Reviews
A noteworthy review of True Stories, Real People from Booklist on April 1, 2016
The central library in Basra, Iraq, served its community for years before war threatened not just to end its services but to destroy its collections. In 2003, chief librarian Baker led an impromptu, grassroots effort to save as much of the collection as she and the library’s neighbors could… View →
A noteworthy review of One World, Many Countries from Horn Book Guide on April 1, 2016
K-3 One World, Many Countries series. These serviceable overviews for report writers are liberally illustrated with sharp photos. An introductory chapter highlights apartheid (South Africa), a spring festival (Egypt), or the Mombasa Carnival and safaris (Kenya). Four chapters then focus on… View →
A noteworthy review of One World, Many Countries from Horn Book Guide on April 1, 2016
K-3 One World, Many Countries series. These serviceable overviews for report writers are liberally illustrated with sharp photos. An introductory chapter in each book highlights a holiday (Day of the Dead in Mexico) or a notable event (river surfing in Canada). Four chapters then focus on… View →
A noteworthy review of Unsolved Mysteries from Horn Book Guide on April 1, 2016
4-6 Unsolved Mysteries series. These books offer clear-eyed assessments of persistent unexplained phenomena. An anecdote introduces the titular subject; each survey superficially touches on history and possible explanations— scientific or otherwise. The slight texts are easy to read and… View →
A noteworthy review of One World, Many Countries from Horn Book Guide on April 1, 2016
K-3 One World, Many Countries series. This serviceable overview for report writers is liberally illustrated with sharp photos. An introductory chapter highlights the School of the Air, which now offers education to outback children via computer rather than the original two-way radios. Four… View →
A noteworthy review of The Spark of Invention from School Library Journal on April 1, 2016
These highlights in the history of modern technology offer light doses of names and dates, along with nontechnical descriptions of significant early tweaks or innovations. The volumes take snowboarding from the time it was called ‘snurfing’ through Shaun White’s legendary run in the 2010… View →
A noteworthy review of Wonders of Space from Children's Bookwatch on March 1, 2016
‘The Voyager Space Probes’ covers the exciting story of the planning and launching of the twin Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 in 1977, to travel to the outer planets of our solar system Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus, and beyond. Four chapters cover the exciting preparation, planning, and… View →
A noteworthy review of On the Hunt with Animal Predators from Children's Bookwatch on March 1, 2016
‘On The Hunt With Hyenas’ is an exciting, accurate, photo -illustrated nonfiction, hard bound library volume from the series, On the Hunt With Animal Predators, for children age 6 and up. Illustrated with many stunning color photographs of hyena cubs and their mothers, in packs in their… View →
A noteworthy review of The Spark of Invention from Children's Bookwatch on February 1, 2016
‘Inventing the Internet’ is a photo-illustrated educational resource about the source, invention, and impact of the internet, for young readers age 7-8 and up. Tracing the early beginnings of the internet and computers to the 1950’s, important inventors mentioned are J.C. R. Lickliker, Paul… View →
A noteworthy review of Rev Up Your Writing from School Library Journal on November 1, 2015
These slim volumes present solid information and sound advice offered in concise, clearly written sentences printed in a large font. Written in a friendly, encouraging tone, they make for engaging reading. Cheerful, colorful cartoons and photos add to the visual appeal. Each title contains… View →
A noteworthy review of Pet Care from School Library Journal on November 1, 2015
Attractive and well-designed primers. The close-up photographs of the animals’ faces on the covers entice readers, while the content cautions them to make careful choices when selecting a pet. The importance of commitment is emphasized, along with all of the basics on food, health, physical… View →
A noteworthy review of Unsolved Mysteries from School Library Journal on November 1, 2015
Popular beliefs, skepticism, and scientific study all receive their due in three or four chapters in these brief, informative accounts. Each begins with a particular episode and its subsequent investigation, followed by additional information, including history. Covered are sightings… View →