Atlas of Record-Breaking Adventures

October 1, 2020

Gr 5-8-Readers explore some of the world's most extreme wildlife, locations, and flora in this illustrated atlas. The book begins with a world map and a table of contents, which is arranged in alphabetical order by continent. Each chapter kicks off with a map of the continent. The following pages depict somewhat cluttered scenes that highlight physical features, animals, or landmarks. Each topic section provides a brief paragraph of information and captions written in smaller type. In each scene, an inset map pinpoints the featured location in relation to the continent. Size comparisons are given in terms of European landmarks, such as Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower. End matter includes a "Can You Find?" page with one item from the topic, making it similar to a Where's Waldo? search. An index is also included. VERDICT A fun, informative title. However, if curriculum support is needed, this book serves as a secondary purchase.-Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2020
Readers will gain a record-breaking knowledge of trivia. Take a trip across all seven continents with explorers as they discover factoids galore. The explorers, one who presents White and the other with light-brown skin, travel the world, often accompanied by a local guide, gleaning information along the way. The pages depict surreal landscapes and maps featuring slightly anthropomorphized animals, such as a bindle-carrying bird and pirate hat-wearing caiman. Each double-page spread concentrates on one area and is splattered with tiny text that provides uneven levels of information. For example, in one box readers learn that cheetahs "accelerate from zero to 55 miles per hour in just three seconds" and that ostriches are "the fastest creature on two legs." Great! But how fast are ostriches? The same page notes that a cheetah can "reach a top speed of over 60 miles per hour." Wait! Isn't it 55 mph? Other facts are equally vague. Readers learn that the Greenland shark is "the world's oldest vertebrate," but does this mean longest-living vertebrate or the vertebrate that has been around the longest? They are also instructed to hold their breath with a Cuvier's beaked whale, "nature's best air-breathing diver," but aren't told how long these whales can go between breaths. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.8-by-15.2-inch double-page spreads viewed at 84% of actual size.) Readers after records should stick with Guinness. (seek-and-find game, index) (Nonfiction. 10-12)

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