#Children's Non Fiction

[rebeccareviews]

The Ghostly Guide to Alcatraz by

Theresa Emminizer

Theresa Emminizer’s The Ghostly Guide to Alcatraz is a brief and easy-to-read book detailing the history of the very famous island and prison. I enjoyed the book’s eye-catching design and bright pictures. The information is interesting but it is a little underwhelming, especially the ghostly tidbits.

This is a very easy-to-follow and understandable book for younger readers. Emminizer’s nicely simple language is concise and accessible. The book is divided neatly into simple, comprehensive, and super short chapters. The easy-to-read information includes fascinating facts about Alcatraz’s long history (it became a maximum security prison in 1934 and closed in 1963), the prison’s infamous inmates like Al Capone, as well as mentions of infamous prison escape attempts. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of the Native peoples. Did you know that it’s possible that the Native peoples believed the island was haunted and may have used it as a spot of punishment?

I also appreciate the inclusion of a glossary, a short timeline of Alcatraz’s history, as well as a section with books and websites so kids can learn more about Alcatraz on their own.

However, there is disappointingly little information on Alcatraz’s haunted aspects. I would have loved to see more pages on the alleged hauntings and sightings. I also would have liked to see more specific facts or stories.

I really appreciate the book’s colourful and appropriately spooky design which definitely makes the reading experience quite fun and exciting. I also love that there are so many interesting full-colour pictures and this will definitely appeal to younger readers!

Thank you to NetGalley and Rosen Publishing Group for this book in exchange for an honest review.

👻👻👻 out of 5 ghosts!

[euqinim0dart]

New book announcement!!

I have the pleasure of illustrating the New York Times obituaries desk's Too Big for History: 10 overlooked icons. My first non-fiction book coming in 2026 and published by Crown/PRH.

[sadsongbird]

Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.

- C.S. Lewis, Of Other Worlds: Essays and Stories

[fightingwithallreality]

Yi Ma (2008) written and illustrated by Mao Xiao

[sassafrasmoonshine]

Sean Qualls • American picture book illustrator

Sean Qualls has illustrated many non-fiction books for children. Pictred above is a sampler of illustrations for: Grandad Mandela, Lullaby ( based on a poem by Langston Hughes); Lower right: an untitled painting; lower left, illustration for the book Why am I Me?

[dirtytransmasc]

the level of just... I don't want to be rude, but stupidity that just consumes this whole idea, I don't even know where to fucking start.

like what? what is this? some random person on the internet in the 20th century being a bastard is vastly different than 3 princes of the realm, son's of the heir, from a fantasy show/universe that can't be compared on a timeline, since its y'know, fictional and takes place in a fictional timeline, but most things point it being vaguely 12th century based. its not some fucking gotcha, like yup a lot of people nowadays are born out of wedlock, myself included, that totally nullifies any and all consequences of being a royal bastard at a time when being a bastard was literally a death sentence...

like what else should I say? this is just so nonsensical, I can't even come up with a response.

it's really tiring seeing TB fans strip the context and nuance from literally every scenario ever. like it was never really about them being bastards, it was about them being bastard prince's, that were still being pushed as legitimate heirs to not one, but two thrones, and were an active threats to multiple children (Alicent's children. Baela and Rhaena, cause if they hadn't been betrothed to Jace and Luke, which is a death sentence in its own right, would have to be taken out of the picture to secure the boy's reigns. their own legitimate siblings.), and the fact that its literal treason committed by the heir to the throne, who then did whatever it took to defend her lies, no matter who it hurt... like yes, people were mad that they were the bastard, but it was definitely influenced by all of the context surrounding it.

then there's the comments, which... jesus... these are my favs (warning, they're somehow more nonsensical):

so first off, we have this one, which, the logic is so far out the window I don't even think any amount of logical response can touch it. bastards are, by definition "a child born to parents who are not married to each other" which doesn't describe Alicent's children at all. just because they don't meet your weird, blood purity, eugenics type bullshit standards, doesn't make them bastards, it just makes you dense.

and then there's this one. just because it wasn't shoved down your throat so hard you can't even attempt to refute it, like it was in the show, in the books, doesn't mean it wasn't there, and doesn't mean its not true, your head just permanently takes residence in your ass. they were most definitely bastards in the books, they just showed it instead of told it, unlike the show that told you outright that they were.

