Junior Non-fiction Reviews

 

Days Out (Magnetic First Words) by Michelle Trowell
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  • This hard-board book contains over 100 magnetic first words. It has been designed to promote literacy skills, help hand-eye coordination and to encourage parent-child interaction. The pages are magnetic so the words and numbers do not easily fall off and the pages can be turned leaving the magnets in place.
  • Barry Green’s bold double-page spread illustrations contain a lot of action, ideal for prompting discussion whilst matching the words to the pages. The children can also invent their own sentences linked to the lively pictures which include children playing by the lake, at the fair and on the beach.
  • The book contains many of the high frequency sight words the children are required to learn from reception onwards. In my opinion the book will make learning fun and will definitely help with sight recognition of these high frequency words (such as: we, she, look, on, can, etc.) as they have to search through all the words provided for the correct word to match.
  • Suitable for children aged three upwards. I think they would also make an ideal activity for KS1 children in a reading corner. You will need a pretty little pot to keep all the magnets in though once you have taken them out to use.
  • Reviewed by Anita Loughrey
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  • author : Michelle Trowell
  • illustrator : Barry Green
  • publisher : Top That! Publishing
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £6.99
  • ISBN : 9781846665837

 

Taking Away and Adding Up (Magnetic First Sums) by Mary Denson
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  • These are hard-board books which have been designed to promote numeracy skills, help hand-eye coordination and to encourage parent-child interaction. The pages are magnetic so the words and numbers do not easily fall off and the pages can be turned leaving the magnets in place, although there are not enough of some numbers to complete the whole book this way.
  • The Taking Away book contains over 70 sum magnets and the Adding Up book boasts to containing over 100 sum magnets. In my opinion the books will make learning fun whilst encouraging and reinforcing counting and taking away up to 10 such as: 5-3 =; 7+2=. Barry Green's bright and colourful double-page spread illustrations contain a lot of action, ideal for prompting discussion whilst matching the numbers, pictures and symbols to the pages. I particularly like the way they relate adding and taking away to things that are familiar to the children in everyday life, such as 'how many children playing on the different equipment at the park altogether', and 'put the correct number of pairs of socks on the bed', 'if you put one pair of socks in the wash how many are left', etc.
  • Suitable for children aged three upwards, I think they would also make an ideal activity for KS1 children on the maths table. You will need a pretty little pot to keep all the magnets in though once you have taken them out to use.
  • Reviewed by Anita Loughrey
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  • author : Mary Denson
  • illustrator : Barry Green
  • publisher : Top That!
  • Publishing edition : Hardback
  • price : £6.99
  • ISBN : 9781846666773 / 9781846666766

 

