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Hi Kid Lit Friends,
Hello from Southern California, where I am spending the week doing school visits in the Pasadena area (my hometown!). Although I miss my family and pets, it’s always so great to meet readers and talk about one of my favorite thing: BOOKS!
I’m happy to report that it is another Tuesday, and therefore it’s another day to celebrate new releases! Today I’m focusing on all of the nonfiction new releases out today, so take a look and let me know what you think. As always, if I’ve had the chance to read one of these books and loved it, I marked it with a 
. Please note that all descriptions come from the publisher.
Nonfiction New Releases
PB denotes picture book; MG denotes middle grade book
Feed Your Mind: A Story of August Wilson by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Cannaday Chapman (PB)
August Wilson (1945–2005) was a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who had a particular talent for capturing the authentic, everyday voice of Black Americans. As a child, he read off soup cans and cereal boxes, and when his mother brought him to the library, his whole world opened up. After facing intense prejudice at school from both students and some teachers, August dropped out. However, he continued reading and educating himself independently. He felt that if he could read about it, then he could teach himself anything and accomplish anything. Like many of his plays, Feed Your Mind is told in two acts, revealing how Wilson grew up to be one of the most influential American playwrights.
Backlist bump: Hey, Black Child by Useni Eugene Perkins, illustrated by Bryan Collier (PB)
The Truth About Hawks by Maxwell Eaton III (PB)
Did you know that hawks can see four to eight times better than a human? Did you know that some hawks even eat other types of birds? Did you know that hawks use ultra-violet light to find their prey? Discover these facts and more in this new addition to the popular series that combines raucous amounts of humor with a surprising amount of information on beloved animal friends.
Backlist bump: The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Melissa Sweet (PB)
Who Am I? by Tim Flach (PB)
Who is that peeking through the page? Is it a giant panda munching on bamboo? Or perhaps a yellow-eyed tree frog hiding in a tropical forest? Who Am I? uses clever riddles and stunning images by esteemed photographer Tim Flach (taken from his Abrams adult book Endangered) to introduce ten vital species-at-risk to readers. With its engaging and timely message, this beautifully crafted picture book is perfect for the youngest animal enthusiasts.
Backlist bump: Tracks, Scats, and Signs by Leslie Dendy (PB)
Bugs in Danger by Mark Kurlansky, illustrated by Jia Liu (MG)
By now you’ve probably heard that bees are disappearing–but they aren’t the only species at risk. Populations of fireflies, butterflies, and ladybugs have all been declining in recent years, too. This middle grade nonfiction explains the growth, spread, and recent declines of each of these four types of insects. Exploring human causes, like the Baltimore electric company that collected fireflies to attempt to harness their phosphorescent lighting source, to natural occurrences, like the mysterious colony collapse disorder that plagues bee populations, master nonfiction storyteller Mark Kurlansky shows just how much bugs matter to our world.
Backlist bump: Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Julie Paschkis (PB)
The Book of Queens by Stephanie Warren Drimmer (MG)
They’re queens wielding scepters and sitting on thrones, they’re revolutionaries on the front lines of change, they’re presidents and prime ministers leading their nation, or they’re CEOs, scientists, sports legends, and artists who are have risen to the top of their fields. Welcome to The Book of Queens, where being a mighty monarch doesn’t just mean wearing a crown. Leaders like these come from all over the globe and have different talents. But most of all? They rule!
Backlist bump: Firebird by Misty Copeland, illustrated by Christopher Myers (PB)
The Book of Kings by Caleb Magyar and Stephanie Warren Drimmer (MG)
They’re kings wielding scepters and sitting on thrones, they’re revolutionaries on the front lines of change, they’re presidents and prime ministers leading their nations, or they’re CEOs, scientists, sports legends, and artists who rose to the top of their fields. Welcome to The Book of Kings, where being a mighty monarch doesn’t just mean wearing a crown. Leaders like these come from all over the globe and have different talents. But most of all? They rule!
Backlist bump: This is My Dream! by Langston Hughes, illustrations by Daniel Miyares (PB)
What are you reading these days? I want to know! Find me on Twitter at @KarinaYanGlaser, on Instagram at @KarinaIsReadingAndWriting, or email me at KarinaBookRiot@gmail.com.
Have you checked out Book Riot’s Kidlit These Days podcast yet? I co-host it with my friend, school librarian Matthew Winner. We chat about the intersection of children’s books and what’s going on in the world today. Give it a listen and let us know what you think!
Until next time!
Karina
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