Reviews
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 five… 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 present) and their stats as of the 2018—19… 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 percussive… 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 the 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 →
A noteworthy review of Learning about Emotions from Horn Book Guide on January 1, 2019
Three short chapters explore emotions every young child experiences. A scenario that might evoke the titled emotion leads to a brief explanation of why people might feel that way. The final chapter explores ways to master the emotion and to help others. Full-page staged photos portray kids… View →
A noteworthy review of My Day Readers from Horn Book Guide on October 1, 2018
K—3 My Day Learning Health and Safety series. Published fall 2017. Each slight easy-reader text enumerates multiple straightforward ways that the child characters—and young readers—can take care of their bodies. David gets exercise through biking; Emily wears sunscreen to the park; Pearl View →
A noteworthy review of My Day Readers from Horn Book Guide on October 1, 2018
K—3 My Day Learning Science series. Published fall 2017. Lee learns about primary colors and color mixing as he paints a picture of his family. A slight easy-reader text with new vocabulary words in bold-colored type is supplemented by vibrant close-up photos of the paints as Lee mixes… View →
A noteworthy review of Everyday Heroes from Booklist on October 1, 2018
Books in the Everyday Heroes series (12 titles) focus on regular people who live with typically chronic medical conditions. This volume discusses epilepsy and how people manage the seizures it causes. An opening list of facts about this neurological disorder plunges readers into the… View →
A noteworthy review of Eyewitness to World War I from School Library Connection on August 1, 2018
Each of the titles in this series is an introduction to a specific topic concerning World War I for students. The series covers a wide range of subjects and is filled with black-and-white period photographs as well as images from prints and magazines. Each book follows the same format,… View →
A noteworthy review of Immigrant Experiences from School Library Connection on May 1, 2018
With all the debate about immigration recently it is easy to forget that, with the exception of Native Americans, everyone living in the United States has relatives that came from somewhere else. This series of books provides a balanced view of what coming to America is like. Each title… View →
A noteworthy review of Understanding the Basics from School Library Journal on April 1, 2018
These guides develop skill sets that are easily transferable to schoolwork, home life, and future jobs. In Calendars and Clocks, digital takes a backseat to analog for a truly introductory lesson about units of time using a familiar clockface with three hands. The back-to-basics focus… View →