Explorers of the New World

Gr 3—7—This informative, entertaining activity book takes readers on a fascinating voyage of their own. Chapter one begins with the search for a water route to Asia that was faster and safer than the Silk Road, and the roles of Prince Henry of Portugal and Bartolomeu Dias. Subsequent chapters continue historical journeys with Christopher Columbus, John Cabot's search for the Northwest Passage, the efforts of Ferdinand Magellan, and several Spanish explorers, including Hernán Cortés, Ponce de León, Francisco Pizarro, Hernando de Soto, and Francisco de Coronado. The last chapter continues the search for the Northwest Passage and travel inland in the New World, focusing on significant European explorers-Jacques Cartier, Martin Frobisher, Henry Hudson, and Samuel de Champlain. Numerous inserts, "Did You Know?" sidebars, maps, black-and-white representations of explorers, and sketches of events add additional facts and interest to the presentation. Nearly every page includes a brief list of words to know. Each chapter concludes with "Make Your Own" activities that bring life to the history with instructions for the construction of a logbook, clay activities, recipes, games, etc. Some may require the assistance of an adult but are not complicated or time- consuming. An appealing and useful resource.—Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, NE