Rockwell, Anne. (2005). Illustrated by S.D. Schindler. Honey in a
hive. New York: HarperCollins. 33 pages. ISBN # 0-06-
028566-4
Award: Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, 2006
Grade: 2nd-4th
Credibility of author: This book is included in the series Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science. Text and illustrations for each of the books in the series are checked for accuracy by an expert in the relevant field.
Summary: This book describes the everyday life of honeybees. It explains the role that each kind of honeybee plays in the life cycle. The production of honey is explained in sequence from flowers to the hive.
Standards: Life Science IV: Environment and Ecology
Illustrations: Full page color
Access features: Resource page
Use: I would use this book as a read aloud while studying honeybees within an insect unit. It could be read independently by third and fourth graders and used for research.
Response: I loved the illustrations, and I believe children would be fascinated by the close-up views of the honeybees and their hive. This book is packed full of facts that both children and adults would find interesting.
Related texts: Bees (Hodge), Brililant Bees (Glasser)
Both of these books describe the life of a honeybee and their various jobs, including how they make honey.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Annotated Bibliography-Mapping the World (1 book)
Johnson, Sylvia A. (1999). Mapping the world. New York: Atheneum Books for Young
Readers. 32 pages. ISBN # 0-689-81813-0
Awards: Orbus Pictus Honor Book, 2000
Grade: 4th-7th
Credibility of author: The author credits illustrations to the Library of Congress Geography and Map Division, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Dr. Walter H.F. Smith of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Summary: This book tells the history of cartography and how maps changed as exploration and technology increased. It shows examples of maps including the oldest world map, a clay tablet from around 500 B.C., to the present day computer-generated maps using satellites.
Standards: Social Studies III: People, Places, and Environments
Illustrations: colored photographs of maps and satellite photos
Access features: Table of contents, credits, resources
Use: During the study of map skills in American history or geography
Response: I learned a lot about the history of cartography. After reading this book, I am amazed at how early cartographers were able to map out an unknown world with such accuracy. It’s easy for us to remember the shape of Italy or the continent of Africa, because we have seen them on maps all of our lives. How were people able to figure these shapes out just by sailing a ship around them? Cartographers of today have it so much easier with the satellite imaging, computers, and the history left behind by these early masters.
Related texts:
Readers. 32 pages. ISBN # 0-689-81813-0
Awards: Orbus Pictus Honor Book, 2000
Grade: 4th-7th
Credibility of author: The author credits illustrations to the Library of Congress Geography and Map Division, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Dr. Walter H.F. Smith of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Summary: This book tells the history of cartography and how maps changed as exploration and technology increased. It shows examples of maps including the oldest world map, a clay tablet from around 500 B.C., to the present day computer-generated maps using satellites.
Standards: Social Studies III: People, Places, and Environments
Illustrations: colored photographs of maps and satellite photos
Access features: Table of contents, credits, resources
Use: During the study of map skills in American history or geography
Response: I learned a lot about the history of cartography. After reading this book, I am amazed at how early cartographers were able to map out an unknown world with such accuracy. It’s easy for us to remember the shape of Italy or the continent of Africa, because we have seen them on maps all of our lives. How were people able to figure these shapes out just by sailing a ship around them? Cartographers of today have it so much easier with the satellite imaging, computers, and the history left behind by these early masters.
Related texts:
Annotated Bibliography-Big Cats by Dorothy Patent
Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw. (2005). Illustrated by Kendahl Jan Junn. Big Cats. New York:
Walker and Company. 32 pages. ISBN-10: 0-8027-8969-2
Award: Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, 2006
Grade: 3rd-5th
Credibility of author:
Summary: This book provides both general and specific information about the big cats that roam the Earth. Inset maps are used to show where these cats exist today. Information boxes provide the scientific names, sizes, and weights of the big cats.
Standards: Life Science IV: Environment and Ecology
Illustrations/graphics: full-page watercolor illustrations with inset maps and information
Access features: Subject index, inserted information
Use: Independent reading and research while studying mammals or endangered species
Response: This book was quite informative and interesting. I especially liked the inset maps and additional information, so that I could compare the different cats.
Related texts:
Walker and Company. 32 pages. ISBN-10: 0-8027-8969-2
Award: Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, 2006
Grade: 3rd-5th
Credibility of author:
Summary: This book provides both general and specific information about the big cats that roam the Earth. Inset maps are used to show where these cats exist today. Information boxes provide the scientific names, sizes, and weights of the big cats.
Standards: Life Science IV: Environment and Ecology
Illustrations/graphics: full-page watercolor illustrations with inset maps and information
Access features: Subject index, inserted information
Use: Independent reading and research while studying mammals or endangered species
Response: This book was quite informative and interesting. I especially liked the inset maps and additional information, so that I could compare the different cats.
Related texts:
Annotated Bibliography-Red Eyes or Blue Feathers by Patricia Stockland
Strickland, Patricia. (2005). Illustrated by Todd Ouren. Red eyes or blue feathers: a book
about animal colors. Minneapolis, MN: Picture Window Books. 24 pages.
ISBN # 1-4048-0931-7
Award: Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, 2006
Grade: Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd
Credibility of author: The author acknowledges help from the Zoological Society of San Diego.
Summary: This book describes a variety of animals and how their colors help them to survive in the wild. There are also interesting facts presented about each animal.
Standards: Life Science IV: Environment and Ecology
Illustrations: digitally prepared, full-page colored illustrations resembling sculpted paper collages
Access features: Glossary, subject index, resources
Use: Teacher read aloud for kindergarten and first grade. Use for reviewing colors in kindergarten. Second graders could use for shared and independent reading.
