Series: Jobs People Do Series.
Subject Areas: Career Choices.
Ages: 2 3 4 5 6 7.
Type: Picture Books

Sam the Chef is my favorite out of this series -- I think it's the food! The teeny tiny carrots, tomatoes and eggs are delightful to look at, the miniature pots, pans, and other kitchen accessories are adorable, and Chef Sam and his staff of helpers are busily scurrying around preparing a feast. The book definitely captures the pressures of the restaurant business, as well as the humor and excitement in pulling off a successful meal. The last page in the book is a list of "Chef Words" -- words like dicing. sorbet, risotto, broth, etc.

The main attraction of Frank the Farmer is the animals --dogs, chickens, donkeys, goats, cows, sheep, dogs, birds, horses, cats, mice. You'll get to look at all the aspects of Hillfield Farm and see the day to day operations. One of the children visiting the farm wanders off and everyone joins in the search till they locate her enjoying the new baby chicks. The book wraps up with a section of "Farm Words" and definitions, and a farm quiz. Very fun!

Usborne also has a wonderful book called Things People Do, which covers a broad range of careers. It's every bit as fun as this series, and has loads of humor in it.

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

Series: Jobs People Do Series.
Subject Areas: Career Choices.
Ages: 2 3 4 5 6 7.
Type: Picture Books

Kids love to think and talk about "what I want to be when I grow up." The beautiful picture books in the Jobs People Do Series will help them learn about the lives of professionals, along with captivating characters and humorous story lines. Look Inside a Book from this Series.

The characters in these six titles are adorable clay models by Jo Litchfield which show up in a number of Usborne series. The people and their belongings are so fun and so cute that you'll want to examine the details as much as children do. One thing I love about Ms. Litchfield's art is the portrayal of children and adults from various ethnic groups. I've had my kids try to make models like these from clay, and it's very entertaining. All the titles (except one) end with a full page of vocabulary words; the doctor title also has tips for staying healthy.

Daisy the Doctor has a very full day at the medical center where she works. You're introduced to her receptionist (who is confined to a wheelchair), the nurse (who is male) and another doctor who practices medicine with her. I appreciate the correct terminology used throughout, which helps kids understand the vocabulary in context-- words like otoscope, prescription, infection, antibiotics, and more. The reader observes some of the treatments and exams Doctor Daisy and the nurse give their patients, and the book captures the busyness that is typical in most physicians' offices.

Tomorrow I'll give details on some of the other books in this series.
If you like, you can purchase a full set of these titles in a special library binding!

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

Series: World History Series.
Subject Areas: History.
Ages: 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16.
Type: Combined volumes (C/V), Internet-Linked

Medieval World is the only other section of the Encyclopedia of World History which is available as a separate book. The Middle Ages were a time of tremendous change, much of it tied in with religion, and displayed in an incredible variety of artwork and architecture.

Usually when we hear "medieval" we tend to think of knights, castles, etc., but in this volume, you'll learn about medieval Europe, Northern Africa and the Arab world, the Vikings, Anglo-Saxon England, the Hundred Years War, the Feudal system, all about castle life and life in villages and towns, the far-reaching effects of the Christian church, the Plague, the Celts, the Mongols, the Turks, Eastern Europe, India, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Australia, native North Americans, South and Central America, the Renaissance and world exploration. All of it is packed with illustrations, photos when appropriate, and maps.

Once again, Internet-Links are very helpful: Take part in an archery contest, learn more about medieval weapons, see collections of art from museum's medieval collections, gorgeous manuscripts, hear music written in this time period, look inside an Inca city, visit the pueblo towns in Southwest USA, and many, many other great sites.

Pair up this book with other Usborne titles: Knights and Armor, Time Traveler, or build a castle to round out the experience.

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Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products Award, Lifeworks Magazine Real Life Award
Of Interest To: Librarians and Media Specialists, Parents, Teachers

Series: World History Series.
Subject Areas: History.
Ages: 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16.
Type: Combined volumes (C/V), Internet-Linked

Ancient World is available as a separate volume, or as part of the Encyclopedia of World History which I reviewed yesterday. This period encompasses the birth of farming, towns and cities, the growth of trade and crafts, and all sorts of empires. It was also the time of the birth of most of the world's religions. Your student will learn about the Minoans, the Mycenaeans, the Babylonians, the early Egyptians, the Canaanites, the Hebrews, the Phoenicians, the Assyrians, the Persians, the early Greeks, the Scythians, the early Chinese, the Japanese, Arabs, Africans, India, the Americas, the Celts, the Romans, the early Christians, and the barbarians who helped bring an end to the vast Roman Empire. Whew! That's a lot of ground to cover. This section ends at 500 A.D.

The maps on every page or two help the reader to orient themselves to the current area of study. Loads of "cutaway" illustrations show the inside of buildings, tents, boats, igloos, and more. Some of the most striking illustrations are of: the Colosseum with the sea of humanity seated there, the Pyramid of the Sun in Central America, and the Great Wall of China being built.

Information is presented in chunks that are easily digested and there is a wonderful flow to the whole story of mankind's growth during this time. I like the section at the beginning that explains how we know so much about this time period and its people -- archaeology and the objects discovered. Usborne's Internet-Linked Archaeology is a natural fit with the Encyclopedia of World History or its component titles.

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Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products Award, Lifeworks Magazine Real Life Award
Of Interest To: Librarians and Media Specialists, Parents, Teachers