WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY: Axolotl/Deadly Mine/Welcome to the Coral Reef/Ghastly Gothic Mansions
ABOUT THE BOOK
What's that odd-looking salamander that never leaves the water? It's an axolotl! Beginning readers will learn all about these strange yet wonderful creatures in this delightful title. They will also learn basic information about axolotls, including what they eat and the story behind their long, feathery gills. Each 24-page book features controlled text with age-appropriate vocabulary and simple sentence construction. The lively text, colorful design, and eye-catching photos are sure to capture the interest of emergent readers.
REVIEW
Bearport does such a nice job with these short nonfiction books. With gorgeous photos balancing out the straight-forward text, young readers can focus on the the information in the book rather than the book itself. Axolotl's are a kind of salamander that looks a lot like a fish. Since they use gills rather than lungs like many amphibians they are completely water-bound. Using large glossy photographs of the different colors and habits of the axolotl the author gives the reader a fabulous introduction to a rather unusual animal. The book includes a glossary, index, and places to look for more information. I especially appreciated the pronunciation help because I had no idea how to say the animals name going in. This is a fun book that young animal lovers are bound to enjoy.
ABOUT THE BOOK
What is a coral reef actually made of? What microscopic creatures take shelter in the coral and become its food? Which coral reef resident has stinging tentacles? And which huge creature visits the reef to have its dead skin and parasites nibbled away by a fishy clean-up crew? Packed with facts, core-curriculum information, and fantastic photographs that support the text, this title takes readers on a mini safari around a coral reef. Like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle, readers will discover how the living things that make this habitat their home depend on each other and their environment for survival.
REVIEW
This gorgeous book about coral reefs makes for an interesting read, but the real winner is the amazing illustrations that give the reader a glimpse into a fascinating animal habitat. With coral being a living creature it makes sense that coral reefs are always growing. The problem is that they are being destroyed much faster than they can be built. And the incredible biodiversity found among coral reefs is astounding and irreplaceable. This book takes a look at several of the elements that make up this special ecosystem. The book covers what coral is, what are sea anemones, how birds, turtles, and whales make use of the coral reef environment. A food web diagram, glossary, index, as well as additional resources are also included.
Eco-Disasters
by Kevin Blake
Bearport, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-68402-222-9
Source: publisher for review
Ages 6-9
Picture book nonfiction
All opinions expressed are solely my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK
In 1963, Les Skramstad came home after a hard day's work at the local mill and mine in Libby, Montana. His wife kissed him at the door and his kids playfully grabbed his legs. They didn't mind that he was covered in powdery brown dust. Little did Les and his family know that the dust was deadly. Deadly Mine: Libby, Montana traces the tragic story of a small mining town that eventually became poisoned by a deadly mineral called asbestos. Fascinating photos of the actual events, maps, and fact boxes enrich the compelling text. The personal and heart-breaking story will grip and inspire young readers.
REVIEW
This book presents the shocking story of a town brought to it's knees by the very thing that helped make it possible. Mining is a dangerous profession, but when miners carry home a poisonous dust, mining becomes deadly for everyone. Not only is the story eye-opening but it carries a powerful reminder of the importance of environmental stewardship. The company that came to own the mine did nothing about the poisoning of the whole town, even after they knew about it. The book documents the discovery and use of the mine followed by information about the discovery of its dangers and the efforts now underway to help clean up the mess. Unfortunately, those exposed will continue to deal with the nasty aftereffects of this environmental disaster. This is an important story that makes for a quick and easy read but leaves the reader wondering about the future of the human race.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The glowing moon peeks from behind a massive stone house. The front door slowly creaks open. A feeling of gloom swells from inside the home. There's an ear-splitting shriek! What horror has overtaken this ghastly gothic mansion? In the 11 gothic mansions in this book, you will explore a mansion lit up by phantom fires, the stately site of a brutal double murder, a cliff-side castle where the ghost of a girl lingers, a house filled with human remains, and many other spooky sites.
REVIEW
Eleven mansions and their ghostly stories are presented in this rather fascinating book. A photograph of each location along with a brief description of the events that supposedly happened their give the reader just enough information to make him/her wonder about their reality. This is the sort of book that young readers who want to be scared and who prefer nonfiction books enjoy. The book is nicely designed and works well for reluctant readers.
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