Beginner biography of Helen Keller, aimed at lower elementary students. Focuses heavily on Helen's pivotal relationship with Annie Sullivan. Text is aBeginner biography of Helen Keller, aimed at lower elementary students. Focuses heavily on Helen's pivotal relationship with Annie Sullivan. Text is augmented by both illustrations and photographs from the time period. Contains a glossary and index, but no sources are cited. ...more
Simple explanations of the activities a scientist undertakes. Photographs of real-life children engaged in scientific exploration further describe theSimple explanations of the activities a scientist undertakes. Photographs of real-life children engaged in scientific exploration further describe the text. Needs a glossary. ...more
Children's nonfiction book that explains superlatives using food. Since this is nonfiction focused on a language arts concept, the author-invented worChildren's nonfiction book that explains superlatives using food. Since this is nonfiction focused on a language arts concept, the author-invented words (twizzle, squidgy) should have been eliminated. A series of questions incorporated into the text invites discussion in a group setting. The yummy-looking photographs are artistic and engaging. Suitable for lower/middle elementary grades. Part of a series called Clever Concepts. ...more
Children's nonfiction book about writing fiction. Lots of useful tips. Lacks example texts, due to condensed length and layout. Modern, exciting, and Children's nonfiction book about writing fiction. Lots of useful tips. Lacks example texts, due to condensed length and layout. Modern, exciting, and visually appealing. Photos make good writing prompts. ...more
Lots of fun word play. Includes a variety of entertaining literary games, puzzles, and jokes. The different types eText: 5 stars Illustrations: 4 stars
Lots of fun word play. Includes a variety of entertaining literary games, puzzles, and jokes. The different types ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy. Humorous and engaging. And I always appreciate Brian Cleary's encouragement to children to follow his example and try writing themselves. Cartoonish illustrations add to the comic appeal of the book and provide strong visual support for the text....more
Short children's biography of the surrealist painter Rene Magritte. The brief text highlights interesting and relevant facts. Many good-sized color reShort children's biography of the surrealist painter Rene Magritte. The brief text highlights interesting and relevant facts. Many good-sized color reproductions of his art. Very good introduction to this artist, suitable for elementary school children. No back matter. ...more
Short children's biography of Kadir Nelson, award-winning author-illustrator of children's picture books. Good introduction to his life and work. InclShort children's biography of Kadir Nelson, award-winning author-illustrator of children's picture books. Good introduction to his life and work. Includes a timeline, glossary, and index. ...more
Short children's nonfiction book featuring a variety of hip-hop stars. It's more of a survey of the field, rather than a biography. It would have beenShort children's nonfiction book featuring a variety of hip-hop stars. It's more of a survey of the field, rather than a biography. It would have been more effective with less visual stimulation and more factual information. In fact, it leads readers to believe that anyone can get a record deal and become an instant success as a hip-hop star. There is no mention of hard work or climbing to the top after starting at the bottom. Also, it is briefly noted that two of the hip-hop stars were separately shot to death at a young age (one was 25 and the other was 24), but there is no discussion to assist young readers to process these murders. ...more
Short children's biography of Daniel Radcliffe, the young actor who played Harry Potter in all eight movies. Interesting text that is clearly expresseShort children's biography of Daniel Radcliffe, the young actor who played Harry Potter in all eight movies. Interesting text that is clearly expressed. Visually appealing layout. Sprinkled with photos. Includes a glossary, index, and suggested further reading. Sure to be a hit with fans. ...more
Biography of the author-illustrator Paul Zelinsky. Short but informative and well written. Good starting point for a child's school report. Also usefuBiography of the author-illustrator Paul Zelinsky. Short but informative and well written. Good starting point for a child's school report. Also useful to read to early elementary school students after reading some of his picture books. Part of the Children's Illustrators series by Abdo Publishing. ...more
Biography of the author-illustrator Brian Selznick. Short but informative and well written. Good starting point for a child's school report. Also usefBiography of the author-illustrator Brian Selznick. Short but informative and well written. Good starting point for a child's school report. Also useful to read to elementary school students after reading one of his books. Part of the Children's Illustrators series by Abdo Publishing. ...more
Biography of the author-illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi. Short but informative and well written. Good starting point for a child's school report. Also useBiography of the author-illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi. Short but informative and well written. Good starting point for a child's school report. Also useful to read to early elementary school students after reading some of his picture books. Part of the Children's Illustrators series by Abdo Publishing. ...more
A short, sports-themed, children's nonfiction book about homophones. A definition of homophones appears in the beginning of the book. Each word of theA short, sports-themed, children's nonfiction book about homophones. A definition of homophones appears in the beginning of the book. Each word of the homophone pairs is used in a sentence to differentiate their meanings. Photographs provide some visual support of moderate strength....more
Children's biography of L. Frank Baum, author of the celebrated children's classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its sequels. Fairly thorough accountChildren's biography of L. Frank Baum, author of the celebrated children's classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its sequels. Fairly thorough account of Baum's life, work, and family, but very few pictures are included. Additional photographs would have increased the appeal to children, the readability, and the visual attractiveness of the book by breaking up the many whole pages of text. Includes a glossary, index, and abridged list of Baum's children's books. ...more
Children's biography of L. Frank Baum, author of the celebrated children's classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its sequels. Slight on information, Children's biography of L. Frank Baum, author of the celebrated children's classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its sequels. Slight on information, mainly due to the fact that it is written in free-verse poetry, a rather odd choice for a biography. The highlight of this book is the abundance of interesting photograph reprints, since Baum lived from 1856 to 1919. Includes an index and timeline of important dates in Baum's life. ...more
Very solid introduction to the history of calendars and timekeeping. Starts with the ancient Egyptians and travels through time and cultures, ending wVery solid introduction to the history of calendars and timekeeping. Starts with the ancient Egyptians and travels through time and cultures, ending with the modern Cesium clock and proposed International Fixed Calendar. A timeline runs along the bottom of the pages to orient readers in time through major world milestones, such as the development of the wheel, death of Hammurabi, Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel, and Benjamin Franklin inventing the lightning rod. Well-written text is clearly organized. Interesting, relevant images support the concepts presented. Includes a glossary, index, and suggested further reading....more
Children's biography of African American hair care entrepreneur Sarah Breedlove, also known as Madam C. J. Walker. Fascinating subject but this book dChildren's biography of African American hair care entrepreneur Sarah Breedlove, also known as Madam C. J. Walker. Fascinating subject but this book doesn't do it justice. Text is redundant and lacking important details. Activity included in the book is only peripherally related. ...more
Children's biography of Coretta Scott King. Good coverage of her early life, before marrying Martin Luther King Jr.Text: 5 stars Illustrations: 5 stars
Children's biography of Coretta Scott King. Good coverage of her early life, before marrying Martin Luther King Jr., and strong focus on her own contributions, but skims a little too quickly through her participation in the civil rights movement. Wonderful illustrations. Part of the Women Who Broke the Rules series....more
Children's cookbook based on classic fairy tales. The tales stay close to the originals, but are condensed and slightly altered to match the story texChildren's cookbook based on classic fairy tales. The tales stay close to the originals, but are condensed and slightly altered to match the story text with the recipe instructions, which are interspersed throughout the stories. The easy recipes seem delicious, though I haven't yet tried any of them. The illustrations are colorful and appealing to children, but remain secondary to the text as is appropriate. I just wish the art included finalized versions of the dishes so children know what they are shooting for. A fun way to introduce culinary skills to children. ...more
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