Reviews (2)

Constitution Review
This was a great book.It provided both facts and interesting tibits about the founders.I used it as a resource in my 5th grade inclusion social studies class and they found it both useful and informative.

Good resource!
"They Signed the Constitution" by Elizabeth Levy has become an excellent resource for me to use in the classroom.I teach 7th grade social studies, and we spend 1 quarter of the year on government.My colleague and Ihave used most of this book for the past 3 years tosupplement the rest of the material we use.We have also created aworksheet to be used with it.Students take turns reading aloud in classfrom this book.They find it easy to read and easy to understand,definitely not the dry textbook we're used to reading!I recommend thisbook for elementary and junior high teachers teaching government, as wellas students looking for an easy way to understand part of our earlyAmerican history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Constitution    4. Constitutional history    5. History - United States/Colonial & Revolutionary    6. Juvenile literature    7. Social Science - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    8. United States    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / General   

Reviews (3)

Kids Guide to Social Action
Barbara Lewis cares about kids! Her books highlight ways in which students can make a difference in the world.Students are taught to identify problems and seek creative solutions in order to improve their community. "Kids Guide to Social Action," as well as Barbara's other publications, promote character education and service learning by providing authentic examples and educatinal tools for both the teacher and student.

Superb
I can't imagine a better way to help young people put their"if only's" into action. Kids can choose from small orlarger time involvements, but this book will help them not WASTE time as they begin helping others in their communities. Many specific ideas and even templates to help the first-time volunteer feel comfortable reaching out, giving, and maybe even changing the world a little.

how kids can practice their idealism
This upbeat, engaging book tells young adults --say, 10 and up-- specific ways they can make a difference. Even those vaguely wanting to "do something" may get inspired by the book's stories of caring kids, their ideas, and what skills they developed to get results. My 12-year-oldglued herself to the book for several days, then organized a neighborhoodcampaign to help the homeless in our town. The book helped with ideas forletters, interviews, speeches, surveys, and many resources and contactinfo. Now I'm reading it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc.    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. Political participation    8. Social Issues - Adolescence    9. Social Science - General    10. Social Science - Politics & Government    11. Social action    12. Social problems    13. United States    14. Social topics & ethical issues    15. Handbooks    16. Manuals   

Reviews (6)

beautiful--unique perspective on other cultures/people/places
I love the format of this book.Rather than being structured around regions of the world (like most), it is formatted around basic human needs--clean water, healthy food, safe home, education, protection, love, an identity, freedom of religion and expression, etc... In the course of that, specific children from various countries are profiled throughout, with a focus on how that particular need is being met in their own life.The book is visually appealing, with a very reader-friendly lay out--well organized, colorful, and packed with beautiful photos.This book is perfect for kids and adults alike.It also handles tough issues such as exploitation of children through work and war sensitively, yet clearly.I bought this book to use in teaching a geography/world cultures class, along with several others, and this one really stands out!
Not a great book for homeschoolers...
I bought this book for my kids, but ended up donating it to our library.If your kids are homeschooled or unvaccinated, you may not care for the overemphasis on the importance of school and vaccinations as basic rights for children (rather than education and health in a more inclusive manner).

One of the best
This is a spectacular masterpiece from UNICEF. It not only shows life for 18 or so children from different parts of the world but give invaluable information about what children need to survive and what people are doing to ensure that all children get these needs fulfilled. The whole book is divided into 4 main chapters, Survival, Development, Protection and Participation. At the beginning of each of those chapters, is a definition of the word and basic ideas under those. E.g. Survial, definition, Water, Food, Home and Health.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children's rights    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Cross-cultural studies    6. General    7. Human rights    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Social Issues - General    11. Social Science - General    12. Human geography / peoples of the world    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / Social Science / General   

Reviews (3)

Can't teach the Constitution without it!
Maestro reviews the reasons for the Constitution, but fails to mention the Articles of Confederation.The text includes the Virginia, New Jersey, and Connecticut Plans.The book can easily be read as an introduction to the Constitution in one class period.Students could complete a drawing or group of drawings on a picture web to narrate the important details from the story.

