Nonfiction genre
A picturebook biography of environmental scientist and activist Nicole Hernandez Hammer, who was recognized by former First Lady Michelle Obama at the 2015 State of the Union address for her efforts to educate people about climate change and its disproportionate impact on communities of color.
This book is part of the Worlds of Words Global Reading List for 2023/24.
As a young boy, Sebastiao Salgado loved exploring his parents’ farm in the forests of Brazil, always dreaming of what might lie beyond his view. When he went away to school, he met Lelia, who showed him how to use a camera. As he looked through the lens, Sebastiao realized he could use photography to capture how the world fits together.
Sebastiao used his pictures to tell the stories of people who might not otherwise be seen. But after witnessing too much destruction, he put away his camera and returned to his childhood home. The land was in ruins.
So Sebastiao and Lelia decided to rebuild the rainforest and photograph the beauty of the world to save it. Through art and activism, they would show that everyone was responsible for caring for the planet and that hope endures if we take action.
This book is part of the Worlds of Words Global Reading List for 2023/24.
Amidst the antics of monkeys and the presence of lions and giraffes, a looming war casts a shadow over the once-bustling zoo. As visitors dwindle and fear pervades the air, most animals seek solace with their companions, leaving one baby elephant alone and vulnerable. Amidst the chaos of bombs and uncertainty, the elephant’s keeper remains a steadfast presence, offering comfort and companionship.
When the situation becomes untenable, the keeper makes a bold decision to bring the elephant home, forging an unbreakable bond between them. Despite the challenges of concealing such a large creature, their friendship endures, even when wartime pressures demand the elephant’s return to the zoo. Undeterred by separation, the keeper stands by her friend’s side, finding solace amidst the chaos of conflict.
Inspired by a poignant true story from the Belfast Zoo during World War II, this book resonates with the spirit of resilience and empathy, reminiscent of beloved tales like “The One and Only Ivan” and the acclaimed documentary “The Elephant Whisperer.”
A definitive guide for children about Black history in Canada, this book is an exploration of the often overlooked contributions and experiences of Black Canadians throughout history beginning with the arrival of the first known African in the country, Mathieu Da Costa, in 1604. Through compelling stories, captivating illustrations, and accessible language, young readers are introduced to key figures and events that have shaped Canada’s Black heritage. From the early struggles for freedom and equality to the ongoing fight against systemic racism, this book sheds light on the resilience, creativity, and resilience of Black Canadians.
An illuminating biography of Mestre Bimba, a capoeira player who used art in resistance to racial oppression, transforming a marginalized practice into a global sensation. Part art form, part martial arts, dance, music, acrobatics and spirituality, capoeira is difficult to not only to define, but declare where it originated from. It can be said, with certainty, that Brazil was the only country in the world where it was being played in the early 20th century, mainly by people of African decent. The game was outlawed in 1890, just two years after Brazil abolished slavery, but by the early 1920s Mestre Bimba advocated for capoeira and the people who played it.
This book is part of the Worlds of Words Global Reading List for 2023/24.
During World War II, families all across Europe huddled together in basements, attics, and closets as Nazi soldiers rounded up anyone Jewish. The Star of David, a symbol of faith and pride, became a tool of hate when the Nazis forced Jewish people to carry papers stamped with that star, so that it was clear who to capture. But many brave souls dared to help them. Jewish teenager Jacqueline Gauthier, a member of the French Resistance who had to conceal her identity, was one who risked her life in secret workshops, forging papers with new names and without stars in order to help others escape. But how to get these life saving papers to families in hiding? An ordinary wooden toy duck held the answer, a hidden compartment: hope in a hollow.
The true story of Ynes Mexia, a Mexican-American botanist whose passion for plants led her on great expeditions, despite being in her early 50s, to gather flowers and plant samples for museums and universities around the world. Ynes went on to collect more than 100,000 specimens, including the elusive wax palm tree, which forever changed the world of botany, thus solidifying her place as the Queen of Leaves.
A moving and sensitively told true story of the 669 children who were rescued in Czechoslovakia from Nazi persecution right before the outbreak of World War II. Told from the collective perspective of the children, the story follows them as they journey from foster families during the war in England, to Prague where they have no success with finding their parents, then eventually to their connection with a British former stockbroker, Nicholas Winton, who played a vital part with bringing them to safety.
The incredible true story of Dr. Ellen Ochoa, American space pioneer and former director of the Johnson Space Center. The daughter of immigrants, Ellen always wanted to become a professional flutist while growing up. However, those dreams changed when she got to college and discovered engineering. While she was told that engineering was not a field of study for women, she did not let that deter her from her new dreams, which ultimately led to her becoming a NASA astronaut, and the first Hispanic woman to reach outer space.
Describes the origin and meaning of the Mexican festival of the Days of the Dead, and shows how it is observed by one peasant family.