Nonfiction Picture Book Wed #NFKidlit

Thanks to @Alybee930 for always sharing great #NFKidLit and for the invitation to spread a little Nonfiction #BookLove 

If you like using picture books to teach social studies, then you may already be familiar with Kay Winters work.  Kay Winters has over 19 books published. Included among my favorites are: This School Year Will Be the Best, My Teacher for President and Abe Lincoln, The Boy Who Loved Words- her first historical picture book. I'm so glad Kay Winters decided to "explore" that genre. Her unique book, Colonial Voices is one of my all time favorites. I thought it was a first in that format. See what a little #nerdy research will teach you.  I just learned that was her second in the "series" and Oregon Trail is now her third!  

Kay Winters' first in the "Voices" series was, Voices of Ancient Egypt, published in 2003. Voices is a picture book with unique collection of poems and portraits that give life to ancient civilization. Middle school educators are always on the look out for picture books to connect this time period.  

I completely missed that one.  It is now on my TBR and probably TBP (to be purchased list). Kay Winters wrote Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak which explores one important day of our American Revolution: Dec 16th, 1773. This mentor text is not only great for teaching about the infamous Boston Tea Party, but helps illustrate point of view, voice, and layering texts. It was published in 2008. 

The opportunity to reflect on the multiple perspectives over the course of one day is a wonderful use of Winters' books. Continuing to contribute to picture books for American History, Kay Winters now gives readers and "wonderers" Voices from the Oregon Trail.  The latest in the Voices "series" explores the great Western Migration during 1848 through poetry, images, and voices from the travelers of the Oregon Trail.  This book "breathes live into the story of the Oregon Trail and the many immigrants who traveled there."  

I loved the historical notes written in a Q and A format.  The author's notes revealed how the author and her husband traveled for 18 days visited trails, museums and even participated in the Snake River Crossing Reenactment.  Further readings are also listed for learners of all ages and your explorers could take a virtual field trip.  Also I couldn't resist...here's a text that may make a great pairing from  www.wonderopolis.org: 

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-was-the-lewis-and-clark-expedition/

Check out the "Magic of Story" and back story on Kay's website: 

http://www.kaywinters.com/OregonTrail.htm