Reviews
Rhyme and PUNishment: Adventures in Wordplay
“The man behind the Words Are CATegorical series here introduces puns galore via homophones and homonyms. . . factoids and visual clues help to decipher the meaning of the puns.” —Publishers Weekly View →
Crafts from Your Favorite Children's Stories
“Children will like these 20 imaginative projects. . . Each one is covered in a two-page spread, with a materials list followed by a numbered list of steps. The directions are clear and well illustrated with cartoonlike watercolor art. . . As a supplement to storytelling or for… View →
Jellies: The Life of Jellyfish
“Gorgeous full-color underwater photos and a simple, readable text provide a fascinating introduction. . . this colorful, attractive book will entice and inform.” —School Library Journal View →
Pet Hermit Crab
“The pictures clearly depict the topic at hand, and often, enhance it.” —School Library Journal View →
Dearly, Nearly, Insincerely: What Is an Adverb?
“A playful, rhyming text and cartoon art vividly explain adverbs and their functions.” —Publishers Weekly View →
Stateswoman to the World: A Story about Eleanor Roosevelt
“. . .an effective, informative biography about an impressive, inspirational woman.” —School Library Journal View →
Juneteenth
“The description of slavery is brave in its honesty, difficult to read but necessary to understand. . . Realistic paintings in vibrant colors illustrate these easy readers.” —School Library Journal View →
Between the Dragon and the Eagle
“. . . there are interesting episodes along the journey, good period background, and an interesting plot.” —School Library Journal View →
Danger at the Breaker
“In simple yet never condescending prose, Welch relates the compelling story of a young boy’s first day at work in the Pennsylvania coal mines of the 1880s. . . The author brings a new (and welcome) level of realism to the easy-reader format.” —… View →
Hanukkah Moon
The monthly Sephardic Jewish celebration of the new moon, or Rosh Hodesh, which always falls during the eight days of Chanukah is cheerfully highlighted in this unusual holiday offering. A young girl spends a couple of nights with her aunt who “just moved here from Mexico”… View →
Colors of Japan
“The soft, fluid, in some cases almost monochromatic pictures suit the narrative.” —School Library Journal View →
Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie
“. . .The tale stands alone as an exciting account of a young girls’s courage. The vivid wather color paintings are highly effective. . . All in all, one of the best historical beginning- to-reads—a refreshing cold blast of salty real life.” … View →
Fire at the Triangle Factory
“Littlefield relates the historical events through these likeable characters with whom youngsters will easily identify. . . The colorful illustrations complement the text and follow the story nicely.” —School Library Journal View →
With Open Hands: A Story about Biddy Mason
“. . .informative and straightforward. An inspirational book about a woman usually overlooked in biographies for this age group.” —School Library Journal View →
Chinese New Year
“On nearly every page, illustrations depict people of all ages preparing for and celebrating Chinese New Year.” —Booklist View →
From Clay to Bricks
“This photo-essay in the Start to Finish series follows the step-by-step process used to manufacture bricks. Plenty of full-color, action-packed photographs are included.” —Book Links View →
Written Anything Good Lately?
“. . .it’s easy to see how children could use this friendly book to brainstorm their own list of writing genres, or try their hands at creative fables, greeting cards, haiku, journals, and more.” —Book Links View →
Washington Is Burning
“Notable for telling a historical event from the viewpoint of a slave. . . realistic paintings in vibrant colors illustrate these easy readers.” —School Library Journal View →
Blue Everywhere
“These bold and busy titles discuss where the colors occur in nature, describe their various shades, and discuss the meaning behind popular sayings or ‘fun facts’ about them. Well suited to independent reading, with simple sentence structure and boxed facts that… View →
Writer of the Plains: A Story about Willa Cather
“The lively narrative is clear and concise and the storylike tone of the text will sustain the attention of readers. Attractive charcoal pencil drawings appear throughout.” —School Library Journal View →
“Markle knows how to find just the right balance of facts for her intended audience and has selected shinning, full-color photographs to complement her texts. . . These books offer an outstanding combination of fascinating texts and informative, appealing photos.” … View →
Buttons for General Washington
“. . . Subtly hued watercolors add an old-fashioned ambience and draw on the suspense of the story.” —Booklist View →
Dian Fossey and the Mountain Gorillas
“A worthwhile On My Own Biography with a simple text and colorful illustrations that should appeal to younger readers.” —Appraisal View →
Rosh Hashanah: A Family Service
“Whether these books are used for family services or as checklists for discussing the High Holidays with young children, they are a welcome, thought-provoking addition to the Jewish Kid Lit.” View →