Book Review: Grandmother Fish

GRANDMOTHER FISH: A CHILD’S FIRST BOOK OF EVOLUTION by Jonathan Tweet explores the concept of evolution using easy to understand examples.

The picture book introduces each branch on the tree of life with familiar examples and engages readers through active questioning. The consistent format, colorful illustrations, and predictable approach contribute to the book’s appeal.

The end notes include an evolutionary tree of life, science notes for parents, and ideas for explaining natural selection to children.

Librarians will find this well-written book to be a useful addition to the primary grade science curriculum. Involve students in exploring a branch of the evolutionary tree of life and create a mural in the library.

To learn more about the book and author, go to http://www.grandmotherfish.com/.

Published by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan on September 6, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Technology Review: How Stuff Works

HOWSTUFFWORKS is both a website and app that shares information about how the world works.

Website users can either search the database of articles or go directly to topics of interest such as animals, culture, entertainment, or health. The short articles generally include a photograph along with content. Suggested readings are also provided. Unfortunately, the advertising may be distracting for students.

The app includes articles, videos, podcasts, quizzes and other elements found at the website in an easy-to-use format. With less advertising, students are less likely to get lost in unrelated content.

Librarians will find this resource to be a popular quick reference. The resource provides short overviews of topics that can be woven into the curriculum. Pair the website with books on related topics.

To visit the website, go to http://www.howstuffworks.com/.
To download the app, go tohttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/howstuffworks/id401986544

Book Review: Also an Octopus

ALSO AN OCTOPUS by Maggie Tokuda-Hall is an engaging picture book exploring how stories are created.

This inspirational picture book tells the story of how stories are built. The author begins with a blank page, adds characters, and builds the plot using a silly situation sure to capture the imagination of young readers.

Librarians will find this book to be a useful way to introduce the elements of stories to young writers. Work with primary teachers to weave this book into the language arts curriculum.

Learn more about the author at http://www.prettyokmaggie.com/.

Published by Candlewick Press on October 4, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Digital Collection: Digital Thoreau

Digital Thoreau

Contents: This amazing website contains tools to help readers explore the works of Henry David Thoreau. The fluid text edition allows readers to examine and compare across seven manuscripts versions.

Classroom Connections: Teacher can create groups for students to exchange ideas and share documents.

Featured Digital Objects: 
Walden Fluid Text - http://digitalthoreau.org/walden/fluid/text/01.html
Resistance to Civil Government - http://commons.digitalthoreau.org/civil/

To visit the collection, go to http://digitalthoreau.org/.

Technology Review: StoryCorps

STORY CORPS is a nonprofit oral history project.

The website allows users to listen, watch, and read oral history recordings as well as record their own stories at the traveling StoryBooth. Users can search by collections, themes, initiatives and locations. Or, browse the collection. Participants can also explore collections of stories on topics such as veterans stories, September 11th stories, and love stories.

The easy-to-use app provides access to the oral history, along with tools to record their own stories.

Librarians will find this project to be a wonderful way to immerse children in oral history. Use the app to record and submit your own projects.

To visit the website, go to https://storycorps.org/.
To download the app, go tohttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/storycorps/id359071069.

Digital Collection: Bear Lake Monster

Bear Lake Monster Collection
Mountain West Digital Library

Contents: This collection includes materials related to the origins of the Bear Lake Monster legend in Bear Lake Valley (Utah and Idaho).

Classroom Connections: Students love to learn about folklore and legends. Use this digital collection to dive into the primary sources associated with the Bear Lake Monster. Ask students to browse the documents searching for evidence of the monster. Then, write about whether they think the legend is true. Pair this activity with an exploration of other monsters such as Loch Ness, Bigfoot, and others. Create a display of monster legend books.

Featured Digital Objects: 
Painting of Bear Lake Monster - https://goo.gl/VP2cQs
Interview - https://goo.gl/SZ9JiF
News Story - https://goo.gl/O9HEqP

To visit the collection, go to http://www.mwdl.org/collections/2137.php.

Book Review: Little Elliot, Big Fun

LITTLE ELLIOT, BIG FUN is the third book in this popular picture book series featuring a polka-dot elephant.

Mouse assures Little Elliot that they will have a wonderful time at the amusement park. However, Little Elliot complains that the rides are too wet, fast, dizzy, or scary. Finally, Mouse finds a ride that Little Elliot enjoys.

Young children will enjoy the predictable elements and the story’s happy ending.

Librarians will find that this adorable elephant and his friend appeals to a cross section of young children. Consider a display that includes lots of books about friends going on adventures together.