I just want one day where TikTok doesn't give me a stroke, cause this damn near put me over the edge.

[anarchne]

i wish i could remove the word “adopt” from kept peoples’ vernacular lol

[silverlyrics]

Books about Palestine and Palestinian Heritage

This is by no means an exhaustive list. These are books I was able to source from my local library and thought other people might appreciate them as well. I have not read them all, but the intention of the list is Palestinian perspectives and characters.

List order: Children's books, Young Adult books, Adult books, Graphic novels

Junior

We Are Palestinian A Celebration of Culture and Tradition by Reem Kassis: A stunning non-fiction children's book celebrating everything Palestinian! From culture and food, to music and literature, We Are Palestinian is a celebration of Palestinian heritage. Brought to life by award-winning writer Reem Kassis, every spread is filled with wonderful anecdotes, fascinating facts, and memorable quotes.

Homeland; My Father Dreams of Palestine by Hannah Moushabeck: A Palestinian family celebrates the stories of their homeland in this moving autobiographical picture book debut by Hannah Moushabeck. With heartfelt illustrations by Reem Madooh, Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine is a love letter to home, to family, and to the persisting hope of people, which transcends borders.

Three Wishes; Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak by Deborah Ellis: Ellis turns her attention to the young people of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After visiting the region to conduct interviews, she presents their stories here in their own words. Twelve-year-old Nora, eleven-year-old Mohammad, and many others speak directly about their lives -- which prove to be both ordinary and extraordinary: They argue with their siblings. They hate spinach. They have wishes for the future. Yet they have also seen their homes destroyed and families killed, and live amidst constant upheaval and violence.

Farah Rocks Florida by Susan Muaddi Darraj: Farah's little brother is in the hospital with a heart problem that needs surgery, so her parents send sixth-grader Farah off to stay with her grandmother in a retirement condo in Florida; Sitti Fayrouz does not speak much English, has a lot of rules, and does not understand Farah's interest in geology, so Farah is not happy with the move--but despite being the only child in the community, Farah finds that the people are nice, and despite getting off to a bad start (she accidentally dumped a soda on his lap) she forms a friendship with Dr. Fisher, who shares her interest in science. Palestinian-American Author.

These Olive Trees by Aya Ghanameh: The story of a Palestinian family's ties to the land, and how one young girl finds a way to care for her home, even as she says goodbye. It's 1967 in Nablus, Palestine. Oraib loves the olive trees that grow outside the refugee camp where she lives. Each harvest, she and her mama pick the small fruits and she eagerly stomp stomp stomps on them to release their golden oil. Olives have always tied her family to the land, as Oraib learns from the stories Mama tells of a home before war. But war has come to their door once more, forcing them to flee. Even as her family is uprooted, Oraib makes a solemn promise to her beloved olive trees. She will see to it that their legacy lives on for generations to come.

Ghaddar the Ghoul And Other Palestinian Stories by Sonia Nimr: Retells nine Palestinian folktales featuring women of character, genial tricksters, and mischievous animals.

Balcony on the Moon; Coming of Age in Palestine by Ibtisam Barakat: Balcony on the Moon follows Ibtisam Barakat through her childhood and adolescence in Palestine from 1972-1981 and chronicles her desire to be a writer.

Young Adult

We're in This Together A Young Readers Edition of We Are Not Here to Be by Linda Sarsour: In this middle grade edition of We Are Not Here to be Bystanders , Linda shares the memories that shaped her into the activist she is today, and how these pivotal moments in her life led her to being an organizer in one of the largest single-day protests in US history. From the Brooklyn bodega her father owned to the streets of Washington, DC, Linda's story as a daughter of Palestinian immigrants is a moving portrayal of what it means to find your voice in your youth and use it for the good of others as an adult.