Response: This book would be an excellent tool for introducing the concept of camouflage. The large text, vivid illustrations, and interesting subject matter would hold young children’s attention.
Related text: I See Animals Hiding (Arnosky), What Color Is Camoflage?(Otto), and
Animal Camouflage and Defense (Petty) all relate to the subject of animal camoflage.
Other books in the Animal Wise series are as follows:
Pointy, Long, or Round: A Book About Animal Shapes
Sand, Leaf, or Coral Reef: A Book About Animal Habitats
Strange Dances and Long Flights: A Book About Animal Behavior
Stripes, Spots, or Diamonds: A Book About Animal Patterns
Swing, Slither, or Swim: A Book About Animal Movements
about animal colors. Minneapolis, MN: Picture Window Books. 24 pages.
ISBN # 1-4048-0931-7
Award: Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12, 2006
Grade: Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd
Credibility of author: The author acknowledges help from the Zoological Society of San Diego.
Summary: This book describes a variety of animals and how their colors help them to survive in the wild. There are also interesting facts presented about each animal.
Standards: Life Science IV: Environment and Ecology
Illustrations: digitally prepared, full-page colored illustrations resembling sculpted paper collages
Access features: Glossary, subject index, resources
Use: Teacher read aloud for kindergarten and first grade. Use for reviewing colors in kindergarten. Second graders could use for shared and independent reading.
Response: This book would be an excellent tool for introducing the concept of camouflage. The large text, vivid illustrations, and interesting subject matter would hold young children’s attention.
Related text: I See Animals Hiding (Arnosky), What Color Is Camoflage?(Otto), and
Animal Camouflage and Defense (Petty) all relate to the subject of animal camoflage.
Other books in the Animal Wise series are as follows:
Pointy, Long, or Round: A Book About Animal Shapes
Sand, Leaf, or Coral Reef: A Book About Animal Habitats
Strange Dances and Long Flights: A Book About Animal Behavior
Stripes, Spots, or Diamonds: A Book About Animal Patterns
Swing, Slither, or Swim: A Book About Animal Movements
Annotated Bibliography-One Night in the Coral Sea
Collard, Sneed B. (2005). Illustrated by Robin Brickman. One night in the coral sea.
Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge. 32 pages. ISBN# 1-57091-389-7
Award: Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12, 2006
Grade: 3rd-6th
Credibility of author: The author acknowledges thanks to scientists and managers working at Lizard Island Research Station.
Summary: This beautifully illustrated book takes readers through the life cycle of coral while giving a detailed explanation of coral and how a coral reef is formed. It shows readers many of the other colorful sea creatures that call the coral reef home.
Standards: Life Science IV: Environment and Ecology
Illustrations: Three-dimensional illustrations made of paper painted and sculpted by Robin Brickman
Access features: Glossary, subject index, resources
Use: Students could use this book for independent reading and research while studying a unit on oceans, ecology, or endangered species.
Response: I loved the colorful sculpted paper illustrations. The author did an excellent job explaining about coral and coral reefs in a way that children can grasp the concept. It was packed full of factual information presented in an interesting way.
Related texts: Another book by this author on the same subject is Lizard Island: Science and Scientists on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Also, Coral Reefs: Earth’s Undersea Treasures by Laurence Pringle would provide more study on this subject.
Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge. 32 pages. ISBN# 1-57091-389-7
Award: Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12, 2006
Grade: 3rd-6th
Credibility of author: The author acknowledges thanks to scientists and managers working at Lizard Island Research Station.
Summary: This beautifully illustrated book takes readers through the life cycle of coral while giving a detailed explanation of coral and how a coral reef is formed. It shows readers many of the other colorful sea creatures that call the coral reef home.
Standards: Life Science IV: Environment and Ecology
Illustrations: Three-dimensional illustrations made of paper painted and sculpted by Robin Brickman
Access features: Glossary, subject index, resources
Use: Students could use this book for independent reading and research while studying a unit on oceans, ecology, or endangered species.
Response: I loved the colorful sculpted paper illustrations. The author did an excellent job explaining about coral and coral reefs in a way that children can grasp the concept. It was packed full of factual information presented in an interesting way.
Related texts: Another book by this author on the same subject is Lizard Island: Science and Scientists on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Also, Coral Reefs: Earth’s Undersea Treasures by Laurence Pringle would provide more study on this subject.
Annotated Bibliography-A Mother's Journey
Markle, Sandra. (2005). Illustrated by Alan Marks. A mother’s journey. Watertown, MA:
Charlesbridge. 32 pages. ISBN-13:978-1-57091-621-2
Grade: 2nd-4th
Credibility of author: The author acknowledges the National Science Foundation for making it possible for her to explore Antarctica. She also acknowledges Dr. Gerald Kooyman, professor emeritus at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who specializes in the diving behavior of emperor penguins.
Summary: This book begins with a female emperor penguin laying her first egg. Then, her mate takes over the job of keeping the egg warm while she joins a line of female emperor penguins as they journey off across Antarctica to the open sea in search for food. Once the mother penguin has fed, it’s a race against time to get back home and feed her newly hatched chick.
Standards: Life Science IV: Environment and Ecology
Access features: Author’s note, facts section, resources
Use: This would be a good read aloud for younger children. Third and fourth grade children could read this book independently. This would be a good book to use when researching emperor penguins due to the amount of information presented in the story, as well as, the websites and facts listed on the last page.
Response: I absolutely loved this book! Not only did I learn new information about emperor penguins, I was amazed at the struggle these cuddly creatures go through for their babies.
Related texts: The emperor lays an egg by Brenda Guiberson would be a great book to read following A Mother’s Journey because it details the baby penguin’s life from birth to adulthood. The Emperor’s Egg would be another good one to follow this book because it describes what the male experiences for two months while incubating the egg. Two other great books are Penguins: From Emperors to Macaronis by Erin Pembrey Swan and Penguin Chick by Betty Tatham.
