Discovering the world of Usborne Books
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Animals at War
Series: Young Reading Series 3.
Subject Areas: History, Animals.
Ages: 8 9 10 11 12 13.
Type: Young Reader, Chapter Books
What do elephants, dogs, cats, horses, dolphins, birds, and even monkeys and pigs have in common? Strangely, they were all used to help people in wartime. Animals at War gives us a glimpse into the part animals have played in men's battles over the years, and the incredible loyalty and courage of these creatures. In the book you'll see a photo of the "Animals in War" memorial and sculptures in Park Lane, London.
This small volume contains loads of history, especially the events and unusual situations in WW I and II. The reader meets Murphy, a little donkey who became an ambulance, carrying wounded to safety. Ambulance dogs are believed to have saved the lives of around 10,000 men during WW II. "Para-pups" jumped from airplanes with special parachutes and went into enemy territory along with soldiers to detect danger. In May of 1944 at Monte Cassino in Italy, a bear named Voytek picked up dozens of crates of ammunition that were too heavy for Polish soldiers to lift. I think any animal lover or history buff will thoroughly enjoy this book.
Animals at War was published in association with the Imperial War Museum in London. The address of their website is given in the book so the reader can visit to learn more.
Purchase
Of Interest To: Librarians and Media Specialists, Parents, Teachers
Subject Areas: History, Animals.
Ages: 8 9 10 11 12 13.
Type: Young Reader, Chapter Books
What do elephants, dogs, cats, horses, dolphins, birds, and even monkeys and pigs have in common? Strangely, they were all used to help people in wartime. Animals at War gives us a glimpse into the part animals have played in men's battles over the years, and the incredible loyalty and courage of these creatures. In the book you'll see a photo of the "Animals in War" memorial and sculptures in Park Lane, London.
This small volume contains loads of history, especially the events and unusual situations in WW I and II. The reader meets Murphy, a little donkey who became an ambulance, carrying wounded to safety. Ambulance dogs are believed to have saved the lives of around 10,000 men during WW II. "Para-pups" jumped from airplanes with special parachutes and went into enemy territory along with soldiers to detect danger. In May of 1944 at Monte Cassino in Italy, a bear named Voytek picked up dozens of crates of ammunition that were too heavy for Polish soldiers to lift. I think any animal lover or history buff will thoroughly enjoy this book.
Animals at War was published in association with the Imperial War Museum in London. The address of their website is given in the book so the reader can visit to learn more.
Purchase
Of Interest To: Librarians and Media Specialists, Parents, Teachers
Monday, March 05, 2007
The Revealing Story of Underwear - Yikes!
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
Thursday, March 01, 2007
The Stinking Story of Garbage
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: 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)
© Nancy Lotinsky. All Rights Reserved.
About Nancy
The author of Teaching with Usborne Books, supervisor for Usborne Books at Home for over a decade, married 29 years to Bo, and mother of five in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Links
- About Usborne Books
- Buy Usborne Books
- About Teaching with Usborne Books
- Buy Teaching with Usborne Books
- About This Blog
Archive
- March 2006
- April 2006
- May 2006
- June 2006
- July 2006
- August 2006
- September 2006
- October 2006
- March 2007
- February 2008
- May 2008
- January 2009
- October 2010
- December 2010