Tasting the Sky A Palestinian Childhood by Ibtisam Barakat: In this groundbreaking memoir set in Ramallah during the aftermath of the 1967 Six-Day War, Ibtisam Barakat captures what it is like to be a child whose world is shattered by war.

Something More by Jackie Khalilieh: A contemporary teen romance novel featuring a Palestinian-Canadian girl trying to hide her autism diagnosis while navigating her first year of high school, for fans of Jenny Han and Samira Ahmed. Palestinian-Canadian Author.

Ida in the Middle by Nora Lester Murad: Every time violence erupts in the Middle East, Ida knows what's coming next. Some of her classmates treat her like it's all her fault--just for being Palestinian!... One day, dreading a final class project, Ida hunts for food. She discovers a jar of olives that came from a beloved aunt in her family's village near Jerusalem. Ida eats one and finds herself there--as if her parents had never left.

Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin: Pamela L. Laskin's beautiful and lyrical novel in verse delivers a fresh and captivating retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet that transports the star-crossed lovers to the modern-day Israel-Palestine conflict. Ronit, an Israeli girl, lives on one side of the fence. Jamil, a Palestinian boy, lives on the other side. Only miles apart but separated by generations of conflict--much more than just the concrete blockade between them.

Adult Fiction and Nonfiction

Why Did You Leave the Horse Alone? by Maḥmūd Darwīsh: Palestine's most internationally famed poet of all, Mahmoud Darwish

The Palestinian Table by Reem Kassis: Authentic modern Middle Eastern home cooking - 150 delicious, easy-to-follow recipes inspired by three generations of family tradition.

Her First Palestinian And Other Stories by Saeed Teebi: Saeed Teebi's intense, engrossing stories plunge into the lives of characters grappling with their experiences as Palestinian immigrants to Canada. These taut and compelling stories engage the immigrant experience and reflect the Palestinian diaspora with grace and insight.

Once Upon A Country A Palestinian Life by Sari Nusseibeh: A prominent Palestinian's searching, anguished, deeply affecting autobiography, in which his life story comes to be the story of the recent history of his country.

Zaitoun Recipes From the Palestinian Kitchen by Yasmin Khan: Oil from the olive -- which is known in Arabic as zaitoun -- flows in abundance in the kitchens of Palestine.

Notes on the Occupation Palestinian Lives by Éric Hazan: Almost 40 years after the Israeli military occupation of Palestine, scenes from the West Bank remain rare and fragmented. Despite its prominence in the world news, suprisingly little is known about daily life in this troubled land. Here is a rare portrait of a population living with the reality of war and the dream of peace. (Published 2007).

A White Lie by Madeeha Hafez Albatta: The Women's Voices from Gaza series honours women's unique and underrepresented perspectives on the social, material, and political realities of Palestinian life. In A White Lie, the first volume in this series, Madeeha Hafez Albatta chronicles her life. Among her remarkable achievements was establishing some of the first schools for refugee children in Gaza. Her story will benefit Middle East scholars, social justice and human rights advocates, and all who want to know more about the modern history of Palestine.

Love Is An Ex-country by Randa Jarrar: Queer. Muslim. Arab American. A proudly Fat woman. Randa Jarrar is all of these things. In this provocative memoir of a cross-country road trip, she explores how to claim joy in an unraveling and hostile America.

The Words of My Father Love and Pain in Palestine by Yousef Khalil Bashir: A Palestinian-American activist recalls his adolescence in Gaza during the Second Intifada, and how he made a strong commitment to peace in the face of devastating brutality in this moving, candid, and transformative memoir that reminds us of the importance of looking beyond prejudice, anger, and fear.

Places of Mind; A Life of Edward Said by Timothy Brennan: The first comprehensive biography of the most influential, controversial, and celebrated Palestinian intellectual of the twentieth century.

We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders; A Memoir of Love and Resistance by Linda Sarsour: Women's March co-organizer Linda Sarsour shares how growing up Palestinian Muslim American, feminist, and empowered moved her to become a globally recognized and celebrated activist on behalf of marginalized communities across the country.

