Reviews
California Gold Rush
This graphic-rich introduction to the 1849 California gold rush walks readers through the basics, from the discovery of the first nuggets to the mass migration of hopeful prospectors to the sudden appearance of boomtowns to San Francisco’s transformation into a teeming metropolis.… View →
Series Made Simple
Colors, letters, shapes, and counting are introduced in this series, which uses bright colors and simple text to entice beginning readers. These slim volumes take a concept and present examples in a real-life setting, such as showing shapes as different street signs and a variety of… View →
Series Made Simple
This colorful series introduces young readers to different types of yoga. There is also a book on breathing and meditation. Each title begins with helpful tips for caregivers (such as reflection questions and how yoga will help improve the lives of children) and closes with practice… View →
Los mapaches
This cute, raccoon primer in the Animales en tu jardín (Backyard Animals) series (8 titles) View →
Series Made Simple
This series in Spanish introduces beginning readers to all the colors of the rainbow and where to find them in nature, at home, and more. Examples of everyday objects in every color are shown in detailed, vibrant full-color photographs. Each page is limited to one line of text or a short View →
Series Made Simple
Vivid photographs and minimal text work together in this set for younger readers. Basic descriptions of shark attributes include questions and answers, along with occasional interjections: “What is this? A mako shark! Wow!” Though occasionally awkwardly worded, the loose, simple… View →
Series Made Simple
Having a hard time convincing sports lovers that STEM includes them? Then look no further—these titles cover bikes, boats, balls, and balance beams. The text asks questions to draw readers in and provides details about the science behind the equipment, uniforms, View →
Series Made Simple
Children with disabilities deserve to be positively represented in the books they read. This excellent series in Spanish introduces readers to ability diversity in a compassionate and practical way. Readers will be drawn in by the book’s full-page color photographs of children from all… View →
An array of animal noses are on display in this entry in the Animal Part Smarts series (6 titles), which is designed with the youngest readers in mind. The well-labeled pictures take center stage, while simple, declarative sentences assist in emerging readers as they make their way… View →
Booklist Top Ten
Each title introduces beginning readers to a planet, as well as the sun, the moon, and Pluto and the dwarf planets, through large font and simple text. Close-up color photographs reveal the solar system’s composition, beauty, variation, and size comparisons. —Angela Leeper View →
The All Kinds of Friends series (6 titles) does an excellent job of educating readers about differently abled individuals while presenting them as perfectly normal. This book, aimed at beginning readers, showcases how deaf children can communicate (through sign language and speech… View →
Readers are given keys to some of the world’s most lavish and secretive abodes when they pick up the Cool Castles and Palaces series. Each book focuses on one royal dwelling, offering a snapshot of its history, inhabitants, layout, function today, and, of course, copious photos.… View →