Crazy Buildings

Gr 3–5—These titles focus on things that are strange, silly, smelly, or just plain yucky, and they have enough trivia and facts to entertain readers for hours. Buildings includes cave homes, tree houses, and underground dwellings; it is fun and probably the most informative. Medical Cures includes leeches, chelation, and crystals; Foods includes yak-butter tea and assorted insects. While each spread covers more than one unusual food, home, or treatment, the entries are organized by topic. The authors' approach and use of language is easygoing and often tongue-in-cheek. They are not going for extremes or to shocking; the tone is fairly matter-of-fact. They highlight "just the facts" while fully acknowledging the gross-out factor. Buildings could easily support an architecture unit with its creativity and mix of art, sculpture, and construction. Medical Cures points out some less-than-standard treatments, including sutra neti (you pass a string from nostril to mouth). Foods is straightforward, admiting that eating a Sardinian cheese intentionally filled with maggots has its challenges. Although these titles are limited in curriculum connections, children will love browsing through them and sharing them with one another.—Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City