Bad Kids by Tony Robinson
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  • From the very first sentences of 'Bad Kids: The Worst-Behaved Children in History' Tony Robinson lures his young readers by telling them to stop reading unless they want to 'hear about some REALLY nasty stuff'. Then, having guaranteed their complete attention he gives a few eye-watering (literally!) details, and invites them to read on. Who could resist?
  • The book is divided into five eras. This strategy allows Robinson the opportunity not only to introduce a little history, but also some explanation for people's behaviour - for example, he makes it clear medieval parents did not hate the young: they honestly believed violent punishments were best because it would prevent their children from going to hell. He does not hold back from talking about the hunger, loneliness and fear children have experienced in other eras, and he highlights the extreme nature, and even the injustice, of some punishments. But he does not restrict himself to the distant past: he provides pictures of Mods and Rockers, bringing them alive to readers by pointing out that this is probably how their own grandparents dressed. And he goes further, bringing the whole issue of crime and punishment home by discussing hoodies, ASBOs and the murder of Jamie Bulger.
  • Do not fall into the trap of thinking this is some worthy dull tome. Robinson mixes dates and events with anecdotes about real children in such a way that the whole is a light-hearted and painless way to understand history, and the excellent illustrations by Mike Phillips fit perfectly, being both irreverent and informative. Despite its gruesome subject matter, the book is written in a breezy, cheerful manner, with occasional moments of joyful silliness which are a sheer delight to read.
  • This title was also reviewed by Ruth Doyle Walter, her comments follow below and it is interesting to read the different ideas of two individual reviewers for the same book - thank you both for contributing such stimulating reviews - ed.
  • Tony Robinson has established himself as a popular presenter and author with a brilliant capacity to translate his passion for history into entertainment for today's children.
  • 'Bad Kids' opens with an irresistible warning, 'If you don't want to hear about some REALLY nasty stuff...WALK AWAY FROM THIS BOOK - RIGHT NOW!' which is sure to have children fighting to turn the pages!
  • Throughout history children have been getting into serious scrapes and some of the punishments make gruesome reading, which a young readership will delight in sharing. The book is illustrated throughout with hilarious, colourful pictures that bring the stories of childhood misadventures to life. The perception of what constitutes a `Bad Kid' has changed constantly throughout the history of the world. In Sparta. children were encouraged to steal to hone their skills but were punished if they got caught! While at Westminster School in the 1200's schoolboys were beaten for speaking English!
  • Told in Robinson's funny, engaging and enthusiastic style, 'Bad Kids' is a highly entertaining and informative read. Complete with a Glossary of alternative names for bad kids, this is a fabulously fun book, packed with historical detail that is sure to be a great success.
  • Reviewed by Linda F Lawlor
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  • author : Tony Robinson
  • illustrator : Mike Phillips
  • publisher : Macmillan
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £12.99
  • ISBN : 9780230737877

 

The Good Green Christmas by Christina Goodings
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  • Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. An ecological philosophy is the theme for this timely Christmas craft book. There are sixteen projects which are designed to encourage thought about how our resources are used. Crafts included are Christmas tree cards; starry gift tags; festive shortbread; a Boxing Day box and green wreath making, to name but a few.
  • Each craft is accompanied by clear and concise instructions, illustrated diagrams and visually inspiring photographs. Most projects can be mastered by a wide age range with appropriate adult assistance for the youngest of crafters.
  • This title would certainly make a fun addition to any family craft library collection. The only craft that I doubt would be enthusiastically received by my family, is the reduce your stocking footprint project. My daughter is not quite green enough to forego her enormous stocking filled to bursting on Christmas morning!
  • Reviewed by Melanie Bradshaw
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  • author : Christina Goodings
  • illustrator : Adrian Barclay (photograpy by John Williams)
  • publisher : Lion Chidren's
  • edition : Paperback
  • price : £5.99
  • ISBN : 9780745961798

 

The Magical World of Milligan by Spike Milligan
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  • Fans of Spike Milligan will love this new compendium of his work. It gathers together in one place some of his most irreverent and joyful writing, notably the well-known poem "On the Ning Nang Nong" (which was voted the nation"s favourite poem in 1998), several of the Milliganimals, and some Silly Verse for Kids - including the wonderful Hipporhinostricow. Stories include The Gingerbread Boy and A Witch"s Tale, and the whole is lovingly illustrated with his own original sketches, doodles and annotations.
  • Many of these pieces were created over fifty years ago for his own children but their off-beat view on life and their cheerful refusal to be bound by mere logic have kept them fresh and funny. Milligan creates a strange and secret world: it is a place where the surreal and the absurd dwell alongside the ordinary, and where nonsense sometimes seems more sensible than everyday life. He wonders if the little ant would like to go outside and play, he insists that gorillas do not make very good stocking fillers at Christmas, and he worries about the poor penguin, whose tootsies get frozen when sliding on the ice.
  • Spike Milligan has had a major influence on British comedy; both adults and children remember him fondly. This lovely book, full of coloured pictures and wordplay would be an excellent introduction to his work for a new generation.
  • reviewed by Linda F Lawlor
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  • author : Spike Milligan
  • publisher : Virgin Books
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : ¬£14.99
  • ISBN : 9781905264841

 

