Reviews
Last modified: December 28, 2000

The Microscope, Volume 48, 2000

Complete Book of the Microscope

Buy this book.  This reviewer has seldom seen a book of such quality and coverage of a subject as this one is.  This is the best young people's book I can recall reading in a very long time.

What makes this book receive such high accolades is the quality of photomicrography, diversity of subject matter and lots of "hands-on" examples scattered throughout the short chapters.  The book succeeds where most young people's books fail.  There are great visuals, concise explanations and the author uses several different kinds of microscopic techniques.  

So what's is in the book among the short, lucid and to-the-point sentences?  The chapter headings are as follows: 1) The Microworld, 2) The Human Body, 3) Plants and Fungi, 4) The insect World, 5) Rocks to Robots, 6) Past and Present, and 7) Practical Points.  Loaded into these chapters are stunning and informative pictures, how to polish rocks, make and mount thin-sections, make crystals for viewing under polarized light, finding microfossils suitable for study with the light microscope, dust detective work, and softening insects to be able to mount them under a coverslip.  The practical, step-by-step instructions that can be done with the reader's own microscope go on to include, drawing stain under the coverslip, making gelatin, making wet mounts, making fungal spore prints, and making a polarized light microscope with Polaroid sheets.  I could go on, but the rest is better found out by reading the book.

In summary, "The Compete Book of the Microscope" belongs on every child's bookshelf and certainly every public library and middle to high school in the country.  This book is truly a breathtaking, and sometimes startling, journey into the world of the small everyday objects.  Buy this book for all of the children you know that have the slightest inclination toward science.  They will love the book and you will be satisfied that you have done your good science deed.

John D. Shane
McCrone Research Institute

Children's Bookwatch, May 2000

A Visitor's Guide To Ancient Rome

Written, illustrated and designed as a kind of travel guide for young readers ages 12 and older.  Lesley Sims' A Visitor's Guide To Ancient Rome portrays a time when ancient Rome was at its height of power, influence and culture.  This lively, exciting accurate, and highly recommended "Usborne Time Tour" offers a wealth of information on everyday Roman life ranging from religion and fashion to schools and the army, included are suggestions for where to stay and what to see on a virtual tour, even advice on how to behave at a banquet!  A Visitor's Guide to Ancient Rome is enhanced with a detailed map of Rome for finding one's way around the queen city of the empire.

Children's Literature, March, 2000

Book of Magic Tricks Kid Kit

I would think that magic tricks might be a popular gift in light of the popularity of the Harry Potter books at the moment.  Most children have the urge to be an accomplished magician at some time in their lives.  This kit, which comes complete with wand, scarf, deck of cards, dice, plastic thumb and a great book of tricks to practice, is a fabulous way to enter the profession.  The directions are well illustrated and detailed.  Most tricks can be executed with items found around the house.  A bibliography is included, along with shops that sell supplies and societies to join that provide further support.

Barbara Youngblood

Puget Sound Council, March, 2000

King Arthur's Knight Quest

Beautiful pictures - packed with images depicting scenes of enchantment in Arthurian England.  The quest, a Where's Waldo with edge, in which you must locate various images in the pictures. 

Nelson Spickard

1001 Things to Spot Long Ago

An I-Spy with a historical twist.  Each double-page drawing has a scene from long ago with nearly 100 things for young readers to find.  At the end of the book the readers find a "museum" of items, and are challenged to identify the time period of each item.  All in all, a very enjoyable book for a young reader.

Janet Lamont

Puzzle Journey Around the World

Move over Waldo, here are Em, Su, and Eli in a puzzle adventure that was cleverly crafted to engage young sharp-eyed sleuths of puzzle-pages with clues and directions to follow.  Great blend of fiction and interesting geography facts.  Could be used by younger students with assistance.  (Reviewer was thankful for answers in the back).

Karen Williams

Understanding Muscles & Bones

Cartoons, diagrams, photos, bits of information, and slices of trivia fill this selection about muscles and bones together as a "guide to what keeps you up and about."  An Usborne science for beginners has two-page spreads for the sections named skeletal muscles, joints, muscle trouble, prehistoric bones, and amazing facts.  Quiz questions are included with answers.

