NatGeoKids Level 3 Fact Reader: Bling! 100 Fun Facts About Rocks and Gems by Emma Carlson Berne (Children's Nonfiction Book Review)

We received a complimentary copy of this Fact Reader from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Bling!
100 Fun Facts About Rocks and Gems
by Emma Carlson Berne
Published by National Geographic Kids
on January 4, 2022
Genre: Children's, Nonfiction
Length: 48 pages
Ages: 7 - 9 years

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Synopsis:

Get ready to be dazzled by some of the shiniest, most colorful, useful--and even dangerous--rocks, minerals, and gems on the planet! 

In this Level 3 reader, discover fascinating facts about the incredible rocks and minerals under our feet and deep in Earth's crust. Budding geologists will love reading about how rocks form, learning the names and features of the coolest rocks and minerals, and exploring rare and beautiful gemstones.


My Thoughts:

The level 3 Fact Readers are perfect for curious kids that are reading on their own.

Bling! features one hundred unique facts pertaining to rocks and minerals, paired with bright and colorful photographs that will keep young eyes glued to the page!  

Broken into three easy-to-read chapters, this nonfiction covers all the most important facts about rocks and gems, such as the three main types of rock, how they're formed, how they've been discovered and utilized throughout history, and more. 

There's even a handy 'Facts Roundup' page at the back of the book in case you weren't sure you caught all one-hundred facts while browsing or reading. 

There are enough facts packed into this little book to give a well-rounded introduction to the subject, making it perfect for school and home libraries or for curious little learners. 

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The Falcon's Feather (Explorer Academy #2) by Trudi Trueitt (MG Adventure Book Review)

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Falcon's Feather
(Explorer Academy #2)
by Trudi Trueitt
Published by Under the Stars
on March 19, 2019
Genre: Middle Grade, Adventure
Length: 208 pages
Ages: 8 - 12 years

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 BookDepository


Synopsis:
Cruz, Sailor, and Emmett, along with their new ally Bryndis, embark on their first globe-trotting mission aboard the ship Orion. Cruz jumps right back into school and starts using the latest technology in submersible underwater dives, but is soon reminded of the dangers of exploration when his equipment fails and he almost drowns. Determined to keep his eye on the prize, Cruz sneaks away to try to find answers but unknowingly lures his friends into bigger trouble. When a friend of Cruz's mom meets an untimely end, Cruz's luck really seems about to run out and the questions multiply. What does the message mean? Where will it lead? Who is following him? And why?

My Thoughts:

We return to 'Explorer Academy' aboard the Orion, the 'flagship of the Academy's fleet' in this excellent sequel to The Nebula Secret.
Split into teams, Cruz Coronado and his classmates continue their unique education while traveling across the globe. Cruz is determined to continue looking for the secrets his deceased mother has left for him and in the meantime, he and his team, Team Cousteau, stay busy learning, inventing things, cracking codes, and more, for grades! But the secret organization that Cruz is hiding his mother's secrets from will stop at nothing to get what they want. 

This is such an amazing series and I would expect nothing less of a National Geographic imprint! If you've ever enjoyed pouring over National Geographic magazines, educational books, or watched their documentaries, you sure to enjoy this fast-paced and adventurous middle-grade series. 

Explorer Academy accepts only the brightest and best for their unique boarding school. Kids in this school learn all about science, technology, conservation, and more, all while being physically immersed in hands-on activities and adventures that will prepare them for real-world situations. In The Falcon's Feather, Cruz gets some first-hand experience steering submersibles and diving to save the whales! 

These books are filled with fun content, learning opportunities, and lots of illustrations imposed over quality photography. There's also 'Truth Behind the Fiction' section included that explains some of the science, technology, and other advancements mentioned within this sequel!


Be sure to check out all of the books in the Explorer Academy series!

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NatGeoKids: Yoga Animals: Playful Poses for Calming Your Wild Ones by Paige Towler (Children's Nonfiction Picture Book)

We received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Yoga Animals:
Playful Poses for Calming Your Wild Ones
by Paige Towler
Forward by Tara Stiles
Published by National Geographic Kids

on May 19, 2020
Genre: Children's, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Animals
Length: 32 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years

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Synopsis:
Adorable animal photos and lyrical text guide kids step-by-step through easy animal inspired yoga poses.

