Blastoff! Readers: Community Critters

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By Clare Koll and Betsy Rathburn

These vibrant covered non-fiction animal books for early readers will be in high demand at the elementary library. These titles are six of ten in the Bellwether Blastoff! Readers Level One: City Critters Series. While these books are grade one level, many will enjoy the beautiful photography and clear writing contained within. They all have a Table of Contents and Chapters that are consistently the same in each of the books and thus, are helpful for emerging readers when reading many in the series. There are minimal words on each page. Some words are in bold. These are in a Glossary in the back of the book with helpful definitions. The end of the book also has basic facts, other book recommendations to read and learn more, an index, and web information on how to get more information at a simple reading level. Many will know these animals as they are common in many communities but these books give clear information on species and genus, where they choose to have their home and types of food they eat.

I would highly recommend these books for any library that provides informational books for primary leveled readers.

Blastoff! Beginner’s: Community Workers

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By Amy McDonald

Having the opportunity to receive quality non-fiction books for early readers is always appreciated in the elementary library. These titles are six of sixteen in the Bellwether Blastoff! Beginners: Community Workers Series. Since primary (kindergarten-1st Grade) students focus on community members and their professions, these books can be a benefit for the classroom as well. Each of these books start with sight words that students will need in order to clearly understand the content. The Table of Contents/Chapters are clear, concise and consistently the same in each of the books and thus, are helpful for basic research questions to be answered by students. There are a minimal words on each page as well as vibrant images for clearer understanding and higher interest. The end of the book also has basic facts and a glossary for further comprehension. The final page also has an index as well as web information on how to get more information at a lower reading level.

I would highly recommend these books for any library that provides informational books for primary leveled readers.

The Biker Girls

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Shehzil Malik – Author

Shehzil Malik is a Pakistani artist and activist for women’s rights. This title introduces readers to the facts that not all areas of the world allow for women/girls to do everything that their counterparts do. Our main character, Zoey, has never ridden a bike and finds solidarity in the group of girls she sees who ride bikes throughout their area of the city. It talks about how when she comes home from biking her father questions her as to why she is on a bike. One of her friend’s mother explains how much she enjoyed cycling as a child and the parents both discuss how they can bike safely throughout the busy city as a larger group and create a club of “Biker Girls” to enjoy cycling together.

I would recommend this book as an extra purchase. The crisp and bright illustrations are in comic bubbles at times but this is a solid picture book and not graphic novel. This book would benefit either a library that needs more books about how rights are limited in different areas of the world, a community with many from other areas of the world that can relate to the topic or a place this either promotes bike riding or plans to.

The Everything Trail

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Meg Fleming – Author, Chuck Groenink – Illustrator

What a wonderful addition this book would be for a Pacific Northwest library! While the author is from the San Francisco Bay area, the illustrations will remind any reader of traveling through a forest on the way to an ocean shore. It follows a small group of kids walking on a path from the top of a mountain/hill to the view of the water and then back through tall trees. This book needs to be turned vertically to read and allows for a different view of the trail as it is tall and not wide. Each page has four lines that rhyme and thus will be fun for an adult to read to younger kids.

I highly recommend this book for us libraries in Western Washington. Readers will feel and understand the love of the forest after seeing this book. It will encourage all to go out and enjoy a hike!

The High-Flying, Deep-Diving Adventures of Kathy Sullivan-Astronaut and Oceanographer

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Diane Stanley – Author, Jessie Hartland – Illustrator

Kathy Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space is the focus of this biographical picture book. It explains her interest in maps and places around the world as a child and her introduction of Sputnik traveling across the sky that inspired her to eventually become an astronaut. Prior to being in space, Ms. Sullivan studied marine biology and became an well known oceanographer as N.A.S.A. was not hiring women to go to space at the time. She the applied and successfully became one of six women who had a chance to become part of a space mission.

This book is a wonderful and inspirational biography about the drive and resilience one can have to achieve their goals. I would highly recommend this book to libraries that need more books about women in STEM. The illustrations are bright and colorful but it is this librarian’s opinion that this book will be more readable for 2nd – 6th graders. At the end of the book there is a list of Ms. Sullivan’s world records, a glossary, and a time line. There are also two lists of resources, one for younger readers as well.

What Will I Be from A to Z

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Laura W. Carter – Author, Anna Doherty – Illustrator

With fun and clear illustrations, this book will be interesting for our primary readers. Each page starts with the words, “I want to be” and gives very short, general information on each career discussing where or what each job focuses on. Many professions in the book are not the average ones that you would see such as: neurologist or screenwriter which makes it more interesting for younger readers to learn more about fields they may not be aware of yet.

Teachers at kindergarten/first grade levels would enjoy this book as many could use it as an introduction to career research projects. There are some great career research questions on the final page as well that could be helpful. I would recommend this book for libraries who may need more A to Z books or books about professions as an extra purchase.

