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Walter Foster
69 Reviews
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Nila Aye.
Young children are introduced to Draco, the Big Dipper, and some less-familiar constellations in this sturdy heavyweight-page book. Very simple text describes an array of children and pets imagining themselves as constellations (e.g., kitten Luna "practices her roar" beneath Leo). Yellow stars and white lines (filled in with glossy black) are used to depict each constellation on the matte black backgrounds.
Reviewer: Renée Wheeler
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Brendan Kearney.
Goggle-eyed planets, asteroids, galaxies, and spacecraft (plus a few aliens traveling among them) on recto pages face paragraph-length (sometimes silly) presentations of interesting information about each featured item. The "Solar System" section focuses on figures (e.g., a planet's diameter, distance from the sun, length of orbit); "Galaxies" covers types and origins of galaxies and nebulae; and “Exploring Space” introduces satellites, robot rovers, and the ISS. Back matter with more straightforward information would have been useful.
Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Marta Sorte.
Each two-page spread presents a (not-very) "wacky" fact about a pet and a "More About..." blurb on that animal, with a slick, cartoony illustration on the facing page. The usual suspects, dogs and cats, are included, along with the less-common hedgehogs, rats, toads, and more. The lively writing and humorous pictures make this an entertaining browsing book; readers may be too entertained to realize they're also learning some science.
Reviewer: Janet Dawson
(3)
4-6
Ranger Rick Kids' Guides series.
These books present detailed guides for children who may have little experience with the titular outdoor recreations. Each uses a how-to format with step-by-step instructions; useful tips; and basic information related to sites, gear, food preparation, and activities. Illustrations, photos, and diagrams extend the readable texts on cleanly designed pages. Each book includes a working compass. Ind. Review covers these titles: Kids' Guide to Fishing, Kids' Guide to Paddling, Kids' Guide to Hiking, and Kids' Guide to Camping.
Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg
(3)
4-6
Ranger Rick Kids' Guides series.
These books present detailed guides for children who may have little experience with the titular outdoor recreations. Each uses a how-to format with step-by-step instructions; useful tips; and basic information related to sites, gear, food preparation, and activities. Illustrations, photos, and diagrams extend the readable texts on cleanly designed pages. Each book includes a working compass. Ind. Review covers these titles: Kids' Guide to Fishing, Kids' Guide to Paddling, Kids' Guide to Hiking, and Kids' Guide to Camping.
Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jill Howarth.
Prospect, an orphaned baby goat with special needs, became Instagram-famous when his caretakers at the Goats of Anarchy animal sanctuary dressed (and photographed) him in different outfits to keep him warm while he built strength. Richly textured, heartwarming illustrations of the prancing, fashionable kid elevate a slight narrative. An appended note includes photos of the real Prospect.
Reviewer: Robyn Bahr
(3)
4-6
Ranger Rick Kids' Guides series.
These books present detailed guides for children who may have little experience with the titular outdoor recreations. Each uses a how-to format with step-by-step instructions; useful tips; and basic information related to sites, gear, food preparation, and activities. Illustrations, photos, and diagrams extend the readable texts on cleanly designed pages. Each book includes a working compass. Ind. Review covers these titles: Kids' Guide to Fishing, Kids' Guide to Paddling, Kids' Guide to Hiking, and Kids' Guide to Camping.
Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg
(3)
4-6
The volume's initial chapters introduce yoga and plug the benefits of practice on the mind, body, and spirit. Rissman then guides young yogis through an "energizing yoga sequence" and a "calming" one, breathing exercises, and beginner mindfulness meditations. The step-by-step instructions and illustrations of each pose are clear and accessible, and the book's encouraging, compassionate tone should help newcomers feel at ease. Websites. Glos., ind.
Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Carles Ballesteros.
Wagner presents fifty unusual (and random) facts about animals. A brief introduction explains that behaviors that seem wacky to us actually help the animals, and this idea is loosely reinforced throughout the text. Each spread also includes a "More About..." paragraph providing additional information about that animal as well as a cartoonish illustration--which emphasizes the silly factor and unfortunately downplays the science.
Reviewer: Janet Dawson
(3)
4-6
Ranger Rick Kids' Guides series.
These books present detailed guides for children who may have little experience with the titular outdoor recreations. Each uses a how-to format with step-by-step instructions; useful tips; and basic information related to sites, gear, food preparation, and activities. Illustrations, photos, and diagrams extend the readable texts on cleanly designed pages. Each book includes a working compass. Ind. Review covers these titles: Kids' Guide to Fishing, Kids' Guide to Paddling, Kids' Guide to Hiking, and Kids' Guide to Camping.
Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg
Alonso, Juan Carlos
& Paul, Gregory S.
The Late Jurassic: Notes, Drawings, and Observations from Prehistory
(3)
4-6
Ancient Earth Journal series.