Really Really Big Questions About Life, The Universe and Everything by Dr Stephen Law
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  • Described as "a roller coaster ride of reason and ridiculousness", this book has the aim of getting children to open their minds and question the world around them. The structure is a simple question and answer format, divided into four sections: The Great Big Universe Puzzle; Mysterious Minds and Robots that Think; The Good, the Bad and the Ugly; Seeing and Believing. The questions range from the massive, "what is the meaning of life?" to fascinating thoughts that might not have occurred before, such as "is my mind my brain?" The reader will be eager to read on simply from looking through the contents list.
  • The emphasis of the book is on thinking, exploring and debating things so none of the answers given are definitive. The reader is presented with examples, evidence and different arguments, giving them the tools to decide for themselves. This encourages an education based on questioning, rather than simply having to learn a series of facts or answers. It emphasises that what is important is not getting things right or wrong, but thinking and talking about them. With the current move to bring philosophy for children lessons into schools and to promote ways of thinking rather than accumulating of facts for exams, this book is well-timed and could serve as a useful handbook. The author, Dr Stephen Law, is a philosophy lecturer who has already done much to bring the subject to a wider audience.
  • Law provides a comprehensive introduction to the major branches of philosophy and some of its key thinkers, such as Socrates and Descartes. He advocates rational, evidence-based thought and challenges popular misconceptions. The idea that "we used to be monkeys", for example, is clarified and Law gives a clear explanation of what evolution means. The book encourages children to come to their own conclusions, but ensures they are provided with the evidence to do this.
  • The book itself looks inviting. It has a retro style with simple, bold colours and fonts and a faded look to the cover which makes it appear well-used and welcoming. The simple design also ensures that its subject does not seem gimmicky or dumbed down. The text is broken up with humorous cartoon illustrations, philosopher profiles, optical illusions and ideas for thought experiments, making it a varied read and a book that readers will carry on thinking and talking about long after they have put it down.
  • reviewed by Liz Bankes
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  • author : Dr Stephen Law
  • publisher : Kingfisher
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £12.99
  • ISBN : 9780753417812

 

Ask Dr K Fisher About Planet Earth by Claire Llewellyn
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  • An excited emu wants to get in touch with his ostrich cousins; a worried viper has been feeling odd tremors in the ground and a grumpy chinchilla is being kept up at night by fireworks from across the valley. Luckily all of these creatures have an agony uncle in Dr K Fisher. Ask Dr K Fisher about Planet Earth sees him once again sending out his wise replies to all manner of problems from the animal world: a groundbreaking way for young readers to learn the most interesting facts about their planet. The previous Dr K Fisher books - covering topics such as animals, dinosaurs and the weather - have had a great reception with Ask Dr K Fisher about Minibeasts winning the non-fiction key stage two award in the English Association English 4-11 Best Children's Book Awards.
  • This book covers the broadest topic yet in the series: the entire planet. It manages to convey massive ideas through its engaging question and answer format and through distinctive characters whose personalities are perfectly and humorously captured in Kate Sheppard's illustrations. We discover the structure of the earth through the story of an aardvark whose friends have dared him to dig right to the centre. Dr K Fisher unfortunately has to explain to him why this would be impossible. The characters may live an exciting life out in the wild, but much about their personalities and what they feel is familiar and easy for the reader to relate to. The grumpy chinchilla might live next to an erupting volcano in the Andes, but what is bothering him is the lack of sleep he's getting from what he thinks is a firework party across the valley. Each problem provides a way into imagining what it would be like to be an animal and to be faced with volcanoes, earthquakes and disappearing tides.
  • Particular topics are given their own double-page spreads with 'Dr K Fisher's Guide to...' pages covering continents and oceans, mountains, rivers, and the world's climates. This variety of format is a really good way of keeping the reader's attention, as is the overall scrapbook-style layout of the book. The letters appear 'stuck in' to the book, along with labels and stamps and cartoon illustrations of the animals all on top of realistic backgrounds. There are lots of things to look at on each page and lots of tiny details to find. The overall effect of this is a fun and interactive book that invites its reader to learn through giving them reason to engage with and be interested in the subject, rather than presenting them with a list of facts.
  • Reviewed by Liz Bankes
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  • author : Claire Llewellyn
  • illustrator : Kate Sheppard
  • publisher : Kingfisher
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £8.99
  • ISBN : 9780753416877