Karen Williams

Washington Parent (newspaper), March, 2000

Famous Women Kid Kit

Why not mark National Women's History Month by reading The Usborne Book of Famous Women written by Richard Dungworth and Philippa Wingate and illustrated by Nicholas Hewetson?  Once familiar with the tales in the book, your family can assemble the accompanying jigsaw puzzle and play a fill-in-the-blank game testing knowledge of successful (and sometimes notorious) figures, from Nefertiti, Queen of Egypt, to Diana, Princess of Wales.

Mary Quattlebaum
Washington Parent

School Library Journal, February, 2000

Everyday Words

This book deserves a second look just for the unique figures and scenes.  They are formed from a modeling material and have minute details that keep the eyes busy scanning and re-scanning each page.  Double-page spreads of town, house, yard, family, etc. feature about 20 clearly labeled pictures of such objects as bridges, bathtubs, barbecues, and brothers.  Each spread has a word search tie-in, e.g., "Find six cassettes" in "The living room"; for "The bedroom," "Find four spiders."  The pages are busy but have a remarkable attention to detail, such as magnets on the refrigerator and a stopper in the bathroom sink.  Over 500 words are indexed for quick searches.

Melanie S. Wible
Jackson Elementary School
Lawrenceville, GA

Greenleaf Press, January, 2000

Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece

Usborne's design teams are finally venturing beyond illustration and are now incorporating color photography!  This is the first volume of a new series that will rival the Cultural Atlas series from Facts on File.   The contents are arranged chronologically with major sections on Early Greece, Archaic Greece, Classical Greece, Everyday Life, Macedonia and the Hellenistic World, and a final "Factfiner" section that focuses on Greek mythology, philosophy, and literature.  The text and pictures are nicely intertrated and well chosen for a target audience of upper elementary grades (approximately 4th-8th grade).

*EDC was informed of this review by Patti Stephen a UBAH Supervisor from Acworth, GA.

Learning Magazine, January, 2000

Complete Book of the Microscope

Investigate a fly's eye, the flu virus, and more in photos thousands of times larger than life.  Also includes step-by-step instructions for using microscopes to get amazing views of everyday objects.

Complete Book of the Microscope
was recently awarded a "Teachers' Choice Award"
for excellence in the classroom.

Midwest Book Review, December, 1999

Fun With Numbers

Fun With Numbers is part of the Usborne Playtime series and filled with easy activities involving counting, adding, subtracting, and sharing.  All of the activities are designed to entertain and educate children ages 3 to 6 with their understanding of numbers.  Quick and easy ideas give great results and immediately boost a child's confidence with basic number identification and manipulation.  Fun With Numbers is particularly ideal for home schooling.

Parenting Plus, December, 1999

You and Your Child: Christmas

This little book/activity kit is filled with some of the most wonderful ideas for parents and children to create together to share in the fun of holiday preparations.  From decorations and ornaments to advent calendars, cards, presents and yummy recipes, plus many of the supplies necessary to create all of these holiday creations come in this book/kit.  (All other needed supplies are already in your home!)

Education Souse e-newsletter, December 20, 1999

Top Ten Art Products for the Year 2000
Art Ideas

This beautiful book has over 200 ideas for things to do with acrylic paints, chalk pastels, inks, poster paints, tissue paper, oil pastels, wax crayons and watercolors.  The projects are easy-to-follow and the results are stunning!

