Review Sources

Title: Greetings from the 50 states: how they got their names / by Sheila Keenan ; illustrated by Selina Alko. Publisher: Scholastic, p2008, c2008 ISBN-13: 978-0-439-83439-1 ISBN-10: 0-439-83439-2 Dewey: 973 Interest Level: 3-6 Subjects: U.S. states. Illustrator: Alko, Selina Booklist: Keenan lines up the states in alphabetical order; tacks Washington, D.C., onto the end; and presents breezy anecdotal accounts of how each earned its name and motto. Common themes quickly emergenotably the number of variant spellings early on (31 for Alabama, 70 for Arkansas), and the many names that are either of obscure origin (Arizona, Kentucky, Oregon) or, like Idaho, invented words. Along with colorful labels in a variety of lettering styles, Alko decorates her fanciful portraits of each state with large images of iconic physical features, natural resources, famous people, and historic incidents. Like Laurie Kellers Scrambled States of America (1998) or Peter Ss Train of States (2004), this is not particularly useful for assignments, but should make for welcome and popular enrichment reading. Grades 4-6. --John Peters Classifications: Nonfiction Reading Level: 5.2

Title: Our 50 states : a family adventure across America / Lynne Cheney ; illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, p2006, c2006 ISBN-13: 978-0-689-86717-0 ISBN-10: 0-689-86717-4 Dewey: 973 Interest Level: 3-6 Included in These Sets/Series: Social Studies - Pairs Subjects: U.S. states. United States History. United States Description and travel. Illustrator: Preiss-Glasser, Robin Classifications: Nonfiction Reading Level: 6.4 LCCN: 2006-015281

Publishers Weekly Starred Review. The creators of America: A Patriotic Primer and A Is for Abigail have compiled their most encompassing paean to the U.S. yet, here bypassing an alphabetical roundup in favor of a cross-country road trip. An opening gatefold previews for readers the route that five affable family members will take as they set off from their Massachusetts home. They traverse the other 47 contiguous states (and Washington, D.C.) before making final stops in Alaska and Hawaii. The creatively cluttered pages collect words and images that present a pleasing potpourri of past and present: Glasser depicts the touring family viewing landmarks and natural wonders alongside portraits of influential individuals who hail or hailed from each state. The children's snippets of communications to those back home convey welcome personal observations: the boy text-messages a friend; and the girl pens notes to her grandmother (e.g., "Dear Grandma, I want to live in Hershey, PAthe air smells like chocolate, and even the streelights are shaped like Hershey's kisses!"). Glasser utilizes every spare inch of space, including decorative

