Choose Your Own Career Adventure at the Olympics

Choose Your Own Career Adventure at the Olympics
by K. C. Kelley (Author)

Booktalk: What do people do at the Olympics? Readers pick from eight different scenarios and experience “next best thing to being there yourself” opportunities for interactive career exploration. Sidebars promote additional learning activities and independent research.

Snippet: The Olympic Games are the biggest sports events in the world! Big events need lots of people to run them. The athletes may get all of the glory, but thousands of professionals work for years to make those golden moments happen too.

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2016 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Time for Kids Awesome America

At Wrapped in Foil blog we are featuring Awesome America: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the History, People, and Culture (Time for Kids) by Katy Steinmetz, a “timely” book that would be perfect for kids who want to know whether the state capital of Nevada is Las Vegas or Carson City.

 

At 208 pages it is a hefty tome, but Awesome America is not a dry or like a textbook. Instead it is a colorful overview highlighting important events and people that have shaped the United States. In addition to discussions of the presidents and states, it is organized into chapters that cover topics such as “Our Government,” “Civil Rights,” “Great Americans,” and “America’s Role in the World.” The final chapter contains a timeline revealing the main events of 400 years of history.

Awesome America is a veritable treasure trove of information. It would be a useful addition to any reference library, especially as a resource for school reports. Pick up a copy and see what it inspires today!

Kid Athletes: True Tales of Childhood from Sports Legends

Kid Athletes: True Tales of Childhood from Sports Legends
by David Stabler (Author) and Doogie Horner (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Forget the gold medals, the championships, and the undefeated seasons. When all-star athletes were growing up, they had regular-kid problems just like you. Baseball legend Babe Ruth was such a troublemaker, his family sent him to reform school. Race car champion Danica Patrick fended off bullies who told her “girls can’t drive.” And football superstar Peyton Manning was forced to dance the tango in his school play. Kid Athletes tells all of their stories and more with full-color cartoon illustrations on every page. Other subjects include Billie Jean King, Jackie Robinson, Yao Ming, Gabby Douglas, Tiger Woods, Julie Krone, Bruce Lee, Muhammad Ali, Bobby Orr, Lionel Messi, and more!

Snippet:

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2016 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Wind, Solar, and Geothermal Power

Wind, Solar, and Geothermal Power (Calling All Innovators: A Career for You)
by Steven Otfinoski (Author)

Booktalk: For decades, people around the world have relied mainly on the burning of fossil fuels to power machines and create electricity. However, as scientists uncover the destruction these fuels are doing to the environment, alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal power are becoming more common. Readers will learn about the scientists, engineers, and other people working to bring us new energy options. They will also find out what it takes to make it in this growing career field.

Snippet:
SOLAR CARS
Since they were invented in the late 19th century, automobiles have run on many different types of fuel, including gasoline, steam, and electricity. However, a car powered by the sun’s energy seemed like a pipe dream until August 31, 1955, when William Cobb of General Motors (GM) unveiled his “Sunmobile” at an auto show in Chicago, Illinois. Just 15 inches (38 centimeters) long, the Sunmobile’s roof was equipped with 12 photoelectric cells that created an electric current to power the car’s tiny motor.

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2016 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Animal Planet’s Farm Animals

Did you know that in a few breeds of geese the males and females have different eye colors?  If not, it might be time for  a “gander” at Animal Planet’s Farm Animals.

Inside expect over 200 large, dynamic photographs of horses, cows, pigs, duck, turkeys, chickens and more. Learn what farm animals eat, where they live and what their families are like. Included is a two-page spread of wild creatures that use farms as homes, such as spiders, bees, and wild birds.

In the back matter are activities to reinforce learning, such as animal sound matching, as well as a page packed with resources for further exploration, two pages of glossary, and an extensive index.

Farm Animals is a perfect choice for young children who love animals. It could also be used to accompany a field trip to a petting zoo or local farm.

See the review at Wrapped in Foil for suggested activities to accompany the book.

Prairie Dog Song by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore

Prairie Dog Song by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore. 40 p. Lee & Low Books, May, 2016. 9781620142455. (Review from finished copy borrowed from public library.)

Are you a fan of Parrots over Puerto Rico? Do you need an irresistible addition to your collection of books on biodiversity or conservation? Do you like to sing your read alouds? Well then, this is the book for you!

Full review over at Proseandkahn.