SOLC # 11 and Non-Fiction That Inspires

Also writing with my class at Linda & Jonathan's Class Blog

Day Eleven of the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Challenge.  And, Come Visit the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge hosted by Alyson Beecher at Kidlit Frenzy.  

        One large slice of every day of my life involves books, sharing with students, with our librarians, with my granddaughters, anyone really who would like to hear about the latest books I've loved. In the past year, I've been reading more and more non-fiction for all ages, and much of this learning has come with connecting with Alyson Beecher, and those who share non-fiction picture books each week on Wednesdays. I'm happy to share a couple of recent books with the slicing community today, too. If you don't know them, you should take a look. Some of the blogs I read have reviewed them, and I thank them for sharing so I can discover the books, too. 

One Plastic Bag, Isatou Ceesay and The Recycling Women of The Gambia - written by Miranda Paul and illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon

             When someone sees a need, or even worse, "lives a need" and steps up to do something to fulfill that need, it's a special person. And living in tough circumstances, yet still taking the time to solve a problem, taking a risk that means learning to do something no one else was doing, no matter how hard, no matter who laughed, then that person is a hero. 



            In this story, the hero is Isatou Ceeay who as a young girl saw family goats die because of the ingestion of plastic bags. Those hundreds of bags were in the community dump, along the walkways, everywhere! Isatou had an idea, she began collecting them, got others to help. They first washed them, and everyone laughed. Then they thought they could crochet something if they cut the bags into strips, creating plastic thread. And others laughed. They took purses crocheted from plastic bags, and people laughed. But, a big but, the purses were beautiful, and people bought them, and Isatou took enough money home so the family could buy a goat. They laughed then, but for the right reason! The book shows that this story didn't end there. The women of The Gambia still collect the bags, and the back matter tells that the dump is not so disease-ridden, families are healthier, all because someone had an idea, took a risk, became a hero. The illustrations are filled with gorgeous color. Here's a sample:

The women crochet by candlelight, away from those who mock them . . .

Earmuffs for Everyone, How Chester Greenwood Became Known As The Inventor of Earmuffs - written by  illustrated by Meghan McCarthy

               Chester Greenwood wasn't the first inventor to fashion something to keep one's ears warm, but he was the first one to devise something that was warm and comfortable against the head and ear. The book tells the story of a variety of inventors that I suppose rejected head gear, wishing only for something for those exposed ears! The illustrations are cartoon-like, show quite a few different characters throughout the book wearing earmuffs. It's both amusing and informative, about taking an idea and improving it because you have a better idea! 

Happy reading!