Series: Flip Flap Board Books Series.
Subject Areas: Various.
Ages: 3 4 5 6 7 8.
Type: Flap Books, Board Books

I LOVE how Usborne Books keep kids very busy and very happy. This new title does that and more as it genuinely teaches kids about the inner workings of a farm. Expert advice was given in the book's production by a farmer from Dorset, England. The book has more than 70 flaps to peek under, some of which are double flaps-- lift one flap and there is another underneath. There's a wheel to turn on one page so kids can view the various stages of harvesting wheat. Lots of new vocabulary to learn too -- words like silage, trough, udder, bacteria, cultivator. The pictures are detailed and gorgeous (of course), with loads of animals and machines. At the very end is a special niche with a tiny book called Farm Animals to Spot, which would have made me the happiest child on earth when I was in this stage of life.

Purchase

Of Interest To: Librarians and Media Specialists, Parents, Teachers

Series: Miniature Editions, Internet-Linked Series.
Subject Areas: Gardening, Hobbies, Science.
Ages: 8 9 10 11 12 13 adult.
Type: Internet-Linked, Handbook

Absolutely perfect for this time of year! This beautiful little volume is packed with gorgeous photos and drawings, projects to do, lovely art ideas, and science to learn. There are also pages about myths and legends connected with flowers, the language of flowers, and users can go to the internet links for even more ideas and information.

The cover of this book is one of Usborne's slightly squeezy smooth ones -- I love the feel of these books! It makes anyone want to pick it up and read.

Purchase

Of Interest To: Librarians and Media Specialists, Parents, Teachers, Gardeners

Series: Young Reading Series 2.
Subject Areas: History, Fashions.
Ages: 8 9 10 11 12 13.
Type: Young Reader, Chapter Books

This is quite an unusual book. Very interesting reading and lots of facts I had never heard before. Girls may be particularly keen on reading this. My 11 year old son was NOT interested, but I loved it, for the history and the look at fashions. Not just the fashions themselves keep changing, but the preferred shape for people's bodies goes in and out of style. Are you familiar with panniers, crinoline, bum rolls, corsets, and stays? Did you know that even men wore corsets to make their waists smaller?

One heads-up about content is the section on how women made their bustline appear larger, and the whole subject of bras. It's actually quite amusing but factual, too. There is a "technically modest" drawing of a woman nude from the waist up (her hair is discreetly arranged). Overall it's quite a fun and informative book - just not your everyday topic!

Purchase

Of Interest To: Librarians and Media Specialists, Parents, Teachers

Series: Young Reading Series 2.
Subject Areas: Ecology, History, Environmental Science
Ages: 7 8 9 10 11.
Type: Young Reader, Chapter Book

Have you wondered why trash has become such a huge problem? Despite the disgusting topic, this is an entertaining book to squish your way through! The illustrations are hilarious and the history is quite accurate. The young reader will discover why the system of garbage collection/disposal had to become an organized effort, how garbage has become big business, and why recycling is so important now. I learned a number of facts that I hadn't heard before.

Usborne's Young Reading Series has an extensive vocabulary for this age group, but the high-interest topics, along with detailed explanations, and the use of words in context will encourage readers to dive in and learn larger words/meanings that may be unfamiliar to them - words like incinerator, manufacturers, campaigning and methane. This series is interesting enough for older kids who are late readers, too.

Purchase

Of Interest To: Librarians, Media Specialists, Parents, Teachers

Fountas and Pinnell Level K (Mid to late 2nd grade level)

Subject Areas: Math.
Ages: 12 13 14 15 16 to adult.
Type: Handbook, Internet-Linked, Study Guide

Wow, has this book been helpful in our house! If you're like me you may have forgotten many of the specific math concepts you learned in Geometry, Algebra 1 and 2, Trig, and the sciences, yet you have to help your children with their homework and test preparation. Or maybe you never did learn them. Don't worry! This study guide has very easy to learn, illustrated explanations. The book is extremely well laid out too, and it's simple to find the section you need. It's also Internet-Linked and recommends websites for further study if you want it. Use the book and websites to strengthen skills for exams or SAT's.

Listen to what one woman said on an Usborne message board recently:
"This book is so necessary for parents to help their kids.On Friday I heard that my eldest son got only 56% on a Math quiz and had flunked "completing the square" in Algebra 3. I was able to look up what this meant and communicate to my husband who was with this son at an away Hockey tournament in another state. The problem was fixed by the end of the weekend! I was also able to review all about quadratic equations (stuff you really wanted to forget forever) and help him. He just reported that the test today was easy. Thank you to the Illustrated Dictionary of Math."

One other wonderful feature -- it's in a flex binding that makes it hold up really well, at the same price it had when it was only available in paperback!

Purchase

Of Interest To: Parents, Teachers, Librarians and Media Specialists