My Favorite Non-Fiction Picture Books of 2013

Here are some of my favorite non-fiction picture books of 2013, in alphabetical order by author.  Please see the entry below this one for my favorite fictional picture books of 2013.  Thanks!!!

 

Tito Puente:  Mambo king/Rey del Mambo, written by Monica Brown, illustrated by Rafael López .  This vibrant bilingual (in English and Spanish) picture book biography, a 2014 Pura Belpré Honor book, has imagery that leaps off the page.  Young readers will be tapping and banging along as drummer/percussionist learns to love music as a toddler who loves banging spoons and forks on pots and pans.  Brown packs a lot of information about Puente in her energetic text, and Lopez's illustrations brilliantly capture the legendary musician in his glory.

 

A Splash of Red, written by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet.  Winner of the 2014 Schneider Award, this inspiring book profiles artist Horace Pippin who did not let an injury suffered in World War II stop him from creating amazing art.  Bryant's evocative prose and Sweet's eye-catching illustrations complement each other beautifully.  Young readers will feel happy to learn more about Pippin.

Locomotive, written and illustrated by Brian Floca.  Floca won the 2014 Caldecott Medal for this beautifully illustrated look at people traveling the transcontinental railroad in the 1860s.  Packed with details, the illustrations truly give young readers a sense of what was seen on this journey.  A real tour de force from one of the very best children's book writers working today.

The World Is Waiting for You, text and photographs by Barbara Kerley.  This book is great for career storytimes.  Kerley tells readers to embrace the world around them, sink their hands in mud or splash in the water.  A photograph of a child playing is followed, with a flip of a page, of an adult engaged in a related job.  For example, a photo of a child in the water is followed by a photo of a deep sea diver.  The book offers many "ooh" and "aah" moments.  And you can end by asking kids about their favorite photographs and what they would like to be when they grow up.

Nelson Mandela, written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson.  This 2014 Coretta Scott honor book offers an absorbing look at the life of the former South African president who fought hard to end apartheid.  The great Kadir Nelson's vivid paintings jump off the page as readers learn about Mandela's struggles and hardships and his ultimate triumphs.  A powerful way to introduce young readers to a legendary figure.  By the way, Nelson recently won the Hamilton King Award from the Society of Illustrators for his body of work.

Eat Like a Bear, written by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Steve Jenkins.  This look at a brown bear's existence does not sugarcoat the facts--being a bear involves a seemingly never-ending search for food and more food.  Sayre grabs readers right away by speaking directly to them:  "can you eat like a bear?"  Meanwhile, Jenkins astounds once again with his brilliant collage work.  The back matter packs in a lot more information about these intriguing creatures.

Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?, written by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman.  This wonderful picture book biography profiles Elizabeth Blackwell, America's first woman doctor.  Stone's energetic text and Priceman's colorful, dynamic illustrations work together to create an inspirational look at how Blackwell fought the odds to achieve her dream.  Not letting naysayers get in her way, Blackwell triumphs, and young readers will feel very satisfied when she does.  First-rate on every level.