Poison Alert!

April 1, 2014

K-Gr 2-These books present tips for children about how to develop healthy and safe habits. Each story is told from the perspective of a child who is dealing with a specific issue (a picky eater who realizes that he needs to eat more healthy foods, a girl giving her brother advice on staying safe) and shows how he or she learns more about it with the help of friends and family. Though the first-person narratives, which flow easily and contain clear, direct language, are not conventional nonfiction in format, they still convey useful information. Eye-catching full-color illustrations match the text and aid comprehension, while red text boxes emphasize important points. An engaging series that deals with everyday problems kids may face.

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2014
Grades 3-5 Focusing on chemical hazards around the house and yard, this entry in the My Healthy Habits series presents a caped young narrator who styles himself Mighty Matthew keeping his little brother (Mega Mouth) away from Grandma's medicine, the cleaning products that Mama uses, and other harmful substances. Aside from a debatable claim that lawn fertilizer is a type of herbicide, younger readers will find healthy doses of useful information about good practices, safe storage of potential poisons, and what to do in case of emergencyall delivered with melodramatic relish (Toilet cleaner hides in the bathroom. Stand back, Mega Mouth!) rather than bland, forgettable cautions. Back matter includes print and web resources plus a recipe for a vinegar-based cleaning fluid.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)