Nonfiction Monday - Remembering Patricia Lauber

When I began teaching in the 80's, Patricia Lauber books were a staple in my classroom. In working with preservice teachers she's always been one of the authors I highlight as a "must know." Just yesterday I heard the sad news that Lauber died at her home in New Canaan, CT on March 12.

Lauber wrote nonfiction that showed both an understanding of the natural world and the sensibilities and interests of children. Her books (more than 125 titles) spanned topics from trees to mummies and just about everything in between. Her writing made even seemingly mundane topics interesting. I saw a number of my elementary and middle school students turned into nonfiction lovers once they became absorbed in her writing.

If you haven't read a book by Lauber, you're really missing something. You might want to check out her book Volcano: The Eruption and Healing of Mount St. Helens, which was awarded a Newbery honor medal in 1987. You'll find titles for younger readers in the popular Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Finally, I recommend titles in the Around-the-House History series like What You Never Knew About Fingers, Forks, & Chopsticks and What You Never Knew About Beds, Bedrooms, & Pajamas.

I'm happy to be serving as your host for this week's installment of Nonfiction Monday. Leave me a note about your post and I'll add it to the list.

Kim Hutmacher at Wild About Nature has a review of The Blues Go Birding Across America.

Mary Ann Scheur of Great Kid Books shares two books that tell the Passover story: Miriam's Cup by Fran Manushkin, and Wonders & Miracles, by Eric Kimmel.

Zoe of Playing by the Book shares a review of The Planet Gods: Myths and Facts About the Solar System, along with an idea for making your own revolving planets.

Anastasia Suen of Picture Book of the Day shares a review of Whose Nest is This? by Heidi Bee Roemer.

Paula of Pink Me shares a review of The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy) by Barbara Kerley.

In Need of Chocolate shares a review of Adventures in the Ice Age by Linda Bailey.

Mandy of Enjoy and Embrace Learning reviews a series of life cycle books by Camilla de la Bedoyere, published by QEB Publishing Co, and sold through Scholastic.

Abby (the) Librarian reviews An Unspeakable Crime: The Prosecution and Persecution of Leo Frank by Elaine Marie Alphin.

Sarah Campbell shares an interview with Joseph D'Agnese, author of Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci.

Jeannine Atkins shares a review of Feeding the Sheep by Leda Schubert.

Cindy Dobrez and Lynn Rutan of the Booklist blog Bookends share a review of The Cutest Critter by Marion Dane Bauer.

Amy O'Quinn shares a review of Shutting Out the Sky by Deborah Hopkinson.

Camille of Book Moot highlights a number of manga drawing books.

Wendi O. of Wendie's Wanderings shares a review of A New Baby Arrives! by Nicola Barber.

Shirley Duke of the SimplyScience blog shares a review of Bugs and Bugsicles: Insects in the Winter, as well as some great activity ideas.

Sally Apokedak of Whispers of Dawn shares a review of The Heroine of the Titanic, written by Joan Blos and illustrated by Tennessee Dixon.

Anamaria of Books Together shares an interview with Margarita Engle, author of Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian.

Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews shares a review of Girl in the Know: Your Inside-and-Out Guide to Growing Up by Anne Katz.

Amy Graves of The Art of Irreverence shares her take on The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy) by Barbara Kerley.

Amanda of A Patchwork of Books shares a review of the Is That a Fact? series.

BooksforKidsBlog shares a review of Years of Dust: The Story of the Dust Bowl by Albert Marrin.

Happy reading folks. Be sure to join us next week for the round up at Lerner Books Blog.