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Behold...the Dragons, (1999) Gail Gibbons. Morrow, ISBN 0-688-15526-X. This is a picture book filled with facts and illustrations of dragons throughout history. The format follows Gibbon's previous award winning books. This book is sure to capture the attention of the millions of children and adults who have had a fascination for dragons at some point in their lives.
Charro: The Mexican Cowboy, (1999) George Ancona. Harcourt Brace, ISBN 0-15-201047-5. Ah, such pride and such talent can be found in this story about the young charro. Ancona captures the charm and excitement of these budding cowboys and the charreada, where they get to show their stuff to the spectators.
Extraordinary Girls, (1999) Maya Ajmera; Olateju Omolodun & Sarah Strunk. Charlesbridge, ISBN 0-88106-065-8. This book is an extraordinary celebration of girls worldwide. Bright, beautiful photos embrace the many positive attributes girls possess. The overriding tone in this book is exuberant and uplifting.
Eyewitness Book Series, (1994, 1999 First American Editions) DK Publishing. These new titles in the Eyewitness series have all the charm and elegance of the earlier books. Titles include: Astronomy; Titanic; Football; Life; Chemistry; Matter; Human Body; Technology; Light; Force & Motion; Monet; Van Gogh; Goya; and Monet. Take a closer look at these beautiful books on their web site <www.DK.com>.
In Search of the Spirit: The Living National Treasures of Japan, (1999) Sheila Hamanaka & Ayano Ohmi. Morrow, ISBN 0-688-14607-4. This is a very unique and special book. Hamanaka and Ohmi have preserved six of Japan's cultural artisans through interviews, writing, illustrations and photos. Readers are treated to the arts including pottery, acting, bamboo weaving, Bunraku puppetry, sword making and Yuzen silk dyeing (decorating kimonos). A very beautiful and informative book.
The Scholastic Kid's Almanac for the 21st Century, (1999) Elaine Pascoe and Deborah Kops, Illustrated by Bob Italian and David C. Bell, Scholastic Inc., ISBN 0-590-30723-1. Organized as an A-Z reference on 40 different topics with hundreds of full color charts, tables, and graphics makes this book an excellent reference.
The Story of Clocks and Calendars: Marking a Millennium, (1999) Betsy Maestro, Illus. by Giulio Maestro. Lothrop, ISBN 0-688-14548-5. A timely book with the approaching turn of the century. If you are familiar with Maestro's previous works you will know that they research and deliver a thorough product. This book is no exception with this historical look at time.
The Ultimate Lego Book, (1999). DK Publishers, ISBN 0-7894-4694-4691-X. In the middle of the depression Danish born Ole Kirk Christiansen lost his wife leaving him four sons to raise. In addition to his troubles, his business was failing which led him toward making toys and household products. Thus the name Lego emerged from his new business and in 1949 his son, Godtfred Kirk, pioneered the first forerunner of Lego bricks. Beyond the historical perspective of Lego Land, this book features hundreds of photos for Lego lovers young and old.
The United States of America: A State-by-State Guide, (1999) Millie Miller & Cyndi Nelson. Scholastic, ISBN 0-590-04374-9. This is a good resource to have around your classroom and library. Each state is given one feature page which includes a map, state bird, tree, flower, animal, nickname and other important facts that are unique to the state.
The Young Person's Guide to Shakespeare, (1999) Anita Ganeri. Harcourt Brace, ISBN 0-15-202101-9. This book is another in the Young Person's Guide to Series. The photos and text are very attractive and filled with quick descriptions. Readers learn about Shakespeare and several of his plays. The text is supported with contemporary photos of performances throughout the world and a CD recording by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Others in the series include, Guide to the Ballet and Guide to the Orchestra.
To Be a Kid, (1999) Maya Ajmera & John D. Ivanko. Charlesbridge, ISBN 0-88106-841-1. Ajmera and Ivanko capture the wonders of children through photos of children smiling, playing, going to school, eating, dancing, painting, helping and hugging throughout the world. A nice tribute to children of this earth.
Tornadoes, (1999) Seymour Simon. Morrow, ISBN 0-688-14646-5. In a year filled with devastating twisters, this book may prove helpful as a way to explain this weather phenomenon. The style and format parallels Simon's other great nonfiction books. They include topics of astronomy, weather, natural disasters, and the human body.
