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Book Reviews |
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Last modified: September 28, 2004
The
Bloomsbury Review
Usborne books are the brainchild of Peter Usborne, who wanted to make educational nonfiction children's books that would be appealing enough to compete with television and comics. Borrowing ideas from both these media and working with educational consultants, Usborne has done just that. Since 1973, his titles have covered a wide range of subjects, including hobbies, history, science, nature, geography, and more. Rich illustrations, creative layouts, and oodles of information are hallmarks of these books. And many are now Internet linked, so children can easily log on to websites that will help them delve further into specific subjects. Essential Atlas of the World, which contains 30 maps, explains how maps are made, describes time zones, defines various types of government, and presents a gazetteer of 193 independent states along with key facts about each one. Book of Knowledge is a terrific, all-encompassing reference that touches on everything from "Astronomy and Space" to "The Human Body." Vivid photographs and varied subjects have made it a family favorite. Mysteries and Marvels of Nature is a marvel in and of itself. It vibrantly sheds light on subjects such as animal-eating plants, ocean partners, animal impersonators, and the life-cycle of humpback whales. Another Usborne feature is the inclusion of interactive activities, which make the pages more enticing. Farmyard Tales ABC Jigsaw Book and Jigsaw World Atlas have incorporated puzzles into the layout. Double the fun for readers! And, as if another selling point were needed, all Usborne books are "made with paper form a sustainable forest." Peter Usborne's concept has given birth to an impressive body of children's literature. The books tap into imagination, fascination, and reality; they demonstrate how these values intersect. Washington
Parent
Children's Bookwatch Learning Magazine With the right educational resources, you can turn a good lesson into a great one! Here's a look at products that can help. They're arranged by category: cross-curricular, arts and crafts, language arts, math, science, social studies, and professional. Take a look!. Reveal the inner workings of the human body through the photos, scans, X-rays, microscopic images, and detailed diagrams in this book. Includes activities showing students how to take their pulses, test their reaction times, and fool their brains with optical illusions. Learning Magazine Finding resources that tap in to kids' hobbies and interests guarantees that you'll capture - and enrapture - your learners. This issue: products related to animals. "What do aardvarks eat for breakfast?" "Aard-boiled eggs!" Crack open this joke book and crack up your young animal lovers.Today's Parent While rummaging through boxes in your attic, you find a recorder. A book of tunes written especially for this small wind instrument can put it back to use and provide your kids with hours of fun. Recorder Tunes for Children by Anthony Marks, for ages 7 to about 12, provides music notation for tunes children can play on a recorder and suggestions to improve their playing. Kids who are not familiar with reading music will need help. Children can listen to all the tunes on the Internet to learn how they are supposed to sound. A chart shows kids where to place their fingers on the recorder holes for the different notes. A star above a note in a tune indicates that children should check the final page for an easier substitute fingering. The tunes represent a variety of countries, such as an Italian folk song titled, "Santa Lucia" and an old tune from France titled "The Sailor Woman." The author wrote two of the tunes and a variation of a Portuguese tune. Each tune has a brief introduction. The one for "Shenandoah" begins, "Shenandoah was a Native American chief who lived by the Missouri River." Simone Abel and Kim Blundell's intriguing cartoon characters include people, globbish characters resembling people, and animals. Kids will enjoy the unconventional use of color, including green and purple people. Cartoon characters provide instruction or information, presented in speech balloons; a mouse warns that blowing with excessive force results in a squeaky sound. Beside each tune is a small black-and-white picture; after kids have learned a tune, they can put a matching colorful sticker from the center pages over this picture. This paperback book belongs to the "Easy Tunes" series.Lane Education Service District A wide variety of weather topics are presented in this nonfiction, paperback book. A durable, colorful cover prepares the reader for page after page of photographs, drawings, interesting facts, charts, and much more. The organization of the 18 different topics is clearly defined in the table of contents. Topics range from 2 to 4 pages in length, and will keep the reader engaged. The links to the Internet are in easy-to-find boxes throughout the book. Students will find this book fascinating, even without the use of the Internet. Added features in the back of the book include a Disagreement section that presents both sides of the global warming issue, a Climate Data section, a Test Yourself page, an extensive Glossary, and helpful Index. This Usborne Weather & Climate Change book receives a rating of five, making it a must buy for elementary, middle, and high school libraries. It is packed with weather related information that is sure to be useful to those doing research and will definitely hook those curious about climate questions. Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Tdmonthly
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Today's Parent Worms, slugs, and bugs provide a delightful lunch for lizards. From an exercise in an amusing arithmetic book, kids learn about mathematical sets by putting stickers of these tiny creatures on pictures of plates to prepare a lizard's meal. Sticker Math Fun for 5-6 Year Olds by Fiona Watt, which includes 16 pages of stickers, combines four previously published books: Numbers, Adding, Taking Away, and Starting Times Tables. A combination of simple text and Rachel Wells' cartoon drawings, in sturdy colors, presents fun math problems, using an assortment of animals in diverse situations. Children write a few of the answers, but the solutions to most of the problems require stickers. A dot-to-dot activity gives youngsters practice following a sequence of numbers, some of which are words rather than digits. One of the sticker-requiring exercises shows rabbits racing in carrot cars; the orange part forms the body of each car, with the green leaves extending from the back. Kids add five to each car's number and put a sticker depicting the sum of the leaves. In another exercise, children put eight bone stickers, each containing a subtraction problem, on a different dog's dish so that the answer matches the number hanging from the dog's collar. A gradual increase in difficulty enables learning to progress systematically, building on previously presented concepts. The first two exercises require counting. In the final section, preliminary activities involving equal sets, such as three mice each holding a set of two balloons, provide a natural lead-in to multiplication problems. A simple explanation clarifies this transition: "Another way of writing 'sets of' is to use the times table sign, which looks like this: X." This paperback book belongs to the "Sticker Math" series.For Kids Only This is a fun and colorful way to learn about American history and travel throughout the United States. States and regions of the country are covered in picture maps. Did you know an Indian tribe called the Seminoles still live in the Everglades in Florida in open-sided thatched huts, called Chickees? The Crater of Diamonds Park in Arkansas, is the only place in the USA where diamonds are found. For a fee you can dig for them. You may keep any you are lucky enough to find! At a mountain in South Dakota, is a carving of Crazy Horse, a Sioux Indian chief not yet finished, at 650 ft. it will be the world's largest statue. In Amarillo, Texas, you can take part in a "Cowboy" morning and travel by horse-drawn wagon to the rim of Palo Duro Canyon, amble on to the Crow Fair pow-wow in August in Montana you can sleep in a teepee! At Mesa Verde Park in Colorado, you can explore the remains of houses clinging to the cliffs. They were built by an ancient Indian tribe, called the Anasazi. At the Wells Fargo Bank Museum in San Francisco you can send a coded message by telegraph and sit in a model of an old stagecoach.For Kids Only This book is a must for any kid who loves to learn about inventions. It goes back to the wheel and Mesopotamia c. 3200 B.C. and covers inventions such as central heating (the Romans), writing (the Sumerians of Mesopotamia), measuring instruments from early clocks to Geiger Counters. Telescopes, radar, manufacturing and automation (steam engines, sewing machines and robots), to motor cars, trains and railways, sea transport steam power and deep sea diving apparatus to Air transport, first balloon flights helicopters and space shuttles, home inventions from first electric irons to microwave ovens and canned food. We also visit office inventions from the ballpoint pen to printing, communications and machines, Morse code to satellites, photography, film, radio and television, and medical inventions to today's laser surgery, weapons and calculators and computers. The best part is a history of inventions datebook from 4241 BC and the Egyptian calendar to 1990 and the first transmission of high definition television.Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Washington Parent Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Children's Bookwatch Today's Parent As you lift your 2-year-old daughter into the bathtub, you notice she is still clutching her favorite book. Loud crying results as you try to take it from her. If only she had a book that she could take into the tub. Duck By the Sea Bath Book, by Jenny Tyler and Stephen Cartwright, for ages 9 months to about 3 years, can avoid this hassle. This six-page, vinyl book can go right into the bathtub with your child. The filling material inside each page makes the pages fun to squeeze. Duck, who occupies a prominent place in each of Stephen Cartwright's cartoon drawings, looks like a floating duck with no legs or feet. Your child may have a toy duck that looks similar. Youngsters will notice a duck picture on one of the sails of Duck's boat. The predominant background colors are blue and yellow, with blue representing the sea and the sky and yellow representing the sand on the beach. One of the illustrations shows Duck, in a wide-brimmed straw had, looking into a tide pool. Among the contents of the tide pool are two sea anemones, a crab, two fish, and a starfish. Two lines of simple text enhance each of the first five pages, with the final page containing three lines. Plentiful repetition will appeal to young children. The left half of each double page starts with "Duck's friend." followed by the name of an animal, such as, "Duck's friend Crab wants to play in the sand." Each facing page starts with Duck saying, "Quack." Duck's other friends consist of a fish and a dog. This is the third book in the "Bath Books" series.Washington Parent Puget Sound Council for the Review of
Children's Media Metro West Daily News Puget Sound Council for the Review of
Children's Media Puget Sound Council for the Review of
Children's Media Puget Sound Council for the Review of
Children's Media Puget Sound Council for the Review of
Children's Media Puget Sound Council for the Review of
Children's Media Publisher's Weekly - February 16, 2004 In the 23 years since Scholastic entered the school book fair business by purchasing California School Book Fairs, it has become the largest book fair operator in the U.S. Its Scholastic book Fairs division, with offices in Lake Mary, Fla., has 76 warehouses throughout the country and puts on more than 100,000 fairs a year. Over the years, Scholastic's book fair growth has continued through strategic acquisitions. It went national in 1983 with the purchase of Great American book Fairs; in 1998, it acquired Pages Book Fairs; and in 2001, it acquired its remaining large-scale competitor, Troll Book Fairs. According to the company's most recent 10-K filing, book fairs accounted for 27.5% of the revenues for Scholastic's Children's Book Publishing and Distribution segment and generated $327.6 million in the 2003 fiscal year, which ended May 31. For senior v-p of book fairs Alan Boyko, who joined the company 15 years ago when he sold Apple Book Fair Company to Scholastic, the division's size in no way diminishes the importance of individual book fairs. "The magic of book fairs, " he says, "is bringing kids and parents and books together." Scholastic has many ways to enhance the magic, including an annual Kids Are Authors competition for grades k-8 and a series of short videos with authors such as Artemis Fowl's Eoin Colfer and Double Fudge's Judy Blume. The company also has operates a separate book fair Web site (www.scholastic.com/book fairs) offering parents' guides, chairpersons' guides and listings of featured titles. Like many book fairs, Scholastic's biggest fans are children in preschool and elementary school. To improve sales at middle schools, where Clifford the Big Red Dog is no longer an attraction, this fall Scholastic implemented a redesign, called the Student Exchange Program. "We've designed the fairs to be a little hipper, a little cooler," says Boyko. But the most innovative piece of the new middle school fairs may be the use of student volunteers to run them. Although it's too soon to know how successful these new fairs will be, the company has worked hard to distinguish them from elementary school fairs by using a different color scheme and case fixtures. But it's not just Scholastic or large independent book fair companies that compete with retailers for book fair sales, but publishing houses with multilevel selling models, such as Educational Development Corporation in Tulsa, Okla., which distributes U.K.-based Usborne Books in the U.S. Through the school division that EDC set up a decade ago as part of its direct-selling program, Usborne Books at Home, the company does school fairs that have been organized by its home sellers, or consultants. According to Educational Services manager Todd White, of the company's 8,000 home consultant, about 3,000 work with the schools. "We probably do close to a couple thousand book fairs annually. There are hardly any other options left other than us and Scholastic," says White, who estimates that school fairs will bring in between $3 million and $4 million in sales for the fiscal year ending February 29. "We can operate on the other side of the fence from what Scholastic does. We do strictly cash and carry. Most of our fairs are straight out of the catalog. All the consultants do is show the inventory." Like Scholastic, EDC offers a strong financial incentive for schools to order from them. " If the consultant sells over %500, the school gets back 50% in books," explains White. In July, EDC was named one of the 200 fastest-growing small businesses by Fortune magazine. It has made the Forbes list twice. Recently, Barefoot Books embarked on a similar direct-sales program of its own, the Barefoot Stallholder Program. "We launched at the beginning of November [2003] in the U.S.," says Barefoot president Nancy Traversy. "For us, it's obviously a way to get our name out. We're not trying to take on Scholastic, and we continue to sell our books to them." Traversy is encouraging Stallholders to de events in people's homes rather than in schools. "Stallholders get back a percentage of their sales or a host gift, which they can then give back to the schools," she says.Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's Media An "Usborne First Bilingual Reader" this is a Spanish Puzzle Story. Silvia has been asked to solve the problem of a monster in the dungeons at the castle. It needs to be taken care of before the banquet that night. On each page Silvia faces a new challenge, explained in Spanish and English. The clues to solving the challenge are in Spanish, with an inset dictionary for quick translation. Readers look for things, solve puzzles, and use logic, all the while learning some basic Spanish. Actually this is a cute idea. The story is engaging and the puzzles are fun, but not so challenging as to be discouraging. The cartoonish illustrations are bright and full of kid-appeal. A word list and punctuation guide is included. A nice addition to language collections. Today's Parent "Joe won't miss it," your son says when you ask where he got a candy bar. How can you impress on him that stealing is wrong, even if he doesn't get caught? A new book uses a clever story to present this concept. The Burglar's Breakfast, by Felicity Everett, is a story for beginning readers about a burglar named Alfie, who learns that being the victim of a theft is no fun. A reading consultant helped with preparation of the text for this easy-to-read, paperback book, which belongs to the Young Reading Series 1. Christyan Fox's cartoon drawings, in pleasing colors, will aid youngsters in following the plot. Speech balloons help maintain the reader's interest. Alfie steals a talking bird that yells, "Stop thief!" A view through a magnifying glass shows ants carrying away Alfie's last grains of sugar. As each night of stealing ends, Alfie anticipates his breakfast. One morning upon arriving home, he discovers one item after another missing of his planned feast. He tracks down four of the five culprits, all of which are animals. A drawing shows Alfie putting his cat outside for stealing the sardines, but if children look closely at the picture, they will discover the real thief. Another cat is lying on the window ledge, with a smile on its face and the bones of a sardine in front of it. Alfie is angry because he has no breakfast. The following statement expresses his next thoughts: "Maybe this was how people felt when he burgled their houses. Alfie felt ashamed." Children will be surprised about the job Alfie finds - one that makes good use of the skills he already has.Children's Bookwatch Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books Today's Books
Metro West Daily News Excerpt from "Non-Fiction Nuggets for Children and Young Adults" Usborne has a range of fabulous how-to books for all ages, most of them linked to Internet sites at www.usborne-quicklinks.com. Their books also work on their own as outstanding beginner's guides in everything from learning languages to using software. Here are a few: Drawing Cartoons ($8.95) overflows with inventive ideas for drawing, with step-by-step instructions to show kids how to create wacky faces, funny animal scenes, and flip-book animations. Techniques are detailed, from inking with felt-tip pens, creating on the computer, and painting with watercolors. First Thousand Words in Japanese and Italian Dictionary for Beginners (both $12.95) make learning other languages easy and fun, with words grouped thematically and illustrated with amusing pictures and busy scenes. Listen to actual speakers online at the Web site. Internet-linked Complete Book of Chess is full of winning moves, tactical tricks and clever plans needed to play excellent chess. Complete beginners and more experienced players alike can make good use of this book. Lay deadly traps for enemy pieces, plan move combos, launch attacks and defenses. Over 80 chess puzzles. Usborne's Introduction to Powerpoint helps kids learn how to produce really professional slide show presentations. The book is written in simple, jargon-free language, with useful illustrations, to help kids plan design, and put on presentations for school projects. Puget Sound Council for the Review of
Children's Media
Puget Sound Council for the Review of
Children's Media This Usborne Internet-Linked book is sure to be a popular choice. After all, it's about snakes. First snakes are defined, then readers learn about snake shapes, skeletons, bodies, and internal organs. (Did you know they usually have 2 lungs but only use one?) Snake movement, senses, and life cycles are also explored. Predation, defense and even myths are briefly covered. The book is chock-a-block full of interesting snake facts, and lots of highly informative photographs and illustrations. Using the Usborne website readers can search constantly updated websites about snakes as well. The book includes glossary and index. Oddly, however, neither glossary nor index references the terms "colubrid" nor "elapid" although the terms are used in the text in a way that begs further description. Doubtless young readers will turn to a dictionary, as did this reviewer. Still, this is sure to be a hit with young snake fans. You'll want to have it on your shelves. Puget Sound Council for the Review of
Children's Media
From Children's Bookwatch The Gaming Shelf By James A. Cox
Usborne World History: Ancient World and Medieval WorldBy Cathy
Duff
Medieval World picks up where Ancient World leaves off, around 500 A.D. It begins with the Byzantine Empire, skipping over the
barbarian invasions
Cathy Duffy is writer and publisher of the well-known Christian Home Educators Curriculum Manuals from Grove Publishing http://www.grovepublishing.com/ True Stories of The Second World WarBy Frank Fogg
Book Review From Frank Fogg's website: http://www.fogg.cc/reviews/books/breview185.htm Learn to Play Electric GuitarBy Frank Fogg
Book Review From Frank Fogg's website http://www.fogg.cc/reviews/books/breview186.htm Book Review from Frank Fogg's website www.fogg.cccUsborne Easy SpanishBy Frank Fogg
Book Review From Frank Fogg's website www.fogg.ccThe Complete Book of ChessBy Frank Fogg
Book Reviews from Lane Education Service District Lane Rating System: 1 to
5
Baby Animals Jigsaw
Book Rating: 1
Today's Parent November
2003
By
Who Were the First People? By Phil Roxbee Cox and Struan Reid, for ages 6 to about 9, presents the scientific viewpoint about the first humans, based on archaeological discoveries. The text consist of questions dealing with such topics as food, hunting, use of fire, and religion, followed by answers ranging from one to three short paragraphs. The authors correct a common misconception about primitive people as follows: "They were as likely to see a dinosaur wandering around then as we are today." Another misconception is the idea that most prehistoric people lived in caves. Based on archaeologists' concepts, Gerald Wood's drawings, in realistic colors, depict early human beings, including children. A small picture shows a girl playing with three puppies, but they aren't pets. The adult canines had to work as hunting dogs. Scenes with numerous captions explain lifestyles from the distant past. One such picture shows people building a tent with sticks and animals skins. A timeline along the bottom of four consecutive pages gives children a concept of the relative time span during which animals existed before humans. Readers can follow directions for making a clay pot, utilizing methods similar to those used by primitive people. A chart presents examples of pictographic and cuneiform writing. By accessing one of the fifteen listed Internet links, kids ca view cave paintings. The final page answers two reader-directed questions and provides an index. This paperback book belongs to the Starting Point History series. "Today's
Parent" is published in Florida Children's Book Watch The Usborne
Book Of Castle Tales
The
Bloomsbury Review Usborne Touchy-Feely
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Animals |
Sheep, fish and a polar bear are among the many animals you will meet in this unique board book from Usborne. Each page has bright, vibrant, and entertaining illustrations and the simple text identifies and describes each animal in a unique way.
Book Review from
Today's Parent Magazine
"Off to the High-Tech World"
By Norma Kellam
Many things in the modern world appear
magical until kids learn how they work. A new book will help children unravel
the puzzles of natural phenomena, such as sound and light, as well as
complicated modern inventions like electronic equipment.
"Light, Sound and Electricity" by Kirsteen Rogers, Phillip Clark, Alastair Smith, and Corinne Henderson, for ages 9 to about 12, introduces the concept of waves, including specific types such as sound and electromagnetic, before proceeding to discussions of electricity, magnetism, and the more complex topics of electronics, computers, telecommunications, and the Internet.
Colorful illustrations clarify the text's explanations. A magnified ladybug enhances the discussion of microscopes. A diagram shows the route of a telephone call, and overlapping circles demonstrate the result of mixing light of different colors.
A substantial part of the discussion of waves deals with light. Readers will appreciate the following concise explanation about rainbows: "Water particles in the air act like prism, separating sunlight into colors." Internet links direct readers to websites, which supplement the written material; one site gives directions for building a crystal radio. "See for yourself" boxes describe activities kids can do, such as sending themselves an e-mail to check the speed of transmission.
Among data included in the "Facts and Lists" section are electrical symbols and the history of computers. Next comes a self-test; page numbers direct readers to information needed to answer each question. The index, as well as footnotes in text, gives page numbers for locating specific topics. Most of the material in this paperback book, which belongs to the Library of Science series, is also in Science Encyclopedia by Kirsteen Rogers and others.
From Midwest Book Review by Sharon Stuart
Sharon's Bookshelf
www.midwestbookreview.com
Usborne Publishing, Ltd.
C/o EDC Publishing
P.O. Box 470663
Tulsa, OK 74146-6515
079403144 $12.95
Part of the outstanding "Farmyard Tales Games" series from Usborne Publishing, Alphabet Lotto is an fun and "kid friendly" educational game for up to 4 players, and specifically designed for young folks ages 2-6. Enhancing pre-reading skills such as word and picture matching, featuring colorful cards of farmyard animals, as well as contents that can be adapted to varied difficulties depending upon the children, Alphabet Lotto is a friendly, inviting, and intellectually stimulating game. Parent's notes are included to offer insight in helping young folks learn that words and reading can be fun. Alphabet Lotto is confidently recommended for homeschoolers, as well as being a very welcome addition to preschool and kindergarten curriculum enrichment resource collections.
Today's Parent,
By: Norma Kellam
August 2003
The Right Dictionary-Child Match
"Look it up in the dictionary." You're wasting those words on your seven-year-old son. He shrugs his shoulders and runs out to play. Have you ever thought about getting a dictionary geared to his educational level?
First Dictionary by Rachel Wardley and Jane Bingham, for ages 5 to about 8, is a newly revised, easy-to-use, beginning dictionary, available in paperback and a library edition. Simple definitions and explanations provide word meanings that are relevant for primary-age children, such as, "An elevator is a small room that goes up and down."
Separate entries present words used for more than one part of speech. Irregular past tense forms, past participles, and common contractions also form separate entries. Sample sentences demonstrate how to use many of the words. Phonetic pronunciation helps with difficult terms, like "leopard." Occasional rectangles provide several synonyms for frequently used words or alerts about unusual spelling, such as 'wrong' beginning with 'w' instead of 'r'.