Roar like a lion! Arch like a kitten! Stretch like a cobra!
Did you know that many yoga poses were inspired by animals?
Let these creatures inspire your young ones to get moving, practicing mindfulness, or calm down after a long day.

The foreword by Tara Stiles, founder of Strala Yoga, reminds us that we're never too young to start enjoying the health benefits of yoga and mindfulness.


Our Thoughts:

Have you ever noticed how animals stretch? Perhaps you have a pet cat or dog? Or maybe you enjoy watching funny animal videos and have seen them arch their backs or reach for the sky! Animals seem to know the importance of stretching and do it quite often. Do you?

Yoga With Animals is a fantastic introduction to kid-friendly yoga poses, with bright and colorful spreads that include fun rhymes, images of animals as well as a child imitating their poses, and a paragraph explaining exactly how to practice the pose!

You can reach like a giraffe, balance like a flamingo, curl like a cat, roar like a lion, and more! Children are sure to love pretending to be animals and stretching the way animals stretch, all while learning to breathe and have lots of fun with the movements.

I practice yoga several times a week and love the relaxation and energy it gives me. My five-year-old loves to join in because of the animal-like poses so she was extra thrilled to have a book of poses of her own! We pull this out quite often now and talk about the animals we are imitating. It's definitely a book we will get tons of use from!

Includes a foreword from the renowned yoga instructor, Tara Stiles, as well as an 'Animal Yoga Guide' at the back that shares additional photos of kids posing with a bit of information about how the pose may benefit you! There's also a bit of information about each animal so kids are sure to have tons of fun and learn something from this great hands-on book!


Many, many thanks to National Geographic Kids for this fantastic book!

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Nat Geo Kids: Extreme Ocean by Sylvia A. Earle & Glen Phelan (Children's Nonfiction Book Review)

We received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Extreme Ocean:
Amazing Animals, High-Tech Gear, Record-Breaking Depths, and Much More!
by Sylvia A. Earle

with Glen Phelan
Published by National Geographic
on March 3, 2020
Genre: Children's Nonfiction
Length: 112 pages
Ages: 8 - 12 years

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Synopsis:
Dive into a world of aquatic mystery in this action-packed combination of science and adventure as famed National Geographic Explorer Sylvia Earle leads readers on an in-depth tour of life beneath the waves. 

My Thoughts:

Sylvia Earle had her first experience with the ocean at a very young age and has been jumping back into the sea every since!

She shares many of her experiences and adventures in this educational look at the ocean, from her first rogue wave and diving with humpback whales to coral reef dives and even submarine trips!

The ocean is full of surprises and Earle has compiled a great book for kids to learn all about the most extreme aspects of the ocean!

Tsunamis, underwater volcanoes, underwater laboratories, and even famous sunken ships, but also a colorful and diverse array of ocean life, what affects them, and how to protect them!

Split into five chapters, this book covers the oceans of the world, the life within it, diving deep into the depths, and, of course, the things that affect our oceans negatively, such as oil spills, coral bleaching, and plastics, as well what we can do to change that.

As per usual with NatGeoKids books, this is filled with fun little trivia games, quizzes, timelines, and even hands-on activities, this fun nonfiction will give you hours of enjoyment!

 Happy World Oceans Day!
Here are more children's nonfiction books about the ocean:

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The Nebula Secret (Explorer Academy #1) by Trudi Truett (MG Book Review)

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Nebula Secret
Explorer Academy #1
by Trudi Truett
Published by Under the Stars
on September 4, 2018
Genre: Middle Grade, Adventure
Length: 208 pages
Ages: 8 - 12 years


Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository



Synopsis:
Adventure, danger, and a thrilling global mission await 12-year-old Cruz Coronado as he joins an elite school for explorers. 

Cruz leaves his tranquil home in Hawaii to join 23 talented kids from around the globe to train at the Explorer Academy with the world's leading scientists to become the next generation of great explorers. But for Cruz, there's more at stake. No sooner has he arrived at the Academy than he discovers that his family has a mysterious past with the organization that could jeopardize his future. In the midst of codebreaking and cool classes, new friends and augmented reality expeditions, Cruz must tackle the biggest question of all: Who is out to get him, and why?

