be a solution for handling floods and providing water in India.

Check out more books from diverse authors below!

Hooray for She, He, Ze and They!: What Are Your Pronouns Today?
Written by Lindz Amer
Illustrated by Kip Alizadeh
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available now

Look! Look!
Written by Uma Krishnaswami
Illustrated by Uma Krishnaswamy
Published by House of Anansi Press
Available now

My Olive Tree
Written and illustrated by Hazar Elbayya
Published by Anne Schwartz Books
Available now

Old Wounds
Written by Logan-Ashley Kisner
Published by Delacorte Press
Available now

Tala Learns to Siva
Written by Kealani Netane
Illustrated by Dung Ho
Published by Orchard Books
Available now

How It Works: A Review of Bounce!: A Scientific History of Rubber

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Bounce!: A Scientific History of Rubber
Sarah Albee
Illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewan
Charlesbridge
October 22, 2024
Age 6-9

Used for everything from bike tires to raincoats, rubber plays a major role in things springy, stretchy and bouncy in ours daily lives. Follow its history from the discovery by indigenous Central American tribes (who farmed natural rubber latex from local plants), adoption by Europeans (imagine the difference when their soccer balls could bounce!), and the evolution in its usefulness into the multipurpose substance we can’t live without today. Part narrative nonfiction and part traditional nonfiction, Bounce combines a fascinating story of invention with “The Science!” interjections that explain the how or why of a narrative detail (what is it that makes rubber sink or float?).

Award-winning nonfiction author and former basketball-player (who appreciates a bouncy ball more?), Sarah Albee explores the history and science behind a very common part of everyday life. With a panel of expert readers—chemists, materials scientists, and engineers—Albee dives deep into both the story and the scholarship with accessible language and delightful facts. The extensive and respectful backmatter includes sections on tribal naming preferences, acknowledgement of the troubling issues of slavery and the environmental impact of rubber production, a timeline that dives deeper into some details from the narrative, and a thorough bibliography and source notes. Intricate yet fluid pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations connect closely to the text descriptions with detailed images of the action, movement in the line work, and expressive faces. Eileen Ryan Ewan uses color to help show the passage of time, moving from muted and historically accurate colors to more vibrant shades in the modern spreads. This engaging and fact-filled picture book would be a perfect accompaniment to introductory science lessons on the properties of matter or chemistry in upper elementary school or for the budding scientists in any library.

Use Your Voice: A Review of Your Vote Matters: How We Elect the US President

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Your Vote Matters: How We Elect the US President
Rebecca Katzman
Illustrated by Ellen Duda
Scholastic Inc
May 7, 2024
Age: 7-10

Selecting a new US President is no easy task, and neither is understanding how it all happens. With this fun and informative explanation of the process, journalist Rebecca Katzman introduces upper elementary schoolers to this aspect of the political process and just how important their voice is to the outcome. Combining civics, history, and governmental fun-facts (do you know how astronauts vote from space?), kids will cover basic facts about the presidency and government, campaigns, voting, the post-election-day process, and what it means to be president. This title is more than just a high-level overview and provides everything from a simple visual explanation of the three branches of government to a more complex, but age appropriate, discussion of the Electoral College. Katzman includes plenty of suggestions for how kids can get involved in the process—from watching debates to writing to politicians—even if they can’t vote for another 10 years. In largely unbiased language, with some swings to the left in discussions of voter suppression and the peaceful transition of power, past and present elections are explored and vocabulary explained with on-page definitions and a thorough glossary. Illustrator Ellen Duda creates a bright and visually engaging combination of drawings, photos, maps, and charts. The full-color, matte pages and dynamic organization help to make the information more accessible to this young audience. Knowing how elections work and our role in them is one of our civic duties. This primer on the election process will introduce political concepts and the importance of our vote as our voice in what matters.

Can You Keep a Secret?: A Review of The Enigma Girls

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The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II
Candace Fleming
Scholastic
March 5, 2024
Age 8-12

It wasn’t just the boys doing their bit for the war effort during the harrowing years of World War II. Sibert Award-winner Candace Fleming follows The Enigma Girls, ten young women working with the British government, cracking ciphers and codes to help win the war. Based out of Station X at Bletchley Park, a once top secret center of the British intelligence, thousands of people (nearly ¾ of them young women, p. 237) worked night and day intercepting, decoding, transcribing, translating, and cataloging secret communications from German, Italian, and Japanese government and military leaders. Walking chronologically through the war years (1939-1945), Fleming introduces each woman as she’s recruited into the sphere of Bletchley Park, snippets of her life before, during, and after the conflict, and her often emotional reactions to the exhaustion, secrecy, and triumph of the work.

The brisk pace and simple, yet engaging prose of this narrative nonfiction title pull readers into the frantic feelings and tense atmosphere of Station X. Fleming balances that emotion with well-explained vocabulary and intra-chapter information about codes and code breaking. Extensive photo documentation of Europe at war and Bletchley Park in particular bring the horrors of war and high stakes of the work to vivid life. Due to the clandestine role that the women and Bletchley played in the war, primary source material from the time is limited. Fleming’s source notes show extensive research into the biographies and autobiographies of the women (most of them wrote of their wartime experiences once they were allowed), and archives in Britain and beyond. Other backmatter includes thorough source notes, photography credits, and author’s note, and an index to come (not included in the reviewed ARC).

A deftly crafted tribute to the unsung young women whose efforts often turned the tides of battle, saving the lives of allied servicemen.