My favorite part about learning is when a subject I did not know was missing from my cabinet of knowledge in my brain becomes a subject of wonder that I wish to remember.
I continue to reiterate that I love nonfiction picture books! In my library, last year, picture books were in the Everybody section. While there are leveled picture books for readers at various beginning reading levels, picture books that are not specifically leveled, can work for all age levels. In fact, the general reading level in many picture books is higher than that of a beginning reader. This doesn't mean young children and early readers cannot comprehend the language, it only means that reading may be more challenging for newer readers. Picture books, in my mind, are meant to be read aloud and shared. If the illustrations are done well, comprehension lost on the words, can be found via seeing the pictures. Plus, pictures tell the reader or viewer details beyond the words.
Unfortunately, people, kids included, assume picture books are only for little kids. NOT TRUE! Nonfiction picture books, as well as fiction picture books that tell stories based on true events are excellent stepping-stones for learning about something new and getting started on further research.
My two recent finds include a MN Star of the North 2018/2019 nominee that I had not seen when it was published in 2017, and a title by my first advisor (aka Jackie) and mentor when I started working toward my MFA at Hamline and realized how little I knew.
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Maya Lin: Artist-Artchitect of Light and Lines: Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey; Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk; (c)2017 Henry Holt and Company (Publisher)
Maya grew up in a home with a brother and parents who allowed her to think her own thoughts and be her own person. Maya found a passion for creating art with her hands. She loved nature and the shapes of things. She decided to one day become an architect.
During her final year of college, Maya learned about the design competition for a Vietnam War memorial. Using clear and simple language, Harvey details Maya's process, and reasoning while she considered and planned her design. Competing against accomplished architects and artists, it came as a surprise to Maya, as well as many others, that the chosen design belonged to a student. Maya held strong as people held hearings to announce opposition or wishes for changes to her work. Despite challenges, her design eventually became reality, with Maya involved in the construction.
The book pages contain white space, spare colors, and text segments having no more than five lines each. This simplicity reflects the style of work that Maya continues to create. Little detail, thus leaving room for people to engage with the art and ponder what they feel. I find the book calm, and lovely.
The stepping stone created by Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines, for me, will lead me to learn more about Maya Lin's work, and help Little Sapling* see the potential of her art (as her goal is to become an artist one day).
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Creekfinding: Written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin; Illustrated by Claudia McGehee; (c)2017 University of Minnesota Press (Publisher) 
When things go lost, unless someone remembers, a treasure may not be rediscovered. In Creekfinding, though, someone remembers.The story begins by sharing what a creek is, and how it can get lost. It continues when a man named Mike buys the land, intending to grow a prairie of flowers and tall grasses. One day, a neighbor informs Mike that he once caught a brook trout where Mike stood. This changes Mike's goal. Now, he sets his mind on finding the creek that once flowed. While ignoring those who scoff at his idea, he works with friends who own bulldozers, excavators, and other machines. He works with plants, rocks, and gravel. He works with time. Working with everything together, Mike finds the lost creek and restores it to life.
My daughter and I enjoyed this book. Neither one of us had familiarity with the concept of creekfinding prior to reading. I love any idea that involves discovery and growth. We also admired Claudia McGehee's bold and beautiful scratchboard illustrations showing the process, development, and increasing natural beauty of Mike's efforts. I am a fan of scratchboard art and love the use of black outlines and watercolors in the illustrations. McGehee's art truly complement Martin's storytelling.
In addition to the illustrations, Martin's word choices added an auditory element. Water "burbled" and "tumbled". Insects "whirred" and "buzzed". An "outdoor orchestra", comprised of herons, bluebirds, frogs, insects and more, can be heard. I "heard" all of this in my mind.
Mike, who the reader learns via the end notes, is epidemiologist Michael Osterholm. Osterholm shares that despite the naysayers who laughed at his plan of finding the creek, "the science part of my brain said if the stream flowed once it could flow again." He reminds readers, as does Martin by telling the story, that it is possible to restore natural resources. Osterholm also adds, "I hope kids will remember from this story that we can change the world by acting on our dreams."
The stepping-stone created by Creekfinding, for me, will lead me to learn more about what Little Sapling and I can do to grow flowers and other plants to attract birds and insects we're not seeing as much as we would like near our home.
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What is a recent stepping-stone you've encountered in your reading? I would love if you would share in the comments sections. (Comments won't appear immediately, but I'll approve them once I see them).
To continued learning and reading,
today and tomorrow,
~Tamara
*Little Sapling - online name I use to refer to my seven-year-old daughter.