Charlesbridge. 32 pages. ISBN-13:978-1-57091-621-2
Grade: 2nd-4th
Credibility of author: The author acknowledges the National Science Foundation for making it possible for her to explore Antarctica. She also acknowledges Dr. Gerald Kooyman, professor emeritus at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who specializes in the diving behavior of emperor penguins.
Summary: This book begins with a female emperor penguin laying her first egg. Then, her mate takes over the job of keeping the egg warm while she joins a line of female emperor penguins as they journey off across Antarctica to the open sea in search for food. Once the mother penguin has fed, it’s a race against time to get back home and feed her newly hatched chick.
Standards: Life Science IV: Environment and Ecology
Access features: Author’s note, facts section, resources
Use: This would be a good read aloud for younger children. Third and fourth grade children could read this book independently. This would be a good book to use when researching emperor penguins due to the amount of information presented in the story, as well as, the websites and facts listed on the last page.
Response: I absolutely loved this book! Not only did I learn new information about emperor penguins, I was amazed at the struggle these cuddly creatures go through for their babies.
Related texts: The emperor lays an egg by Brenda Guiberson would be a great book to read following A Mother’s Journey because it details the baby penguin’s life from birth to adulthood. The Emperor’s Egg would be another good one to follow this book because it describes what the male experiences for two months while incubating the egg. Two other great books are Penguins: From Emperors to Macaronis by Erin Pembrey Swan and Penguin Chick by Betty Tatham.
Annotated Bibliography-A Platypus, Probably
Collard, Sneed B. (2005). Illustrated by Andrew Plant. A platypus probably. Watertown,
MA: Charlesbridge. 32 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1-55091-583-3
Award: Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students, 2006
Grade: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Credibility of author: The author included a website for the Australian Platypus Conservancy
Summary: This book describes the life of a platypus as it travels down a stream in Australia. It provides interesting information such as how the platypus locates its prey by feeling the electricity from the prey’s body.
Standard/s: Life Science IV: Environment and Ecology
Illustrations: colorful, full-page illustrations done in acrylic gouache on acid-free cartridge paper
Access features: Glossary, inserted information, end notes
Use: Read aloud for grades 1-2 and independent reading for 3rd graders. Third graders could use this book for research on mammals.
Response: The illustrations used lots of soothing blues, greens, and browns that would make for a great read aloud at the end of a tiring school day or bedtime story at home.
The book’s setting is an Australian stream, so as the platypus swims down the stream, it leads you through the book. I loved that it tells a story while at the same time presents you with interesting facts about platypuses. Adults, as well as children, can learn from this book.
Related texts: Platypus!:Step into Reading (Clark)
MA: Charlesbridge. 32 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1-55091-583-3
Award: Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students, 2006
Grade: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Credibility of author: The author included a website for the Australian Platypus Conservancy
Summary: This book describes the life of a platypus as it travels down a stream in Australia. It provides interesting information such as how the platypus locates its prey by feeling the electricity from the prey’s body.
Standard/s: Life Science IV: Environment and Ecology
Illustrations: colorful, full-page illustrations done in acrylic gouache on acid-free cartridge paper
Access features: Glossary, inserted information, end notes
Use: Read aloud for grades 1-2 and independent reading for 3rd graders. Third graders could use this book for research on mammals.
Response: The illustrations used lots of soothing blues, greens, and browns that would make for a great read aloud at the end of a tiring school day or bedtime story at home.
The book’s setting is an Australian stream, so as the platypus swims down the stream, it leads you through the book. I loved that it tells a story while at the same time presents you with interesting facts about platypuses. Adults, as well as children, can learn from this book.
Related texts: Platypus!:Step into Reading (Clark)
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Annotated Bibliography #5 for Deborah Vanderford -Cesar: Si Se Puede
Bernier-Grand, Carmen T. (2004). Illustrated by David Diaz. Cesar: si se puede! yes, we
can! New York: Marshall Cavendish. 48 pages. ISBN 0-7614-5172-2
Award: 2006 Pura Belpre Honor Book
Grade level/s: 3rd, 4th, 5th
Credibility of author: The author acknowledged an online fact exchange with Julie C. Rodriguez from the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation Community Programs Office. The author also acknowledged using various archived interviews conducted with Cesar E. Chavez such as the one with Pacifica Radio Archive, 1986. The author also used many books on Cesar’s life, as well as, the California Curriculum Project, Hispanic Biographies, “Cesar E. Chavez’s Biography,” 1994.
Summary: This book is a biography with each chapter written in verse form. It follows Cesar Chavez throughout his life of poverty from his beginnings as a laborer in the fields to his work as a labor leader.
Standards: National Social Studies Standards (I, III, IV,V)
Illustrations: There are colorful illustrations on every page with an emphasis on the colors of yellow, green, and blue. The illustrations look like a combination of airbrush
and stencil.
Access features: Table of contents, subject index, glossary with Spanish translations, life story section, chronological timeline of Cesar’s life, sources, page with famous quotes by Cesar.
Use: I would use this book when teaching about migration and migrant workers in the United States. This book could also be used during a poetry unit to show students that a biography can be written in the form of poetry.
Response: My first reaction as I began reading was that this book was not that interesting to me. As I continued to read and I saw a life story evolving out of it, I began to really enjoy it. I don’t usually read these types of books, so it widened my view of what makes a good book.
