Australia to Zimbabwe: A Rhyming Romp Around the World to 24 Countries

Gr 5–8—An unusual look at a variety of nations around the world. The author has chosen one country for each letter of the alphabet, except for W (which stands for the world) and X (which marks the spot), keeping in mind region, culture, and size. Each chapter opens with a poem that's several stanzas in length. Foreign words in the rhymes appear in stylized bold font and are accompanied by the pronunciation in gray tones. Along with the verse, readers will also find relevant photos and an outline map of the country with major cities. Each chapter features a color copy of the flag and its history, a political map of the country and a world map showing its relative location, geographical data, a list of words and expressions in the native language, and a variety of photographs depicting sports, food, culture, animals, and social activities with detailed captions. Readers will also appreciate multiple examples of further reading, crafts, online activities, research, and a recipe for a native dish.