Joan Holub
Illustrated by Paul Nicholls
The teacher, Ms. Sun, will give each of her students an opportunity to be a superstar, to sit in the Milky Way chair during Sharing Time. Of the nine students, the brightest, Twinkle, knew she wanted to sing her song. The others all had things they would share for their special time. Dazzle went first – three planets circled around her. The class counted eight planets circling Ms. Sun. When Blaze was a superstar he brought asteroid cookies and explained asteroids are mostly rock. Soon it was Shimmer’s time and she shared a shape game of stars called Constellation Tag. Twinkle thought about mentioning planet tutus, but decided against it. Finally, since she was the brightest star, she decided to do something no one else had done. Surely, you may have seen her star up in the sky and thought about it now and then?
The publisher note considers this book as a low-key introduction to the stars, planets, and other objects of the Universe. Considering the target age of the book, readers of the 6 – 8 age groups will be unnecessarily deprived of additional science. Why were the three planets around Dazzle not identified? It would only have been one more sentence. If the class counted eight planets circling Ms. Sun, why not identify those planets. The Constellation Tag game clearly shows the Big Dipper yet it does not identify it. Finally, Twinkle mentions planet tutus – we should all look that one up. On a scale of one to ten, this book receives a one. Doing a halfway job in explaining science is not the correct way to show a child they are special; do not bother putting this one on your shelves.
BIBLIO: 2010, Albert Whitman & Company, Ages 6 - 8, $16.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-8075-8131-5
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 7/8/10
Showing posts with label science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label science. Show all posts
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Where Do Polar Bears Live?
Sarah L. Thomson
Illustrated by Jason Chin
Four months ago a polar cub was born in this Arctic den, and he depended only on his mother for his milk and heat. Finally, in the spring, they leave the den to play and explore. The Arctic is cold … even with the sun, if could be fifty degrees below zero, but with their thick fur and layer of fat under the skin, being outside is an opportunity to soak up the sun. The mother wants to eat, so she hunts, looking for prey that will fill their stomachs. On the Arctic Island where the mother and cub live, there is land, rocks, and tundra. She is not the only one looking for food. An Arctic fox competes for the meat she has caught. The cub will stay with his mother for two years before he strikes out on his own. When he is full-grown, he will become the biggest hunter on land … yet, the polar bears will become thinner without ice to live on and prey to hunt.
This book was very informative on an educational level. I’m not sure the reading level is appropriate for the information presented, although children do need to be made aware of the ecological changes. The Illustrations are warm and colorful and add to the scientific information presented.
BIBLIO: 2010, Harper Collins Children’s Books, Ages 5 – 9, $16.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book / Easy to Read Science
ISBN: 976-0-06-157518-1
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 3/31/10
Illustrated by Jason Chin
Four months ago a polar cub was born in this Arctic den, and he depended only on his mother for his milk and heat. Finally, in the spring, they leave the den to play and explore. The Arctic is cold … even with the sun, if could be fifty degrees below zero, but with their thick fur and layer of fat under the skin, being outside is an opportunity to soak up the sun. The mother wants to eat, so she hunts, looking for prey that will fill their stomachs. On the Arctic Island where the mother and cub live, there is land, rocks, and tundra. She is not the only one looking for food. An Arctic fox competes for the meat she has caught. The cub will stay with his mother for two years before he strikes out on his own. When he is full-grown, he will become the biggest hunter on land … yet, the polar bears will become thinner without ice to live on and prey to hunt.
This book was very informative on an educational level. I’m not sure the reading level is appropriate for the information presented, although children do need to be made aware of the ecological changes. The Illustrations are warm and colorful and add to the scientific information presented.