Photographs and Teri Gower's cartoon-style drawings provide small, colorful illustrations for many of the words. A drawing of a girl flipping a pancake represents the word "toss." An occasional picture assortment provides examples of various items which fit a category; one collection consists of different types of sea creatures. Illustrated samples of 13 kinds of writing include a crossword puzzle and a recipe.
Introductory pages tell how to use the book and provide word games. The complete alphabet at the bottom of the pages assists children who are learning the order of the letters. A small computer mouse beside an entry indicates the reader can find more information about that word on a child-appropriate website. One such site provides a simple five-page article about the flu.
Criticas
(Spanish Periodical)
Series For Younger Children, PS-GR 2
Dowswell, Paul
Mi Primera encyclopedia de animales (My First Encyclopedia of Animals)
by Sonia Tapia. Pilar Dunster & Anna Sanchez, Spanish eds. U.S.: Usborne/EDC. 2001 63p.index, illus. photogs. ISBN 0-7460-4502-6pap. $9.95; ISBN 1-58086-340-X. $17.95
Gr 1-4 This one volume beginner's encyclopedia contains sections on mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates, and marine life. After a brief overview, each short chapter zeros in on interesting features of the specific species under study. The chapter on reptiles, for example, discusses special senses, defense systems, and attack and captures mechanisms. Good indexing and excellent close-up photos and drawings inform the entire volume. The original English version was a 2000 Parents' Choice Recommended book.
Discover and Explore with Internet Links
Doherty, Gillian, Ed.
Aves. (Birds)
Tr. by Monica Tamariz ISBN 1-58086-347-7
Serpientes (Snakes)
Tr. by Pilar Dunster ISBN 1-58086-350-7
Tiburones (Sharks)
Tr. by Monica Tamariz ISBN 1-58086-348-5
Ea. Vol. Illustrated by John Woodcock US Usborne Books: EDC Pub. 2001. 63p. index illus. photogs $16.95
Gr3+ Three high interest animal titles are currently available in this popular, well-organized series. Readers can tap extensive supplementary Internet links by connecting to downloadable images and related websites maintained on the EDC/Usborne site. English editions of the series received the 2003 Teachers' Choice Award. Recommended for public libraries and large booksellers. Also available in paperback.
www.fogg.cc, Frank Fogg, April 2003
Advanced Chess
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Title: |
The Usborne Guide to Advanced Chess |
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Author: |
David Norwood |
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Publisher: |
EDC Publishing, Tulsa, Ok |
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ISBN: |
0-7460-0617-9 |
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Reviewed By: |
Frank Fogg |
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Review Date: |
April, 2003 |
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Rating: |
4 flags |
The Usborne Guide to Advanced Chess is a paperback primer for the intermediate
level chess enthusiast. This is a full color paperback of 64 pages.
Advanced Chess is divided into a number of short chapters. Each chapter teaches
chess theory by a combination of text, traditional two-dimensional chessboard
diagrams, and three-dimensional photographs of the chessboard. There are
chapters that demonstrate the theory behind openings, the middle game, and the
end game, while others are dedicated to specialized details such as pawn use,
piece control, sacrificing, and planning.
A small number of chess puzzles are included throughout the book. These tease
the user to apply the chapter concepts to solving a puzzle by selecting the
right combination of moves. The answers to the puzzles are contained in an
appendix at the end of the book. There is also a glossary of common chess terms
and a chapter that describes tournament play.
The reader should learn chess notation to fully understand this manual. A page
is included at the beginning of the book that clearly explains how it works but
beginners will probably find themselves reviewing this section repeatedly.
Luckily, the chessboard diagrams include color-coded arrows that show each move
or possibility that is described in the book.
Advanced Chess covers four openings; the Spanish Opening, King's Gambit,
Caro-Kann and King's Indian Defense. Each chapter covers the first nine moves
and each move is dissected in small detail. Once the player gets to the ninth
move, a picture shows the chessboard with the pieces ready for move ten and a
text box discusses what options and advantages each side has going into the
middle game.
Advanced Chess does a good job of explaining the theory behind chess at all
stages of the game. The color-coded diagrams make comprehension of the material
much easier and are found throughout the text. This book does not cover a wide
variety of openings or provide page upon page of dull analysis, but instead
focuses on only the most important concepts. It is perfect for the beginner or
intermediate level player wanting to learn a little more about chess theory in
a short amount of time.
www.fogg.cc, Frank Fogg, April 2003
1001 Animales Que Buscar
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Title: |
1001 Animales Que Buscar |
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Author: |
Ruth Brocklehurst |
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Publisher: |
EDC Publishing, Tulsa, Ok |
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ISBN: |
0-7460-5081-X |
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Reviewed By: |
Frank Fogg |
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Review Date: |
April, 2003 |
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Rating: |
4 ½ flags |
1001 Animales Que Buscar (1001 Animals to Spot) is an activity book for young
children entirely in Spanish. This is a paperback book of 32 pages.
This book consists of a series of double-page drawings. On each page there are
a number of animals. Around the margins is a list of the animals to search for
along with the number of animals of that type to find in the drawing. Each
animal to search for is shown as a picture of about one square inch along with
its Spanish name. Another game is introduced near the end of the book. An
additional group of animals from "Leo's drawings" are listed and the
child must look back through all of the pictures to find these bonus animals.
Each of the animal search drawings has a theme associated with it. Some of
these include the jungle, the mountains, the ocean, the forest, and the North
Pole. Animals that one would normally associate with each type of terrain are
included in the search. The drawings are all very colorful and the animals are
involved in various activities that help the child's imagination.
This is a fun book to sit down with your child and go through each search. By
the end, your child can learn the Spanish names of over 100 animals in addition
to building counting skills. This title helps the child to build skills by
being fun and turning learning into a game. The colorful drawings invite the
child to use the book more than once or on their own. 1001 Animales Que Buscar
is a fun and interesting tool to introduce Spanish language skills and basic
counting to your young child.
www.fogg.cc, Frank Fogg, April 2003
First French Flashcards
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Title: |
First French Flashcards |
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Illustrator: |
Stephen Cartwright |
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Publisher: |
EDC Publishing, Tulsa, OK |
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ISBN: |
0-7945-0271-7 |
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Reviewed By: |
Frank. Fogg |
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Review Date: |
April, 2003 |
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Rating: |
4 flags |
First French Flashcards is a flashcard deck of 50 cards for teaching children
basic French. The deck is packaged in a playing card style cardboard box and is
slightly larger than standard flashcards.
Each French word is shown with a drawing on one side of each flashcard, with
the English translation in small type at the bottom right-hand corner. The
other side of the card only has the French word with no other information. The
vocabulary taught by this deck uses a farm theme and includes farm animals,
tools, plants, and other things one might find around the farm.
The deck is nicely illustrated in full color and is printed on firm cardboard
stock. The pictures are cartoon-like in appearance. Each is very colorful and
the meanings are unambiguous.
This deck would be ideal for a classroom setting of small size. No
pronunciation guide is included with the cards, so an adult should have a grasp
of basic French to assist their child in pronouncing the words.
Children enjoy this format to study a new language. The colorful illustrations
keep their attention and they find using them a fun game to play.
www.fogg.cc, Frank Fogg, April 2003
Gatitos
|
Title: |
Gatitos (Kittens) |
|
Author: |
Fiona Watt |
|
Publisher: |
EDC Publishing, Tulsa, OK |
|
ISBN: |
0-7460-5091-7 |
|
Reviewed By: |
Frank. Fogg |
|
Review Date: |
April, 2003 |
|
Rating: |
4 flags |
Gatitos is a hardcover book targeted to pre-school and toddler age children.
This book has ten thick cardboard pages that are not easily torn or ripped.
Gatitos is a book to introduce young children to reading. It is entirely in
Spanish. The story line describes kittens doing everyday things like playing,
climbing and jumping. Each page is colorfully illustrated with pictures of
kittens and their activities. The book also includes a number of textured areas
to stimulate the child by allowing them to touch the kittens.
The level of Spanish in this book is elementary, so most English-speaking
parents will be able to fumble through the vocabulary. The story is short
enough to keep the child interested, and they like being able to touch the
textured parts of the book. The pages are thick enough that only the most
dedicated effort by the child will damage them, so children can be encouraged
to use this book on their own.
Gatitos is an excellent tool to teach your toddler or pre-school aged child a
few words and sounds of a second language. The book is big, colorful, and
children like being able to feel the kittens.
Calliope, April 2003
Story of Music
Eileen O'Brien (Usborne Publishing, 1997) devotes tow-page chapters to such topics as medieval music, baroque music, opera, blues and music in the Middle East. Detailed diagrams enhance the text.
Learning Magazine, Spring 2003
Trains IL
Ride the rails with this Internet-linked book about trains, from the early steam giants to the modern speed machines. At the accompanying Quicklinks Web site, students can play a game, browse a photo gallery, listen to steam locomotives, take a virtual tour of a luxury train, and more. All aboard!
Today's Parent, March 2003
Riding the Multilingual Wave by Norma D. Kellam
First Thousand Words in Spanish Sticker Book
Your kids are growing up in a multilingual environment. In Florida, knowing Spanish is a great asset. As youngsters search the Web, other languages will also come in handy. Language consultants assisted in the preparation of two books which introduce children to foreign languages.
First Thousand Words in Spanish Sticker Book by Heather Amery, for ages 3 to about 8, contain six pages of picture stickers, which children apply around the borders of large scenes and on pages with small pictures representing specific topics. Kids match the Spanish words to determine where each sticker belongs. Stephen Cartwright's colorful, cartoon drawings give concrete meaning to the words.
The items pictured in the borders and on the appropriate stickers are also in the scenes, thus encouraging youngsters to name them using appropriate Spanish words. Among the interesting situations children will find in the scenes is a hospitalized girl bandaging her panda bear.
The introduction explains how to use this paperback book and points out distinctive characteristics of the Spanish language. A picture of a schoolroom shows an alphabet chart with three extra letters. The glossary lists the Spanish words along with a phonetic rendering of the pronunciation and the English translation.. The introduction to the glossary includes important points regarding pronunciation.
First Thousand Words in German Sticker Book by Heather Amery, for ages 3 to about 8, is the German version of the above Spanish book. Explanations in the introduction include the three grammatical genders, indicated by different words for "the." Three vowels with an umlaut (two dots) over them and a letter that is different from any in the English alphabet follow the regular letters in the alphabet chart.
Today's Books, March 2003
Easy Spanish
Rated a Must Read!
Easy German
Rated a Must Read!
Easy French
Rated a Must Read!
www.fogg.cc, Frank Fogg, March 2003
Playing Chess
|
Title: |
The Usborne Guide to Playing Chess |
|
Author: |
Susan Caldwell |
|
Publisher: |
EDC Publishing, Tulsa, Ok |
|
ISBN: |
0-7460-0135-5 |
|
Reviewed By: |
Frank Fogg |
|
Review Date: |
March, 2003 |
|
Rating: |
4 flags |
The Usborne Guide to Playing Chess is a beginner's guide to learning the game of
chess. This is a full color paperback book of 64 pages.
This book assumes the reader knows nothing about chess and begins by explaining
what chess is, what pieces are used, how to set up a game, and how to move the
pieces. It continues by demonstrating basic game concepts using just a few
pieces in simple situations. Moves are illustrated using clear color-coded
diagrams with green and red arrows showing exactly what moves are possible.
Once most of the basic moves have been shown, the book moves on to a sample
game that provides a concise example of how to play.
Several sidebar articles add spice to the story. Short biographies of Karpov,
Fischer, and Alekhine are sprinkled throughout the text. Other short articles
explain the history of chess, ancient chess sets, chess game variations, and
how chess notation (writing down the moves for the game) is used.
Beside the examples and sample game, Playing Chess also gives important hints
on improving your game. Clear explanations of the opening, middle game, and end
game and their required strategies are provided. Several methods to checkmate
the opponent are also demonstrated, including how to avoid stalemate and
perpetual check. Near the end of the book is a list of national chess
federations for the United States, Canada, British, Australia and New Zealand
along with their mailing addresses.
I really like this book as a vehicle to teach beginners how to play chess. All
of the basic concepts are explained in plain language. A glossary at the back
further explains unfamiliar chess terms. The three-dimensional color diagrams
are far superior to the standard black and white two-dimensional boards common
with many books of this type. The text contains everything one needs to learn
the basic game without trying to digress to teaching canned openings or
advanced concepts. To summarize, the two strengths of this book are the
delightful color diagrams and the simplicity with which everything about basic
chess is explained.
The Usborne Guide to Playing Chess is a plain language tutorial for chess that
is clearly worded and appropriate for beginners of all ages. Unlike a number of
confusing books for beginners that I've seen over the years, this one gets
right to the point using an economy of words and a wealth of colorful diagrams.
If you have always wanted to learn how to play chess, this is undoubtedly the
book for you.
Contemporary Pediatrics, February 2003
Books for the Child Afraid of Doctors, Hospitals and Medical Procedures by Laura A. Jana, MD
Going to the Hospital
After a boy named Ben goes to see his doctor for recurrent ear infections, he is admitted to the hospital for ear tube surgery. Aside from the use of the British term "auroscope" to describe what is more commonly referred to as an otoscope, this book, first published by Usborne in Great Britain, proceeds to present universal aspects of visiting a doctor, being evaluated by nurses and doctors, the unique features of hospital rooms, and what happens when you undergo surgery. In paying attention to details that are important to a child but that may be overlooked by adults and health professionals, the book even mentions hospital attire (e.g., gowns) and the long hallway to the operating room. Incidentally - Ben's surgeon is female.
Brooklyn Parent Magazine, January 2003
Complete Book of Drawing
Animals, people, cartoons, perspective and all the basics of drawing are covered here. Kids interested in drawing will be inspired to move on to new levels of skill with the clear illustrations and easy to follow instructions.
Calliope, January 2003
Make This Viking Settlement
An excellent, detailed cut-out model by Iain Ashman.
Washington Parent, January 2003
Spy's Guidebook
A CD-ROM and a paperback book of cartoon characters teach how to create disguises, make and break secret codes and play spy games that probably won't fool any parent but are good for a few laughs. Usborne also publishes pocket-sized books on spying and codes. Their Spycraft Kid Kit includes a plastic mustache.
Learning Magazine, January 2003
Animal World IL
Key concepts in animal biology are explained with lovely text and close-up photographs. Students on the prowl for more information will delight in the experiments, activities, and Web sites.
Today's Books, January 2003
Castles IL
Rated Exceptional!
Complete Book of Riding & Pony Care IL
Rated Exceptional!
Complete Book of the Microscope IL
Rated Exceptional!
Children's Bookwatch, January 2003
First Thousand Words in German Sticker Book
With over 500 stickers illustrating simple German words, First Thousand Words in German Sticker Book is a superbly organized and presented activity book for young people. An easy-to-understand basic pronunciation guide enhances the charming full-color illustrations and the great many "peel-and-stick" stickers that help enhance memory and comprehension. First Thousand Words in German Sticker Book is an excellent and thoroughly "kid friendly" title for budding bilingual children. Also very highly recommended from Usborne is Heather Amery and Stephen Cartwright's First Thousand Words in Spanish Sticker Book.
Puget Sound Council for the Review of Childrens' Media, January 2003
Sharks IL
Rated: R - Recommended/Buy
This is the book for those young shark lovers we all have. Lots of good information interspersed with terrific photos. Excellent for browsing and report writing. Question and phrase caption headings would make this a good teaching tool also. Every other page or so has an Internet site link for the topic. Index and glossary.
Puget Sound Council for the Review of Childrens' Media, January 2003
Encyclopedia of Planet Earth
Rated: Ad+ - Additional; up to library standards; buy if there is a need
This is a browsing encyclopedia full of beautiful illustrations and a minimal amount of descriptive text. Some pages have rather dark backgrounds making them hard to read. The contents include Planet Earth, Earthquakes and Volcanoes, Climate, Weather, Plants and Animals, Shaping the Land,, Rivers and Oceans, and Useful Information. In the Useful Information section there is a glossary, some fact pages, Internet addresses and an index.all this in 159 pages. This would be a great coffee table book.
Puget Sound Council for the Review of Childrens' Media, January 2003
Spreadsheets
Rated: Ad+ - Additional; up to library standards; buy if there is a need
Learn how to use the spreadsheet program Excel to accomplish many projects from a simple address list to a timetable, to lists that include calculations. This book explains them all in easy-to-understand illustrated stops. Functions, formatting, and shortcuts are also described. The book includes contents, index and glossary. If your school uses Windows OS and has this program, this would be a good purchase.
For Kids Only, December 2002/January 2003
Ghosts and Hauntings
The Usborne Book of Ghosts and Hauntings by Anna Claybourne is a good book to read if you are looking for scary hauntings ghosts and when they haunted people. For example, the Poltergeist tells it is there by giving a person a cold feeling in the air. It isn't just factual either. The book has a lot of stories that will give you shivers down your spine! So, if you are looking for an exciting, but advanced book pick up the Usborne Book of Ghosts and Hauntings.
Today's Books, December 2002
Picture Dictionary
Rated a Must Read!
First Dictionary
Rated a Must Read!
Farmyard Tales Christmas Flap Book
Rated Exceptional!
Today's Parent, December 2002
Things to Make and Do for Christmas
You frown at your tattered Christmas ornaments and head to the store for new ones. Consider a different source of decorations: your kids. Adorning the house and tree with their own creations makes Christmas more meaningful for children. A new book will provide abundant ideas and directions for making decorations, cards, and gift tags, as well as for embellishing wrapping paper.
Things to Make and Do for Christmas by Fiona Watt and Ray Gibson, for
ages 4 to about 8, gu7ides kids through numbered, step-by-step directions,
accompanied by colorful illustrations. Larger pictures depict finished
projects, usually showing several possibilities. The final instruction for
making a snowflake out of a folded paper is, "Cut out small triangles from
around the edges. Then, open it out."
Among the decorations are stars, Christmas trees, stockings, beads, and an angel. Two paper chains of differently attired snowmen stretch across a double page. An unusual card idea consists of an angel made from blue and yellow handprints. Stars hanging down and outward, attached by a strip of paper, make unique decorations for cards or gift tags for package. A coiled pipe cleaner forms a spring, providing another way to attach a tag. Seven packages demonstrate wrapping paper adorned with star and Christmas tree potato prints. Glitter adds a finishing touch to various projects.
The center double page provides 70 stickers, such as Christmas trees, reindeer, stars and packages, which youngsters can use on their projects or elsewhere. An advent calendar, made from colored paper and small drawings or stickers, will help your child keep track of the time left until the magic, awaited day. This paperback book belongs to the Holiday Titles series.
Reviewed by Norma D. Kellam
Nashville Parent, December 2002
Farmyard Tales Christmas
Sam and Poppy are getting ready for Christmas by helping their dad feed the farm animals, wrap gifts and write letters to Santa. This lift-the-flap book also has a hidden kitten and rubber ducky to find on every two pages. When you finish the story, pop in the tape and listen to more Farmyard Tales and Christmas carols.
Reviewer - Ashley Driggs
The Cryptogram, November/December 2002
Secret Codes: Signs and Signals, Scrambling, Code Breaking
A small, 4 1/2" x 7", colorful book designed for ages 7 and up. Includes Codes and ciphers, Morse messages, Cipher machines, Letter grille, Invisible ink, Puzzles in print, Quick codes, Hiding secret messages, Body language, Tips for code breakers, secret code quiz and much more. Answers are in the back of the book. A terrific fun and learning book and an excellent value. Buy an extra copy for your child to share with a friend and exchange secret messages.
Reviewer - Louis Kruh
Washington Parent, November 2002
Encyclopedia of World Religions
Explores the beliefs, history and customs of Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity and other religions. Authors Susan Meredith and Clare Hickman include information on different forms of worship and religion's effect on society. Well designed with side bars, headings, photos and listings for internet links, this encyclopedia will prove an accessible, informative guide when children have questions.
Reviewer - Mary Quattlebaum
Children's Bookwatch, November 2002
The Night Sky
Collaboratively Nigel Henbest and Stuart Atkinson, The Night Sky is a brief yet vert nicely illustrated, full-color beginner's guide to stars and other fascinating things that can be viewed by children in the night sky, including comets, planets, and meteors. One of the titles in the outstanding "Usborne Spotter's Guides" series, The Night Sky is strongly recommended as a highly enjoyable and easy-to-understand primer for any beginning stargazer.
Reviewer - James Cox
Today's Parent, November 2002
Complete Book of Riding and Pony Care
Your daughter has been begging for a pony. Does she have any idea how much work that kind of pet requires?
Complete Book of Riding and Pony Care by Rosie Dickens and Gill Harvey, for ages 8 to about 12, gives thorough explanations about riding and caring for ponies and horses. The glossary of this paperback book defines "horse" as "a general word for a horse or a pony." The beginning pages provide basic information on this species.
Two of the eight sections present the major riding styles. English riding is the classical type. The Western style, which is more relaxed, developed in America. Readers will learn signals that tell horses what to do, as well as encountering many new words, including names for thirty parts of a horse. Western-style riders use different terms for a couple gaits; for example, "jog" replaces "trot."
Bob Langrish's color photographs of horses and riders enhance the text. In a full-page illustration introducing the section on trail riding, two smiling kids ride through a creek. Sequential photographs demonstrate mounting and dismounting. Mikki Rain's drawings include illustrated, numbered steps explaining application of a saddle and a bridle.
Horses require a lot of care, especially if they live in a stable. Important duties consist of feeding, grooming, daily health checks, removing extraneous substances from hooves, applying a blanket for warmth, cleaning and polishing the saddle and bridle, and cleaning the stall.
The last two sections cover advanced training, such as learning to change gaits smoothly, and various kinds of competition, including tests for skill and fun games. Page numbers in parentheses refer readers to further discussions of specific topics. The index also assists in locating desired facts.
Reviewer - Norma Kellam
Nashville Parent, November 2002
Panda in the Park
Panda is playing hide-and-seek in this "look-through" book. He spots giraffe through a hole in the bushes. Giraffe then spots Tiger through a hole in a tree stump. The tale goes on until everyone's been found and then they start all over again! Also, in the "look-through" series are Bunny on the Beach and Mouse on the Moon. Cute stories that will captivate your toddler even if only for a moment.
Reviewer - Ashley Driggs
ENC, October 2002
** ENC Resource Pick of the Month **
An Introduction to Spreadsheets: Using Microsoft Excel 2000 or Microsoft
Office 2000
This user-friendly book, designed for grade 5 and higher, guides students through 30 step-by-step projects that utilize spreadsheets. Projects use Microsoft Excel 2000 and include the insertion of formulas to add, subtract, multiply, or divide columns of numbers; the insertion of a function to average and round numbers; and the use of the Chart Wizard. Lessons are organized in order of increasing difficulty so the authors recommend that students start their work at the beginning of the book. Photographs and screen shots, in black and white and in color, support the text along with tip boxes that offer shortcuts and hints. There are also a glossary of key terms, a troubleshooting section, and instructions for engaging the Excel Help system. Nonthreatening and well-organized, this book is the perfect resource for students to learn spreadsheets at their own pace.
