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Maurer, Tracy Nelson
14 Reviews
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Ginnie Hsu.
Maurer (Samuel Morse, That's Who!) introduces shy Claudia Alta Taylor, who grew up to become Lady Bird Johnson. From Johnson's childhood in Texas through her term as First Lady in the late 1960s, this biography provides a well-rounded look at a public figure who worked hard to overcome her shyness. Johnson wasn't only a president's wife; she was also an accomplished businesswoman and passionate environmental advocate. Hsu's sunny illustrations burst with enthusiasm, especially in portraying the urban beautification that Johnson spearheaded. Three pages at book's end include more details about Johnson's legacy, her business venture, and six "fun facts." A reading list is appended.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
el primo Ramón.
Morse's (1791–1872) failures are front and center in this spirited picture book, helping to humanize the famous inventor. While traveling in France, Morse first conceived of an electric telegraph machine and a code based on dots and dashes. Mishaps and delays frequently impeded success--a valuable lesson in grit and determination. Pencil drawings are digitally colored with earth-toned hues. Author's note and additional facts about Morse are appended. Timeline. Bib.
Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2019
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Tim Zeltner.
In the 1830s, blacksmith John Deere revolutionized farming in the Midwest with a new plow made of steel. Zeltner's luminous, undulating landscapes and elongated figures, created using acrylic on plywood with a crackled finish, add a moody depth and period feel to the biography's folksy telling. Additional facts in the back matter provide context. Bib., glos.
Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin
(3)
4-6
Searchlight Books: Fear Fest series.
Chilling paranormal tales abound in this series. Each volume focuses on a specific type of paranormal activity and provides accounts from throughout history. The texts wisely ground the series in science by including debunkings and realistic explanations for the stories. Illustrations and photographs accompany the text on each page and help set the spooky mood. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Books: Fear Fest titles: Mysterious UFOs and Aliens, Spine-Tingling Urban Legends, Chilling Ancient Curses, Eerie ESP, Spooky Haunted Houses, and Frightful Ghost Ships.
Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo
(3)
4-6
Searchlight Books: Fear Fest series.
Chilling paranormal tales abound in this series. Each volume focuses on a specific type of paranormal activity and provides accounts from throughout history. The texts wisely ground the series in science by including debunkings and realistic explanations for the stories. Illustrations and photographs accompany the text on each page and help set the spooky mood. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Books: Fear Fest titles: Mysterious UFOs and Aliens, Spine-Tingling Urban Legends, Chilling Ancient Curses, Eerie ESP, Spooky Haunted Houses, and Frightful Ghost Ships.
Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo
(3)
4-6
Searchlight Books: Fear Fest series.
Chilling paranormal tales abound in this series. Each volume focuses on a specific type of paranormal activity and provides accounts from throughout history. The texts wisely ground the series in science by including debunkings and realistic explanations for the stories. Illustrations and photographs accompany the text on each page and help set the spooky mood. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Searchlight Books: Fear Fest titles: Mysterious UFOs and Aliens, Spine-Tingling Urban Legends, Chilling Ancient Curses, Eerie ESP, Spooky Haunted Houses, and Frightful Ghost Ships.
Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Mircea Catusanu.
In this lighthearted introduction to the lexicographer, readers see Webster first as a willful child and later a determined adult who helped promote and record American English as a unique language. The standout here is the collage art, which incorporates historical artifacts and includes humorous edits of the text (presumably from Webster himself). Timeline, websites. Bib.
Reviewer: Betty Carter
(4)
4-6
Snap Books: Gymnastics series.
Each volume is a basic primer in the titular gymnastic event. Beginning skills--e.g., basic hangs and dismounts (Uneven); cartwheels and handsprings (Floor)--are broken down with the aid of step-by-step illustrations and photographs. The visuals are clear and helpful, but the overall page design is dull. Competition tips and profiles of each event's legendary gymnasts are included. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Snap Books: Gymnastics titles: Uneven Bars and Floor Exercise{cf1].
Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan
(3)
4-6
Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series.
Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.
Reviewer: Jack Forman
(3)
4-6
Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series.
Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.
Reviewer: Jack Forman
(3)
4-6
Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? series.
Informative, accessible, and visually appealing primers on six types of maps. Each volume covers the map type's differentiating features and historical development, information, purpose, and usage; and a final section tests young readers' "map smarts." Color photos and map reproductions complement the texts, which make some challenging cartography concepts clear for young middle graders. "Fun Facts" appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Searchlight Books: What Do You Know About Maps? titles: Using Climate Maps, Using Physical Maps, Using Political Maps, Using Economic and Resource Maps, Using Road Maps and GPS, and Using Topographic Maps.
Reviewer: Jack Forman
(4)
K-3
Pebble Plus: Famous Athletes series.
These books for beginning readers profile four professional male athletes. Large color photographs provide glimpses into each player's youth (e.g., little Stephen Curry sitting on his NBA dad's lap during a game) and current careers (e.g., Aaron Rodgers and family after the 2011 Super Bowl), but the biographical information is minimal. A timeline runs along the bottom of the pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Famous Athletes titles: Aaron Rodgers, Mike Trout, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Stephen Curry.
Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan
(4)
K-3
Pebble Plus: Famous Athletes series.
These books for beginning readers profile four professional male athletes. Large color photographs provide glimpses into each player's youth (e.g., little Stephen Curry sitting on his NBA dad's lap during a game) and current careers (e.g., Aaron Rodgers and family after the 2011 Super Bowl), but the biographical information is minimal. A timeline runs along the bottom of the pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus: Famous Athletes titles: Aaron Rodgers, Mike Trout, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Stephen Curry.
Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan
(4)
4-6
Edge Books: Sports Rivalries series.
These books discuss long-held rivalries that have developed within professional football and car racing. Football fans will relish detailed accounts of the intense competition between such teams as Packers and Vikings and Patriots and Colts. Car highlights such feuds as Foyt vs. Andretti and Gordon vs. Johnson. Action-packed photographs are sometimes obscured by blocks of text and sidebars. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Edge Books: Sports Rivalries titles: Outrageous Pro Football Rivalries and Outrageous Car Racing Rivalries.
Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg
14 reviews
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