TITLE: THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT ENERGY
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Loreen Leedy
PUBLICATION INFO: Holiday House, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2220-3
SOURCE: Library
INTENDED AUDIENCE: grades 1 – 3 (publisher)
GENRE: picture book (fact-tion, a nonfiction, fiction blend)
OPENING and SYNOPSIS:
“Hi there! My name is Erg, and I’m pure energy! Everybody loves a powerhouse like me.”
Join Erg and his friends as they learn about energy, its different forms and how its made. Leedy’s comic-book style book includes hints on how to save energy and resources for learning more about energy.
THEMES/TOPICS: science, energy
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: Leedy is one of my favorites. She makes learning lots of fun with her comic-book style art. She has a knack for explaining complex concepts simply.
RESOURCES/ACTIVITIES:
- Loreen Leedy’s site contains a number of activities, including sample word problem (estimating your energy usage) and a coloring page.
- This government site has a wealth of free activities and lesson plans.
Every Friday bloggers review “Perfect Picture Books.” Find a complete list of book reviews organized by topic, genre and blogger at author Susanna Leonard Hill’s site.
Kirsten W. Larson 
I’m a Leedy fan too, though I haven’t read this one. I like the term fac-tion, that’s new to me. 🙂
Anastasia Suen introduced me to the term. There is lots of fact-tion going around these days!
I adore this book- wish I had it to share with kids years ago. Terrific post, Kristen.
When I finished reading it, I put it down on the couch, and my six-year-old immediately grabbed it. The pictures are so awesome!
Maybe if I read this book I’ll finally understand how energy works. I’ve always just had to accept it – cuz I never got it in school. Thanks, Kirsten.
Oh, this book is a SUPER fun way to learn. You’ll enjoy it.
This sounds great Kirsten. I am a fan of anyone who can write books that make learning fun and interesting! Since I know shockingly little about energy, I should probably read this 🙂
You are very pun-ny. 🙂
Awesome! My son is just getting into non-fiction type books so he’d love this one where you learn something and it’s fun too!
She has some wonderful math books too: SEEING SYMMETRY, SUBTRACTION ACTION, etc.
The bolt of Erg on the cover is irresistable! Thanks for sharing.
I know. My six-year-old loves anything that looks like a comic book.
er…make that irresistible. We’ll pretend it was a typo, right? 😉
What a great cover for a book on energy. It may science, but it’s done with so much creative imagination. Leedy is excellent! Keep them coming.
Thanks Patricia. I have to read 5 books a week for a writing course I’m taking, so I’m surrounded. The problem is, I find it hard to squeeze in time to post.
Faction action – I like it!
And FRACTION ACTION is actually one her books. But you probably knew that in making that pun. 🙂
No! That’s funny!
love the term fact-tion! I always look forward to your non-fictiony selections. Thanks, Kirsten!
Thanks Amy! Adding a narrative definitely makes learning information a lot easier, as evidenced by the success of historical fiction.
I like the term “fact-tion” — very appropriate. I just read another book like that and was trying to figure out what ‘genre’ it really was. This looks fun!
Loreen Leedy is fabulous. I really love all her math books.
I”ve learned something new from your review–faction– just like some of the other commentors. I think this book will be popular this year with the new energy projects. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I think teachers would have a lot of success with this one in the classroom, since it’s such a hot topic.
Love the cover and title. I wonder if there’s a section in the library for faction? :o) I wrote a manuscript once that was part fiction and part facts. One of my critiquers (who was a librarian) said they wouldn’t know where to place it on the shelves.
Janet, it is becoming so popular. Look at MINETTE’s FEAST, which got raves. Abrams, the publisher, considers it nonfiction, though it’s told from a cat’s perspective. My pick from last week is fact-tion too because of the perspective, though it’s generally considered nonfiction.
An interesting read. Loved the cover. Making learning fun has my vote! Thanks Kirsten.
I agree, I love books that make learning fun.
Fiction non-fictions blends are fabulous. We typically learn things in stories. Finding non fiction stories makes my job as a teacher much easier. Thanks for the introduction to this book.
I’m a science geek, so I’m interested in reading this book. Thanks for sharing it, Kirsten.
Seriously, read anything Loreen Leedy has written. She’s mostly known for her math books, but nevertheless….
This looks like a fun presentation of a serious topic.