The opening poem on the inside front flap – Let’s Play Ball! begins the inspired collection of poems all about baseball.  Florian takes the reader from opening season warm ups to end of season reminiscing. There is a poem for every player position – pitcher, catcher, first, second and third baseman, short stop, right fielder, umpire and base stealer among others.  He even includes a poem about the fans (on the back cover) and one about the baseball itself.  Baseball lovers will envision that the poems were written about them.  After all, what pitcher wouldn’t want to be known as the “scourge of all hitters / the starter of slumps” and how many hitters would be happy to consider themselves as “strong…mean..with eyesight quite keen”?  This book would be great to use as an example for students to model their own themed book of poetry.

Florian creates the artwork in “gouache watercolors, oil pastels, colored pencils, and pine tar on primed paper bags”.  This mixed media combination gives a wonderful organic feel and texture to the illustrations. My favorite is the illustration for “A Baseball”.  Here Florian depicts a baseball unraveling at the seams.  The red lacing forms words to help explain why it’s falling apart.  The words “hit, smash, crash, pound and drive” say it all.

Florian has hit a home run with this delightful book!

2013 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner

A group of funny, colorful birds will amuse children as they learn the concepts of up, down, tall, small and high.  Readers are introduced to the comic antics of the birds in three separate
chapters.  Children will delight in the simple text and the colorful drawings. Long’s use of few words and repetition will allow the beginning reader to feel confident in their emerging skills.  With less than thirty words used throughout the book, it is the illustrations that carry the story lines and in a way that will make the reader smile  and want to reread the stories.  The book is an interactive, lift-the flap style, printed on heavy weight pages (similar to board books).  School and public libraries may still want to reinforce the three lift-the-flap pages though, as this book will get a lot of circulation.

Primary, nonfiction book which explains the importance of Memorial Day, as celebrated by the people of the United States, to honor the people who served in the armed forces.  Honored are the ones who gave their lives, and also those who currently serve.  There is a suggestion to write a thank you note to people who currently serve.  Great photos in this book.  Recommended.

Very informative book about the Mars mission of the Exploration Rover Mission.  Eleven full chapters with photos, captions,  and lots of text, probably best fit at the Middle School level, but all will find this an enticing and informative piece.  We get a peek into the emotions of the scientists as they wax and wane with elation and defeat with the progress of their amazing robotic devices.  History, science, and human drama all in one beautiful coffee table worthy book!

In the latest Third Edition of the America the Beautiful series, the design and layout has been updated to appeal to readers who like gorgeous photographs, or illustrations, sidebars with FAQs, “Who knew?” facts to keep you thinking, travel guide tips, and incredible ideas for school assignments and research projects.  Of course the usual information is found in the body of the content, such as Land, First People, Exploration and Settlement, Growth and Change, More Modern Times, People, Government, and Economy.  There is a guide to primary sources, what they are and how to cite them.  A fun Biographical Dictionary  is included in the Back Matter along with the Timeline, Fast Facts, Glossary, Resources and Index.  A delightful read, whether for recreation or research.

Designed for kid appeal, this well researched, latest third addition to the American the Beautiful state books series, will give students detailed and interesting information about what started out as William Penn’s 1682 colony.  The contents covers Land, First People, Exploration and Settlement, Growth and Change, More Modern Times, People, Government, Economy, and Travel Guide.  Special features, such as sidebars, charts, graphs, original maps, FAQs, WOW Factors, and Project Room (fun ideas for assignments and projects) keep the reader engaged.  The author provides source notes explaining which print and web resources were most used in her research. She also gives tips on the best internet sites for primary sources.

Well researched and well designed layout with gorgeous photographs, as well as helpful special features,  make this a top consideration for a print choice in state studies.  Content covers Land, First People, Exploration and Settlement, Growth and Change, Modern Times, People, Government, and Travel Guide.  Special features provide  sidebars, charts, graphs, original maps, FAQs, WOW Factors, and a Poject Room with fun ideas for school projects.  Included is a guide to primary sources…what they are and how to cite them.  Back Matter covers resources such as fiction and nonfiction books, DVDs, Web Sites and Organizations, and an extensive Index.

In 48 pages, this book provides a nice overview of the Viking society during the 250 years that they were famous and feared raiders of Europe.  Detailing the art, technology, religions, class structure, leadership, weapons, tools, daily life as well as the military exploits of the Vikings, the reader learns a great deal.  The multitude of graphics, photographs, and maps engage the reader and enhance the text.  This is a good series particularly for reluctant readers.