School Library Journal, December, 1999

Ted in a Red Bed

A pleasing story for the earliest readers.   A bear goes into a store and buys a bed, falls asleep, and awakens to find himself home in his new bed presumably by magic.  However, the illustrations reveal that a penguin, a cat, and a pig actually move the bed to his house with him in it.  Two entertaining flaps are cleverly worked into the story.  Each page has only one or two simple sentences, many of which rhyme.  The characters are cartoon-like and the bear is a cuddly teddy.  Cartwright's use of bright primary colors work well with the story.  The front and back covers provide an introduction to phonics and a phonetic listing of the words in the book.  Although there are a few points at which the choice of words is a bit overdone (" ' I need this bed, Fred!'  grins Ted.   'It is a nice price,' smiles Fred"), for the most part the language flows fairly well despite the controlled vocabulary.  Children' will enjoy finding the yellow duck that is hidden on every page.  Librarians in search of beginning readers will find that this helps fill a need.

Amy Lilien- Harper
Ferguson Library
Stamford, CT

Parenting Plus, November 1999

How Are Babies Made?

A lift-the-flaps book designed to introduce young children to the greatest miracle of life.

Understanding the Facts of Life

For children aged 10 and over, this book explains important aspects of the human body in a straightforward way.  Also covers some "tricky" topics that today's teens and parents must address such as sex, contraception, drugs, HIV, as well as food, exercise and hygiene.

Growing Up

A shorter version of Understanding the Facts of Life.  This version, also for children approaching puberty, clearly discusses many of the changes their bodies will go through along with many other subjects to assist them through all these changes.

Today's Books, November 29, 1999

Ancient World
A Must Read!!!!!

Humanity from 10,000 BC to 500 AD.  From the Agricultural Age to the Fall of the Roman Empire.  Includes Egypt, Crete, Hittites, Hebrews, Assyrians, Persia, Greece, China, Japan, Arabia, Africa, India, the Americas, Rome and Christianity.

Medieval World
A Must Read!!!!!

One thousand years of world history from the fall of Rome to the Renaissance, from 500 to 1500 AD.  Covers Byzantium, the Barbarians, Christianity, Islam, Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, Charlemagne, the Papacy, Crusaders, the Plague, Celts, Wars of the Roses, Turks, Russia, Spain, Africa, India, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Exploration, Native Americans, Italian art, and discovery voyages.

Parenting Plus, October 1999

Editor's Choice of Perfect Party Products
Dressing Up, Make This Life Size Model Skeleton,
Make This Haunted House, Haunted World

Hosting a frightfully delightful Halloween party for tiny goblins is not as spooky as you though with a little ghoulish guidance from Usborne Books.  Dressing Up is a bubbling cauldron of creative ideas and how-to-instructions that will cover all your party activity needs including face painting, mask and costume making, games and projects.  Devilish decorations are a cinch with Make This Life Size Model Skeleton and Make This Haunted House.  Each will provide hours of pre-party fun for the whole family with step-by-step instructions and all you need to construct spine-chilling intricately detailed models.  Don't be left in the dark without a terrifying tale to read to the creepy little guests.  Haunted World is a ghastly voyage of ancient spirits and ghostly galleons.  With these titles on hand, Your Monster Mash will be a Graveyard Smash!

Parenting Plus, August, September 1999

Editor's Choice of Great Arts and Crafts Kits for Kids
Calligraphy Kid Kit

Usborne makes it easy for beginners to learn this ancient writing art developed by Medieval scribes.  Fifteen popular calligraphy styles are included in the step-by-step instruction book along with more detailed and advanced techniques.  The imaginative ideas are endless once your little calligrapher masters this traditional art.  Also includes three colored calligraphy pens.

Booklovers, August, September, October 1999

Duck Books Box Set

Do you have a new baby or small child in the family?  Usborne Publishing has a delightful board book collection guaranteed to occupy a little mind for hours.  There are three titles in the "Duck Books" series.  In Duck and His Friends, Duck finds Cat in the bushes, they chase butterflies together, and then they collect friends and go on adventures throughout the morning until, finally, Duck, Cat, Frog, Piglet and Monkey find Dog and they all have a picnic.  Duck in Trouble show just how much trouble one little duck can get himself into.  First he finds a balloon which lifts him up into the air.  He falls on a bird's nest, the nest falls from the tree, and Duck falls into a bucket full of green paint.  Duck, of course, needs to be washed.  But, alas, after he is hung out to dry Duck falls in the mud.  Poor Duck!  When will it all end?

