Review 5 star
Find It On Amazon Plant Adaptations: How We Live in Our Habitat brings some basic science topics down to earth for first and second-grade children. Written by Sarah Lalonde, it details six essential habitats present today in the earth, in simple language with colored pictures to assist children so they can learn these topics even if they are very young. The habitats considered are Arctic; Desert; Ocean; Temperate Forest; Wetlands; and Rainforest, with emphasis on the adaptations different regions require of plants that live in them. A brief overview of what a habitat is and some extras like a glossary of terms and a list of adaptations not specific to any one habitat region make sure kids have the information they need. A good book for cutting straight to the core concepts, Plant Adaptations: How We Live in Our Habitat is kid-friendly and easy to learn from. I found it a very well-organized, readable book that was entertaining without losing factuality about the types of habitats. Sarah Lalonde emphasizes the right things, streamlining the science topics so kids don’t lose interest and she spices up the book by scattering fun little tidbits throughout. Examples of a variety of unique plants (like sundews, which use fake dew drops to capture and eat insects) give visual punch to an accurate presentation of some of Nature’s wonderful adaptations. Why leaves fall off trees in temperate climates; how red foliage help plants in the Arctic; and what diverse ways seaweed adapts to the ocean are just some of the facts presented. Young readers will have a fun time with this useful book. Review 4 star
Find It On Amazon We Toot! is a light-hearted children’s picture book with a message of positive values. It is written by Ashley Wheelock and Arwen Evans and illustrated by Sandie Sonke. In it a group of little girls have a slumber party together. When one of the girls accidentally farts, the others are upset and can’t find the culprit. Farting isn’t ladylike—it isn’t for girls—one of them insists. But the cause of this small catastrophe steps proudly forward to say she’s unashamed to fart even though she’s a girl. Bodies are to be celebrated and actions like hiccupping, burping, and belching shouldn’t be treated more harshly just because they’re done by girls. This children’s book has a good message deep inside it, about being honest with yourself and with other people. Ashley Wheelock and Arwen Evans have put together a sincere and funny story about some very real little girls faced with a situation that, though simple, gives them an opportunity to start early on being open-minded towards others. We Toot! takes the embarrassment out of normal bodily situations, like belching, by assuring children there’s nothing particularly different about being a girl! I liked the concept that conforming to artificial standards isn’t valuable—being a good person who supports other people and cares about them is what’s important. A story that puts a little rainbow and some sunshine on some happy girls who learn to help each other instead of engaging in a shower of criticisms, this book is a pleasant tool to use if you have a child who’s being judged by others. The Ache of Healing! 105 Sonnets of Love and Contemplations by Christine Maalouf Abi Najm11/30/2019
Review 4 star
Find It On Amazon The Ache of Healing! 105 Sonnets of Love and Contemplations is a poetry book by Christine Maalouf Abi Najm that deals with sometimes painful human situations in an empathetic way. Every poem uses the sonnet format and the book’s four sections discuss romantic love (Roses and prickles), personality types (Spirits and souls), locations (Places), and feelings about God and life’s purpose (Contemplations.) Roses and prickles is the longest section with over 40 sonnets and it shows a kaleidoscope of emotions about love, including anxiety and jealousy. Places is the shortest, sketching in verbal watercolors of hometown, immigration, and war. The other two sections provide thoughts about the meaning of living a life that’s often very flawed and pensive reflections on types of people. An interesting book, The Ache of Healing! 105 Sonnets of Love and Contemplations shows a good ability to apply the sonnet form to describe ordinary people experiencing real life. I found each one of Christine Maalouf Abi Naim’s poems told distinct stories in small nutshells that capture emotional moments in time. Each one added more to the book until it was a flowing river of people, places, and memories with the substance of a novel and the terseness of music. One detail that adds tremendously to the poetry as well is the personalized, often symbolic black-and-white picture that accompanies each sonnet and emphasizes its meaning. Through poems like “Tipsy!” “A cheater,” “His hair became white!” and “At a crossroad!” the author asserts her faith in God while remaining authentic to our troubled world and describing that world in a way that brings it close to home. |
AuthorThis is the companion for Sarah Scheele's newsletter blog. In it I share reviews for books I'd recommend/are similar to my own. Archives
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