Reviewer - Jennifer Gonya
KidsLikeOurs.com, October 2002
First Thousand Words in German Book and Sticker Book
| Description | The Usborne First Thousand Words in German provides
a wealth of vocabulary-building opportunities for young learners of German, and
also for anyone who wants the stimulus of learning with pictures. Devised to appeal to a wide range, this book contains bright and amusing pictures by Stephen Cartwright. illustrating a basic German Vocabulary. It encourages direct association of the German word with the object to ensure effective, long-term learning. At the end of the book there is a full German/English dictionary which covers all the words in the book and includes an easy-to-use, word-by-word pronunciation guide. The Usborne First Thousand Words in German Sticker Book is an entertaining, talk-about book for children who are just starting to learn German. Bright amusing pictures by Stephen Cartwright illustrate a basic German vocabulary. The stickers encourage children in active learning and help association of the German word with the object to ensure effective vocabulary building. At the end of the book there is a full German/English dictionary which covers all the words in the book and includes an easy-to-use, word-by-word pronunciation guide. |
| Our View | First off let me just say that the illustrations in
this book are great! Each main scene (located in the middle of each two-page spread) has so much to look at that young children of any nationality will enjoy time spent with this book. Eric (4) likes the pictures and enjoys pointing things out in them. Of course the real value of each of these books is the exposure that you (and your children) receive to all of the many "everyday" German words. Around each "main scene" are words with their pictures above them (or in the case of the sticker book just words with a place to put the sticker). I would use the main book to try and memorize the words and the sticker book as a kind of test. I like how the back of the book includes a alphabetical word list dictionary (as well as a few pronunciation tips). You should defiantly get this for your teenager who is learning German! |
| Bottom Line | I believe that these books would be a perfect addition
to the library of anyone (young or old) who is learning to speak the German
language for the first time. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, October 2002
Usborne Picture Dictionary
| Description | A fun, first dictionary with over 1,000 words defined
|
| Our View | This book is jam packed with all kinds of words and
their definitions and each are accompanied with a fun to look at illustration. The definitions for each word are easy for young kids to understand and are fun to read. Take for example the word most the definition is the biggest number or amount then it shows a picture of three caterpillars and under it asks Which caterpillar has the most black stripes? At the front of the book it talks about how to use a dictionary and at the back of the book are lists of colors, shapes, numbers, and more. Eric likes pointing all of them out. The Pictures that accompany each word are top quality and so does MaryJo (6)who said "The people who made the pictures for this book have to be Fantastic artists because the pictures are great!" It is really a very fun and colorful dictionary that any your child would be thrilled to own. Eric (4) loves looking at all of the pictures |
| Bottom Line | This is an absolute MUST BUY!!! for any young
child! |
KidsLikeOurs.com, October 2002
Shark in the Park
| Description | "There's a shark in the park!" Pup barks. Created in consultation with a language expert, this book is part of an engaging new phonics-based series, especially written to help your child learn to read. Not only is the story great fun, it also takes into account recent research on the most effective ways of teaching reading. Stephen Cartwright's delightful illustrations complement the text and are designed to stimulate further interest. Fold out pages add to the enjoyment. |
| Our Say | At MaryJo's (age 6) school they have the "Root's
and Wings" program for reading. She is in first grade so is in the
"roots" section. That is where they ground them in their reading
skills (so later she can soar to new heights in reading). Anyway I noticed
almost immediately that the text in this book is somewhat similar to what they
use in the reading books they use in the program. That is a good thing because MaryJo has had a lot of success reading these types of books. Also she really likes this book because is a little more challenging than what she is reading at school, it is colorful and the illustrations are adorable, she loves (as does Eric (4)) lifting the flaps. |
| Bottom Line | Fun, colorful, and sure to please the beginning
reader/shark lover in your life. |
Today's Parent, October 2002
Flags Sticker Book
"What country's flag is that?" your son asks. You aren't up on vast array of national flags, but a new book can help.
Flags Sticker Book by Lisa Miles, for ages 7 to about 12, contains 200 brightly colored flag stickers, including one for every country. Children search for the corresponding black and white flag and place the sticker over it.
Most of the flags are national flags, but eight are not, such as flags for the Red Cross, the United Nations, and the Olympic Games. Each section of this paperback book contains black and white national flags for countries located on a specific continent and a map labeling each country with a number corresponding to the number beneath it's flag. Basic facts about the continent include the largest and smallest county, the population, and the longest river. The two smallest countries listed are Nauru, an eight-square mile island in Australasia and Vatican City, within the borders of Italy, which is 0.17 square miles.
Items of interest regarding nine flags enhance the presentation, for example: "In the middle of the Mexican flag is a symbol that represents the ancient Aztec Empire..."
An 18-year-old, young woman designed Papua New Guinea's flag. A space for entering date and place appears under each flag enabling kids to record when and where they see that flag. Footnotes present important data, such as two countries with current flags too new for inclusion in the book.
Readers who can't determine where to put some of the stickers should check the index which lists the page numbers for all the flags. This book belongs to the "Sticker Books" series.
Reviewer - Norma Kellam
Bloomsbury Review, September/October 2002
Children's World Cookbook
The Children's World Cookbook includes favorite recipes from many countries around the world. For the United States it is cheesecake and brownies! The most fascinating aspect of the book, though, may be the pages devoted to explaining one food type as it appears in different countries. For instance, the page on breads around the world shows pictures of brioche, pretzels, nan, pita, focaccia, and more. If your child has any sense of adventure when it comes to food, this book will surely be of interest. It is not a young child's book, however, but meant for someone old enough to know his or her way around a kitchen - maybe even you.
Reviewer - Cindy L.A. Jones, Ph.D.
KidsLikeOurs.com, September 2002
Illustrated Dictionary of Science
| Description | This incredible dictionary features 384 pages of pure information and is an essential resource for all GCSE students studying biology, chemistry and physics. Completely redesigned and updated, this classic Usborne bestseller provides clear definitions in straightforward language of all key terms and concepts. It also features comprehensive cross-referencing between related areas of study and a detailed index while clear diagrams and illustrations strip away the complexities of difficult scientific concepts. |
| Our View | As you can see from looking at the Table of Contents
this book is jam packed with all the average adult/high school student would
need to know about biology, chemistry and physics. The information is well
organized and extremely informative. My daughter Megan (14) really wanted me to get this book and is thrilled to have it for school. I have to admit that I was never any good at Science but my daughter is and will use it often. I was also surprised to find that my Husband (who is going to ITT Tech right now) is also glad to have this book to use as a reference. He (jokingly) even tried to talk Megan out of wanting it (giving it to him). They have decided to share the knowledge (by sharing the book). I know that (with three other children in the home) this is a book that will be used again and again. |
| Bottom Line | This is an absolute MUST BUY!!! for any home
with a teenage and up student in it! |
www.fogg.com, September 2002
Fractions and Decimals
| Book Review |  |
| Title: | Fractions & Decimals |
| Author: | Karen Bryant-Mole |
| Publisher: | EDC Publishing, Tulsa, OK |
| ISBN: | 0-7460-1683-2 |
| Reviewed By: | A. Fogg |
| Review Date: | September, 2002 |
| Rating: | 
|
Fractions and Decimals is a book about how to use fractions and decimals. It
is a paperback book for children of 32 pages.
This book is about a family whose lives are always related to math. The family
includes a father, mother, sister, brother, grandfather and grandmother that
live in pre-historic times. They love to spend time together and to compete
with other families.
The stories about the family go through the basic steps to find fractions and
decimals in everyday situations. They also show how to change whole numbers
into fractions or decimals.
I thought this was a great book because it was fun to read and helped me to
understand fractions and decimals. I also enjoyed the pictures that helped to
make learning fun.
This book is perfect for children that are learning about fractions and
decimals or for those that just need a review.
www.fogg.com, September 2002
Knitting From Start To Finish
| Book Review | |
| Title: | Knitting From Start to Finish |
| Author: | Angela Wilkes and Carol Garbera |
| Publisher: | EDC Publishing, Tulsa, OK |
| ISBN: | 0-86020-983-0 |
| Reviewed By: | A. Fogg |
| Review Date: | September, 2002 |
| Rating: |
|
Knitting From Start to Finish is a book about how to knit for children. It is
a paperback book of 48 pages.
This book provides step-by-step instructions about how to knit and pearl and
shows patterns that use both. It shows how to hold the yarn while knitting as
well as other basic techniques. Once you get the hang of knitting, it shows
patterns for clothing that you can make yourself. Some of the patterns in the
book are mittens, sweaters, and skirts.
I like this book because it is helpful to me since I just started learning to
knit. It is easy to look back for recourse if I am stuck with something. I also
like the colorful pictures that help me to understand what the book is trying
to say.
I think this book would be excellent for other children who would like to learn
to knit, sew, or crochet.
www.fogg.com, September 2002
How To Draw People
| Book Review | |
| Title: | How to Draw People |
| Author: | Alastair Smith |
| Publisher: | EDC Publishing, Tulsa, OK |
| ISBN: | 0-7460-0998-4 |
| Reviewed By: | A. Fogg |
| Review Date: | September, 2002 |
| Rating: |
|
How to Draw People is a book about learning how to draw for children. It is a
paperback book of 32 pages.
The book provides easy step-by-step directions to show you how to draw pictures
of people. It shows how to draw real people, cartoon characters and
superheroes. The directions tell how to draw the outline of the face and align
the eyes, nose, mouth and ears so the picture looks right. The book also lists
the type of art utensils you will need to color the drawing you are making.
I liked this book because the directions were very easy to follow. It also has
great drawing tips that help when you need to draw for a school art project,
birthday party, and other special occasions.
I would recommend this book for children that love to draw and want to learn to
draw people or improve their pictures.
www.fogg.com, September 2002
Brain Puzzles
| Book Review | |
| Title: | Brain Puzzles |
| Author: | Jenny Tyler and Graham Round |
| Publisher: | EDC Publishing, Tulsa, OK |
| ISBN: | 0-86020-437-5 |
| Reviewed By: | A. Fogg |
| Review Date: | September, 2002 |
| Rating: |
1/2 |
Brain Puzzles is a book of puzzles and teasers for children. This book is a
paperback book of 32 pages.
The Brain Puzzles book is full of challenging brainteasers that you have to
solve. Some of the puzzles are short and simple, while others are long and
hard. At the beginning of the book you are given hints to solve most of the
puzzles. Some of the puzzles involve numbers while others play games with
words. At the back of the book are all of the answers along with some clues if
you get stuck.
I really liked this book because it was fun to solve the puzzles and I think
this would be a perfect book for other children that love to think. I also
liked the colorful drawings that are shown with each game.
KidsLikeOurs.com, September 2002
Flags Kid Kit
| Description | Wave your flag with fun stickers! Six large and ten small stickers show five different countries. Begin a foreign money collection - genuine, minted bank notes and coins - starting with currency from ten different countries! Usborne's Flags presents more than 200 flags from every country in the world. Includes: one sheet of flag stickers; five different national bank notes; and five different national coins. |
| Our Say | About a month ago I noticed that one of the new trends
with kids around my sons age (11) was to collect real money from others
countries. It seems they like the look of them. "Where does the money come from?" you ask. Good question. Well as I see it can get it one of three ways: 1. By traveling (or get a person who does to send you stuff). 2.By buying the money out of a machine (they have one at the bowling alley). or 3. Or by buying this book. Brandon was thrilled to the bone to have received this kit. He is in 5th grade and it just learning about various countries and their flags so he liked the book but he LOVED getting the money. The money comes from a wide variety of places and is fun to look at. Some of the paper money has wonderful artwork on it. It really gets him excited about learning about other countries. In the book you learn many flag facts. There are illustrations of flags from every country in the world and each one has the date created and a box that you can check when you spot that flag in the world. Brandon is going to use the book as a guide to collect money from all over the world. He is going to check each flag as he collects a coin or banks note from that country. |
| Bottom Line | Instead of collecting stamps your kids can collect something much more exciting ... MONEY!! This Kids Kit is a great way to get children excited about learning about other countries! FUN! |
KidsLikeOurs.com, September 2002
Roman Record
| Description | Soak up the shocks, horrors and sensations of the
greatest empire of the Ancient World. It's all in The Roman Record - a fresh
and lively look at history, written and designed to look like a tabloid
newspaper. 1200 years of history are covered, from Romulus and Remus to the
fall of Rome. Wolf Boy Kills Twin - Then Founds City, Elephant Man in Mountain Breakout, Exploding Brain Kills Honeymoon Hun - these are just some of the stories you'll find in the Record. And don't miss the Record special features such as Top Tips for Tourists in Rome, Senulas's Slave Spot, and Godshop - your essential guide to Rome's religions. ("...a work of genius, funny, informative and very entertaining." Open Book) |
| Our Say | This is a very fun book to read. Megan (age 14) enjoyed
it thoroughly and I did as well. Megan said this book is "Cool" and also said her favorite part of it was the test "Are you a senator or a slave?" She "of course" (otherwise I don't think it would be her favorite part) was a senator. I really liked reading about all the various rulers and the role that Christianity has played in the culture. I also like reading about (at looking of the illustrations of) their living accommodations. |
| Bottom Line | A fun, educational, and easy to understand book of Roman history. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, August 2002
That's Not My Dinosaur
| Description | That's not my dinosaur. It's horns are too rough.
This delightful series of board books is aimed at very young children. The bright pictures, with their patches of different textures, are designed to develop sensory and language awareness. Babies and toddlers will love turning the pages and touching the feely patches. |
| Our Say | This book is extremely adorable. Each two-page spread
contains a very colorful dinosaur, each one with a different texture to feel.
Eric (4) loves this book. I (and anyone else who will read it to him) have read it to him many times. He loves feeling the textures and think the dinosaurs are cool. |
| Bottom Line | Fun, colorful, and sure to please the dinosaur lover in your life. |
Children's Bookwatch, August 2002
Growing Things
Accessibly written by Angela Wilkes, Growing Things is a simple picture book for young readers, and offers basic information on how to grow plants illustrated with refreshing, colorful, cartoon-style art by John Shackell. From how to plant bulbs to raising herbs, tomatoes, or houseplants, Growing Things teaches young people the joy of raising something by themselves. Highly recommended for family, school, and community library gardening and children's activities collections, a glossary of plant-related words on the inside back cover rounds out this excellent book.
Reviewer - James Cox
Mothering, July/August 2002
Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World Religions
With photographic splendor, the Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World Religions summarizes the beliefs, rituals, and societal influence of diverse religions, from Christianity and Islam to Sikhism and Shinto.
Cryptologia, July 2002
Usborne Book of Secret Codes
A beautifully illustrated book with bright colors, written and designed for youngsters age 8-12. Describes 16 secret writing techniques including a letter swap code, pigpen code, pigpen code, snail code, calendar code, telephone code, Morse code, newspaper code, jumble code, and many others. Also, how to make and use a Code Wheel, invisible writing, Agent A's code kit, code games and much more. As you learn new codes, you can follow a thrilling story involving undercover agents and secret code experts. It is a very attractive book with contents to captivate youngsters.
Reviewer - Louis Kruh
Today's Books, July 2002
Children's New Testament
Very Good!! Paperback. Illustrated. Usborne Children's New Testament: A Collection of Bible Stories. Hardcover. Illustrated. Bible/Nativity: Sermon on the Mount - Parables - Last Supper - Crucifixion, Holy Spirit.
Reviewer - Lex Ticonderoga
Today's Books, July 2002
An Introduction to Web Site Design
Exceptional!! Paperback. Illustrated. An Introduction to Web Site Design using Microsoft Frontpage. Internet/Home Page: Publishing Web sites - HTML - Animation.
Reviewer - Lex Ticonderoga
Today's Books, July 2002
Children's World Cookbook
Must read!! Children Nonfiction: Internet Linked Children's World Cookbook. Paperback. Illustrated. Cooking/International cuisine: web site research - 40 recipes - traditional foods, simple dishes, foreign ingredients.
Reviewer - Lex Ticonderoga
Cryptologia, July 2002
Secret Codes Hotshots
A small, 4 1/2" x 7", colorful book designed for ages 7 and up. Includes codes and ciphers, Morse messages, cipher machines, letter grille, invisible ink, puzzles in print, quick codes, hiding secret messages, body language, tips for code breakers, secret code quiz and much more. Answers are in the back of the book. A terrific fun and learning book and an excellent value. Buy an extra copy for your child to share with a friend and exchange secret messages.
Reviewer - Louis Kruh
Today's Parent, June/July 2002
Children's World Cookbook
"Not macaroni and cheese again!" You're sick of hearing your kids' complaints about dinner, but you don't have time to prepare fancy meals. Why don't you let your youngsters help with the cooking? A new book provides unique recipes with instructions geared to children.
Children's World Cookbook by Angela Wilkes and Fiona Watt, for ages 9 to about 12, presents recipes from around the world. An introduction gives safety tips and basic information on cooking, including directions for kneading dough. Brief information on each country or area precedes one or more recipes.
Each recipe is representative of a country or a specific geographical area. Cauliflower in cheese sauce represents Holland, beef stroganoff is a typical Russian dish, and a traditional African recipe is for peanut bread. Readers will also learn tidbits about national food customs. For example, "The Japanese eat a lot of fish, seafood, vegetables, noodles and rice." Occasional double pages, scattered through the book, acquaint kids with a specific category of food, such as fruit or cheeses, from many locations. The cakes and pastries presentation includes jalebi, a type of candy from India.
Color photographs of numerous foods, including a pizza with various mouthwatering toppings, stimulate the reader's appetite. A half-page photograph shows floating markets in Thailand. Nadine Wickenden's small sequential pictures clarify the step-by-step preparation and cooking directions. Two drawings show how to use chopsticks. Small pictures of most of the foods enhance the table of contents.
Internet links direct children to websites, which provide additional data on foods of specific countries or regions, other food-related topics, such as the history of bread, and general facts about nations. An index enables readers to look up foods and countries.
Reviewer - Norma Kellam
Star-Telegram Newspaper, Fort Worth, Texas, June11
Children's World Cookbook
For families who want to expand their culinary horizons beyond our national borders, there's The Usborne Internet-Linked Children's World Cookbook. First published in the United Kingdom in 2000, this one's for the inquisitive child who wants to learn about foods eaten by kids around the globe.
With each of 40 recipes are recommended Web sites to take the cook deeper into each cooking topic, but use of a computer is not necessary for enjoying the book. On each page are related stories that explain a few of the traditional foods eaten in various countries, so kids can get culture and geography lessons along with their culinary explorations.
World Cookbook travels through 29 countries and regions, including the United States, Latin America, Canada, the Mediterranean, Switzerland, Norway, Russia, Greece, India, Japan and Australia. International roundups are provided for cakes and pastries, breads, cheeses, fish, fruits and vegetables. For every step of a cooking method, there's an instructional drawing. Cooking safety is emphasized, and there are notations for vegetarian recipes and for recipes that contain nuts.
Recipes include a New York cheesecake; Caribbean mango fool, a slushy fruit-and-cream dessert; French apple tart; and Chinese fried rice with vegetables, which teaches stir-fry and chopping techniques.
Reviewer - June Naylor
Children's Bookwatch, June 2002
Children's World Cookbook
The Usborne Internet-Linked Children's World Cookbook is a unique approach that incorporates Usborne-recommended, culinary oriented websites suitable for children, with forty simple, delicious recipes drawn from ethnic and regional cuisines from around the world, ranging from the floating markets in Thailand to Italian delicatessens. It should be stressed that access to a computer is not necessary to enjoy and utilize The Usborne Internet-Linked Children's World Cookbook as a wonderfully illustrated compendium of food facts and recipes. From Peanut Bread (Africa); Cauliflower in Cheese Sauce (Holland); Salade Nicoise (France); and Guacamole (Latin American); to Basmati Rice (India); Shish Kebabs (Turkey); Scones (England); and Fried Rice with Vegetables (China); The Usborne Internet-Linked Children's World Cookbook will take any young kitchen cook on a wonderful culinary adventure! Of special interest are the sections for "Hints and Tips"; "Fruit Around the World"; "Breads from Around the World"; "Cakes and Pastries" and, of course, the free, downloadable recipes available through "Internet Links". The Usborne Internet-Linked Children's World Cookbook is very highly recommended!
Reviewer- James Cox
Metrowest Daily News, May 2002
An Introduction to Web Site Design Using Microsoft FrontPage
If your family is considering a website, let your kids design it with An Introduction to Website Design Using Microsoft FrontPage by Mairi Mackinnon (Usborne $10.95). It is a great introduction to website design, clearly laid out with lots of tips and tricks for making the site exciting. Use this book, and you will have an actual site quickly and easily. A listing of cool websites will give your kids ideas.
Reviewer - Alyson Button Stone
Parenting, May 2002
Trick Photography
Trick Photography reveals the secrets of using optical illusions, fakes, tints and sparkles to make seemingly impossible photos. A 35-mm flash camera with 27 color exposures is included so kids can start immediately. Ages 8 and up.
Reviewer - Ruth Roufberg
Today's Parent, May 2002
Goose on the Loose and Frog on a Log
Easy Words to Read Series
Is your child starting to read? How can you find books to enhance this new, developing skill? Two new paperback books, which belong to the Easy Words to Read series, each present a fascinating story through a superb interaction between Stephen Cartwright's colorful cartoon drawings and the text. A language expert provided consultation. An introduction for parents explains the concept of phonics and its use in the books. The last page in each book lists the words used, which have more than one letter for a sound and words which do not completely follow phonic rules.
In Goose on the Loose by Phil Roxbee Cox, for ages 3 to about 6, Goose scares and almost bumps into numerous animals with her speedy scooter. The following example shows the simple text and phonetically related words: "Goose goes scooting down the road. She almost scoots right into Toad." The illustration of cows and pigeons scattering from Goose's scooter will attract children's attention. The animals try to find a way to stop Goose. The surprise ending will delight young readers. Three fold-out pages enable kids to discover additional illustrations and text.
In Frog on a Log by Phil Roxbee Cox, for ages 3 to about 6, Pup and Pig bump Frog's log, knocking him off. Frog figures out a way to keep from falling off again, but he makes a huge mistake. An example of the simple text with repeated sounds is, "Out of the fog runs Pup the dog." Kids will enjoy the pictures of Frog wearing suspenders attached to his log. Two fold-out pages give little hands something to do. Only four words vary from the phonic rules.
