What’s Inside Me?/ Que hay dentro de mi? My Bones and Muscles/ Huesos y musculos

The focus of this bilingual series is our human body. This particular title centers on our bones and muscles. Our bones are the framework for our body. We have 206 of them, and together, they are called our skeleton. We have more than 600 muscles in our bodies. Vocabulary is technical and challenging, including  “spine, pelvis, ligaments, and tendons”.   Text would be an appropriate source of information for research and report writing. Glossary, diagrams, and index included.

What’s Inside Me?/ Que hay dentro de mi? My Heart and Blood/ El corazon y la sangre

The focus of this bilingual series is our human body. This particular title centers on our heart and circulatory system. The heart pumps blood all throughout your body. The blood carries oxygen, which helps us move, think, and breathe. Arteries are tubes that carry blood away from your heart, and blood goes back to your heart through tubes called veins. Vocabulary is technical and challenging, including  “nutrients, capillaries, and kidneys “.   Text would be an appropriate source of information for research and report writing. Glossary, diagrams, and index included.

What’s Inside Me?/ Que hay dentro de mi? My Brain/El cerebro

The focus of this bilingual series is our human body. This particular title centers on our brain and nervous system. The cerebrum is in charge of thinking, the cerebellum is in charge of how your body moves, and the brain stem is in charge of keeping your body alive. Vocabulary is technical and challenging, including  “spinal cord and nerves, “.   Text would be an appropriate source of information for research and report writing. Glossary, diagrams, and index included.

What’s Inside Me?/ Que hay dentro de mi? My Lungs/Los pulmones

The focus of this bilingual series is our human body. This particular title centers on our lungs and breathing system. Anatomy and function of lungs is explained.  Vocabulary is technical and challenging, including words like “oxygen, diaphragm, carbon dioxide, and trachea”.   Text would be appropriate as a source of information for research and report writing. Glossary, diagrams, and index included.

What’s Inside Me? Que hay dentro de mi? My Stomach El estomago

The focus of this bilingual series is our human body. This particular title centers on our stomach and digestive system. Food gives our body energy; it keeps us strong and healthy. Vocabulary is technical and challenging, including words like “saliva, nutrients, esophagus, and intestine”.   Text would be appropriate as a source of information for research and report writing. Glossary, diagrams, and index included.

What’s Inside Me? Que hay dentro de mi?: My Skin La piel

The focus of this bilingual series is our human body. This particular title centers on our skin-its function and appearance. Layers of skin are explained-the epidermis and dermis, where blood vessels reside and nerves provide sensation. Hair, skin color, and protection are also described. Vocabulary is technical and challenging; text would be appropriate as a source of information for research and report writing. Glossary, diagrams, and index included.

At Home on the Mountain Mi casa en la montana

This bilingual reader focuses on what it’s like to live in the mountains.  It pictures the necessarily sturdy housing and vehicles, changeable weather, and snowy conditions. Included are bears and eagles, as well as recreational opportunities.  At the end, specific words are identified and translated-“snowmobile, streams, trails, graze, and avalanche”.  Includes index.

At Home in the City en la ciudad

This bilingual reader focuses on what it’s like to live in a city.  It pictures the crowded streets and sidewalks with numerous cars and people. Included are rooftop gardens, parks, tourist attractions, buses, cabs, and subways.  At the end, specific words are identified and translated-“elevator, skyscrapers”.  Includes index.

At Home on the Farm Mi casa en la granja

This bilingual reader focuses on what it’s like to live on a farm.  It describes the numerous chores: feeding animals their grain, cleaning the barn, collecting eggs from the chickens, milking cows, shearing/herding sheep, and growing crops like corn and wheat.   At the end, specific words are identified and translated-“harvest, horses, wool”.  Includes index.

At Home on the Ranch Mi casa en el rancho

This bilingual reader focuses on what it’s like to live on a ranch.  It describes the big open fields where lots of cattle graze in fenced areas. Mention is made of  corrals, cowboys and their clothing as it relates to their work, driving and branding cattle, and campfires.  At the end, specific words are identified and translated-“rodeo, roundup, veterinarian”. Includes index.

At Home in the Desert Mi casa en el desierto

These bilingual readers reinforce language skills for young scholars. This title describes the desert biome with  geology of sand and rocks, where the temperature climbs past 100 degrees, animals adapt by staying shaded by day and hunting by night, and it does not rain for months. Title features wildflowers, cacti, and tourist attractions. Specific words are identified and translated-“canyon, dust devil, spines”. Includes index.

Guess Who Dives Adivina quien se zambulle

Told in a riddle format, with clues re: mammal behavior and anatomy, ocean habitat, name for young and groupings, movement, hunting, and echolocation this little reader offers excellent information on the dolphin. Full-color photos reveal only portions of the mammal, page by page, so as not to give away the  identity too easily.  In addition to reading comprehension and language practice, this title could be used for primary level research. Includes index, focus on specific vocabulary such as “teeth”, and a “Challenge” Word: “blowhole”

Guess Who Hides Adivina quien se esconde

Told in a riddle format, with clues re: habitat, prey, appearance, hatching of young, and anatomical features like giant eyes, a strong jaw, and hard shell covering, this little reader offers excellent information on the turtle. Full-color photos reveal only portions of the reptile, page by page, so as not to give away the  identity too easily.  In addition to reading comprehension and language practice, this title could be used for primary level research. Includes index, focus on specific vocabulary such as “jaw”, and “Challenge” Word: “hatchling”

Guess Who Changes Adivina quien cambia

Told in a riddle format, with clues re: habitat, appearance, life cycle, anatomical features this little reader offers excellent information on the butterfly. Full-color photos reveal only portions of the insect, page by page, so as not to give away the  identity too easily.   In addition to reading comprehension and language practice, this title could be used for primary level research. Includes index, focus on specific vocabulary such as “caterpillar”, and “Challenge” Word: “pupa”

Guess Who Grabs Adivina quien atrapa

Told in a riddle format, with clues re: habitat, appearance, shy behavior, prey, life cycle, anatomical features suited to hunting like big eyes, eight arms, tentacles and the ability to camouflage or shoot black ink, this little reader offers excellent information on the octopus. Full-color photos reveal only portions of the animal, page by page, so as not to give away the animal’s identity too easily.   In addition to reading comprehension and language practice, this title could be used for primary level research. Includes index, focus on specific vocabulary, and “Challenge” Words.

