Reviews
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 →
SLJ Review of Mission: Special Ops
This series features graphic fiction/nonfiction hybrids. Fictionalized dialogue bubbles mix with fact boxes to give an action-packed feel. Green Berets take on a rescue mission during the Iraq War, while pararescue jumpers work around the clock to save Hurricane Katrina victims. Army… View →
Booklist Review of Get Crafting for Your Hip Hamster
Part of the Playful Pets Projects series (6 titles), this guide for advanced-beginner or intermediate crafters outlines four projects kids can make and use with their hamster buddies. A Popsicle-stick house, carrot and hamster-seed cupcakes, a cardboard maze, and a fleece snuggle pouch… 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 →
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 →
SLJ Review of Farmer Llama's Farm Machines
Information about big farm machines is wrapped into a very cute package as readers (and pre-reading listeners) are led around Farmer Llama’s land, learning all about the massive vehicles, how they work, and how they help farmers do their jobs more efficiently. Readers will learn… View →
Booklist Review of Clothing Warrior: Going Green
When your favorite pair of jeans gets too torn to wear anymore, what should you do? This entry in the Be a Waste Warrior! series (6 titles) offers numerous options, from patching to upcycling, that can help readers extend the life of their clothing and shop eco-consciously, whether… View →
Whole Wide World - Reviewed by School Library Journal
This series remains well organized and colorful as it highlights landmarks around the world. Each has about three chapters of six pages long with full-page pictures that accompany short paragraphs throughout. The beginning of each title includes before, during, and after reading… 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 →
Booklist Review of Blow Up a Burger
This entry in the Deconstructed Diets series (6 titles) gets children thinking about the food they eat in multiple ways. First, it informs them that a diet is not a weight-loss plan but rather what we eat and drink in a day. Then the high-interest book, enhanced with easy-to-understand… View →
Cabras en la granja (Goats on the Farm) - Reviewed by Booklist
In this installment in the Spanish language Animales de la granja series (8 titles), beginning readers will learn fun facts about goats. Each spread includes a labeled photo introducing goat body parts, diet, and behaviors, as well as differences between goat bucks and kids, paired with… View →