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Ash, Russell. Factastic Book of Comparisons. 2000. 96p. Dorling Kindersley. Gr. 2 & up.Wow! This is one cool book chocked full of information. Great Illustrations throughout, foldout pages, interesting facts, index and more. Might be a good idea to get multiple copies of this book because there is going to be a waiting list of would be readers once word gets out. Perfect for math, science and language arts connections.
Bishop, Nic. Digging for Bird-Dinosaurs: An Expedition to Madagascar. 2000. 48. Houghton Mifflin. Gr. 3 & up. A fascinating book about a world renowned paleontologist, Cathy Forster and her expedition to Madagascar. To set the scene Bishop provides some background information on bird dinosaurs through Forster's perspective. The rest of the book takes you on the dig with all the details from the journey into the remote regions to cataloging the artifacts. A multitude of wonderful photos accompany your journey from the university lab to the field. Bishop also takes time to introduce you to the culture and people of Madagascar.
Bussell, Darcey in association with the Royal Ballet School. Ballet: Dorling Kindersley Superguides. 2000. 64p. Dorling Kindersley. All ages. For beginning dancers, curious minded, and supporters of ballet this book is a must. This book is filled with action photos, brief descriptions, and an inside look at ballet through children dancers. The final section includes photos from several rehearsals and famous dance/ballet troupes. Look for other wonderful Dorling Kindersley Superguides done in the same style: Basketball; Soccer; Gymnastics; Ice Skating; Martial Arts; Swimming; and Tennis.
Cerullo, Mary M. Sea Soup: Phytoplankton. Photos by Bill Curtsinger. 1999. 40p. Tilbury House. Gr. 3 & up. Phytoplankton can be found on the surface of the ocean, mud flats, lakes and other natural water sources. Don't expect to see them with the naked eye. These tiny microscopic plants are partially responsible for the oxygen we breath and much of all the air that makes up the ozone layer. This book is a fascinating look at one of the most important organisms of this earth. A great addition to a science class. There is also a worthwhile 96 page teacher's guide available through Tilbury House Publishers.
Cerullo, Mary M. The Truth About Great White Sharks. Photos by Jeffrey L. Rotman. 2000. 44p. Chronicle Books. Gr. 3 & up. Despite what you have heard about sharks, this book may set a few things straight for you. Cerullo is an accomplished oceanographer and provides readers with the facts and true stories about sharks. Having a fondness for creatures from the ocean Cerullo also puts a plug in for sharks with reasons for keeping them around. Another cool feature of this book is the cover. Have you ever felt a shark's skin? The texture on the cover is surprisingly similar.
Challoner, Jack. Hurricane & Tornado: Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Books. 2000. 64p. Dorling Kindersley. All ages. Natural disasters have continued to haunt this world and at the same time pique our curiosity. We are constantly looking for explanation and understanding of such phenomena. This book in addtion to the well over 100 in the Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Books series provide us with an inside look at captivating topics. If your library has not kept up with the series, it is never to late to start. The investment is well worth it for kids and adults.
Coleman, Penny. Girls: A History of Growing Up Female in America. 2000. 192p. Scholastic. Gr. 4 & up. I found this book to be a marvelous contribution to learning about the history of America through feminist contributions. Coleman's theme on female contributions crosses many cultures. This book provides an overdue perspective to the making of America drawn from diaries, memoirs, letters, household manuals, magazines, and self help books.
Collard, Sneed B. Making Animal Babies. Illus. by Steve Jenkins. 2000. 32p. Houghton Mifflin. All ages. This is an informative book on reproduction. The text is matter of fact and straight forward. Jenkins cut paper collages are impeccable. A glossary of terms is included.
Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness 3D Ocean Life. 1999. 58p. Dorling Kindersley. Gr. 3 & up. Just imagine yourself snorkeling or scuba diving taking in the underwater sights. Vibrant colors, different sized fish, beautiful underwater plants and animals...look out! a shark is swimming just ahead. This book is in 3D, but no fins or bathing suit required. If fact you won't even get wet. Using a special mirror (comes with the book) you flip through the pages and see everything in three dimension. Many other photos with expository text briefs accompany the images. This 3D series is amazing and sure to attract the curious, young or older. Other titles include: Cats; Rocks and Minerals; Insect; and Human Body.
