I so often agonize over this list, my favourite nonfiction titles of the year. Which titles should go on my favourites list? I have a very special spot for nonfiction picture books and LOVE being part of this Wednesday community hosted by Alyson Beecher.
I literally ran out to the library to pick up holds in the middle of writing this post to squeeze in a few more nonfiction reads. Then, I tried reading and blogging at the same time. I have mastered reading and folding laundry (although the sock matching often goes south) but reading while typing is a tad too challenging. So I took some breaks, read a few more books and made a few changes. Finally, 20 favourites emerged.
I always have a love of picture book biographies I might share in my classroom. So these featured big on this list.
In Mary’s Garden by Tina and Carson Kugler
The Sky Painter written by Margarita Engle and illustrated by Aliona Bereghici
Which Trombone Shorty written by Troy Andrews and illustrated by Bryan Collier
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear written by Lindsay Mattick and illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah written by Laurie Ann Thompson and illustrated by Sean Qualls
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music written by Margarita Engle and illustrated by Rafael López
Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man who Sold the Eiffel Tower by Greg Pizzoli
Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova written by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Julie Morstad
After experiencing water shortages this year on the rainy south coast, water is also on my mind. I found relevant and wonderful 2015 titles.
Raindrops Roll by April Pulley Sayre
Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Jason Chin
And then there are always certain nonfiction topics I am obsessed with: nests and eggs, whales, plants and seeds, endangered animals, Australian animals and rocks. I found titles that covered most of these things from 2015’s offerings.
The Blue Whale by Jenni Desmond
Trapped! A Whale’s Rescue written by Robert Burleigh and illustrated by Wendell Minor
A Nest Is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long
Big Red Kangaroo written by Claire Saxby and illustrated by Graham Byrne
Emu written by Claire Saxby and illustrated by Graham Byrne
Counting Lions: Portraits from the Wild is written by Katie Cotton and illustrated by Stephen Walton. Virginia McKenna (from the Born Free Foundation)
A Rock Can Be . . . by Laura Purdie Salas with illustrations by Violeta Dabija
Others that stood out are of course by favourite nonfiction writers Nicola Davies and Steve Jenkins
I (Don’t) Like Snakes written by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Luciano Lozano
How to Swallow a Pig by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Books published by Flying Eye books are often hugely beautiful and extremely interesting. This one about monkeys completely charmed me.
Mad About Monkeys by Owen Davey
What are your favourites of 2015?
Thanks to Alyson from Kid Lit Frenzy for the inspiration to read and share more nonfiction picture books in 2015. Follow the link to Alyson’s blog to read about more nonfiction books you need to read!
There's a Book for That 
Since I have started my intervention position, it seems harder to stay caught up on nonfiction. Your post makes me realize I need to work on that. Thanks for the great titles. I hope you’ll join us 2/19 for nonfiction 10 for 10 and share your favorites again.
Cathy
I have already planned 2 possible post ideas! I am keen! So pleased this is a helpful list Cathy! Happy reading!
It was hard to choose for me which of the nfpb’s I read this past year was my favorite. I hope I keep having the same problem every year!
As you see, I chose 20 times over!
Great nf picture books! My favorite is Emmanuel’s Dream, special place in my heart! I have Counting Lions and Emu from the library right now!
I purchased both Emu and Big Red Kangaroo – love these titles! Emmanuel’s Dream is pretty fantastic. It is on our Mock Caldecott list.
I can’t bear to pick favourites, I feel like a parent when it comes to books, how can I ever choose? 🙂 Glad to hear it’s been such a good reading year for everyone, here’s hoping for an even better year in 2016.
I already see some 2016 NF titles that I can’t wait to read. This was a fantastic year. I must admit I think I loved 2014 even more though in terms of nonfiction titles. But the ones I loved this year, I really loved!
Oh man! I forgot about How to Swallow a Pig and The Sky Painter!!! Great list Carrie!
Thanks Gigi. I keep looking at lists and thinking – oh, I have to get to that one too!
In Mary’s Garden is on its way from the library. Otherwise, I’ve read all except for the Jenkins’ title. My favorites are still the Claire Saxby books. I love the art, and in so few words, the books tell so much. But, I love all the rest of these too, Carrie. It’s a great list.
I love these Saxby titles too – I had to purchase both of them!
Awesome list, Carrie! Soooo many great PBs this year!
I love this list a lot as well!
The Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge was the one thing I completely let fall by the wayside that I want to improve in this year. I love your list of 20! There are some great titles there!
Thanks Virginia! I have a real passion for nonfiction titles. I learn so much and incorporate many of these into my teaching.
I felt I left too many great books off of my two lists this year. So many good problems and such a good problem to have.
There were some fantastic titles. Lucky us!
What a beautiful list–honored that A Rock Can Be… is here. Thanks, Carrie! I adore about 1/2 these titles (just read Finding Winnie yesterday), and the ones I haven’t read are going on my To Read shelf right now. Happy New Year’s, and wishes for many more wonderful nf picture books in 2016.
Thanks Laura – I adore your books and it is a joy to include them on beloved lists. My nonfiction list is always very special to me because these are the books that are such a huge part of my classroom and student learning. Best for 2016!