My Thoughts:

Cruz Coronado is thrilled to be admitted into the elite Explorer Academy boarding school where he and his classmates will be trained and tested on matters of science, exploration, conservation, and more. He's been hoping for it for as long as he can remember but someone doesn't seem to want him there at all and he must use his wits and the help of his friends and classmates to discover who and why.

The Nebula Effect is an action-packed middle-grade adventure filled with high-tech gadgets, simulators, and more, and includes a diverse group of characters from around the world. Cruz Coronado is from Hawaii but has classmates from Iceland, Scotland, and New Zealand, among others. We get to learn a little about their homelands, languages, and cultures, which really adds to the story experience.

This fun series will appeal to those who love adventure and learning, but also to tech lovers, coders, and anyone who loves a good fast-paced mystery! The mixture of a high-tech adventure school and a secret organization out to get Cruz for reasons he doesn't understand will keep you entertained and ready for the sequel!

The hardcover copy of this book is absolutely gorgeous, with a full-color naked cover, beautiful world map end pages, fun chapter headings that include closeups of setting locations and topography, as well as plenty of illustrations mixed in!

There's also a fun addition at the end of the book that shares the 'truth behind the fiction', with explanations of some of the technical terms mentioned in this book such as 4-D printing and augmented reality, as well as several real-life adventurers who live lives that the soon-to-be-explorers in this story --and perhaps even you-- dream to become. 

More from this series!

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Nat Geo Readers: Susan B. Anthony by Kitson Jazynka (Children's Nonfiction Book Review)

Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Susan B. Anthony
(National Geographic Readers series)
[Level 1 / Co-reader]
Written by Kitson Jazynka
Published by National Geographic Society
on December 17, 2019
Genre: Children's, Nonfiction, Biography, History
Length: 48 pages
Ages: 4 - 6 years

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Synopsis:
Meet one of the most important figures in women's and U.S. history. Just in time for the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment giving U.S. women the right to vote, learn about Susan B. Anthony's remarkable life, from her childhood to her groundbreaking work.

Our Thoughts:
Happy International Women's Day!

Nat Geo Readers presents Susan B. Anthony!

Learn all about the life of Susan B. Anthony, from childhood to her teaching career where she fought for equal pay, and beyond. Anthony thought that slavery should be abolished and that women should have the right to vote. She devoted most of her life to speaking out about equal rights for all and is celebrated as an international icon for women's rights.

This educational little biography is a Level 1 Co-Reader, which is perfect for sharing between kids who are learning to read and a parent! Each spread includes a paragraph that the adult or caregiver can read paired with an easier to read paragraph for the young reader. Each is clearly marked with an 'I read' and 'You read'. 

2020 is the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote and this is the perfect book to teach and learn a little about what women had to do to earn that right.  Of course, this book sticks to easy-to-understand facts, mostly covering Susan B. Anthony's life from birth to death, but also a bit about the political aspects of her life and what she fought for. 

This book includes directions on how to read this book and several discussion questions to ask your child and an easy voting activity that only requires a little artistic ability and a few members of the family! There is also a letter to the parents about the National Geographic Readers program and how important it is to read with your child/ren.


More Nat Geo Readers:

Harriet Tubman by Barbara Kramer

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We Love Babies by Jill Esbaum (Children's Nonfiction Book Review)

We received a physical copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

We Love Babies!
by Jill Esbaum
Published by National Geographic Society
on December 31, 2019
Genre: Children's, Nonfiction
Length: 40 pages
Ages: 2 - 5 years

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Synopsis:
A wonderfully playful picture book showcasing adorable baby animals and celebrating their glorious diversity, from "paws and claws and little flippers" to "feet that look like fuzzy slippers!"

This hilarious picture book with rollicking, rhyming text reads like a crowd-pleasing call, pumping up readers' excitement for the cutest baby animals ever. Illustrated with lively National Geographic photography, We Love Babies! presents furred, feathered, and finned baby animals of all shapes and sizes. Whimsical cartoon cheerleaders add to the fun, popping up throughout the book to lead fans in the irresistible refrain: "We love babies, yes we do, we love babies, how about you?"

