A gentle introduction to many different people praying in many different places and ways and for different reasons. In the end, we may pray the same prayer or look at the same stars. And, it all can unite us.
Accompanying illustrations are colorful and appropriate. An author’s note and glossary help explain and give context for readers. Add this to your collection. Recommended.
Hugo is an adorable puppy, who is ready for a perfect day with his human. Starting with a stretch and a yawn, he proceeds to have a day that may not be perfect. But, it’s wonderful anyway. He may grab a snake when he’s looking for a stick and gets too close to a skunk. He doesn’t let the “downs” of the day get in the way of the “ups” that are part of it as well. The day ends with a bath and a snuggle with his human – a perfect ending to a nearly perfect day.
Bright, bold illustrations add to simple text to create a wonderful story of perseverance and not letting the little stuff get you down. Hugo keeps chugging along and has a great day, ups and downs included. Recommended.
We begin at the end of the story. Wait, that can’t be right. Nope, it is. The narrator is finishing up the story and out bursts Piggypine, who was drawn on a scrap of paper and left in the book. Piggypine really wants to be in a story and the narrator is starting a new one about Ruby and her first dog. The narrator and Piggypine go back and forth (hilariously) about the piggy porcupine’s attempts to insert himself in the story. Fortunately, Ruby saves the day and decides that Piggypine is exactly what she wants as a pet. Now, to teach that rascal how to spell – cow is not spelled “m-e-a-t-b-a-l-l”.
This book is a delight and the ending is absolutely as it should be. Piggypine is silly and sweet and deserves a story. Young readers will love the humor and the beautiful colored pencil-like illustrations. The last page has a hint about a future book (I hope!). Highly recommended.
How do you explain a measurement of time like a minute? This book clearly explains the concept using examples of every day activities with the equivalent time frame (in minutes). For example, a green light usually lasts one minute and a microwave popcorn bag pops in three to four minutes. Most examples are familiar to most readers, which are effective in showing the amount of time for each.
Typical nonfiction features are present – table of contents, index, glossary and bolded text for unfamiliar words. Further exploration of the topic is suggested with websites and books listed. Photos are clear and there is a very nice graphic of the different times we use, from one second to one year.
My only criticism is that an analog clock is portrayed on the pages and that will take some extra explanation from an adult. While the ability to read time in analog is a great skill, I’m not sure analog clocks are widely used. There is a page with a labeled clock face. There might need to be more explanation.
All in all, this is a nice addition to your collection, along with the other books in the series. Recommended.
Part of the Amazing Adventures series, this book details the work of some pioneers in ocean exploration. Photos and interesting facts about each adventurer and subsequent place in history are presented in an engaging and accessible way in two to four page spreads. The mix of explorers is unique and gives the reader a sense of their pioneering lives in new and thrilling explorations but also as people who were outside the conventional norms of those eras. I appreciate that the author does so.
Typical nonfiction features include a table of contents, glossary and index. Photos are clear and captions and short text blocks explain the photos quite well.
This nonfiction is geared toward those upper elementary students who might be at a second to third grade reading level. The information will keep them reading and the text will help them feel successful as readers with books that are interesting to them. Buy this book for your struggling readers. They will be hooked!
Part of the Amazing Adventures series, this book details the work of some pioneers in aviation. Photos and interesting facts about each aviator and subsequent place in history are presented in an engaging and accessible way in two to four page spreads. There is a nice mix of well-known aviators like the Wright Brothers along with lesser known pioneer aviators like Dr. Hugo Eckener, who became the first person to fly an airship around the world.
Typical nonfiction features include a table of contents, glossary and index. Photos are clear and captions and short text blocks explain the photos quite well.
This nonfiction is geared toward those upper elementary students who might be at a second to third grade reading level. The information will keep them reading and the text will help them feel successful as readers with books that are interesting to them. Buy this book for your struggling readers. They will be hooked!
Part of the Amazing Adventures series, this book details the work of some pioneering explorers. Photos and interesting facts about each explorer’s journey and subsequent place in history are presented in an engaging and accessible way in two to four page spreads.
Typical nonfiction features include a table of contents, glossary and index. Photos are clear and captions and short text blocks explain the photos quite well.
This nonfiction is geared toward those upper elementary students who might be at a second to third grade reading level. The information will keep them reading and the text will help them feel successful as readers with books that are interesting to them. Buy this book for your struggling readers. They will be hooked.
by Alex Hall
Part of the Amazing Adventures series, this book details the work of some pioneering astronauts. Photos and interesting facts about each astronaut’s work and subsequent place in history are presented in an engaging and accessible way.
Typical nonfiction features include a table of contents, glossary and index. Photos are clear and captions and short text blocks explain the photos quite well.
This nonfiction is geared toward those upper elementary students who might be at a second to third grade reading level. The information will keep them reading and the text will help them feel successful as readers with books that are interesting to them. Buy this book for your struggling readers. They will be hooked.
This title, part of the Health Helpers series, is an introduction to the work of a doctor. It begins with the problem (I fell off my bike. My arm hurts) and progresses through the ensuing visit to the doctor. Various children and adults are pictured and the text is simple and effectively relays the information. A nice added feature is a page with doctor tools.
Typical nonfiction features are included: table of contents, glossary, index and bolded words that might be unfamiliar. This is a gentle, effective tool to help ease fears about a visit to the doctor. It acknowledges the child’s feelings and demystifies the experience. Recommended.
This title, part of the Health Helpers series, is an introduction to the work of a dentist. It begins with the problem (My tooth hurts) and progresses through a typical visit to the dentist. Various children and adults are pictured and the text is simple and effectively relays the information. A nice added feature is a page with dentist tools.
Typical nonfiction features are included: table of contents, glossary, index and bolded words that might be unfamiliar. This is a gentle, effective tool to help ease fears about a visit to the dentist. It acknowledges the child’s feelings and demystifies the experience. Recommended.