Tag: Kids Nonfiction

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Poetry for Kids by ❤️Joyce Sidman❤️

📚 Have you discovered the dazzling poetry of Joyce Sidman?

If you’re looking for books that blend science, nature, and truly beautiful language, her work is something special. I love it so much! Lyrical, thoughtful, and rich with imagery, these books invite kids to slow down, notice the world, and see it in a whole new way.

Here are three favorites to explore:

🦉 Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Rick Allen
This Newbery Honor–winning collection reveals the hidden life of the natural world after dark. Each poem feels like a quiet discovery, paired with intricate scratchboard illustrations that glow with detail and mystery. 

🌅 Before Morning by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes
A gentle, hopeful poem about a child wishing for snow—woven with themes of patience, change, and wonder. The luminous engraved, wood-print illustrations, touched with soft color, makes this one especially magical. It truly tugged at my heart.

🌳 Dear Acorn, Love Oak: Letter Poems to Friends by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Sidman’s newest book just came out last year and it is full of clever, heartfelt poems written as letters between elements of the natural world. The mixed-media illustrations are bursting with texture, movement, and charm are just GORGEOUS!

All three books are a celebration of language, art, and the beauty of the world around us—perfect for curious kids (and grown-ups) who love to linger over words.

✨ Do you have a favorite poetry book to share with kids?

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🚀 The Artemis Buzz Is Real—Let’s Turn It Into Learning

Our house was glued to the Artemis mission updates…

There’s something magical about watching history unfold in real time—but for me, it was also deeply personal. My last vivid memory of a space mission growing up was the Challenger. So watching this new chapter in space exploration—and seeing the crew return home safely—felt especially meaningful.

And it’s made me realize how important it is that my kids understand the context of this moment. Why this mission matters. Why it’s exciting. Why it hasn’t always been guaranteed that astronauts make it home.

Kids are naturally curious right now—this is the perfect moment to lean in and help them explore that curiosity through great books. 📚✨

Here are a few we’re loving:

🌕 Who Owns the Moon? by Cynthia Levinson & Jennifer Swanson
A fascinating look at the big questions surrounding space exploration—who gets to go, who makes the rules, and what the future might hold.

🕵️‍♂️ Space Case by Stuart Gibbs (also available as a graphic novel!)
A fun, fast-paced mystery set on the moon—perfect for middle grade readers who like their science with a side of suspense.

🚀 Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca
A stunning picture book that captures the wonder, tension, and triumph of the very first moon landing.

☀️ Sun: One in a Billion! by Stacy McAnulty
Part of a fantastic series, this one gives the sun a big personality (a little cocky 😄) while sneaking in tons of fascinating space facts.

Moments like this don’t come around often—and they’re such a powerful opportunity to connect kids with science, history, and big dreams.

✨ Are your kids caught up in the excitement of space right now?

#BooksForCuriousKids #STEMBooks #SpaceForKids #ArtemisMission #KidLit #NonfictionForKids #MiddleGradeBooks #PictureBooks #RaisingReaders #CuriousKids

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Two Stunning Animal Picture Books

📚 Looking for nonfiction that feels as exciting as a story?

These two stunning books bring the natural world to life in ways that will leave kids fascinated (and maybe a little awestruck):

🐝 Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann
Follow a single honeybee from birth as she takes on the many roles needed to keep her hive alive. Told in lyrical, immersive prose, this book reads almost like a story—while the detailed, textured illustrations place readers right inside the hive.

🦑 Giant Squid by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann
Dive deep into the mysterious ocean to encounter one of its most elusive creatures. With a sense of suspense and wonder, this book reveals what scientists know (and still don’t know) about the giant squid. The dramatic illustrations and pacing make it feel like a deep-sea adventure.

Both of these books are perfect for curious kids who love animals, science, and learning something new in a way that feels alive and unforgettable.

✨ Which would your kids rather explore—the hive or the deep sea?