The Super Mom

Children’s Book Review: Earth Matters

Karlynn Johnston — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:42:04 +0000

The book Earth Matters practices what it preaches; the paper was sourced from responsibly managed forests, their printer generates 100% of it’s own electricity and it is printed using vegetable inks instead of petroleum based.

Subtitled “an encyclopedia of ecology” it is exactly that, a wonderful volume full of amazing photos, facts and information about the state of our planet. Each habitat/climate is profiled in detailed pictures with the problems that each is facing laid out for us to learn about.

Endangered animals from the region are also featured, some, like the the golden frog, are completely wiped out and the only way we now see them are through photographs like the one we view in the book.

Of course, you can’t have a book about ecology without encouraging young readers to make a difference and showing them how. The Making a Difference pages shown below are throughout the book, bursting with tips, activities and tricks that kids can do to take part in making a difference on their own.

This is an excellent resource for children, whether it be reading it at home for their own personal interest or serving as an encyclopedia to help them with projects or presentations for school.

Reading level: ages 8 and up

Page Count: 256 pages

Publisher: DK Publishing

Publisher’s synopsis: With a biome-by-biome structure that mirrors Mother Nature’s own design, Our Earth Matters is a celebration of our fragile Earth, a warning to protect it, and an inspiring source book full of ideas for making a positive change.

The book begins with a brief history of our planet’s birth and development, revealing how an astonishingly unlikely series of accidents made Earth the only planet in the universe known to be suitable for life. As life flourished and spread, it changed the planet and created the “biosphere.” Scientists divide the biosphere into global ecosystems, or “biomes,” such as Desert, Ocean, Tropical Forest, and Grassland.

Earth’s delicate ecology is the unifying theme. Each section explores the unique ecological structure of a biome and reveals how human interference can upset the balance and damage the life-support systems upon which our existence depends Reference pages make up the first part of each section, with maps showing the extent of the biome, and spreads on climate, natural history, and ecology explaining how the biome works. Subsequent spreads explore the threats arising from human activity and show how positive efforts can often overcome the threats and preserve the biome. Throughout the book, spectacular and intimate photography showcases the living world’s endless diversity and beauty, providing a compelling visual argument to support the book’s core message.

Awards and Notable lists:

Parents’ Choice Gold Award in Nonfiction category (2008)
SSLI Honor Book Science K-6 (2008)
Notable Social Studies Trade Book (2008)
2009 Santa Monica Public Library Green Prize for Sustainable Literature Award in the Youth Reference category

Adult Book Review: Prehistoric Life

Karlynn Johnston — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:00:44 +0000

If you ever dreamed of being a Paleontologist (and who hasn’t) when you were a child, then this is definitely the book for you. Heck, add a dash of anthropology plus some earth science and we might just have the book covered.

The main focus of Prehistoric Life is, of course, the actual life in it’s diverse forms that once inhabited the Earth, from the very beginning microbes to the largest of the dinosaurs. There are over 500 profiles of bacteria, fungi, animal and plant life featured, all presented with either fantastic photos of actual fossils or 3D images created to show what the life form looked like. I love the renderings of the creatures that have been done, you are awestruck that these creatures actually walked the earth at one point.

I also love that you get to see the lesser known creatures, everyone by now knows what a T-Rex or Velociraptor looks like, but to me the giant beaver Castoroides that was taller than a man takes the cake.

Of course a book covering the prehistoric periods wouldn’t be complete without it being a time line of the Earth’s evolution, so we start right at the beginning with the Earth’s formation in the introductory section termed Young Earth, learning about the millions of years of events such plate tectonics and climate changes.

The Life on Earth section details each geological period, starting with the Archean period which featured the earliest of life forms, to the Quaternary which was the continuation of the Ice Age that came about at the end of the Neogene period. The plant life, vertebrates and invertebrates of each period are featured with the information on their group (example: mammals, bivalves, grasses) to the date they inhabited the earth, plus their size and the country or continent they were located on.