borders that accommodate memorable quotations, song lyrics and historical data. Young armchair explorers will savor this spirited, whistle-stop celebration of America. All ages. (Oct.) Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. School Library Journal Grade 25The beauty and diversity of America are celebrated as three children, their parents, and their dog travel across the country in high spirits. Starting in Massachusetts, the family finds interesting details: Dr. Seuss National Memorial, the first post office, and famous people like Deborah Sampson and Herman Melville. The pages are alive with many small pictures, text, and maps. Some captions are hand lettered, and watercolor-and-ink drawings are numerous and appealing. Design elements for each state pull the book together: a "photograph" of the family enjoying a site, the background map, borders reflecting a dominant feature of the state. Readers will search for the children to read their messages: Annie writes letters to Grandma; Ben stays in touch with Grandpa, and with his friend Alex by text messaging: "alex. I'm watching a guy make shoes in the 19th century. kidding! it's at old sturbridge village. ben." Some states enjoy a spread, but most fit comfortably on one page. A foldout map shows the route the family followed, and Cheney introduces the book enthusiastically: "Perhaps none of us will ever be lucky enough to take such a grand road tripbut surely we are fortunate to live in a country where all these things-and so many more-form the fabric of our national life." There are just enough visual details and fascinating facts to keep children absorbed for hours.Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Title: The American heritage children's science dictionary. Publisher: Houghton Mifflin, p2003, c2003 FollettBound ISBN-13: 978-1-41318-670-3 FollettBound ISBN-10: 1-41318-670-X Original ISBN-13: 978-0-618-35401-6 Original ISBN-10: 0-618-35401-8 Dewey: 503. Interest Level: 3-6 Subjects: Science Dictionaries. School Library Journal Grade 4-6--A dictionary that introduces the language and concepts of science. The more than 2600 entries include terms from a number of disciplines including biology, astronomy, math, meteorology, geography, medicine, physics and chemistry, computers, and the environment. Age-appropriate definitions are arranged in double columns with quality full-color photographs, charts, and illustrations interspersed throughout (one to two per page on average). Entry words are clearly denoted in bold blue type with pronunciations in parentheses. See references direct students to definitions, while "compare" references (preceded in the text by a blue square) indicate a related word entry. Red squares at the conclusion of an entry denote cross-references to pictures. For example, students looking up "cornea" or "compound eye" will be directed to "See picture at eye." In addition to definitions, this title includes more than 100 "Did You Know?" boxes that highlight interesting facts beyond a word's definition. Ten "Closer Look" boxes provide slightly more in-depth information on topics such as color, stars, skeletons, and rocks. More than 150 biographical entries are included, with "Biography" boxes highlighting 25 selected individuals. A periodic table of the elements, a chart of the planets of our solar system, and a table illustrating the "Classification of Life" enhance Classifications: Reference LCCN: 03-010476

usefulness. Though picture placement is occasionally problematic, it does not detract from the book's overall appeal and usability. A handy, accessible resource.--Shauna Yusko, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Booklist Although there are several fine science dictionaries on the market for students in grades four through six, this one has some attractive features. The 2,600 entries were selected to represent different areas of science such as astronomy, biology, and physics as well as areas like weather and computer technology. Each blue-highlighted entry word has one or more definitions. Entries generally contain a pronunciation guide and a succinct two- or threesentence definition. Unusual plurals or irregular forms are included, as are notations that alert users to locations of pictures or illustrations and places to look for cross-references or comparisons. One nice feature is the "Did You Know?" boxes that are interspersed throughout the book and contain extra information about topics like anesthesia or cactus; there are also 150 short biographies on famous scientists, like Barbara McClintock. Larger entries, called "A Closer Look," use captioned pictures to illustrate topics like machines, plate tectonics, and stars. There are also full- and double-page treatments of measurement, the periodic table, geologic time, and other concepts. All of these added features present information in an appealing, userfriendly way. The illustrations that dot the text are small but in full color and generally clarify the entries. School and public libraries that serve upper-elementary and middle-school patrons will find this a useful addition to their reference collections. It is well bound, attractive, and accessible and has the types of definitions a young patron needs. RBB Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved Title: Life-size zoo : from tiny rodents to gigantic elephants, an actual-sized animal encyclopedia / editorial supervisor of Japanese edition, Teruyuki Komiya ; photographer, Toyofumi Fukuda ; Japanese translation by Makiko Oku ; English language adaptation by Kristin Earhart. Publisher: Seven Footer Kids, p2009, c2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-934734-20-9 ISBN-10: 1-934734-20-9 Dewey: 590 Interest Level: K-3 Subjects: Zoo animals. Animals. Toy and movable books. Illustrator: Fukuda, Toyofumi Booklist A zoo tour between covers, this oversize volume brings viewers face to face with a menagerie of creatures, from anteaters to zebras. Each spread features a laser-sharp, actual-size photograph of an animals body, usually its face, as well as a sidebar that lists a few basic facts in a whimsical, comic-panel format. Throughout, prompts encourage viewers to notice additional details: a camels luxuriously long eyelashes; a tigers roughly textured tongue; the white tips on a tapirs ears. Several spreads fold out to accommodate larger animals; a four-panel image of an Asian elephant, who seems to eye the viewer warily, is unforgettable. The photographs give a visceral sense of what it might feel like to touch the animals, and the words bring in more sensory detail: a rhinos skin, for example, looks Classifications: Nonfiction Reading Level: 2.6

