Learning More about Flying Squirrels, Cosmic Light Shows, and Other Science-Related Topics from Trade Books
A Book Review Column
Linda D. Labbo
Reviews Section Editor
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia, USA
Michelle Andersen Francis
Guest Reviewer
Editor's Note: Trade books that relate to particular content areas offer qualitatively different opportunities for children to construct knowledge than do textbooks. For example, many trade books use the sort of informal language patterns that resonate with children. Specialized vocabulary terms, which frequently are defined formally in textbooks, are often contextualized in descriptions, rich examples, and illustrations in trade books. The richness of trade books can also filter to other aspects of classroom life. For example, trade books may be used as a springboard for unit studies, or they may serve as a focal point for a classroom center. Perhaps most important, trade books have the potential to offer young students an entryway into the wonders of science, history, math, geography, or any of the other content areas.
Reviewed by Michelle Andersen Francis, a graduate student at the University of Georgia who is interested in reading in the content areas, the books featured in this column all relate to different areas of science.
Reviewer's Note: The books reviewed below are recent publications that may be especially effective for instructing children in science concepts. Many deal with different environments, both on Earth and beyond. Some inform young readers in a style reminiscent of realistic fiction. For example, what child could resist learning about the life of woodland creatures through the eyes of the little squirrel in Flying Squirrel at Acorn Place? Other books, such as Volcanoes and Cosmic Light Shows, are written in the style of informational text and offer stunning pictures and subject-specific vocabulary. There are many ways to use these books, in class read-alouds, peer discussion groups, or sustained silent reading. Enjoy!
The books reviewed are as follows:
Where possible, links to authors' and publishers' websites are provided. Clicking on any of these links will open a new browser window.
Bluestem Horizon: A Story of a Tallgrass Prairie. Written by Evelyn Lee; illustrated by Krista Brauckmann-Towns. Norwalk, CT: Soundprints, 1998. ISBN 1-56899-595-4. Unpaged. Also available packaged with an audiocassette. Recommended for ages 4 to 11.
The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve of Oklahoma, USA, is depicted in this moving story of a young bison searching for his herd. After a strong summer storm, which produces a raging tornado, separates Young Bison and three friends from the herd, they must find their way back in order to survive the harsh conditions on the prairie. In their journeys, they watch a coyote stalk its jackrabbit prey, a greater prairie chicken search for food, and a white-tailed deer run for shelter. Finally, the bison find the herd, and Young Bison soon discovers that his mother has given birth to a new calf -- he has a new sister! The herd travels on, and the adventure continues as readers find Young Bison and the herd narrowly escaping a September prairie fire. Soon, when winter begins to show its face on the prairie, vegetation becomes scarce. Only as a herd can the bison find enough food to live through the winter.
Beautiful illustrations show the gradual change from summer to winter. At the end of the book the illustrator has created a painting of a full prairie, where all the animals encountered in the story are labeled and in their natural environment. This fantastic book is a “keeper,” and students will be want to read it both to follow the story of Young Bison and to learn about the habitat in which he lives.
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Cosmic Light Shows. Written by Bobbie Kalman and April Fast. New York: Crabtree, 1999. ISBN 0-8650-5680-3. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Pictures in this book, courtesy of NASA and the National Optical Astronomy Observatories, are “out-of-this-world” fantastic. Children and adults who examine the text and pictures will learn about aspects of space as an environment and will find information on such things as galaxies, light years, and supernovae. The book contains a table of contents to direct students to specific topics; there is also a glossary of important vocabulary words and an index indicating where to find more details about particular words and concepts. For teachers, the book can prompt many ideas for lessons on aspects of the universe. For example, students could walk through the life of a star, decipher the secrets of auroras, or learn more about the Northern Lights.
Some students are more interested in space than others, but for those who constantly ask difficult and sometimes abstract space-related questions, this is the right book. The authors explain “what makes a star,” how a solar eclipse occurs, and how comets are created. These days, when movies and television programs about other worlds and disastrous galactic events are commonplace, students need to develop an understanding of what actually goes on in space. This book can help.
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Dougal Dixon's Dinosaurs: Updated Edition. Written by Dougal Dixon. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills, 1998. ISBN 1-56397-722-2. 160 pages. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Whether it is finding out about the sharp teeth of the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex or the graceful flight of the pterodactyls, children and adults have long loved to read about dinosaurs. In Dougal Dixon's newest dinosaur book, he describes the earth's evolution, the birth of dinosaurs, and the possible reasons behind their mass extinction so many millions of years ago. At the beginning of each chapter, he provides a brief time line describing the different periods -- like the Jurassic and the Cretaceous -- in the age of the dinosaurs. Individual pages outline different dinosaurs, describing mating habits, diet, and habitat. Later in the book, Dixon explains how people first learned that enormous animals inhabited the earth long before humans, and how the study of dinosaurs has developed. The author also compares species of dinosaurs to present-day animals; the Shunosaurus is like the elephant, for example, since both travel in large herds.