Finally, in Duck on Holiday, Duck gets a much-deserved rest.  The illustrations, in the tradition of the series, beautifully depict his day on the beach, the placid rock pool he discovers, and all of his remaining beach fun.  These books can be read to the infant, toddler, or with the aid of the simple, bright illustrations, the preschooler can read the stories "all by themselves."  So many concepts can be taught with this series, from colors to story sequencing to counting to labeling of animals and more, that three little board books turn into a learning adventure with a good friend named Duck.

Tracy Walczak

Farmyard Tales, Pop-Up Carousel Book

Another of Cartright's creations, Farmyard Tales shows the change of season at Apple Tree Farm.  If you've never experienced a carousel book before, this one is a must-see.  The first page turned erupts into a beautiful spring day on Apple Tree Farm.  The goat in the 3-D barn (whose door really opens!) is grooming her kid; two lambs are drinking from a trough.   A pulltab reveals a farmer riding a tractor; a flap on the scarecrow's chest reveals a cat and her kittens.  Included in the springtime picture are two paper dolls so that children can play interactively in the barnyard scene.  The book also includes a smaller companion book that tells a story of the farm and its inhabitants.

The second page shows the summer scene.   The apple blossoms are gone from the tree, leaving vivid, green leaves.  Now the cow peeks around the tree when a tab is pulled and a pig and her piglet snooze in the little barn.  The cat rests atop the barn, and a flap in the tree reveals a beehive.   The farmer reclines on a bale of hay.  Summer clothes can be placed on the paper dolls to enhance the summer theme.

The next season on page three is, of course, autumn.  Fall brings apples from the tree, beautiful colors in the leaves, and in the little barn we find bales of hay with the chickens perched on top of them.  One of the chickens can be lifted to reveal a nest full of eggs.  The farmer is picking the apples and his wife is offering cider.  A flap in the tree reveals a squirrel storing nuts, and the paper children need to be dressed in their sweaters!

Winter brings a beautiful, snowy play land for the paper kids.  The dog stays warm in his doghouse, the sheep, in his thick, warm wool hides behind the apple tree, and the owl is hiding within the tree's protective trunk.  Instead of us seeing the animals in the barn, we find the farmer and his wife inside their house in perfect winter contentment.  The farmer has brought in wood from the outside and his wife has made a pie from the apples.

Aside from the obvious lessons this book teaches about the seasons and their physical changes, a child gets to experience a bit of life on the farm.  Animal identification, each animal's special function on a farm, colors, counting, and sequencing can also be taught.  Children can explore the life cycle not only of a tree, but also can explore the fruit that a tree grows while learning a little about harvesting.  Children can also practice their dressing skills as they dress the two dolls correctly for the seasons.  What a delightful book to explore!

For Kids Only!, (For kids by kids) September, October 1999

Science Experiments

I had lots of fun with the Usborne Book of Science Experiments.  It was a very nice book.  It was fun to see what happened.  I rubbed a balloon against the wall like in one of the pictures.  It stuck to my hair!  I would recommend the book to everyone over the age of 9   unless parents help out.  I would especially recommend this book to teachers because there are a lot of experiments kids would love to try.  Most of the experiments that I tried worked.  The pictures were just perfect and showed every step of the way.  I think our author Jane Bingham did a wonderful job.  So, next time you are bored in school or you have a stomach ache you can refer to this book.

Carleigh Beriont
"Cub Columnist"

101 Things to Do on the Internet

I loved 101 Things to Do on the Internet.   It was appealing and pretty interesting.  I especially like how the websites that were shown varied.  Here's an example: htpp:/www.nick.com which of course has to do with TV.  Soooo, I'm sure you'll be visiting that one shortly.  I have.   I truly would recommend this book to families ages 1-1,000,000, girls or boys, ladies or gentlemen.  Simply because it tells you how to get on, how to chat, what equipment to use, shortcuts to websites, how to find things and a lot more!  Trust me. . . I have gone to a lot of websites and they are great.  The author Mark Wallace put some great work into this book.  So, if I were you, I'd definitely read it!