 

10 Inventors who changed the world by Clive Gifford
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  • This book gives potted biographies of ten inventors whose discoveries have changed the way we live.
  • The geniuses encountered include Archimedes, famous for his engineering discoveries; next comes Galileo Galilei, famous not only for his astronomical discoveries but also for his battle with the church, eager to suppress what he had found. Benjamin Franklin, whose discoveries about electricity gave the world a shock, comes next. Then James Watt, the inventor of the steam engine. Isambard Kingdom Brunel was the famous engineer whose works included bridges, ships and railway trains. Thomas Edison at one point held more patents than anyone else, including the first commercially available cinema machine and the steam dynamo. Nikola Tesla invented the induction motor and the Tesla coil to increase electrical voltage. The list's only woman, Marie Curie, discovered radium, which made X-rays possible. Glenn Curtiss invented improved engines for motor bikes and airplanes and Sergei Korolev was the inventor who was at the heart of the Soviet space programme. Five other inventors find a place on the substitutes' bench at the end of the book.
  • The format of this book is similar to a graphic novel. Each inventor has a two page spread. I had initial doubts about the amount of useful information that could be conveyed in such a short space, given that these were active and eventful lives, but the format works better than I had foreseen. The writing has two brilliant features. The author has chosen some examples from the creations of his star players that didn't work; Edison's electric pen proving to be a flop. At the end of each section there is a link between this inventor's work and the next, showing how the knowledge acquired by each was passed on to the succeeding generation.
  • The careful reader will have noted that there is only one woman on the list. The obvious explanation is that the social conventions of the period between the days of Archimedes and those of Korolev gave little opportunity for woman to invent - cook, clean, yes, but invent, no. However, I thought Rosalind Franklin might have earned a mention at least among the substitutes. Without her work, the discovery of DNA would have been delayed, perhaps made impossible: the men got the Nobel Prizes.
  • Other notable absentees include Newton, Oppenheimer, Einstein and Whittle. This book would be useful in Key Stage 2 Science and History. It might be worth asking a class to make up their own list.
  • Reviewed by Rebecca Butler
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  • author : Clive Gifford
  • illustrator : David Cousens
  • publisher : Macmillan
  • price : £9.99
  • ISBN : 9780753417379

 

Train Your Brain To Be A Genius - Your Brilliant Brain And How To Train It by John Woodward
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  • This reference book is perfect at introducing many scientific facts about the brain to primary school children.
  • In eight logical chapters you are taken on a wonderful, fun experience and interesting educational journey where complex concepts are made accessible. This book can also be appreciated if it is dipped into at leisure.
  • Amusing illustrations entertain and enhance the text and information about influential scientific legend from the past is well presented. Each page challenges the reader and by participating in puzzles and activities self-knowledge is gained, allowing the reader to develop their brain.
  • It has been a real pleasure to review this book and with Christmas just around the corner, I would recommend it as an ideal stocking filler.
  • Reviewed by Marion Griffiths
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  • author : John Woodward
  • illustrator : Serge Seidlitz and Andy Smith
  • publisher : DK Limited
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £14.99
  • ISBN : 9781405341547

 

