Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera is a beautiful example of how narrative nonfiction can both captivate and educate. From the opening line “One summer morning deep in the nest,” readers are immediately drawn into the world of the working honeybee. I dare you to find a textbook that will teach young readers as much about the honeybee – effectively, so they actually remember! – as this book does.

Here are three reasons to love this book:

• The melding of science and poetry. Candace Fleming’s text packs a powerful punch. Consider the conclusion of the opening line. “One summer morning deep in the next, a brand-new honeybee squirms, pushes, chews through the wax cap of her solitary cell and into… a teeming, trembling flurry. Hummmmm!”
• Eric Rohmann’s illustrations transport readers into the middle of the beehive. The pictures are detailed and stunning.
• Winner of the Sibert Medal (awarded to notable nonfiction books for children), you can be sure Honeybee is amazing, as the quality of children’s nonfiction works continues to rise.

I highly recommend this book for ages 6-10. Honeybee would be a wonderful supplement as part of an insect unit study or a spring/summer nature study.

Thunder Rose is a welcome addition to the tradition of American tall tales. Author Jerdine Nolen has created the larger-than-life Rose, who rolls lightning into a ball, twists iron, and tames stampeding steers.

Here are three things I like about this book:

• There are less tall tales featuring female protagonists; even fewer non-white females. Thunder Rose gives us a valiant hero to embrace from an underrepresented group.
• Illustrator Kadir Nelson’s illustrations convey the great expanse of the western frontier. His choice of viewpoint is unique and interesting – the reader is often looking up at Thunder Rose, which adds to the greatness of her personality.
• Nolen has masterfully written a tale that has the feel of an old folktale, but also feels fresh.

Just under two thousand words, Thunder Rose is quite long, even though it is a fully illustrated book. While younger children may still be captivated by the tale, I would recommend this book for ages 6-10. It would be a great addition to a group of stories including Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan, and John Henry.

Let the Children March tells the story of the Children’s March that took place in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963. Under the direction of Dr. King, citizens gathered to construct a plan that would combat racially unjust Jim Crows laws. The trouble was that many adults feared they would lose their jobs if they participated in demonstrations. Their children volunteered to march in their place, and Let the Children March portrays their stories.

Here are three things I like about this book:

• This book is inspiring for young people. Our society often diminishes what kids can do, and this book shows them the power they have and how they can indeed make their voices heard.
• Author Monica Clark-Robinson chose to write this story in the first-person perspective of one of the marchers, which makes the account feel that much closer.
• As one would expect, Frank Morrison’s illustrations are truly gorgeous. I also appreciate the unique angles he uses to recreate scenes that were captured in photographs.

Let the Children March does a fabulous job of being educational without being didactic or bland. It reads like a story while shining a spotlight on our nation’s troubled history. I recommend this book for ages 6-10.

Uptown, by Bryan Collier, is a glimpse into the life of a young Harlem boy. Readers experience the sights and sounds of his city and develop a strong sense of his neighborhood.

Here are three things I like about this book:

• Collier’s collage art is a feast for the eyes. There is so much happening on each page – just like in the city.
• Evocative phrases put the reader right down in the city. “Uptown is weekend shopping on 125th Street. The vibe is always jumping as people bounce to their own rhythms.”
• As someone who has never lived in a large city, I enjoy touring Harlem with a guide who shares his love for his community on every page.

Uptown is a great read-aloud choice for ages 4-8.

I try to read the medalists and honorees of the major ALA book awards every year, so you can be sure I took notice when The Undefeated earned recognition in the Caldecott, Newbery, and Coretta Scott King award categories. Inspiring and beautiful, The Undefeated deserved its many wonderful accolades.

Here are three things I like about this book:

• Kwame Alexander’s triumphant text. I’ve read several of Alexander’s books, and I have yet to encounter another author whose words pop off the page the way his do. He captures so much life in a few short lines per page.
• Kadir Nelson’s luxurious illustrations. This is one of those books that you really must see in physical form to fully appreciate the gorgeous illustrations. I was stunned by the difference between what I could see in a digital preview versus what I could experience through the physical page.
• The universal appeal. The short text and illustrations make this book accessible to young audiences, but the biographical stories in the back matter are both engaging and educational for older children. This book isn’t afraid to confront difficult history, but it is done in such a way that it can pack a powerful punch for all ages, which is an incredible feat.

The Undefeated is probably best for ages 6 and up. I think it could initiate some wonderful conversations particularly for kids 8-10 years old.

I love reading picture book biographies of people I have never heard of. Especially if they are seemingly ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary things. My kids and I recently enjoyed learning about the amazing Mary Walker, who not only lived to an incredibly old age, but learned to read when she was 116. Incredible. Author Rita L. Hubbard and illustrator Oge Mora have honored her story in The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read.

Here are three things I like about this book:

• Hubbard presents Mary Walker’s persistence in an honest but hopeful way. Readers learn of Mary’s hardships but also feel her joy when she finally achieves her great goal of learning to read.
• Mora’s youthful and vibrant illustrations seem to mirror the energetic soul of a person who lives to 121 years of age.
• Stories of persistence are great for kids, and I love how this book can relate to kids in a very tangible way, since many young children are learning to read themselves.

This book is great for all ages, but I think it will land especially well with six to ten year olds.