Related texts: The Pot That Juan Built is a rhyming book about the life of Mexican potter Juan Quezada. It is illustrated by David Diaz, as well.
can! New York: Marshall Cavendish. 48 pages. ISBN 0-7614-5172-2
Award: 2006 Pura Belpre Honor Book
Grade level/s: 3rd, 4th, 5th
Credibility of author: The author acknowledged an online fact exchange with Julie C. Rodriguez from the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation Community Programs Office. The author also acknowledged using various archived interviews conducted with Cesar E. Chavez such as the one with Pacifica Radio Archive, 1986. The author also used many books on Cesar’s life, as well as, the California Curriculum Project, Hispanic Biographies, “Cesar E. Chavez’s Biography,” 1994.
Summary: This book is a biography with each chapter written in verse form. It follows Cesar Chavez throughout his life of poverty from his beginnings as a laborer in the fields to his work as a labor leader.
Standards: National Social Studies Standards (I, III, IV,V)
Illustrations: There are colorful illustrations on every page with an emphasis on the colors of yellow, green, and blue. The illustrations look like a combination of airbrush
and stencil.
Access features: Table of contents, subject index, glossary with Spanish translations, life story section, chronological timeline of Cesar’s life, sources, page with famous quotes by Cesar.
Use: I would use this book when teaching about migration and migrant workers in the United States. This book could also be used during a poetry unit to show students that a biography can be written in the form of poetry.
Response: My first reaction as I began reading was that this book was not that interesting to me. As I continued to read and I saw a life story evolving out of it, I began to really enjoy it. I don’t usually read these types of books, so it widened my view of what makes a good book.
Related texts: The Pot That Juan Built is a rhyming book about the life of Mexican potter Juan Quezada. It is illustrated by David Diaz, as well.
Turner, Pamela. (2005). Gorilla doctors: saving endangered great apes. New York:
Houghton Mifflin Company. 64 pages. ISBN 0-618-44555-2
Award/s:
Outstanding Science Trade Book for K-12
Flora Stieglitz Straus Nonfiction Award
ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award
An American Library Association Notable Book
Junior Library Guild Selection
Kirkus starred review
School Library Journal starred review
Horn Book starred review
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing List
Grade level/s: 3rd, 4th, 5th
Credibility of author: The author worked in the field with scientists like Dr. Lynne Gaffikin, Dr. Mike Cranfield, and Dr. Felicia Nutter. She acknowledges assistance from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Morris Animal Foundation, and the Karisoke Research Center.
Summary: This book centers around the efforts of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project to maintain a healthy gorilla population in the Virunga Mountains of east central Africa. Color photographs carry readers along on the journey of daily life for the scientists/veterinarians as they go into the forests to check on the health of their gorilla friends.
Standards: National Science Standards IV, VII
Illustrations: Vibrant, colorful photographs on each page
Access features: Chapter titles, Resource section with book titles and websites, Postscript, Acknowledgements, Subject index
Use: This book would be great for independent reading by students while studying a unit on endangered species. The websites listed under resources at the end of the book would be very useful for integrating technology into the unit. The websites would also offer information to students on how to get involved in a service project to help save the mountain gorillas.
Response: This book really evoked empathy and helped me to understand the importance of saving the mountain gorillas. It was heart wrenching to read about the effects poaching has on the gorilla families. Reading this book makes me want to involve my students in a class service project involving the Morris Animal Foundation’s Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.
Related texts: Gorillas in the Mist describes Dian Fossey’s efforts to protect the mountain gorillas. Another book on the same subject is Gorilla: Struggle for the Survival in the Virungas. Both of these books would be geared to 7th and 8th graders.
Houghton Mifflin Company. 64 pages. ISBN 0-618-44555-2
Award/s:
Outstanding Science Trade Book for K-12
Flora Stieglitz Straus Nonfiction Award
ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award
An American Library Association Notable Book
Junior Library Guild Selection
Kirkus starred review
School Library Journal starred review
Horn Book starred review
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing List
Grade level/s: 3rd, 4th, 5th
Credibility of author: The author worked in the field with scientists like Dr. Lynne Gaffikin, Dr. Mike Cranfield, and Dr. Felicia Nutter. She acknowledges assistance from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Morris Animal Foundation, and the Karisoke Research Center.
Summary: This book centers around the efforts of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project to maintain a healthy gorilla population in the Virunga Mountains of east central Africa. Color photographs carry readers along on the journey of daily life for the scientists/veterinarians as they go into the forests to check on the health of their gorilla friends.
Standards: National Science Standards IV, VII
Illustrations: Vibrant, colorful photographs on each page
Access features: Chapter titles, Resource section with book titles and websites, Postscript, Acknowledgements, Subject index
Use: This book would be great for independent reading by students while studying a unit on endangered species. The websites listed under resources at the end of the book would be very useful for integrating technology into the unit. The websites would also offer information to students on how to get involved in a service project to help save the mountain gorillas.
Response: This book really evoked empathy and helped me to understand the importance of saving the mountain gorillas. It was heart wrenching to read about the effects poaching has on the gorilla families. Reading this book makes me want to involve my students in a class service project involving the Morris Animal Foundation’s Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.
Related texts: Gorillas in the Mist describes Dian Fossey’s efforts to protect the mountain gorillas. Another book on the same subject is Gorilla: Struggle for the Survival in the Virungas. Both of these books would be geared to 7th and 8th graders.
Annotated Bibliography #3 Gorilla DoctorsTurner, Pamela. (2005). Gorilla doctors: saving endangered great apes. New York:
Turner, Pamela. (2005). Gorilla doctors: saving endangered great apes. New York:
Houghton Mifflin Company. 64 pages. ISBN 0-618-44555-2
Award/s:
Outstanding Science Trade Book for K-12
Flora Stieglitz Straus Nonfiction Award
ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award
An American Library Association Notable Book
Junior Library Guild Selection
Kirkus starred review
School Library Journal starred review
Horn Book starred review
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing List
Grade level/s: 3rd, 4th, 5th
Credibility of author: The author worked in the field with scientists like Dr. Lynne Gaffikin, Dr. Mike Cranfield, and Dr. Felicia Nutter. She acknowledges assistance from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Morris Animal Foundation, and the Karisoke Research Center.