Reviewer - Norma Kellam
Washington Parent, April 2002
Book of the Seasons
Other Earth Day activities might include staring at a starry sky or pressing flowers. Angela Wilke's Book of Seasons (Usborne, 2001, ages 3 and up, $16.95) offers fun things to do in spring, summer, fall and winter. Planting bulbs, searching for spider webs and looking at bark will enhance the whole family's awareness of the natural world.
Reviewer - Mary Quattlebaum
Today's Parent, April 2002
Encyclopedia of World Religions and Children's New Testament
Religion takes many forms. Even though you hope your children will continue following your religion, learning about beliefs and religious practices of other people will help them function in our multicultural society.
Encyclopedia of World Religions by Susan Meredith and Clare Hickman, for ages 10 to about 13, devotes 20 pages to Christianity and from ten to twelve pages to each of the following other major religions: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and Sikhism, while Shinto, Taoism, Confucianism, Jainism, the Baha'i faith, Zoroastrianism, and Rastafarianism receive briefer explanations. Other topics include religions which small groups of people in specific areas follow, past religions, and the interaction between society and religion. Internet links direct children to additional information on most of the religions.
This hardcover book uses the abbreviations BCE (Before the Common Era) and CE (Common Era), instead of BC and AD, since all religions find the former terms acceptable. The introduction describes characteristics that are common to many religions.
A number of the beautiful, colorful illustrations include children. A double-page world map indicates the main religions in specific locations. Prior to the index, a double-page time chart shows when different religions began and, in some cases, ended.
For members of the Christian faith, as well as those who want to learn more about Christianity. Children's New Testament, retold by Heather Amery, for ages 4 to 9, presents stories about Jesus from the Christian Bible, written at a child's level of understanding. Linda Edward's colorful drawings help children visualize how things may have looked in those days. This hardcover book, which comes with a dust-jacket, belongs to the Children's Bibles series. The material in this book is also in Children's Bible.
Reviewer - Norma Kellam
Washington Parent, March 2002
Easter Activities
To start the season hopping, try sharing Easter Activities (Usborne, 2001, ages 3 and up, $6.95) with budding artists. Fiona Watt and Ray Gibson's easy-to-follow instructions and Howard Allman's full-color photographs guide kids in making flowerpots, egg cards and chick puppets that can add a festive touch to family celebrations.
Reviewer - Mary Quattlebaum
Libraries Unlimited, March 2002
First Encyclopedia of Seas and Oceans
This volume is part of a series of encyclopedias from Usborne that focuses on the Earth's seas and oceans and the living organisms in them. Other volumes cover the world, animals, and space. Internet links are provided throughout the book so that users can access additional related information. Users have to go to www.usborne-quicklinks.com to connect to the sites; URLs are not given. The site is easy to use and navigate and no subscription is needed to use it.
Besides the Internet benefit of this work, it can also be used as a standalone encyclopedia. The colorful illustrations and brief, easy-to-read entries seem to be geared for elementary-aged students. Subjects such as coral reefs, dolphins, tides, shipwrecks, and the future of the oceans are covered. While the encyclopedia itself is only brief enough to satisfy mild curiosity, the Internet links will open a world of discovery for young learners. As with any Internet-related work, readers should keep in mind that some sites will move or disappear over time.
Reviewer - Cari Ringelheim
Libraries Unlimited, March 2002
Library of Science World of Plants
The three volumes in The Usborne Internet-Linked Library of Science set cover animals, earth and space, and plants. As can be derived from the title, multiple Internet links are provided for various topics throughout the volumes. But, URLs are not listed. Readers have to go to www.usborne-quicklinks.com to connect to the sites. No subscription is required to use the site and navigation is simple and straightforward. A disclaimer is issued on both the site and in the volumes about the likelihood of individual sites moving or closing down. Information about Internet safety is also provided.
Other than the obvious advantage of the Internet links, these volumes also contain easy-to-read text, multiple color photographs and illustrations, glossaries, and indexes. They are highly recommended for elementary school libraries and juvenile reference collections in public libraries.
Reviewer - Cari Ringelheim
Libraries Unlimited, March 2002
Introduction to Music
The new Usborne Internet-linked books are designed to catch the interests' of middle and high school students by giving them a new high tech way of researching common topics. This volume focuses on the history and different types of music, while other book in the series focus on such topics as science and world history. The book addresses each topic on a two-page spread. This arrangement may sometimes be confusing to the user as two very different topics can land side by side.
The book begins by giving readers tips on what to listen for when studying different types of music. It then goes into how to download music from the Internet and how MP3 files are used for this purpose. It gives several different sites and search engines so users can find the type of music they are looking for. The authors also warn extensively against violating music copyright laws and emphasize sites where free music can be downloaded. Following these research tips, the book gives information on a variety of topics related to music, such as the different types of music (e.g., rock, jazz) and gives resources for finding out more information. It also covers historical aspects of music, such as music in ancient times, Medieval music, Renaissance music, Baroque music, and nationalistic music. Entries on different performance venues (e.g., ballet, opera, movie soundtracks) and instruments and reading music finish out the volume. Students will like the format of reference source because of its frequent use of sidebars, photographs, and its focus on the Internet.
Reviewer - Shannon Graff Hysell
Libraries Unlimited, March 2002
Encyclopedia of World History
This elementary school reference uses more than 200 websites to enrich the brief printed instruction. The world's history is divided into four segments: prehistory (up to the first farmers), ancient times (ending with the fall of Rome), the medieval period, and the last 500 years. The authors concentrate on daily life, major historical figures, and key dates. Each section begins with a listing of Internet sites pertinent to that epoch. Furthermore, each entry within that category has additional URLs.
In discussing the Mycenaeans, the text features an illustration of the Lion's Gate, the city entrance, as it looked in 1200 B.C. The Web reference shows the same location today. This interesting juxtaposition of the past with the present brings alive the bare facts. The online content varies from the academic to lighter interactive sites. Examples range from hearing Mozart's music to listening to eyewitness accounts of World War I, virtually touring British castles and Egyptian tombs, reenacting the Battle of Hastings, seeing Russian icons from the Hermitage, and seeing the first lunar landing and worldwide celebrations of the new millennium.
As additional enhancement, all of the sites can be quickly accessed through http://www.usborne.com without typing in long Internet addresses. The volume is amply illustrated. Many of the book's drawings, maps, and photographs can be downloaded at no charge for use in student reports. Appendixes include a glossary, an index, and a chronology showing events occurring on the same date across all continents, from prehistory to the present.
Reviewer - Adrienne Antink Bien
The Children's Bookwatch, March 2002
Usborne Spotter's Guides Sticker Books
Stickers and sticker books are perennial favorites among preschool through first grade youngsters. The "Usborne Spotter's Guide" series capitalizes on this to present a colorful and fun learning experience in a number of areas. Included in this outstanding educational series are the Dinosaur Sticker Book, Seashore Sticker Book, Rocks and Minerals Sticker Book, Flowers Sticker Book and Flags Sticker Book. Each book features more than one hundred thematic stickers that when matched with the black and white illustrations will help children to learn specific facts about the particular book's subject matter. Ideal for home schooling as well as "rainy day" projects and road trip past times, these "Usborne Spotter's Guides" are as entertaining as they are informative!
Reviewer - James A. Cox
Today's Parent, March 2002
Goose on the Loose and Frog on a Log
Is your child starting to read? How can you find books to enhance this new, developing skill?
Two new paperback books, which belong to the Easy Words to Read series, each present a fascinating story through a superb interaction between Stephen Cartwright's colorful cartoon drawings and the text. A language expert provided consultation. An introduction for parents explains the concept of phonics and its use in the books. The last page in each book lists the words used which have more than one letter for a sound and words which do not completely follow phonic rules.
In Goose on the Loose by Phil Roxbee Cox, for ages 3 to about 6, Goose scares and almost bumps into numerous animals with her speedy scooter. The following example shows the simple text and phonetically related words: "Goose goes scooting down the road. She almost scoots right into Toad." The illustration of cows and pigeons scattering from Goose's scooter will attract children's attention. The animals try to find a way to stop Goose. The surprise ending will delight young readers. Three fold-out pages enable kids to discover additional illustrations and text.
In Frog on a Log by Phil Roxbee Cox, for ages 3 to about 6, Pup and Pig bump Frog's log, knocking him off. Frog figures out a way to keep from falling off again, but he makes a huge mistake. An example of the simple text with repeated sounds is, "Out of the fog runs Pup the dog." Kids will enjoy the pictures of Frog wearing suspenders attached to his log. Two fold-out pages give little hands something to do. Only four words vary from the phonic rules.
Reviewer - Norma Kellam
Publishers Weekly, February 2002
Mary Had a Little Lamb, One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, This Little
Piggy and
Sing a Song of Sixpence
Usborne's Carry-Me Books series presents four nursery classics - Mary Had a Little Lamb; One, Two, Buckle My Shoe; This Little Piggy and Sing a Song of Sixpence - in a tote-able format with sturdy curved handles on the paper-over-board covers. Laminated pages ensure durability, and Linda Edward's cheerful illustrations and Eileen O'Brien's musical notes will strike a chord with preschoolers and parents.
Today's Parent, February 2002
First Encyclopedia of Seas and Oceans
Children love the strange worlds of fantasy stories. Do they know a real-life fantastic world exists right here on earth, in the vast oceans?
First Encyclopedia of Seas and Oceans by Ben Denne, for ages 4 to about 9, presents an overview of topics relating to the earth's bodies of salt water. Following an introduction, the first half of this paperback book describes a fantastic variety of underwater wildlife, explained in a clear manner to facilitate children's understanding. Topics include predators, natural camouflage, coral reefs, symbiosis, poisonous animals, oceanic mammals, and creatures of the deep sea. Numerous unusual facts stimulate interest; for example, "Antarctic icefish have special liquid in their blood, to stop it from freezing."
Other topics include waves, currents, coasts, ships, and how humans adversely affect the ocean. Kids will be surprised to learn that Tsunami waves are only dangerous when they approach the shore and that a small submarine for deep ocean exploration holds no more than one occupant.
David Hancock's beautiful, colorful illustrations add abundant information beyond what words can explain. Children will enjoy the picture of several salmon jumping up a waterfall, as well as the depiction of a coral shrimp cleaning a moray eel's teeth. Small illustrations with captions, some of which are sequential, provide significant details. Two schematic pictures represent an oil rig removing oil from under the seabed. Two small world maps show routes; one indicates humpback whales' migrations, and the other denotes the main ocean currents.
This book, which belongs to the First Encyclopedias series, is Internet-linked, meaning it provides information on accessing numerous websites that supplement material in the book. The table of contents and an index provide quick access to specific topics.
Reviewer - Norma Kellam
Union County Family, January 1 - February 15, 2002
Trick Photography Kid Kit
Reveals the secrets of using optical illusions, fakes, tints, and sparkles to make seemingly impossible photos. A 35mm flash camera with 27 color exposures is included so kids can start immediately.
KidsLikeOurs.com, January 2002
First 100 Words French Sticker Book
| Description | Young children will find it easy to learn their first French words with this entertaining sticker book. Each double page shows a familiar scene with French words under it. Children can match the picture stickers with these words and the stickers are reusable, so the activity can be repeated. |
| Our View | I remember when I was around 10 I met my best friends
cousin who was, at that time, 7. I remember how interesting she was to me. She
knew how to speak not only German (her native language) but also English,
Spanish, and some Italian.
I learned that in Germany they started teaching foreign languages when the kids are in kindergarten. The younger they learn the more kids retain. So a book such as this one can be a wonderful way for your young child to begin learning French. The illustrations are full of fun things to look at and there is a word list and pronunciation guide at the back of the book that will help you help your child pronounce the words that are on each sticker. Each time your child places the sticker help them repeat the word and then point to the picture and repeat the word again. As the stickers are reusable, chances are that they will be speaking French in no time. FUN!! |
Publishers Weekly, January 2002
Naughty Sheep and Pig Gets Stuck
Usborne's Mini Farmyard Tales with Key Ring sets include Naughty Sheep and Pig Gets Stuck. Each features a tiny book - with simpler text on top and more advanced text on the bottom so adult and child can read together - and a tiny plush toy on an easy-to-open key ring.
Publishers Weekly, January 2002
Woolly's Walk
Two titles by Phil Roxbee Cox, illus. by Stephen Cartwright, join Usborne's Farmyard Tales Touchy-Feely series. In Woolly's Walk, for instance, a sheep is "looking for some lunch." But Woolly is met by warnings each step of the way (e.g., "Don't eat those flowers, Woolly...the bees might sting your nose." A sample of the woolly coat and the prickly thistles on the thick board book pages let youngsters join the action. Curly's Friends features a porcine star.
Publishers Weekly, January 2002
Kittens and Puppies
Usborne's Touchy-Feely board book series also features a variety of textures. In Kittens and Puppies by Fiona Watt, illus. by Rachel Wells, a pack of pets enjoys the same activities, but in every scene there's an out-of-step oddball. In the end, youngsters learn there's something that all kittens or puppies like to do.
Publishers Weekly, January 2002
That's Not My Lion
In a slightly smaller format, That's Not My Lion joins a series of Touchy-Feely titles, also by Watt and Wells, which displays tempting textured patches as each book defines the attributes of various animals. After a process of elimination ("That's not my lion. Its ears are too soft"), a white mouse eventually finds the right one.
Today's Parent, January 2002
Book of the Seasons
"I'm bored. What can I do?" How many times have your kids said this?
In Book of the Seasons, Angela Wilkes describes activities which child ages six to nine can do during each of the four seasons. Star charts for each season show the main constellations kids can see form each half of the world. Illustrated, step-by-step directions enable youngsters to prepare appetizing dishes, grow plants, paint or draw scenes, do craft projects, make a sundial, ad press flowers. Other activities include observing plants and wildlife, weather watching, and beachcombing. Kids will learn an abundance of intriguing and useful facts about nature. An example of Wilkes' stress on respect for living things is, "If you pick up a shell with an animal in it, put it back where you found it." The directions for some activities advise requesting assistance or permission from an adult. When appropriate, instructions include safety warnings.
Beautiful photographs and informative supplemental drawings, all in color, make this hardcover book a delight to read. Clear, close-up photographs show details of plants and their seeds, as well as a wide variety of animal species. Captions add interest and enhance learning. Children will be surprised when they see the photo of a section of tree trunk showing a solid cover of butterflies. Realistic illustrations inside the front and back covers give the impression of being real flowers and leaves pressed in the book. Many pages have decorative borders relating to their respective topics.
Three introductory sections present concepts about seasons and sky watching. The final section titled "Useful Information" gives general instructions for doing activities and includes a few relevant websites. The table of contents and the index guide children to specific topics.
Reviewer - Norma D. Kellam
Today's Books, January 2002
Trick Photography Kid Kit
Exceptional!! Photography, nonfiction for children: Kid Kits: Trick Photography. Paperback illustrated. Packaged with disposable camera, pen. Create optical illusions, special effects, make filters, hand-tint, frame.
Reviewer - Lex Ticonderoga
Today's Books, January 2002
How to Draw Horses Kid Kit
Exceptional!! Art nonfiction for children: Kid Kits: How to Draw Horses Paperback illustrated and packaged with pencils, sharpener, eraser, papers. How to draw instructions with materials to practice cartooning and realistic art.
Reviewer - Lex Ticonderoga
Today's Books, January 2002
Snakes
Very Good!! Nature nonfiction for children: Usborne Discover - Internet-Linked Snakes. Paperback illustrated. Rachel Firth and Jonathan Sheikh-Miller provide guide to world of 2,500 snakes and link more info via website: usborne-quicklinks.com
Reviewer - Lex Ticonderoga
Today's Books, January 2002
Peoples of the World
Very Good!! Geography Nonfiction Adult: The Usborne Book of Peoples of the World: Internet Linked. Gillian Doherty and Anna Claybourne offer continent by continent description of human cultures.
Reviewer - Lex Ticonderoga
Publishers Weekly, January 2002
Goose on the Loose, Hen's Pens and Frog on a Log
A trio of titles debuts in Usborne's Easy Words to Read series by Phil Roxbee Cox, illus. by Stephen Cartwright. In each, Cox weaves words with the same phonetic pattern into an engaging story. For instance, in Goose on the Loose, "Goose is on a scooter/She can't stay and play/She's a goose on the loose/'Get out of my way!'" Language consultant Marlynne Grant opens with an explanation about phonics. Other titles include: Frog on a Log and Hen's Pens.
Four other titles in the publisher's Easy Words to Read series are available as lift-the flap board books: Ted in a Red Bed; Fat Cat on a Mat; Sam Sheep Can't Sleep; and Toad Makes a Road.
Publishers Weekly, January 2002
My Bedtime, My Food, My Bathtime, My Toys, My Clothes and My Animals
The Usborne Rattle Books series - My Bedtime, My Food, My Bathtime, My Toys, My Clothes and My Animals - really shakes things up. The board books' full-color spreads match words to Howard Allman's photographs of Jo Litchfield's colorful clay models; the round format and rattle embedded in the back cover add kid-appeal.
Calliope, January 2002
Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History
The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History includes detailed articles on a variety of subjects, and links to and information about web sites from around the world.
KidsLikeOurs.com, January 2002
That's Not My Puppy
| Description | The imaginative use of textures in this inviting new board book adds a delightful dimension to sharing books with babies and toddlers. Bright illustrations are combined with simple text to develop sensory and language awareness. Very young children will love turning the pages to meet a number of different fun-to-touch puppies. |
| Our Say | This book is totally adorable. I know this book was
meant for babies and toddlers but all of the kids (13, 10, 5, and 3) like
reading this book because the puppies are all so cute and the pages are so
colorful.
Eric (3) loves for me to read this book to him. He will turn the pages and say "Oh it's so cute mommy!" and then will kiss the puppy. There is one page that shows a brown puppy that has shaggy ears. That puppy is the cutest thing. It is almost impossible to not feel his ears repeatedly. |
Family, December 2001
Trick Photography
Trick Photography reveals the secrets of using optical illusions, fakes, tints, and sparkles to make seemingly impossible photos. A 35mm flash camera with 27 color exposures is included so kids can start immediately.
Dane County Kids, December 2001
What Shall I Do Now?
Here's a great gift for kids and for their parents who've heard the refrain, "I'm bored. There's nothing to do. "With a variety of recipes, activities, and science project ideas, this book creatively answers its title question, "What shall I do now?" Kids can learn to cook yummy treats like "coconut mice" and "owl cakes. "Playing dress-up is made easy and fun with lots of costume ideas using items from around the house. My favorite is a puppy costume that uses a pair of brown socks for floppy ears. And curious minds will love the section of activities similar to science projects. The ideas range from growing your own Chia pet, or "green-haired creatures," to growing roots and shoots in a jar.
If you're looking to feed a kid's hungry imagination, this book will be a feast.
Today's Parent, December 2001
Christmas Treasury and Christmas Puzzles
"How many more days is it until Christmas?" You think you've heard that question a thousand times. Keep your kids busy, and the time will speed along. Two new books will provide them with numerous captivating Christmas activities.
Christmas Treasury, with stories retold by Heather Amery, includes both religious and secular aspects of Christmas, for ages 4 to about 8, in the form of traditional stories, crafts, carols, and explanations about Christmas topics. A CD comes with this hardcover book, enabling the child to listen to the stories and hear the songs while reading the words. Several illustrators contributed to the colorful pictures, which include a child shepherd and Santa's reindeer, Rudolph, with his bright red nose.
The first story is a retelling of the Christmas story from the New Testament. Numbered directions, each with a drawing, guide the child to completion of the crafts. Songs include "Away in a Manger" and "The Twelve Days of Christmas." A page explains origins of Christmas songs.
In the Christmas Puzzles edited by Michelle Bates, for ages 5 to about 8, Brenda Haw's illustrations of eleven scenes, relating to the secular aspects of Christmas, serve as puzzles. After a short introduction to each scene, questions clarify what children need to do. An example is, "Can you find a safe way up the paths to the Christmas party tent?" Children will get a laugh out of a lady who is trying to mail an elephant wrapped up as a package. The middle pages contain 41 colorful stickers to put on solved puzzles and over colorless items in the pictures.
The final page of this paperback book gives answers using miniature replicas of the scenes.
Reviewer - Norma D. Kellam
South Florida Parenting, December 2001
Trick Photography Kid Kit
For curious kids and budding magicians, this kit reveals the secrets of using optical illusions, fakes, tints and sparkles to make seemingly impossible photos. A 35mm flash camera with 27 color exposures is included so kids can start immediately.
Calliope, December 2001
World Religions
The Usborne Book of World Religions by Susan Meredith (Usborne Books, 1995) presents short sections to describe each of the major world religions.
Washington Parent, December 2001
The Usborne Story of Music
Offers enjoyable reading and listening possibilities for the entire year. Each double-page spread focuses on the music of a specific time period (ancient times, Renaissance), geographical region (Middle East, Far East), and type (opera, jazz). Eileen O'Brien's short descriptions and interesting facts and David Cuzik's colorful illustrations make this a very child-friendly guide. What fun a family might have learning, listening, and moving to the music! You may even wish to set aside a special time every other week to explore a whole new sound. Create your own instruments and play along!
Reviewer - Mary Quattlebaum
Booklist, October 2001
Éste no es Mi Osito
Éste no es Mi Perrito
Ages 2-4. Toddlers will be eager to touch the delightfully simple, brightly
colored illustrations of these board books, which use a variety of fabrics to
show body parts of teddy bears and puppies - tail, feet, nose, and more. The
unaffected Spanish texts and the books' sturdy construction are just right for
little ones.
