Synergy: World War I

World War I (1914-1918) was one of the most deadly global conflicts in human history. In addition to the estimated 9 million people killed in combat, another 5 million civilians died as a result of the conflict. 

Read the recently published nonfiction book for young adults, then learn more at the websites:

WORLD WAR I: THE GREAT WAR TO END ALL WARS by Julie Knutson is part of the Inquire & Investigate series. This interdisciplinary text explores the events that led to the war along with key battles. Using photographs, graphic novel-style illustrations, and primary source documents, readers learn about both the home-front and global aspects of the war. Useful fact boxes, sidebars, and questions are likely to engage reluctant learners. ARC courtesy of Nomad Press.

1914-1918 ONLINE is an international encyclopedia focusing on the First World War. Readers can explore the website through a timeline, themes, regions, or article topics.

To visit the website, go to https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/.

Synergy: Anglerfish

Anglerfish are bony fish known for their bioluminescence that is used to lure prey. Found worldwide, anglerfish dwell on the sea floor, close to the sea floor or in the deep sea.

Read the recently published nonfiction picture book, then learn more at the websites:

ANGLERFISH: THE SEADEVIL OF THE DEEP by Elaine M. Alexander and illustrated by Fiona Fogg dives 13,000 feet under the ocean to explore a primordial fish known for its teeth and bioluminescence. This informational picture book follows the life cycle of the anglerfish and concludes with additional information about its life and related fish. ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

DEEP-SEA ANGLERFISH from Monterey Bay Aquarium provides an overview of the fish along with photographs, video, conservation information, and cool facts. To read the page, go to https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/deep-sea-anglerfish.

Science Magazine from YouTube provides the first footage of deep-sea anglerfish pair. To view the video, go to https://youtu.be/anDIlMVgNwk.

Synergy: Baby Animals

Baby animals are the offspring of living creatures. While some animal offspring are independent at birth, others are cared for by a parent, parents, or family. Animal offspring may look like their parents, but they are not identical. 

Read three recently published book for children, then learn more at the website:

LITTLE KIDS FIRST BIG BOOK OF BABY ANIMALS by Maya Myers features a wide range of mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, octopus, and insect babies. Five chapters explore grassland, water, mountain/desert, forest, and polar babies through colorful photographs and factual information. The book concludes with a map, parent tips, a glossary, and more. ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

FIND OUT ABOUT ANIMAL BABIES by Martin Jenkins explores a wide range of animal babies and how they grow. The author provides a general statement about animal babies, then examines one animal family in more detail. ARC courtesy of Candlewick Press.

DO BABY ELEPHANTS SUCH THEIR TRUNKS? by Ben Lerwill uses engaging questions to jump-start explorations of animal babies. Inquiries are addressed through examining a specific animal baby. ARC courtesy of Nosy Crow, an imprint of Candlewick Press.

Nat Geo WILD provides fascinating videos about baby animals. ANIMAL MOMS contains four videos about moms and their babies. BARNYARD BABIES is a playlist containing nearly a dozen short videos about farm babies.

To visit Nat Geo WILD, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/NatGeoWild.

To visit the animal moms playlist, go to https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNxd9fYeqXebzavboPT2uRRWfLYo_TL_v

To visit the barnyard babies playlist, go to https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNxd9fYeqXeZCRoHh-dVrlLaNOKhEoJyA

Synergy: Plant Classification

Plant classification is the science of naming organisms and organizing them into a hierarchical structure. Each level has a name, class, order, family, genus, and species. There are four main categories. 

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the websites:

GROW written by Riz Reyes and illustrated by Sara Boccaccini Meadows is a family guide to plants and how to grow them. Readers explore fifteen different types of plants and their plant families. For instance, children learn about pumpkins as part of the larger gourd family. Effectively combining science, history, and hands-on activities, this appealing picture book will be of interesting to parents and teachers as well as young readers. The book concludes with a glossary and information about plant classification. ARC courtesy of Magic Cat Publishing, an imprint of ABRAMS.

PLANT SCIENCE from Growing with Science provide examples of common plant families from the Carrot Family to the Maple Tree Family.

To visit Plant Families I, go to https://blog.growingwithscience.com/2015/11/plant-science-plant-families-i-the-food-crops/

Go to Plant Families II, go to https://blog.growingwithscience.com/2015/11/plant-science-plant-families-ii-trees/

PLANT CLASSIFICATION FOR KIDS is a YouTube video from Brainy Garden that describes the organization of living things including the Kingdom Plantae.

To visit the website, go to https://youtu.be/LeSeUM5k10M.

THE PLANT KINGDOM is a YouTube video from Happy Learning English that shares four groups of plants. 

To visit the website, go to https://youtu.be/IYxfz1PSfZ0.

ARC courtesy of Magic Cat Publishing, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Time Take-aways for Life-Long Learners: Geography Connections

Time Take-aways for Life-Long Learners: Geography Connections

From forgotten and imagined places to powerful political relationships, connect geography with topics across the curriculum through these recently published books.

The Atlas of Atlases
Philip Parker, 2022, Ivy Press, an imprint of Quarto Group
Themes: History, Historical geography, Atlas

Exploring key atlases through history, readers will enjoy spectacular illustrations, fascinating cartographers, and engaging stories about the explorers and leaders who used these important documents.

Take-aways: Use historical atlases to jumpstart discussions of the essential role of maps in history.

The Devil’s Atlas: An Explorer’s Guide to Heavens, Hells, & Afterworlds
Edward Brooke-Hitching, 2022, Chronicle Books
Themes: History, Historical geography, Atlas

Reflecting cultures and religions from around the globe, stunning illustrations and fascinating stories engage readers in imagined places throughout history.

Take-aways: Educators will find this book useful in building interdisciplinary connections among geography, history, and mythology.

Geography is Destiny: Britain and the World
Ian Morris, 2022, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan
Themes: History, Britain, Europe, Historical geography

Readers explore the 10,000 year relationship between the British Isles and the European continent along with the entire globe.

Take-aways: Use Britain as an example of the connection among geography, politics, economics, and history.

Atlas of Forgotten Places
Travis Elborough, 2021, White Lion Publishing, an imprint of Quarto Group
Themes: Geography, Travel

Part of the Unexpected Atlas series, this new title uses engaging color photos, maps, and stories to explore 40 mysterious sites around the world.

Take-aways: Use these fascinating places to discuss why some places seem to disappear.

The Power of Geography
Tim Marshall, 2021, Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
Themes: Political Science, Geography, Geopolitics

Part of the Politics of Place series exploring compelling geopolitics connections, this title uses ten maps to share the challenges facing key regions of the world today and tomorrow. 

Take-aways: Use Marshall’s approach to regions of the world in a discussion of the connection between political science and geography.

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