Summary: This book centers around the efforts of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project to maintain a healthy gorilla population in the Virunga Mountains of east central Africa. Color photographs carry readers along on the journey of daily life for the scientists/veterinarians as they go into the forests to check on the health of their gorilla friends.
Standards: National Science Standards IV, VII
Illustrations: Vibrant, colorful photographs on each page
Access features: Chapter titles, Resource section with book titles and websites, Postscript, Acknowledgements, Subject index
Use: This book would be great for independent reading by students while studying a unit on endangered species. The websites listed under resources at the end of the book would be very useful for integrating technology into the unit. The websites would also offer information to students on how to get involved in a service project to help save the mountain gorillas.
Response: This book really evoked empathy and helped me to understand the importance of saving the mountain gorillas. It was heart wrenching to read about the effects poaching has on the gorilla families. Reading this book makes me want to involve my students in a class service project involving the Morris Animal Foundation’s Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.
Related texts: Gorillas in the Mist describes Dian Fossey’s efforts to protect the mountain gorillas. Another book on the same subject is Gorilla: Struggle for the Survival in the Virungas. Both of these books would be geared to 7th and 8th graders.
Houghton Mifflin Company. 64 pages. ISBN 0-618-44555-2
Award/s:
Outstanding Science Trade Book for K-12
Flora Stieglitz Straus Nonfiction Award
ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award
An American Library Association Notable Book
Junior Library Guild Selection
Kirkus starred review
School Library Journal starred review
Horn Book starred review
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing List
Grade level/s: 3rd, 4th, 5th
Credibility of author: The author worked in the field with scientists like Dr. Lynne Gaffikin, Dr. Mike Cranfield, and Dr. Felicia Nutter. She acknowledges assistance from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Morris Animal Foundation, and the Karisoke Research Center.
Summary: This book centers around the efforts of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project to maintain a healthy gorilla population in the Virunga Mountains of east central Africa. Color photographs carry readers along on the journey of daily life for the scientists/veterinarians as they go into the forests to check on the health of their gorilla friends.
Standards: National Science Standards IV, VII
Illustrations: Vibrant, colorful photographs on each page
Access features: Chapter titles, Resource section with book titles and websites, Postscript, Acknowledgements, Subject index
Use: This book would be great for independent reading by students while studying a unit on endangered species. The websites listed under resources at the end of the book would be very useful for integrating technology into the unit. The websites would also offer information to students on how to get involved in a service project to help save the mountain gorillas.
Response: This book really evoked empathy and helped me to understand the importance of saving the mountain gorillas. It was heart wrenching to read about the effects poaching has on the gorilla families. Reading this book makes me want to involve my students in a class service project involving the Morris Animal Foundation’s Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.
Related texts: Gorillas in the Mist describes Dian Fossey’s efforts to protect the mountain gorillas. Another book on the same subject is Gorilla: Struggle for the Survival in the Virungas. Both of these books would be geared to 7th and 8th graders.
Bibliography #4 Mosquito Bite (1 book)
Siy, Alexandra. (2005). Illustrated with photographs by Alexandra Siy and
Photomicrographs by Dennis Kunkel. Mosquito bite. Watertown, MA:
Charlesbridge. 32 pages. ISBN# 0-618-44555-2
Award: 2006 Selector’s Choice for Outstanding Science Trade Book
Orbis Pictus Honor Book, 2006
Grade level/s: 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Credibility of author: The author used color photographs called photomicrographs taken with a scanning electron microscope. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was used as a resource. The author acknowledged assistance from the Arthropod-Borne Disease Laboratory, and the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District of California.
Summary: This book begins with a girl and boy playing hide-and-seek outside. At the same time, they are coming into contact with a mosquito. This book simultaneously describes the life cycle of a mosquito along with the game of hide-and-seek using black and white photographs of the children and colorful micrographs of mosquitoes.
Standards: National Science Standards (IV, VII)
Illustrations: Each page includes black and white photographs along with colorful photomicrographs taken with a scanning electron microscope.
Access features: Glossary, subject index, resource section which include websites
Other features: At the end of the book, there is additional information about mosquitoes and micrographs.
Use: This book would make a good read aloud for 2nd and 3rd graders. Fourth graders could read independently. Children in 2nd-4th would enjoy studying the photomicrographs in detail. This book could be used during a unit of study on insects.
Response: The photomicrograph was a new type of illustration that I have probably seen before, but did not know what it was called. I found the colored photomicrographs to be very interesting and spent a lot of time examining them in detail. I feel this is a book that people of all ages might enjoy and gain new information.
Related text:
Photomicrographs by Dennis Kunkel. Mosquito bite. Watertown, MA:
Charlesbridge. 32 pages. ISBN# 0-618-44555-2
Award: 2006 Selector’s Choice for Outstanding Science Trade Book
Orbis Pictus Honor Book, 2006
Grade level/s: 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Credibility of author: The author used color photographs called photomicrographs taken with a scanning electron microscope. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was used as a resource. The author acknowledged assistance from the Arthropod-Borne Disease Laboratory, and the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District of California.
Summary: This book begins with a girl and boy playing hide-and-seek outside. At the same time, they are coming into contact with a mosquito. This book simultaneously describes the life cycle of a mosquito along with the game of hide-and-seek using black and white photographs of the children and colorful micrographs of mosquitoes.