One of the most interesting aspects of the book are the questions at the end. Dixon asks such things as “Which dinosaur had the biggest skull?” and “Which dinosaur had the biggest teeth?” These are the kinds of questions an inquiring mind may want answered. They are also possible quick questions to ask to set the mood during a unit on dinosaurs.
While the complex vocabulary may pose a problem for some students, the fascinating descriptions of various dinosaurs and the detailed drawings will certainly pique the imagination. This book would make a useful resource for a thematic unit on dinosaurs. During such units, students often conduct small-group investigations of one aspect of a larger question or topic. Many of the questions could be researched using this book as a primary source, with other media available to expand the answers.
Dinosaurs are exciting, and Dougal Dixon makes them almost come alive for the reader in this updated edition. This is a must-have book for any classroom where the mysterious large beasts are studied.
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Flying Squirrel at Acorn Place. Written by Barbara Gaines Winkelman; illustrated by Kristin Kest. Norwalk, CT: Soundprints, 1998. ISBN 1-56899-671-3. 32 pages. Also available packaged with an audiocassette. Recommended for ages 4 to 9.
Flying Squirrel takes us with him on his nightly journey through the air and trees over Acorn Place. Although this book has the tone of an adventure story, it is actually a factual guidebook to understanding the life of the flying squirrel. The rich illustrations draw readers into the squirrel's world as he searches for food, escapes predators, and makes a new nest. Students will discover that Flying Squirrel has many different nests in his territory -- some are used for eating, others for sleeping, and some for storing food. Readers will enjoy the pictures of Flying Squirrel taking flight in his attempt to outsmart his enemy the owl, and the sight of Flying Squirrel gnawing on his acorn meal late at night.
If you live in the eastern half of the United States or southeastern or south-central Canada, this book would make an exciting beginning to a unit on local wildlife. Students may wonder how these magnificent creatures manage to fly despite the fact that they have no wings. The author explains this in a way students can understand, showing an example of Flying Squirrel gliding through the air. The book also has a glossary and a list of facts about flying squirrels. Students may want to read this engaging nonfiction book on their own, or perhaps use it as an inspiration for writing their own description of a sequence in Flying Squirrel's life.
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Let's Go Fishing in the Ocean. Written by George Travis. Vero Beach, FL: Rourke Books, 1998. ISBN 0-8659-3463-0. 24 pages. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.
Do you know children who are interested in fishing? Are they fascinated by different types of fish and anglers? This is the book they need for their library. The author describes the ocean environment and all the different ways one can fish there, from surfcasting to trolling to drift fishing -- which the author asserts is the best way to catch a shark. Students will love the bright pictures of fish mingled with adventure shots of people pulling in the “big one.” The final page offers a note on safety when fishing in the ocean, emphasizing the serious dangers that can be involved. A list of vocabulary allows students to add unfamiliar words to their own fishing journals, and a glossary provides concrete definitions that would be easy to put into use in the classroom.
This book could be used to complement a unit on the ocean. Students can question whether ocean fishing is acceptable, or whether it destroys the delicate balance of ocean life. One of the pictures that held my attention depicted four men hauling in a tuna. It really put the immense size of ocean fish in perspective. The final pages of the book give a list of major ocean game fish and their statistics, including size, color, and location. These and many other features make this a necessary book for any avid young angler.
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Monarch Magic! Butterfly Activities and Nature Discoveries. Written by Lynn M. Rosenblatt. Charlotte, VA: Williamson, 1998. ISBN 1-88559-323-6. 96 pages. Recommended for ages 5 to 10.
Getting children interested in a subject can often be difficult, but with this book they will become involved with butterflies in more ways than just by reading the text. The author presents the amazing life of the monarch in colorful photographs and labeled diagrams. Intermingled are ideas for activities -- such things as art projects, “monarch journals,” and plans for environmental activism. Images of class monarch-viewing excursions swirl around instructions for starting a “Monarch Club.”
This book describes the life of a monarch from beginning to end. Students learn how important the milkweed is to the monarch, since it is what caterpillars munch during their journey to adulthood. They also learn that there are many milkweed plants destroyed each day, but that activism and organized preservation can help.
I envision this book as a class read-aloud, possibly with pauses to allow discussion on pressing issues. Teachers and students could consider raising a monarch in the classroom, observing each stage of its growth and development and then releasing it into the wild. If you aren't quite sure how to raise a monarch, the book gives detailed instructions on how to assure the butterfly's health and safety. The focus on environmental activism will help students understand why conservation is necessary to future life on our planet. The book is sure to engage students in dialogue about nature, learning, and environmentalism.