About Twins, (1999) Shelley Rotner & Sheila M. Kelly. DK Publishing, ISBN 7894-2556-4. Pretty cool, twins are a universal phenomenon and this picture book is a tribute to twins. A good book for discussing twins in primary classrooms.
Earthlings Inside and Out: A Space Alien Studies the Human Body, (1999) Valerie Wyatt, Illus. by Dusan Petrici´c. Kids Can Press, ISBN 1-55074-511-5. This is a very clever and informative look at our body. To set the scene, try considering what an alien named Danoid would want to learn about us. Starting with our strange appearance to our internal workings, Danoid transmits a funny report to his superiors that will get you simultaneously thinking and laughing at his logic.
Factastic Book of 1001 Lists, (1999) Compiled by Russell Ash. DK Publishing, ISBN 0-7894-3412-1. The title alone is provocative enough to make you want to have this book in your library. When you flip through the pages you will be hooked. There is something in this book for everyone, including the reluctant readers. The target audience is likely to be found anywhere from the middle grades into adulthood.
Fire in Their Eyes: Wildfires and the People Who Fight Them, (1999) Karen Magnuson Beil. Harcourt Brace, ISBN 0-15-201043-2. Forest fires are reality in the Western states. Often caused by lightning storms these menacing dangers have cost millions of dollars in damage. This fascinating and picturesque book grew out of Beil's work on a burn crew and hours listening and interviewing smoke jumpers. The book's content and text will appeal to middle schoolers and up.
Honest Pretzels: And 64 Other Amazing Recipes for Cooks Ages 8 & Up, (1999) Mollie Katzen. Tricycle Press, ISBN 1-883672-88-0. Looking for a great book to give as a gift that will reap you benefits too? This cook book could free you up from making all the meals around the house. This book also has perfect possibilities for school classrooms and the family living classes.
I Spy Treasure Hunt: A Book of Picture Riddles, (1999) Jean Marzollo, Photos by Walter Wick. Scholastic, ISBN 0-439-04244-5. The hidden picture format has been popular for years. Picture riddles fill the pages of this new hide and seek book in the Scholastic series.
In My Neighborhood Series, (1999) Paulette Bourgeois, Illus. by Kim LaFave, Kids Can Press. This well planned occupation series includes Fire Fighters, Garbage Collectors, Police Officers and Postal Workers. The books are designed for a primary audience with attractive illustrations and text that is presented in a captivating story format. Useful safety tips and suggestions that children can relate to are some of the great features of this series.
Making Picture Frames: Kids Can Do It Series, (1999) Linda Hendry & Lisa Rebnord, Illus. by Lisa Rebnord. Kids Can Press, ISBN 1-55074-505-0. This is one of the most useful activity books for classrooms, homes and art classes. There are more than 25 how-to examples of frames to make in this one book.
Thunder Bear and Ko: The Buffalo Nation and Nambe Pueblo, (1999) Text and Photos by Susan Hazen-Hammond. Dutton, ISBN 0-525-46013-6. A very nice contemporary look at the Nambe Pueblo Tribe and their work toward the preservation of bison. Hammond captured some amazing photos that make bison look like domesticated pets. But they are not. Susan can attest from an experience with one bison who charged during her during a photo shoot.
Ultimate Sports Lists, (1999) Mike Meserole. DK Publishing, ISBN 0-7894-3562-4. Everything you want to know about sports trivia seems to be in this book. The book format is presented by sport subject and stats with photos included. A nice addition for classrooms, libraries and home sports enthusiasts. Check out another in this DK series, The Ultimate Race Car.
A wonderful new elementary science Scholastic Question and Answer Series is out. Six books have been released so far. The titles are:
Can it Rain Cats and Dogs? Questions and Answers about Weather;
Did Dinosaurs Live in Your Backyard? Questions and Answers About Dinosaurs;
Do Stars Have Points? Questions and Answers About Stars and Planets;
Do Whales Have Belly Buttons? Question and Answers About Whales and Dolphins;
How Do Flies Walk Upside Down? Questions and Answers About Insects; and
Why Don't Haircuts Hurt? Questions and Answers About the Human Body.