Standards: National Science Standards (IV, VII)
Illustrations: Each page includes black and white photographs along with colorful photomicrographs taken with a scanning electron microscope.
Access features: Glossary, subject index, resource section which include websites
Other features: At the end of the book, there is additional information about mosquitoes and micrographs.
Use: This book would make a good read aloud for 2nd and 3rd graders. Fourth graders could read independently. Children in 2nd-4th would enjoy studying the photomicrographs in detail. This book could be used during a unit of study on insects.
Response: The photomicrograph was a new type of illustration that I have probably seen before, but did not know what it was called. I found the colored photomicrographs to be very interesting and spent a lot of time examining them in detail. I feel this is a book that people of all ages might enjoy and gain new information.
Related text:
Annotated Bibliography #3 for Gorilla Doctors (1 book)
Turner, Pamela. (2005). Gorilla doctors: saving endangered great apes. New York:
Houghton Mifflin Company. 64 pages. ISBN 0-618-44555-2
Award/s:
Outstanding Science Trade Book for K-12
Flora Stieglitz Straus Nonfiction Award
ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award
An American Library Association Notable Book
Junior Library Guild Selection
Kirkus starred review
School Library Journal starred review
Horn Book starred review
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing List
Grade level/s: 3rd, 4th, 5th
Credibility of author: The author worked in the field with scientists like Dr. Lynne Gaffikin, Dr. Mike Cranfield, and Dr. Felicia Nutter. She acknowledges assistance from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Morris Animal Foundation, and the Karisoke Research Center.
Summary: This book centers around the efforts of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project to maintain a healthy gorilla population in the Virunga Mountains of east central Africa. Color photographs carry readers along on the journey of daily life for the scientists/veterinarians as they go into the forests to check on the health of their gorilla friends.
Standards: National Science Standards IV, VII
Illustrations: Vibrant, colorful photographs on each page
Access features: Chapter titles, Resource section with book titles and websites, Postscript, Acknowledgements, Subject index
Use: This book would be great for independent reading by students while studying a unit on endangered species. The websites listed under resources at the end of the book would be very useful for integrating technology into the unit. The websites would also offer information to students on how to get involved in a service project to help save the mountain gorillas.
Response: This book really evoked empathy and helped me to understand the importance of saving the mountain gorillas. It was heart wrenching to read about the effects poaching has on the gorilla families. Reading this book makes me want to involve my students in a class service project involving the Morris Animal Foundation’s Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.
Related texts: Gorillas in the Mist describes Dian Fossey’s efforts to protect the mountain gorillas. Another book on the same subject is Gorilla: Struggle for the Survival in the Virungas. Both of these books would be geared to 7th and 8th graders.
Houghton Mifflin Company. 64 pages. ISBN 0-618-44555-2
Award/s:
Outstanding Science Trade Book for K-12
Flora Stieglitz Straus Nonfiction Award
ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award
An American Library Association Notable Book
Junior Library Guild Selection
Kirkus starred review
School Library Journal starred review
Horn Book starred review
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing List
Grade level/s: 3rd, 4th, 5th
Credibility of author: The author worked in the field with scientists like Dr. Lynne Gaffikin, Dr. Mike Cranfield, and Dr. Felicia Nutter. She acknowledges assistance from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Morris Animal Foundation, and the Karisoke Research Center.
Summary: This book centers around the efforts of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project to maintain a healthy gorilla population in the Virunga Mountains of east central Africa. Color photographs carry readers along on the journey of daily life for the scientists/veterinarians as they go into the forests to check on the health of their gorilla friends.
Standards: National Science Standards IV, VII
Illustrations: Vibrant, colorful photographs on each page
Access features: Chapter titles, Resource section with book titles and websites, Postscript, Acknowledgements, Subject index
Use: This book would be great for independent reading by students while studying a unit on endangered species. The websites listed under resources at the end of the book would be very useful for integrating technology into the unit. The websites would also offer information to students on how to get involved in a service project to help save the mountain gorillas.
Response: This book really evoked empathy and helped me to understand the importance of saving the mountain gorillas. It was heart wrenching to read about the effects poaching has on the gorilla families. Reading this book makes me want to involve my students in a class service project involving the Morris Animal Foundation’s Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.
Related texts: Gorillas in the Mist describes Dian Fossey’s efforts to protect the mountain gorillas. Another book on the same subject is Gorilla: Struggle for the Survival in the Virungas. Both of these books would be geared to 7th and 8th graders.
Annotated Bibliography #2 forShipwreck at the Bottom of the World (2 books)
Armstrong, Jennifer. (1998). Photographs by Frank Hurley. Shipwreck at the bottom of
the world; the extraordinary true story of Shackleton and the
Endurance. New York: Scholastic. 134 pages. ISBN # 0-439-10992-2
Award: Orbis Pictus Winner, 1990
Grade level/s: 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Credibility of author: The author used books written by actual members of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition in writing the book. She acknowledged assistance from the Scott Polar Institute, in Cambridge, England where she examined library and archival material relating to the expedition including diaries, Captain Worsley’s logbook, and Frank Hurley’s original photographs.
Summary: This book details the horrifying and torturous Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition lead by Sir Ernest Shackleton in his quest to be the first to cross the Antarctica from one side to the other. The expedition lasted from 1914-1916. It begins with Shackleton’s recruitment efforts and continues through his ships entrapment and eventual destruction in ice, followed by the long journey back home. The entire expedition is described in detail, including the crews’ bouts with starvation, frostbite, and insanity and their close encounters with killer whales and icebergs.
Standards: National Social Studies Standard III and state competency #1
Illustrations and Graphics: Black and white photographs of various sizes are used throughout the book. There are flow maps showing movement of the crew of the Endurance on the ocean and ice. Two pages include copies of scaled-down original blueprint plans of Endurance.