Salt Houses by Hala Alyan: From a dazzling new literary voice, a debut novel about a Palestinian family caught between present and past, between displacement and home...On the eve of her daughter Alia's wedding, Salma reads the girl's future in a cup of coffee dregs. She sees an unsettled life for Alia and her children; she also sees travel, and luck. While she chooses to keep her predictions to herself that day, they will all soon come to pass when the family is up rooted in the wake of the Six-Day War of 1967.

Ishmael's Oranges by Claire Hajaj: It's April 1948, and war hangs over Jaffa. One minute seven-year-old Salim is dreaming of taking his first harvest from the family's orange tree; the next he is swept away into a life of exile and rage. Seeking a new beginning in swinging-Sixties London, Salim finds an unexpected love with Jude, a troubled Jewish girl struggling with her own devastating family legacy. The bond between them flourishes in the freedom of the age, bringing the promise of thrilling new worlds. But before long, childhood conflicts and prejudices reawaken to infringe upon their life together, pulling them and their children inexorably back towards the Middle East and its battlegrounds.

I Shall Not Hate; A Gaza Doctor's Journey: by Izzeldin Abuelaish Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish - now known simply as "the Gaza doctor" captured hearts and headlines around the world in the aftermath of horrific tragedy: on January 16, 2009, Israeli shells hit his home in the Gaza Strip, killing three of his daughters and a niece. By turns inspiring and heartbreaking, hopeful and horrifying, this is Abuelaish's account of a Gazan life in all its struggle and pain. A Palestinian doctor who was born and raised in the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza.

Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa: A heart-wrenching, powerfully written novel that does for Palestine what The Kite Runner did for Afghanistan. Mornings in Jenin is a multi-generational story about a Palestinian family.

Falastin; A Cookbook by Sami Tamimi: Falastin is a soulful tour of Palestinian cookery today from Ottolenghi's Executive Chef Sami Tamimi, with 120 highly cookable recipes contextualized by his personal narrative of the Palestine he grew up in.

The Parisian, Or, Al-Barisi by Isabella Hammad: A masterful debut novel by Plimpton Prize winner Isabella Hammad, The Parisian illuminates a pivotal period of Palestinian history through the journey and romances of one young man, from his studies in France during World War I to his return to Palestine at the dawn of its battle for independence.

Graphic Novels

Power Born of Dreams My Story Is Palestine by Mohammad Sabaaneh: Translating headlines into authentic lived experiences, these stories come to life in the striking linocut artwork of Mohammad Sabaaneh, helping us to see Palestinians not as political symbols, but as people.

A Child in Palestine; The Cartoons of Naji Al-Ali by Naji Al-Ali: For the first time in book form, A Child in Palestine presents the work of Naji al-Ali. Through his most celebrated creation, the witness-child Handala (Hanthala), al-Ali chronicles the Israeli occupation, the corruption of the regimes in the region, and the plight of the Palestinian people.

Baddawi by Leila Abdelrazaq: Ahmed was raised in the refugee camp of Baddawi in northern Lebanon, one of many thousands of children born to Palestinians who fled (or were expelled from) their homeland during the 1948 war that established the state of Israel. Ahmad's dogged pursuit of education and opportunity echoes the journey of the Palestinian people, as they make the best of their existing circumstances while remaining determined to one day return to their homeland.