Guess Who Roars Adivina quien ruge

Told in a riddle format, with clues re: habitat, appearance, names for young and family grouping, prey, anatomical features suited to hunting like strong legs, good eyesight and hearing, powerful paws, sharp claws, and long teeth, this little reader offers excellent information on lions. Full-color photography. In addition to reading comprehension and language aquisition, this title could be used for primary level research. Includes index and “Challenge” Words.

Guess Who Swoops Adivina quien baja en picada

Told in a riddle format, with clues re: habitat, nest, nocturnal behavior, prey, anatomical features suited to hunting like sharp claws, a strong beak, good eyesight, outstanding hearing, and the ability to fly silently because of wing structure, this little reader offers excellent information on barn owls.  Colorful photos hold one’s attention. In addition to reading comprehension and language aquisition, this could be used for primary level research. Includes index.

 

Tasmanian Devils

Its strong jaws and teeth crush bones; bright red ears add to its fiendish countenance; its screeches and growls are “scary”: welcome to the world of the Tasmanian Devil. With a name like that, this title is sure to attract curious young readers. Bold, close-up photography allows one to visualize this Australian marsupial; the easy-to-read text covers life cycle, behaviors, prey, protection and habitat. Laws actually protect this spooky dog-like animal. Glossary, index, and additional titles included.

Series includes: Bandicoots, Crocodiles, Dingoes, Kangaroos, Koalas, Platypuses, and Wombats.

The Galapagos Islands

Welcome to the Galapagos-an amazing place like nowhere else on earth, most definitely, a natural treasure. Vivid, enticing photograhy entices the reader to explore facinating geographic and political history, botanical descriptions, and the Ecuadorians who inhabit the islands. Also featured, are the discoveries/theories of Charles Darwin, and legislation- the Galapagos Special Law-enacted  to protect and conserve this fragile ecosystem. With a format that enables students to quickly access specific information (glossary, Fast Facts, and index) this title is a valued addition to our collection.

Titles in Series: The Great Barrier Reef, The Great Lakes, The Nile, The Sahara

My First Book of Russian Words

This bilingual picture dictionary with its  colorful photos and bold text is sure to draw the interest of young readers. Includes these categories: members of a family, parts of the body, clothing, toys, rooms in a home, food, farm animals, garden plants, colors, classroom vocabulary,  city words, numbers, and useful phrases. Dictionary begins with a brief explanation of the Russian alphabet/ language, and concludes with additional titles. Even if one isn’t traveling to the Russian Federation, it’s important take a peek at other cultures and languages; we are, afterall, a global society.

Series includes these languages: French, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish

Presumed Missing

Abby is puzzled when she discovers many of her favorite books are missing from the library.  She checks the shelf, the cart of books waiting to be shelved, and the online catalog.  The books should be there!  Then she sees a suspicious man with a briefcase, with one of the books inside, racing out of the library.  She jumps to conclusions and enlists the Book Bunch to help her solve the mystery.  This simple story contains several small side issues of school bullies, family dynamics, and library procedures.  Many black and white drawings by Amanda Chronister complement the action.

Sylvia Long’s Thumbelina

Rich in language and visually stunning, Long’s retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale, is a treasure to behold. Lessons re: kindness, compassion, loyalty, and happiness are embedded, and  ring as true today as they did so many years ago. Readers will delight in following this tiny girl’s adventures, and benefit from exposure to  different perspectives, provided by a cast of characters which includes a toad, fish, butterfly, beetle, field mouse, mole, swallow, and of course, the fairy prince. For those who appreciate “A Seed is Sleepy” and “An Egg is Quiet”, this is sure to please.

If You Were a Chocolate Moustache

Children’s Poet Laureate, J. Patrick Lewis has written an entertaining book of inventive, off-beat poems to delight children of all ages.  Lewis flips between imaginative, fanciful subjects (Dragon Dinner Etiquette) to normal, everyday topics (Dude Food).  There are tongue twisters, riddles, limericks, anagrams, haiku, word play, and puzzles.  Many encourage a second look or a second thought.  Teachers may find this an excellent resource for writing prompts as well as a support of common core standards for literature.  Matthew Cordell’s usually literal pen and ink drawings are reminiscent of Quentin Blake’s.

Helping Animals

Beginning with what it means to volunteer, suggestions are given for people wanting to make a positive difference in the life of an animal.  Realistic ideas are child and family centered.  Proposed motivations include: adopting a pet from a rescue center, providing food, water and shelter to pets or wild animals, volunteering for animal care at a shelter or when a family goes on vacation, donating to animal organizations or fundraisers, and helping take care of the environment.  One does not need to be rich or connected to make a difference.  Colorful photographs show examples of children helping in many situations.  Recommended books and appropriate websites are included with the glossary and index.