tough . . . but it feels nice and warm. The playful table of contents, designed as a cartoon aerial map of a zoo, and endpapers filled with full-body snapshots of the animals complete this innovative introduction to global creatures thats perfect for group sharing. Preschool-Grade 2. --Gillian Engberg Title: Animals : a children's encyclopedia. Publisher: DK, p2008, c2008 ISBN-13: 978-0-7566-4027-9 ISBN-10: 0-7566-4027-X Dewey: 590.3 Interest Level: 3-6 Subjects: Animals Encyclopedias. Zoology Encyclopedias. Booklist This encyclopedia offers a thorough introduction to the animal kingdom for young readers, starting with a chapter discussing various animal behaviors, life cycles, and habitats. The book is arranged by the major groups of animals: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Color coding along the edge of the page allows readers to quickly find their desired section. Within each section, students are introduced to the key features of the groups, families, and species that follow. For example, the section on mammals begins with discussions on such topics as being born alive and having hair. Following the introduction are profiles of specific creatures with information about habitat, geographic location, size, life span, and conservation status. Fact Files highlight specific information. Young readers will especially enjoy the graphics that indicate the relative size of animals compared to the average human. Also appealing for young readers are the speech bubbles that appear in some of the larger photographs. For example, the bubble Im ready to go fishing! accompanies the image of a chimpanzee, along with an explanation that chimps have the ability to make and use tools to fish for ants and termites. The highlight of this book is certainly the stunning visual layout. The color photographs are vibrant and abundant. This engaging encyclopedia is certain to appeal to browsers and researchers alike and would be a welcome addition to any school and public library reference collection. Grades K-4. --Maren Ostergard Title: Children's encyclopedia of American history / by David C. King. Publisher: DK ,In association with the Smithsonian Institution, p2003, c2003 ISBN-13: 978-0-7894-8330-0 ISBN-10: 0-7894-8330-0 Dewey: 973 Interest Level: 3-6 Subjects: United States History Encyclopedias. Publishers Weekly Produced in association with the Smithsonian Institution, DK's Children's Encyclopedia of American History by David King is a comprehensive overview lavishly illustrated with period photographs, paintings and drawings of people, objects and events, as well as maps and charts. Separate topics-from "The Constitution" to "Terrorism Strikes Home"-unfold in double-page spreads throughout 18 chronologically organized chapters. An appendix Classifications: Nonfiction Reading Level: 6.2 LCCN: 2002-073388 Classifications: Nonfiction Reading Level: 5.1 LCCN: 2008-004654

