Editorial Review

These new books in the Whole Wide World series present exciting destinations around the world to young readers. Each book focuses on one large, famous structure, describing its parts, its construction, and what visitors can see there today.

Angkor Wat explains how the world’s "largest religious structure” was modeled on Mount Meru from Hindu mythology.

Chichén Itzá tells how the Maya and Toltec peoples used some of the complex’s buildings, from temple to observatory to gov ernment office.

Easter Island details how the hundreds of famous moai statues were carved in a quarry, then finished after they were removed.

Leaning Tower of Pisa describes the land features that caused the bell tower to lean—and the many attempts to stabilize it over time.

The books are designed for classroom as well as personal use. Though short, they carefully include standard nonfiction elements as well as occa sional trivia and critical thinking questions, diagrams, a final map and set of fast facts, and a note to parents and teachers. Pronunciations are the one missing touch; these would help to guide readers through the names of the sites and their elements in local languages.

Well-chosen stock photos show different aspects of each structure, emphasizing its monumental size and other impressive characteristics. Would-be world travelers will likely be inspired to add these destinations to their lists.

–Miriam Aronin