I love to wander around the picture book section in book stores. I usually gather a handful of books, find a chair, and enjoy a slow read. The other night I was bone tired, but I was in the shopping center with a book store. I had to stop in to do a quick browse. I didn’t buy, but I found a couple to add to my wish list.
Have you seen this book? Aviary Wonders Inc. Spring Catalog and Instruction Manual Hardcover by Kate Samworth is a unique picture book. 
I was entranced as I thumbed through the pages. The premise is you select body parts to build your own bird.
I can see this being a fun project for students to take on to create a unique bird to match a specific environment. The explanations for each body part allows you to select just the right features. This would be perfect in a unit of study on animal adaptations.
Then I saw Weeds Find a Way by by Cindy Jenson-Elliott. I remembered seeing this reviewed on a blog and thinking darn, why didn’t I think of this? 
When I ride my bike, I see so many weeds. Some are beautiful, some are not. Now this is on my wish list too.
I wish nonfiction books were like these two books when I was younger. I think I would have read and reread them until the pages were worn.
Definitely interested in that weed book. You are right about the interest level of nonfiction books–it has gone way up!
OOHHHH, we just completed animal adaptations a few months ago. I’m going to share the “Aviary Wonders Inc. Spring Catalog and Instruction Manual Hardcover by Kate Samworth” with some teachers. I’ve always enoyed your book shares. A family favorite that we had the library get the whole collection is “Scaredy Squirrel”.
Now I am ready for another book treasure hunt. Thanks for the great suggestions.
Thanks for sharing your finds. I’ve never seen Weed Find a Way, but I am going to check it out!
Two more books for my book order! And you are right about the plentitude of amazing nonfiction these days – aren’t we teachers lucky!
I was thinking about your week away from home and wondering if it would include a book store visit. I should have known. I love how you scout out books.
This year I have been trying to increase my students’ reading of nonfiction. There are so many good nonfiction books out there. I have seen many reviews on the Weeds Find a Way. Might have to “find a way” to buy it!
I just reviewed Weeds, a wonderful book, Elsie, and saw about Aviary Wonders earlier, but thanks for your ideas too. That book sounds awesome, so fun for kids to do. Glad you browsed a little bit!
I love this phrase: enjoy a slow read! and the idea of creating a unique bird is very much in the 21st century notions of education being student generated .
Keep sharing those slow reads 🙂
Sorry to post this here but I couldn’t find another place.
Our power went out last night just before I kid post my slice. My husband lives in another town and was able to access my blogspot account and I had him post it for me. Unfortunately he posted it on the classroom slice. Is there a way to switch it? I am Peg D at ArcherMom@blogspot.com. Thanks for any help or advice.
Loved your first sentence, and the book recommendations that followed.
I always shied away from nonfiction books because they were dry and uninteresting, at least to me. If there had been books like this I may have formed a liking for nonfiction. Instead I am drawn to James Patterson and Stephen King.
When I saw the title of Weeds Find a Way, I thought, too, “It’s all around me, why can’t I find something to write about every day?” Thanks for the book reviews. I have a notebook where I list books I want to read, for my grandkids, and book club. What do you mean you will write for right now? You’re in this for life! I know what you mean, that Ruth! My goal is to print out my blog some day and that will be my book/thoughts for anyone who wants to read it in my family. It would have been grand to do this while my 3 boys grew up. You have a gift, Elsie.
OMG….I do the same thing!! Barnes & Noble is always a must visit when I visit home. 🙂
Nonfiction books have come a long way! These two are no exception! Thanks for sharing!
I have Aviary Wonders Inc. Spring Catalog and Instruction Manual on hold at my library, but Weeds Find a Way is new to me and I will add it to my wish list. Thanks for sharing these. I also wish nonfiction had been like this when we were kids.
I love the books…thanks for sharing your finds with me. I agree…we might have loved non-fiction if these were the books that we had when we were young! Oh my aching back…and neck from…testing!
Nothing like a trip to the bookstore for a little inspiration.
I remember the nonfiction books we had as children – all print, with an occasional black and white picture. They left much to be desired! Glad I stopped by this morning. You gave me an idea for today’s post.
I am with you here – if nonfiction had been this good, I would have understood science a lot better!