There is a bit of a renaissance going on in children’s literature, and that’s particularly true of non-fiction picture books. The trend is engagingly written, beautifully illustrated non-fiction picture books designed to entice your child into learning about people, places, and events they never knew they were interested in. I’m all in!
Normally, I review books I’ve already read. But I’m breaking with tradition because I keep seeing previews of new books that look amazing! And I thought you might want to keep your eyes out for them too. (If anyone wants to send an early review copy my way, I’d be happy to do a review).
Some Writer!: the Story of E.B. White by Melissa Sweet–I am incredibly excited about this book. Not only was E.B. White one of my favorite authors as a child (The Trumpet of the Swan was my favorite), but I also loved Melissa Sweet’s picture book biography, Balloons Over Broadway. (Available October 4, 2016)
A Poem for Peter: The Story of Ezra Jack Keats and the Creation of the Snowy Day by Andrea Davis Pinkney–While picture book readers may not have heard of E.B. White, they will most likely have read Ezra Jack Keats’s masterpiece, The Snowy Day. Pinkney is an accomplished author, so I look forward to seeing where she takes this story. (Available November 1, 2016)
Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille by Jen Bryant–I got a sneak peak of this book with the “Look Inside” feature on Amazon. Louis Braille wasn’t born blind. He lost his sight after a childhood accident. The illustrations do a brilliant job of mirroring his loss of sight (without being blank pages). I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this one. (Available September 6, 2016)
Sweet Dreams, Sarah: from Slavery to Inventory by Vivian Kirkfield–This book looks like a great example of American ingenuity. Plus, everyone loves an underdog story. I’m looking forward to reading this debut author. (Available March 14, 2017)
Journey: Based on the True Story of OR7, the Most Famous Wolf in the West by Emma Bland Smith–I’m not sure my kids would be happy without at least one animal book on this list. Wolves tend to get a bad rap, but they are a necessary part of the ecosystem in many areas. This book had piqued my curiosity about the first wild wolf in California in nearly a century. (Available October 11, 2016)
Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science: the First Computer Programmer by Diane Stanley–First of all, this title is brilliant. There is poetry to science (and Ada Lovelace’s father was the poet Lord Byron). My daughter and I have been interested in Ada Lovelace ever since we read the first The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency book, so I’m looking forward to sharing this one with her. (Available October 4, 2016)
If you could only pre-order one of these amazing new non-fiction picture books, which one would you pick?
Is it just me or are the non-fiction picture books coming out REALLY getting great the last 2-3 years? These all look wonderful, and my kids (ages 7 and 9) still love reading picture books with me (!!), and we learn so much from these biographical ones.
I also LOVE Melissa Sweet, and Charlotte’s Web was one of our family’s all-time favorite read-alouds (though Narnia is currently giving it a run for its money), so I’d definitely choose the Sweet title. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Yes, I’m leaning toward getting Some Writer! And you are right, there is a huge renaissance going on in picture books, particularly non-fiction, and I’m loving it! 🙂
The biography of E. B. White! So excited about this! Besides being a favorite writer, I love Melissa Sweet’s illustrations!
Yup! That’s the one I’m leaning toward pre-ordering for both of those reasons! 🙂
Thank you so much for providing these titles! Your blog has quickly become my favorite for picture book recommendations because of the variety of new versus classic selections. I personally am interested in the Ada Lovelace book mainly because I am familiar with Diane Stanley’s books and know that this one will be just as superb. However, it would be **really** hard to pick just one; I may have to splurge and go for the Melissa Sweet book as well! Thanks again for a great post!
Oh, I was all set to pick Some Writer!, but now you are making me sway… I think the title, Poet of Science” was brilliant since her father was the poet Lord Byron.
And thanks for your encouraging words about my blog! I’m so glad you’ve found it helpful. 🙂
These look fantastic! You mentioned reading The Wollstone Detective Agency book, and I’m curious about your thoughts on it. My son loves mysteries, and I’m wondering if it is a good one.
Hey, Rachel, my daughter and I enjoyed it. It’s probably more geared toward girls. If you click the link in this post it will take you to my review of the book. Hope that helps!
Oh, my goodness! I’ve been out of the new books loop that I didn’t even know about these. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE (LOVE!) Melissa Sweet AND EB White. That one looks like a must-read! Also, the Ezra Jack Keats book? {Swoon!}
Yes, books about authors top my list! 🙂 And I keep up to date on new books through Instagram, Amy! 🙂
The one about E.B White, because he was our first chapter book read aloud and we couldn’t have enjoyed it more.
Some Writer! is definitely in the lead!
These look amazing! I love the EB White one, but I’m also super intrigued by Six Dots. Those would probably be my first and second choices. 🙂
It’s so hard to choose! Hopefully, the library will get the rest.
I think I’d have to pick the E. B. White book because of such fond childhood memories I have of his books! It looks so good from the front cover!
Yes! I think E.B. White must be one of everyone’s favorite childhood authors! 🙂