Science & Math

ADLER, David A. Fun with Roman Numerals. illus. by Edward Miller III. unpaged. photos. CIP. Holiday House. 2008. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2060-5. LC 2007043531.

Gr 2-5–This number system and its modern-day uses are elucidated with straightforward text and colorful, crisp graphics. Kids will snicker at the illustrations (featuring a comical cast of gladiators and other ancient Romans) and benefit from easy-to-understand examples showing how the numerals are written and manipulated. B 

ARNOLD, Caroline. A Platypus’ World. ISBN 978-1-4048-3985-4. LC 2007032890.

––––. A Wombat’s World. ISBN 978-1-4048-3986-1. LC 2007032891.

ea vol: illus. by author. 24p. (Caroline Arnold’s Animals Series). map. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Picture Window. 2008. PLB $26.60.

K-Gr 2–Descriptive text and earth-tone cut-paper illustrations introduce two intriguing Australian mammals and their lifestyles. The narratives are read aloud with the grace and excitement of a well-told story, as vivid language, well-chosen details, and engaging images captivate readers’ imaginations. B

ARNOSKY, Jim. All about Manatees. illus. by author. unpaged. Scholastic. 2008. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-439-90361-5. LC number unavailable.

K-Gr 4–Suitable for sharing aloud or independent reading, this appealing picture book describes these marine mammals, their habitat, the dangers they face, and efforts to protect them. Arnosky’s articulate narrative sparkles with personal observations of the “gentle giants” and beautiful light-infused watercolors. B

ARNOSKY, Jim. The Brook Book: Exploring the Smallest Streams. unpaged. further reading. Dutton. 2008. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-525-47716-7. LC number unavailable.

Gr 2-4–The author invites youngsters to investigate this teeming-with-life habitat, emphasizing safe and environment-friendly techniques, introducing brookside geology and common flora and fauna, and providing tips on collecting and sketching specimens. The enthusiastic text and shimmering artwork will captivate students and aid teachers planning field trips to local sites. B

BRANLEY, Franklyn M. Volcanoes. rev. ed. illus. by Megan Lloyd. unpaged. (Let’s Read-and-Find-Out Science Series). CIP. HarperCollins/Collins. 2008. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-028011-6; pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-06-445189-5. LC 2006000465.

Gr 3-4–Updated with dramatic color drawings, Branley’s reliable text begins with descriptions of Mount Vesuvius and Mount St. Helens, followed by explanations of how and why volcanoes form and erupt. Instructions for making an “Erupting Volcano” are included. B

FLOCA, Brian. Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11. illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. S & S/Atheneum/A Richard Jackson Bk. 2009. RTE $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-5046-2. LC 2007052358.

Gr 2-5–Just in time for the 40th anniversary celebration of the Apollo 11 mission, this large format introduction to this historic event will charm young readers. The preparation, the power (and people) required to lift a rocket, the mechanics of an on-board life, and the vast distance covered both literally and figuratively by the astronauts on-board and the anxious scientists and well-wishers on Earth are artfully conveyed through a text that relates the sights and sounds of this amazing journey. Floca’s watercolors are out of this world. B

GIBBONS, Gail. Dinosaurs! illus. by author. 32p. CIP. Holiday House. 2008. RTE $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-2143-5. LC 2007034425.

Gr 2-4–The focus of this colorful, simply written overview is the nonbird species, or “those without feathers.” Illustrated spreads introduce seven groups of dinosaurs, all clearly labeled and with pronunciation help. Fossil formation, extinction by meteorite, and the role of paleontologists are also briefly explained. B

GLEICK, Beth. Time Is When. rev. ed. illus. by Marthe Jocelyn. unpaged. CIP. Tundra. 2008. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-88776-870-5. LC C2007-906102-8.

K-Gr 1–Animated paper-and-fabric-collage illustrations update this reissue of a 1960 title that’s just right for beginning readers. Through child-friendly examples and a rhythmic tone (“In one second, you can bounce a ball, or jump, or say hello, or turn a page”), Gleick explores the building blocks of time. B

JENKINS, Steve & Robin Page. How Many Ways Can You Catch a Fly? illus. by Steve Jenkins. unpaged. bibliog. Houghton. 2008. RTE $16. ISBN 978-0-618-96634-9. LC 2008001864.

Gr 1-5–Fascinating facts about animal behavior, including how various creatures “snare a fish, hatch an egg, use a leaf, catch a fly, dig a hole, or eat a clam,” are illustrated with remarkably detailed cut-and-torn-paper collages. This winning presentation asks readers to guess how these feats are achieved, adding a gamelike element to the text. B

KUDLINSKI, Kathleen V. Boy, Were We Wrong about the Solar System! illus. by John Rocco. unpaged. bibliog. chron. further reading. Dutton. 2008. RTE $15.99. ISBN 978-0-525-46979-7. LC number unavailable.

Gr 2-3–Following Boy, Were We Wrong about the Dinosaurs! (Dutton, 2005), Kudlinski offers a succinct overview of the evolution of scientific thought about Earth’s position in space. Full-color, animated art adds a just-right combination of factual detail and whimsy. B

MCCARTHY, Meghan. Astronaut Handbook. illus. by author. unpaged. bibliog. Web sites. CIP. Knopf/Borzoi. 2008. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-84459-1; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-94459-8. LC 2007031951.

K-Gr 3–A simple, enthusiastic text (“You can be an astronaut, too!”) follows four wide-eyed astronauts-in-training through the rigors of their schooling, from studying to survival training to “BLASTOFF!” Highlights from the full-color, cartoon-style acrylic illustrations include a labeled zero-gravity toilet and space suit. B

SERAFINI, Frank. Looking Closely across the Desert. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-211-7. LC C2007-905567-2.

