The Sixth Day of Christmas

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...nonfiction.


I am obsessed with nonfiction books and for good reason. The folks in the children's book world are cranking out some amazing books that teach us lots.  I didn't realize that all of my selections were about artists in some sense, so I guess these are art books too! From mimes to monuments, here are some great nonfiction books to consider.

Drawing From Memory by Allen Say
Allen Say, author and illustrator of Grandfather's Journey, wrote the story of how he became the well known artist he is today.  Starting with his birth in Yokohama, Japan in 1937, this memoir tells how Say started to read comic books and draw from a very young age.  He yearns to be a cartoonist, makes his way to his hero, Noro Shinpei's home, and starts to make his dream come true.  Among the word are photographs, sketches, old comics, and his own story told throughout in a comic strip style.  This is a great book for all your young artists and comic book lovers!

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill, illustrated by Bryan Collier.
This book won a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King award and it is no surprise why.  Dave was a potter living in South Carolina in the 180ss.  His work and story are one of intrigue and hope.  I am happy to see the history of African Americans come to life in more than just stories of Harriet Tubman.  The diversity of our past deserves more than what we already know.  Also check out Kadir Nelson's Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans for another fantastic history of our country.

Dream Something Big: The Story of the Watts Towers by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Susan L. Roth
I am thrilled not only that Dianna Hutts Aston wrote this book, but that it is getting recognition as well.  Watts Towers, for those of you who don't know, is an amazing structure that was built in the neighborhood of Watts, here in my fine city of Los Angeles.  The neighborhood has always been a diverse community but definitely not one known for art displays.  Yet, among all the trouble surrounding it, these towers are a sign of hope.  I visited the Watts Towers a couple of years ago and they are spectacular.  For you local Angelinos, and for those far away, this is a great find!

A photo of the detail at Watt's I took when I visited.

Balloons over Broadway: The story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet

My class fell in love with Melissa Sweet's work when we read A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams.  I'm thrilled she is taking on the biography of yet another talented person in U.S. History.  I was completely fascinated, and in awe, reading about Tony Sarg, the man who is responsible for bringing us those giant balloons in our holiday parades.  A few weeks back I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that connects me to this amazing man so the book held special meaning.  Your kids will love to learn about Tony Sarg, and will wow your family, with the details of an American tradition. (I picked up my copy from The Los Angeles Public Library!)
 

Monsieur Marceau by Leda Schubert, illustrations by Gerard Dubois
See what I mean?  The nonfiction coming out is truly amazing!  When I was a kid we had a stock pile of the biographies and histories in the world.  While I do love learning about George Washington, Helen Keller, and Harriet Tubman, I am devouring all the new folks being written about.  Here is another example.  Marcel Marceau, famous mime who kids these days, and I will submit I am with them, know nothing about.  Yet, his story is also one to be told and enjoyed.  With beautiful illustrations that are only necessary for telling the story of a man who performed in silence,  this is a great new find.  Did you know he actually talked a lot in real life?  No?  Well, pick this book up for more interesting facts!