Monday, September 25, 2017

Nonfiction Monday


The Human Body in 30 Seconds by Anna Claybourne with illustrations by Wesley Robins will keep young readers engrossed as they explore the rich variety of subjects covered in 30 topics. 

Six sections: Body Parts, Body Structure, Survival Systems, Brain and Nervous System, Senses, and Your Amazing Body provide readers with clear organization and each begins with a Glossary of words pertinent to the content. Each of the topics covered in the section offers brief, well-written and fact-filled discussions paired with a 3-second summary, and an activity.

Body Parts provides a thoughtful discussion beginning with the basic building block – cells, to the organization of  body tissues, then organs—which make up body systems. Body Structure looks at the 206 bones of the skeleton, the three types of muscles, movement, teeth, skin, hair, and nails. 
Survival Systems examines the digestive, respiratory, and circulatory and immune systems. Here’s an interesting fact: the human body discards 500 million skin cells per day. Brain and Nervous System explains how the brain is able to handle up to 100 trillion calculations every single second. Senses describes the numerous ways in which humans are able to connect with the world. The final section, Your Amazing Body, offers an overview of reproduction, growth, aging, genes and DNA, and explores what makes you YOU.

Each subject is paired vibrant illustrations. Reader-friendly content, thoughtful discussions, and a broad range of topics make this book an excellent resource for home or school.

Recommended as a handy introduction to a subject that we all must deal with on a daily basis. 

Friday, September 22, 2017

Picture Book Friday

From the Busy Wheels collection comes FIRE ENGINE IS FLASHING by Mandy Archer and Martha Lightfoot, an engaging adventure for preschool and first graders.



When the fire station alarm rings, the foxes leap onto their engine and race to the fire. Of course, they save the day by rescuing a trapped apartment dweller. Along the way young readers get an in depth look at fire equipment and the way fire fighters work. There’s plenty of action, sounds and excitement to inspire imaginations and entertain audiences.

A fun read!

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Writers Wednesday


Mystery lovers – this one’s for you!
New York Times bestselling author, Denise Swanson once again offers readers a first-rate mystery with DEAD IN THE WATER, the first book in a new series featuring her engaging Scumble River characters now firmly settled in 2017.
From the book’s back text:
A twister, a kidnapping, and a murder—oh my! Scumble River may never be the same.
For school psychologist Skye Denison, there's certainly no place like home. When a violent tornado devastates her small hometown of Scumble River, she can't see how the community will ever recover—especially since town councilman Zeke Lyons appears to have perished in the twister.


But things get even worse for Skye when her police chief husband, Wally, disappears in the midst of investigating Zeke's death, and evidence arises pointing to foul play. Did Zeke really die in the storm, or was he murdered? And could Wally be next on the criminal's hit list?

Skye Dennison is as strong as ever – she’ll have to be. Her home is leveled by a tornado, she’s pregnant with twins, and her husband has disappeared in the middle of a murder investigation. 

Swanson’s well-drawn characters, attention to detail, and smart pacing give readers all they can hope for in this delightful return to Scumble River.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Nonfiction Monday


Inventions in 30 Seconds by Dr. Mike Goldsmith with illustrations by Chris Anderson offers 30 ingenious ideas for innovative kids explained in half a minute and will keep young readers engrossed as they explore the rich variety of subjects covered in 30 topics. 



Six sections: Making Life Easy, Communication, Travel (from wheel to Spacecraft) , Finding Out (telescope to satellite), Medicine (vaccination to implants), and Industry (transistor to robot) provide readers with clear organization and each begins with a Glossary of words pertinent to the content. Each of the topics covered in the section offers brief, well-written and fact-filled discussions paired with a 3-second summary, and an activity. As an example: Making Life Easy addresses basic innovations such as Weaving, Central Heating, and the Light Bulb. Communication looks at Writing (Egyptian hieroglyphics, Chinese Writing, Ancient Greek, and Mayan), the Printing Press, Telephone, Radio, and Internet. Each subject is paired with eye-catching illustrations.


Recommended as a handy resource for home or school – a thoughtful introduction to many of mankind’s most important inventions.

Monday, September 11, 2017

Nonfiction Monday


Weather in 30 Seconds by Dr. Jen Green (in consultation with Professor Adam Scaife) with illustrations by Tom Woolley will keep young readers engrossed as they explore the rich variety of subjects covered in 30 topics. Six sections: Earth’s Weather, Climate and Seasons, All Kinds of Weather, Extreme Weather, Predicting the Weather, and Climate Change provide readers with clear organization and each begins with a Glossary of words pertinent to the content. Each of the topics covered in the section offers brief, well-written and fact-filled discussions paired with a 3-second summary, and an activity.



Earth’s Weather provides a thoughtful discussion of the sun, atmosphere, oceans and seas, winds, and the ways in which they influence weather. The final discussion in the section, Weather Power, looks at how sun, wind and rain are used to produce power. Climate and Seasons offers insights into how climate and weather differ, and looks at biomes, microclimates, seasons, and how animals and people adapt to varying climates. 

All Kinds of Weather delves more deeply into the water cycle with particular attention on rain and snow fall and the relation to high and low pressure. Extreme Weather covers not only the many different types of stormy weather, but also droughts. Predicting the Weather builds on the previous sections to examine the tools and methods employed in meteorology.  The final section, Climate Change, pulls the entire book together with a thoughtful exploration of forces behind climate change, effects of global warming, and future weather.

Each subject is paired with colorful illustrations. Reader-friendly content, thoughtful discussions, and a broad range of topics make this book an excellent resource for home or school.

Recommended as a handy introduction to a subject that we all must deal with on a daily basis.


The Gingerbread Cowboy Book Trailer