includes a list of the U.S. presidents, a chart of key facts about the 50 states, and the texts of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and its Amendments, plus the Gettysburg Address. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. School Library Journal Grade 5-9-A visually enticing and textually fascinating survey. Grouped thematically and chronologically (with overlap where necessary), the 18 chapters span the centuries, starting with 1000-1607 ("Two Worlds Meet"-a look at the indigenous cultures and the impacts of European exploration) and concluding with 2000-2002 ("A New Millennium"-September 11, 2001, and beyond). Chapters consist of up to 10 two- to four-page spreads and open with an introduction that offers a few paragraphs of text, a representative graphic, a brief overview, and a time line. A typical spread contains a colored tab indicating the years addressed, maps, captioned photos, sidebars that elaborate on specific events, reproductions of paintings and drawings, definitions, and cross-references. Appendixes include a compendium of presidents; state facts; and the full text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address. Tied more to themes and historical strands than Chronicle of America (DK, 2000), this book is also more approachable and will be especially appealing to students intimidated by textheavy resources. Mary R. Hofmann, Rivera Middle School, Merced, CA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. Title: The Kingfisher children's illustrated dictionary & thesaurus. Publisher: Kingfisher, p2011, c2011 ISBN-13: 978-0-7534-6469-4 ISBN-10: 0-7534-6469-1 Dewey: 423 Interest Level: 3-6 Subjects: English language Dictionaries. English language Synonyms and antonyms. Booklist One of the challenges when designing books for children is to present information in a way that is appealing to them. The second edition of The Kingfisher Children's Illustrated Dictionary and Thesaurus meets this challenge. The design of the book makes it intuitive for students to use. . . . The illustrations and information on these pages will spark the imagination of the reader. . . . This book would be a good resource for elementary-school-age students and is recommended for both elementary-school and public libraries. Library Media Connection Revised from the 2003 edition, this new combination dictionary and thesaurus has a slightly more sophisticated look with the same basic features. Students can learn proper pronounciation, parts of speech, and spelling tips. Illustrations accompany many of the entries, and full page spreads on random topics add interest. Children's Literature The clear definitions of words will help to strengthen a young person's vocabulary...The pictures and drawings complement and clarify the definitions. Classifications: Reference Reading Level: 5.2

Title: Children's world atlas / consultant, Kathleen Baker ; written by Simon Adams ... et al.. Publisher: DK, p2011, c2011 ISBN-13: 978-0-7566-7584-4 ISBN-10: 0-7566-7584-7 Dewey: 912 Interest Level: 3-6 Classifications: Nonfiction Reading Level: 6.6

Included in These Sets/Series: eBook Bundle: Elementary Social Studies Subjects: Atlases. School Library Journal Grade 6-8-While information is presented in a visually striking way, this atlas has some shortfalls in its text. The book is arranged by continent, with spreads focusing on specific areas such as "Western Canada and Alaska," and "The Caribbean." Some individual countries are also highlighted, but none for Africa. The plentiful maps form the centerpiece of the spreads. They show some topography while emphasizing man-made elements with limited coverage of physical features. They are surrounded by visual vignettes with clear but mostly small photos and brief descriptions of a city, crop, product, holiday, sport, animal, natural resource, or a cultural attribute. While these chunks of facts may appeal to some readers, others may find them distracting. Inaccuracies are evident in a few places. Students will want to use a complementary source such as Lands and Peoples (Grolier, 2003) with this atlas. Paul J. Bisnette, Silas Bronson Library, Waterbury, CT Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Title: The encyclopedia of junior science [multi-volume set] / Cheryl Jakab, David Keystone. Publisher: Chelsea Clubhouse, p2009, c2007 ISBN-13: 978-1-60413-554-1 ISBN-10: 1-60413-554-9 Dewey: 503 Interest Level: 5-8 Subjects: Science Encyclopedias. Booklist This set introduces students to basic science concepts. Approximately 270 entries are arranged alphabetically. Each entry is one to two pages in length, with a tab indicating which branch(es) of science is associated with the topic: biology, chemistry, earth, environment, physics, and space. The top right-hand corner of each page-spread features a guide letter and guide words to aid students in navigating the contents of each volume. Each of the entries starts off with a simple definition and concludes with a listing of cross-references. The writing is basic, and much of the information is presented in the form of charts and bulleted lists. Fast Fact boxes highlight single pieces of information. The layout is open and bright, featuring lots of white space as well as color photographs and illustrations on every page. Volume 10 contains an alphabetical index, a thematic index, and an index of scientists as well as definitions for selected Fields of Science. The volume concludes with a variety of scientific tables, charts, Classifications: Reference Reading Level: 7.5 LCCN: 2008-038113

classifications, and scales. A Table of Elements offers the name, chemical symbol, and atomic number for only the first 20 elements. Only 5 of the elements from the table are actually highlighted as entries in the set. This set would be useful for school and public libraries seeking a science encyclopedia, particularly for elementary students. Grades 4-9. --Maren Ostergard