Bookworms - January 08

Truth be Told

By Kate Marley
Ah, the joy of research! It’s the treasure hunt for knowledge that most kids only recognize as the search for good grades on book reports and science projects or to dress up the biographies that are usually assigned this time of year. While no one should underestimate the value of good grades, one should never lose sight of the undeniable joy of trivia.
Here are some books to spark that joy of non-fiction. |

Picture Books

While a Tree Grew
By Elaine Rice Bachmann, Tidewater Publishers, c2006.
With beautiful illustrations by Kim Harrell, this is an easy book about the life of Maryland’s famous Wye Oak, which lived for more than 400 years. From it’s beginning as a seedling near the ancient Choptank Trail, through the arrival of European settlers and the growth of America, the tree was a silent witness to much of our state’s history.

Tuttle’s Red Barn
By Richard Michelson, Putnam, c2007.
In 1632, John Tuttle arrived in Dover, N.H. and began a farm. This book briefly chronicles the 12 generations of Tuttles who have kept the farm and been part of America’s history. Colorful woodcut artwork by Mary Azarian illustrates the changes to one of America’s oldest family farms.

Where In The Wild?
By David M. Schwartz and Yael Schy, Tricycle Press, c2007.
Literally a hunt-and-find book, this engaging combination of “ear-tickling poems” and stunning photography by Dwight Kuhn will challenge youngsters to find the camouflaged critters lurking on each double-page spread. Then, a fold-out page with grayed background cleverly reveals each creature along with some interesting information.

Different Like Coco
By Elizabeth Matthews, Candlewick Press, c2007.
Apparently, she was more than just a fashion designer. Coco Chanel grew from a poor, despised orphan to become a worldwide authority on women’s wear. We have Coco (and a few other factors) to thank for the demise of the corset and huge multilayered dresses in favor of the little black dress, along with other more sensible women’s clothing. Strikingly illustrated by the author, readers will have a new appreciation for the power of different.

Viking Longship
By Mick Manning, Frances Lincoln, US c2007.
This simple introduction to Viking culture is a fascinating look at an often misunderstood and frequently stereotyped people. Detailed and sometimes dramatic artwork by Brita Granstrom is an excellent match for this interesting book sure to intrigue curious children.

Transitional Books

Janusz Korczak’s Children
By Gloria Spielman, Kar-Ben, c2007.
By the time Adolf Hitler came into power, Janusz Korczak had been a beloved doctor, author, and radio personality known by millions for more than three decades, even outside his native Poland. Helping children had always been his life’s work, so even when given a chance to save his own life, he stayed with the children of his orphanage as the Nazis marched them to Treblinka. Matthew Archambault illustrates this sad yet inspiring story of a greathearted man.

Cowboys and Coffin Makers
By Laurie Coulter, Annick Press, c2007.
This fascinating book about jobs in 19th-century America focuses on regular people and their everyday jobs. Some are familiar, such as doctors, teachers or farmers. Some jobs are familiar but outdated, such as the cowboy, blacksmith, or laundress. And then there are the strange ones, such as limner, hogee, or breaker boy. The author’s tart comments on child labor, slavery, and forced laborers acknowledge the quality of the jobs fueled by racism and sexism. The illustrations by Martha Newbigging are like the book—entertaining as well as educational.

Steve Irwin: Wildlife Warrior
By June Eding, Price Stern & Sloan, c2007.
This unauthorized biography of the popular crocodile hunter from Australia gives fans some background about one of their favorite TV stars. Liberally illustrated with photos and short information inserts about animals in Australia, it’s an interesting, if short, look at one of this era’s most colorful and memorable personalities.

Books for Older Kids

Bright Side
By Max Sindell, Health Communications, Inc., c2007.
Subtitled “surviving your parents’ divorce,” the author gives practical advice on just that. And growing up as a child of multiple divorces, he knows the frustration, the insecurity, and the anger. He also knows the advantages and the up side that can come sometimes with an extended family network.

Dogs for Kids!
By Kristin Mehus-Roe, Bowtie Press, c2007.
Even children who don’t have dogs love to read about them, and this book delivers a little bit of everything, from choosing a dog, to taking care of puppies, to feeding, to grooming, etc. Yes, lots of books cover this same material, but the bright pictures, sensible layout, excellent index, and bonus CD all make this a very worthwhile book.

All Made Up
By Audrey D. Brashich, Walker, c2006.
Why do all those girls in the magazines and media seem the same? Why are American girls being brainwashed into believing that what they look like is not good enough? Would you believe…money? The author talks about the links between advertising, pop media, and the perceptions of beauty. As a former model who once worked for major teen magazines, she has a great deal of credibility. Hopefully, this book will help lots of girls see “through the celebrity hype and celebrate real beauty” that’s not made up.

An Inconvenient Truth
By Al Gore, Viking, c2007.
Adapted for younger readers from his adult book of the same title, this sobering look at global warning might encourage kids to try and be more responsible stewards of the Earth than previous generations.

Disguised: A Wartime Memoir
By Rita la Fontaine de Clercq Zubli, Candlewick, c2007.
Rita was 12 when the Japanese were poised to take over Indonesia in 1942. Her father was afraid that she would be conscripted as a comfort woman—a sex slave for the army—and so turned Rita into Rick. A new haircut and boy’s clothes were just the beginning of Rita’s three years of desperate deception. Like many other civilian prisoners, her family was kept in concentration camps most of the time. As the oldest child, Rita cared for her sick mother and two younger brothers when their father was taken away. It’s a little known part of World War II history that shows the sad impact of war on children. BC

Kate@BaltimoresChild.com

© Baltimore's Child Inc. 2008