Mary Mueller
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India
Readers are likely to find these titles difficult to read, and they don't improve on extant materials. At best, supplemental report choices.
Everyone Eats
Written for a slightly younger audience than the stronger "My World Your World" (Ruby Tuesday, 2015), this set is a good supplemental read-aloud or beginning reader selection.
Russia
Pleasing additions to most collections in need of fresh, new titles.
These serviceable overviews for report writers are liberally illustrated with sharp photos. An introductory chapter in each book often highlights a holiday or festival (Israel includes a minor error). Four chapters then focus on land, government and cities, people and cultures, and daily life. A "Global Connections" page is usually devoted to a social issue. Fast facts are appended. Maps, reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these One World, Many Countries titles: India, Israel, The Philippines, China, Japan, and Vietnam.
The Philippines
These offerings celebrate diversity and introduce nations that have strong ties with our own, making them good purchase choices.
In a visually attractive but superficial introductory series, each volume begins with fairly vague descriptive words (e.g., "Colorful," "Busy," "Beautiful") paired with bright photos. A smattering of facts about geography, animals, history, language, jobs, culture, and food follow, accompanied by engaging photos. The great geographic and ethnic diversity of many of these countries is barely mentioned. "Fast facts" appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Countries We Come From titles: The Philippines, China, India, Vietnam, and South Korea.
Native Nations of the Great Basin and Plateau
Supplemental report purchases.
Each book introduces the major Native American nations of its geographic area. The straightforward texts touch on traditional way of life; well-known members such as artists or prominent citizens; controversial history with the U.S. and Canadian governments; and contemporary economies. Historical and modern photos round out the cleanly designed presentations. There are three other fall 2015 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Native Nations of North America titles: Native Nations of the Great Basin and Plateau, Native Nations of California, Native Nations of the Arctic and Subarctic, Native Nations of the Northwest Coast, and Native Nations of the Plains.
China
These materials provide standard introductory content but don't improve on the many extant choices available and should be considered supplemental choices for reports.
Celebrating Birth Around the World
These volumes demonstrate the universality of celebrations, but there are many extant titles about specific countries, cultures, and religions that cover them in a fuller context, making the series a supplemental purchase.
With clear texts and contemporary color photos, the books will generally inform young middle graders about birth and death rituals practiced by varied religious and cultural groups, but there are occasional lapses. Busy layouts include tiny, difficult-to-read maps. Birth features instructions for making tihu dolls, representing katsinas (Hopi spirits); Dead includes directions for Day of the Dead candy skulls. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Cultures and Customs titles: Celebrating Birth Around the World and Remembering the Dead Around the World.
Celebrations and Special Days
Strong choices for early readers.
This series focuses on kid-friendly topics. Each book attempts to
introduce complex subjects--e.g., Home touches on slums and
refugee camps--but the few brief sentences fall short. Color photos
are well chosen, but the busy layouts are difficult to decipher, as
are small world maps. With adult guidance, these books could prove
useful for reports. There are four other spring 2015 books in this
series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following My
World Your World titles: A Place to Call Home,
Celebrations and Special Days, The Clothes We Wear,
and Time to Play.
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