The 2015 Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy. Visit Alyson’s blog to discover wonderful nonfiction picture book titles.
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Award, which honors the most distinguished informational books published for children, is one of my favorite ALA Youth Media Awards: the books that win are consistently among the best I read every year. Kid Lit Frenzy is hosting a Mock Sibert this year and I plan to participate–but I still have a lot of reading to do before I’m ready to name the 5 most distinguished informational books of 2015.
Looking through lists of likely titles, I’m sure I’ve already read at least a few serious contenders, but I found a few dozen that I’d still like to read. It was hard work to narrow that list down to just 10 picture books I think I need to read:
The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea
The Great Monkey Rescue: Saving the Golden Lion Tamarins
The Sky Painter: Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist
Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calavares
The Nutcracker Came to America: How Three Ballet-Loving Brothers Created a Holiday Tradition
Jump Back, Paul: The Life and Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar
The House That Jane Built: A Story about Jane Addams
The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch
How to Swallow a Pig: Step-by-Step Advice from the Animal Kingdom
the dirigible plum 
I loved Amazing Creatures, still need to read some of your list, Elisabeth, especially How To Swallow A Pig Sky Painter and Funny Bones. There are so many I’ve read, but even more I haven’t. Being on that committee must be a challenge!
I agree, Linda–the Sibert would be one of the more challenging committees. So many wonderful nonfiction titles this year–as every year, I think. I haven’t read as widely this year as I did last year, so there are still many titles I need to find.
Our brains are on the same wave length today! I made a very similar post. I loved Trapped! Such a beautiful book. Shared it last year with my class. I am very busy trying to read more nonfiction picture books. And so enjoying it!
I can’t think of a more pleasurable type of reading. I am very grateful to live in a golden age of nonfiction picture books! Love that we have similar posts today!
I loved Trapped, too, and was especially impressed that the author built it out of a newspaper article. It was so much more vibrant and alive than anything I read in the paper!
(Also, it made me want to go and learn how to save whales.)
You have some great reading ahead. How to Swallow a Pig is on my list to read.
It’s been a strong year for nonfiction! Steve Jenkins is incredibly prolific!
The Robert F. Sibert award has been my favorite to read for my challenge this semester so this Mock Sibert situation has really caught my attention. Do you think it’s too late to participate?!
It’s definitely not too late to participate. I think the last day to post on your blog and connect to others is Jan 6, but double-check at Kid Lit Frenzy (links above). I’ve also bought many of the books that are most buzzed about this year and would be happy to loan, so just let me know if you want to borrow a pile of them.
Thank you!
I expected to have read or at least heard of everything on your list, but Sky Painter is new to me. I’m suggesting my library purchase it. Thanks!
The Great Monkey Rescue! Thanks for putting that on my radar–the golden lion tamarin is my favorite animal. That little face on the cover made me smile instantly 🙂
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