Reviewer - Isabel Schon
KidsLikeOurs.com, October 2001
Calligraphy Kid Kit
| Description | The art of beautiful writing is easy to learn with the 48-page book, conveniently paired with three Speedball Elegant Writer calligraphy markers in red, black and blue. With broad, medium and scroll points, the markers provide beginners and experts alike with the necessary tools to produce a variety of unusual calligraphic works. |
| Our view | I remember in my ninth grade year taking a semester long class
where I learned the art of calligraphy. I remember how just getting the right
nib on the pen could be such a chore and dealing with all of the ink could be
messy. That is why I really like this kit. It comes with pens that are easy to
use and not messy! The book does go into detail about using nibs and pens (for a more professional look) but it also shows you how to do calligraphy using crayons, felt, or paintbrushes. It gives great step-by-step instruction on how to create each letter (with many different alphabets to copy). It also gives you instruction on how to design your own alphabet, emboss letters, and best layout each piece of calligraphy (that is my favorite section). All in all a fun kit that any pre-teen/teen should enjoy. There is even a section on careers in calligraphy for those who really enjoy it. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, October 2001
Science Encyclopedia
| Description | You will find the whole field of science from physics, chemistry, biology, information technology, Earth sciences and astronomy to new fields such as genetic engineering, nanotechnology, telecommunications and the preservation of planet Earth including: Clear explanations of over 2,500 scientific terms -- Over 1,500 illustrations and diagrams -- Over 140 experiments, activities and observations to carry out -- A quick reference dictionary defining over 1,500 scientific terms -- Test-yourself revision aids |
| Our view | I'll
be the first to admit, when it comes to science I have never made the grade. I
remember staying after school to get help from the teacher and it did no good.
I just couldn't quite seem to get any of the information to stick. That is why I was excited about receiving this book. Not only do my children now have a first rate book that will help them expand on any learning they might be doing at school but I also now have a second chance to learn as a adult all of the things I could not quite understand as a child. With over 400 pages this book is sure to cover every scientific area that your child might have a question about. My daughter (age 13) showed me a part of the book that covered what her 8th grade class was just starting to learn about while my son (age 10) showed me pages of what they had just learned about in his class. I have found that this book is not only very well organized but it is also packed will illustrations, photos, and easy to understand information. And as if that is not enough each mini-section (about every two pages) has a box in the lower right hand corner that has some fantastic places to go on the internet where your child (or you) can learn more about the subject. I have book-marked some of them too. Also in the back of the book is a big glossary of scientific terms and an index for quick look up, as well as many quick facts and dates, but my favorite things are the many review questions (complete with multiple choice answers and the page number to find the answer). They really make it easy to see how much you are learning and are easy to use for homeschoolers. |
| Bottom Line | An absolute MUST BUY for homeschoolers or anyone with children aged 9 and above. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, October 2001
Wallop & Whizz and the Bottle of Fizz
| Description | It
all began at frantic speed, The wizards grabbed the things they'd need. Each one was sure his spell would be, The winning magic recipe. Find out what happens when feuding wizards, Wallop and Whizz, create the everlasting 'Fizz' in their attempts to win the annual wizards' competition. Philip Hawthorn's hilarious narrative verse is both inventive and easy to read, and is matched in wit and vitality by Kim Blundell's wickedly delightful illustrations. A must for literary hour. |
| Our view | Brandon
(10) and I read this together one night and I have to say that this book is
just right for his age group. It is about as gross, gory, and just plain goofy as you can get. It has magicians, goofy townspeople, a mean king, a nice princess and a goofy story. Let's face it, sometimes kids just like a silly book to read and this will do the job. All of the illustrations are fun to look at and do a great job at depicting the story. |
| Bottom Line
|
If
your kids like Captain Underpants then they will like this book. |
Connect, September/October 2001 - Issue's Focus: Bird Studies
Birds
Listed in this issue in the "Resource Reviews".
Children's Literature, September 2001, Volume 9, Number 9
Birds
This sixty-three page book is very impressive. Usborne has done a fine job in giving the reader a compendium of facts about our feathered friends, the birds of the world. The information presented is so extensive it is mind-boggling. Color photos and illustrations give the book a special appeal. Whether you read the book straight through or read a few pages and then try an Internet link, you will learn some new piece of information about the birds. One web link allows you the hear various bird songs, other links allow you to visit with people around the world about bird migration. The combination of print format and web links is nicely accomplished and brings a wide variety of birds and their habits to the reader's attention. A must read for the birder in your house.
-Reviewer: Barbara Youngblood
KidsLikeOurs.com, September 2001
Find the Puppy Kid Kit
| Description | Here is Puppy in his bed. Now he's ready to be fed. A fun little story that shows puppy in and around the kitchen. Your toddler will enjoy finding the puppy on each page. Stephen Cartwright's charming characters come to life in these five cute Kid Kits. The pictures in these delightful board books show a duck, teddy, puppy, kitten or piglet hidden in everyday environments. The books have been specially devised to provide the very young with the challenge of something to look for and familiar objects to name. The plush pile puppets help act out each scene and will provide hours of enjoyment for very young children. There is one sentence per page. |
| Our view | Eric has a fun time finding (and pointing out) the puppy as we
read. He kept pointing to it and saying "He's sooo cute, but he's dirty
mommy!" (because of the ring around his eye). He LOVES when I make the stuffed puppy (that came with the kit) walk up his arm or play peek-a-boo. |
| Bottom Line | A cute puppy and a fun book that is just right for babies and
toddlers. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, September 2001
Book of Peoples of the World
| Description | In this Internet-linked book you will find a wide-ranging exploration of the cultures, beliefs, homes, jobs, traditions and everyday lives of the six billion people who inhabit our planet. This book will take you on a continent-by-continent journey through remote rainforest villages, vibrant cities, noisy carnivals, and bustling shanty towns, looking at: national festivals, customs and traditions; religious beliefs and rituals; where people live and what their homes look like; the food people eat and the clothes they wear; how people travel; and how governments work. |
| Our view | I
feel no need to beat around the bush. Let's face it we are living in an
increasingly me oriented world. The phrase "What about me?"
echoes throughout the land and children can easily begin to think that what
they want and how they live is the only thing that matters. That is why I love books such as this one. It shows children that there are other things in this world besides Nintendo and cartoons. It also shows them that while there are huge differences in how people live there is a commonality that runs though every community. We all eat, play, and have a home like they do and that I think is good for kids to see. Brandon(10) and Megan (13) both like this book. The words "Wow look at this" or "this is cool" floated through the air as they read through it. They both really liked reading about the "worry dolls" that children in Central America make. Brandon thought the Statue of Christ in Brazil was awesome. I have really learned a lot from this book and have really enjoyed looking at all of the photos. |
| Overall impression | A great way to give kids (or adults) an overview of the world we live in. |
Cleveland/Akron Family, "Batteries not included: books about technology", September 2001
Science Encyclopedia
Harness the power of the Internet with this hefty volume from a new generation of reference books whose entries are enhanced with numerous website links (in this case, literally a thousand). Learners can easily delve more deeply into a variety of scientific subjects including physical science, chemistry, botany and anatomy.
The 448-page book is divided into nine chapters to help readers hone in on exactly what they're looking for. Each chapter is further broken down into two-page spreads that succinctly summarize the important facts on a particular topic with descriptions of two to five websites providing even more information.
Students have direct access to all the links in the book through the publisher's website. A boon for report writers: many of the book's full-color illustrations can be downloaded at no cost to jazz up the most ho-hum of term papers. [Hint: Check our the last chapter for helpful lists and charts.]
Calliope, September 2001
Make This Model Egyptian Mummy
Make This Model Egyptian Mummy was one of the books featured under resources in the article "The Pyramids and Egypt's Old Kingdom."
KidsLikeOurs.com, September 2001
Dinosaurs
| Description | Using the latest theories and most recent discoveries, this book brings to life the exciting world of dinosaurs. Dramatic artwork and photographs of realistic models show what dinosaurs were like, how they lived, and why and how they all died out. Lively step-by-step illustrations explain how they hunted, fed and cared for their young. |
| Our view | When
Brandon (10) saw this book for the first time he asked excitedly "Wow!
Whose is that?" I said that it was his and he scooped it up in his arms
and said "Oh yeah! It's mine!" and ran off to read it. That surprised me because although I knew his younger brother Eric (3) loves dinos, I had no idea that dinosaurs had made a comeback with the older boys (I guess a recent movie is why). Anyway Brandon has really enjoyed sharing all of the information that he has learned with his friends and me. Eric also loves looking through the book (some illustrations he is too young for though). I have to say I was amazed at how real the photos looked. Sometimes I had to remind myself that they were just models. The information in this book was very thorough and includes not only information about all the different dinosaur types but also about dino DNA, Today's dinosaurs, the latest discoveries and more (including a great chart that show how they are related to each other). There is also a great glossary and some cool links in each section of the book. |
| Overall impression | Packed
with info this is sure to be a big hit with any little boy who enjoys dinos! |
KidsLikeOurs.com, September 2001
Introduction to Music
| Description | What
is an Usborne Internet-linked book? It is a brand new kind of book containing
details of Usborne-recommended Web sites to take you further into each subject
in an entertaining and interactive way. Must I have a computer to use this book? Absolutely not. This encyclopedia works on its own as an outstanding reference book without using the Internet at all. Will the Web sites go out of date? Web sites do change from time to time, so the sites in this book will be regularly reviewed by Usborne researchers. You will find up-to-date links to these or alternative sites by going to www.usborne.com and clicking on Quicklinks. Free downloadable images. A selection of useful diagrams from this book can be downloaded free by going to www.usborne.com and clicking on Quicklinks. What else will I find in this book? You will find every style of music from classical to rock and pop, jazz, blues, and world music, with information on composing, performing, sound recording, music notation, opera, ballet, the music industry and how instruments work. You will also find: Amazing photographs of performers past and present -- Instruments, orchestras and the science of sound -- Clear explanations of musical forms and terms -- Suggestions for music to listen to. |
| Our view | As
a previous homeschooler, I know that one of the areas that can be hard to teach
is music appreciation. There is really not a lot out there on that subject. I
remember having my oldest child teach her brother what she had learned to play
on the recorder and that was about the extent of his music lessons. I would have loved to have a book such as this one back then. Today though, I still count this book as a wonderful treasure to share with my four children (two of them will have to wait a little while to read it as they are 5 and 3). First of all Megan (13) has always been very musically inclined (she has always been in choir or band) and as a result snatched up this book and had a great time reading about the composers and types of music. Brandon (10) really enjoys looking at all the pages that show the different types of instruments (such as stringed or woodwind). He is deciding which one that he would like to play next year (when he will be old enough for band). He also likes the pages that show how to read notes. I also like that one because although Megan could since the time she was eight, I have never be able to do so. Besides such helpful pages such as the one that has a helpful chart for buying a new instrument, there is also a good glossary and a page that shows what the words mean that composers use when they want to show at what speed to play the music. One of the best parts about the book are all the great websites that they have listed for you online. All you have to do is go to their website and type in the page number and you are presented with some fun places to visit online. |
| Bottom Line | A
Must Buy!! for homeschoolers and music lovers alike. No matter the age
this book is sure to teach the reader something new about the world of music. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, August 2001
Children's Bible
| Description | A stunningly illustrated collection of the best-known and best-loved stories from the Bible, carefully written, and perfect for reading aloud. Each story has been specially selected from both the Old and New Testament to enable young children to gain understanding and enjoyment. Thoroughly checked by experts and beautifully illustrated by Linda Edwards, this book is certain to become much-loved and much read by children and adults alike. |
| Our view | I
have never seen MaryJo (5) so proud of anything in her life as she is of owning
this bible. She shows it to anyone with eyes and likes to hug it and say,
"I love my bible!" Why all the enthusiasm? Well there are several reasons. First of all she was instantly attracted to the wonderful illustrations. They are so colorful (each story has a unique color) and fun to look at (MaryJo loves the picture of Noah's Ark). Secondly the stories are just the right size (as well as very accurate). Lastly she feels very grown up because she owns her own bible just like her big brother and sister. |
| Overall impression | A
Wonderful First Bible!! |
KidsLikeOurs.com, August 2001
The Last 500 Years
| Description | From
the first sea voyages around the world to the coming of the computer age, The
Last 500 Years features important events from across the globe. This
book covers all the major wars, rebellions and political movements of the
period, as well as global issues such as the environment and human rights. Historical events are explained in clear, simple language. Spectacular photographs and exciting scenes bring the past vividly to life. Clear maps make it easy to see where things happened. An illustrated time chart presents a global view of history. Important dates are shown in boxes for quick reference. |
| My view | This
book is Awesome!! There is really no other way to describe it. The
illustrations, photos, and text do a fantastic job of grabbing even the most
reluctant readers attention. This book does a great job at breaking history up into small easy to chew pieces. After reading this book your child (or you) will have a good grasp of why things are the way they are in our (and other) countries. I have to admit I always liked history but found the textbooks dry and boring. This book is so fun to read that it actually makes you want to read more and more. Both of my older children enjoy looking through this book and point out to me all of the illustrations that they find interesting. Megan (13) was fascinated with the information (and photos) on WW2 and Britain in the 1800's. Brandon (10) liked looking at all of the illustrations of solders and ships and the like. I am fascinated with the whole book and will enjoy sharing it with all the children, as they grow older. The back of the book has a World Time Chart, A Word List, and an Index for quick look ups. |
| Bottom Line | I
will repeat what I have said previously .... If only all history books were
written like this than all students would love learning about the past. A must
buy for homeschoolers, history students, and anyone who loves a great
read. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, August 2001
Snakes
| Description | Learn
about some of the 2,500 different types of snakes such as Mambas, Pit Vipers,
and Cobras to name a few. Also learn about Underground and Sea Snakes, Snake
bites, Rituals and legends and so much more. What is an Usborne Internet-linked book? It is a book that contains Usborne-recommended Web sites specially chosen to take you further into the subject in a fun and informative way, and which has links on the Usborne Quicklinks Web site at www.usborne-quicklinks.com to take you straight to the recommended sites. |
| Our view | Do
you know the name of a snake that kills at least 10,000 people every year, or
which snake can produce babies without ever needing to mate? Well neither did
we until we read this book. You know the older I get, the more I realize there is just so much I don't know. When it came to snakes I figured I knew all there was to know about them (they were green, slimy and lived on land). After reading this book I found out how different the facts were (they are multi-colored and textured, and some live in the sea). Brandon (10) said "Wow! Cool!" when he received this book and immediately started reading it and has enjoyed sharing it with his friends. They all love the pictures, which are amazing (one shows a snakes open mouth and venom on its fangs).. I really enjoyed reading the Snake facts and I think the Glossary at the back of the book would be a great resource for making a spelling list. |
| Bottom Line | Jam-packed
with interesting illustrations and information this would be a great bookshelf
addition for home-schoolers and snake-lovers alike. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, August 2001
Going to School
| Description | Every child looks forward to their first day at school - but they are usually a little bit nervous, too. With warmth and humor, this charming book helps to prepare the child by describing a typical day at school. The delightful illustrations are packed with details that provide opportunities for adults and children to talk about this first experience together. ("An excellent series for all young families to enjoy together." Children's Book News) |
| Our view | MaryJo
has recently turned five and so will be starting kindergarten next month. She
has been getting very excited but also a little bit nervous because she isn't
exactly sure what school is like (she has never been in daycare or any
school-like setting). I think reading this book to her has really shown her
what school is like and she now realizes that there is nothing to be nervous
about. In fact she got very excited when she read about "Singing with Miss
Dot". She has always said that she wants to be a singer and is so excited
about "learning songs" in school. She also liked finding the hidden
duck as we read. Eric (3) is turning into a bookworm and he has really enjoyed just sitting with this book and turning the pages and looking at all of the illustrations. There are so many children in each one that he can look at each page for a long time and never get board. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, August 2001
Beads, Bangles and Bracelets Kid Kit
| Description | The 32-page full color book in this kit is bursting with original bead and bracelet making ideas. You will quickly discover how to turn beads and clay into your own creations and make necklaces, brooches and earrings to wear and to give as gifts. Get creative and make your own gemstones with the crystals included. There are lots of quick and easy projects. You'll discover that making your own jewelry is a lot less expensive than buying it... and lots more fun! Kit includes four colors of clay, an assortment of colorful beads, salt crystals, gold wire, paint, embroidery floss and bracelet tubing. |
| Our view | The
other night my eldest child Megan (13) had her best-friend spending the night.
There was a time when they weren't sure what to do next (they were getting a
little bored) so I pulled out this kit and suggested that they make jewelry. Well, their eyes lit up and after looking through the book and choosing their project they quickly found what they needed and got started. My daughter made a bracelet with plastic tubing, beads, and thread. She said that it was easy to do. Her friend used the same type of tubing and painstakingly filled it with cake sprinkles. Both bracelets turned out really good and they had a lot of fun making them. The next day my youngest daughter MaryJo (5) was bored and so I again pulled out this kit. She got very excited and after quickly looking through the book picked out a project. She said "I want to make a necklace for daddy". I responded, "How about making one for grandma?" She said "No. I want to make daddy one." I said "OK" and she showed me what she wanted to do. It was a "Glassy Beads" that she wanted to make. I have to say I really liked learning how to make them with her. I thought they were very creative and she had the best time making them. Then she used them (along beads we had) and made a necklace which my husband loved. This kid kit not only contains a great book filled with photos, illustrations, and easy to understand instructions but it also has so many things to make jewelry with that it will be a long time before your child runs out of things to do. Well I have to run because my youngest is waiting to make more jewelry. Remember if you buy and use this kit with your child you are not only making jewelry, you are making memories that will last a lifetime. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, August 2001
First Encyclopedia of Space
| Description | What
are stars made of? Why does the Moon shine? What do space toilets look like?
Find out in this bright and lively book. Simple text, amazing photographs,
detailed illustrations and a selection of exciting, recommended web sites
introduce young readers to the wonders of the Universe. All the Web sites are
regularly reviewed, and you will always be able to find up-to-date links to
them or other suitable sites in Usborne Quicklinks at
www.usborne-quicklinks.com A selection of free downloadable pictures from this book is also available in Usborne Quicklinks at www.usborne-quicklinks.com. Must I be online to use this book? Absolutely not. This book also works as an excellent information book on its own. |
| Our View | First
off, I have to say as usual I was very impressed by not only the great
illustrations, photos, and wealth of information, but I also loved the links
included for each page. Instead of typing them out (some were quite long) I
just went to www.usborne-quicklinks.com
clicked on the book's title, typed in the page number and not only was the
link from that page right there but the photos were also there to download. Brandon (10) loves this book. He has sat on the couch and read it and I would hear "Wow that's cool! Let me tell you about this" and then he would read from the book. I know he really enjoyed looking at all of the great photos and illustrations. I mean he honestly got very jazzed reading it. Some of the things that really got him excited were learning about Jupiter and finding out what the big red spot on it was. Learning about Mars and what was found in a rock from there. Learning about the Sun (he was amazed at the picture). But by far the thing that got him the most excited was learning about "The Puzzle Moon." We were even speculating together that maybe it was Gods Jigsaw Puzzle. He said "Mom I really like this book. It is a really good one." Eric (3) likes the pictures of the spacecraft. He screams "Wow the rocket ship! LOOK, Look!" Megan (13) also likes this book. She said "There's some tight (means cool) stuff in there". In the back of the book are an index and a two page list of space words. |
| Bottom Line | Great
illustrations and easy to read information make this a Must Buy for
homeschoolers and those wanting to learn more about Space. |
Cryptologia, July 2001
Kids Codes and Ciphers
Designed for school age youngsters, this very attractive book contains top secret messages from undercover agents, baffling ancient inscriptions, and cryptic communications from sinister societies. Some of the codes are moderately tricky, while others may seem fiendishly difficult. They are all self-contained so you can attempt to solve them in any order. But if you start at the beginning, you will be able to follow the exploits of five intrepid individuals.
The mystery begins when a strange notice appears in the Global Herald seeking five adventurers. Out of thousands of replies, five brave individuals are selected to take part in an intriguing mission. Each one receives instructions summoning them to Almaro City in the States of Enigma. There a mysterious figure hands each person a sealed envelope and leaves a file on the table. Thus begins the tale leading each participant to daring and dangerous investigations requiring the solution of unique ciphers and ultimately bringing them together for a final cryptanalytic assault on the last code leading to a legendary hoard of long-lost treasure.
It is a delightful book that should entice children away from television or computer games and even adults may be lured into participation.
Reviewer - Louis Kruh
CBA Marketplace, July 2001
Book of Peoples of the World
New Internet-linked books link children to the Usborne web site to go on a continent-by-continent journey exploring cultures, beliefs, homes, jobs, and traditions.
KidsLikeOurs.com, July 2001
Starting Ballet Kid Kit
| Description | This kit fulfills the dream that many young girls share - becoming a ballerina. A charming pair of ballet "paper" dolls come alive in five pretty costumes. Velcro holds the changeable outfits firmly in place atop these standing dolls. Clothing and doll components are made of rigid plastic material that easily endure travel, clothing changes and vigorous workouts! A durably constructed background scene provides the familiar wooden floor and barre of the dance studio, along with dressing room and performance stage for our dancing friends. This kit takes fantasy into reality with an informative guide to basic ballet exercises and creative moves in Usborne's First Skills Starting Ballet book. History of the dance and classic ballet story lines are discussed as well. |
| Our view | MaryJo
(5) was leaping for joy when she received this book. Her cousin Lacey had just
began a ballet class but MaryJo was unable to attend so getting this kit took
the sting out of not being able to go. I was amazed at how sturdy the "paper dolls" are. The Velcro makes it very easy for even the youngest child to change outfits and the background scenes that are provided makes it easy to imagine she is backstage, on stage, or at ballet class. The book is filled with exercises and movement instruction that is both fun and easy to do. This is a great book to have around on a rainy day. The book also teaches about other related things such as famous ballets. |
| Bottom Line | A
great gift for the little ballerina in your life. If she is like my daughter
when she is not practicing the moves herself she will be playing ballerina with
the dolls. FUN!! |
www.fogg.cc, July 2001
Essential Spanish
| Book Review | |
| Title: | Essential Spanish |
| Author: | Nicole Irving and Leslie Colvin |
| Publisher: | EDC Publishing, Tulsa, OK |
| ISBN: | 0-7460-0320-X |
| Reviewed By: | Frank Fogg |
| Review Date: | July, 2001 |
| Rating: |
|
Essential Spanish is a phrasebook targeted to middle school students of the Spanish language. This book is a color paperback of 64 pages.
The content of this guide focuses on the words, phrases and slang of Spanish as it is spoken in Spain (not Latin America). The book is organized in sections based on themes. Some of these themes include obtaining accommodations, dining, traveling, shopping, and emergency situations.
Each
section includes a cartoon strip that demonstrates sample conversations in
Spanish. A box is placed with essential words relating to the section theme
along with their Spanish translation. Scattered throughout the book are smaller
"Fact file" text boxes with cultural information about Spain and its
people. A page at the beginning lists essential vocabulary needed to
communicate in Spanish, while a complete listing of words and phrases appears
in an index at the end of the book. Another section uses several pages to cover
the most important elements of the Spanish grammar including the uses of ser
and estar, how verbs are used, nouns, plurals, and adjectives.