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Motherlove. Written by Virginia Kroll; illustrated by Lucia Washburn. Nevada City, CA: Dawn Publications, 1998. ISBN 1-8832-2081-5. Unpaged. Recommended for ages 2 to 8.
“Some mothers are furry. Some mothers are purry; all mothers are wonderfully warm.” So starts this touching book about mothers in the animal kingdom. The gentle, detailed illustrations depict mothers with their contented young in forests, on cliffs, and in caves. The text gives the aura of having been written by a mother who lovingly placed words on the page in honor of her own special children. Motherlove radiates peace and tenderness, and children will find the words comforting.
The book has large, boldface, easy-to-read text in lilting rhyme that will appeal to children, who are naturally drawn to rhythms. Under this bold text is smaller, italicized print that elaborates on the type of animal depicted and what makes mothers of that species so special. For example, when discussing the white-tailed deer, the authors point out that these mothers “nudge and prod their young, encouraging them to stand strongly on their own.” The elaboration thus provides an effective starting point for further discussion on a particular animal and its habits.
Mothers -- and, indeed, families in general -- are a sensitive topic, but this book can help open communication in the classroom. Reading this book aloud might help normally silent children feel they can talk about their home lives and their own caregivers. The book even offers a stance on step-parents, grandparents, and other possible nurturing forces in the lives of the young: “Some 'moms' needn't even be mothers at all, but grannies or friends, even aunties. But however they're known, they put heart into homes.” Hearing students talk about their lives may help teachers understand where children stand as learners. This is an excellent book to have tucked away for a day when students need soothing, peaceful words.
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Poison Dart Frogs. Written and illustrated by Jennifer Owings Dewey. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills, 1998. ISBN 1-56397-655-2. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 5 to 10.
All frogs are fantastic, but the brilliant colors and danger associated with poison dart frogs make them especially thrilling. This book, filled with colored-pencil sketches of various species of these frogs, describes their habitat in the rain forest, their essential function for native peoples, and their unique method of reproduction. Students will be intrigued by the way “hunters in some regions of the rain forest learned how to extract poison from these frogs,” using it to make poison darts for hunting. This is how the poison dart frog got both its name and its fame. Students could investigate further, learning about other animals hunters used and how lifestyles among native people of the rain forest changed with the introduction of guns. The subject can be elaborated to include exploration of the ethics of Western societies' introducing things to other, supposedly less developed, peoples.
Another topic for exploration is poison dart frogs' ways of nurturing their young. Some frogs abandon their eggs, leaving them to any predator, while other frogs sit and wait for their babies to mature. The author points out that the frogs are not poisonous until they have developed their full colors, which means the young are vulnerable until that point. Also, readers may be surprised to learn that these frogs do not develop poison if they are kept in captivity. Uncovering this information may lead students to discuss the necessity of preserving the rain forest and leaving animals in their natural habitats. This book is a good conversation starter, and students will continue to refer to it to gather information about the interesting story of the poison dart frogs.
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Seeing Stars: The McDonald Observatory -- Its Science & Astronomers. Written by Mark Mitchell. Austin, TX: Eakin, 1997. ISBN 1-5716-8117-5. 100 pages. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
The first astronomers to visit the observatory at the highest point in Texas' Davis Mountains claimed that the stars “shone so fiercely and seemed so close that a visitor might try to throw his hat and hit a few of them.” So starts this in-depth story of the McDonald Observatory and all the changes it has weathered in its service to astronomers and the fascinating things they discover about space.
The author interweaves the building of the observatory with facts about atoms, gravity, gases, and other basic components of the universe. Younger children will find some sections hard to read and understand -- as will some adults who have little or no science background. Difficult parts of the book should probably be read aloud, interspersed with teacher explanation and further illustration. The history of the observatory could also be used as a way to track the progression of astronomy in the United States.
An explanation of how astronomers use light as a means of discovery is found toward the middle of the book. The author does a good job of illustrating the facts with stories of people who are uncovering previously unknown aspects of the universe. In fact, the author takes the reader to McDonald Observatory for a glimpse into the life of an astronomer. Students might be shocked to learn that, at observatories, astronomers sleep all day, work all night, and face strong competition for use of the large telescopes they need to investigate even small pieces of space.
There are a few pages of color pictures and many black and white, but all show interesting snapshots of such things as galaxies and supernovae not often seen by the general public. This book makes an excellent reference for those students actively searching for new knowledge about the mysterious universe.
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The Tremendous Tree Book. Written by Barbara Brenner and May Garelick; illustrated by Fred Brenner. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills, 1998. ISBN 1-56397-718-4. 40 pages. Recommended for ages 2 to 8.
