Hinrichs, Alexandra S.D. I Am Made of Mountains. Vivian Mineker, Illus. Charlesbridge, 05/2023. [42]pp. Non-Fiction. GRADES Kindergarten – 5. $18.99. 978-1-62354-260-3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
In this informational picture book, sixteen national parks are celebrated in rhyming text, accompanied by sidebars in smaller print that spell out facts about that park. The rhyming text is in first person from the park’s point of view and would make a great readaloud: “I am made of groves; I tower, stretch, and sweep. Heart rushing like a waterfall, one loud and daring leap.” The author’s note at the end spells out how many park lands were acquired by force from the Indigenous people who had lived there for centuries or were subject to Jim Crow laws. The full-color, digitally created illustrations depict significant aspects of each park and feature human visitors of all ethnicities. The endpapers contain a map of the U.S. showing the locations of the parks. Review based on an Advance Reader Copy.
Penny Peck—San Jose State University iSchool