Reviews
Arlington ISD Review of Panda-Monium: Panda Rescue
The graphic novel format may especially interest some readers in this series. Each book in the series focuses on a story of animals that were rescued from some disaster. This one is centered in Chengdu, China, and the nearby Wolong National Nature Reserve. The earthquake that hit there… View →
Arlington ISD Review of Baby Porcupines
“Baby Porcupines” written by Jennifer Boothroyd is one title of a twelve book set called “Animal Babies.” This book has full-color pages, close up photographs, large print, and text written for beginner readers to have success as they start to research porcupines. All nonfiction text… View →
Booklist Starred Review of Rescued! Animal Escapes
Combining high-interest topics–natural disasters, animals, survival, rescue–in an equally high-interest graphic-novel format, the Rescued! Animals Escapes series is a guaranteed hit. Each volume briefly explains the science behind a type of natural disaster before identifying a recent,… View →
The Sky's the Limit - Reviewed by Booklist
Titles in the Sky’s the Limit series provide tips and information on how young readers can manage their lives, accomplish their goals, and create and maintain positive habits. Making Good Decisions discusses easy versus difficult decisions and presents five steps to help readers with the View →
Fun First Concepts - Reviewed by School Library Journal
Directions, opposites, patterns, and word families are explored in the latest installations of the “Fun First Concepts” series. Each title presents several real-world examples of the concept, which allows readers to explore these ideas in a setting they already understand (“The sand is… View →
Big Cats - Reviewed by School Library Journals
Appealing photographs and basic facts introduce well-known wild cats. Short and simple sentences make the text accessible to new readers: “Jaguars are big cats. Their fur is tan. They have dark spots” (Jaguars). Question-and-answer sequences and interjections such as “Neat!” and “Wow!”… View →
Patrones en la naturaleza (Patterns in Nature) - Reviewed by School Library Journal
Patterns and textures take the spotlight in this Spanish series about where to find patterns in all kinds of natural environments, including forests, deserts, gardens, and beaches. Readers as young as three will benefit from full-page color, high-definition close-ups of butterflies,… View →
SLJ Review of Playful Pet Projects
The page of safety and cleanup instructions that prefaces each of these titles admonishes, “Never force your [pet] to do something it seems unhappy to do”–good advice for avoiding bites but also a reminder that consent applies to all creatures. Four projects include a toy,… View →
Great Wall of China - Reviewed by Booklist
The discussion opens with a history of China’s Great Wall, which began more than 2,500 years ago as segments built by warring kingdoms. After the first emperor gained control of all of China in 221 BCE, many of the old walls were connected to provide a… View →
Super Science Feats: Medical Breakthroughs - Reviewed by School Library Journal
Large, clear photos showing petri dishes of bacteria, patients receiving vaccinations, or archival images of early researchers fill the pages of this series. Information is organized into short chapters with brief paragraphs on each spread and additional facts in “Did You Know?” text… View →
SLJ Review of Off to Space!
An introductory astronomy set for the youngest readers. Most spreads have between one and four simple sentences on one side and a full-page color photograph (or photorealistic constructed image) on the other. Occassionally the text begins to present concepts that are more complicated,… View →
Los grandes felinos (Big Cats) - Reviewed by School Library Journal
How do different types of big cats survive in the wild? Readers will learn the answer to that question, and much more, thanks to this Spanish series about six species of big cats. The organized layout and simple format of these books make them perfect for beginning readers who are… View →