Germany is a very interesting place when we see it through the eyes of our youthful tour guide, Johann. He starts off by showing us where Germany is compared to the U.S. and within Europe. After we get the geography out of the way, Johann treats us to a tour of his home, his school and important places in his country (Berlin, the Black Forest, etc.). We learn about German foods and proper manners at the table, as well as celebrations and a recipe for potato pancakes (yum!). Johann also describes activities that are popular in his country, from skiing to a fun board game.

There is a timeline and many facts given in accessible “bites”. Students will want to dedicate some time to further research after reading about the history of the pretzel or all the familiar items originating in Germany (gummy bears, jet engines and garden gnomes are just a few!). There is also a traditional German tale and a guessing game. Johann ends with a page of information to use if you wish to travel to Germany and a comparison chart of U.S. and Germany.

Nonfiction elements include: table of contents, index, glossary, timeline, maps and website for further investigation. There are color photos and clean text, which is sometimes colored to stand out on the page.

This is a very engaging book that packs a great deal of information into 32 pages. It is part of the Follow Me Around series and when students read one, they won’t want to stop. So, buy the series and update your tired, old social studies section. The students will love them!

Seamus is our guide as we tour around his home country of Ireland. This book is part of the Follow Me Around series, which explores countries through the eyes of children. Along the way, students learn about the Seamus’ home, school, leisure activities, celebrations, and more. We learn about the capital, Dublin, as well as other cities and interesting places along the way. Ireland is known for many things: leprechauns, the Blarney Stone, four leaf clovers and limericks (there are five in the book!). But, Ireland is also a place with an amazing history and Seamus gives the us a few facts, which will send students off to other books and the internet for further exploration. Who wouldn’t want to learn more about bog people and fairy forts?

This book has the typical nonfiction elements: index, glossary, maps, table of contents and timeline. The pictures are colorful and the text is clean and succinct. This book and the rest of the series is recommended.

Our guide, Harisha, takes us on a tour of her home country of India in this installment of the Follow Me Around series. We learn much about Indian culture and history from Harisha’s perspective, including the foods she eats and her school life. Traditional celebrations are discussed and directions for an Indian mirror are given. There are many facts presented in short paragraphs with accompanying illustrations. We also learn to count to ten in Hindi and see several basic yoga poses, which originated in India. A timeline gives some basic historical information and a traditional Indian tale is introduced by Harisha.
There is a lot of information in this slim volume of only 32 pages. It is colorful and engaging to the reader. It is very accessible and students will enjoy the perspective of a child their age. This is a recommended purchase for those looking to update their tired social studies section!

Fausto is our guide through the country of Italy. The information is given from the perspective of a young boy, who takes us to his apartment and school, explaining his family’s activities and lifestyle. We learn about traditional Italian foods and famous people/things from Italy. Two large cities, Rome and Venice, are described and Fausto tells us about celebrations and leisure activities. Fun facts are presented in a couple of two-page spreads (You Won’t Believe This! and It Came From Italy). There is also a comparison chart (U.S. vs. Italy) and a Guessing Game with more facts.

This book does a great job of getting a lot of information out in a relatively few pages, keeping the reading engages all the while. The time-line only goes to 1946 But, that’s understandable when it starts in 753 BCE! There is a nice map at the beginning to help us get our bearings and a nice page of travel preparation tips for would-be world travelers.

The illustrations are crisp and well done and the text is clean and, at times, colorful. Typical nonfiction features include table of contents, index, glossary, time-line and web address for further exploration.

This is part of the Follow Me Around series, which is recommended for updating your social studies section. It is very accessible and engaging.

Ksenia is a child in Russia, who takes the reader on a tour of her country, culture and history. Starting with the question “Where in the world is Russia?”, Ksenia takes the reader to her home, school, Moscow and St. Petersburg. She then tells the reader about celebrations (with a fun recipe for blini) and leisure activities. Interspersed throughout are fun facts, counting from one to ten, comparisons between the United States and Russia as well as a time-line and information about travelling to Russia.

This book is part of the Follow Me Around series and includes the requisite nonfiction features: index, glossary, time-line, table of contents and map.

This is a great introduction to Russia and using a child as a ‘guide’ makes it very accessible and interesting for young readers. Students can use this book for reports or general interest and will definitely continue to explore information about the country. There is just enough to whet their appetites for more! This is a great book for those intending to update their social studies collection. Recommended.

