Green and Spiky

April 15, 2018
Grades K-3 I have eight titles and teach youngsters about historic landmarks . . . What am I? The new American Place Puzzlers series, of course! In these guessing-game-style installments, each flip of the page introduces a declarative one- or two-sentence clue and a corresponding double-page photo (complete with sneaky puzzle-piece-shaped gaps). Although the penultimate spread reveals the mystery location, concluding Fast Facts and Where Am I? pages offer comprehensive statistics, including historical context, maps, measurements, and one extra-compelling Cool Fact. Green and Spiky presents the Statue of Liberty, accentuating her copper exterior, tablet- and torch-bearing hands, and 377-step spiral staircase along the way. Though back matter is often more informative than the preceding clues, each book's simple sentences, engaging layout, and mystery-infused approach will have beginning readers and budding history buffs raring to crack the case.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

April 1, 2018

PreS-Gr 2-These attractive volumes introduce young readers to historical sites across the United States. Using simple, easy-to-read text, the authors present modern engineering feats, like the Hoover Dam and the Statue of Liberty, piece by piece. All of the titles follow a similar format: readers are given multiple photographic and narrative clues ("I am painted orange," "My base is stone and concrete") before the big reveal. The images are saturated with color, and the hints provided are solid. VERDICT A lively, interactive way to get youngsters interested in history and geography.

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