Fold Me a Poem

Readers will watch as a young boy creates a menagerie of creatures of all shapes and sizes from brightly colored paper. With short poems by Kristine O'Connell George, and colorful pictures, featuring origami animals, by Lauren Stringer, this fun book won the Minnesota Book Award in 2006.

Everything I Know About Pirates

If you are looking for factual information about pirates, don't read this book! However, if you are seeking an easy-to-read, funny, silly, goofy collection of made-up facts, educated guesses, and silly pictures about pirates and other bad guys of the sea, this is the book for you. Written and illustrated by Minnesota's Tom Lichtenheld, this was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2001.

Nature's Yucky! Gross Stuff That Makes Nature Work

Did you know that honey is really bee barf? This book uses children's natural fascination with the gross, stinky, and just plain icky aspects of nature to help them learn more about animals and their behavior. Written by Minnesota's Lee Ann Landstrom and Karen Shragg, with illustrations by Constance Bergum, this is a useful supplement for animal units. It was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2004.

The Night Rainbow

This story is told in poem form and is based on legends from several countries about the northern lights. The lights were often associated with animals, ghosts, dancers, and even raging battles. Written by Barbara Esbensen, with very realistic illustrations by Helen Davie, this is really a book for all ages. End notes provide more information about legends connected to the northern lights and basic scientific information about the aurora borealis.

Just Us Two: Poems About Animal Dads

Eleven poems present life from the point of view of animal fathers and their offspring. The animals include Emperor penguins, Nile crocodiles, giant water bugs, and Peregrine falcons among others. Writtens by Minnesota's Joyce Sidman with cut-paper illustrations by Susan Swan, this could be used in a study of animals. The endnotes include more information about each animal.

It's Fall!

It seems backwards to be writing about this book in March - but truth is I can't wait another six months to share this well-written introduction to the autumn season. Written by Minnesota's Linda Glaser, with 3-dimensional cut paper illustrations by Susan Swan, this is an excellent introduction to the changes that happen to plants and animals during fall. It is enhanced by three pages of suggested nature activities to do in the fall.

A Cold Snap! Frosty Poems

This is a special collection of poems about late autumn and winter, especially appropriate for Minnesota and the upper midwest. Since it is still winter when I write this, the descriptive phrases and word choices will make any reader feel the chill of a winter day. St. Paulite Audrey Baird is the author, and the illustrations by Patrick O'Brien add a frosty touch as well.