Hamzat’s Journey (The Refugee Diary Series) by Anthony Robinson
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  • This collaboration between child victims of war, writers and artists committed to giving their stories as wide a platform as possible, is surely one of the finest of all publishing ventures.
  • Hamzat’s Journey, the fourth in The Refugee Diary series, begins with a brief and stark outline of one boy’s story. How on 20th April, 2001 whilst on his way to school with two friends, Hamzat stepped on a landmine, was badly injured, and his two friends killed. We already have some idea of how brave Hamzat is for as he begins to tell us what happened to him he says “in a funny way, being unlucky has been lucky in the end for me and my whole family,” luck is quite possibly the last thing we would associate with what happened to this child. The illustration showing the terrible injury to Hamzat’s leg as a passer-by carries him to his car and the two children’s dead bodies lying on the ground is grimly chilling; this is the unbearable reality of what is happening to children in war zones. Hamzat was fortunate in that he was taken to hospital where one of his legs was amputated below the knee.
  • This whole story is written in a plain, accessible prose that carries within it great power, for nothing is told to impress. Hamzat simply relates the facts and the facts are terrible. Hard to comprehend anyone bombing a hospital but this is what happened to the hospital Hamzat was in. However, he finally made it home and in 2001, a children’s charity helped him and his father to get to England so that Hamzat could get a really good artificial leg. Three years later, having been granted refugee status, the rest of the family joined them. Hamzat is now at school in England and making plans for his future.
  • Two boys were brought to England for treatment - Hamzat and Islam. Islam lost both eyes and both arms and there is also a photograph of him in the book, but as Hamzat never found out what happened to Islam, neither do we. We give heartfelt thanks that one child’s story ends more hopefully than it began but our thoughts go to and remain with this other desperately hurt child.
  • This story of suffering and courage is classed as suitable reading for 8 plus. 8 plus or 80 plus, no-one could read Hamzat’s Journey and come away unmoved or unchanged by the terrible experiences related. These stories in The Refugee Diary Series need to be told and we, and the rest of the world, need to listen.
  • Reviewed by Gwen Grant
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  • author : Anthony Robinson
  • illustrator : June Allan
  • publisher : Frances Lincoln
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £11.99
  • ISBN : 9781847800305

 

Lost Worlds by John Howe
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  • This lavishly illustrated picture-book has more than a bit of a filmic feel, which is hardly surprising, since John Howe did much of the artwork which was translated into the film of The Lord Of The Rings. The lost worlds of the title are mythological worlds, real cities and kingdoms lost in the past. The book is a whistle-stop tour starting with the Garden of Eden – Eve seems to be played by Kate Winslet – through ancient Egyptian Thebes, Knossos, Pompeii, the dreamtime of Australian native peoples, Timbuktu, and many more.
  • There is some fascinating information in this book – I had no idea, for example, of the ancient city that stood in the Missisippi basin; I was delighted to find out about Timbuktu. Reading Lost Worlds did to some extent return me to my childish, compulsively-reading self. As a nine year-old I would have been mesmerised by it and utterly delighted if anyone had given it to me for Christmas.
  • The illustrations are great, colourful and realistic, and backed up by photographs and reproductions of paintings of the places and myths described. There are delightful reproductions of Cretan frescoes, of the Mycenean mask that Schliemann believed to be Agamemnon. I did wish that Howe had chosen to illustrate the Palace of Asgard in the section on the Norse Gods’ home, rather than the admittedly dramatic representation of Yggdrasil the World Tree rising from a mountain that wasn’t Asgard. I know that as a child I’d have felt the same, I’d have wanted to see some Æsir walking round their palaces. But the picture of Zeus’s eagle swooping down to tear the liver out of poor chained Prometheus ‘his flesh’ the book rather cautiously says – is enormously powerful – one can almost hear Prometheus’s howl of agony. I loved the palaces and towers of Timbuktu.
  • As a rather more critical adult, there are a few things that worry me. For example, Howe mentions that Egypt split into two kingdoms in 2134BCE and was re-united by the pharaoh Mentuhotep. He doesn’t tell us that Egypt was originally two kingdoms; I was looking at the Narmer palette that celebrates the union under the rule of Narmer (Menes) in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo the week before last. It may only seem a small thing, but Egypt’s rulers habitually wore the symbols of both kingdoms and are represented, at different times, wearing the crowns of both Northern and Southern Egypt.
  • I was also bothered by the blithe statement that “Archeologists generally agree that the garden (of Eden) was situated somewhere in the plains of Mesopotamia” which does give the impression that it was a real place. Maybe Howe is anxious not to offend born-again Christians, but I’d have liked to see him, at that point, add a few words that made it clear that this place was the origin of the myth! In any case, I doubt if many born-again Christians would buy this book for their children, there’s too much pagan mythology in it!
  • I think it’s an enjoyable, attractive book that will get young readers interested in areas of history and mythology about which they don’t yet know much – but the slight sloppiness I’ve noticed makes me wonder how much else is glossed over. I wouldn’t recommend it for helping kids with their homework.
  • Reviewed by Leslie Wilson
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  • author and illustrator : John Howe
  • publisher : Kingfisher
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £16.99
  • ISBN : 9780753414569

