Reading Level: Grade 4 Interest Level: Grades 3 – 7
Located in the heart of central Europe, this small country is perhaps best known for the views of the scenic Alps. In addition to its natural beauty, Austria has been a hub for European culture since the days of the Roman Empire. Find out more about the Austrian way of life in this title for young students.
This upbeat, easy-to-read set introduces each country with richly photographed spreads about standard geographical topics such as land, unique and exotic wildlife, populations, daily life in urban and rural areas, education, work, entertainment, food, and holidays. Closing spreads highlight something that is distinctive to the titular nation, such as the Panama Canal or eagle hunters in Mongolia. “Fast Fact” and “Did You Know?” boxes add interesting trivia. Text averages one to two paragraphs per spread, making the large photos of interesting places, human activities, and plants and animals the set’s strongest element. VERDICT Supplemental choices for reports or nonfiction reading.
