Picture Books

This is a very cute book telling the true story of Esther Morris and the advent of the woman vote. The language is fun and accessible but it doesn't sugarcoat events.

The eighth of eleven children and six foot tall, Esther had a interesting life and courage to spare. In this time of primaries, as we breathe politics in the air, this books brings a refreshing read!

I love picture books, especially ones with warm, colorful, sweet illustrations. I love rhythmic, poetic language, made simple and accessible to children, and I love truly multicultural books!

This book brings all of these elements together, added to the universal theme of the sacrament of Matrimony. I couldn't help but love it at first sight--or at first reading.

How could one not love the bilingual first person dialogue lines, as little Maria attends all of the many celebrations revolving around the wedding of her Alfonso and Luisa? The large families gathered, the music, dances, parades, fireworks, gifts--one, of course, a painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe--they all tell the story that culminate in the vows exchanged at church para siempre--for ever.

Alas, as in the case of many good books, this colorful, very Catholic book no longer in print, but try getting it from a used books source or your library!

I will never hear Magellan's name again without having my mind refer back to this beautiful picture book. Text and illustrations combined left me feeling as if I had gone around the world with him--or almost around the world, as of course he never did finish the voyage himself. Author Stuart Waldman refrains from the usual political correct tendencies and is respectful albeit realistic as he recounts the historical trip that changed the world map for ever.

The maps in the book add enormously to the understanding of the story--most especially the one depicting the intricacies of the Strait of Magellan, which I had never seen so clearly, yet simply, drawn. The first page is a foldout map than if left open will serve as a guide to the reading on each page.

Although this is a picture book, watch out for more sensitive young children as you read aloud-- you may need to skip some of the more cruel ways with which people were treated. For a middle schooler studying the great explorers, Magellan's World will come in very, very handy.

With the release of Newton and Me I was hoping to find an elementary science book written as an engaging story but, unfortunately, I was disappointed. The book is about a boy and his dog, Newton, discovering various forces in their daily lives, forces first described by Isaac Newton.

The difficulty I have with this book is that the reading and concept levels do not match. I very much promote and encourage introducing science concepts at a young age; however, the basic story and rhyming text, appealing to preschool through first grade, does not introduce any concepts they do not readily realize naturally, and yet this same age group would have a hard time understanding the concepts presented in the "For Creative Minds" section, like friction, or pushing something "twice as hard."

The colorful yet simple illustrations are well matched to the text and theme. Some of the concepts presented are things like: a ball rolls easier on a sidewalk than on the grass; when it is thrown into the air always comes down; a toy truck stays stationary on level ground yet rolls on a hill, and others. Many of the activities in the "For Creative Minds" section are cross-curricular relating mostly to language development.

Sylvan Dell has long struggled to publish non-nature science story books for elementary-aged children. Based on how few titles from any publisher actually fit that description, it must be a tough genre. I am still holding out hope that they will publish better offerings in this area.