Geisert, Bonnie & Arthur. Mountain Town. 2000. 32p. Houghton Mifflin. Gr. K-5. This is the third in a series about towns for these two. Like the prior two, River Town and Prairie Town, the highly detailed illustrations Geiserts' are know for continue to enthrall readers. The text takes the reader through an entire year of seasons in a mountain town.
Gilles, Judi & Jennifer Glossop. The Kids Can Press Jumbo Cookbook. Illus. by Louise Phillips. 2000. 256p. Kids Can Press. Gr. 3 & up. Yum! This cookbook has oodles of recipes from breakfast to dinner with some snacks in between. Another nice feature is the variety of recipes from many different cultures. The directions are clear and all the measurements are in metric to add to your math and science connections.
Givon, Hannah Gelman. We Shake in a Quake. Illus. by David Uttal. 1999. 32p. Tricycle Press. Gr. K-5. What happens during an earthquake? What should we do to prepare for potential earthquakes? The appealing graphic illustrations and narrative provides some answers. Also included is a vocabulary section and letter to parents with a helpful checklist for families to prepare for an earthquake.
Goodman, Susan E. Ultimate Field Trip 4: A Week in the 1800s. Photos by Michael J. Doolittle. 2000. 50p. Atheneum. Gr. 3-6. Can you imagine taking a classroom full of kids and going back in time? The children in this book got to spend a week in King's Landing reliving the past. From costume to food and everyday chores they did it all. What a great learning experience for them and us who can read about their week. Many photos support the events, artifacts, and the children's reactions.
Hickman, Pamela. Starting With Nature Bird Book. Illus. by Heather Collins. 2000. 32p. Kids Can Press. Gr. 2-5. This is part of a four book series. Additional themes include bugs, trees, and plants. The series was first published in Canada in 1996 and for the first time this year in the United States. Each book provides excellent context for learning about the species from birth to adulthood, survival, their habitats, and what to look for when exploring nature. Also included are many hands on conservation activities for students to enjoy.
Hollyer, Beatrice. Wake Up, World! A Day in the Life of Children Around the World. (1999). 40p. Henry Holt. Gr. K-6. From the moment the eight children from around the world awaken to the time they go to bed readers follow their activities on that given day. Brightly colored photos feature children from Ghana, Russia, Australia, India, Brazil, Vietnam, England, and the United States.
Jackson, Donna M. The Wildlife Detectives: How Forensic Scientists Fight Crimes Against Nature. Photos by Wendy Shattil and Bob Rozinski. 2000. 48p. Houghton Mifflin. Gr. 3 & up. For us folks in the West, poaching wildlife happens all too often. This detailed chronicle of the events that led to the arrest and conviction of the man responsible for poaching, Charger, an old bull elk who lived in Yellowstone National Park is a fascinating read. As the investigation unfolds, Jackson parallels this story with inserts on world poaching activity and all the roles of the people who are involved with forensic science and educating of the public. Also included are addresses and additional information on how we can help stop poaching.
Kid's New York: Dorling Kindersley Travel Guides. 2000. 72p. Dorling Kindersley. Gr. 3-8. What a great idea! Travel guides for kids. All the information is geared toward kid's interests. Hundreds of photos, interesting facts and contact information. Through out the book are quiz formatted questions to lure the reader and traveler to look further while on location. This one happens to be New York, but Dorling Kindersley also features London and more cities in the future. If you are planning a school or family trip these books would be worth the investment.
Koscielniak, Bruce. The Story of the Incredible Orchestra. 2000. 32p. Houghton Mifflin. Gr. K & up. From the beginning of orchestras in the 16th century to modern day, Koscielniak provides readers with history, instrument details by family, and periodic music styles. This book is a must for music teachers and those who love to integrate music into their lives. The watercolor and ink illustrations capture the mood and period of the music.
Lauber, Patricia. What You Never Knew About Fingers, Forks, & Chopsticks: Around the House History. Illus. by John Manders. 1999. 32p. Simon & Schuster. Gr. 3-8. What a hoot! These two had fun turning the history of eating habits into a whimsical and attractive format. Readers will get the facts, a few snide side comments, and present day adaptations of our table manners and eating habits. Looking for a clincher for the reluctant reader or youngster with poor table manners, this book might be the one.
Love, Ann & Jane Drake. Kids and Grandparents: An Activity Book. Illus. by Heather Collins. 1999. 160p. Kids Can Press. All ages. Wow! This book is overflowing with ideas to do with children. The focus is with grandparents, but don't let that stop you from trying some of these activities with kids in your classroom. The illustrated instructions and explanations are very well done. There are four sections in the table of contents: Making Memories; Fun and Games; Crafts, and; Family Food.