The Rise of the Humans details the earliest beginnings of man with a timeline of our ancestors all the way to modern day.This is probably the most in depth book for the average reader on the subject that I have ever read and of course, I haven’t read it all, there just isn’t the time! It is a book to take your time with and enjoy not only as a reference book but as an entertaining read.

Reading level: Teen/Adult

Page Count: 512 pages

Publisher: DK Publishing

Publisher’s synopsis: With an extensive catalog at its heart, Prehistoric Life profiles hundreds of fascinating species in incredible detail. The story starts in earnest 3.8 billion years ago, with the earliest-known form of life on Earth, a bacteria that still exists today, and journeys through action-packed millennia, charting the appearance of new life forms as well as devastating extinction events. Of course, the ever-popular and endlessly intriguing dinosaurs feature large, but Prehistoric Life gives you the whole picture, and the plants, invertebrates, amphibians, birds, reptiles, and mammals that are the ancestors of today’s species also populate its pages, making this book unprecedented in its coverage of prehistory. Specially commissioned artworks use cutting-edge technology to render species in breathtakingly realistic fashion, with astonishing images of prehistoric remains, such as skeletons and fossils, to complete the story. To put all the evidence in context, the concept of geological time is explored, as is the classification of species and how the evidence for their evolution is preserved and can be deciphered.

For more information on this book and others, you can visit DK Books at http://www.dk.com, and click the flag to choose your country.

Food Product Recall

Karlynn Johnston — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:06:58 +0000

There is a massive recall of products containing hydrolyzed vegetable protein, which may contain salmonella.

The list of foods can be viewed here.

I linked to the US site because there are far more affected products listed on the site. For the Canadian site you can click here.

Children’s Book Review: Voyage : Ocean

Karlynn Johnston — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:00:42 +0000

Right from the beginning this book captures your attention and draws you in; it’s round. Round like the porthole of a submarine and in fact it is just that, a rusty porthole with a view into the wonder that Earth’s oceans are.

And it’s not just a round outer cover, all the pages inside are circular and the information on them designed to fit beautifully on them. The only concern I have with this is that it does make the pages fragile, there is only about 4 inches of binding holding each page in the book. So sticking to the ages of 8 and up would be a good idea and warning the reader to take care while handling the pages is important as well.

It is full of beautiful pictures of the ocean, covers important topics such as pollution, tides, currents and conservation but isn’t too intimidating for younger readers. There is enough on each topic to give a decent overview of each area without losing the attention of the reader with too many facts or figures.

The book would be a fantastic gift for a child who is interested in the ocean and the life within. Included with the book are circular fact cards with beautiful photos on them,a gorgeous sheet of stickers and a fantastic poster for a keen little future oceanographer to put up on their wall.

Reading level: 8 – 11 years

Page Count: 128 pages

Publisher: DK Publishing

Publisher’s synopsis: A gorgeous follow-up to our innovative Mission: Space, Voyage: Ocean brings us back down to Earth and into the abyss of the deep, blue sea. Spectacular images take center stage as we explore the incredible ocean and the animals and plants that live there.

Special spreads focus on man’s interaction with and exploration of the ocean, explaining up-to-the minute scientific advances and developments.

Informative text interacts with the imagery throughout this circular tome, making it an asset to any library, be it at home, school, aquarium, or beyond

Children’s Book Review: Children Just Like Me

Karlynn Johnston — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:00:25 +0000

This amazing book is the culmination of two years of travel to over 30 countries, recording the stories of the lives of children all over the globe.

Children love reading about other kids, it gives them something to relate to, a person their own size, someone that likes the same things and puts up with parents just like they have to. My children absolutely adored this book, we poured over it for hours on end.

My daughter loved reading about the other little girls and our reading time was peppered with questions like “what is she wearing?” or “Mommy,she wants to be a ballerina. I want to be a ballerina too!”

We learn about the lives of each child, the country they live in, where they go to school, and meet their families. There are personal quotes from each child, telling of favorite activities, their families or their goals and aspirations for when they are grown up.

There are a few that have very similar lives to ours in North America excepting a few noticeable cultural differences, but others are so far removed from the life that our children know that their stories are absolutely fascinating for them to read.

