From Beginning to End

May 1, 2009
PreS-KThese books outline basic science concepts on their opening pages and use the tunes of well-known songs to explain them more fully. For example, introductory text and sidebars in "Living" explain that living things move and eat, and the song (to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?") elaborates in lines such as "Is it moving?/Is it moving?/Can it fly?/Gallop by?/Living things need dinner, /Or they get much thinner./So they need/To drink and feed." One line of the song is provided per page, often accompanied by sidebars. A closing "Did You Know?" page provides additional facts, such as the sizes of various types of plants and the amounts some animals eat in "Living". Bold, colorful illustrations depict children from a variety of backgrounds. Adults willing to sing along are required."Ragan O'Malley, Saint Ann's School, Brooklyn, NY"

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