Books of Heroes and Heroines from National Geographic Kids

The Book of Heroines: Tales of History's Gutsiest Gals
by Stephanie Warren Drimmer
Published November 2016
National Geographic Kids
Nonfiction
176 Pages
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary
Everybody needs a role model! Discover true stories of superstars, war heroes, world leaders, gusty gals, and everyday girls who changed the world. From Sacagawea to Mother Teresa, Annie Oakley to Malala Yousafzai, these famous females hiked up their pants and petticoats or charged full-speed ahead to prove that girls are just as tough as boys...maybe even tougher. Complete with amazing images and a fun design, this is the book that every kid with a goal, hope, or dream will want to own. 

Personal photo taken of pages 116 and 117 of the book. 

The Book of Heroes: Tales of History's Most Daring Dudes

by Crispin Boyer 

Published November 2016
National Geographic Kids
Nonfiction
176 Pages

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

Everybody needs a role model! Discover the true stories of superheroes, rebels, world leaders, action heroes, sports legends, and many more daring dudes, all of whom played their part to make their mark, make a contribution, and make the world a better place.

From Abraham Lincoln to Sitting Bull, Stephen Hawking to Galileo, these cool guys had the boldness, bravery, and brains to meet the challenges of their day. With a fun design, engaging text, and high-quality photographs, this is ultimate hero guide and keepsake for 21st century kids.

Personal photo of pages 84 and 85 of the book.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed both of these books about influential men and women throughout history. Readers will learn about people from every historical time period giving kids an opportunity to learn about important people they may not have known about. What a great way to gain exposure to positive role models. 

Each book is organized into eight chapters including gutsy gals and daring dudes in sports, politics, science and peace makers to name a few. Facts are accompanied by photographs, captions, and images of paintings and historical artifacts. The font size is quite small so younger readers may need help from adults. 

I would highly recommend both books for every school or classroom library for grades 3 and up. 

See what others have to say about this book:
Kirkus
Smart Mommy, Healthy Baby
Chat with Vera

National Geographic kids-Famous Fails! by Crispin Boyer

Famous Fails! Mighty Mistakes, Mega Mishaps & How a Mess Can Lead to Success!
by Crispin Boyer
Published October 2016
National Geographic Children's Books
Nonfiction
128 pages
Review copy provided by publisher


Goodreads Summary
This fun book of quirky failures and famous flops will keep kids laughing while they learn the importance of messing up in order to get it right. Science, architecture, technology, entertainment -- there are epic fails and hilarious goof-ups from every important field. Silly side features help to analyze the failures: "Lesson Learned," "It Could be Worse!," "Losing Combinations," and a "Fail Scale" to help readers navigate the different kinds and scope of the mistakes made. The stories will include what went wrong, what went right, and what kids can learn from each failed attempt.

My Thoughts

There are several books about learning from mistakes, but this one is one of the most interesting and comprehensive I have seen. It contains hundreds of real, relatable examples of mistakes, mishaps and misconceptions that turned out differently than expected. This book is not afraid to show fails that ended badly and were never completed successfully. However each "fail" is accompanied by a "Lesson Learned" box that shows what we can all take away from the experience. It is organized into eight chapters such as Poor Sports, Botched Buildings, and Pop Culture Catastrophes. 

This book is visually interesting with photographs, colored text "boxes" of varying shapes and multi-colored backgrounds. The index and table of contents help the reader locate information. The text is a bit small at times and youngest readers may need help reading from adults.

Personal photo taken of pages 84 and 85 of the book. 

My students love books about facts. I can see them enjoying this book and sharing facts they learn with their friends. I would recommend this book for children ages 8 and up. 

See what others have to say about this book:

Always in the Middle 

Kristi's Book Nook

Two Interactive Science Kits from Silver Dolphin Books

Are you looking for a unique gift for an animal enthusiast of budding biologist? Today I would like to share two excellent interactive science kits from Silver Dolphin Books that would make great gifts! 

Animal Adventures: Sharks
by Cynthia Stierle
Published April 2016
Silver Dolphin Books
Interactive Kit 
Book 40 pages
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

Animal Adventures: Sharks will take you beneath the ocean’s surface to meet the many sharks that lurk in the depths. Have fun while learning, encounter sharks—large and small, gentle and fierce—with colorful illustrations and fascinating facts, and then build a diorama. Everything you need to explore the ocean is right here.

*This unique set includes a book full of colorful illustrations and intriguing facts about sharks, plus 3-D animal models and a diorama with reusable stickers.

*Journey to all the world’s oceans to learn everything you need to know about these mysterious creatures.