 

The Bumper book of Bravery by Charlie Norton
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  • Appearances can be misleading. This book looks like and feels like a children's book, and who could fail to be entranced by the title. Surely inspirational tales of derring-do throughout history will be contained within inspiring children with well known and less celebrated examples.
  • However, whilst an amazing range of stories are featured within from throughout history, some of the stories and language seem to be aimed squarely at adults, as there are some harrowing accounts of recent events (Chernobyl, 9/11 and rape counselling) and adult language. It therefore seems to be a 'Dangerous Book for Boys' style children's book meant for adults, but looking like a children's book. Inside illustration is line drawing (no photographs) and text is well laid out but fairly dense.
  • 'Gift/Reference' it says on the back cover and that seems fairly accurate. I would say able and older teenagers would find it interesting and inspiring.
  • Reviewed by Simon Smith
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  • author : Charlie Norton
  • publisher : Virgin
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £14.99
  • ISBN : 9781905264834

 

The Great Big Book of Dinosaurs by Rupert Matthews
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  • Armed with ‘The Great Big Book of Dinosaurs’, a child could not only recognise any dinosaur they met, but could also alert passers-by with a thrillingly correct enunciation of its name.
  • How good is that?
  • Well, it’s beyond good, it’s excellent, and that is what this excellent guide to the world of dinosaurs provides, for not only are there arresting illustrations to show us what each dinosaur looked like, there is also this much needed guide to the pronunciation of their names, so prepare to be dazzled by the child who loves to pronounce hard words in a dashing and confident manner. This extremely useful book goes far beyond those perennial favourites we all know and love, such as the Tyrannosaurus, the Triceratops and the Stegosaurus, which, thanks to the detailed information on each dinosaur, I now know come from the Cretaceous period, for it takes in such oddly named creatures as the Sinosauropteryx, (Jurassic period), and also gives us the Maiasaura, (Cretaceous Period), the first dinosaur with a female name.
  • Didn’t know that?
  • Shows what you’re missing, doesn’t it, if you don’t have this book to consult and consult it you will, for it also gives what we new experts on dinosaurs call the ‘Technical stuff.’ That is, length, height, weight, and what they all like to eat. Plus, it tells where fossils have been found and provides maps to show locations. As well as all these goodies, it gives an overview of dinosaur life that is invaluable.
  • There are fascinating photographs of dinosaur fossils to brood over; a Dinosaur Guide that will be referred to again and again and a glossary of words that will ensure a child understands what they are reading; e.g. “Ceratopian, group of dinosaurs who have a neck frill and horns on their head.”
  • Really, if you can’t give the child in your life an actual dinosaur, this book is the next best thing.
  • Reviewed by Gwen Grant
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  • author : Rupert Matthews
  • illustrator : Various
  • publisher : QED Publishing
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £9.99
  • ISBN : 9781848351233

 

The Comic Strip History of Space by Tracey Turner
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  • Following on from the success of ‘The Comic Strip History of the World’, Turner and Kindberg return with another fun-packed guide that should prove equally popular.
  • The book ties in neatly with the 40th anniversary of the moon landings and the International Year of Astronomy. Covering everything from Supernovas to Dark Age Astronomers, from other solar systems to a section on `Infinity' this accessible, information-packed guide will capture the interest of children and adults alike!
  • Child-friendly, comic-style illustrations full of action and interesting facts help to convey a mass of scientific detail in bite-sized chunks.
  • This book puts the ‘fun factor’ into the history of space and would be a great addition to any child's Christmas stocking - and be guaranteed to retain its entertainment value well into the year(s) ahead!
  • Reviewed by Ruth Doyle Walter
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  • author : Tracey Turner
  • illustrator : Sally Kindberg
  • publisher : Bloomsbury
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £6.99
  • ISBN : 9780747594321

