Synergy: Oxygen

Oxygen is a chemical element required by animals. When an animal breathes, it takes in oxygen. Animals need oxygen to survive. 

Read the recently published nonfiction picture book for youth then learn more at the website.

BLOWHOLES, BOOK GILLS, AND BUTT-BREATHERS by Doug Wechsler is an engaging picture book describing how animals get their oxygen. Part of the HOW NATURE WORKS series, this title features photographs along with high quality diagrams. Specific animals are used to highlight different ways creatures breath and use oxygen.

HOW DO ANIMALS BREATHE? Is a one-page overview from the New Mexico Museum of Art that explains breath taking.

To read the document, go to https://bit.ly/3IgNpSO

BREATHING IN ANIMALS is a short video explaining the different organs animals use for breathing.

To view the video, go to https://youtu.be/cPOl1CYvNKo

ARC courtesy of Tilbury House Publishers, an imprint of W. W. Norton.

Synergy: Protest Art

Protest Art includes the wide range of creative works produced by activists. Designed to inform, educator, and persuade, these works of art are intended to stir emotions and promote action in citizens as part of social movements.

Read the recently published work of nonfiction for youth then learn more at the website.

THE ART OF PROTEST: Creating, Discovering, and Activating Art for your Revolution by De Nichols is designed to inspire youth to explore art from around the world and create their own. Using colorful illustrations and well-known examples from throughout history, the author explains the importance of art in social movements, the creation or protest art, the power of youth leadership, and the future of this art form.

THE 25 MOST INFLUENTIAL WORKS OF AMERICAN PROTEST ART SINCE WORLD WAR II is an article from the New York Times discussing the impact of protest art through specific examples.

To read the article, go to https://nyti.ms/33mEIaK 

ARC courtesy of Big Picture Press, an imprint of Candlewick Press.

Synergy: Farm Security Administration

The Farm Security Administration (FSA) was part of the Great Depression-era New Deal program. The FSA became famous for its photography program that depicted rural poverty. Between 1935 and 1944, about 175,000 black-and-white images were generated by the eleven photographers. Dorothea Lange and Gordon Parks were among the photographers.

Read the recently published nonfiction history for youth then learn more at the website.

PICTURING A NATION by Martin W. Sandler shares the story of the FSA photographers who brought the challenges of rural living alive for America. Filled with stunning photographs and quotes from both the photographers and others, the book features many lesser-known images to help young people understand the impact of the Farm Security Administration’s photography program. After introducing the program, the book explores photographs from each region and concludes with an overview of each photographer.

The FARM SECURITY ADMINISTRATION digital collection at the Library of Congress shares thousands of historical photos along with articles and essays about the FSA-OWI photographic unit.

To visit the black and white collection, go to https://bit.ly/3FBBZHi

To visit the color collection, go to https://bit.ly/3Igrbjs

ABOUT THE FSW is a video from the Library of Congress that introduces the Farm Security Administration collection.

To watch the overview, go to https://youtu.be/00UaD8_UpkE

ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning: Medieval Life

New Takes on Medieval Life

New works of nonfiction bust myths about the people and progress of the Middle Ages by providing new perspectives on this often misunderstood time period.

The Middle Ages: A Graphic History
Eleanor Janega, Sep 2021, Icon Books
Themes: graphic history, European history, Middle Ages, Medieval

THE MIDDLE AGES is a highly illustrated history of Medieval times. Combining engaging visuals with a conversational approach, this graphic history provides a useful overview with many specific examples and lots of fun along the way.

Take-aways: Rather than a dark period in history, Janega stresses that Medieval times featured art, culture, and intellectual development. Contains lots of ideas for reluctant learners and useful examples. 

Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages
Dan Jones, Nov 2021, Viking/8 Titles
Themes: Europe history, Middle Ages, Medieval

POWERS AND THRONES explores a thousand years of medieval history. Divided into four parts: imperium, dominion, rebirth, and revolution, each section explores key individuals, transformational events, and enduring themes

Take-aways: Of particular note is Jones’ global approach to this time period while maintaining a mostly western lens. Young adults will enjoy the author’s conversational approach and themes of interest to contemporary readers.

The Bright Ages: A New History of Medieval Europe
Matthew Gabriele & David M. Perry, Nov 2021, Harper Collins
Themes: European history, Middle Ages, Medieval

THE BRIGHT AGES casts a new light on well-known people and events of the European Middle Ages. The book begins with the story of a Roman woman artisan and concludes with a debate about the prospects of the New World.

Take-aways: Gabriele and Perry help readers understand why long-held beliefs about the backward nature of the dark ages need to be replaced by an understanding of the time period that includes a broader, more diverse, and more inclusive view.