The cartoon format of this guide is likely to appeal to the teenaged audience for which it is targeted. A large variety of topics, words and phrases are covered, providing a handy reference for studying Spanish as it is used in everyday situations. The book also includes two pages of slang expressions that are useful and relevant, yet appropriate for children of all ages. The content is organized with translations alphabetically organized in English, making translation from Spanish to English a little difficult, and its size is a little too large to conveniently carry in a shirt or jacket pocket, but the strength of this guide is the scope of its content.
Essential Spanish provides an opportunity for young students of Spanish to improve their vocabulary and conversational skills in situations they are likely to encounter when traveling. The colorful cartoon format will appeal to children and keep their interest. The content covers the most important elements of the Spanish language and gives the reader an improved vocabulary of useful words and phrases.
www.fogg.cc, July 2001
El Castillo Misterioso
| Book Review | |
| Title: | El Castillo Misterioso (Mystery Castle) |
| Editor: | Kate Needham |
| Publisher: | EDC Publishing, Tulsa, OK |
| ISBN: | 0-7460-2525-4 |
| Reviewed By: | Frank Fogg |
| Review Date: | July, 2001 |
| Rating: |
|
El Castillo Misterioso (Mystery Castle) is a bi-lingual puzzle story for children written in Spanish and English. The book contains 25 pages and is colorfully illustrated.
The
storyline is set inside of a large medieval castle. The young reader searches
each page for objects that are listed at the beginning of the story. These
objects, including run-fast shoes, an anti-monster shield, and a super
flashlight are used to solve the mystery at the end of the story. Also hidden
on each page are additional items such as a ghost and juggler balls for the
reader to search for.
The storyline is presented in Spanish. A list of all of the Spanish words on each page along with the English translation is provided in a key box near the top of the page to help the beginner to understand the material. The reader must follow directions given in Spanish by both humans and animals to solve the puzzle for that particular page. Additional instructions are provided in English so that the child can complete each page. An index of all of the words and phrases is included on the final two pages for a quick reference. This index also includes a pronunciation key to sound out unfamiliar words.
Kids love this book. They enjoy looking over the colorful pages and searching for the objects they need to find. They will look at it time and time again, it never seems to bore them, and they can hardly wait to take their turn when another child is using the book.
El Castillo Misterioso is a fun vehicle for young children to improve their Spanish skills. It is colorfully illustrated and children enjoy working with the puzzles. It covers a variety of basic Spanish vocabulary and is formatted so that children can readily understand new words and phrases.
KidsLikeOurs.com, July 2001
That's Not My Tractor
| Description | This delightful series of board books is aimed at very young children. The bright pictures, with their patches of different textures, are designed to develop sensory and language awareness. Babies and toddlers will love turning the pages and touching the feely patches. |
| Our view | Eric
is all boy and goes crazy whenever he sees anything with wheels. He went crazy
when he saw this book and squealed "read it for me, read it for me".
He likes pointing to the mouse on each page but his favorite part of the book
is of course the feely parts. When I read each sentence he will repeat it and
then feel the page. He loves the pages with the wheels that are
"squashy". |
| Bottom Line | Toddlers
will love feeling the different tractor parts and will be attracted by the
bright and colorful pages. Fun! |
KidsLikeOurs.com, July 2001
Trick Photography Kid Kit
| Description | For fun pictures, simply follow Trick Photography instructions - more than 40 ideas for composing "tricky-y" photographs! Usborne's handy book contains lots of ideas for experimenting both during photography and afterward, using the finished prints. Their single-use camera contains 27 exposures of 400 ISO color film. Play with color using simple lens filters. Take pictures, and then take the camera to a film developer for print processing. It's fun and easy! The Kid Kit includes camera, 5 1/2" square white cardboard frame, yellow waterbase marker, red and green filters with removable tape and tracing paper. |
| Our view | If
you want to put a smile of your child's face just hand them this kid kit. Brandon was jumping for joy when he received this and was reading the book within minutes. The book was just the right size for him and really makes trick photography easy to understand and do. He kept saying things like "Wow this is so cool!" and "Look at this mom, boy I'm gonna do that one!" I also got a big hug and a "Thank you! Thank You!" The first picture he took was one that made it look like my hair was standing straight up. Then we went outside and he took photos of different things (including his little brother) with the different color lenses. He used the marker included to do funny things to photo's we had already printed. Those are some of the things he has already done. He wants to try each one in the book at least once. The tricks in the book really do look both real and in Brandon's words "Cool" A great kit that any child/teen would enjoy. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, July 2001
Midnight Horse
| Description | Riding at the Hawthorn House trials is all that Kate has dreamed of and this year she's in with a real chance of winning. As she works hard to prepare for the day, it seems nothing will distract her from her goal. But then the mysterious midnight horse rides into Kate's life, and suddenly everything changes. This is the fourth book in a series which follows the day to day drama and exciting adventures of the children and horses of Sandy Lane Stables. |
| Our view | This
is a nice book about the coming together of best friends. Megan (13) said that
she thought it was very interesting. She liked the character of Izzy but she
said that she would never have the nerve to do what she did. She said that she
would recommend this book to any girl who liked horses or had a best friend. |
| Bottom Line | A fun read for the pre-teen through teen in your life to read alone or with their own best friend. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, July 2001
Find the Duck Kid Kit
| Description | Stephen Cartwright's charming characters come to life in these five cute Kid Kits. The pictures in these delightful board books show a duck, teddy, puppy, kitten or piglet hidden in everyday environments. The books have been specially devised to provide the very young with the challenge of something to look for and familiar objects to name. The plush pile puppets help act out each scene and will provide hours of enjoyment for very young children. |
| Our view | I
love reading this book to Eric. I read each page to him and then asked,
"Where's the ducky?" and he says "It's right heeerrree" and
points to it. He just has a most fun time finding it. Eric just turned three and is just starting to potty train. He loves the illustration in this book of a little boy sitting on a potty-chair looking at a book about ducks. Every time he reads the book he says "Wook, wook" and points to page. The illustrations show the duck and the little boy in various scenes and get your children involved by asking questions about what they see. The duck is really cute and is a lot of fun to play with. The feet have holes for your two fingers and you are sure to get smiles out of your child by walking it up your child's arm. Eric just loves that, as does MaryJo. |
| Bottom Line | Toddlers
love ducks and they won't be disappointed with the adorable duck and
interactive story. FUN!! |
Children's Bookwatch, July 2001
The Great Searches Series
EDC Publishing offers three outstanding Usborne 'picture puzzle' titles beautifully illustrated by Ian Jackson for children with an interest in nature and wildlife that are as fun as they are informative. In The Great Animal Search (0746017391, $9.95) there are some 100 animals to spot and identify on every double-page of this oversized book. Each scenario showcases a different part of the world and the wildlife that lives there. In addition to countless hours of puzzle solving fun, there is a wealth of fascinating animal facts presented in succinct, easy-to-read captions. The Big Bug Search (0746027036, $8.95) follows the same format, only this time for insects ranging from hairy spiders and black slugs to dragonflies and leafcutter ants. With The Great Undersea Search (0746023413, $8.95) the focus in on live underwater in the various puzzle pictures ranging from coral reef to ocean depths to sunken pirate ship, and more. With all three books, should young readers (or their parents!) get stuck trying to find all the hidden things, there are answers in the back. This wonderfully presented, magnificently illustrated series is especially recommended for home schooling curriculums, rainy day pastimes, or long road trip diversions.
Washington Parent, July 2001, Great Summer Reads by Mary Quattlebaum
Shells and Shells Sticker
Picking up shells is certainly one beach experience. All those colors, shapes and textures! Those who don't know an oyster from a conch shell, though, may wish to bring along a guide. Usborne Books publishes two good ones written by Graham Saunders, illustrated with color photos by Mike Freeman and suitable for ages 8 and up. Shells (1992, $4.95) is pocked-sized and includes a fascinating section on the biology and life cycle of a mollusk. Spotter's Sticker Shells (2000, $7.95) boasts eight pages of stickers to be affixed to the appropriate place in the text.
For Kids Only, June-July 2001
Spycraft Kit
The disguises were pretty neat. There were maps and coded messages for you to work on. It was fun. - Danny Beers, 12, Hazlet, NJ
I liked the disguises, my brothers and I tried to figure out the maps. - Christopher Beers, 7, Hazlet, NJ
It was fun playing this with my brothers and figuring out spy things. - Cody Beers, 7, Hazlet, NJ
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
A Horse for the Summer
| Description | When Tom is left a prize-winning show jumper to look after over the summer, things don't turn out quite as he'd hoped. Chancey is wild and unpredictable and Tom is forced to start training him in secret. But the days of summer are numbered and Chancey isn't Tom's to keep forever. At some point he will have to give him back... This is the first book in a series which follows the day to day drama and exciting adventures of the children and horses of Sandy Lane Stables. ("Settle back for a great horsy read." Horse and Pony) |
| Kids view | Megan
read it the moment she received it and said that it was really good. Her
favorite part of the story was when Tom's cousin got stuck out in the beach
because the tide came in. She also liked the ending a lot. She says "I would recommend this story to people who like horses." |
| Bottom Line | Since summer is just starting, you might want to pick this up as it is sure to keep the girl in your life reading, |
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
Improve Your Spelling
| Description | Hough gud iz you're speling? This book will help hesitant spellers to assess and improve their spelling skills. It is packed with entertaining quizzes and puzzles which give plenty of practice at spelling confusing and difficult words. Colorful and amusing illustrations ensure that this useful book will be an enjoyable read for spellers of all abilities. |
| Our view | Brandon
has always struggled with spelling. Like this book says "Spelling is a
skill that can be learned". It is a skill that we are going to be working
on this summer. He is going to be in fourth grade next year and that is the
year they start essays. I want him to spell better so that he can do well in
school next year. I like this book because it has fun activities and illustrations. When Brandon first looked through the book he said, "This book looks fun mom." It breaks down the lessons into easy to digest portions. That is good because Brandon has an attention problem. Also the exercises really get it to stick. This is a book that I will be using with my younger children also as they get older. It really does make learning fun! If you have a child that struggles with spelling (a little or a lot) than this is a Must Buy! |
Metrowest Daily News, June 2001
Books for children to read this summer, by Alyson Button Stone
I must start this week with a paean of praise for Usborne Books, that truly amazing publisher and recipient of numerous awards and accolades from teachers and parents alike.
As we head into vacation time, travel time, and 'Mom, I'm bored' time, Usborne comes to the rescue with over 60 new products, and a full catalog of wonderful resources in the following subject areas: arts/crafts; board books; geography; kid kits; math; music; nature; puzzles; science; and more. All the genres have entries for a range of age groups. These materials are just indispensable for rainy days, traveling (save a puzzle or sticker book for that impending car trip and enjoy a peaceful journey), beginning a skill like fractions or a new language, or just enjoying a parent/child activity.
I had a middle-schooler home with a cold last week and we spent a very pleasant afternoon solving an Usborne Puzzle Adventure Kit. The puzzle wasn't too hard or too easy - just challenging enough to permit us to solve the mystery and save the world in a few hours.
With Usborne, every facet of the books shows loving care and quality. You simply can't go wrong. I particularly liked a fantasy adventure titled Star Quest. There's lots of stuff to solve, lots of hidden pictures to find, lots of imaginative, unique characters.
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
Camping Out Sticker Book
| Description | Children
can complete each page of this story, which is a re-telling of Poppy and Sam's
camping adventure from the Farmyard Tales series, with colorful picture
stickers. There are also "I found the duck!" reward stickers for
finding the little yellow duck hidden on each page. Farmyard Tales Sticker
Storybooks are storybooks, sticker books and puzzle books all in one. |
| Our view | This
cute storybook shows how campers come to Apple Tree Farm. Poppy and Sam decide
to have a camp-out of their own with very funny results. The illustrations in this book are picture book quality and the text is bold and easy to read. There are about 2 places per page on which your child can place a matching sticker. There is also a sticker for when your child finds the yellow duck on each page. MaryJo (5) is going camping this summer for the first time and really enjoyed this book. She likes the stickers and both her and Eric (3) like finding the duck. They get so excited when they do. |
| Bottom Line | This book is a great value. They story is entertaining, the pictures are wonderfully done, the stickers are reusable, and the duck brings added fun. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
Viking Invader
| Description | The Vikings: axe-wielding brutes or clean-living explorers and traders? Read the Viking Invader and find out. It's a fresh and lively look at history which is written like a tabloid newspaper. Danes Brit Debut End in Beheading, 'Position Hopeless' says Missionary, Captain in Coffin Burns Wrong Town - it's all here in the Invader! PLUS - The Axe Files - our sharp-as-a-blade quiz, Marriage - What every Viking maiden should know, AND a special report from the Ideal Longhouse Exhibition. There's a lot more to the Vikings than you think. Discover the people behind the headlines in the Viking Invader - coming to a village near you, SOON. ("Lavishly illustrated in full color... the book contains a wealth of information." History Teaching Review) |
| My view | Wow
both the older children Brandon (9) and Megan (13) and their parents (me and my
hubby) have enjoyed this book tremendously. No we are not usually tabloid
readers but this one is to good to pass up. It is so funny and packs such an
educational punch that if I had an award, this book would get it. From the front page motto (All the Pilling that's fit to print) to the funny headlines (Ella not a Wella Fella), to the interesting true stories (I particularly like the one about the miracle), to the goofy fictional (in the spirit of what was real at the time) classified ads (Lets Loot again like we did last summer) this book is Edu-tainment at it's best. |
| Bottom Line | If only all history books were written like this than all history students would love learning about it. A must buy for homeschoolers and anyone who loves a great read. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
Facts of Life
| Description | Babies and Growing Up combined in one volume. Revised and updated, this widely acclaimed book traces the growth and development of a baby from conception to birth and exactly what happens in the body at the time of puberty. Sections on sex, contraception, food, exercise, hygiene, drugs and HIV. |
| Our view | Part
1: Growing up My eldest will probably kill me for sharing this but here it goes. She has been doing a lot of "changing" lately and I'm not talking about her cloths if you get my meaning. One of the major changes has been that she doesn't always feel comfortable talking over these changes with her mother. Yes I said she doesn't. I have always tried to be open and not shy away from topics but she does like her privacy so I respect that. That is why I got this book. So that any information that she might not be getting she can get in this book (while keeping her privacy). Be forewarned, there are some explicit illustrations (not photos) though they are for educational purposes only and do a great job at explaining and labeling them. I like the section on keeping clean (I hope Megan paid particular attention to that section.). It does give the facts on sex and gives information that you might want to talk over with your child so I urge you to read it yourself before handing it over to your teen. It does do a great job giving clear facts without judging or preaching (it leaves that job up to you). It also has sections on feelings, food, drugs, and exercise. And has a section on Aids that answers some questions your teen might have. Part 2: Babies This section teaches how babies are created, changes in a pregnant woman's body, labor, and how to care for a newborn. At the back is a baby-sitters guide. This section that might be good for a teen whose mom is pregnant, or likes babies and wants to start baby-sitting. |
| Bottom Line | If you were looking for a No-Holds-Barred book on the facts of life to share with your pre-teen than this would be the one for you. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
Puppets Kid Kit
| Description | Usborne's vivid guide to puppet crafting provides the lead for kids (and parents!) to follow toward some very gratifying end results. We provide several colors of felt and paper) plenty for making a chatty jumbo cheeseburger, fruity milkshake and friendly finger mice. The book details construction of eleven puppet types ranging from quick and simple to those more complicated and expressive. |
| Our view | If
you want to have a great time with your children than this Kid Kit cannot be
missed. The other night the children seemed extremely board so I brought out
this kit and watched as their eyes lit up. They couldn't wait to look through
the book and pick out some puppets to make. Brandon (9) and MaryJo (5) both wanted to make some Fruity Milkshakes (you make them talk by moving a straw, which moves their mouths). They are made out of cardboard, tape, felt, straws, and cotton. The books photos and easy to understand instructions made the project very easy to do and the kids and I had a blast putting them together. They turned out great (I was amazed) and the children have had tons of fun putting on plays with them and showing them off with their friends (who have said things like "that is so cool" or "you are lucky"). Megan (13) and I are going to make a Hand puppet tomorrow and the kids and I have decided to make all the puppets in this book before the summer is over. The most clever puppets in the book are ones that can be made with paper and stuck on fingers. Which proves that it doesn't take much to have a lot of fun with your children and make those memories that last a lifetime. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
Tales From Littletown
| Description | These charming stories about Polly and Jack Dot, who live in Littletown, have been especially written to help young children who are just beginning to read. The richly detailed photographs of delightful, handmade models provide plenty for pre-readers to look at and talk about, too. The stories in this book are also available as three separate titles: The Birthday Surprise, The Missing Cat and The Runaway Orange. |
| Our view | Not
only are the stories entertaining but the photos are a delight to look at. The
folks of Littletown come to life on the pages of this book. The various scenes
are fun to look at for parent and child alike. I like how each of the words in this story are carefully chosen and repeated often to help your child's reading skills develop. Many of these words are represented with an accompanying picture at the back of the book. All of the stories are fun to read and feature everything from clowns, to kittens and dogs. Fun! |
| Bottom Line | If your child is a beginning reader than this would be a wonderful addition to his library! |
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
How Are Babies Made?
| Description | Discover how a baby forms inside its mother. Lift the flaps on the pages to see the baby changing as it grows... and grows... and grows! It's fun and interactive with simple explanations brought to life by bright and amusing cartoons. |
| Our view | MaryJo
(almost 5) has just started asking questions about where babies come from. And
while "The Stork" may be a help to some parents, I have always liked
to be honest and open (in a non-threatening way) about the facts of life. I like this book because it is written in a simple straightforward tone that young children can understand. That coupled with non-threatening illustrations makes this the perfect first book on the miracle of life. MaryJo really enjoyed learning where she came from and the "flip-flaps" added some fun to the book. |
| Bottom Line | If you are "expecting" or just have a curious little one than this book is a Must Buy! |
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
Puzzle Journeys
| Description | Have you ever wanted to be an explorer, soar into space or even whiz through time? Now you can, enjoying fun puzzles along the way. This book contains three titles from the Usborne Puzzle Journeys series, which skillfully blends fact with fiction. The stories are packed with action and interesting snippets of information to give the reader lots to look at and think about. These stories are also available separately: Puzzle Journey Around The World, Puzzle Journey Into Space, & Puzzle Journey Through Time. |
| Our view | As
I write this summertime is fast approaching. As every parent knows,
although summertime starts with a bang, the second week of "doing
nothing" boredom starts to set in. That is why I purposefully saved this
book for just such a time. This book is really made up of three books. Puzzle Journey Around the World Puzzle
Journey Into Space |
| Bottom Line | A wonderfully creative way to cure the summer boredom blues. Also a great way to put some fun into the day for you homeschoolers out there. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
Jokes
| Description | Hundreds of jokes fill every part of this knockabout book. Gag-happy cartoon characters provide giggles galore with jokes on just about any subject. Find out why the jumbo jet went to the doctors, what cockerels say to their naughty children, and where astronauts park their spaceships... plus hundreds of other rib-ticklers! Includes riddles and rhymes to keep the chuckles flowing and sections showing how to create brand-new jokes. |
| Our view | Warning:
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IN A LIBRARY OR IN STUDY HALL. Why? Because if you are
Human (and I assume that most of you are..lol) you are sure to find these jokes
so funny that you will be laughing out loud. This book is packed with hundreds of illustrations and laugh-out-loud jokes. There is so much eye-candy in this book that it is sure to become a favorite of every child who owns it. We have spent a lot of time as a family cracking up over these Jokes. The kids vary as to their favorite types (MaryJo (5) likes Knock, knocks Brandon (9) likes What do you get when you cross a., etc.) but I have to talk about my favorite. I mean these jokes are so clever they had me laughing so hard my sides hurt (not to mention my oldest (Megan 13) saying, "You are scaring me mom") and practically rolling on the floor. At the bottom of each page is a white box with various pictures in it and the words "What's this" next to it. You turn the page to find the answer. Well anyway I don't think you have lived until you have looked at those jokes. They are awesome. The older children also liked the easy to use diagrams that show you how to make your own Jokes. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
Hair Braiding Kid Kit
| Description | Anyone that enjoys experimenting with different hairstyles will love this delightful Usborne Kid Kit. You will find over 15 different braiding techniques for all lengths of hair and lots of accessories to help you achieve many exciting styles! Get together with your friends and try the assortment of ribbons, clips and ponytail wraps found in this kit. Whether you like casual or elegant, you'll have fun finding just the right look. |
| Our view | I
have two daughters and a confession to make. I have never been very good at
making braids. In fact my attempts in the past were really comical and led to
my giving up on doing the girls hair. My problem was I just didn't have any
clear instructions on how to make them. That is why I really appreciate owning this book. First of all I was amazed at how many different types of braids there are. Each style of braid has clear, step by step instructions with photos and illustrations that really help even a novice like me understand just how to make them. I have tried some out on my daughters and although I have to admit that I did have to re-do some of them, I am getting the hang of it. Both of the girls have enjoyed the results and we enjoy the time spent together. All in all a great value and nice way to spend time with your daughter. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
Starting to Read Sticker Book
| Description | The popular characters from the Farmyard Tales series feature in this fun-filled activity book which introduces the skills that young children need when starting to read. The activities provide plenty of opportunity for looking at pictures, recognizing simple words, and matching letters with sounds. The book contains over 30 colorful stickers to make the activities even more enjoyable. There are also wipe-clean pages of letters to draw over which will help children develop their handwriting skills. Notes for parents are also included. |
| Our view | This
book is a whole lot of fun. There are all kind of activities that your child
and you can do together. MaryJo (almost 5) really enjoyed the rhyming activities. There are a few different pages where you get to match up rhyming pictures and words. She also loves putting the stickers on the various pages. There are many other enjoyable activities in this book. Things such as putting a story in the correct order, reading (illustrated) words, and repeating sounds, will get your child excited about learning to read. All in all a great value and nice way to spend time with your kindergartner. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
Letters
| Description | This book is packed with carefully graded exercises to help children learn how to form letters correctly. The colorful and amusing pictures make practicing this new skill enjoyable and fun, and there are lots of opportunities for coloring and counting. There is also a page of really informative notes for parents. ("Lively books with well-structured activities and visual humor to hold a child's interest." Parents Magazine) |
| Our view | If
your child has developed good pencil control (is past the scribble stage) then
he/she is probably ready to start practicing their letters. This workbook will be a great way to start doing just that. The first few fun pages (one shows a castle) lets your child practice tracing lines. Each subsequent page provides a lot of space for practicing two similar letters (with the back pages letting your child practice the alphabet). I love how at the top of each page it gives you step by step instructions on how to form both letters. Also each page has adorable illustrations that are sure to get a smile out of your child. All in all a great value and nice way to spend time with your preschooler. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
Flowers Sticker Book
| Description | Children will love identifying the flowers in this beautiful sticker book. For each flower there is a simple description and a black and white drawing which can be covered with a sticker when the flower is identified. Serious spotters can also record when and where they spotted each flower - but the stickers are so attractive, they could easily be used for many other purposes. |
| Our view | This book has been a lot of fun for my daughter MaryJo (age 4) and
I. It is kind of like our special time together. What we do is take a walk
together and look for a new type of flower. Then we look at all of the stickers
until we find one that matches (sometimes that takes awhile as we have to study
the petals and leaves, which just adds to the enjoyment). I then look in the
back of the book and find what page the sticker goes on and MaryJo writes the
date in the box provided and I write where we found it. Brandon (age 9) has
found a few flowers on his own too. The stickers in this book are very colorful and are reusable (in case you want to hunt flowers forever). I like that this book tells how big the flowers are and when they are in bloom, that helps in spotting them. |
| Bottom Line | A wonderfully fun way to spend time with your children. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, June 2001
Shapes
| Description | Given a handful of felt pens or crayons, no young child could resist these colorful activity books. Designed to be used with an adult's guidance, they are carefully planned and graded to develop the skills that build toward basic math, writing and reading. The series provides children with hours of fun while developing such vital skills as concentration, hand control and visual awareness. |
| Our view | This
book is perfect for when you want to spend some one on one time with your four
or five year old. Each page of this book is filled with color shapes and cute animals. At the bottom of each page are questions or directions that you read to your child. Then you can sit back and watch their eyes light up as they go to work. MaryJo loves to color and there is a lot of that with this book. It doesn't just teach shapes it also teaches sizes and colors. |
| Bottom Line | A
fun and colorful way to learn shapes.
|
Practical Homeschooling, May/June 2001
Make Reading Fun
If you love Usborne books then you'll love Make Reading Fun, an interactive CD-ROM-based program that will reinforce your child's reading skills. Make Reading Fun is separated into four progressive modules. Each module features three full-sized Usborne books. Usborne books can stand alone, but in this case the CD-ROMs add to the books. Each CD-ROM includes video helps, an interactive storybook, and various activities, including some which are printable.