 

Focus on Human Body (Lenticular Reference Books)
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  • This is a lively and interesting guide to the essential workings of the human body. Packed with concise and fascinating facts, coloured diagrams and striking illustrations, ‘Human Body’ is both visually and mentally stimulating.
  • This is a subject that can become overwhelmed with surplus detail and so this succinct edition would make a useful and user-friendly quick-reference guide. Children will enjoy browsing through and picking up fascinating snippets from the `Fact File' boxes in each section.
  • There is a wealth of information presented in a clear and eye-catching way.
  • Did you know that some nerve signals travel faster than racing cars? Or that there are more nerve cells in the Human brain than there are stars in the Milky Way? Children will love to share such nuggets of information!
  • Focus on Human Body provides an effective introduction to the subject at an affordable price and would make an excellent addition to the family and/or classroom bookshelves.
  • Reviewed by Ruth Doyle Walter
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  • publisher : Top That!
  • edition : Flexiback Case Book
  • price : £4.99
  • ISBN : 9781846666896

 

The Way We Work by David Macaulay
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  • Explore the way in which our every fascinating bodies work and find out more about YOU with a step by step, thorough guide to the human body outside and in.
  • Be informed and entertained as you take a journey from the humble single cell that each one of us begins from to the foetus that we in turn can produce and everything in-between we can learn about the community of organisms making up our body and the work they all do to keep us functioning.
  • This is a big and detailed book but it is made accessible through the use of some excellent graphic but clear illustrations of the workings of the various parts of the body as well as some highly inventive and accessible chapter and section headings. Take for example ‘Processing Plant’, a section on the liver with its factory pipes and tubes in place of veins, the detailed and fully labeled diagram is typical of all those found in the book and appeals to the young mind who that will be able to the connections clearly and easily. Whilst I must admit that some of the technical terminology and language was new to me (not being a strong biologist at school) it was equally fascinating and I can imagine young inquisitive minds being drawn into this book.
  • It would make a very good home reference resource and at the same time sit quite happily on the shelves of a school library – there is noting untoward in here, it is quite simply what it says on the cover – an introduction to the way our bodies work. An excellent and fascinating resource for everyone.
  • Reviewed by Louise Ellis-Barrett
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  • author : David Macaulay
  • publisher : Walker Books
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £25.00
  • ISBN : 9780618233786

 

Yucky Worms by Vivian French

 

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  • Earthworms are yucky and slimy, you can’t be friends with them, you can’t tell one end from the other, in fact the only thing they are good at is growing even when they have been cut into two – isn’t it?
  • Facts are presented and myths dispelled in a wonderful combination of story book and fact book from the versatile Vivian French.
  • When digging in the garden one day with Gran our narrator exclaims a loud “YUCK” when shown a “slimy, slithery, wiggly worm”. Gran however has other ideas, she wants to show how an earthworm is in fact a highly intelligent and very useful little creature. Thus unfolds the simple story of an afternoon spent digging and planting in the garden whilst learning all about the perhaps not quite so yucky earthworm.
  • Worms are very helpful to the garden, their poo helps plants to grown big and strong and their tunnels loosen the soil. They live in constant danger from predators however including the humble spade and misconception that if cut in half they just re-grow.
  • This book is an education and an enjoyably gentle story. With facts dropped in throughout the book in speech bubbles and little asides there are two layers to the whole thing, above the earth and in it. Jessica Ahlberg has captured Vivian French’s words with great clarity and clearness helping the reader to see exactly what an earthworm can do as well ass how it does it.
  • This book would make an excellent resource in the primary school classroom as part of the Key Stage 1 & 2 science modules and will help children understand a little more about the natural world under their feet!
  • Reviuewed by Louise Ellis-Barrett
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  • author : Vivian French
  • illustrator : Jessica Ahlberg
  • publisher : Walker Books
  • edition : Hardback
  • price : £11.99
  • ISBN : 9781406314588