Our Thoughts:
Who's ready to spread the love for Valentine's Day?

We Love Babies features animal babies from all over the world along with poetic text that describes them and why we tend to love them! 

Who doesn't love baby animals?!

This super cute book has so many adorable babies to look at--from geckos to hippos to jerboas--to keep your little one busy (and in love)!

There are also little illustrated animals that act as cheerleaders and have their own thought bubbles to jump in from time to time exclaiming what they love about the animals mentioned.

At the very end, there is a 'Meet the Babies' spread that shows each and every featured species paired with their name and what the special baby name is if they have one!

This adorable little book will delight your animal-loving Little Ones!

Many thanks to the publisher for providing us with a copy of this book! We loved it!

More like this:

This Book is Cute! by Sarah Wassner Flynn
Animal Ark by Joel Sartore & Kwame Alexander

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Harriet Tubman by Barbara Kramer (Children's Nonfiction Book Review)

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Harriet Tubman

by Barbara Kramer

Published by National Geographic Kids

on January 1, 2020

Genre: Children's, Nonfiction, Biography

Length: 32 pages

Ages: 5 - 7 years
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
Find out about the life of Harriet Tubman and how her brave actions working to "conduct" the Underground Railroad helped the Union Army in the Civil War lead more than 700 slaves to freedom.

The Level 2 text provides accessible, yet wide-ranging information for independent readers.

My Thoughts:

This fact-filled little book gives us a glance into the life of Harriet Tubman, who was born into slavery but eventually escaped and conducted what was known as the 'Underground Railroad' which helped slaves escape to the free states in the north. She acted as a spy during the Civil War and was the first woman to lead a Civil War raid.

There's plenty to learn from this mini-biography from Nat Geo Kids! The main text is large and easy to read and is paired with interesting photographs and extra facts about each that help tell Harriet Tubman's inspirational life story. 

There's also a timeline and a quiz page to test your knowledge of what you've just read!

This is a Level 2 'easy reader'  for independent reading and also includes information about Nat Geo Kids' 'Super Reader' program!

More like this:

I Am Harriet Tubman by Brad Meltzer
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison

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This Book is Cute by Sarah Wassner Flynn (Children's Nonfiction Book Review)

We received a free physical copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

This Book is Cute!: The Soft and Squishy Science and Culture of 'Aww'

by Sarah Wassner Flynn
Published by National Geographic Society

on March 19, 2019
Genre: Children's Nonfiction

Length: 112 pages

Ages: 8 - 12 years

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Synopsis:

Ever wonder why some creatures just make you want to cuddle them? Join us in the science lab to ooh and aah over adorable animals and discover why CUTE is just so darn irresistible!

Get ready for cute overload as we look at lots of awww-dorable images to explore why babies, puppies, and other small fluffy animals with round faces and big eyes are universally adored (and why others are less so). Flynn explains the psychology and physiology behind our responses and answers questions, such as What influence does our culture or environment have on our conceptions of cute? We'll also take an up-close look at crazes today, from the indisputably cutest animal ever to Internet sensations. Let the squealing commence! 

Our Thoughts:

This book is the cutest!

 The world is full of adorable things and it is basic knowledge that most people love cute things, but have you ever wondered why? Why do babies and puppies make us feel all warm and lovey?  

From puppy love to robot puppies, this colorful book covers just about anything and everything that could ever be considered "cute". It takes us around the world, showing us how "cute" is great for both your brain and for business! 

Cute costumes, cute cameras, and even cute food fill this book that just might be too cute for its own good.
 Also, axolotls are the cutest!

More from Nat Geo Kids:

    

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Luna: The Science and Stories of Our Moon by David A. Aguilar (Children's Nonfiction Book Review)

We received a free physical copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

Luna: The Science and Stories of Our Moon

by David A. Aguilar
Published by National Geographic Society
on June 11, 2019
Genre: Children's Nonfiction

Length: 64 pages

Ages: 10 - 12 years

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Synopsis:

Explore the moon from all angles, from its place in the night sky and our solar system to its role in shaping human history and culture.