Pig the Pug is at it again. We know he has a hard time sharing, but now we learn that he HAS to win or “it just ain’t fun”. One day, he and his long-suffering friend, Trevor (the dachshund) were eating dinner and Pig challenged him to an eating race. It’s a good thing that Trevor had apparently taken first aid, because he had to use the Heimlich Maneuver on his gluttonous pal, Pig. Instead of a thank you, Pig said exactly what we expected…”I win!” There’s a bit of Karma at the end of the story, because the bowl that Trevor dislodged from Pig’s throat ended up ricocheting off the wall and hitting Pig on the head. Does that stop his cheating? What do you think?

Illustrations are wonderfully goofy and kids will love the expressions on the faces of Pig and Trevor. White backgrounds make the dogs “pop” on the pages and move the story along.
This is a great companion book to Pig the Pug and can start some good conversations about friendship, kindness, and sportsmanship. Books that highlight these attributes are in high demand, and Pig does a great job of showing kids how you shouldn’t act! Recommended.

Part of a six book series on all things involving a horse and a rider, Intro to Eventing is a great introduction to three main events of the equine triathlon: dressage, cross-country and show jumping. The book starts with a story from the 2000 Olympics and then moves into the history of the sport. After that, the chapters move into each part of the triathlon with a discussion of what is is, equipment and attire needed, the scoring and some strategies. There are photos throughout and a page with further internet resources. Typical nonfiction features include a table of contents, glossary and index. Your horse-loving kids will keep this book checked out.

Readers who are car enthusiasts will enjoy Tesla Model S. This book, part of the “Car Crazy” series, is a high interest-lower level book. As such, there are usually four to six short sentences per page and lots of illustrations. Words that might be unfamiliar are bolded within the text and explained in the glossary. Other nonfiction elements include table of contents, index and nice box of tesla specs that will excite the readers (top speed of 155 mph? Wow!). Add this book to your collection for those lower level readers who love to talk about cars.

Squids is a great introduction to this wily cephalopod. The text is manageable and words that might be unfamiliar are bolded and defined in the glossary. There are plenty of photos, many labeled, that illustrate the information presented. The ‘chapters’ are well-organized around squid relatives, diet, life cycle, predators and anatomy. Typical nonfiction features include a table of contents, index, glossary and extra resources for further study. This book is part of “Ocean Life Up Close” series and a good addition for those libraries that need updated materials.

This book is set in the 1830’s near the Amazon jungle, when most of a scientific exploration party fails to return to the ship. Those that return bring something evil with them that might destroy the rest of the crew aboard the Polaris. The crew mutinies, kills the captain and abandon ship after attempting to blow it up. They leave behind the youngest crew members led by twelve year old Owen, the ship captain’s nephew. This ragtag bunch of kids decide that the only way to survive is to sail the ship themselves several hundred miles to the United States. Unbeknownst to them, there is a horrible creature below decks, who used to be an adult shipmate that was sickened in the jungle. He doesn’t look very human anymore and becomes less human as the trip progresses. They attempt to keep him/it trapped below deck, but that is where the food is. So, they face starvation, storms, and an angry, hungry creature on their journey to civilization.
Polaris is a book that keeps the reader immersed in the action and eager to find out what will happen next to the brave group of kids. Do they survive? What happened to the man below decks and will it infect them or will he/it eat them first? This story is equally historical fiction, science fiction and horror and will keep readers up at night as they devour this action-packed book.
The author’s note at the end explains the basis for his story – the 1830’s as a time of great scientific exploration (most notably, Charles Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle) and the ‘zombie bug’ fungus (a real Amazonian fungus that infects ants and directs them to march back to their colonies where the fungal spores are released from the hosts’ heads to the rest of the colony – this kind of stuff can’t be made up…it’s nature!). Fortunately, for humans…these kind of things don’t jump between species…we hope.

Bruno needs to take a bath. But, there is one problem…the whale in the bathtub! This whale loves bubble baths and warm water. He uses dad’s back scrubber and takes hours to bathe! What will Bruno do? He tries to tell his parents, sister and brother that a bath is out of the question because of the whale. But, they don’t believe him. Apparently, Bruno has told some tales before (involving a walrus and a bear).

In the end, it works out. The whale helps Bruno by giving him a shower – blowholes come in handy, don’t they? Bruno heads to bed and his mom says he smells a bit fishy (must be the krill). The last page will delight young readers as Bruno’s big sister enters the water-logged bathroom and gets a surprise!

Readers will enjoy the simple text and illustrations that fill the pages. This book will elicit some giggles and guffaws from kids that might just wish they had whales in their bathtubs! Recommended.

Engineer It! Bridge Projects is part of The Engineer It! series for budding civil engineers or any other kids that like to build and possibly, destroy popsicle stick, cardboard and clay structures. How cool is that?