To learn more about the publisher, go to http://www.mikecurato.com/.

Published by Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan on August 30, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Technology Review: Veritasium

VERITASIUM is a YouTube network focusing on science education topics.

This popular video series features experiments, interviews, demonstrations, and discussion focusing on everyday science topics. The channel features dozens of their favorite videos exploring science and engineering topics for those new to the network. Viewers can also choose from video collections that focus on science misconceptions, science experiments, and science songs. The developer has also created playlists on topics such as inertia and radiation.

Librarians will find these engaging STEM videos to be an effective way to motivate science students. Weave them into the science curriculum.

To visit the website, go to https://www.youtube.com/veritasium.

Book Review: Where are you going, Baby Lincoln?

WHERE ARE YOU GOING, BABY LINCOLN? by Kate DiCamillo is the third book in the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series.

This adventure focuses on Mercy Watson’s neighbors, the Lincoln sisters. Baby Lincoln is tired of being bossed around by her older sister and decides that she needs to go on a “necessary journey”. Although she doesn’t have a plan, her quest gives her the opportunity to expand her horizons and discover some independence.

Librarians will find lots of interest in this latest book in this sweet, humorous chapter book series. Children will easily related to Baby’s need to spend some time away from her older sibling.

To learn about the author, go to http://www.katedicamillo.com/.
Published by Candlewick on August 2, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Nautilus Live

NAUTILUS LIVE is a live ocean exploration project.

Follow Dr. Robert Ballard and the Corps of Exploration as they explore the world’s oceans. The Expedition section focuses on the current ocean exploration and mission. It contains hands-on ideas for educators along with text, photos, and video. The Photos & Videos section features photo galleries and short video segments. The Tech area shares information about the ship and the Section area contains information about marine science including biology, geology, and archaeology. The News area shares articles about current activities. The Live section allows users to watch the ship’s activities live.

Librarian will find this project an excellent way to connect the school’s curriculum with real-world STEM activities. Set up a bulletin board in the library and a station to track the expedition’s progress.

To visit the website, go to http://www.nautiluslive.org/.

Book Review: Still a Work in Progress

STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS by Jo Knowles follows a seventh grader navigating world of middle school.

Noah feels most comfortable in art class. Life outside the art room is filled with friendship complexities, a sister with an eating disorder, and family issues. A hairless cat named Curly provides a humorous subplot.

Knowles creates a believable world with realistic dialog and authentic situations.

Librarians will find that middle-grade youth enjoy the balance of realistic fiction and humor. The themes of mental health and eating disorders are popular with this age group. However, the male perspective makes this book particularly distinct.

To learn more about the publisher, go to http://www.joknowles.com. A discussion guide is available.

Published by Candlewick on August 2, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Digital Collection: Jerome Robbins Dance Division

Jerome Robbins Dance Division
The New York Public Library

Contents: This collection is the largest and most comprehensive dance archive in the world. It focuses on primary sources related to dance including ballet, ethnic, modern, social, and folk.

Classroom Connections: Primary sources used in teaching history often explore topics related to conflict or war. Consider a unit on primary sources that examines materials such as dance scrapbooks, dance performance programs, oral histories, photographs, and video archives. These items provide a different perspective on the use of primary sources to learn about history.

Featured Digital Objects:
African Dance - https://goo.gl/UcFD0R
Costume and Set Design - https://goo.gl/MOX87D
Dance Programs - https://goo.gl/xuNHih
Alvin Ailey’s Blue Suite - https://goo.gl/Bsk7wj

To visit the collection, go to http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/…/jerome-robbins-dance-d….

Technology Review: VSAUCE

VSAUCE is a network of science education channels on YouTube.

The project involves three science video channels.

VSAUCE 1: THINK focuses on fascinating science facts and the world of mystery. Each video investigates an interesting question.

VSAUCE 2: FIND explores everyday topics that involve human creation.

VSAUCE 3: PLAY covers the real-world science of fictional worlds.

Librarians will find this video network to be an excellent way to promote science. Mine the videos for topics that align with the science curriculum. Or, use them to motivate learners and readers.

To visit the website, go to http://www.vsauce.com.

Book Review: Seven and a Half Tons of Steel

SEVEN AND A HALF TONS OF STEEL by Janet Nolan tells the extraordinary story of a navy ship built with steel from the World Trade Center tragedy.

