While the children's book reviews in this issue of Childhood Education include captivating picture books and noteworthy works of poetry, the majority of books reviewed are nonfiction. Classifying them as nonfiction was not simple, however, as they cross genre boundaries to include poetry, illustrations, and other features not traditionally found in informational texts. Five of the eight included titles are biographies, a number of which bring little-known individuals out of obscurity. In Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave, we learn about a slave from South Carolina who created both visual and verbal works of art to share his life story. Calico Dorsey: Mail Dog of the Mining Camps depicts the daily life of California mining towns in the late 19th century by focusing on the story of Calico Dorsey, a very special dog who became a valuable member of such a community. Cesar Chavez has been the subject of a number of recent biographies for children; in the dual-language Side by Side/Lado a Lado: The Story of Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez, readers are treated to the often ignored perspective of Dolores Huerta, Chavez's female partner in the fight for farm workers' rights. Children fascinated by math and science will particularly enjoy the picture book biography of Leon Foucault, the scientist who proved that the earth spins on its axis. The life of Alfred Nobel, a historical figure likely not known to many young readers, is explored in The Nobel Prize: The Story of Alfred Nobel and the Most Famous Prize in the World, along with the contributions to society made by some of the prize recipients. Among the three informational texts reviewed, there is sure to be a subject that will spark the interest of any reader. Those who enjoy the slightly creepy wonders of the natural world will love Here There Be Monsters: The Legendary Kraken and the Giant Squid. Although dealing with a dark and shameful aspect of our history, Susan Campbell's impeccably researched history of the Ku Klux Klan will engage and horrify readers and definitely ignite important discussions about prejudice, racism, and social justice. Finally, in Sugar Changed the World, by the husband-and-wife team of Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos, readers will encounter a vivid account of the role that sugar has played in our world. All of the informational texts and many of the biographies include extensive back matter detailing the authors' research journeys and providing further resources to satisfy enthusiastic readers of nonfiction. PICTURE BOOKS