Through gorgeous illustrations and photography, see the moon like you've never seen it before. Read myths of the moon's creation from around the world. Discover the science of how the moon actually formed. Learn all about the moon's effects on Earth's tides and imagine what the world would be like without them. Take a look at moon-men hoaxes from history and find out how scientists may actually colonize Earth's closest neighbor. 

Our Thoughts:

A fascinating look at the science and stories of our moon.

Learn how the moon was formed, why it orbits the Earth, and how it affects our tides. See how it compares to Earth and to other moons and planets in our solar system! Learn the names and phases of the moons, and even see the top ten coolest sites that can be seen on the moon using a telescope!

A few moon myths and mythological moon creatures have been included as well. This educational book has everything you might want to know about Earth's biggest satellite. There is enough information and text to keep readers busy both day (and night!) and plenty of awesome images to keep them visually stimulated as well! 

More from Nat Geo Kids:

   

Nat Geo Kids: Weird But True! *USA* (Children's Nonfiction Book Review)

We received a free physical copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

 Weird But True! USA
by National Geographic Kids
Published on March 19, 2019
Genre: Children's Nonfiction
Length: 208 pages
Ages: 8 - 12  years

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Synopsis:
It's weird. It's true. And now, it's red, white, and blue! Explore the wonderfully wacky side of the United States of America Weird But True! style. 

Calling all Americans! Get ready to explore wacky wonders, facts, stats, tidbits, and trivia about America's 50 states and territories! Did you know that there is a floating post office in Michigan? Or that a library book checked out by George Washington was returned to a New York City library 221 years late? Maybe you'd be amazed to discover that the ink used to print U.S. paper money is magnetic? In this latest and greatest edition of Weird But True!, you'll encounter all kinds of bizarre people, places, events, and things that make our country what it is. 

Our Thoughts:

Weird But True! readers, both new and veteran, will enjoy this fun little book filled with 300 fascinating facts about the fifty states!

Get ready to learn some quirky but true facts about the United States of America! This entertaining book will make you laugh, wonder, and utter a few 'wow's with its plethora of interesting facts.
Each fact is paired with a colorful background image or design that relates to the fact and bold text that makes it easy to read and retain.

We love these Weird But True! books and always enjoy reading them aloud to others and coming back to them later to see what we remembered. They always start interesting conversations and lead to even more learning! 

Captain Aquatica's Awesome Ocean by Jessica Cramp (Nat Geo Kids Nonfiction Book Review)

We received a free physical copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are our own. 

Captain Aquatica's Awesome Ocean

by Jessica Cramp

with Grace Hill Smith & Joe Levit
Published by National Geographic Society
on June 11, 2019
Genre: Children's Nonfiction
Length: 128 pages

Ages: 8 - 12 years

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Synopsis:

Take to the seas with marine conservationist and shark researcher Captain Aquatica and her hammerhead shark sidekick, Finn, to explore the ocean's wettest and wildest depths and get the latest facts from the field! 

Scientist Jessica Cramp illuminates her work studying sharks and protecting our amazing oceans with in-depth scientific info and comic-book flair. Cramp's conversational and witty explanations will make kids want to dive right in. Colorful side stories in graphic novel-style feature Cramp as character Captain Aquatica, with her sidekick shark, Fin. Together they help make big concepts accessible and interesting to kids of all levels. Amazing photography and cool content draw kids into the subject and story, attracting STEM fanatics and reluctant readers alike. 

Our Thoughts:

Jessica Cramp, a marine conservationist, brings her world to life in this fun and educational nonfiction all about our oceans! She explains that her love of sharks has prompted her to show us more about the oceans and the effects that we have on them!

Jess becomes the colorful comic strip character, Captain Aquatica, with her loyal sidekick, a hammerhead shark named Fin. Together, they show us that learning can be really fun.

In typical National Geographic style, there's plenty of text for readers to learn as much as possible about many different aspects of our oceans, with bright, beautiful photographs on every page. There's a Captain Aquatica comic spread at the beginning of every chapter and the chapters are only a handful of pages long.

I especially loved the longer last chapter on saving our oceans!
These Nat Geo Kids books are perfect for curious readers and homeschoolers alike!