Access features: Table of contents, chapter titles, acknowledgements, bibliography, subject index, author’s note
Use: This book would be great to integrate with a unit about explorers. Because it is written in chronological order, using this book as a read aloud and reading a chapter a day to students would be exciting to them. It could also be read independently.
Response: This book was full of descriptive details that made for an interesting read. Each chapter made you anxious for the next to see what the crew was going to encounter. When reading this book aloud to children, I think it would be best to break the reading up into smaller chunks rather than reading several chapters in one sitting. Reading too much at one time left me feeling mentally drained and somewhat depressed with the overload of so many bad events.
Related text: The Perilous Journey of the Donner Party by Marian Calabro is written for ages 9-12. It follows the same theme of struggle and survival against all odds.
the world; the extraordinary true story of Shackleton and the
Endurance. New York: Scholastic. 134 pages. ISBN # 0-439-10992-2
Award: Orbis Pictus Winner, 1990
Grade level/s: 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th
Credibility of author: The author used books written by actual members of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition in writing the book. She acknowledged assistance from the Scott Polar Institute, in Cambridge, England where she examined library and archival material relating to the expedition including diaries, Captain Worsley’s logbook, and Frank Hurley’s original photographs.
Summary: This book details the horrifying and torturous Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition lead by Sir Ernest Shackleton in his quest to be the first to cross the Antarctica from one side to the other. The expedition lasted from 1914-1916. It begins with Shackleton’s recruitment efforts and continues through his ships entrapment and eventual destruction in ice, followed by the long journey back home. The entire expedition is described in detail, including the crews’ bouts with starvation, frostbite, and insanity and their close encounters with killer whales and icebergs.
Standards: National Social Studies Standard III and state competency #1
Illustrations and Graphics: Black and white photographs of various sizes are used throughout the book. There are flow maps showing movement of the crew of the Endurance on the ocean and ice. Two pages include copies of scaled-down original blueprint plans of Endurance.
Access features: Table of contents, chapter titles, acknowledgements, bibliography, subject index, author’s note
Use: This book would be great to integrate with a unit about explorers. Because it is written in chronological order, using this book as a read aloud and reading a chapter a day to students would be exciting to them. It could also be read independently.
Response: This book was full of descriptive details that made for an interesting read. Each chapter made you anxious for the next to see what the crew was going to encounter. When reading this book aloud to children, I think it would be best to break the reading up into smaller chunks rather than reading several chapters in one sitting. Reading too much at one time left me feeling mentally drained and somewhat depressed with the overload of so many bad events.
Related text: The Perilous Journey of the Donner Party by Marian Calabro is written for ages 9-12. It follows the same theme of struggle and survival against all odds.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Annotated Bibliography #1 Kids at Work (2 books)
Annotated Bibliographies by Deborah Vanderford
Freedman, Russell. (1994). Photographs by Lewis Hine. Kids at work; Lewis Hine and
crusade against child labor. New York: Clarion Books. 104 pages. ISBN # 0-395-58703-4
Awards:
1995 ALA Best Book for Young Adults
1995 ALA Notable Book for Children
1994 Golden Kite Award
1995 Horn Book Fanfare Selection
1996 IRA Teacher’s Choice
1994 Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
1994 School Library Journal, Best Book of the Year
1995 Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
1994 Parenting Magazine Reading Magic Award
1995 Orbis Pictus Award
1995 Jefferson Cup Award
1994 New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
1995 Jane Adams Book Award
Grade level/s: 4th-8th
Credibility of the author: The author used photographs along with notes and selected letters made by Lewis Hine to research his book. The author acknowledges assistance from Dorrie Bernstein, National Child Labor Committee; Janet Hirschfield, Ethical Culture School; Janice Madhu, George Eastman House and others.
Summary: This is an emotion-evoking book focusing around the photographs made by Lewis Hine, an investigative photographer for the National Child Labor Committee, depicting children in the workforce in the early twentieth century. These photographs show the children covered in filth and grime from working in the coal mines, cotton fields, seafood industry, etc. It discusses the great lengths that Hine had to go to in order to photograph these children. In the end, his photographs were responsible for helping to convince Congress that child labor laws needed to be passed to protect children and give them the right to an education.
Standard/s: National standards I, II, III, IV, V; State competencies for grade 5-#2,#6
Illustrations: There are full-page photographs accompanied with captions throughout the book. The photographs were printed as duotones using black and gray ink.
Access features: Table of contents, index, bibliography, subject index, chapter titles, captions to the photographs, acknowledgments and picture credits
Use: This book would be a great resource for independent reading for 5th grade students studying about the Great Depression in American history. The photographs in this book would give students a real idea of what life was like for poor children in the early Twentieth Century and the introduce the idea the education is a privilege that should not be taken for granted.
Personal Response: This book evoked strong emotions from me. The photographs made profound statements that text alone could never have accomplished. It is a good book to make readers stop and think about what they have and not to take education for granted. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this book.
Related text: Growing Up in Coal Country by Susan Campbell Bartoletti features many photographs, some by Lewis Hine, of children working in the coal mines. Other books sharing that same theme of childhood poverty are Children of the Dustbowl and Counting on Grace.