The interactive storybooks match the Usborne books exactly. Just click a button and the story is read to you. As each word is read it changes colors so you can follow along. This is the equivalent of a finger pointing under the word. I have to say that 'interactive' is a bit of a stretch. On some pages you can click on a picture and it will tell you its name; other pages however do not have this option.
The learning exercises consist of various phonics activities. There are at least two types of activities per book and they are varied and interesting. The exercises for each book vary but work on such skills as vowel sounds, sequencing, word endings, puzzles, blends, letter sounds, word recognition, and vocabulary building. One problem with the learning exercises is that if you click on the wrong answer nothing happens. You just keep clicking on items until you find the right answer. This may be confusing to some children who don't know they have the wrong answer.
The printable activities are ideal for the homeschool family because they reinforce what is learned in the games and book. If you need to reinforce a particular skill just print up one of the workbook activities. Here are the books included with each module.
Module 1 Ages 2-4
Who's Making That Noise?
First Words
The Stephen Cartwright ABC
Module 2 Ages 3-5
Silly Sheep Dog
Usborne Farmyard Tales Alphabet Book
First 100 Words
Module 3 Ages 4-6
The Clumsy Crocodile
The Usborne Book of Everyday Words
My Town
Module 4 Ages 5-8
Word Detective
Puzzle Jungle
What's Inside You
If you would like a supplemental reading program that contains actual learning activities and not just pointless games then Make Reading Fun is for you!
KidsLikeOurs.com, May 2001
Geography Quizbook
| Description | The Geography Quizbook looks at our planet -- from its place in
the Solar System, to the way people live. The book shows how we use the Earth's
resources and explains why we need to protect our environment. Usborne Quizbooks cover a variety of subjects and will fire the imagination and satisfy the curiosity of any reader. Each page contains a wealth of fascinating, vividly illustrated information, combined with quiz questions. By answering these, readers can test their skills of observation, general knowledge and deduction. A special section in each Quizbook contains some illustrated puzzles and more quizzes. These provide an entertaining test of knowledge gained from the rest of the book. |
| Our view | Interactive! That is the word that comes to mind when I think of
this book. Brandon has been interested in Geography (or how the world works)
for some time. So he was thrilled to receive this book. This book is set up so
that your child can read a little then answer a question all the way through
the book. I like that because Brandon was recently found to have an attention
deficit problem, yet this book was able to keep his attention for long periods
of time. At the back of the book are ten (ten question) quizzes to really
challenge what they have learned. |
| Bottom Line | An absolute Must Buy for homeschoolers. It is filled with
interesting facts and illustrations that help your child learn geography in a
fun way. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, May 2001
Words to Write Sticker Book
| Description | This fun-filled activity book provides plenty of opportunities for young children to try out their writing skills. Groups of simple words are presented in a clear handwriting style for children to copy, along with plenty of other writing activities. The book contains over 40 colorful stickers to make the activities more fun, and is based on the characters from the best-selling Farmyard Tales series. Also included are wipe-clean activity pages and a helpful page of notes for parents. |
| Our view | The
other day my nephew Jake was over. He and MaryJo are best friends and lately
MaryJo has wanted to be like him in every way. A week or so ago MaryJo ran to me with tears in her eyes. When I asked her what was wrong she said "He knows how to write words but I don't". Well she didn't know we had this workbook and when I pulled it out and showed her, she was ecstatic. She already had a lot of practice writing letters so this was a perfect next step. Since then she has put a lot of time into working on her words and really feels grown up. The pictures in this book are picture book quality and the stickers are high quality as well. On the inside front cover your child can practice both upper and lowercase letters. Entertaining and fun, this book is a great value for parents of preschoolers through first graders. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, May 2001
Second Big Dot to Dot
| Description | Dot-to-dot puzzles help young children recognize and sequence larger numbers, and the fun and colorful dot-to-dot activities in this jumbo book make this a really enjoyable activity. The pictures are incorporated into simple stories on all kinds of different subjects from space adventure to dinosaurs, and the stories provide clues to the dot-to-dot pictures. When they have joined up all the dots, young children will also enjoy coloring the pictures. |
| Our view | This
book has become MaryJo's constant companion. She really loves doing dot-to-dots
and enjoys showing me them once they are completed. The material in this book
is also published as four separate titles, so as you can imagine there are many
pages of fun dot-to-dot puzzles found inside. I really like how the parents can interact with their children by reading the questions to them at the bottom of the page. I also like how the dots are color-coded so that you child knows which dot's to connect. MaryJo has really built up her math skills (she can count up to 40 with no problems) because of using this book and I know that she will be that more ready for math work in kindergarten. She says that she would tell other kids "you just have to keep on doing the dot-to-dots because it is really fun and hard work". It makes her feel like a "big kid" to do the work. |
| Bottom Line | A colorful, educational and fun way for your child to pass the day. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, May 2001
Starting to Add
| Description | Starting to Add introduces the concept of addition with carefully graded activities. Colorful picture and number games ensure the child has the necessary pre-addition skills and then there are lots of activities to practice the concept of "more". There are also some really helpful notes for parents and ideas for other activities to do at home. ("Lively books with well-structured activities and visual humor to hold a child's interest." Parents Magazine) |
| Our view | MaryJo
(age 4 and 1/2) will be starting kindergarten soon and frankly can't wait to
go. She loves workbooks and was excited to start this one, as it was her first
math one. There are no stickers in this book but that didn't matter to MaryJo.
This book is so colorful and interactive that from the first page she was
hooked. She actually hugged this book and said, "I love my book". I like how the workbook starts with counting activities and gradually takes the child through various activities designed to build her math skills. She likes the interactivity in it. For example, besides just counting she is also asked to color certain objects or even draw certain things. There is also a Treasure hunt game, dot-to-dots, and other fun things to keep your child entertained. One last thing that I like is the fact that (when needed) there is a number line on the page to help your child count correctly or figure out how to print a number. I can honestly say that having it has helped MaryJo when counting. She sometimes would ask me what comes after a certain number and I would say let's look at the number line and she would say "Oh yeah, I'll do it myself." She liked for me to read the directions but wanted no help when it came to answering questions. The work was just right for her age and the time I spent with her was very enjoyable. |
| Bottom Line | A great workbook for those learning to add. FUN!! A must buy for homeschoolers or parents wanting to spent quality time with their young child. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, May 2001
Sharks
| Description | What is an Usborne Internet-linked book? It is a book that contains Usborne-recommended, relevant Web sites, specially chosen by our editors land Web researchers, to take the reader further into the subject, adding new dimensions of information and entertainment. Will the Web sites go out of date? Web sites do change from time to time. The sites recommended in this book will be reviewed regularly and you will always be able to find up-to-date direct links to these or other suitable, alternative sites at www.usborne.com. Free downloadable pictures. A selection of useful diagrams and pictures from this book is available for downloading, without charge, also from www.usborne.com. Must I be online to use this book? Absolutely not. This book works perfectly well as an outstanding conventional reference book without using the Internet at all. What else will I find in this book? You'll find sharks of all different shapes and sizes, some as small as your hand, others bigger than buses. Find out what drives them into feeding frenzies, how they look when they are about to attack, and how they can "feel" fish swimming nearby. Dramatic underwater photography brings you face to face with these incredible creatures, while lively illustrations provide an insight into their habits. |
| Our view | The
photos in this book are incredible. One of the first things that your child
will learn from this book is that there are over 400 different types of sharks
and this book shows many of them. The photos are really up-close and personal
and contain photos of sharks your child (and you) probably have never seen
before (like the extremely strange looking elephantfish). The text is short, easy to read information that contains very interesting facts (such as did you know that during it's lifetime a shark will grow then lose thousands of teeth or that a male shark shows he is interested in a female by biting her, ouch). Even children who are not avid readers enjoy reading books like this because of the way the text is broken up with the photos. Brandon likes sharks and had a nice time reading this book (His favorite shark is a Hammerhead). He thought the Internet-links were cool. His little Brother Eric (age 2) also likes to sit and look at the pictures.
|
| Bottom Line | If
your child is fascinated with sharks they will be well satisfied with this
book. It also would be a nice addition to any homeschool library. |
Book Selling this Week, Kids Pick of the Lists, April 2001
Usborne Book of the Season
The subtitle, "Things to Do All Year Round," accurately describes the contents. It is a mixture of science, arts, and crafts for each season. For example, spring includes constellations visible at night, weather, animal tracks, and egg decorating. Each season has a mixture of natural science and activities designed to teach about the seasons. This book is a very nice family activity book for year-round interest. The art is excellent and the descriptions interesting. It will provide many hours of enjoyment.
Book Selling this Week, Kids Pick of the Lists, April 2001
A Visitor's Guide to Ancient Egypt
This was another of my favorite books. It is designed to resemble an actual travel guide - covering religion, education, government, family, fashion, where to stay, how to get around, etc. Everything you need to know as a tourist in ancient Egypt is contained here. The illustrations are mixed in with actual photographs. There are also plenty of tips for the traveler - including watching out for crocodiles while swimming in the Nile.
Book Selling this Week, Kids Pick of the Lists, April 2001
Dinosaurs Spotters Guide
A great compilation of useful information for dinosaur fans. It is logically arranged and easy to understand. Very well done, and an excellent value for the $5.95 price tag.
Book Selling this Week, Kids Pick of the Lists, April 2001
Usborne Summer Activities
If summer is your favorite season to celebrate with children, this is a resource book you shouldn't be without during the long, hot summer. Scrumptious picnic cheese tarts, cheesy snakes and caterpillars, and sunshine toast, will be tasty and fun to make. Bright illustrations detail step-by-step directions for successful activities for all. Art and craft projects abound - painting, shaping, paper-folding, printing, pop-ups, even sunny postcards are among the summer fun. Stickers add to the summer treasure.
Book Selling this Week, Kids Pick of the Lists, April 2001
Everyday Words Sticker Book in French
The companion sticker book to Everyday Words in French will equally help children develop French vocabulary and reading skills. Matching words with objects encourages active learning, and stickers are always intriguing. This is a great book for parents and children alike who can use fun activities as an aid to learning French words and phrases. Colorful and fun.
Book Selling this Week, Kids Pick of the Lists, April 2001
Everyday Words Sticker Book
My toddler friends and I had a great time with this book. It was a fun way to identify everything from a toaster to a present. We made a game out of it and walked throughout the house to find as many items as we could and place its sticker on the right page. This can also be a good way to keep busy in the car on road trips.
KidsLikeOurs.com, April 2001
That's Not My Kitten
| Description | This delightful series of board books is aimed at the very young children. The bright pictures, with their patches of different textures, are designed to develop sensory and language awareness. Babies and toddlers will love turning the pages and touching the feely patches. |
| Kids view | In
this book your baby can feel a kitten's scratchy paw and a fuzzy tongue, among
other things. My son Eric has been kitten crazy for a few months now and loves
to carry around two beanie baby type kittens while he meows loudly. Now he
carries this book around with them and always has it turned to the last page
(by the book to find out why).. |
| Bottom Line | This book has colorful fun pages with adorable kittens and fun textures. Babies will really enjoy their time spent with mommy (or daddy) and this book. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, April 2001
Timelines of World History
| Description | If you want to know when the wheel was invented, Shakespeare was
born, or the first man landed on the moon, you'll find it in this densely
illustrated reference book. With over 3,500 dates, it is an indispensable guide to what happened when and where. Timelines of World History outlines the history of the world, pointing out the most significant landmarks and turning points - wars and revolutions, ground-breaking inventions and discoveries, artistic movements, and the rise and fall of great empires - from the earliest settlements of around 9000 BC right up to the end of the 20th century. |
| My view | This really is a must have book. It is a wonderful resource for
schoolwork. This week Megan (13) had to write a fictional story about Japan in
which she had to include information on Japan's past. It was really easy for
her to do, as she had this book in which to quickly get the info she needed. This book would be helpful for (among other things) writing essays, studying for tests, writing a time period piece, or learning about inventors. It is just a great book with which to browse through the history of the world. I like the fact that it is broken down into time periods and then into continents so it is really easy to find the area you want to learn more about. I also really like the back of the book. It has a glossary, an index, a wonderful page full of Internet links (to get more info) and (my favorite) five pages that lists different rulers (presidents, prime ministers, kings etc.) from around the world. |
| Bottom Line | A fascinating hard to put down book! It is filled with wonderful illustrations, photos, and easy-to-read information on the countries of the world. A must buy for homeschoolers or parents with children in grades four and above. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, April 2001
Tales of Real Escape
| Description | From convicts in Alcatraz to prisoners in Colditz Castle, Tales of Real Escape celebrates the cunning, determination and courage of the would-be escaper. Find out how three men got through ten locked doors in a South African jail, read about the terrible fate that awaited failed escapees on Devil's Island, and discover how Houdini pulled off some of his extraordinary music hall escapes. Vivid illustrations, fascinating photographs, and lively maps and diagrams accompany this exciting collection of true stories. |
| My view | Fascinating
information, illustrations, and photos make this a hard book to put down. I
would stick to the age limit (12 and up) on this one. I know my nine-year-old
isn't old enough to handle a couple of the stories in here. Megan (13), her father and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I almost hate to admit it but outside of a few names (such as" Harriet Tubman" and "Harry Houdini") or places (such as "The Berlin wall" or "Alcatraz") everything I read about was new to me. Some in this book were unjustly imprisoned, and some were rightly so and still others did it for a living. And yet they all had one thing in common, each had "Freedom" on their mind, and in most cases they were willing to risk life and limb to get it. Megan has just memorized Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech for school. I can't help but think that if we all (as Americans) can ever see full realization of his dream then we will have escaped the biggest jail ever devised to divide a nation. It is a prison of the mind, and it's name is bigotry and sadly not all have escaped. |
| Bottom Line | This book is fascinating and fun! A great coffee table book as everyone that comes in your house will enjoy reading it. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, April 2001
Baby's Toys
| Description | With bold, vibrant illustrations, Baby's Toys shows familiar objects and situations from a young child's life. Short sentences describe what's happening on each page and the bright, friendly pictures provide lots to look at, point to and talk about, making this a wonderful book for adults to share with children. |
| Kids view | Babies
enjoy looking at other babies. Babies also enjoy toys. That is why this
colorful and fun book is sure to be a hit with the baby and toddler in your
life. Eric (2) very much enjoys this book. His favorite page has a train on it and he will sometimes just sit and stare at it for awhile. There is one sentence on each page which makes this a nice book for beginning readers also. |
| Bottom Line | The
baby in this book is a CUTIE! A fun book for the baby, toddler, or beginning
reader in your life! |
KidsLikeOurs.com, April 2001
I Can Cut & Stick Kid Kit
| Description | Make a princess from a spoon! A crown from a doily! This kit shows how to use everyday things from around the house to make exciting projects and achieve stunning results. Includes wooden spoon, paint and brush, glitter glue, fabric, colored paper, scissors, sequins, doilies and yarn. Stir the creative juices and let your child's imagination run wild. |
| Our view | All
you have to do is look at the many original
projects on this website to guess that around my home construction
paper and glue abound. As a matter of fact I have been doing projects with children for about 16 years and I started making up my own about 12 years ago. So believe me when I say that I know this book will be a wonderful addition to any home with young children. I was really impressed with how creative the projects (like the inventive way described to make a necklace) are. The book contains 16 fun and easy to do original projects, which are broken down into two-page spreads . MaryJo's eyes literally bugged out when she saw this kit for the first time. She immediately asked to make a crown. She worked very hard on it and later on that day was looking like the little princess we always knew she was. Another favorite is the Spoon Princess. That is fairly easy to make and will last a long time. When young children make things "on their own" it gives them a great sense of accomplishment. It doesn't matter what things look like it just matters that they made it. That is why you can't go wrong buying this for your child. |
| Bottom Line | If I know anything in this world it is children and projects and I know that young children will LOVE this kit!! |
KidsLikeOurs.com, April 2001
Farmyard Tales Pop-Up Carousel
| Description | This truly delightful book opens up to reveal four scenes of Apple Tree Farm at different seasons of the year. Each scene is animated with flaps to open and tabs to pull, and there is even a miniature storybook. Children will enjoy dressing the die-cut figures of Poppy and Sam with press-out clothes for each season, and making up their own stories around the scenes. The carousel contains small pieces and is not suitable for children under 36 months. ("This is a delightful book, providing hours of fun to play with and enchanting stories to read." 3R's Magazine) |
| Kids view | When
MaryJo (4) and Brandon (9) saw this book for the first time they were somewhat
interested but when they realized that it opened up to reveal four separate
scenes (one for each season) their eyes lit up and they excitedly asked to play
with it. They went into Brandon's room and shut the door (so their younger
brother couldn't rip it) and played with it for three hours straight. They have played with it many times since and MaryJo has shared it with her friends as well. They say that it is really fun and they like playing with the boy and girl (Poppy and Sam) figures that come with it. I like how there are paper clothes (a set for each) provided for each season. It is nice for them to be able to dress up the kids. The book also has many windows to open and tabs to pull and those are the kind of things that kids can never get board with. The small book that is enclosed talks about what goes on the farm for each season. It is nice to read it while you play along. |
| Bottom Line | If
you want to see your child's eyes light up then buy him/her this book! A great
way to learn and explore the seasons! |
KidsLikeOurs.com, April 2001
Star Quest
| Description | This fabulous fantasy is overflowing with weird and wonderful things to find, puzzles to solve and aliens to fight, flee or befriend. Evil Lord Glaxx, intergalactic energy thief and leader of the Lava Louts, must be stopped before he drains all the energy from the Sun. Fiendishly detailed illustrations will captivate readers and challenge the most accomplished and eagle-eyed puzzle-solvers. Beware! ("A high-quality spotter activity book...Hours - maybe even days - of puzzles to ponder." Manchester Evening News) |
| Kids view | Brandon
(age 9 and 1/2) has always loved the "Where's Waldo" type of books.
He is a very detail oriented person and so has always excelled at books such as
"I spy". So he was thrilled to receive this book and sentences like
"this is so cool" and "I really like this mom" floated
through the air as he looked through the book for the first time. That night we
started reading the book together and I noticed that it really challenged him
(and me too). Brandon liked the fact that there was a story and it "wasn't
just about finding stuff". Brandon's friends have enjoyed the book also
and have spent time with him finding things. Reading the story with Brandon convinced me that this is a book boys will enjoy. I mean what boy (and some girls) wouldn't love saving the world from Doom. I was amazed at how much fun the story was and how many things there are to find. Each two-page spread takes you further into the story and provides you with many objects to look for. Pardon the pun, but the illustrations in this book are "out of this world". I was amazed at all the details. There is enough on each page to keep kids searching for hours on end. |
| Bottom Line | There is a lot going on in this book. If your child follows it step by step he is guaranteed hours of enjoyment with it. FUN!!!! |
The Daily News, April 2001
Complete Book of Drawing
Kudos to Usborne for their continual high quality. I don't know a child who doesn't love these products. I recommend "The Usborne Complete Book of Drawing" and "The Usborne Book of Art Ideas". Both are jam packed with inspiration. The art ideas book has practical advice on how to use almost any media you can name - with over 200 projects detailed. The drawing book shows the basics of drawing so that even the most amateur artist can create something to be proud of. Fun projects abound to fill up the spring and summer.
Reviewer- Alyson Button Stone
www.fogg.cc, March 2001
by Frank Fogg
El Mundo Antiguo
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El Mundo Antiguo is a hardcover book about early civilizations throughout the world. The contents include a number of pictures and illustrations, and the text is entirely in the Spanish language.
This work is closely focused on the period of time from about 10,000 B.C. through 400 A.D. and examines the beginnings of civilization on each of the major continents. Each chapter answers the basic questions of when, where and how these peoples lived. Every page has colorful drawings, pictures and maps to help one visualize everyday life. These pictures include typical village and city scenes showing everyday activities, drawings that show typical clothing styles, and cutaway views of buildings to show home life and customs.
The text contains a wealth of cultural information. Some of the topics covered for each early civilization include religion and worship, art forms, political orientation, wars and military organization, and burial rites. Extensive coverage is given to early Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Indian, South American and Chinese civilizations. Early peoples in Africa and the Americas are also described.
