Kid’s Books Found in the 700s

With a new month, it’s time to start a new series of blog posts! This time we’re going to take a closer look at the Dewey Decimal System. For each class of numbers, I’ll share twelve specific titles for kids that you might find in that class. Before we get started, let me share a little information about the Dewey Decimal System and then we can dig in!

The Dewey Decimal System, created by Melvil Dewey in 1876 was created to organize books based on discipline and subject. The system is broken down into ten classes, each divided into ten divisions, and each of those divided into ten sections. Each subject matter has a three-digit that explains where it belongs with the option to include decimal places to further divide the section. For example, a cookbook is found in:

• 600 – Technology
  • 640 – Home economics and family management
    • 641 – Food and drink
      • 641.5 – Cooking and cookbooks

While the system has been updated through the years, criticism remains as the Dewey Decimal System is extremely Eurocentric and treatment of women, people of color, and other minorities continues to need updates (which can take years). Some public libraries have even abandoned the Dewey Decimal System in favor of other systems that either make more sense for their communities or systems that are better balanced.

Alright, we’re heading into the 700s! The 700s are a fun category because it’s all about arts and recreation! Here’s another unique aspect of the Dewey Decimal System, the arts take up 700-770, music is all housed in the 780s and the 790s are recreation, sports, and performing arts. It’s fascinating to me that there is so much crammed into the 790s and printmaking is all of the 760s. This shows how antiquated the Dewey Decimal System can be and that some libraries do tyr to make some changes to make it reflect more of what is popular in today’s society.

The next time you stop at your local public library, swing by the nonfiction section and take a look at what you might find in the 700s! And at home, you can check out LibraryThing’s MDS – you can click on each class and see how things are organized at each level.

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Kid’s Books Found in the 700s

Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game by Kadir Nelson

Basketball has evolved by leaps and bounds since its origin over 125 years ago, but what remains is the passion of the players, the heat of competition, and supreme strategy and athleticism on the court. In this visual tour de force, celebrated artist Kadir Nelson weds his love for the game with showstopping paintings that bring its heart-pounding history to life.

The sage voice of an elder player narrates the journey from the early days of the slow game of “basket ball” to today’s dazzlingly athletic and fast-paced sport. Engaging profiles of revolutionary players—including Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry—are featured, along with notable quotes from major figures of the game. With each breathtaking page turn, fans young and old will learn the gripping story of the all-American game and meet its iconic, indomitable heroes.

Be a Creative Changemaker: A Kids’ Art Activity Book: Inspired by the Amazing Life Stories of Diverse Artists from Around the World by Paula Liz, illustrated by Bambi Ramsey

Although you may not recognize all of their names, the artists featured in Be a Creative Changemaker: A Kids’ Art Activity Book transformed history and paved the way for others. Discover their unique stories through colorful illustrations and biographies before getting creative with hands-on art activities based on their artwork. Each activity will guide you to explore different materials, techniques, styles, and more.

The Big Book of Climbing: An Illustrated History of Mountaineering, Bouldering, and Beyond by Ximo Abadía

Who were the first people to reach the summits of the world’s highest mountains? What materials did they use? Where are the tallest mountains located? When did sport climbing emerge? What is bouldering?

From the rugged beauty of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park to the remote landscapes of Patagonia’s Fitz Roy, the towering peaks of Everest in the Himalayas to Europe’s iconic Mont Blanc, this large-format illustrated work explores the evolution, beauty, and history climbing.

Brimming with incredible feats, stories of overcoming obstacles, and a wealth of information, The Big Book of Climbing includes information on how to ascend a peak in different seasons and with various types of climbs and covers important milestones and fundamental figures in the history of mountaineering.

Children’s Book of Music by DK

Discover the power of music and be inspired by cultures from all over the world with this extensive children’s guide. This book is the perfect introduction for young readers to the world of music and celebrates music from every continent!

Children aged 9+ can find out how instruments are made and played, and learn about the fascinating lives and achievements of great composers and musicians, from Bach to Bowie, Bjork and Beyoncé. All the essential information about music is covered, including the major movements, composers, instruments and techniques.

This music book for children offers: 

• Chapters which cover a huge range of musical styles, from the very first instruments to the modern day.
• Explanations of how music touches our lives, from festivals and religion, to TV and film, pop music and stardom.
• Profiles of influential musicians from Bach to Elvis.
• A focus on key instruments such as piano and violin, showing their component parts and the famous musicians who play them.

Children’s Book of Music is full of facts and photos highlighting musical styles from across the globe, from the very earliest music through to classical and blues, via reggae, Afropop, hip-hop and dance – making it the perfect gift for budding musicians.

Disney Princess Enchanted Character Guide by DK

Meet all 13 Disney Princess characters in this enchanting, official guide for young fans – now updated with new pages to include Moana and Raya

Step into the fairy-tale world of Disney’s amazing Princesses! Jump into adventures with Moana, dance with Cinderella at the ball, and join Jasmine on her magic carpet ride as you discover, learn, and marvel at everything you need to know about these beloved characters.