The book opens with descriptions of several types of bridges, their uses and parts. The next section is the fun part – a list of possible materials and directions for five bridges that can be made with household items. The directions are clear with several accompanying photos to illustrate steps. Each bridge type has some extra information in boxes, ranging from added history to the physics of what makes that bridge work so well.

This is a wonderful addition to the STEAM classroom. Materials are readily available and inexpensive. It will lead to some amazing bridges and associated learning. Buy it! Highly Recommended.

Pig the pug is back in a sassy book about sore losers and cheaters – both are Pig. Pig can’t stand to lose and he will cheat to win or worse, cry and whine until the winner gives in. His friend, Trevor (a sweet-tempered dachshund) puts up with his terrible friend (apparently, dachshunds will be friends with anyone).

One evening, they were about to eat dinner when Pig yells that it is a contest to see who can eat fastest. Trevor doesn’t want to compete; he just wants to eat. But, Pig starts chomping down kibble and sausages and…his bowl! Thankfully, Trevor knows the Heimlich maneuver and saves Pig’s life, only to hear Pig screech “I win” just before said bowl hits him on the head (good riddance). The story ends with Pig (bandage on head) and Trevor playing a game of cards. Pig seems to be a much better sport now and has learned his lesson…or has he?

This book is a wonderful read-aloud and discussion starter with young children, some who probably could learn some lessons themselves from Pig the pug. The text is simple and rhyming and the illustrations are outrageous and fun. Kids will love this book and learn something along the way. Recommended

Thelma didn’t start out as a unicorn. She was a rather plain pony hanging out in a field with her friend, Otis the donkey. She was sad, though. She wanted so badly to be unicorn – beautiful, magical, sparkly and adored by all.

One day, she tied a carrot to her forehead and thought “I’ll say that I ‘m a unicorn. It might just work…who knows?” Well, just at that moment, a truck fortuitously loaded with pink paint and glitter happened to drive by and the driver was so startled by Thelma that he swerved and dumped paint and glitter on her!

Thelma was an instant star – a beautiful, glittery, pink unicorn. Life was wonderful…for awhile. She loved the attention and fame. But, it didn’t take long for Thelma to realize that her life was no longer her own. Her fans were a rabid lot, following her EVERYWHERE! And, some people were actually quite mean.

Thelma, the unicorn, wished she was back to being Thelma, the pony. So, she washed off all that paint and glitter and walked right past the crowd of fans to her friend, Otis. And, she told him that she would rather just be herself.

This is a lovely book about self-acceptance and true friendship. Thelma can teach kids a thing or two. The text is rhyming and the illustrations are hilarious. Kids will love Thelma, the pony – turned unicorn-turned back to pony! Recommended.

This book is part of the Cool Makerspace series and details the steps to making six pop-up projects using readily available tools and materials. It begins with a definition of the notion of ‘makerspace”. Following that are details about supplies, art tips and techniques. Projects are shown in six to seventeen steps, some with helpful color illustrations. Typical nonfiction elements of Table of contents, glossary and index are included.

Adult supervision might be necessary for the younger crowd as a craft knife is required for a few of the projects. Kids will love the ideas presented and can use them as jumping-off points for further crafty exploration of pop-ups. Recommended

Maisie Hitchins, a young girl living with her grandmother in Victorian England, is an intrepid detective, solving cases from her grandmother’s boarding house.

In this fourth book of The Mysteries of Maisie Hitchins series, she sets out to solve the mystery of the stolen Amazonian mask for her friend, Professor Tobin. He had travelled the world collecting wonderful artifacts, which Maisie spends countless hours dusting in his room at the boarding house. He decides to donate items to the British Museum, when the prized mask disappears! Maisie is on the job with her helpful friend, George, and loyal dog, Eddie.

Through their investigation, they learn that a boy (Daniel) from the Amazonian tribe from whom Professor Tobin procured the mask is in England to retrieve said mask. He is part of a side show while he searches for the mask, which he needs to take back to the Amazon rainforest in order to remove the bad luck that befell his tribe when his grandfather gave mask away. Together the three children find the thief and the mask. Daniel sets said from England with the mask as Maisie, George, Eddie and Professor Tobin wave goodbye.
This is a sweet little mystery with a strong female character.

Maisie is smart, resourceful and brave. The setting and some of the language will be unfamiliar to younger readers, but where better to get an introduction to Victorian England than in a mystery? This part of a series, yet this particular book can stand alone.