Several features of this book are unique and increase reading comprehension. The top of every page includes a title detailing the civilization and period of time for that particular page. At the bottom of the page is a timeline with a segment highlighted corresponding to the time period being discussed. Maps are presented in two sections with a continent sized view and a close-up view that both have the referenced location highlighted or outlined. Small boxes sprinkled throughout the text emphasize key dates and events for each period of history. A chronological table at the rear of the book illustrates the progression of civilization on each continent in a side-by-side presentation for easy comparisons.
This book is written for children with Spanish as a primary language, but provides an ideal opportunity for students studying Spanish to get hands on reading practice. The book is so extensively illustrated that the meaning of unfamiliar words can be easily guessed. The level of detail in the drawings and pictures provides many fascinating insights into how these peoples actually lived.
This book is an excellent intermediate level reader for students learning Spanish. Maps, pictures and drawings help the reader understand what is discussed without having to constantly refer to a dictionary or pocket translator.
KidsLikeOurs.com, March 2001
Funny Poems
| Description | Stephen Cartwright's charming and colorful pictures accompany every poem in this delightful book. The collection features mainly new poems for children which are bound to become firm favorites that will be read again and again. ("Sure to raise gales of juvenile laughter." Liverpool Echo) |
| Our view | This book is full of totally silly juvenile humor that will get
your child giggling with you. Brandon said he thought they all were funny and
liked the one called "To the Moon" the best. The book is filled with
bright colorful illustrations to go along with the poems. FuN! |
KidsLikeOurs.com, March 2001
Famous Lives
| Description | Almost everyone has heard of Galileo, Leonardo, Columbus and Henry
VIII. Centuries after their lives ended, their fame lives on. This book is about the actions and ideas of such inventors, scientists, explorers and monarchs, and why they gained such lasting fame. Read The Usborne Book of Famous Lives and find out about their daring discoveries and despicable deeds. Discover the truth about crazy kings and ingenious inventors. Packed with tales of success and failure, this book explores the lives behind the famous names. The material in this book is also available separately as five separate titles: Kings and Queens, Famous Women, Inventors, Scientists and Explorers. |
| Our view | Over the last year Brandon (age 9 and 1/2) has really become
interested in how things are made (his teacher even told him that she thought
he might be an inventor when he gets older). Well I have to tell you he had an
absolute blast reading about the various inventors and their inventions that
are in this book. He made a camera obscura (it shows you how in this book) and
learned about fascinating items such as a complex lock that wasn't opened for
75 years or the can full of meat that was opened 114 years after it was lost
(you'll be amazed to learn what condition the meat was in). He also enjoyed
learning about how VCR tapes work and how freezers get so cold (cutaway
illustrations help to visualize). At the back of the Invention book (like in
all of them) are two wonderfully helpful sections. One is a two-page spread of
Key dates in the history of invention and the last page is a 35-question quiz
(complete with answers). Megan (age 13) also enjoyed this book. She said her favorite part was learning about women in history. She was fascinated to learn that in 43 BC woman marched against the Roman government (read the book to find out why) and won. She enjoyed reading about the author of one of her favorite books (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings). The quizzes make this a nice book for homeschoolers. |
| Bottom Line | Because this book is filled with so much different types of easy to understand information (as well as wonderful photos and illustrations), it is sure to capture the attention of any child. This book will never be outdated and can be passed down through the years. |
KidsLikeOurs.com, March 2001
Encyclopedia of World History
| Description | What
is an Usborne Internet-linked book? It is a brand new kind of book containing
details of Usborne-recommended Web sites to take you further into each subject
in an entertaining and interactive way. Must I have a computer to use this
book? Absolutely not. This encyclopedia works on its own as an outstanding
reference book without using the Internet at all. Will the Web sites go out of
date? Websites do change from time to time, so the sites in this book will be
regularly reviewed by Usborne researchers. You will find up-to-date direct
links to these or alternative sites by going to www.usborne.com and clicking on
Quicklinks. What else will I find in this book? You will find the history of the world from the Big Bang to the year 2000, covering the major civilizations, rulers and events. The book paints vivid picture of everyday life over thousands of years and includes: Clear descriptions of historical events -- Reconstructions of exciting scenes throughout history -- Fascinating illustrations -- Over 100 maps -- 12,000-year illustrated time chart |
| Our view | This
book is around 400 pages long and is jam packed with illustrations, photos, and
easy to understand information on everything from the very beginning of time
until the present day. Although I don't believe in the "Big Bang
Theory" or "Evolutionism" that this book talks about in the
first few pages, I found everything else in the book to be well worth reading.
There are even many well-written pages on Christianity. This book is broken down into periods of time and then into subject matter. Each subject has a two-page spread. What makes it so fun is that each spread has many photos and illustrations that draw the reader in (I love how many of them are labeled with interesting facts about what is going on in that scene). The text next to it is short and two the point. On the bottom of the pages there is a time line for quick reference and many of the pages include a box with important dates. And as if that weren't enough, each subject has at least one website to go to for games or more information. That is such an added bonus because if your child needs more info on the subject (whether it's for a school project or for fun) they know right where to go. From the beginning the older children (13, 9 and 4) really enjoyed this book. It started when we read the pages titled "What are Fossils?". We enjoyed looking at the illustrations together and all found fascinating the photo of the "prehistoric insect trapped in amber" I mean the fact that the insect (which looks like a bee with long legs) survived intact for millions of years is amazing. At the end of the book are three different time charts (complete with illustrations), a Word List (to explain some of the words used in the book) - I think it would also make a nice place to get spelling lists from for home-schoolers, and an index for easy subject look up. I highly recommend buying this book for your children and spending time with them each night looking over a two-page spread. You will be helping them learn and creating fond memories all at the same time. |
| Bottom Line | TOTALLY
FASCINATING. Very Well Done!!!! If you were going to buy just one book on world
history for yourself or your child this would be it! A Must Buy!! |
KidsLikeOurs.com, March 2001
Starting Chess Kid Kit
| Description | You
can become a champion chess player with this Usborne Kid Kit. All of the basic
rules of chess are included along with simple diagrams that make the examples
and puzzles clear and easy to follow. The animated illustrations show
step-by-step moves along with cunning tricks and tactics. The magnetic chess
game comes with 1 1/4 inch tall game pieces. Open, the game has a 5 1/2 inch
square playing surface. Whether at home or traveling, grab an opponent and
start learning this challenging game of skill. |
| Our view | The
book is written in a really easy to read manner. Each two-page spread includes
fun facts about the game and teaches the reader about things such as, The King,
The Rook, opening moves and tricks, or writing chess down. The magnetic chess
game that comes with it is easy to use and folds up well for storage. As soon as he received this kit Brandon (9) took out the book and started reading it. There is a chess club at school and he was excited about learning the game in hopes that he might join the club. After he read it his sister (13) read it and then they spent the rest of the weekend playing chess. I was amazed at how much the kids seemed to know about the game. Brandon even invited a chess club member over and played with him. I was amazed that he seemed to hold his own too. When asked what he thought of the book Brandon said that it was "Cool" and that he thinks it "Teaches chess really good." He said that he also liked doing the puzzles included in the book and that he found the "King one real hard but some were easy". I also have been learning the game and playing with my children. It's fun! |
| Bottom Line | In
a world where violence is everywhere, why not teach the kids to play a
"war" game that build brain muscles instead of fears. Fun! |
KidsLikeOurs.com, March 2001
Find the Kitten Kid Kit
| Description | Stephen Cartwright's charming characters come to life in these five cute Kid Kits. The pictures in these delightful board books show a duck, teddy, puppy, kitten or piglet hidden in everyday environments. The books have been specially devised to provide the very young with the challenge of something to look for and familiar objects to name. The plush pile puppets help act out each scene and will provide hours of enjoyment for very young children. |
| Kids view | In
this book your child will have a lot of fun finding the kitten on each page.
The kitten is fairly easy to find (which is nice for toddlers) hiding in
wheelbarrow or under a flower. There is one picture in the book that we cannot
go past without Eric letting out a "Oh so cute!" and hugging and
kissing the picture. It is of the kitten tangled in yarn and really is cute.
Eric likes it when I make the kitten (which came with the book) dance. MaryJo
(age 4 and 1/2) likes using the kitten to play her own "Find the
Kitten" game with her cousin Lacey (age 4 and 1/2). They also like finding
the kitten in the book. |
| Bottom Line | When
you buy this book for the baby in your life you can be assured that you are not
only buying a book that will capture and keep their attention but you are also
purchasing a toy that is just well made, soft and just the right size for his
little hands. FUN!! |
KidsLikeOurs.com, March 2001
Old Steam Train Kid Kit
Description: It's fun to guess whether Grandpa or Grandma (or Mom or Dad) will like this Kid Kit more than the youngster they share it with! Sit down together and read this storybook from the Usborne's Farmyard Tales Readers series. Encourage the child to read the basic text at the top of each page, while an adult or older child participates reading the higher level text at the bottom. Explore the foldout map showing Apple Tree Station and the surrounding countryside. Share train stories and snap together a rolling choo-choo, Snappit's bright colored and very durable take-apart train. Lots of play, guaranteed! Train assembly diagram included.
Kids View: These days it seams that at least five times during my busy day I will hear "Mommy read story" coming from the mouth of my two and a half year old son. As soon as I hear them I know without looking that he will be holding his new favorite book The Old Steam Train. I am not exaggerating when I say that I can read it to him four times in a row and he will still want me to read it to him again. Also he loves the book so much that he actually "gives it loves" by sighing and laying his cheek down on different pages as we read.
What appeals to him about the book (besides the fact that a train is in it) is that the text is simple (which makes it easy for him to remember words from the pages) and that there is a lot to look at in each picture. He will also "read" the book to himself by turning the pages and saying the words he remembers (like station, or train, or dad). He is doing that right now as a matter of fact.
MaryJo also enjoys this book (when she can get it away from Eric).
She loves finding the duck in each picture and really enjoys the fold out map
on the cover of the book. As she learns to read this will be the perfect
beginning reader for her.
Eric loves the train that cam in this kit. He calls it "My
choo-choo" and likes to lay down and look at the train as he rolls it back
and forth on the floor.
Bottom Line: A very fun set that any child would love to own! The book is just right for train lovers and beginning readers making this a set that grows with your child. FUN!!!
KidsLikeOurs.com, March 2001
Make Reading Fun! Module 2
Includes three CD-ROMs and the following books: Alphabet Book, First 100 Words, and The Silly Sheepdog. Strategies for continued success are formed here. Phonics activities include common word endings, as well as short and long vowels with silent "e". Putting these words together into sentences provides an opportunity for contextual learning, and builds the confidence necessary for more difficult material to come in the following modules. Includes FUN-filled games teaching alphabetical order, and upper and lower case recognition.
Includes parent/teacher information
-Program Overview, Schematic and Printable Activities Table of Contents plus Activity Instructions, Thematic Unit Ideas, Lesson Outline, Checklist of Skills and Certificate of Completion specific to each CD-ROM title.
Child activities on CD-ROM within this module
-3 Interactive Storybooks, 7 Fun Exercises, 6 Help Videos, 41 Printable Activities (with 22 instructional helps for parents).
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
Windows 95 or 98; Pentium 166; 16 MB RAM; 8X CD-ROM drive; sound card; web browser recommended (for maximum image quality on printable activity materials.)
Mac OS 7.5.1 or higher; Power Macintosh; 16 MB RAM; CD-ROM drive; sound card; web browser required for viewing videos and accessing printable materials.
This program includes Macromedia Flash and Adobe Acrobat Reader & Installer necessary for software performance.
There is a lot to this package so I will go through each book/CD-ROM set one at a time.
The first set includes a book titled Usborne Farmyard Tales Alphabet Book and it's companion CD-ROM.
I really like how the book is set up. To illustrate it let's take the letter "j". In the upper left-hand corner is the upper and lowercase "j". At the bottom of the page there is the alphabet with the letter "j" highlighted. Above that are two sentences (the last on being a question about finding something in the picture) that have some of the words starting with the letter "j". Those words have the "j" (upper or lowercase) highlighted on them. And finally taking up most of the page is a very cute and colorful scene that relates to the sentences. This book also has a little duck hidden on every page for your child to find (MaryJo loves that) and at the back of the book has pictures of everyday objects with their names below them that they can go back in the book and find. It also has a big colorful alphabet on the last page.
The CD-ROM is divided into 4 sections. They are:
1. The computer version of the above book that is read to your child and has lots of things for them to click on (which really adds to the fun).
2. Games. This is where your child can practice putting letters in alphabetical order, matching upper and lowercase letters, and also play a vowel sound game. They all have different levels so they can be challenged no matter where they are.
3. Help Videos. There is one that explains to parents how to use the program (and gives ideas for games and activities to learn letter sounds and words), one that teaches a alphabet game, and one with a class that sings the alphabet song and holds up the letters as they go. MaryJo loves that, she has sung along with them many times.
4. Printable activities. There are too many to mention but some of the things that can be printed are: information for parents, letter writing practice worksheets for kids, flash cards, card games, dot-to-dots, mazes and so much more including a certificate to give your child when they have finished the first CD-ROM. MaryJo really enjoys practicing writing her letters. She is starting kindergarten next year so it is nice knowing that she will be ready.
The second set includes a book titled The First Hundred Words and it's companion CD-ROM.
The book has a small sentence (such as "In the living room" or "Getting dressed") at the top left-hand corner of each two-page spread. Underneath that is a big picture filled with fun things to look at. Underneath that are people, animals, or everyday objects with their name under them (for example on the first two-page spread it has a picture of a baby with "baby" written underneath it). The child can then "read" the word baby and find the baby in the big picture above it. On average there are about 7 objects to find on each two-page spread. Some other fun things about this book are that you can find the duck on each two-page spread and the back of the book has matching and counting activities.
The CD-ROM is divided into 4 sections. They are:
1. The computer version of the above book is a lot of fun. It takes each word one at a time and gives a sentence for it and then asks your child to click on that picture. MaryJo loves it because it will only highlight the correct picture so she never gets it wrong. There is also a lot of encouragement form the narrator.
2. Games. There are two games. One with word endings and one with vowel sounds.
3. Help Video. There is one that explains to parents how to use the program with this book.
4. Printable activities. Again there are too many to mention but some of the things that can be printed are: lists of sight words, a card game, sentences to go along with the story, and so much more including a certificate to give your child when they have finished the second CD-ROM.
The third and final set includes a book titled The Silly Sheepdog and it's companion CD-ROM.
This book also has a small sentence (such as "This is Apple Tree Farm") at the top of each page. Underneath there is a picture and underneath that there are a few more sentences. It is designed so that your child can read the simpler sentences at the top and you can read the ones at the bottom. Again there is a duck to find on each page.
The CD-ROM is divided into 4 sections. They are:
1. Children can read along in their book with the narrator. The pictures are animated and your child gets to click on the duck in each page.
2. Games. There are two games. One with long vowels and one that has your child sort long and short vowels.
3. Help Video. There are two that explain to parents how to use the program with this book and how to extend their love for reading.
4. Printable activities. Again there are too many to mention but some of the things that can be printed are: a chores calendar, pages to make their own stories, characters for puppet shows, and lots of games as well as many other things including a certificate to give your child when they have finished the third CD-ROM.
This reading package is AWESOME!!! Think about the value that you are getting when you buy this for your child. Not only do you get three high quality books (which we all know can be expensive) but their companion CD-ROMs are packed with enough fun and learning to keep them entertained and learning for years. In an age where just one CD-ROM can cost half as much as this kit does, this package is something you shouldn't pass up!! Remember too that it can be passed down to your younger children (I am planning to do the same when Eric (2 and 1/2) is a little older).
KidsLikeOurs.com, March 2001
The Usborne First Dictionary
Young readers and writers will find this colorful dictionary a really fun and useful resource. Over 2,500 carefully chosen words are explained in clear, simple English and illustrated with colorful pictures and photographs. When it is helpful, a word may also have a sentence showing how it is used, or a list of words that mean the same, or opposite, to help children with their writing. With spelling tips, writing ideas, word games and puzzles, this is the perfect first dictionary for children aged 5 to 8.
Boy have times changed. It seems like only yesterday I was given a dictionary of my own. I remember how proud of it I was. A book filled with words all for me (a budding young writer). I made a vow to myself that before I grew to adulthood I would read it from cover to cover. I still have that dictionary. I never did fulfill that vow to myself though. And as I put my old dictionary side by side next to First Dictionary I can see why. Outside of the yellow cover it is completely colorless, and need I say boring.
The First Dictionary on the other hand draws kids to it. The illustrations are very colorful and so much fun to look at while the words and their definitions are short and easy to read. There are also many fun games with words towards the front as well as help in using a dictionary. Brandon has used it for schoolwork (journal writing) and MaryJo likes to look through it. Brandon is going to take it to school to show his teacher because he says it is "The coolest dictionary ever!"
This is the only dictionary I have seen that draws kids in and makes them want to spend time with. Very well done! A must buy for any elementary school aged child.
KidsLikeOurs.com, March 2001
Letters to Copy
With the help the people and animals from Farmyard Tales, this fun-filled activity book helps young children develop the skills they need to write their first letters. There are letters to draw over and copy, exercises to help children improve their pencil control and over 30 stickers to make the activities more fun. There is also a page of notes and ideas for parents.
Not only is this book filled to the brim with "Letters to Copy" but it is also filled with all kinds of wiggly squiggly lines as well. One thing I have learned over the years is that those types of lines are great prewriting practice. They really help children gain the hand control it takes to write. This book was first published in England and while all of the uppercase letters are the same there are two lowercase letters that are a tiny bit different. Those are the small l and the small i. In the book they both have a small curl at the end of them. I told MaryJo to just ignore them and she did.
MaryJo has few activities that she enjoys more than practicing letters and words so of course she went bonkers when she saw this workbook. She really liked copying the letters and copying and finishing the squiggly lines. She says that her favorite part was putting on the stickers. There are two types of stickers. First there are the stickers (of various people and objects) that match outline images on each page and then there are the fun duck stickers that say "I found the duck" on them that they get to put on each page where they find a hiding duck.
MaryJo liked this book so much that the day after we received it she was done. You see I did some of it with her and put it up but she woke up early the next day and got it down and finished it herself and did a great job (surprising because it is meant to be a parent/child workbook). But she did it all in pencil, and because I have found the stickers to be re-stickable, we are planning on using it again.
A colorful, fun, educational book that will delight any preschool or kindergartener in your life.
Valleykids PARENT NEWS, February 2001
Going to the Doctor
Informed Little Patients by Norma Kellam
Anne Civardi, EDC Publishing, revised 2000. (ISBN 0-7460-4117-9) The children in the Jay family have to go to the doctor. Jenny has a bad cough, Jack injured his arm, and little brother Joey needs an immunization. Anne Civardi, author of many children's books, shows children what to expect from a doctor visit by following Mrs. Jay and her three children as they check in with the receptionist, try to entertain themselves in the waiting room, see the doctor, and get a prescription filled. On every page, Stephen Cartwright's cute drawings, in bright colors with occasional pastel backgrounds, clarify the written information. The smile on the doctor's face presents her office as a friendly place. Children will enjoy seeing Joey bandaging his toy monkey and getting himself tangled up in the bandage. Searching for small yellow ducks in the illustrations engages children's attention. Children who are learning to read will appreciate the simple text. This paperback book for preschool through third grade belongs to the Usborne First Experiences series.
Today's Books, Public News Service, February 2001
The Usborne Book of the Ancient World
86 Points ! ! ! ! ! Must Read
Author: Jane Chisholm. Author: Anne Millard. Illustrator: Ian Jackson. Non Fiction/History: Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greeks, Roman Empire, China, India, Asia Minor. Readers: Adult. Media Note: Profusely illustrated mapped survey of ancient cultures and civilizations.
Oklahoma Today Magazine, January-February 2001
In October 2000, this Tulsa children's books publisher, in business since 1965, was named one of the best growth companies in the state by the Daily Oklahoman. An estimated 12,000 retail outlets including Barnes & Noble and Borders) and approximately 5,000 nationwide independent sales consultants market EDC's United Kingdom-produced line, Usborne Books. Usborne is known for nonfiction and educational selections, with titles like Animal Babies, Sam Sheep Can't Sleep, and The Ogs Discover Fire. Consultant's earning potential can range between $500 a month and $100,000 a year.
Publishers Weekly, January 22
EDC Adds Web-Linked Titles, Sales Staff
Educational Development Corp., the US distributor for books produced by the U.K.-based Usborne Publishing, has started offering a new line of titles that are linked to the Internet. The new books are the result of a research effort by Usborne that identified 1,000 educational and child-friendly Web sites. Each new title lists specific sites where children can go to learn more about the book's topic. In addition, users can go to Usborne's master site (www.usborne.com) to find links to appropriate sites. The new series launches this month with five books - two 450-page encyclopedias, plus books on sharks, birds and music. "It's a new way to use the Internet," said Randall White, EDC president. The new titles will be sold through all of EDC's marketing channels including its home business division. With the demise of Dorling Kindersley's family learning division, EDC has added more than 1000 former DKFL sales consultants to its rank, giving the company approximately 5,000 home sales people. "I'm very excited about the potential in our home unit," White told PW.
Island Family Magazine, December 2000
The Usborne Nativity Press-Out Model Kit
Children of all ages will have hours of fun transforming this colorful book into a 3-D nativity scene. The pieces are die-cut to make them easy to push out, and with care can be slotted together to make a lasting Christmas decoration for everyone to enjoy.
Christmas Around the World
Ethiopian fringed umbrellas; star-shaped Filipino parol lanterns; candlelit Swedish St. Lucia crowns; Mexican posadas - Mary Lankford brings together Christmas traditions from twelve different lands, like decorations on a splendid tree.
Carolina Parent, December 2000
Animals, 1-2-3, a-b-c, and Things that Go
Usborne Books recently introduced a new series of delightful baby board books designed to introduce very young children to important concepts, including letters, numbers, colors, and things that go. Each bright, friendly picture has a familiar object to point to, name and talk about. These great books will entertain babies and toddlers, as well as adults.
The Washington Post, December 2000
Rainy Day Book
A how-to chock-full of games, art projects and experiments for days when inclement weather keeps kids indoors.
The Usborne Internet-Linked Complete Book of Chess is a
straightforward introduction to the classic game of chess written by Elizabeth
Dalby, and highly recommended for young players. From a fundamental tutorial
about basic moves, to deadly and complex traps for enemy pieces, to solid
attack and defense strategies, to 80 brain-twisting chess puzzles, and so much
more, The Usborne Internet-Linked Complete Book of Chess is s a superbly
organized and "kid friendly" guide featuring full color illustrations,
diagrams, and offering a wealth of useful internet links.
What would your kids do without
television, computers, or bicycles?
