Six new scientific and educational books will joined the Sylvan Dell Publishing repertoire on August 10, 2012. Each of these titles, stay true to the Sylvan Dell philosophy with scientific facts interwoven into a refreshing story. The themes explored with this release include, solar systems and weather, animals in winter, desert animals bathing, animal geography, plant and animal interaction and animal rehabilitators. As always, Sylvan Dell books are vetted by experts in their field and align to state and national educational standards.
Before I go in and talk about the books I received I want to share with you just how amazing the quality of these Sylvan Dell books really are. I am a librarian as well as a mom so I have seen many a book in my time. Most children’s books are just plain old books on plain old book paper. These books on the other hand are truly amazing quality. The quality of these books do not come across well in photos, instead you have to feel the quality in your hands. The pages are not flimsy, the colors are so bold and vibrant and despite constant “reading” and tough love from my 4 year old these books still look and work great! Books that are both educational and enjoyable to read are definitely worth buying for an at home library.
Animal Helpers: Wildlife Rehabilitators is written by Jennifer Keats Curtis. Like humans, animals can get sick or hurt. People see doctors. Pets have veterinarians. What happens to wild animals when they are injured, become ill, or are orphaned? Often, wildlife rehabilitators are called to their rescue. This photographic journal takes readers “behind the scenes” at four different wildlife rehabilitation centers. Fall in love with these animals as they are nursed back to health and released back to the wild when possible. This is the first of a photographic series introducing the different ways and the many people who care for a wide variety of animals.I personally thought this book was a little advanced for my just turned 4 year old. I on the other hand really loved it! The pictures are really amazing and I found myself learning little tid bits of information even though it is a children’s book.
Desert Baths is written by Darcy Pattison and Illustrated by Kathleen Rietz. Watch the vulture bask in the morning sun, the roadrunner kick up a cloud of dust, the javelina wallow, and the bobcat give her cub a licking with a rough tongue in Desert Baths. As the sun travels across the sky, learn how twelve different desert animals face the difficulties of staying clean in a dry and parched land. Explore the desert habitat through its animals and their hygiene habits. Told in lyrical prose, this story is a celebration of the desert lands of the American Southwest.This is one of the better books I have read that talk about the desert lands. I find children can get bored quickly when reading about a desert but this one really held my daughter’s attention and by the end she was asking good questions about desert animals that I didn’t even know the answer too.
The Most Dangerous is written by Terri Fields and illustrated by Laura Jacques. Dangerous animals from all over the world gather for the Most Dangerous Animal of All Contest. Snakes, spiders, sharks . . . who will the winner be? Deadly poison, huge teeth, razor-sharp horns, and fearsome feet are just a few of the ways that animals kill. Predators mean to kill. Prey simply defend themselves. And yet, the unexpected most deadly animal doesn?t mean to harm at all! Don?t let the suspense kill you.
This book was by far my oldest daughter’s favorite book out of these new releases. She just loves talking about big scary animals. She has me read this one over and over all the time. What a great book for kids that like dangerous animals including the one that is the most dangerous, it might even be a surprise for some parents when they read it.
Solar System Forecast is written by Kelly Kizer Witt and illustrated by Kathleen Rietz. Freezing temperatures, scorching heat, and a storm bigger than planet Earth is just some of the wild weather you will encounter on your trip through our solar system! Get your fun facts along with your forecast for each major planet, as well as the weather on dwarf planet Pluto and Saturn’s moon Titan. Any child with an interest in space is sure to love Solar System Forecast, and parents will love the educational “For Creative Minds” section in the back of the book. Get ready for some out of this world fun with Solar System Forecast!This is a great book for a child that is into space. My oldest daughter unfortunately is not. So it looks like I will not be sharing my love of all things space and science related with her. As a librarian I just loved this book. The pictures were great as well as the information that was presented. It was written in a way young kids 4+ can understand and was very interesting.
The Tree That Bear Climbed is written by Marianne Berkes and illustrated by Kathleen Rietz. The Tree That Bear Climbed is a creative twist on the classic, The House that Jack Built. Young listeners and early readers will love the rhythmic repetition as they learn about the many parts of a tree. Beginning with the roots that anchor the tree, this cumulative verse story climbs to a surprise ending. Why is bear so eager to climb the tree and what happens when he gets to the top? Kate Rietz’s vivid and detailed illustrations will enthrall children of all ages.What a fun read that any child would enjoy. I truly enjoyed reading this one to my daughters. I especially loved the beautiful illustrations throughout this book. We are bear lovers in our family. This was my go to book out of the new releases that I wanted to read over and over again.
A Warm Winter Tail is written by Carrie A Pearson and illustrated by Christina Wald. Do you ever wonder how animals stay warm in the winter? Well they wonder how humans do too! In a twist of perspective, wild creatures question if humans use the same winter adaptation strategies that they do. Do they cuddle together in a tree or fly south to Mexico? Take a look through an animal’s eyes; discover the interesting ways that animals cope with the cold winter months throughout this rhythmic story. I think this is a particularly cute book. Down here in Florida we do not have a true winter but my daughter does ask about snow and other cold winter related things. This was a great way for her to learn about the animals and what they do during winter. I am also a huge fan of rhythmic stories at bedtime.
Boys are notoriously known as reluctant readers. It is important for moms of boys to remember that boys are especially drawn to non-fiction. Find a topic that they love like space or animals and find children’s books that play off their interests. These books are perfect for the reluctant reader. I am a true believer that reading to your young kids and later them reading on their own can help build a strong educational core in learning.