Using construction paper cutout illustrations and rhyme, this book tells a detailed story about the lives of trees. Two narrators, a squirrel and a raccoon, add humor and facts to the overall tale. The journey begins with an acknowledgment that trees are living things, each one different from its neighbor. Then, the narrators show the reader how trees' leaves are distinct from one another. Children learn about tree history and the way trees function as nature's air conditioners. The authors demonstrate how trees are a habitat for many animals, from birds to frogs. Toward the end, students can experience how useful trees are in their daily lives through examples of products made from trees.
This book looks at issues that can be expanded into entire units. There is a brief statement about photosynthesis, for example, which a teacher may choose to use as a springboard for further research. The food chain is also discussed (although not called by that name), as are animal habitats and issues of preservation. With this range of possible topics, teachers can shape their use of this book to fit any classroom agenda. An especially good activity would be to read the book to students and ask them to pick out issues that most interest them. Younger children might enjoy reading the book repeatedly simply because of the engaging illustrations and their pleasure at being invited into the world of the “changing tree.”
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Volcanoes. Written by John Farndon. New York: DK, 1998. 128 pages. Recommended for ages 6 and up.
This small but fact-packed book will pique students' curiosity about volcanoes. The author uses pictures, both photographs and colorful diagrams, as well as “fact boxes” to keep the reader turning the pages. Included are pages about natural disasters related to volcanoes, such as tsunamis and earthquakes. Some of the most fascinating pages describe major volcanic disasters, and the author includes photographs of artifacts from actual eruptions to alert students to volcanoes' devastating effects. The “time line of discovery” gives information about individuals who contributed to the study of volcanoes, and there is a section about volcanoes in space. Not much is left out of this fascinating book, and students will want to read and reread the many details and descriptions.
Volcanoes can be used as both a secondary and a primary source for research. The glossary and elaborate index make students' searches for information easier. A unit can be built around the book, omitting parts that may not be directly relevant or hold the interest of particular students. But there is something for students of all ages in this exciting book.
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What Is a Living Thing? Written by Bobbie Kalman. New York: Crabtree, 1999. ISBN 0-8650-5879-2. 32 pages. Recommended for ages 4 to 10.
This book is a wonderful resource to use with children who are becoming curious about the scientific aspects of the world around them. Using both still photography and drawings, Bobbie Kalman offers a colorful informational book that is likely to prompt children to ask questions such as, “What do living things need?” “What are plants?” and “Where is home?” Children's inquisitiveness about classifications of animals will surely be kindled by an “Amazing Animals” page that offers a description and drawings of vertebrates and invertebrates.
Adults who introduce the book to primary grade children will likely want to point out its helpful organizational features. For example, a picture glossary and index support readers' efforts to locate specific topics. Throughout the book, boldface print highlights key vocabulary such as food chain and energy. The author also includes insightful questions that may help children grasp key concepts and understand new terms. For example, in discussing junk food, the author includes pictures of various foods to help young children learn to analyze information. Adults may also wish to tap into environmental issues by discussing one of the book's themes -- namely, the importance of water and air to our world. By discussing photographs and passages on this topic in the book, children can come to understand how imperative it is that the earth's water supplies stay unpolluted and that the air remains clean.
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Woodpeckers. Written by Lynn Stone. Vero Beach, FL: Rourke Books, 1998. 24 pages. Recommended for ages 5 to 10.
Up-close color photographs in this book show detailed facets of a fairly common backyard bird, the woodpecker. Students may have heard the bird's incessant tapping on trees outside their windows, and this book explains the how and why of this activity among the varied woodpecker species. Readers will be surprised to know that the reason the tapping doesn't hurt the bird's head is because “a woodpecker's head has muscles that cushion the blows.” Students will be surprised to learn that the sapsucker woodpecker “eats sap that oozes from the holes it hammers.” These facts are just a few of those this book delivers, while also giving basic information about the typical woodpecker's life. The bright photographs of woodpeckers in their natural habitats will entice students to learn more.
The glossary offers definitions of potentially difficult words and the index guides students to the location of desired topics. This would be an excellent resource for students who are doing research for a class project on woodpeckers. Children might be curious about where woodpeckers nest and what happens to the babies. For younger students, this can be a read-aloud book to open a unit on birds; older students can read this informational text independently.
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About the Reviewer
Michelle Andersen Francis is a graduate student at the University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA. She is completing her master's thesis on the topic of vocabulary, but is also interested in storytelling as a means of exploring diverse cultures. She also enjoys investigating issues related to content area literacy at the college level.
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Reading Online, www.readingonline.org
Posted October 1999
© 1999-2000 International Reading Association, Inc. ISSN 1096-1232