––––. Looking Closely inside the Garden. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-210-0. LC C2007-905566-4.

––––. Looking Closely along the Shore. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-141-7. LC C2007-902574-9.

––––. Looking Closely through the Forest. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-212-4. LC C2007-902575-7.

ea vol: photos by author. unpaged. (Looking Closely Series). CIP. Kids Can. 2008.

K-Gr 3–In these handsome volumes, Serafini presents a zoomed-in image of a plant, animal, or habitat feature and prompts readers: “Look very closely. What do you see?” A page turn reveals a full view of the object in its environment along with some interesting facts. Striking photographs and an interactive format encourage kids to fine-tune visual perception and discover nature’s beauty and diversity. B

SILL, Cathryn. About Rodents: A Guide for Children. illus. by John Sill. unpaged. bibliog. glossary. Web sites. CIP. Peachtree. 2008. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-56145-454-9. LC 2008004558.

K-Gr 4–Part of a superb series, this inviting book blends brief sentences with high-quality realistic watercolors to introduce various rodents (from mice to capybaras), their physical and behavioral characteristics, and their habitats. The format is appropriate for beginning readers and for sharing aloud, and an appendix provides more-detailed information for inquisitive students. B

WELLS, Robert E. Polar Bear, Why Is Your World Melting? illus. by author. unpaged. CIP. Albert Whitman. 2008. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-6598-8; pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-6599-5. LC 2008001308.

Gr 1-4–As two children make their way through Arctic waters in a rescue boat transporting polar bears, the complex factors impacting shrinking polar ice, including the greenhouse effect and the use of fossil fuels, are explained clearly and simply. Colorful, kid-friendly cartoon illustrations effectively clarify concepts. B

Let’s Explore...the Rainforest (It’s Our Planet Series). DVD. 50 min. Prod. by One Smart Cookie Prods. Dist. by Big Kids Prods. (bigkidsvideo.com). 2008. #E213-DVD. $18.95.

K-Gr 5–Fabulous photographs and animation and clear descriptions introduce the rainforest, its people, animals and plants, and the environmental dangers it faces. The program’s multi-level format offers additional facts and more complex concepts and vocabulary for older viewers. D

Monarch and Milkweed. DVD. 16 min. with tchr’s. guide. Nutmeg Media (nutmegmedia.net). 2008. ISBN 1-933938-54-4. $49.95.

K-Gr 4–Helen Frost’s book (S & S, 2008) provides information about the monarch butterfly and its relationship with its host plant, the milkweed. The insect’s life cycle and migration are discussed, while Leonid Gore’s outstanding watercolor illustrations are panned and Frost softly narrates her poetic text. A “Conversation with the Author” concludes the film. D

The Emperor’s Egg (Read, Listen, and Wonder Series). CD. approx. 15 min. with paperback book. Candlewick Press (candlewick.com). 2008. ISBN 978-0-7636-3825-2. $8.99.

K-Gr 3–Martin Jenkins’s book (Candlewick, 1999) relates the story of how, after the female penguin lays her egg and returns to the sea, the male Emperor penguin is responsible for keeping the egg warm and safe until it hatches. The lively text and Jane Chapman’s wonderful illustrations will enthrall youngsters. This nature story offers abundant facts and can supplement a polar region unit. A

Luck. cassette or CD. 14:24 min. with hardcover book. Live Oak Media (liveoakmedia.com). 2008. cassette, ISBN 978-1-43010-329-5: $25.95; CD, ISBN 978-1-43010-335-5: $28.95.

K-Gr 4–Luck, a sandhill crane whose neck is tangled in a plastic six-pack ring, is saved by a young girl in the Texas marshes. Thus begins a thousands-of-miles journey that takes Luck and his parents across the United States to Siberia and back to Texas where he is reunited with the girl. Jean Craighead George’s story (HarperCollins, 2006) is complemented by the detailed paintings of Wendell Minor, who also narrates the story. Sound effects and music add authenticity. A

We All Live Downstream. CD. 45:29 min. Prod. by Slug Music/BMI. Dist. by Banana Slug String Band (bananaslugstringband.com). 2008. $15.

K-Gr 3–The Banana Slug String Band presents a celebration of all things water: drinking water, watershed ecology, bodies of water, wetlands, the water cycle, human and animal dependence on the substance, and water pollution. Performing in a variety of musical styles, the band and guest musicians present their environmental message with enthusiastic vocals and excellent musicianship. An equally superb youth choir joins in on these 10 bouncy songs, including “It’s a Blue Planet,” “One Drop of Water,” and “Let the Wetlands Stand,” among others. A

Respect Our Earth. CD-ROM. Systems: Win/Mac. Prod. by Vendor Nation. Dist. by AV Café (theavcafe.com). 2008. $19.95.

K-Gr 3–This program features eight interactive games that teach and reinforce environmental concepts. Users answer ecology questions, click and drag to create a compost pile, select items to recycle or throw in the garbage, choose clean-energy options, play environmental concentration, and more. CD

Animals, Adaptation, and the Galapagos Islands: Discover with Darwin. teacher.scholastic.com/activities/explorations/adaptation/. Scholastic Inc. (Accessed 2/18/09).

Gr 2-4–Youngsters will make Charles Darwin proud as they collect clues, explore the islands, and keep a field journal while learning about ecosystems and adaptation. “Words to Know” and a Darwin Library of entries on people, places, related science, and flora and fauna will help guide students on their scientific journeys. W