Illustrated by
Juan Carlos Alonso.
Dinosaur species that lived 162–145 million years ago are documented in gorgeous, detailed illustrations set on pages like a naturalist's journal. After introductions to each of the major groups or orders of the period (therapods, sauropods, ornithischians, and pterosaurs, plus a small chapter on mammals), features of each animal are highlighted through abundantly captioned action sketches and anatomical close-ups. Pronunciation key appended.
Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford
(3)
K-3
Up Close series.
This book shows readers via a close-up camera lens the colorful and often strange world of reptiles and amphibians. Young naturalists will be drawn to the psychedelic-looking images of green tree pythons, horned frogs, frilled-neck lizards, chameleons, bearded dragons, and more. Brief but informative text with humorous comments accompany the bold, colorful photos. Notes on photography and camera mechanics are included. Ind.
Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Abby Carter.
In alphabetical order, the authors present twenty-six intangible nouns such as time, reflection, and love. A double-page spread offers both verbal and visual clues to each; the following spread features a black, white, and fluorescent-pink cartoon drawing on the left and an informative description of the term on the right. Both a guessing game and a compendium of interesting information.
Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene
(4)
K-3
Technical Tales series.
Illustrated by
Martin Sodomka.
A trio of animal friends works together on mechanical projects--through trial, error, and teamwork. Mouse Eli thinks big, bird Phoebe has a mind for machines, and frog Hank is cautious and well connected. The books attempt to teach readers some of the science behind the vehicles, but the facts aren't adequately explained. Detailed illustrations and diagrams are more engaging than the forced stories. Review covers these Technical Tales titles: How to Build a Car, How to Build a Motorcycle, and How to Build a Plane.
Reviewer: Jack Forman
(4)
K-3
Jurassic Classics series.
Illustrated by
Sernur Isik.
These entertaining dinosaur-themed biographies serve as loose introductions to literary greats and American presidents. For each book's six figures (e.g., Emily Brontësaurus, George Washingdonyx), two spreads, plus a small attached booklet, provide kinda-sorta facts ("The 13 dinosaur colonies...joined forces under Washingdonyx to defeat the snarling might of Old Pangea"); a third spread gives real, if broad, biographical information. Humorous cartoons enliven the presentations. Review covers these Jurassic Classics titles: The Prehistoric Masters of Literature and The Presidential Masters of Prehistory.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
(4)
K-3
Jurassic Classics series.
Illustrated by
Sernur Isik.
These entertaining dinosaur-themed biographies serve as loose introductions to literary greats and American presidents. For each book's six figures (e.g., Emily Brontësaurus, George Washingdonyx), two spreads, plus a small attached booklet, provide kinda-sorta facts ("The 13 dinosaur colonies...joined forces under Washingdonyx to defeat the snarling might of Old Pangea"); a third spread gives real, if broad, biographical information. Humorous cartoons enliven the presentations. Review covers these Jurassic Classics titles: The Prehistoric Masters of Literature and The Presidential Masters of Prehistory.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
(3)
K-3
Up Close series.
The book's photographs, shot with high-powered lenses ("let's turn the ZOOM up to eleven"), capture insects unseen by the naked eye and depict oddities of the insect world including a hornet's mouth, dragonfly's eyes, peacock moth's antennae, and mosquito's eyes. Brief informative texts with humorous comments accompany the bold, colorful photographs. Shutterbugs will appreciate the included information about photography and cameras. Ind.
Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg
(3)
K-3
Up Close series.
This book transports readers via a close-up camera lens into the unusual and colorful world of seldom-photographed sea creatures. Budding marine biologists will be drawn to the large, psychedelic-looking images of jellyfish, sea slugs, diatoms, gobies, and squid, plus many species of coral. Brief texts with humorous comments provide scientific information. Notes related to photography and camera mechanics are included. Ind.
Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg
Alonso, Juan Carlos
& Paul, Gregory S.
The Early Cretaceous: Notes, Drawings, and Observations from Prehistory
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
Juan Carlos Alonso.
Dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals are presented as if on the pages of a naturalist's journal. Multiple sketches of each species provide details on anatomy, size, and behaviors, carefully combining artistic interpretation with known facts about the creature. Notes that explain conditions in the featured period (100–144 million years ago) accompany the illustrations.
Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford
(4)
K-3
Technical Tales series.
Illustrated by
Martin Sodomka.
A trio of animal friends works together on mechanical projects--through trial, error, and teamwork. Mouse Eli thinks big, bird Phoebe has a mind for machines, and frog Hank is cautious and well connected. The books attempt to teach readers some of the science behind the vehicles, but the facts aren't adequately explained. Detailed illustrations and diagrams are more engaging than the forced stories. Review covers these Technical Tales titles: How to Build a Car, How to Build a Motorcycle, and How to Build a Plane.
Reviewer: Jack Forman
69 reviews
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