Carliegh Beriont
"Cub Columnist"

Insect World, August 1999

Bugs and Slugs

Although there has been an increase in "bug" books for beginning readers in past years, it's nice to see a new title that offers young readers a chance to explore common minibeast animals through words, color illustrations and flaps to lift.  This book provides a good introduction to common insects, spiders, worms, slugs and snails, and millipedes and centipedes for 4 to 6 year old children.

Gary A Dunn
Y.E.S. Education Director
Insect World Editor

King Features Weekly Wire Service, August 16 1999

Time Traveler Series

This series introduces a family and follows them through a series of experiences that includes work, school, festivals, shopping for food and more.  Each culture is fully described, along with a map and other illustrations that help your child gain a great deal of new information.  The EDC books include over 900 titles including history, science, nature, foreign language, and hobbies.  You may also want to obtain the First Thousand Word Series for children from 2-12 years.  These 64-page books are available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.

Stevanne Auerback, PH.D.
aka Dr. Toy

Metrowest Daily News (Hudson, Mass),   Date N/A

Famous Women

Books about women
A stimulating, eclectic grouping of notable women, including: modern leaders, female fighters, robbers and rogues, caregivers, all at sea, aviators and astronauts, great businesswomen, and media stars.

Kings and Queens

Real people from history
A well-rounded look at royalty from Tutankhamun to Elizabeth II.  Chapter headings include: Life at a royal court, warrior queens, tragic monarchs, royal scandals, royal romances, mad monarchs, unsolved mysteries, pretenders, and burying a monarch (among others).  Lots of photos of jewels, and finally, an explanation (with diagrams) of how those ladies got their hairstyles to rise two feet above their heads!  There are fascinating stories of royal intrigue, betrayal, and madness.

- Allyson Button Stone
News Correspondent

Metrowest Daily News (Hudson, Mass),   Date N/A

Understanding Modern Art

This book demystifies the frequently bewildering world of modern art, and helps children judge that art from a more informed viewpoint.

Double page spreads consider major themes, such as nature, or city life.  There are, on each page, suggestions for other paintings or sculptures to look for, and also addresses are given for the museums that house the works profiled.  The author encourages the reader to go to museums and "see the real thing."

One of my favorite parts is a section called "Modern Art on Trial"  where three typical responses to the art are given and then debated by the authors.  "It isn't lifelike," "Anyone can do it," and "I can't understand it."  I have said all these things, and the explanations were very helpful and informative.  This book was an eye-opening learning experience, one I was delighted to share with my children.

Story of Painting

"The Usborne Story of Painting" by Anthea Peppin is noteworthy because it is essentially a textbook that looks almost like a graphic novel - each piece of text has an accompanying illustration to keep the material from ever getting dry or boring.

The book traces man's entire painting history, from cave paintings onward.  There are chapters on Egypt, the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Rococo and Neoclassical painting, Romantics and Realists, Impressions, modern painting, India, Far East, and primitive art  The author, who works in the Education Department of the National Gallery in London, seems to know just what will be interesting and useful to know.  There is also a very helpful index in this paperback.

- Allyson Button Stone
News Correspondent

Metrowest Daily News (Hudson, Mass),  Date N/A

Inventors, Scientist, Explorers

Hats off to Usborne for this rich look at the men and women whose ideas and creations have changed our lives.   "Inventors" profiles inventors from the earliest weapon chiselers to the inventors of the computer.  "Scientists" includes not only western scientific advancements, but early Oriental, Indian and Middle Eastern ideas, often overlooked.  Some long-neglected women scientists are given their due, as well.   "Explorers" includes dramatic accounts of famous and lesser-known explorers alike.  All the books are full of drawings, step-by-step guides, maps, reconstructions and detailed cutaway diagrams.

