Lost by Bob Staake

Lost 

by Bob Staake

Published Oct. 1, 2024

Anne Schwartz Books

48 Pages

Hardcover

Fiction

Wordless Picture Book

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

In this paneled picture book, join a small girl on her hilarious and surprising search for her lost cat--and watch as she helps her neighbors, who have also lost their pets, along the way!Where, oh where is Kitty? She's not upstairs... not in her litter box... not at her food bowl. Hmm...There's only one thing to find this lost cat.As the cat's owner roams town in hopes of finding her pet, she discovers she's not the only one missing their beloved animal. There's also a lost dog...a lost bird...even a lost giraffe! Join the search party in this almost wordless story that celebrates helping our neighbors and gently reminds us that what is lost can always be found.

My Thoughts

I LOVE a wordless picture book and this one does not disappoint. The story is told through panels with flashbacks depicted on full-page circles. There is so much to explore and discuss! 

Why are some characters shown in color and others in black and white? 

Who changes?

How do they change? 

What does the author want us to learn? 

Images from Amazon.com 

You will definitely want to add LOST to your wordless picture book collection!

Bounce!: A Scientific History of Rubber by Sarah Albee

Bounce!: A Scientific History of Rubber 

by Sarah Albee

Illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen

Published by Charlesbridge

Published Oct. 2024

48 Pages

Hardcover

Nonfiction

Review copy provided by publisher

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Goodreads Summary

Ever wondered what makes rubber bounce? Or why it's stretchy? And WHY is rubber so . . . rubbery?! Learn the fascinating science and history behind this ubiquitous material!

With sidebars, graphics, fun facts, and more, the history of rubber reveals plenty of fascinating secrets and surprises. Elementary school readers will discover that early balls didn't bounce; that people in the rainforest made waterproof gear from rubber thousands of years before Europeans got into the act; and that sneakers, bicycles, and cars created demand for more and more rubber!

Back matter includes a time line and a bit about the complicated implications of harvesting rubber.

My Thoughts

If someone had asked me if I would like to read a nonfiction book about the scientific history of rubber, I would probably have passed on then opportunity. But if they told me that the book was written by Sarah Albee, I would jump at the chance. Sarah Albee takes a mundane topic, like rubber, and turns it into a fascinating book that combines the history behind the substance as well as the science behind how rubber works. 

I absolutely love how this book is structured alternating bits of history followed by scientific information about rubber including the chemistry that makes it behave the way it does. Readers are exposed to rich content-specific vocabulary throughout the text. 

The illustrations are engaging and help readers understand the historical and scientific content. 

Images from Amazon.com 

I can't wait to add this book to my school library!