Zoo Borns! When I’m Big

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Andrew Bleiman – Author, Chris Eastland – Illustrator

This non-fiction picture book will be popular with all who truly adore animals. It is very accessible for many as there are few words on each page. The photography on each page is stunning with the image of a baby animal first, then the adult on the turned page. From lion to echidna, red panda to clouded leopard readers will smile as the learn more about diverse animals who are being saved in our zoos.

I would recommend this title for elementary libraries where animal books are popular. While this book has an introduction from a veterinarian at the Nashville Zoo and short details, descriptions and conservation status information in the back, it is more for enjoyment and general knowledge building and not for extensive research.

The Ultimate Animal Library Series by Bellwether Media

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Young readers love nonfiction books so I truly appreciate a nonfiction series that not only captures young readers’ interests but also supports key literacy skills. The Ultimate Animal Library series from Bellwether Media, does all of that and more. With 44 engaging titles, this series is a reliable go-to for young animal lovers and developing nonfiction readers alike.

What stands out first about this series is how well it uses nonfiction text features to support comprehension. Each book includes bold headings, clear subheadings, eye-catching photographs, captions, fact boxes, and simple glossary support. These features help students navigate informational text confidently, showing them how to locate and understand key facts rather than reading straight through without purpose. The frequent use of lists and labeled images also reinforces how nonfiction texts organize information—a critical skill in early elementary grades.

The content itself is both approachable and informative. The writing is clear and age-appropriate for emerging readers, presenting fascinating animal information in short, digestible sections that are perfect for young attention spans. The images are another highlight—big, bright, and relevant photographs that help readers connect text to real animals, boosting comprehension and engagement. In my experience, students often browse this series independently, drawn in first by the visuals and staying for the facts.

Because this series is part of Blastoff! Readers Level 2, it’s ideally suited to early elementary students, especially grades K–2, as well as struggling readers in higher grades who benefit from strong visual support and clear nonfiction structure. It also works beautifully for ESL learners, small-group nonfiction lessons, and science units focused on animal study. In the library, I often pull these books for text feature lessons, partner reading, and research starter materials.

With 44 titles, the Ultimate Animal Library makes it easy to match readers with animals they’re curious about while reinforcing nonfiction literacy goals across the collection. I highly recommend this series for school libraries—it’s engaging, visually rich, and perfectly pitched for young nonfiction learners.

Top 10 Animal Extremes Series by Rachel Rose

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I’m always excited to add nonfiction series that spark curiosity while also supporting important reading skills, and the Top 10 Animal Extremes series by Rachel Rose is a strong example of that balance. These books immediately grab students’ attention with fascinating animal facts and a fun “top ten” countdown format that encourages readers to keep turning the pages.

This series works especially well for teaching and reinforcing nonfiction text features. Students naturally engage with the bold headings, numbered lists, captions, and photographs, learning how each feature helps them understand and organize information. The short sections and clear layout make it easy for readers to pause, discuss, and revisit details—perfect for modeling how to read nonfiction thoughtfully rather than rushing through it.

The strong visual elements are a major benefit in the elementary library. The photographs support comprehension and help students make text-to-image connections, while the concise paragraphs are approachable for readers who may feel overwhelmed by longer nonfiction texts. The “Top 10” structure also lends itself well to compare-and-contrast discussions, note-taking practice, and simple research activities.

I think this series would appeal to students that love the “Who Would Win” Series. Overall, Top 10 Animal Extremes (6 books series) is a dependable and engaging nonfiction series that would be a great addition to any elementary library collection. It supports visual literacy, builds confidence with nonfiction text features, and invites young readers to explore informational reading in a way that feels new, exciting and accessible.

Spot the Differences Series by Bullfrog Books

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If you are looking for a nonfiction series that invites students to slow down, look closely, and truly engage with informational text – the Spot the Differences series from Bullfrog Books does exactly that. These high-interest titles use side-by-side photographs to challenge readers to notice small but meaningful differences between animals, turning close reading into an interactive experience.

Beyond the fun, this series is an excellent introduction to nonfiction text features. Students practice using photographs, captions, labels, and headings to gather information and make observations. The visual comparisons naturally support skills like attention to detail, comparing and contrasting, and drawing conclusions, all while reinforcing that nonfiction texts can be read actively—not just front to back.

The clear layout, simple sentences, and strong visual support make this series especially well-suited for emergent readers, early elementary students (K–2), and developing readers who benefit from visual learning. These books also work well for ESL students, small-group instruction, or independent exploration.The Spot the Differences series includes 22 books in the series. Overall, it’s a smart addition to any elementary library collection—combining visual literacy, nonfiction text feature practice, and just the right amount of challenge to keep young readers engaged and confident.