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The Field Guide to ParentingChildren's BookstoreGreat Books to Read With and About the Children in Your Life
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Non-Fiction
National
Geographic Investigates: Not a Drop to Drink: Water for a
Thirsty World (NG Investigates Science)
by Michael Burgan, National Geographic, 2008
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Plenty of full color photographs on glossy pages, interesting and easily understood text about environmental and social aspects of the topic, well formated, indexed with bibliogrpahy and glossary--all together create an excellent, fascinating, well-researched book, as I've come to expect from National Geographic.
What's the big deal about water? We all know it is essential to
life, but if you've ever been to an ocean, a Great Lake, or the
Hoover Dam, there seems to be plenty of water.
Here's the big deal: One child in the world dies from unlcean water every eight seconds. Over one billion people do not have access to fresh water. Even though 70% of the the earth's surface is water, only 3% of that is fresh water; only 1/3 of fresh water is drinkable, while the rest is frozen or underground. There is only so much water on earth that changes form, but does not produce more water, which is why polluted water that can carry deadly diseases can be devastating.
The International Polar Year (IPY), which runs from 2007-2009, is a united intitiative to better understand polar regions. Not a Drop to Drink grew out of the ClipOPEN (Climate Coastal Peninsula) project, during the IPY.
An attractive, important book for every school, public, and home library.
Paula
Deen's My First Cookbook
by Paula Deen
with Martha Nesbit, illustrated by Susan Mitchell
Simon & Schuster, 2008
One of the best cookbooks for kids that I have ever seen! Not
only does this book present tasty recipes with easy to follow
instructions, but it goes a step beyond breakfast, lunch and
dinner, to include holidays, birthdays, craft recipes involving
cooking, snacks, and what is sure to win over parents, cooking
for mom and dad. The note to adults is wisdom earned from
Paula's own experience with kids. Before you get to even the
first recipe, Paula offers readers information on a variety of
things, not always found in children's cookbooks, such as safety
tips like "Don't try to cut or cook standing on your tippy
toes," and good manners ("Compliment the cook.").
The friendly, conversational style of recipe directions is both clear and direct, but also detailed: "Break the egg into a small bowl by pushing gently into he crack with your thumbs and pulling the two sides of the shell apart. Throw the shell away." I don't recall ever enjoying reading a glossary before, but the easy to understand definitions are often fun: "TOSS: Don't throw it! Mix it very lightly."
The cheerful borders around each two-page spread, the chipper family of four that illustrates the book throughout, the pictures of each item you need in every recipe, and even the pleasing font all add up to an inspiring cookbook. With sections on "How to Measure," and "How to Set a Table," and an index, what more could you want? She says, "My mission is to excite a new generation of cooks;" mission accomplished!
True
Green Kids: 100 Things You Can Do to Save the Planet by
Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin
National Geographic, 2008
Reading level: Ages 9-12
The 100 numbered suggestions are well organized into areas of a kid's life, such as "in your room," and "with friends." Each entry includes a clear-cut bullet at the end suggesting a kid-appropriate way to accomplish the suggestion. For example, #58 "be water-wise" encourages kids to become a water monitor at school and report all leaky faucets and toilets.
As always, National Geographic offers plenty of awesome photos and graphics. The cheerful, bright colors, consistent format, and kid-friendly text will inspire kids of a variety of ages to "become an agent of change for our world." Foreword is by a Clean Up th World Ambassador, with more information on this campaign and other important groups, webs, and government agencies to follow. A good choice for every school, public and home library.
The Companion to Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses is Outstanding!
Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?
by Elizabeth MacLeod
Kids Can Press, 2008
Reading level: Ages 9-12
So, are you wondering yet? Whiskers actually are sensitive hairs that can tell a cat if the opening is wide enough to get through. Do you know why cats circle around a spot before laying dawn? When cats were wild, thousands of years ago, they slept in tall grass and had to stomp it down to make it flat.
"Who's more popular: cats or dogs?... What was the first cat like?... Do cats have nine lives?" These are only a few of the interesting questions presented and answered in this fun, informative, engaging, astounding book. Once again, Kids Can Press has done an excellent job, and just like the the Wet Noses book, the photographs and their placement on the pages are outstanding. One of the best non-fiction books of the year!
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Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Bryan Collier Simon & Schuster, 2008
"One day Hope stopped by for a visit." A mother tells her young son, David, the story of Barack, creating a story in a story. On each spread that tells and illustrates Barack, mother and son converse. For example, just as young Barry wanted to know his father, David tells his mother of his wishes to meet his daddy.
This brilliant format offers readers a chance to reflect on the similarities and differences of Barack and their own lives, as he young boy does throughout. The biography comes alive in every way, including the beautifully written narrative by poet extraordinaire, Nikki Grimes. "One day Hope stopped by for a visit."
While the book is dedicated to every African American boy or girl, every child will find inspiration to make dreams a reality.
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Sisters & Brothers:Sibling Relationships
in the Animal World
by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page, Houghton Mifflin, 2008
Did you know that armadillos are born as identical
quadruplets? Or that cheetahs only stay with thier moms for about 18
months, while siblings stay together for around 24? Or that New Mexico
whiptail lizards are only females, who are identical to their mother who
is identical to her mother?
Categories such as "A large family" or "cooperating" offer a quick sense of what the sets of siblings are about, while a more detailed explanation follows. Yet, at no time do the pages seem crowded or overwhelming. Each cut-and-torn paper illustration seems to invite you to linger on the page and take in the beautiful detail.
As usual, Steve Jenkins and Robin Page have created a fascinating window into animal life, exc
Painting the Wild Frontier: The Art and Adventures of
George Catlin by Susanna Reich
Clarion, 2008
YES!
YES! YES! An author neither ignoring nor afraid to
confront the compexities and tragedies of 19th century America
to present an honest and respectful history. Readers are advised
in the Foreward, that to understand George Caitlin and his work,
we must understand America at the time: the Indian Removal Act
was signed the same year that Caitlin journeyed west and began
painting a diminishing people. He lived and painted among many
different tribes, honored and documented everything from daily
activities to portraits to landscapes, and in doing so, hoped to
somehow help save an exceptional but "doomed" way of life, as
well as earn a living off of what some say was exploitation of
Native Americans.
Along with the outstanding, engaging story, a well-researched
bibliography and timeline, and an ample index, there is at least
one photo, painting, or graphic on every two-page spread, and a
section of glorious color reproductions. The book itself is a
joy to behold from cover to cover from the high-quality paper
which allows you to see and almost feel the texture of his
paintings to the broad page size which invite leisurely reading
and viewing.
Others recommend this book for schools or public libraries, but
don't be fooled into thinking that children wouldn't want to own
and read this book at home as it is one that you can come back
to time and time again to understand more and more. This is
exactly the kind of non-fiction work that will engage middle
readers as well or better than any fiction on the shelf.
A Child's Book of Blessings and Prayers collected by
Eliza Blanchard, illustrated by Rocco Baviera
Skinner House, 2008
May all beings in all the worlds be happy.--Rig Veda
A charming little volume of hope, wishes, dreams, prayers, and
blessings from all over the world and a multitude of religions
or cultures. Some you will likely recognize and some may be
poetic surprises. In either case, this is a wonderful book to
read with the children in your life.
and ask the moon to come
and press its face into mine.
Breathe into me.
Close the word-door,
and open the love-window.
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