Dive!: The Story of Breathing Underwater by Chris Gall

How do you breathe underwater? What tools can we use to go deeper and deeper into the oceans? And…what’s down there?

Two-thirds of our Earth is covered in ocean, yet only 5% of it has been explored.

DIVE deep into our long history of sea exploration to learn why, how, and when humans have dived, and uncover our biggest questions about what hides in the Earth’s deepest waters.

Perfect for STEM-oriented minds and young and old readers fascinated by the sea, Dive! is a must-have to add to any nonfiction shelf.

How Sweet the Sound: A Soundtrack for America by Kwame Alexander and Charly Palmer

Listen to the sound of survival, courage, and democracy—the soundtrack of America. Hear Billie Holiday’s raspy, mournful voice, and tap your foot to Louis Armstrong’s trumpet. Scream with James Brown and bop your head to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Can you spot the 80+ references to artists like Robert Johnson, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, and Beyonce? 

Come dance to Kwame Alexander’s melodious narrative of the history of Black music in America, accompanied by the vibrant illustrations of Charly Palmer. 

The book includes extensive back matter, providing even more context and history about the music and musicians.

Kid Olympians: Winter: True Tales of Childhood from Champions and Game Changers by Robin Stevenson and Allison Steinfeld

All over the world, athletes break records and defy odds to compete in the games—and some were kids themselves when they started dreaming and training! In Kid Olympians: Winter, discover the childhood stories of legends such as:

• Michelle Kwan, who used to sleep in her skating clothes to get a few extra minutes of sleep before her lessons at dawn!
• Cindy Ouellet, one of the few athletes to have competed in both the Winter and Summer Paralympics.
• Apolo Ohno, who started skating because he thought the speed skaters looked like superheroes!

With kid-friendly text and full-color illustrations, the book will inspire readers 8 to 12 years old to dream bigger, faster, and higher than ever before!

The diverse group also includes Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, Adam Rippon, Kristy Yamaguchi, Lindsey Vonn, Marie-Philip Poulin, Shani Davis, Charles Flaherty, Maame Biney, and Nathan Chen.

Let’s Learn to Fish!: Everything You Need to Know to Start Freshwater Fishing
by Dan Armitage

Grab a fishing rod and head out to a nearby stream or lake for a fishing adventure! In this skills-based book, kids ages 6 and up go on a fishing trip, led by author and fishing guide Dan Armitage of the Kids’ Fishing Fun Program, and learn essential techniques, facts, and tips to learn how to fish and catch a big one! Step-by-step color photography shows everything kids need, the best beginner bait and tackle, key fishing skills such as rigging, casting, and reeling in fish, and tips on where to fish for crappies, bass, catfish, perch, trout, and more. Kids record fishing adventures in the log at the back of the book. The skills teach fun fishing know-how, connect kids to nature, and foster independence and self-reliance.

The Mandalorian Handbook: Explore the Galaxy with Grogu by DK and Matt Jones

They’ll meet strange aliens and droids, learn about new planets and frightening monsters, and read about the evil villains who will stop at nothing to complete their missions. Hop aboard the Razor Crest and get exploring with Star Wars: The Mandalorian Handbook!

The Minecraft Ideas Book: Create the Real World in Minecraft with 70+ Awesome Builds by Thomas McBrien

Spark your imagination with incredible build ideas inspired by the world around you. Explore landmarks, natural wonders, and inventions. From the Great Wall of China and the Great Barrier Reef, to steam trains and the International Space Station, get suggestions for how to build them all in Minecraft – and discover fascinating facts about them, too.

The Minecraft Ideas Book is packed with all kinds of imaginative build ideas, including a cross-section of a volcano, a fabulously fun fairground, a Mount Everest base camp, a rainforest with canopy bridge, and much, much more. Why not step back in time to build the Titanic or a Roman chariot race or fast-forward to the future and build a sustainable city? Anything is possible! What will you build first?

Find building techniques, hints, and tips throughout, such as block hacks, planning tips, and ideas for customizing. Meet the expert builders and discover where they get their ideas from.

See the Minecraft world – and the real world – as you’ve never seen it before!

Pokémon Big Book of Facts by Simon Beecroft

Become a Pokémon expert with this fact-packed book full of need-to-know info from the Pokédex. Covering the different Pokémon types, regions, habitats, and more, the Pokémon Big Book of Facts is full of amazing and fascinating information that every aspiring trainer needs to know.

The go-to guide for everything young Pokémon fans need to know!

• Exciting facts: Featuring over 1,500 key stats and trivia that cover a wide range of Pokémon from the Pokédex
• Gorgeous imagery: Each fact is accompanied by exciting images and engaging infographics throughout – all presented in a fun and accessible design for younger readers
• Perfect for young audiences: The Pokémon Big Book of Facts is a great gift for young readers who can’t get enough of Pokémon

Immerse yourself in fun stats and trivia about Pokémon of all sizes and personalities – from smart to sleepy, strong and speedy, Legendary, Mythical, and more!