By the end of the book one has a feeling that you have just met new friends, that you actually know these children. And you somewhat do.

Reading level: ages 5 – 8

Page Count: 80 pages

Publisher: DK Publishing

Publisher’s synopsis: Bestseller — over 150,000 copies sold!
Children Just Like Me is a celebration of children around the world, published to coincide with UNICEF’s 50th anniversary. For the past two years, a photographer and teacher have traveled to five continents to meet and talk to children from many different walks of like. Children will enjoy reading about the dreams and beliefs, hopes and fears, and day-to-day events of other children’s lives, understanding not just the obvious differences between one another, but discovering the extraordinary similarities. Children are encouraged to participate in a special pen pal arrangement, so that they may share their own experiences with children in other countries.

Awards and Notable lists:

1996 ALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book
“The candid, approachable text…makes the lives of these children as vivid as a friend’s.”—Family Fun

For more information on this book and others, you can visit DK Books at http://www.dk.com, and click the flag to choose your country.

Children’s Book Review: Caillou : A New Family

Karlynn Johnston — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:12:27 +0000

This book is one of the newest in a beloved series of books based on the adventures of one little boy, the title character Caillou.

Caillou is adored by many children, including my own. I am not sure if it is the bright, primary-color based illustrations that appeal the most or the simple sentences conveyed the exact same way that a child would speak in real life. Whatever the formula is, it works and well.

This latest tale touches upon a sensitive subject; divorce. Caillou visits his cousins Amanda and Emilio whose parents are divorced and while the children play together they talk about what has been happening. Sandwiched between “play” talk, his cousins talk about their feelings and concerns, how Emilio was mad at first and didn’t know why, or how they still see their dad on the weekends.

The book is excellent for children who have friends whose parents have separated, used as an aide by parents to try and help their children make sense out of the situation. Younger children who are directly experiencing the changes brought on by divorce in their family might also be comforted by the familiar figures of Caillou and his cousins discussing the matter as well.

This book will be available to purchase May 1st, 2010.

Reading level: ages 3+

Page Count: 24 pages

Publisher: Chouette Publishing (May 1 2010)

Publisher’s synopsis: A gentle discussion about the subject of divorce ensues when the curious Caillou asks his cousins Amanda and Emilio why their mommy doesn’t live with their daddy. As the children continue to play, Caillou learns about divorce, having two homes, and the feelings experienced by his cousins. He learns that it is important for Emilio and Amanda to remember that it’s not their fault their mommy and daddy separated—their mother would always be their mommy, and their father would always be their daddy.

About the Author: Christine L’Heureux is the founder of Chouette Publishing and the author of several books, including Caillou: Good Night, Caillou: Happy Birthday, Caillou: I Will Always Love You, Caillou: Just Like Daddy, and Caillou: Play with Me. Pierre Brignaud is the illustrator of Caillou: Potty Time, Caillou: I Will Always Love You, Caillou: Just Like Daddy, and Caillou Moves Around. They both live in Montreal, Quebec.

Super Fun: Wooden Colored Eggs

Karlynn Johnston — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:43:59 +0000

Instead of traditional Easter eggs, one could hide these absolutely adorable wooden eggs made by Erzi! Not only are they fantastic for playing “Easter” they are the perfect addition for any child’s play kitchen. Made from wood from managed forests, the paint is also a non-toxic, water-based finish.

You can purchase the set of 6 here, and they come with their own carton, all for the reasonable price of $8.99.

LOVE these!

Children’s Book Review: A School Like Mine

Karlynn Johnston — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:00:56 +0000

Another book in the unique collaboration between UNICEF and DK Publishing, A School Like Mine takes us around the globe and right into the lives of other schoolchildren and peeks into their classrooms.

Wonderful color photos show us the average day of students, what their desks look like, lessons that they may have and once in a while you even get to see what they are eating for lunch! Children also share their education dreams, show us where they play at recess and what types of classes they partake in.

It is also gives us an opportunity to talk to our children about how lucky we are in North America to have access to schools, no matter the arguments of quality or classroom size that seem to plague most discussions. When reading the book one realizes how fortunate we are that not only do we have schools on almost every corner in this nation, but our children do not have to go out and work on a family farm instead of being educated or have Mother Nature intervening by wiping away our schools entirely with a flash flood or tsunami.

