Asterix and the Magic Carpet

The first album of Asterix comics appeared in 1961 and soon became a raging bestseller in France, topping even Tintin. Originally created by the team of R. Goscinny and Uderzo, it has been continued for the past several decades since Goscinny's death by his partner. Asterix is imbued with very French sensibilities and has taken its time catching on in the United States, but the recent reissue of several numbers should remedy this situation. Asterix, of course, is a Gaul. A very short Gaul. His buddy Obelix is a huge Gaul (transporting menhirs by sheer back strength is his occupation, after all.) Together, they continually harass the entire Roman Empire in the year 50 B.C. Their garbled Latin is only one of the amusements involved. In this particular number, our heroes set off on a flying carpet with village bard Cacofonix to bring rain to drought-stricken India before the local princess is sacrificed to the gods. Cacofonix's singing is so dreadful that it always brings rain, except in this instance, when he loses his voice. Can the princess be saved from the executioner's block? This kids book is for kids reading levels ages 9-12. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other kids books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

ChildrensBooks2U

Asterix and the Magic Carpet

Revolutionary War On Wednesday

In this exciting adventure, Jack and Annie find something to (oops can't say) to help Morgan save Camelot. Along the way, they meet General George Washington before the Christmas surprise attack. This story for kids is a great kids' book and has lots of interesting facts about the Revolutionary War. If we could add more stars, this kids' book would get 10! Classic children's book, I always loved this series. Little old for it now, but I recommend it for any elementary schooler. Good book for children to hear or to read in February because of Presidents Day. It is the beginning of learning to love our historical past. Presidents' Day books are sometimes hard to find that my kids can enjoy at their level. This was perfect and a really great story. This kids book is for children's reading levels ages 9-12.  Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other kids books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

Childrensbooks2U

Revolutionary War On Wednesday

Fraction Fun

For many young students, the mere mention of fractions brings on headache, tummyache, and confusion. But no longer! This simple, hands-on concept book is clear and concise. The simple definition of a fraction, that it is a part of something, introduces a pizza pie that is divided, studied, compared, and, of course, eaten. Weighing coins determines how many make one ounce, and what the fractional value of each coin is. The cartoon like illustrations are colorful, whimsical, and humorous; they also make the concepts clear. Without a fraction of a doubt, parents and teachers will find limitless possibilities in this book. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 9-12. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other kids books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Keep your child reading.

Fraction Fun

Fly With Poetry: An ABC of Poetry

Gr 3-5-Twenty-seven original short poems, generally one for each letter of the alphabet. Each selection illustrates a particular form or term, such as acrostics (two types), blank verse, cinquain, haiku, limerick, metaphor, onomatopoeia, and sonnet. The deceptively simple poetry conveys a wide variety of moods and images. The example of free verse in "Tree Dancers" is particularly effective: "Winds/sweeping over pines/shape limbs into/rigid images:/tree dancers/ locked/in frozen rhythm-/silent tango partners." A clear definition of the poetic device exemplified appears at the bottom of the page on which it appears. Brightly colored drawings, ranging from realistic to cartoon, accompany each poem. Unfortunately, a blank page designated for the letter "Y" ("Your Poem") asks readers to "write your poem in here." Still, this brief guide will make a good companion volume to more detailed introductions to creative writing, such as Myra Livingston's lucid Poem-Making (HarperCollins, 1991).-Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 9-12. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Keep on praising your child. Keep them reading daily.

Fly With Poetry: An ABC of Poetry

Children's World Atlas

While information is presented in a visually striking way, this children's atlas has some shortfalls in the text. The children's reading book is arranged by continent, with spreads focusing on specific areas such as "Western Canada and Alaska," and "The Caribbean." Some individual countries are also highlighted, but none for Africa. The plentiful maps form the centerpiece of the spreads. They show some topography while emphasizing man-made elements with limited coverage of physical features. They are surrounded by visual vignettes with clear, but mostly small photos and brief descriptions of a city, crop, product, holiday, sport, animal, natural resource, or a cultural attribute. While these chunks of facts may appeal to some young readers, others may find them distracting. Inaccuracies are evident in a few places. Students will want to use a complementary source such as Lands and Peoples (Grolier, 2003) with this atlas. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 9-12. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends.

Children's World Atlas

Safe at Home

Nick Crandell loves to play baseball. He is the catcher for the junior varsity team and is looking forward to playing on the summer baseball team. One day, he notices the varsity coach watching him practice and though he thinks little about it, he is amazed when the coach comes up to him and offers him the catcher's position on the varsity team, a position now not next year. The varsity catcher has broken a wrist and the team needs Nick. However, the uncertainty of being able to play with the older boys seeks to destroy the remarkable chance that Nick has been given. The older boys are not happy to have the JV player on their team and the pressure of their displeasure affects Nick's confidence and play. It is not long before the lack of confidence infiltrates all of Nick's life; his relationships with friends, with family, with school all suffer as he struggles to prove his ability to play varsity. One big blow out with his best friend, Gracie, and Nick knows that he must rethink his complaints against those who really do care about him. This is a sweet kids story of young teen identity and how sports can both help and hurt that process. Lupica's fans will enjoy this addition to his "Comeback Kids" series for young readers. This kids book is for kids reading level ages 9-12.
 Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other kids books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your friends.

Safe at Home

If You Lived at the Time of Martin Luther King

Updated from the 1990 edition, this well-written, historically rich text deserves a spot in every school and public library collection. In the attempt to paint a portrait of key events, people, and beliefs associated with the civil rights movement in America, Levine refuses to oversimplify, conceal, or glorify. She is honest in the telling, sharing vividly but not gratuitously the physical and emotional violence that resulted in the attempt to enact equality in the United States—from the Birmingham church bombings to the attempts by Bull Connor to break up a children's protest using water hoses and attack dogs. Levine defines and provides contextual information for difficult concepts (segregation and nonviolent direct action, for example) and reveals lesser-known historical truths to fill in the gaps often existent in classroom textbooks. Readers learn, for instance, that teenager Claudette Colvin paved the way for Rosa Parks by first refusing to give up her seat on the bus and that President Kennedy gained support from black voters in his support of Martin Luther King, Jr. The illustrations capture well the strong emotions experienced by those on all sides, leaving readers sometimes uncomfortable but always inspired to think carefully and critically. The text is organized by key questions, making it easy to navigate, and ends with a time line of important events, list of places to visit, and music and lyrics to "We Shall Overcome."

If You Lived at the Time of Martin Luther King

(Crime Scene Science) The Body as Evidence

If there is one subject that keeps kids interested, it is science. They seem to be fascinated by all the aspects of this. In this kids book we turn to forensic science. There has been a murder. A victim is pronounced dead. The police have sealed off the crime scene and called in the Medical Examiner, this gives it the realistic feel of how things are really done. The author gives all the facts needed in a magazine style layout. Every page is loaded with awesome pictures and sidebar notes. This poses a great challenge to make your child think like a crime scene scientist. This was a great read and keeps your mind turning throughout. The reading level for this kids book is ages 9-12.

(Crime Scene Science) The Body as Evidence

'Twas a Dark and Stormy Night...

Combines the themes of science and social studies. Shakes up the learning curriculum with amazing facts that are of interest to this age group and an exciting page layout that challenges readers to discuss and share their knowledge with another person. Helps to build background knowledge and vocabulary through features labeled "Get on the Wavelength" and "High Powered Words" that can be found in the front of the book. Includes a comprehension manager that appears regularly to model and reinforce key comprehension techniques. It also provides links to relevant web sites. Exposes its readers to a variety of different formats and text features.

'Twas a Dark and Stormy Night...

'Round the World: Takashi Sails Home

"Lucinda Hathaway has done it again. She has spun an intriguing tale combining a seafaring Maine family and the romance of the sea and ships, with accurate historic detail."
''Revel in the billowing sails, the salt spray and the surge of a moving deck! This seafaring tale is filled with challenge and discovery. 'Round the World rings with authenticity."
"Weeks after reading the story of Takashi's predicament and being introduced into the lives of the friends who help him get back to Kobe, the sensations evoked by his richly detailed adventure will linger."

'Round the World: Takashi Sails Home

Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway?

This children's story reads like a radio script in book format. Frankie, who is eleven is the unforgettable protagonist who would be a soap opera groupie today, but in the 1940's he is one of the many who were so enamored with radio programs like "The Shadow", "The Lone Ranger", "The Green Hornet" etc. That they lived their lives as though it were another show. Omitting he said and she said this presents the real conversation of kids. In the process we are not only entertained but learn about the social actions of the day, reactions to W.W.II and get insight into Frankie's soldier brother's response to war and heroism. A read aloud must!

Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway?