Gentle breezes to stronger winds are shown and talked about from cooling, to creating power, to causing damage in this book for emergent readers..

Big beautiful color photos of wind blowing through palm trees and meadows of grass let young readers vicariously feel the benefits of wind.

There is a 3 step graphic on “How Wind Forms” (p 15) , a “Question” (Have you ever felt a very strong wind?”) [p21], and a graphic “Windy Day Activities” chart (p 19) . Six science vocabulary words, appropriate to the topic (example- turbines), are given in the glossary each with a definition and color photo.

There is more information available on-line through Bellwether Media’s safe “factsurfer.com” website.

Submitted for Annette McQueen by Mary Pong

Thunderstorms should not be frightening for young readers once they learn how they are formed and the storms are part of nature.

Big beautiful color photos of lightning, wind blown trees, and driving rain will let young readers see the lightning bolts that disappears so quickly as it happens in real time . One young observer has his fingers in his ears from the thunderous ‘booms’, while another is watching out a window wide-eyed in shear amazement to the storm outside. These two boys do not look scared.

There is a 4-step graphic on “How Thunderstorms Form”, “Question” ( Have you heard thunder or seen lightning during a thunderstorm? [p 19]) , and a graphic “Stormy Day Activities” chart .

Six science vocabulary words, appropriate to the topic, are given in the glossary each with a definition and color photo.

There is more information available on-line through Bellwether Media’s safe ‘Factsurfer.com’ website.

Submitted for Annette McQueen by Mary Pong.

The expanse of Zion National Park comes to life in the scenic beauty of its landforms, to the inclusion of its wildlife, to our responsibility to preserve it for ourselves and future generations, all while being able to see and enjoy Zion first hand comes through loud and clear in this 32 page book.

Zion National Park has me yearning to revisit this national park. The ‘Factsurfer’ websites on page 31 include: Britannica Kids, National Geographic Kids, and the National Park Service. The National Park Service site includes a 23 minute video that deepens this yearning all the more.

This book is a job well done by Chris Bowman and the various photographers who gave us the ability to see and experience Zion National Park vicariously.

Submitted for Annette McQueen by Mary Pong

Find out how a bird feeder, a grandchild, and hospice combine to make a loving generational story in THE BIRD FINDER. “Grandma’s been staying with us since she got sick. That means now I can visit with her anytime I want. She brought her bird feeder. It’s my job to fill it.” So begins this touching tale of time shared with grandma before she enters a hospice center. The time between the grandchild and grandma is spent watching the birds flocking around the bird feeder through grandma’s window, drawing birds, and chatting. First at home and later at hospice. Grandma sleeps and sleeps more and more until finally she is gone. Though sad at her passing, the grandchild will continue to remember grandma whenever filling the new bird feeder at their home.

The sadness is not over the top, but realistic, filling a needed niche in an extended family’s life cycle.

Illustrator Dorothy Leung’s grandchild, perhaps 8 years old, is drawn in such a way it could be either a girl or a boy.

Reviewed for Annette McQueen by Mary Pong