(3) 4-6 Cooking through Time series. Illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis. This surprisingly comprehensive yet thoroughly accessible overview of twentieth-century American eating habits covers such phenomena as Depression- and WWII-era scarcities, the development of convenience foods and fad diets, and the increasing popularity of ethnic cooking, vegetarianism, celebrity chefs, and organic products. Illustrated with cartoonish spot art, this fact-filled book also includes eight recipes, with instructions suggesting adaptations for classroom use. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis. Covering wagon-train settlers, gold-rush miners, and cowboys, this food-focused volume explains what was available, what equipment was used, and what problems the cooks of the American West encountered. Discussions of etiquette and make-do habits, along with cheerful sepia-toned illustrations, add even more human interest. Each chapter ends with one or two fairly simple recipes. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis & Jan Davey Ellis. Eleven fictional children from countries including China, India, and Peru describe the first day of school. Special customs (such as the German Schultüte, the paper cone full of sweets, toys, and pencils carried by brand-new students) are introduced. Each tale features decorated borders and carefully detailed illustrations, as well as additional facts about school life in each country. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis. With bright illustrations and rich borders, this book describes several springtime holidays. Attention is paid to earlier civilizations' rituals as well as modern celebrations, and Jackson also describes planting-time rituals in countries that do not experience springtime changes in weather. An Anglo-Saxon legend and three pages of suggested spring activities end the book. Bib.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis. In simple language this book offers intriguing glimpses of both ancient and contemporary midsummer celebrations around the world. Short explanations of the holiday's history in different countries are followed by related activities that are fairly weak. The book's focus often seems Eurocentric despite its claims, but young readers will glean some information from this quick introduction. Bib.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis. Folk-art-like, earth-toned illustrations accompany a lucid text, which explains the relevance of the autumn equinox and the importance of the harvest. Jackson describes various cultural celebrations and how these customs have evolved into such holidays as Halloween and Thanksgiving. An adaptation of a Native American legend and an assortment of classroom projects and recipes are included. Bib.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis. Although the text is occasionally repetitive, this book offers a discussion of the ways that samplers were used by girls in early America for both sewing practice and educational purposes. Many of the illustrations resemble needlework. Only one of the many crafts that are included requires needle and thread; most of them involve making a facsimile of a sampler project out of paper. Patterns are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis. Though scientists now use computer modeling to predict weather, Seibert shows how basic scientific thinking--careful observation, pattern recognition, sharing information--were practiced for centuries before Western science took hold. Colorful illustrations accompany this well-written text describing the centuries-old awareness of the weather patterns now known as El Niño.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis. Ichord describes settlers' foods, cooking techniques, food preservation, and Native and African-American influences. Recipes using modern techniques, with notes on colonial preparation, are interspersed throughout. Cartoonlike illustrations accompany the text, which makes a couple of overgeneralized statements (e.g., slaves arrived with pockets stuffed with "peanuts, black-eyed peas, okra, and benne...seeds"). Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis. In first-person narratives accompanied by additional information, eleven children living in Great Britain and America at the beginning of each century between 1000 and 2000 C.E. describe a typical day at the time. Though awkwardly rendered, detailed watercolors with borders provide glimpses into the past millennium.

Reviewer: Jackie C. Horne