Non-Fiction Picture Books Explain Science & History

Visit Alyson Beecher on Wednesdays for Non-Fiction Picture Books at Kidlit Frenzy.  Thanks to her hosting and sharing and those who add their posts, you can discover and celebrate terrific nonfiction picture books!  I always learn from these books, am happy that they are more and more available today for children, for everyone!  This week Alyson is sharing some end-of-the-year releases!

         For everyone who wants to know what being Curiosity on Mars is like, Richard Ho tells it with few words, showing what it does ("It observes, Measures, Collects" and on)and what it's like ("The air is thin. The storms are strong." on Mars. His words explode in meaning with Katherine Roy's gorgeous filled-with-the-color-red" illustrations. Included is a four-fold spread showing Curiosity looking out on what looks like a flat park before mountains. "They call me Mars." Ho writes, "I am not like your world."
         At the end, you'll see a double-page showing the rover with all its parts labeled and a graphic list of what those parts do. In the back matter, added information about Curiosity can be found, along with "Curiosity's Friends", those explorers sent before, laying the groundwork for this new and larger rover. There is a brief overview of Mars itself and a bibliography, with the link to NASA.
          One fun thing: the outside covers show a large illustration of the camera used by Curiosity!

         It feels as if this book will entice kids who are interested in space, add to their understanding of what's going on on Mars, perhaps look further to see what NASA is sharing about what Curiosity is telling them!