Picture books for older kids

I've been reading a lot of teacher-books lately that cannot seem to recommend picture books enough for older students, even up through middle and high school. Here are two books to consider that I've just recently discovered.


Science Verse, Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

The entertaining duo who co-authored/illustrated Stinky Cheese Man and the Time Warp Trio series have created a companion picture book for Math Verse. These are not simply new takes on "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star," that would never do. Instead, they revise such classroom classics as "The Jabberwock," "Hiawatha" and "Walking Through the Woods on a Snowy Evening." Of note: If your school district/parents is/are up in arms over origin of life, this book does mention evolution and the Big Bang theory.


Outbreak: Plagues that Changed History, Bryn Barnard

The book exhibits some pretty heavy bias towards global health and social poverty programs, and students should at least be aware that others hold different views or might not be as cynical as the author of this book. That said, it has some fascinating information about most of the big pandemics of history, and how each one wound up changing the social order in some way. Gloomy (but good!) illustrations, lots of uncommon facts.

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