Are You Ready for Fall?

February 1, 2010
PreS-Gr 2-These titles purport to educate children about the differences in the seasons. However, the information is so broad that it can be confusing for young readers to follow, and there isn't enough substance for older report writers. For example, under the topic "Fall Weather," there are no explanations as to why the temperatures get cooler at that time of year. There are just descriptive sentences such as "Wind whooshes through the trees. Dead leaves float and spiral as they blow to the ground." Glossary terms are neither defined in context nor set in boldface when they appear. The stock photos in both books do little to entice readers into the texts. Sara L. Latta's "What Happens in Spring" (Enslow, 2006) or Darlene R. Stille's "Simply Science: Fall" and "Simply Science: Spring" (both Compass Point, 2001) are better choices."Lisa Gangemi Kropp, Half Hollow Hills Community Library, Dix Hills, NY"

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