Tag Archives: World Cultures

Elem. – Word Travelers and the Taj Mahal Mystery

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Haldar, Raj. Word Travelers and the Taj Mahal Mystery. Sourcebooks, 2021. 978-1-728-22205-9. 128 p. $5.99. Grades 1-3. 

Best friends Eddie and Molly-Jean (MJ) enjoy spending their Saturdays together playing games, watching movies, and having sleepovers. One day, a discussion about the meaning of the word “pajamas’’ leads the pair to discover an old book on word origins compiled by Eddie’s great-grandfather, a famous etymologist. When they open the book (which they nickname the Awesome Enchanted Book) to the entry on “pajama” they are magically transported to India, the country where the word originated. There they meet Dev, who is searching for an ancient family treasure in order to rebuild the local school, which was destroyed in a recent typhoon. Eddie and MJ team up with Dev to find the treasure. But they have competition–Mr. Raffles, the villain of the story, is also on the hunt for the riches! Working together, they decipher clues (with the help of the Awesome Enchanted Book, of course), race across the city, explore hidden passageways, and try to outsmart Mr. Raffles–but will they locate the treasure? Readers will learn about Indian culture as well as many words originating in the country. Bold words in the text can be found in a words origins glossary. The first volume in a projected series, readers will look forward to Eddie and MJ’s next adventure.

THOUGHTS: While readers may be drawn in by the mystery/adventure elements of the plot, they also will enjoy learning about the field of etymology and the origins and history of many words we use in everyday life. This series would be an ideal suggestion for fans of The Magic Treehouse books. Recommended.

Mystery          Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

Elem. – One World, Many Colors

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Lerwill, Ben. One World, Many Colors. words & pictures, 2020. 978-0-711-24983-7. Unpaged. $18.95. Grades K-3.

This colorful story takes readers on a tour around the world, from the snowy white plains of icy Antarctica to the yellow sunflower fields of Spain to the lush green jungle of the Amazon Rainforest. Beautiful illustrations depict the pink cherry blossoms of Japan, the blue sky above Mount Everest, and the noisy streets of New York City and London. These are just a few of the sights in store for readers in this lovely celebration of our Earth.

THOUGHTS: This book is a wonderful reminder that despite our various cultures, languages, and beliefs, we all share one world full of many colors. The last pages of the book feature a map on which highlighted cities are labelled as well as a list of colors in nine different languages. This would make an excellent introduction to a lesson on world cultures. I could see it being used as a springboard for research; after reading the book, students could be assigned one of the places mentioned in the book to research further.

910 Geography          Julie Ritter, PSLA Member

Elem. Series NF – Celebrating Holidays; Sharks; Ocean Life Up Close; North American Animals

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Celebrating Holidays (series). Bellwether Media, 2017. $17.95 ea. Set of 8 $143.60.  24p. Gr. K – 2.

Grack, Rachel. Chinese New Year. 9781626175914.

Grack, Rachel. Christmas. 9781626175921.

Grack, Rachel. Diwali. 9781618912725.

Grack, Rachel. Easter. 9781618912732.

Grack, Rachel. Hanukkah. 9781626175952.

Grack, Rachel. Kwanzaa. 9781626175969.

Grack, Rachel. Ramadan. 9781626175976.

Grack, Rachel. Thanksgiving. 9781618912770.

With vivid, bright pictures, this non-fiction series explains what each holiday is, who celebrates it, and the origins of the holiday. This collection includes global holidays that every child should be familiar with. Maps show where in the world the holiday is celebrated, and each has a handy pronunciation guide to help readers say the words correctly. This series explains when during the year the holiday is and shares traditions. THOUGHTS: This is a wonderfully put together series, appropriate for introducing global holidays to Kindergarten – 2nd Grade. I love the kid-friendly recipes they add!

Holidays; World Culture     Emily Woodward, The Baldwin School

 

Zoom In on Sharks (series). ABDO, 2018. $18.95 ea. Set of 6 $113.70.  24p. Gr. K-2.

Statts, Leo. Great White Sharks. 978-1532120084.

Statts, Leo. Hammerhead Sharks. 978-1532120091.

Statts, Leo. Mako Sharks. 978-1532120107.

Statts, Leo. Sand Sharks. 978-1532120114.

Statts, Leo. Tiger Sharks. 978-1532120121.

Statts, Leo. Whale Sharks. 978-1532120138.

This is a great introductory series on sharks for younger readers. For Kindergarten through first or second grades, these books provide facts about everything from body and food to maps of habitat and information on life cycle.  THOUGHTS: I enjoyed the quick stats comparing these sharks to everyday objects for the students (a tiger shark is shorter than a car, but heavier than a vending machine).

Nonfiction; Sharks      Emily Woodward, The Baldwin School

 

Ocean Life Up Close (series). Bellwether Media, 2017-2018. $17.95 ea. Set of 28 $502.60. 24p. Gr. 2-5.

Adamson, Heather. Emperor Penguins. 9781626176416.

Adamson, Heather. Lobsters. 9781626176423.

Adamson, Heather. Orcas. 9781626176430.

Adamson, Heather. Sea Dragons. 9781626176447.

Adamson, Heather. Sea Lions. 9781626176454.

Adamson, Heather. Sea Urchins. 9781626176461.

Leaf, Christina. Humpback Whales. 9781626174177.

Leaf, Christina. Jellyfish. 9781626174184.

Leaf, Christina. Octopuses. 9781626174191.

Leaf, Christina. Sea Horses. 9781626174207.

Pettiford, Rebecca. Crabs. 9781626174153.

Pettiford, Rebecca. Great White Sharks. 9781626174160.

Pettiford, Rebecca. Manatees. 9781626175709.

Pettiford, Rebecca. Puffer Fish. 9781626175723.

Pettiford, Rebecca. Sea Stars. 9781626174214.

Pettiford, Rebecca. Seals. 9781626175747.

Pettiford, Rebecca. Stingrays. 9781626174238.

Schuetz, Kari. Bottlenose Dolphins. 9781626174139.

Schuetz, Kari. Clownfish. 9781626174146.

Schuetz, Kari. Sea Turtles. 9781626174221.

Schuetz, Kari. Walruses. 9781626174245.

Schuh, Mari. Corals. 9781626175693.

Schuh, Mari. Parrotfish. 9781626175716.

Schuh, Mari. Sea Anemones. 9781626175730.

Sommer, Nathan. Angelfish. 9781626177642.

Sommer, Nathan. Eels. 9781626177659.

Sommer, Nathan. Sea Otters. 9781626177666.

Sommer, Nathan. Squids. 9781626177673.

Ocean Life Up Close is an extensive series that covers a diverse range of underwater animals. Up-close and colorful photographs for each animal increase the appeal for young readers. Recurring features include the “Species Spotlight,” which highlights one specific variety of the animal with basic information including life span, depth range in the ocean, the range of the habitat, and its conservation status. Other areas of focus include relative sizes and animal life-cycles, presented in an easy-to-understand and visually attractive format.  THOUGHTS: This series is wonderful for classes doing research, especially if each student needs a book. Each title presents a lot of quality information, informative for students and teachers alike, and is easy to understand, with bright pictures. The series is also ideal for a wide range of grades.

Nonfiction; Animals       Emily Woodward, The Baldwin School

 

North American Animals. Bellwether, 2018. $17.95 ea. 24p. Gr. K-3.
Borgert-Spaniol, Megan. Canada Lynx. 978-1-62617-635-5.

Borgert-Spaniol, Megan. Caribou. 978-1-62617-636-2.
Borgert-Spaniol, Megan. Mountain Goats. 978–62617-638-6.
Borgert-Spaniol, Megan. Northern Cardinals. 978-1-62617-640-9.
Leighton, Christina. Bobcats. 978-1-62617-565-5.
Leighton, Christina. Cottontail Rabbits. 978-1-62617-566-2.
Leighton, Christina. Golden Eagles. 978-62617-567-9.
Leighton, Christina. Roadrunners. 978-1-62617-568-6.
Rathburn, Betsy. Diamondback Rattlesnakes. 978-1-62617-637-9.
Rathburn, Betsy. Mountain Lions. 978-1-62617-639-3.
Animal books are perennial favorites with students, which no doubt influenced Bellwether’s expansion of its North American Animal series for younger readers. Each one of these engaging titles features basic information about the animal under discussion, including physical characteristics, habitat, predators, reproduction, and diet. Diagrams and photos are present throughout the text to reinforce the presented information. For example, each volume contains a map illustrating the range and current conservation status of each animal, while a diagram compares the size of the animal to humans. Close up photos illustrate distinguishing characteristics of each species. (For example, the Bobcats volume featured close up photos of a bobbed tail, dark spots, and ruff, all identifying characteristics of the bobcat.) The text is enhanced by numerous high-quality photographs of each animal. A glossary and link for online resources are also included. THOUGHTS: These titles are ideal for the lower elementary researcher or casual reader. The photo selection in each volume is excellent – the images are so crisp and clear it feels like the animal is going to jump off the page at you! A note regarding the link for online resources found in the back of each volume. At the time of this review, this link was not working correctly and the recommended resources were unable to accessed. However, these titles are still a worthwhile purchase for the elementary school collection.
500s Animals        Elizabeth Henry, Lampeter-Strasburg SD

Elementary NF – This is How we do It; She Persisted; Skyscraper

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Lamothe, Matt. This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from Around the World. Chronicle Books, 2017. 978-1-4521-5018-5. Unpaged. $17.99. Gr. K-3.

This is How We Do It introduces readers to seven children from seven different countries.  The children take readers through a typical day explaining who they are, where they live, their families, what they eat, how they dress, where they go to school, and what they like to do.  Each page is divided equally for each story, while also offering a “This is…” block that both introduces what the pages will cover and can be used in a lesson by having students consider their own experience in comparison to those of children their age around the world.  The illustrations are hand drawn and represent the people, places, and colors of each nation.  Lamothe includes notes at the end about his experiences traveling and the lives of these seven real children and a glossary to further explain some of the children’s experiences.  Also included are the real pictures of each family that were illustrations earlier in the book.  THOUGHTS:  This is a wonderful book for introducing culture and different experiences around the world.  The last page with the night sky establishes that we aren’t all that different; we still sleep under one sky.  This book can also be used for further study and research about other cultures and traditions.  On a personal note, I was blown away by the time that each child eats dinner.  Only one eats around 6 pm, everyone else is much later.

305.23; Cultures of the World      Erin Bechdel, Beaver Area SD

 

Lamothe, Matt. This Is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids From Around the World.  Chronicle Books, 2017.  978-1452150185. $17.99  Unpaged.  Gr. K-3.  

Author and illustrator Lamothe shows in side-by-side pictures a day in the life of ordinary kids from seven different countries.  Kei from Japan; Ribaldo from Peru; Kian from Iran; Oleg from Russia; Ananya from India; Romeo from Italy; and Daphine from Uganda.  Endpapers show their locations on a world map.  Pages show where they live, with whom (in their family), what they wear to school (uniforms for four of the seven), food eaten for each meal, after-school activities (including “how I help”), and how they get to school.   This is an amazing look at the average day lived by a variety of kids in cultures around the world.  Words underlined (such as bechamel, abwooli, or sensei) are defined in a short glossary, and an author’s note explains how Lamothe located these real families in order to show a regular day.  Photos of the families help to bring home the reality of the illustrations.  THOUGHTS: This is a strong addition to discuss geography or social customs with children.  

305.23 World Culture    Melissa Scott, Shenango Area SD

 

Clinton, Chelsea. She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World. Ill. Alexandra Boiger, Philomel Books, 2017. 978-1-5247-4172-3. Unpaged. $17.99. Gr. K-3.

“The right way is not always the popular and easy way.  Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character,” Margaret Chase Smith, one of the thirteen women who changed the lives of women (and at times their race) through their actions.  She Persisted shares the stories of Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Clara Lemlich, Nellie Bly, Virginia Apgar, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, Oprah Winfrey, and Sonia Sotomayor, many of whom elementary (and older students) are unfamiliar.  Although each story is just a brief summary of the greatness of these women, the continual use of “She Persisted” sticks with readers as a mantra.  Clinton ends this beautifully illustrated picture book with, “They persisted and so should you.”  This simple message encouraging students to do more, achieve more, fight for what is right not only for your, but for others, is uplifting and important to teach students at a young age.  As Clinton writes, “So, if anyone ever tells you no, if anyone ever says your voice isn’t important or your dreams are too big, remember these women.  They persisted and so should you.”  THOUGHTS:  I love this book.  It highlights amazing women who many students are unfamiliar with or only recognize their names, not their accomplishments.  I like that the women are from all walks of life, young and old; black, white, and Native American; politicians and athletes; entertainers and astronauts.  It truly encompasses everything a woman can do.  This is a must have for all libraries.

One final note…Illustrator Alexandra Boiger includes a portrait of Hillary Clinton on the first page spread as the children visit a gallery of important and influential women.  Portraits and busts of those highlighted in the book are also included, along with children of all genders, cultures, and races.

Biography     Erin Bechdel, Beaver Area SD

 

Suen, Anastasia. Up! Up! Up! Skyscraper. Ill. Ryan O’Rourke. Charlesbridge, 2017. 978-158089-7105. $16.99 Unpaged. Gr. K-3.

This book won’t take much to sell it.  The highly popular construction site topic and the in-process building on the cover will have young children eagerly opening the book.  Inside they will find more detail than usual ‘construction books’ give including labeled items (concrete pile, rebar cage, pile driver, decking and more) and two blocks of text per page, one rhyming, and one explanatory.  One four-line rhyme reads, “Pour, pour pour! / A floor down low / The higher the building / the deeper we go” with an accompanying explanation, “Every building has a foundation, but tall buildings, like our skyscraper, need very thick foundations.  We pour concrete over a rebar frame to make the foundation.”  The building suffers from simple glass panels (“where is the door?”) and lack of detail, but the focus here is on the underlying framework of the building.  Multiracial male and female construction workers make the building grow as kids in construction hats look on.  THOUGHTS:  This is a welcome addition to nonfiction picture books about construction, and it explains the how and why, not just different vehicles.  This is a good choice for elementary and public libraries.

720, Construction      Melissa Scott, Shenango Area SD