Animal Adventures: Sharks offers a unique learning experience as you meet wild and exotic animals face-to-face.

My Thoughts
The Book:
Did you know that a person is more likely to be struck by lightning that to be bitten by a shark? Young readers will learn about many different kinds of sharks, shark adaptations, shark behavior and lots more!
At only 40 pages the book that accompanies this kit (Amazing World of Sharks) is short enough to manage for many young readers. The text font is simple with adequate line spacing and comfortable font size. Text features such as a table of contents, headings, text boxes, photographs and images with labels and captions and a glossary make it easy to locate and organize the information. 

The Kit:
Directions and pictures on how to assemble the diorama and 3-D models are included in the back of the book. They were fun and easy to put together. I did need to use tape on the underside of the tabs for the 3-D pieces of the diorama in order for them to stay up. Adults may need to help with the assembly. Repositional stickers add to the fun and extend the interaction of the kit. Kids will like the small plastic sharks of different types included in this kit as well. To further extend the learning, there are 20 fact cards included with a simple fact on one side and an image of a shark on the other. 

            Picture taken of the contents of the kit. Diorama parts have been punched out and one 3-D model assembled.

This interactive kit is sure to be hours of fun and learning for young scientists. I would recommend it for ages 5+. 



See Inside the Dinosaur: An Interactive 3-D Exploration
by Michael Bright
Published May 2016
Silver Dolphin Books
Interactive Kit
Book 48 pages
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary
Examine the fascinating body of a Triceratops, one layer at a time, with See Inside the Dinosaur. The innovative and interactive 3-D format allows kids to discover the inner workings of a dinosaur’s body with a transparent model that includes removable bones and organs. The detailed text and full-color illustrations in the 48-page book provide readers with an up-close look at how different types of dinosaurs survived in the prehistoric world. Also included is a stand-up cardboard model that provides the reader with a complete overview of a dinosaur’s body.

My Thoughts

The Book:

The book begins with a short and simple overview of the three periods within the Mesozoic Era when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. This is followed by a description of fossilization and how paleontologists learn about dinosaurs. Young scientists will learn about the various body systems of dinosaurs, how they protected themselves, reproduction and finally how they became extinct. 

Numerous text features will help the reader navigate the book including maps, a timeline, text boxes, diagrams, captions, headings and an index. The colorful pages with images and photographs are engaging and informative. 

The Kit:

Included in this interactive kit are a 3-D model of the inside of a triceratops including its skeleton and some inner organs covered in a clear case. Step-by-step diagrams in the back of the book show the organs and bones and how they fit together (the model comes pre-assembled).  Two double-sided cardstock models show the muscles, skeleton and inner organs of a T. Rex. 

The triceratops model is interesting to examine. I would recommend that an adult assist with the initial disassembling and reassembling as there are many small pieces that could get lost. 

Picture taken on the contents of the kit.

Kids will be fascinated by the models and the information they learn from the book. I would recommend this kit for children ages 8 and up. 

Visit Silver Dolphin Books to learn more about their products. 

National Geographic Kids-How Things Work

National Geographic Kids-How Things Work
by T.J Resler
Published by National Geographic Children's Books
October, 2016
Reference Book
208 pages
Review copy provided by publisher

Just like the title says, this book shares the secrets behind what makes some things work the way they do. Curious kids who love to ask questions will enjoy reading this book and sharing what they learned. 

Ever wonder how robot vacuum cleaners know where to go? Well, you will find the answer on pages 68-71 in this book. 
A few other questions that get answered include:
Why don't roller coasters have engines?
Why can I jump so high in a bounce house?
How does changing a bicycle's gears make it easier to pedal?
How do microwave ovens cook so fast?
How do train tracks work?

The book is divided into five chapters. 
Chapter 1 focuses on hover boards, tablets, bionic limbs, etc. 
Chapter 2 focuses on heating and cooling.
Chapter 3 shows how some things at school work such as post-its and photocopiers. 
Chapter 4 is all about extreme fun! 
Chapter 5 shows how many vehicles work such as submarines and escalators. 

Each topic has a 2-page spread called "Just the Facts" with diagrams, drawings, photos, text boxes and other features describing the item and how it works. This is followed by more info on the following pages titled "Tell Me More" where the science of how it works is described in more detail. 

                                                               Personal photos taken of finished copy.

Other features in the book includes "Myth vs Fact" sections, "Tales from the Lab" and profile spotlights of important scientists. "Try This" sections invite kids to try an experiment or create something that will help them learn even more. 

The dimensions of this large hardcover edition are approximately 9.5 by 12 inches. 

I would recommend How Things Work for young scientists ages 9 and up. Younger readers will enjoy it as well, but may need more support with the text. 

See what others have to say about this book:
Nonfiction Monday
Justin Talks Books
Always in the Middle

National Geographic Science Encyclopedia: Atom Smashing, Food Chemistry, Animals, Space and More!

National Geographic Science Encyclopedia: Atom Smashing, Food Chemistry, Animals, Space and More!
Published by National Geographic Children's Books
October, 2016
Reference Book
304 Pages
Review copy provided by publisher and Media Masters Publicity. 

Goodreads Summary
Food chemistry, atom crashing wave power, food chemistry, and robots! These are just a few of the topics covered in this fantastic new science encyclopedia, which presents a comprehensive overview of physical and life sciences from A to Z. Super smart and kid-friendly, it’s packed with full-color photographs, weird but true facts, amazing statistics, do-it-yourself experiments, plus profiles of scientists and National Geographic's explorers who rock the world of science. Keep up with the changes happening all around us with this stellar science reference book.

My Thoughts

This resource book is a one-stop-shopping experience for science information! It is organized into the two large categories of physical science and life science. Then it is subdivided into topics by sections such as Matter, Energy, Forces and Machines, Electronics, The Universe, Life on Earth, Planet Earth and The Human Body. Each section is then divided into subtopics and color coded with tabs on the sides of the pages. An index makes it easy to locate specific topics and a glossary defines common science terms. 

While the text font is quite small, the information is accompanied by numerous text features to help readers further understand the information. Diagrams, vocab boxes, colored text boxes, tables and timelines are used throughout the book. There are "LOL" boxes where readers can learn science jokes and "Try This" boxes inviting readers to make models or try experiments to further their learning. 

       Personal photo taken of pages 116-117 of finished copy. 
 

But the photographs are just amazing. From close up photos of fascinating animals to gorgeous photos of nature and people, the photographs tie this book together. 

I would recommend this Science Encyclopedia for schools, classrooms or budding scientists ages 9 and up. 
It would also make a great gift! 

See what others have to say about this book:
Always in the Middle
Word Spelunking

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?- December 19, 2016

Please visit the amazing blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers who host this terrific meme each week.

How is this for laziness? I was able to read a nice stack of picture books on Sunday, but I don't have time for a whole post. So, here is a picture of my stack. Some really good ones here! 

I am hoping to be able to read over the break, but we have 4 more days of school this week. 

What are you reading friends? 

The Biggest Smallest Christmas Present by Harriet Muncaster

The Biggest Smallest Christmas Present 
by Harriet Muncaster
Published Oct., 2016
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
32 Pages
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

The Night Before Christmas meets Thumbelina in a toy-filled tale that celebrates the excitement and magic of the holiday season.

Clementine is a teeny-tiny girl who lives with her average-sized family. It’s mostly fun being the smallest, but Christmas can be tricky. Santa brings beautiful toys, but they are too big for this little girl.

Every year, Clementine tries to tell Santa she’s small. But the cookies she ices with a message to Santa are eaten, and the words she stamps out on the roof are covered by fresh snow. It’ll take a whole lot of Christmas spirit for Clementine to find the right way to reach Santa—and when she does, she just might get the toy of her dreams!

Harriet Muncaster’s whimsical illustrations shine in this celebration of creativity, gratitude, and the magic of Christmas.

My Thoughts

Many children love tiny things. They love to examine them and imagine what it would be like to be small. Clementine is adorable. She is so tiny that she sleeps in a matchbox and takes baths in a teacup. 

While she appreciates the gifts she gets each Christmas, none of them seem to quite fit her. Then one Christmas, she gets the biggest box ever and inside is a gift that is perfect for her. 

Harriet Muncaster's illustrations have a whimsical quality that will draw readers in. She builds anticipation as each Christmas approaches. Kids will be rooting for Clementine to get the perfect present.

This book would make a great addition to any holiday collection. 

See what others have to say about this book:

Kirkus

Publishers Weekly

Visit Harriet Muncaster's website.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading-December 12, 2016

Please visit the amazing blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers who host this terrific meme each week.

Click on the covers to learn more about each book.

Thanks to the snow day, I was able to get a Monday post ready. I have not read a ton lately, but here are some I have enjoyed. 

This seed needs to make some changes. 

Coming 2017

A wonderfully thoughtful picture books with so many applications!

LOVED this middle grade novel about finding where you belong!

Currently Reading

What are YOU reading friends?