Flowers are stationary plants, rooted firmly in the ground.  They rely on birds and insects for pollination.  In rhyming pros, Rita Gray describes the interactions between flowers and the insects and animals that complete nature’s cycle.   The illustrations are stunning.  Although this book could be incorporated into a STEM activity, it doesn’t hold wide appeal for young readers.

At first, I thought this book was specifically for preschoolers and the primary grade kids, but after re-reading the book, I realized that the message of love, kindness, and thoughtfulness are not restricted to the youngest but should be modeled for people of all ages.  It is a story of a young boy and young girl who spend time with their grandparents, and when they perhaps do something not quite right, instead of saying ‘No, that’s not how you do it,’ the grandparents encourage and help them do it,  making positive statements.  Kids who have adults in their lives who do this are lucky and maybe in reading this book will learn how lucky and to do it themselves.

Science, math, and technology have just become “way cool” in this book using a hands-on approach through the graphic novel format and Max Axiom -super cool, lab coat wearing, action figure, super hero science guide.

Max begins his guided step-by-step instructions of nine activities with, “ Join me at my lab for the inside scoop on a variety of machines. From simple to complex, test your engineering skills by designing and constructing your own amazing mechanical projects.” (p. 5)

Each of the nine activities consist of a list of the equipment needed, step-by-step photo and text instructions, and Axiom Alternative suggestions on how the reader could take this machine a step further.  The nine activities include making: a hovercraft, pulley system, diving submarine, pendulum painter, pump drill, trebuchet, hydro-powered winch, hydraulic arm, and an electric fan motor. Some of the equipment will be easier to get hold of than other pieces, but Home Depot and Lowe’s will be a good starting point.  Max is quick to add, each and every time, “Safety First” when a hot glue gun, utility knife, drill, and / or saw will need to be used get  permission from an adult. There a couple of spots where the photo definitely is needed in conjunction with the written instruction, but between the two, the reader should be able to make the machine.

Includes: Index, glossary, and www.facthound.com.

I, myself, can be a picky eater with foods from the United States. This book offers foods from around the world that I would be squeamish about eating. It is all a matter of culture! The book is broken down into “Bizarre Breakfasts”, “Loony Lunches”, Strange Suppers”, “Surprising Snacks”, and “Wacky Desserts and Treats”. Each section has at least seven food items, usually accompanied with a color photo, name of the food, what the food is made from, and country where it is eaten. It is too bad the index does not list the countries from which the foods come.

“We live in a world that offers a variety of strange food options. Let’s take a look at some of the bizarre foods people around the world prefer on their plates.” (p. 5)  From “Bizarre Breakfasts” comes scrapple from the eastern United States, cow’s feet soup from Ecuador, and laverbread (seaweed) from Wales. From “Loony Lunches” come mopane worms from southern Africa and fried tarantulas form Cambodia. From “Strange Suppers” come guinea pigs from Peru and Ecuador, svartsoppa (sweet and sour goose blood soup) from Sweden, and kangaroo from Australia. From “Surprising Snacks” comes a variety of deep fried insects and other animals, like starfish and sea horses, from China.

This book ends with, “try to keep an open mind. If you’re traveling in a different country, you never know which far-out food might become your new favorite!” ( p. 29)

Includes: Index, glossary, and  www.facthound.

Very simple, easy-to-read text pairs up with fun photographs to teach little readers that hands are for touching, as well as all the soft and fuzzy–or rough–things they can touch!

When young Hillary Rodham’s hopes of joining NASA as an astronaut were dashed because she was a girl, she didn’t stop dreaming or doing. Following Clinton from girlhood to the presidential campaign trail, the narrative hits on many of the high points and as few of the low points as possible along the way. As seen in Bates’s watercolor, she goes from a perky, ponytailed girl to the somewhat careworn but determined figure readers will recognize. Timed for release with the Democratic National Convention, this picture-book nevertheless has a dated feel to it already, although the conclusion hedges its historical bets: “Not afraid to fly, daring to compete, she decided to run for the highest office in the land. Was the land ready? No matter—she was propelling her way into history.”

In this emotionally rich story, a little girl and her family live happily in Paris until Nazi soldiers arrive during World War II. She and her family must flee or risk being sent to a concentration camp, so they run into the woods, where they meet resistance fighters. But they’re still not safe. They must cross tall mountains and sail in a rickety boat to England. Yet the whole time they’re struggling to survive, the little girl thinks of the stone angel near their apartment in Paris and imagines it watching over her family.
Filled with sorrow, hope, comfort, and triumph, this gorgeously illustrated book is a perfect vehicle with which to share a difficult subject with school-aged children.

In a charming and accessible introduction to the beloved holiday classic, Bea and her ballet school classmates perform a simplified interpretation of The Nutcracker. The group of dancers, who appear to be only 3 or 4 years old, includes adorably costumed children of different ethnicities, indicated by hairstyles and facial features rather than skin tone, as the children are outlined against white backgrounds. The ballet’s plot is skillfully summarized, including integral elements such as the Nutcracker/Prince, the battle between the mice and the soldiers, and the visit to the Land of Sweets. The text, set in attractive silvery type, is just one sentence per page plus some speech balloons, reduced to the simplest terms that even young preschoolers will easily comprehend. Isadora conveys the magical aspects of the beloved holiday ballet in an easy, straightforward way that will prepare first-time attendees for a holiday performance.

Little readers will learn all about what mail carriers do, where they work, and why they are important in our communities. The very simple text combined with correlating and colorful images will both inform and strengthen reading skills.

Adapted from the bestselling book of the same title for adults (2011), this abridged version presents the true story of a friendship between an impoverished African-American boy and a young white woman who becomes his mentor.

The boy, Maurice, narrates this relatively lengthy story of his budding friendship with Laura, a professional woman working in an unnamed big city. He first meets Laura when he asks her for spare change and she buys him dinner. Maurice explains that he doesn’t have enough to eat at home. This leads to regular weekly dinners with Laura, visits to her apartment, and a Christmas visit to Laura’s extended family. Maurice enjoys the big family’s holiday celebration, and he receives all the presents on his Christmas list. He hopes that someday he will have his own big family like Laura’s. In a sentimental conclusion, Maurice gives Laura his white teddy bear, the only Christmas present he had ever previously received. Illustrations in pencil and watercolor bring the holiday celebrations to life with a wide variety of perspectives and illustration sizes. The final pages include two author’s notes and one from the real Maurice.