December
27
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THE 2022 NERDIES: NONFICTION PICTURE BOOKS ANNOUNCED BY DONALYN MILLER
Congratulations to the authors, illustrators, and publishers of these outstanding nonfiction picture books. Selected by teachers, librarians, and families, this list opens up the world for kids, expands their understanding of the past and present, and helps them create a more inclusive and interconnected future for all living things.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to consider and nominate books. Your recommendations will inspire and engage young readers.
A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
Christina Soontornvat’s website
A Perfect Fit: How Lena “Lane” Bryant Changed the Shape of Fashion by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harvey, illustrated by Loveis Wise
Jeanne Walker Harvey’s website
Bessie the Motorcycle Queen by Charles R. Smith Jr., illustrated by Charlot Kristensen
Charles R. Smith Jr.’s website
Big as a Giant Snail by Jess Keating, illustrated by David DeGrand
Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky by Nana Euka Brew-Hammond, illustrated by Daniel Minter
Nana Euka Brew-Hammond’s website
Finding My Dance by Ria Thundercloud, illustrated by Kalila J. Fuller
H Is for Harlem by Dinah Johnson, illustrated by April Harrison
Honeybee Rescue: A Backyard Drama by Loree Griffin Burns, photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz
Hope Is An Arrow: The Story of Lebanese-American Poet Khalil Gibran by Cory McCarthy, illustrated by Ekua Holmes
Maya’s Song by Renée Watson, illustrated by Bryan Collier
Mushroom Rain by Laura K. Zimmerman, illustrated by Jamie Green
One Million Trees: A True Story by Kristen Balouch
One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World’s Oldest University by M.O. Yuksel, illustrated by Mariam Quraishi
Over and Under the Waves by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Christopher Silas Neal’s website
Pizza! A Slice of History by Greg Pizzoli
The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs by Chana Steifel, illustrated by Susan Gal
The Universe in You: A Microscopic Journey by Jason Chin
Yoshi and the Ocean: A Sea Turtle’s Incredible Journey Home by Lindsay Moore
Donalyn Miller is a Texas educator and the author or co-author of numerous books, articles, blog posts, and speeches about engaging young people with reading and ensuring meaningful book access. Her most recent books are The Joy of Reading (2022) co-written with Teri Lesesne and The Commonsense Guide to Your Classroom Library (2022) co-written with Colby Sharp. Donalyn lives near the Riverwalk in downtown San Antonio with her spouse and his goblin dog. You can find her online on Twitter and Instagram.
Nerdy Book Club 
Picturebooks are my favorite way to read nonfiction! I’ve read and loved so many of these, and I’m so excited to read the ones I haven’t!
Another incredible list of picture books and so diverse in subject matter and art style!
Wonderful books!