Non-fiction books have come a long way since I was a child in the ‘80s, and I can’t help but be envious of today’s young readers. I remember having Crabtree Publishing’s We Celebrate series, which explored different holidays along with their history, traditions, food, crafts, and activities; a book called Andy Bear about a polar bear cub’s first year of life at the Atlanta Zoo; and the old trusty Encyclopedia Britannica set that sat atop a tall bookshelf in our basement.
Today’s young readers have access to an incredible range of non-fiction, and in this month’s feature article, author Erin Silver explores this “golden age” of the genre. She speaks with seven authors whose books introduce kids to fascinating topics, from the cells that make up the human body to the many ways we can help fight climate change.
In another fascinating profile, CCBN writer Krista Jorgensen chats with author Vicky Fang about how her background in theatre and her experience as a product designer at Google inspired her to create STEM-based books for children.
Our Keep Your Eye On column introduces readers to two creators this month! Helen Liang, whose books in the Orca Think series explore the role engineering plays in our communities and on our planet; and Curtis Campbell, whose books for teens feature queer protagonists navigating friendship, identity, and social activism in a small fictional town in Ontario.
Beyond our non-fiction coverage, our July Bookmark list of new releases highlights books that are full of big adventures, unexpected friendships, and the courage to embrace change, no matter your age.
As always, you’ll also find reviews of 12 new books to discover and enjoy.
Happy reading!
Shannon Barnes