| 
Children’s
Books that Teach
By Holly E. Newton
There
is so much to understand about this wonderful world, and books become
one of the most vital ingredients in learning. Here is a list of
some outstanding nonfiction books about animals and other subjects
that are good for ages 7 through adult.
Hyperion
has recently published Disney Learning: Wonderful World of
Animals, by Dr. Donald Moore. This beautifully photographed
book is full of information that has a format kids will enjoy.
There’s just enough text on each page that will invite kids through
adult to read more about the animal being highlighted. The sections
include the following categories: mammals, birds, fish & sea
creatures, amphibians & reptiles, and insects. Each page is
filled with color and photos, making this book a must on family
bookshelves!
And
take a walk on the wild side when you open Rain Forest,
by Jinny Johnson and Dr. Nalini Nadkarni. This magical
book takes you to a place few have ever visited — the tops of the
rain forest. All along the way the majesty and wonderment that
surround this deep green world is captured on each and every page.
The life in this forest will breathe new life into every reader.
Click to Buy
 There
are some animals you wouldn’t want to cross paths with. Dangerous
Creatures, by Angela Wilkes, is filled with animals, large
and small, that kids love to learn about. The book is divided into
three chapter headings — tooth and claw, small but deadly and venomous
creatures. The photos fill the pages with vibrant colors and will
attract even the most reluctant reader!
And
while we’re on the subject of dangerous animals, The Best
Book of Big Cats, by Christiani Gunzi, is a small sized
book with loads of information about the large cats of the jungle.
Ms. Gunzi also wrote The Best Book of Whales and Dolphins
in a similar format and size.
With
springtime at our door, the world is bursting with new life. Children
are filled with wonder at the life changes of caterpillars. Here
is a book that explains and showcases these and other animal changes
— I Wonder Why: Caterpillars Eat so Much and other Questions
about Life Cycles. This book, by Belinda Weber, answers
this and many other questions that kids will really enjoy learning
about.
Some
of these questions include “Why do kangaroos have pouches?”,
“Where do baby sharks live?” and “Why are frogs so noisy?”
Be sure to check out other “I Wonder Why” books in this
series.
Here
are two picture books that will surely enlighten the reader. Being
Caribou: Five Months on Foot with a Caribou Herd, by Karsten
Heuer, is an account of the author and his wife trekking across
the upper regions of Canada
and Alaska in order to follow a herd of caribou. This
amazing account details the thousands of miles this large herd travels,
and the tremendous amount of danger and difficulty they face, in
order to arrive to their one safe haven — Alaska’s Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge. The Heuers wanted to create more awareness of
this refuge and protect it from oil drilling. They accomplished
more than just awareness! This traveling account will not soon
be forgotten.
Clarabelle:
Making Milk and so Much More, by
Cris Peterson, and with photographs by David R. Lundquist, shows
kids the sophisticated process of making milk, as well as methane
to power generators. You may think about this book long after a
drink of milk.
Click
to Buy
 The rest of these books are factually based with information
about many facets of the world. 1,000 Questions & Answers: An Essential Reference
for Inquisitive Minds, published by Kingfisher,
is the perfect traveling book. The size, though thick, is on
the smaller side and the subjects cut across the gambit of topics.
Some of the chapters are about inventions, transportation and
dinosaurs. The format is kid-friendly and interesting!
Egypt, by
Stephen Biesty, is another cross-section oversized book that you
could spend hours looking at and dissecting. Biesty is the master
at slicing in half buildings for your eye to behold the insides
of the structure. This book will take you back to 1230 B.C.,
as you journey up the Nile River to see all the lifestyles during
the reign of Ramses the Great.
Click to Buy
 Simon & Schuster has a wonderful “Insider” learning series
with two new books out. Volcanoes & Earthquakes,
by Ken Rubin, and Knights and Castles, by
Philip Dixon, are both geared for the child with the inquisitive
mind. The layout of both is brilliant and should be required
reading for schools!
And lastly, Diving
to a Deep-Sea Volcano, by Kenneth Mallory,
is a fascinating look into the deepest and most unknown part of
our world — the Atlantic Ocean, where there’s more seismic activity
than any other ocean. Here the author explores unusual formations
and life forms. This book is perfect for your underwater explorer!
Return
to Top of Article
Click
here to sign up for Meridian's FREE email updates
©
2008 Meridian Magazine.
All Rights Reserved.
|