BIBLIO: 2010, Harper Collins Children’s Books, Ages 5 – 9, $16.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book / Easy to Read Science
ISBN: 976-0-06-157518-1
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 3/31/10
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Treetures: The Search for Autumn
Judith Hope Blau and Ellie O’Ryan
Illustrated by Paul E. Nunn
Treetures are creatures of an enchanted forest called Nutley Grove. These creatures, described in the beginning of the book, all work together to prepare the forest for the coming season changes from summer to autumn, and then to winter. In this story, the Treetures are known as Mudsters, and they live in a big oak tree performing each of their duties as they prepare for the coming Winter Feast. The Young Sproutlings, Chip, Petals and Pod, are the first to notice the change in the leaves around the Great Oak and their questions can only be answered by the Sunbeam Team, Chlorophyll and Chlorophyllis. The Sunbeam Team are on their way to a sunnier vacation spot, and taking the color from the leaves with them. Spring, a Treedom Fighter encouraged the Sproutlings to find Autumn, the Leaf Turner. Wanting to help with the responsibilities, the young Sproutlings made their way to Mama Greenleaf who was busy making a blanket of fallen leaves to cover the forest floor. As the Sproutlings proceeded, they found Rootie and Roothie, the Rooters, who were preparing the roots for the coming temperature changes by covering the roots with leaves and twigs. Stomper, the Compost Master, was busy making mulch to feed the trees in the spring. As the Sproutlings continued their journey, they met with the Sap Tappers, Woody and Phloemina, hard at work protecting the vessels within the Great Oak. The Sap Tappers explained to the Sproutlings the vessels in the tree provided the food and water in the spring. When Autumn the Leaf Turner arrived, a fun time was had by all at a Fall Fair. Rides such as a Leaf-Go-Round, Canopy Coaster, Bark Climbing, Root Scooter, and a March Mulch.
The easy science of the Treeture’s helps early readers understand the changing of the leaves from green to other colors and why the leaves fall. At the end of the book, a non-inclusive series of facts are provided to explain what trees provide. Additionally, a link to americanforests.org is provided, the book is printed on recycled paper, and by purchasing this book it suggests a tree is planted. The illustrations are colorful and endearing to children.
My only concern is while the easy science is explained in terms using inaccurate facts, once a child begins a science class on photosynthesis there might be some confusion between the science facts explained by the characters from the book and the textbook facts.
BIBLIO: 2008, Penguin Young Readers, Ages 4 to 6, $3.99
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-448-45057-5
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 7/11/09
Illustrated by Paul E. Nunn
Treetures are creatures of an enchanted forest called Nutley Grove. These creatures, described in the beginning of the book, all work together to prepare the forest for the coming season changes from summer to autumn, and then to winter. In this story, the Treetures are known as Mudsters, and they live in a big oak tree performing each of their duties as they prepare for the coming Winter Feast. The Young Sproutlings, Chip, Petals and Pod, are the first to notice the change in the leaves around the Great Oak and their questions can only be answered by the Sunbeam Team, Chlorophyll and Chlorophyllis. The Sunbeam Team are on their way to a sunnier vacation spot, and taking the color from the leaves with them. Spring, a Treedom Fighter encouraged the Sproutlings to find Autumn, the Leaf Turner. Wanting to help with the responsibilities, the young Sproutlings made their way to Mama Greenleaf who was busy making a blanket of fallen leaves to cover the forest floor. As the Sproutlings proceeded, they found Rootie and Roothie, the Rooters, who were preparing the roots for the coming temperature changes by covering the roots with leaves and twigs. Stomper, the Compost Master, was busy making mulch to feed the trees in the spring. As the Sproutlings continued their journey, they met with the Sap Tappers, Woody and Phloemina, hard at work protecting the vessels within the Great Oak. The Sap Tappers explained to the Sproutlings the vessels in the tree provided the food and water in the spring. When Autumn the Leaf Turner arrived, a fun time was had by all at a Fall Fair. Rides such as a Leaf-Go-Round, Canopy Coaster, Bark Climbing, Root Scooter, and a March Mulch.
The easy science of the Treeture’s helps early readers understand the changing of the leaves from green to other colors and why the leaves fall. At the end of the book, a non-inclusive series of facts are provided to explain what trees provide. Additionally, a link to americanforests.org is provided, the book is printed on recycled paper, and by purchasing this book it suggests a tree is planted. The illustrations are colorful and endearing to children.
My only concern is while the easy science is explained in terms using inaccurate facts, once a child begins a science class on photosynthesis there might be some confusion between the science facts explained by the characters from the book and the textbook facts.
BIBLIO: 2008, Penguin Young Readers, Ages 4 to 6, $3.99
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-448-45057-5
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 7/11/09
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