- Allyson Button Stone
News Correspondent

Metrowest Daily News (Hudson, Mass), June 1999

Plant it, water it, watch it grow!
Gardening books with kids in mind

Usborne Books takes a unique approach to children's nonfiction.  Their books are very engaging and full of humor and captivating illustrations.  Usborne writes for the child, not the parent, in the belief that nobody can learn unless the material is attractive and interesting.  In our own family, we discovered that Usborne books were read again and again, and that really helped expand vocabulary and hone problem solving and reasoning skills.

Usborne's line of gardening resources is no exception.  For the youngest gardeners, they offer "Starting Gardening Kid Kits," which comes with a small trow and seeds - enough to start a windowsill garden with flowers and herbs.  Also for younger children is the "Starting Gardening" book with beginners' techniques and step-by-step instructions.

"What Shall I Grow?" has clear instructions for starting a garden, as well as suggestions for taking basic projects a step further.  I loved the do-it-yourself sock "animals" with grass "hair."

Note: Usborne's "The Young Naturalist," while not a gardening book, is a practical guide that makes the back yard a magical place.  It is chock full of ideas for enjoying nature in your own back yard, and is designed specifically for the novice.

- Allyson Button Stone
News Correspondent

Aleene's Creative Living, June 1999

"Another fantastic way to introduce your kids to a variety of hobbies and fields is with Kid Kits from EDC Publishing that feature Usborne Books.

EDC (Educational Development Corporation) is the U.S. distributor of Usborne Books.  There are over 900 titles on subjects like hobbies, history, science, nature, foreign language, parent's guides and more.  Thanks to exceptional graphics, more pictures than text, etc., these books really draw the young readers in. . ."
                                                                                                                           - Kim Brawn
                                         

*** We encourage everyone to check out the complete story featuring
EDC Publishing and Usborne Books in the June issue (pgs 23-24) of Aleene's Creative Living.***

Dallas Public Schools, Received June 1, 1999

Understanding Your Muscles & Bones
2-8-98

Cultural Groups or Groups Represented: African American, Asian American, European American, Hispanic American and the Physically Challenged

Potential Use: Highly recommended for (and by!) 4th grade muscular/skeletal focus.

Critique:  The Science teachers called the extraordinarily descriptive drawings "collages."  From the muscular hand represented on the introductory page, through vessel growth from baby to old lady (pp 24-25), all the way to "the largest recorded human bone" of "Amazing Facts" (p. 31), clarification of our muscles & bones is finally available!

Usborne Soccer School
12-15-97

Potential Use: Sports, Soccer Techniques

Critique:  Excellent illustrations and organization make this a worthwhile sports reference.  Especially worthwhile for middle school boys with limited English or reading skills.

First Dictionary
10-8-97

Potential Use: Will be checked out by younger students who love books of words.  Will also be used by non-English speaking older students who are learning English.

Critique:  This book introduces children to the dictionary; very simply presented.  About 1/3 of the entries on each page are illustrated.  Features include guide words, opposites, forms of a word and definitions using complete sentences.

School Library Journal, June, 1999

Build Your Own Web Site
101 Things to Do on the Internet

These series entries will fly off the shelves where Internet books are in demand.  Web Site focuses not only on how's but also on the why's, when's and where's of creating Web pages.  It explains how to create a Web site with a text editor, but the aesthetic and content advice hold true no matter what program is being used.  It is more detailed and thorough than Christopher Lampton's Home Page (Watts, 1997).  Internet delivers exactly what it claims.  Each double-page spread focuses on activities surrounding a theme, such as space, sports, music, games, movies, or weather.  While there are several other books of thematic Web sites for kids, this one provides a sampling of a wide variety of topics.  Both books have safety and security information, as well as the splashy, full-color pictures and chunked text that kids have grown to love.

Los Angeles Times, Sunday, May, 2, 1999

Expanded Spanish-Language Titles Entertain and Educate

The University of Houston's Arte Publico Press has, for years, billed itself as the largest and most established itself as the largest and most established publisher of contemporary and recovered literature by U.S. Latino authors.  But in recent years a number of other publishers are stepping up to challenge Piñata Books, flooding the market with a wide array of original Spanish works, translations and bilingual books.

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