The Story of Exploration and Discovery

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Here at Teach Mentor Texts we are always looking for more ways to support teachers! We've found that teachers seem to be constantly on the lookout for great nonfiction. We know we are! To help with this undying quest for outstanding non-fiction, we are excited to participate in Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and The Nonfiction Detectives. Every Wednesday, you'll find a non-fiction review here - although it may not always be a picture book review. Please visit Kid Lit Frenzy to see what non-fiction others have to share, too.

Title: A Journey Through History: The Story of Exploration and Discovery

Author: Simon Adams

Illustrator: Various

Publisher: Rosen Central

Publication Date: August, 2010

Genre/Format: Nonfiction/Informational Nonfiction

Goodreads Summary: Allow readers to join the most intrepid explorers of all time on their voyages into the unknown. Students will learn what inspired these explorers and how their discoveries changed the world. They'll read about an Egyptian queen who led an expedition up the River Nile 3,500 years ago and discover why the Vikings sailed to North America 500 years before Columbus. This is an accessible reference book that captures all the excitement and spirit of adventure characteristic of the great explorers themselves.

What I Think: This was such a neat informational nonfiction children's book with such an extensive about of information that ranges from the 1400 BCEs until the 20th century AD. The way it is set up in such easy chunks makes the history easier to digest. It is a great resource for such a large variety of topics and is very student friendly. 

Read Together: Grades 2 to 12

Read Alone: Grades 4 to 12

Read With: Nonfiction books about any of the topics within the book as well as any historical fiction that fits the topics. 

Snatch of Text: Each page consists of an informative written section with photos, captions and other text features. Then at the bottom of each page there is a sidebar with extra information as well as a bulletted list of key dates for the topic. 

Mentor Text for: Nonfiction Text Features, Cross Curricular Activities

Topics Covered: Egyptians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Vikings, Polynesians, Chinese Empire, Christopher Columbus, Northwest Passage, North Easy Passage, Captain Cook, The Amazon, Africa, Livingstone and Stanley, The North Pole, The South Pole, Space Exploration, Australia, Round the World

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