Max, a 3rd grade boy, is getting used to his new life as a boy with two homes. One home is with mom – the home in which he has always lived. The other home is his dad’s new apartment, with a bedroom for Max and boxes everywhere.

Max isn’t so sure about this new home arrangement and sometimes fells sad. But, as he gets to know the people in dad’s apartment building and neighborhood and starts some new weekend routines, he realizes that home can be in more than one place.

The main characters are Caucasian, but many of the secondary characters, including Max’s best friend, are multiethnic. The illustrations capture the gentle tone of the book, done in black and white.

This story is very relevant to today’s children, many of whom are living the life that Max shares with two parents and two homes. The emotions that he feels are normal and the reader will understand that those feelings are okay and things can get better, because mom and dad still love Max – even if they are in two different places.

Recommended

Inside the US Army is an attractively organized book that is full of information. It begins with a description of the army, its training and equipment and ends with the future of the army (robots, computers, etc.). There is a labeled diagram of an infantry soldier and gear as well as a bulleted page of army history.

Typical nonfiction features (table of contents, text boxes, index and glossary) are clearly organized. Further reading resources include both books and internet materials.

Soldiers pictured are varied ethnicity and sex, which is encouraging for young readers. This book is part of the US Armed Forces series and a solid addition for the younger readers in your library.

A young girl has a new cat, but has a very difficult time naming it. She tries many lovely names, like Lorraine and Ethel, until she discovers that her pet is a male cat. Whoops! The list of potential boy cat names include Butch and Rocky. Mr. Maestro seems to be fine, until she joins in on the musical fun and the cat disappears. She looks everywhere, even the zoo, where she picks up another pet. Steve, the gorilla, is a nice pet, but eventually gets hauled away by the Bureau for Naughty Animals and ‘Tricky’ the cat returns (with a new collar and name). Hmmm….

This book is a busy, colorful riot of fun and readers will enjoy studying the pages for all the crazy details related to the story. Cat lovers will cheer for Tricky, the cat. Recommended.

A young bear stumbles across a piano in a clearing in the forest and began to play. Each day, he came back until the sounds coming from that piano became beautiful and magical. Other bears came to listen to his music and he was so happy. One day, a man and his daughter walked to the clearing and heard the bear play. They told him that he could come with them to play on even better pianos in front of hundreds of people in cities everywhere. He wanted to go, but worried that his friends would be sad. But, in his heart wanted to play music in a bigger, better way. So, he left with the people and did just that.

Yet, he began to miss the forest and his friends. One day, he went back, wondering if they would be angry with him for leaving or perhaps had forgotten him. He reached the clearing and…nothing! No piano or friends! Suddenly, he saw a fellow bear and followed him to find his old piano. His friends had taken care of it and had followed his career. They weren’t mad – they were proud of him! He then sat down to play the most important concert of his life…for his friends.

This is a lovely story and a lovely book with soft colors and a wonderful message. Highly recommended.

Kids love books about sharks and they will learn some great information in this book as they turn through the pages showing gaping mouths and dagger-sharp teeth. The photos will grab their attention and the text-boxes, labels and short sentences will teach them such information as the life span of great whites (30+ years), swimming speed (35+ miles per hour) and reproduction (two to twelve pups that develop inside the female). Typical non-fiction features (table of contents, labeled diagrams, index and glossary round out a solid introduction to this great predator. Recommended

Earth Movers is a high interest book for those readers that love to play with trucks or in the dirt or both! Large photos with labels and information (bolded words are explained in the glossary) are attractively laid out on bright background colors. Associated nonfiction features (table of contents, index and glossary) are helpful additions for the younger readers just getting started.

This book will not last long on the shelf and readers will learn some things along the way. Recommended.

Breathtaking photography with some good science mixed in – this book should interest most budding marine biologists. An introduction explains the history and process of photography. After that, the reader discovers some amazing animals of the ocean in glorious living color. Textboxes indicate scientific name, habitat, diet and size of each coral. Corresponding text adds extra information, some rather frivolous, but mostly interesting.

At the end of the book, the reader is invited to become a photographer, with tips to get started. Perhaps, this book, part of the Up Close series, will encourage a future wildlife photographer to take that first step. Or, it might prompt a future naturalist to take a closer look at organisms around her.

This book is a tour of all things Japan introduced by a young girl named Satchiko. The pages are loaded with information about daily living, school and home, customs, food, art and history. There is a guessing game as well as comparisons between Japan and America. An additional section called “Preparing for Your Visit” will help future travelers get ready for their trips to the featured country.

An index, glossary and table of contents are strong non-fiction features and the colorful layout lends itself to browsing as well as deeper reading for information. Recommended!