Reviews
A noteworthy review of Musical Instruments from Booklist on January 10, 2020
Meet the saxophone! This brassy woodwind gets the full treatment in this volume of the Musical Instruments series (12 titles). Whether curious about how it sounds or what it takes to play it, kids will find the answers to their questions in this primer. After explaining its inclusion in… View →
A noteworthy review of Greek Gods and Goddesses from School Library Journal on November 1, 2019
This series covers the gods’ exciting adventures and exploits with storyteller prose and a smooth flow. Tight sentences capture mythic personalities, aptly presenting them as larger than life, foibles intact. Covers are child-appealing; colorful, cartoon-like illustrations drive… View →
A noteworthy review of Hot Streaks from School Library Journal on November 1, 2019
Sports history’s biggest hot streaks and longest held records come to life with vivid writing in this compelling series. Readers will learn about Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak, Orel Hershiser’s 59 consecutive scoreless innings, and the 2017 Cleveland… View →
A noteworthy review of English Grammar from School Library Journal on November 1, 2019
This series takes a deep dive into the mechanics of language, from pronouns to punctuation to similes and metaphors. Each volume uses entertaining and often humorous examples of the grammatical concept, which is highlighted with colorful text so that readers can see it used authentically View →
A noteworthy review of English Grammar from Booklist on November 1, 2019
In the cheerful-looking English Grammar series, each book presents its topic in 10 chapters. While the explanations of concepts, rules, and exceptions are relatively brief, the text follows up immediately with examples and challenges designed to engage children in learning how to apply… View →
A noteworthy review of Great Races from Booklist on October 1, 2019
With a narrative-driven tone and plenty of photos, both historical and contemporary, this entry in the Great Races series (8 titles) follows the pioneering progress of John Hunt’s climbing team that led to Edmund Hillary and Tenzig Norgay summiting the highest peak on the planet.… View →
A noteworthy review of Sequencing Stories from Children's Bookwatch on October 1, 2019
‘Making a Book’ is a grade level 1 how-to book from the series, Sequencing Stories. It describes the process of creating a book from a child author’s viewpoint. It outlines the process of writing a book, including imagining and creating a story, plus specifics about… View →
A noteworthy review of Insider's Guide to Pro Basketball from Booklist on October 1, 2019
From the Insider’s Guide to Pro Basketball series (30 titles), this volume spotlights the Denver Nuggets, an NBA basketball team since 1976. The topics discussed include the team’s history, arena, mascot, uniforms, and notable players (past and… View →
A noteworthy review of Glass Jar Science from Booklist on October 1, 2019
Introducing ocean zones to young children, this slender volume offers basic information on how upper zones differ from lower ones in light, temperature, and pressure. The presentation begins in an unusual way, with a four-page chapter devoted to a hands-on project: filling a jar with… View →
A noteworthy review of Musical Instruments from Children's Bookwatch on September 1, 2019
Written for elementary student reading (grades 3-6), ‘Pianos’ is a color photo filled brief encyclopedia on acoustic pianos. The piano is a historic stringed instrument that uses hammers to hit strings that are activated by depressing keys on the keyboard. Thus it is also a… View →
A noteworthy review of Great Escapes in History from School Library Connection on May 1, 2019
This high interest series will appeal to readers who like to collect interesting facts and learn about unusual circumstances. The nonfiction narrative of Escaping Alcatraz vividly and chronologically describes all the attempted escapes from Alcatraz prison. A section of Fast Facts gives… View →
A noteworthy review of Immigrant Experiences from Horn Book Guide on January 1, 2019
This series provides general glimpses into many immigrant groups’ struggles in the U.S. Vignettes (with direct quotes) of real immigrants striving for citizenship and acceptance in America add intimacy and impact to the presentation; frank discussions of discrimination are included. View →