Not to mention I personally was transfixed by little Alexei from the Russian Federation, he spends 3 months of the year with his family, then as winter gets closer he travels by helicopter to a boarding school for 9 months. His family are reindeer-herding people of the icy north called Nenets and this is what Alexei has to do in order to receive an education. I won’t complain about the 20 minute drive to my son’s school anymore.

The book is full of stories such as his and I guarantee adults and children alike will be drawn into reading about every single child in the book.

Reading level: ages 7 – 11

Page Count: 80 pages

Publisher: DK Publishing

Publisher’s synopsis: Children from Africa to the Americas explain in their own words what school life is like for them. Find out how some things are just the same as at your school, and how others are very different.

Did you know that in Japan, children have lunch in their classrooms? Or that in Peru children say prayers in the classroom every day?

Meet kids from all over the world, visit their families, friends and teachers, see what school life is like throughout the day in each country and find out what lessons they like (and which ones they don’t!).

For more information on this book and others, you can visit DK Books at http://www.dk.com, and click the flag to choose your country.

Where you can purchase this book:

Children’s Movie Review: Barney: Egg-cellent Adventures

Karlynn Johnston — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:31:34 +0000

Barney’s newest adventure is set to hit the shelves just in time for Easter, so for those of you who have little ones who can’t get enough of the popular purple dinosaur, the Easter Bunny might just have to hop his way into a store to leave this in their baskets Easter morning.

A lot of parents look for alternatives to Easter Bunny chocolate for Easter morning and not only that holiday, my own children received stuffed Olympic mascots for Valentines Day instead of the requisite chocolates. Videos are an inexpensive alternative that doesn’t leave your children wound on sugar.

In fact, they give you a few minutes to yourself. With quiet children.

Priceless.

I digress. As usual.

But my daughter truly was entranced by the show, she loves Barney and was so excited when the lovely people at Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment sent us a free copy to review. It is full of the same boundless energy, snappy songs that stick in your head all day and vivid, colorful entertainment that Barney and his pals always provide. I don’t know what the magical formula is, but kids love Barney.

The movie is out tomorrow at most major retailers to purchase!

Retail:$14.98

Release date: 3/2/10

Running time: 42 minutes

The episodes on Barney: Egg-Cellent Adventures include:

“Rabbits”
“Mother Goose”
“Ducks and Fish

The bonus features include:

“Barney’s Easter Egg Hunt”
The Gumdrop Matching Game

Children’s Book Review: Planetwatch

Karlynn Johnston — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:00:45 +0000

Planetwatch is a beautiful yet saddening look at our planet.

Beautiful due to the wonderful photos of the absolutely amazing animals and plant life that inhabit our earth; saddening because of the stark truth of the damage that overpopulation, climate change and pollution have done to our earth.

I like the fact that it does not sugar coat any areas, from the brutal harvesting of animals for sport or black market reasons, to the exploitation of the sea. It isn’t gory in any way, but it lays it all out in a simple, no nonsense way that may be upsetting to younger, more sensitive children. The topics of animals dying or being killed is definitely one that may not be for all children, and I would use caution if your child is a more sensitive soul.

It isn’t a happy book by any means, but it is an important one. Our children need to know what is going on to the earth around them, whether it’s good or bad and it’s our responsibility to encourage their learning and have an open dialogue with them on the subject.

Reading level: 7 – 12 years

Page Count: 96 pages

Publisher:
Dorling Kindersley

Publisher’s synopsis: Planetwatch is specially focused to show young people how the world works-where food comes from, why floods happen, and why some animals are dying out. At the same time, it encourages readers to appreciate our planet and to conserve its resources, and uses accessible text and powerful images to illustrate the terrible risks the environment is facing. Each chapter provides a wealth of information and workable tips about how everyone can help halt the damage and secure the Earth’s future.

For more information on this book and others, you can visit DK Books at http://www.dk.com, and click the flag to choose your country.