Margriet Ruurs
Illustrated by Andrew Kiss
This is an alphabet book that will not go out of style! The alphabet is depicted in the western mountain region of North America where the letter “A” starts at a view of an avalanche. “B” shows a bear in the boreal forest. Elks represent the letter “E” shown through evergreens. A laughing loon on a lake is great for the “L”. Following is massive mountains, nocturnal animals, an otter, a provincial park, and a quilled creature. The “R” for raccoons, “S” for salmons, and “Z” for a zigzagging trail. The last two pages give further descriptions of the illustrations that were used for the alphabets, and the very last page asks readers to find hidden items used in the illustrations.
This book is one that children and adults will want to come back to over and over again. Not only is it beautifully illustrated, which engages the readers eye, there is so much more to the book than just the alphabet. The illustrations draw the reader in to find all the elements included, bighorns, cougars, grizzly bear, a wide variety of flowers, picnic tables, jewelry – and so much more. Each illustration is a challenge for the readers to return and find more on each return.
BIBLIO: 2009, Tundra Books, Ages 6 and up, $7.95.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 978-0-88776-940-5
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 5/24/10
Showing posts with label North America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North America. Show all posts
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Giant Ground Sloth
Janet Riehecky
Illustrated by Jon Hughes
The Giant Ground Sloth, (JYE-uhnt SLAWTH) were huge hairy mammals that had thick brown hair that covered its bodies. They lived in caves in North and South America 1.9 million years ago during the prehistoric times. The Giant Ground Sloth’s appearance was that of a bear – and had a bear-like snout. They were as large as elephants and weighted about 6,000 pounds, or 2,720 kilograms. Their claws were sharp and when they walked their claws curled. The Giant Ground Sloth walked slowly, perhaps because of the curled claws, and used their strong tails for balance. They stood up to eat plants, using their long tongues to pull down the leaves to eat.
The fossils of the Giant Ground Sloth can be found in museums. No one knows why they died out about 8,000 thousand years ago. At the end of this picture book, is a glossary that includes the following terms from the text: balance, claw, fossil, mammal, museum, prehistoric, and snout. Information on additional resources, a web link, and an index can be found at the end of the book.
The colorful pictures of the Giant Ground Sloth are realistic and yet fascinating. Children should be enthralled by the pictures as they are read to and eventually learn the text. The vocabulary used for the intended grade level is appropriate and engaging. The science of the prehistoric life is detailed enough to encourage further reading, yet simple enough for age appropriate comprehension.
BIBLIO: 2009, Capstone Press, Ages K-1, $21.32
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-1-4296-0036-1
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 7/11/09
Illustrated by Jon Hughes
The Giant Ground Sloth, (JYE-uhnt SLAWTH) were huge hairy mammals that had thick brown hair that covered its bodies. They lived in caves in North and South America 1.9 million years ago during the prehistoric times. The Giant Ground Sloth’s appearance was that of a bear – and had a bear-like snout. They were as large as elephants and weighted about 6,000 pounds, or 2,720 kilograms. Their claws were sharp and when they walked their claws curled. The Giant Ground Sloth walked slowly, perhaps because of the curled claws, and used their strong tails for balance. They stood up to eat plants, using their long tongues to pull down the leaves to eat.
The fossils of the Giant Ground Sloth can be found in museums. No one knows why they died out about 8,000 thousand years ago. At the end of this picture book, is a glossary that includes the following terms from the text: balance, claw, fossil, mammal, museum, prehistoric, and snout. Information on additional resources, a web link, and an index can be found at the end of the book.
The colorful pictures of the Giant Ground Sloth are realistic and yet fascinating. Children should be enthralled by the pictures as they are read to and eventually learn the text. The vocabulary used for the intended grade level is appropriate and engaging. The science of the prehistoric life is detailed enough to encourage further reading, yet simple enough for age appropriate comprehension.
BIBLIO: 2009, Capstone Press, Ages K-1, $21.32
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-1-4296-0036-1
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 7/11/09
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