The Hookah Girl and Other True Stories by Marguerite Dabaie: In this current political climate, being a Palestinian is a hazard. However, there are common grounds where East meets West. The Hookah Girl is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel of a childhood as a Christian Palestinian in America.

~~~

Send letters to your local government for ceasefire (UK, Canada, US, Australia)

Donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians

Donate to Palestine Children's Relief Fund

Donate to The World Food Program

Donate to Doctors Without Borders

Donate to UNRWA

[rebeccareviews]

The Secret Life of Oceans written by Moira Butterfield with art by Vivian Mineker

The Secret Life of Oceans written by Moira Butterfield with art by Vivian Mineker is a stunning and informative picture book that will inspire appreciation for the wonders of the oceans in all readers. Every beautifully detailed page is filled with bright colours. The educational writing is fun and approachable.

This book is a unique collection of fascinating facts and little stories from oceans around the world. Our guide is the adorable and friendly Tia the Green Turtle who shares her knowledge of the oceans and some of the amazing creatures that live in them. Tia begins the book by introducing us to turtles (green sea turtles can swim as fast as a car! Leatherback turtles can dive to depths over 3,300 feet!). We are introduced to many sea creatures from the very huge (the blue whale is the largest creature on earth while sperm whales hunt giant squid!) to the tiny (krill which look like transparent red prawns and the octopus wolfi which is only 1 inch long!)

We also learn the names and locations of the oceans and the depths where certain animals live, their various habitats, and how they communicate with each other. The author even teaches us about animal migrations, sea weather, and geography! The book ends with an important section educating readers about the dangers that humans pose to sea creatures and the need for us to preserve the environment and encouraging readers to actively engage in conservation. There are also five brief and interesting ocean life folktales from around the globe. These tales from Siberia, Africa and the Caribbean, Fiji, England, and the Philippines illustrate the fantastical interactions between sea creatures and humans in fascinating and memorable ways!

I love that this book is jam packed with information! It’s fairly short but effectively and efficiently conveys a wealth of knowledge without being overwhelming. Butterfield’s kid-friendly writing is simple and approachable. I love how she sounds out large or difficult words so that they are pronounceable. I am an adult but I learned so many new things! More importantly, I never felt like I was being bombarded with facts or being preached to. I also like that we have Tia the turtle guide because it makes the learning experience relatable and fun for children.

I can’t stop gushing over this book’s beauty! I can’t wait to purchase a physical copy so I can sit in awe of Mineker’s amazing illustrations. Every eye-catching page is filled with movement and life. The sealife is depicted brightly and wonderfully with unique and distinct facial expressions. They are all instantly recognizable and so many are very cute! I love all the thoughtful little details. I particularly love the folk tales illustrations. I also really enjoyed the finding game aspect of the book and I loved trying to find the hidden animals or objects on the pages. This is a great way to encourage active participation in reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Happy Yak for this book in exchange for an honest review.

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢 out of 5 green sea turtles!

[sassafrasmoonshine]

Jan B. Balet (German-American ) • Author/Illustrator • What Makes an Ochestra • 1951 • Oxford University Press

[chuckbbirdsjunk]

[polaroidcats]

I was tagged by the lovely @squintclover to share my 9 favourite books. This was SO hard, and I knew this is the kind of thing I will absolutely overthink so I just looked at my bookcase and picked the first 9 books that stood out to me:

I'm not going to tag anyone specific but if you want to do this tag you are now officially tagged! Please tag me in your posts so I can be nosy, I love these kinds of tags!! <3

[shahabartprojects]

How Old Is Your Umbrella? 

Lots of things that we use today were actually invented by people a very long time ago. Find out about ancient Egyptian toothpaste, kites from thousands of years ago, and what the Ancient Greek recipe for cheesecake is!

How Old Is Your Umbrella?

This book is from Readerful's Independent Library. It is for children aged 7 to 8 to read without support.

by Abbie Rushton

Publisher ‏ : ‎ OUP Oxford

[thedisabilitybookarchive]

'Small Knight and the Anxiety Monster'- Kasha, Manka

Disability Rep: Anxiety

Genre: Fantasy, Picture Book

Age: Childrens

Setting: Fictional Kingdom

Additional Rep: Non-Binary MC

For more information on summaries, content warnings and additional tropes, see here:

[butchlifeguard]

I HATE FANDOM WANK YALL ARE UNHINGED. VERY NEGATIVE BTW

[clonerightsagenda]

Going ‘hey maybe if we’re doing displays for a holiday season defined primarily by Christian holidays we should do displays for other significant times as well?’ is a quick way to spot a lot of gaps in your collection.