Maass, Robert. Garbage. 2000. 32p. Henry Holt. Gr. K-5. "One man's trash is another man's treasures," so the saying goes, and this book is about garbage from landfills to recycling. A message Maass conveys is to think about the garbage we generate and the long range effects. There are things we should be aware of such as toxic waste and there are things we can do to keep waste to a minimum. Recycling is an important step toward rethinking garbage.
Marcus, Leonard S. (Ed.) Author Talk: Conversations with... 2000. 105p. Simon & Schuster. Gr. 3-8. This book includes fifteen short conversations with many of the popular authors and poets. The questions center on their childhood, reading interest, when they became a writer, the best thing about being a writer, and more useful information. This edited collection serves as a wonderful inspiration for budding writers and an introduction to some new and familiar writers.
Markle, Sandra. Growing Up Wild: Bears. 2000. 32p. Atheneum. Gr. Pre K-3. Amazing photos and interesting facts about northern bears. Markle takes readers from birth to leaving mother and all the survival skills in between.
Morrison, Gordon. Oak Tree. 2000. 30p. Houghton Mifflin. Gr. 3-8. Morrison's detailed sketches and descriptive text provides readers with a rich perspective of an oak tree. He takes you from season to season including the life forms dependent on an oak tree. This book has application possibilities for studies about trees, seasons, animals, birds, and insects connected to the oak tree.
Sayco, Larry. Another Ultimate Yo-Yo Book. 2000. 46p. Grosset & Dunlap. Gr. 3& up. If you are a yo-yo fan this book has some helpful tips for learning new tricks. Illustrations combined with easy to follow directions should help you become the yo-yo wizard of the neighborhood. Even my colleague at the university (I won't mention his age) who carries a yo-yo around in his pocket found some new tricks to learn.
Smith, Frank Dabba. My Secret Camera: Life in the Lodz Ghetto. Photographs by Mendel Grossman. 2000. 40p. Harcourt. Gr. 3 & up. Mendel Grossman was forced to live in the Lodz Ghetto like many other Jews during the Holocaust. His job under Nazi regime was to take and develop photos for passports and identity papers. This job allowed him to continue his interest in photography with access to a darkroom. He modified his overcoat so he could take pictures of the people and conditions without the knowledge of the Nazis. Over time he had accumulated some 10,000 images of the poor conditions and treatment of the Jews. Through friends and family some of his film survived World War II and the Israeli War of Independence. Smith wrote this narrative as he imagined Grossman saw the world at the time.
The Animal Family Series. 2000. North South. Gr. 2-5. Recently released in paperback, this series offers some incredible photography, insider views, and factual information on a wide range of animals. Included are: beavers, chimpanzees, crocodiles, desert fox, elephants, grizzly bears, leopards, lions, penguins, polar bears, whales, and wild horses.
West, Delno C. & Jeam M. Uncle Sam and Old Glory: Symbols of America. Illus. by Christopher Manson. 2000. 40p. Atheneum. Gr. 2 & up. Fifteen of America's symbols are found in this book. Each symbol is supported with an adjoining page that provides the history and background for these American icons. The woodcuts are exquisite. A very handy resource for social studies.
Wulffson, Don. Toys! Amazing Stories Behind Some Great Inventions. Illus. by Laurie Keller. 2000. 137p. Henry Holt. Gr. 3 & up. This book is a collection of some fascinating stories behind many familiar toys. Everything from the story behind Legos, Mr. Potato Head, Silly Putty, Mr. Slinky, Bicycles, with 20 more stories are found in this collection. A great book for reluctant and the inquisitive readers. This book also serves as a nice motivator for the clubs and classrooms that host invention conventions.
Wyatt, Valerie. Weather: FaQ (Frequently Asked Questions). Illus. by Brian Share. 2000. 40p. Kids Can Press. Gr. 3-6. Picture the cover with the following flying objects and a raging tornado in the background: a toilet, tire, underwear, penguin, door, cat, furniture, house, and macaw. I was flipping pages looking for answers right from the start. The format is full of boxed FaQ with a corresponding picture. The illustrations are often playful (as is the cover) in their depiction of the weather phenomenon which effectively captures your attention and curiosity. Included are a glossary, index, cloud chart, and some extreme weather facts.