After the World Trade Centers collapsed on 9/11, seven and a half tons of steel from the disaster site was transported to New Orleans and used in the bow of the USS New York. While Hurricane Katrina delayed the project, the ship was ultimately completed in time for the tenth anniversary of 9/11 in New York.

Librarians will find this nonfiction picture book to be an age-appropriate story true story for elementary children. Rather than focusing on the tragedy itself, the author chooses to explore the uplifting story of rebuilding.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.janetnolan.com/.

Published by Peachtree on August 1, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Digital Collections: Afghanistan Digital Library

Afghanistan Digital Library
New York University Libraries

Contents: This collection focuses on preserving the cultural heritage of Afghan publications from 1871 through 1930.

Classroom Connections: When exploring world history, it’s useful for students to see primary sources from around the global Although students won’t be able to read most of the texts, they can see what these works looked like and the importance of communication during the time periods represented.

Featured Digital Objects: 
Afghan Progress https://goo.gl/DWjvxY
History of Aryana Club https://goo.gl/a4isCR

To visit the collection, go to http://afghanistandl.nyu.edu/.

Technology Review: Journey into the Arctic

JOURNEY INTO THE ARCTIC is an exciting interactive video experience for all ages.

Users watch a series of short videos and make choices along the way. Each choice presents success or failure to the expedition. Designed as part of Canada’s 150th anniversary, this interactive journey helps youth better understand the plight of early explorers. Bonus videos provide additional background information about a wide range of topics.

There are two ways for users to participate. First, students can use a web-based version that presents text on a web page along with the videos. Second, students can go directly to the videos.

Librarians will find this beautifully produced video experience to be an effective way to explore the history of arctic exploration. User the interactive tool to jumpstart an inquiry-based learning experience. Ask students to learn more about some aspect of the exploration.

To visit the website, go to http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1435340710904.
To explore the web-based experience, go tohttp://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1435072634918/1435072693723.
To go directly to the videos, go to https://youtu.be/MAB_cRMbxvI.

Book Review: Let Your Voice Be Heard

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD by Anita Silvey explores the life of folk musician Pete Seeger.

From young folk-singer to Grammy winner, this well-researched work of nonfiction traces the career of this singer, songwriter, and banjo player. The book is most effective when discussing his social and environmental activism.

Librarians will find a middle grade audience for this biography among children who enjoy music and activism. Connect this work of nonfiction with the Smithsonian Folkways website to see and hear Seeger’s works. Go to http://www.folkways.si.edu/peteseeger.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.anitasilvey.com/. A teachers guide is available.

Published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Technology Review: Ask Smithsonian

ASK SMITHSONIAN is a weekly video series exploring a wide range of topics.

From ancient history to contemporary science topics, this video series answers questions through very short videos. Around a minute in length, each video addresses a different question. Viewers can extend the experience by reading interesting articles.

Librarians will find that these question and answer videos will inspire young people to create their own inquiry-based projects. Rather than a traditional written assignment, ask students to explore a question of interest and create their own video project.

To visit the website, go tohttp://www.smithsonianmag.com/vid…/category/ask-smithsonian/.

Digital Collections: NINES

NINES: Nineteenth-Century Scholarship Online

Contents: This collection contains nearly 900,000 digital objects from 139 federated sites. It includes well-known materials by Jane Austen along with books, letters, diaries, and other fascinating primary sources. Tags are used to explore areas of interest.

Classroom Connections: The NINES Classroom area allows teachers to set up accounts for classes to create exhibits and discuss objects. Although it’s used primarily by colleges, any educator can set up an account.

Featured Digital Objects:
Costume resources - https://goo.gl/Qe1Qfu
Frankenstein resources - https://goo.gl/V8Gpjg
American Civil War resources - https://goo.gl/vKlCqc

To visit the collection, go to http://www.nines.org/.

Book Review: Be Light Like a Bird

BE LIGHT LIKE A BIRD by Monika Schroder tells the authentic story of a twelve-year-old girl dealing with the death of her father.

When her dad dies, Wren and her mother must move to Michigan and start a new life. Along the way, Wren deals with a wide range of issues from bullying and peer pressure to environmental issues and themes of lies, forgiveness, and hope.

This poignant story realistically describes Wrens’ struggles with the death of her father. The author skillfully weaves age-appropriate experiences and actions into the storyline.

Librarians will find middle-grade, realistic fiction readers drawn to the wide range of topics and themes. From birding and anthropology to bullying, encourage youth to select an issue of interest and learn more about it.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.monikaschroeder.com/.

Published by Stone Arch, and imprint of Capstone on August 1, 2016. Courtesy of the author.