Freedman, Russell. (1994). Photographs by Lewis Hine. Kids at work; Lewis Hine and
crusade against child labor. New York: Clarion Books. 104 pages. ISBN # 0-395-58703-4
Awards:
1995 ALA Best Book for Young Adults
1995 ALA Notable Book for Children
1994 Golden Kite Award
1995 Horn Book Fanfare Selection
1996 IRA Teacher’s Choice
1994 Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
1994 School Library Journal, Best Book of the Year
1995 Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
1994 Parenting Magazine Reading Magic Award
1995 Orbis Pictus Award
1995 Jefferson Cup Award
1994 New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
1995 Jane Adams Book Award
Grade level/s: 4th-8th
Credibility of the author: The author used photographs along with notes and selected letters made by Lewis Hine to research his book. The author acknowledges assistance from Dorrie Bernstein, National Child Labor Committee; Janet Hirschfield, Ethical Culture School; Janice Madhu, George Eastman House and others.
Summary: This is an emotion-evoking book focusing around the photographs made by Lewis Hine, an investigative photographer for the National Child Labor Committee, depicting children in the workforce in the early twentieth century. These photographs show the children covered in filth and grime from working in the coal mines, cotton fields, seafood industry, etc. It discusses the great lengths that Hine had to go to in order to photograph these children. In the end, his photographs were responsible for helping to convince Congress that child labor laws needed to be passed to protect children and give them the right to an education.
Standard/s: National standards I, II, III, IV, V; State competencies for grade 5-#2,#6
Illustrations: There are full-page photographs accompanied with captions throughout the book. The photographs were printed as duotones using black and gray ink.
Access features: Table of contents, index, bibliography, subject index, chapter titles, captions to the photographs, acknowledgments and picture credits
Use: This book would be a great resource for independent reading for 5th grade students studying about the Great Depression in American history. The photographs in this book would give students a real idea of what life was like for poor children in the early Twentieth Century and the introduce the idea the education is a privilege that should not be taken for granted.
Personal Response: This book evoked strong emotions from me. The photographs made profound statements that text alone could never have accomplished. It is a good book to make readers stop and think about what they have and not to take education for granted. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read this book.
Related text: Growing Up in Coal Country by Susan Campbell Bartoletti features many photographs, some by Lewis Hine, of children working in the coal mines. Other books sharing that same theme of childhood poverty are Children of the Dustbowl and Counting on Grace.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Kids At Work-Lewis Hine and the Crusade Against Child Labor Author: Freeman, Russell
This book focuses on the efforts of Lewis Hines, an investigative photographer for the Naional Child Labor Committee, to document the abuse of underage workers in various fields of work such as the seafood industry, coal mines, cotton mills, etc. He believed that if people could see his photographs, that they would demand changes in the laws to end this abuse.
I first chose this book because of the cover (photographs of young children working) and the subject matter. When I first picked this book up and quickly flipped through it, I thought it would take very little time to read because it had so many full page photographs. However, I found that the photographs had the opposite effect on me. I spent more time examining the photographs and thinking about what their lives must have been like than I spent on the actual text. I was drawn to each little face in the photographs. I looked at the children's eyes, which stood out due to the dirt and grime all over their faces. Even though some of the children smiled as they posed for the photographs, there was a seriousness beyond their years expressed in the eyes. I thought about how these poor little children were robbed of their childhoods. I thought about how their little bodies must have ached at night as they crawled into bed and every morning as they dragged their little worn bodies out of bed.
This book really affected me emotionally. I guess part of it was because I could relate it so much to my own family. There are not many photos of my mother's family, but the ones that do exist show the same bare feet, tattered clothing, and serious faces that I saw in the photographs of Lewis Hine. My mother grew up as a sharecropper's child, and she worked in the cotton fields of Mississippi from the time she was big enough to pull a cotton sack around. She told me stories of pulling heavy cotton sacks around until she and her brothers had hemorrhoids. She also talked about going to bed hungry at night when there wasn't enough food. Going to school was considered a luxury. My husband's family background is pretty much the same. His daddy had to quit school in the sixth grade to work in the fields. He talked about having no shoes to wear in the winter when snow was on the ground. Needless to say, both of our parents were very proud when my husband and I were the first on the entire family trees to be able to attend college.
I recommend reading this book to get a sense of how far our society has come. It also gives you a renewed appreciation of being able to get an education. This book also demonstrates the power of photography and its effect on social change. A picture really is worth a thousand words.
I first chose this book because of the cover (photographs of young children working) and the subject matter. When I first picked this book up and quickly flipped through it, I thought it would take very little time to read because it had so many full page photographs. However, I found that the photographs had the opposite effect on me. I spent more time examining the photographs and thinking about what their lives must have been like than I spent on the actual text. I was drawn to each little face in the photographs. I looked at the children's eyes, which stood out due to the dirt and grime all over their faces. Even though some of the children smiled as they posed for the photographs, there was a seriousness beyond their years expressed in the eyes. I thought about how these poor little children were robbed of their childhoods. I thought about how their little bodies must have ached at night as they crawled into bed and every morning as they dragged their little worn bodies out of bed.
This book really affected me emotionally. I guess part of it was because I could relate it so much to my own family. There are not many photos of my mother's family, but the ones that do exist show the same bare feet, tattered clothing, and serious faces that I saw in the photographs of Lewis Hine. My mother grew up as a sharecropper's child, and she worked in the cotton fields of Mississippi from the time she was big enough to pull a cotton sack around. She told me stories of pulling heavy cotton sacks around until she and her brothers had hemorrhoids. She also talked about going to bed hungry at night when there wasn't enough food. Going to school was considered a luxury. My husband's family background is pretty much the same. His daddy had to quit school in the sixth grade to work in the fields. He talked about having no shoes to wear in the winter when snow was on the ground. Needless to say, both of our parents were very proud when my husband and I were the first on the entire family trees to be able to attend college.
I recommend reading this book to get a sense of how far our society has come. It also gives you a renewed appreciation of being able to get an education. This book also demonstrates the power of photography and its effect on social change. A picture really is worth a thousand words.
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