Medicine in the Middle Ages: Surviving the Times
Juliana Cummings, Dec 2021, Pen and Sword History
Themes: Medical history, Middle Ages, Medieval

MEDICINE IN THE MIDDLE AGES describes the perils of medieval life and how these people approached healing. Rooted in the work of ancient Greek and Roman philosophers, medieval medicine was linked to both the Catholic Church and the social status of patients. Explore the birth of hospitals and the horrors of war.

Take-aways: Educators will find this book useful in helping their students understand the challenges faced by both the rich and poor of the middle ages. From science and social studies to history, this book takes a multi-disciplinary approach to exploring the connection among religion, torture, plagues, medicine, and disease.

Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb

Synergy: Africa

Africa is the world’s second-largest continent covering 20% of the Earth’s land area. With the world’s youngest population, it accounts for 16% of the world’s population. Its human history can be traced back at least 200,000 years. Recorded history arose in Ancient Egypt and later in Nubia, the Sahel, the Maghreb, and the Horn of Africa.

Read the recently published nonfiction history for youth then learn more at the website.

AFRICAN ICONS by Tracey Baptiste tells the story of ten people who shaped African history. From ancient civilizations to the sixteenth century, each profile represents a key individual who made a unique contribution. Each short chapter begins with a full-color portrait, then shares the fascinating true story of a visionary leader or thinker. A map identifies the location of each story, provides a timeline of regions, and features key innovations.

AFRICA’S GREAT CIVILIZATIONS is a PBS series exploring the history of Africa. Featuring Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the six hour series examines two hundred thousand years of history.

To visit the website, go to https://to.pbs.org/3CBvhAA.

ARC courtesy of Algonquin Young Readers, an imprint of Workman.

Synergy: Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) is an American author best known for her novel Little Women. She worked to support her family from a young age and used pen names to publish her work. Based on her childhood experiences, Little Women was published in 1868 leading to several other novels. 

Read the recently published biography for youth then learn more at the website.

SCRIBBLES, SORROWS, AND RUSSET LEATHER BOOTS by Liz Rosenberg tells the story of author Louisa May Alcott’s experiences living in nineteenth-century New England. Based on primary sources including journals and letters, the well-researched biography covers her entire life including her efforts with reform movements and caring for her family.

Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House website contains a photo gallery and information about the home where Alcott wrote Little Women. It also contains biographical sketches of the Alcott family members. The digital discovery section features audio, video, and educational resources.

To visit the website, go to https://louisamayalcott.org/.

ARC courtesy of Candlewick, an imprint of Candlewick Press.

Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning: Drawing

Timely Take-Aways for Life-Long Learning:
Drawing

Whether seeking ideas for building confidence in young artists or exploring new how-to-draw series, several new drawing books are available for educators.

Drawing Workshop for Kids: Process Art Experiences for Building Creativity and Confidence
Samara Caughey, Apr 2021, Quarry Books, an imprint of Quarto Group
Themes: Art, Techniques, Drawing, Creativity

DRAWING WORKSHOP FOR KIDS shares both warm-up drawing activities along with drawing workshops to inspire children to explore and develop their own style.

Take-aways: Children benefit from both quick, exploration-type assignments as well as longer drawing workshops.

Drawing is for Everyone 
Kateri Ewing, Jul 2021, Quarry Books, an imprint of Quarto Group
Themes: Art, Techniques, Drawing, Creativity

DRAWING IS FOR EVERYONE builds drawing skills and confidence through 21 lessons with pencil, colored pencil, and ink.

Take-aways: Ewings suggests building both seeing-based and abstract drawing skills through engaging in a daily habit and following four guiding principles.

The Urban Sketching Handbook Series

Panoramas and Vertical Vistas: Techniques for Drawing on Location from Urban Perspectives, Mario Linhares, Sep 2021, Quarry Books/Quarto Group

Understanding Light: Portraying Light Effects in On-Location Drawing and Painting, Katie Woodward, Dec 2021, Quarry Books/Quarto Group

Themes: Art, Techniques, Drawing

THE URBAN SKETCHING HANDBOOK series provides artists with practical instruction focusing on creative techniques, tips, and advice for on-location sketching. Each title focuses a different sketching technique.

Take-aways: It’s useful to investigate how specific techniques are reflected in the works of masters when building sketching skills in new areas.

Ten-Step Drawing Series

Everyday Things: Learn To Draw 60 Ordinary Items in Ten Easy Steps!

Justine Lecouffe, Sep 2021, Walter Foster Pub.Quarto Group

Manga: Learn To Draw 30 Manga Characters & Animals in Ten Easy Steps! Chie Kutsuwada, Sep 2021, Walter Foster Pub./Quarto Group

Themes: Art, Techniques, Drawing

The TEN-STEP DRAWING series provides easy-to-follow instructions that encourage new artists to start drawing. Books in the series focus on drawing animals, flowers, people, nature, dogs, cats, and more. 

Take-aways: This simple, step-by-step approach is likely to increase the success of reluctant students, while teaching basic drawing techniques.

Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb