900s: Globetrotting: Series Nonfiction on Geography
Reviewed by John Peters, New York Public Library, New York, NY -- School Library Journal, 11/1/2008
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The Bottom Line |
Addressing the demand for current information about our planet and the people who inhabit it–and for appealing, memorable ways to present that information–represents a perennial challenge both for publishers and for libraries with overstretched budgets. The best of the offerings below demonstrate a combination of fresh approach, frank and authoritative presentation, engaging color illustrations (with a heavy emphasis on photography), useful back matter, and a digestible mix of quick facts and accurate general observations.
KRAS, Sara Louise. Kenya in Colors map. ISBN 978-1-4296-1701-7. LC 2008005274.
OLSON, Nathan. Australia in Colors map. ISBN 978-1-4296-1697-3. LC 2008005268.
OLSON, Nathan. Egypt in Colors map. ISBN 978-1-4296-1699-7. LC 2008005270.
STALCUP, Ann. Guatemala in Colors map. ISBN 978-1-4296-1700-0. LC 2008005272.
STALCUP, Ann. Mexico in Colors maps. ISBN 978-1-4296-1702-4. LC 2008005275. ea vol: 32p. (World of Colors Series). photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Capstone/A+ Bks. 2008. PLB $23.93.
Gr 1-2–These titles pair big, bright spread-filling photos with three or four short, plainly phrased but not bland descriptive comments. Information is drastically simplified, but new or pre-readers will come away with at least a basic idea of what the people in each country might eat (“White rice and noodles are served with almost every meal in China”) and wear for both daily life and special occasions, glimpses of countryside and city, a close-up look at a distinctive animal, a favorite sport, and more. The “color” conceit isn’t overused or forced and invites closer looks at the pictures: “A gray statue of Jomo Kenyatta sits against the blue sky in Nairobi.” Each volume ends with a page of facts and common phrases in the respective country’s native language.
HOE, Susan. Environments ISBN 978-0-8368-9204-8; ISBN 978-0-8368-9331-1. LC 2008025257.HOE, Susan. Habitats ISBN 978-0-8368-9205-5; ISBN 978-0-8368-9332-8. LC 2008025258.
HOE, Susan Resources ISBN 978-0-8368-9206-2; ISBN 978-0-8368-9333-5. LC 2008025259.
HOE, Susan. Where We Live ISBN 978-0-8368-9207-9; ISBN 978-0-8368-9334-2. LC 2008025260. ea vol: 32p. (Maps and Mapping Series). illus. maps. photos. glossary. index. CIP. Gareth Stevens 2008. PLB $26; pap. $8.95.
Gr 2-3–Resembling the cookie-cutter series of yore, these volumes use boilerplate extensively–from four variations on a scene featuring a child and a weather map to, in all but Resources, an identical and confusing spread on “scale” with statements like “This map uses a scale of 25 feet.” In each book, the author explains the uses of maps; provides examples; converts a photo of a three-dimensional space, such as a classroom or a candy store, into a two-dimensional diagram; and closes with instructions for creating a homemade schematic of, for instance, a playground (Where We Live). There are no leads to further ways to enhance map-related skills. Ian F. Mahaney’s “Map It!” series (PowerKids, 2006) will better serve curriculum needs.
GALLAGHER, Michael. The United Kingdom Today ISBN 978-1-59771-125-8. LC 2008004575.PONSFORD, Simon. The European Union Today illus. ISBN 978-1-59771-124-1. LC 2008004573. ea vol: 48p. (Today Series). charts. maps. photos. chron. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Sea-to-Sea 2008. PLB $32.80.
Gr 4-5-The issues-oriented approach in these volumes complements the more common descriptive and celebratory content in other basic series. United Kingdom discusses how the countries and dependencies remain distinct despite their long association. Gallagher also describes an ethnic diversity that has undergone significant expansion in recent years, amid signs of resurgent independence movements. European Union is a good choice for readers who may be a bit hazy, for instance, on the organization’s structure and purpose–not to mention the significant differences between the European Council, the Council of the European Union, and the Council of Europe. Both books are well stocked with color photos, fact boxes, and statistics.
Kjelle, Marylou Morano. Korea. ISBN. 978-1-58415-649-9. LC 200802276.Murcia, Rebecca Thatcher. Colombia. ISBN 978-1-58415-650-5. LC 2008020887.
OGUNNAIKE, Anna M. Nigeria ISBN 978-1-58415-655-0. LC 2008007904.
ORR, Tamra. China. ISBN 978-1-58415-647-5. LC2008002275.
––––. Great Britain ISBN 978-1-58415-648-2. LC 2008002270.
––––. Mexico ISBN 978-1-58415-646-8. LC 2008002820.
SAUL, Laya. Israel chron. ISBN 978-1-58415-651-2. LC 2008002277.
TORRES, John A. Haiti ISBN 978-1-58415-653-6. LC 2008002271.
WEIL, Ann. Australia chron. ISBN 978-1-58415-652-9. LC 2008002267.
––––. Malaysia. ISBN 978-1-58415-654-3. LC 2008002811.
––––. New Zealand ISBN 978-1-58415-657-4. LC 2008002809.
––––. Tanzania chart. ISBN 978-1-58415-656-7. LC 2008002819. ea vol: 48p. (Meet Our New Student Series). illus. maps. photos. bibliog. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Mitchell Lane 2008. PLB $20.95.
Gr 2-4-The pick of this season’s litter. Each of these volumes opens with a fictionalized classroom scene in which a teacher invites students to learn about a new classmate’s homeland. The country’s history, geography, and culture are then laid out in basic detail. Along with such customary topics as local holidays and cuisine, readers will find references to, for instance, civil strife in Nigeria, Haiti’s persistent poverty, and renowned local writers and celebrities. According to the books, all of the authors except Orr have visited or spent extensive time in these countries. Though only Torres includes a personal anecdote, the narratives generally convey a lively sense of each land’s distinctive past, present, and people. There are some bobbles, such as a caption in Great Britain in which cricket is confused with croquet and, in Israel, a “Fun Fact” is overlaid on a page discussing terrorism. In the final chapter of each book, the newcomer is warmly welcomed–after which a recipe, a craft, and an extensive (for this level) array of print and Web resources round out the multiple-purpose presentation.
HEINRICHS, Ann. The Nile chart. ISBN 978-0-7614-2854-1. LC 2007019187.HEINRICHS, Ann. The Sahara ISBN 978-0-7614-2855-8. LC 2007020326.
KRAS, Sara Louise. The Galapagos Islands ISBN 978-0-7614-2856-5. LC 2007020416.
KUMMER, Patricia K. The Great Barrier Reef chart. ISBN 978-0-7614-2852-7. LC 200702661.
KUMMER, . The Great Lakes chart. ISBN 978-0-7614-2853-4. LC 2007019728. ea vol: 96p. (Nature’s Wonders Series). illus. maps. photos. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Marshall Cavendish 2008. PLB $24.95.
Gr 5-6–Though these thorough studies boast some astonishing information–who knew that some ancient Egyptians kept crocodiles as pets?–the texts are laced with generalities that, along with frequent tallies of local flora and fauna, place names, ethnic groups, and the like, can make tedious reading. There are some iffy claims too, such as the one that the Sahara is the world’s largest desert (an error that is corrected on a later page, but then reiterated), or that the Great Barrier Reef is a single living thing. Each title comes with an adequate stock of color photos, small maps, and leads to further resources. The level of detail, along with a particular focus on the environmental changes and challenges that each natural wonder faces, means that these works have some value as additional purchases.
The Bottom Line
Younger children will enjoy the exposure to “World of Colors” and will find the books in the “Meet Our New Student” series eminently useful both as resources for country assignments and as models for ways to welcome new immigrants. The “Today” titles will enhance middle graders’ understanding of contemporary culture and politics in Europe, and “Nature’s Wonders” may be of some use in libraries where environmental studies are emphasized.