Excellent!
I came across one book by Betsy Maestro "The Discovery of the Americas" and I loved it.The text is simple and the illustrations are great. It is historically accurate as well, a must in my checklist.I didn't realize she also wrote the historical series "You Wouldn't Want to..." They are my favorite!! I recommend all of her books, especially for teachers.

Great Review of Constitution!
This book is great for Middle School Students or even High School Students who want to review the events leading to the Constitution.I am a Middle School Teacher and plan on using the book to review my lessons with my students.Next year I plan on using it to introduce the topic! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (1787)    2. Children's 4-8 - Politics / Current Events    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Constitutional Convention    6. Constitutional history    7. History - United States/General    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Law & Crime    11. Politics & Government    12. Social Science - Politics & Government    13. United States    14. United States.    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods   

Reviews (155)

An inspirational book
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul llis a great book written by teenagers and some adults about life. It teaches us about life and how to deal with it. It shows us that no matter where you came form, what you look like, or how you act, almost all teenagers are the same. This book is an inspiration to everyone.
Chicken Soup For the Teenage Soul
This is a great book for every teenager. Every teen goes througha tough time at least once in their life and this book can really help. It has stories on things from teenage romance to suicide. This is a great book for everyone from teenagers to adults.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul 2 is great
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul 2 is a great book for teens because it is something we can relate to. It is filled with short anecdotes written by teenagers or once-teenagers about their adolescent experiences. It is inspirational and teaches us about who we are, about people, and about life in general. I recommend this book for all teenagers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Young Adult Religion    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Conduct of life    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Religion - Inspirational    6. Social Science - Sociology    7. Teenagers    8. Family & Relationships / Adolescence    9. Personal, health & social education (PHSE)   

Editorial Review

Eat your heart out, tooth fairy. According to the informal research of the author, the world is full of other, equally fascinating myths and traditions about what happens, or should be done, when those milk choppers part company with childish gums. If you come from Chile or Costa Rica, your parents will have the tooth made into a charm. If you're Venezuelan, you put the tooth under your pillow and hope that a mouse brings you money. (Oddly enough, mice, milk teeth, and money are associated all over the world.) Playful illustrations by G. Brian Karas include a world map, plus lots of fun depictions of the world's dentally challenged junior inhabitants. (Ages 4 to 8) Read more

Reviews (10)

Tooth on the Roof
Am a Dental Hygienist and enjoy this book for the entertainment of my patients.

The Birds Only Take CLEAN Teeth!
What an awesome read! It had never occured to me that children in other countries may not have a "tooth fairy" experience. I purchased this book for my pre-K class (none of the kids have lost any teeth yet, but are really looking forward to it!) Children in many countries around the world are visited by "El Raton" a rat or mouse who comes during the night to take away lost teeth and sometimes replaces them with money or gifts. My favorite country in this book was Brazil. In Brazil, the birds come to take lost teeth- but only if they are clean. Dirty teeth mean no money is left for the child. This is a great encouragement for Brazilian children to brush their teeth every day! Great for 5 to 12-year-olds.

Throw Your Tooth on the Roof
My 6 year old grandson, Evan, and I took turns reading, questioning, and laughing as we turned the pages of this interesting and enlightening little book. We had some light conversation and lots of laughs about what parents (and grandparents) in our culture and parents in other cultures tell their children when the first tooth is lost.Evan wanted to know why such a "common" experience caused such a variety of responses.And, why parents had to make up stories in the first place.Well now, that's a good question! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Collections by Author    5. Folklore    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Social Science - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    8. Teeth    9. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Single Title   

Editorial Review

If the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions a mummy is aghastly, bandaged creature staggering forth from a tomb, it's time to take alook at Read more

Reviews (6)

I liked it alot!
This book was really fun! What I learned from this book is about the tomb robbers. And that Egypt is in Africa.
Great Book!
This was a great book. I finished it in 1 day. I thought it was the best reasearch guide you have ever written. (Steven)

Researchers Don't Believe Pyramids Built By Slaves
This is a very good book for children.It contains a lot of great information about Ancient Egypt.I read another review by a reader who was offended by the thought that the Pyramids weren't built by slaves.This was obviously a surprise to him but I had heard it elsewhere so it was no news to me.There were slaves in Egypt and I'm sure they were badly used in other jobs.They could have also been used to help build the pyramids, I doubt we will ever know exactly.This is a good book and no reader should pass it up over one shocked review.There's plenty of good information here and it is very interesting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Civilization    4. Egypt    5. History - Ancient    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Mummies    9. Pyramids    10. Social Science - Archaeology    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Ancient   

Reviews (3)

Photos are great for discussion!
While the text of the book is not particularly inspiring, it is an introduction to the different ways some people live around the world. My daughter is not yet two but she loves Ann Morris' entire series of books and likes to identify things in each photograph. We use the books to discuss differences and similarities between how we and others live. The photos are obviously dated but I don't believe that alters the impact of what the author and photographer are trying to do. As she grows, we intend to continue to read these books, moving on from identifying simple items to talking about cultures, traditions, environments, geography, and etc. The back of each book contains a map and descriptions of locations/actions for each page and will allow us to talk about where places are in relation to one another. I recommend these books for curious children starting at age 18 months and all the way up into the school years.

Houses and Homes
This is a beautiful book with gorgeous illustrations.I found it very useful in my second grade social studies unit.

Informative and Stimulating!
Houses and Homes is a great book to stimulate conversation for young beginning readers!The photos alone are worth a thousand words.I used this book as a lead in for a discussion with first graders about differenttypes of homes around the world.The text is simple enough that they'llread it unassisted over and over.The index in the back of the book, alongwith a world map, is very informative!It states the specific countrywhere each photo was taken and gives detailed information on the uses ofthe types of homes shown.The descriptions also include information on therelationships between homes, cultures, and climates around the world.My 5year old nephew, a beginning reader, would not put the book down.If hewasn't actually reading the book, he was spending time looking at thereal-life photos! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Dwellings    4. House & Home    5. Housing    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. People & Places - General    9. Social Science - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    10. Social Science - General    11. Home furnishing & decoration    12. Interior design    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / People & Places / General   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    2. General    3. Juvenile Nonfiction    4. Psychology    5. Social Science - General    6. Social Science - Psychology    7. Juvenile Nonfiction / Social Science / General   

Reviews (50)

A good book for Kids!
Chicken Soup for the Kids Soul
Parents beware
I have not read this book, but my nine year old daughter has read and enjoyed most of it. Last night though, she cried herself to sleep after reading graphic stories (near the end of the book) by an incest victim whose father was sent to jail and the daughter of an injection drug user who woke up one night with police pointing guns at her. I'm sure the inclusion of these stories was well-intentioned, but there's no way they are "chicken soup" for the average kid's soul.

Inspirational
Chicken Soup grabs everything that a kid experiences, expertly juggles all of them, weaves a wonderful book, and prints it. Voila! You get Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Religion    3. Children's writings    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Conduct of life    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Religion - Inspirational    9. Social Science - Sociology    10. Fiction anthologies & collections    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / General   

Reviews (36)

Loved it!
I absolutly loved this book! I recieved for my birthday a year ago and I still look at it! It is not just a reading book, its a hands on book with fasinating information. Great gift for kids, my younger sister collects the series and loves them.

For Egypt Lovers!!!
Although this was a children's book, it was amazing!I am 21 years old and it captivated me really fast.I'm gonna admit that I am not much of a reader.But, I am very fascinated by Egyptian stuff.So, when I saw this book, I knew that I had to have it! I t was a great buy!Now I want the other books in the serie! It was a great book for children to read.But, if you collect books about egypt, this might be an interesting one for you to pick up!

WOW!
This book is utterly amazing! It has many things you can pull out and open and read. For example, the game Senet is in there! Plus the story of Miss Sands is very interesting. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in egypt! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Civilization    5. Egypt    6. Historical - Exploration & Discoveries    7. Interactive Adventure    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    11. Social Science - Archaeology    12. To 332 B.C.    13. Juvenile Fiction / Interactive Adventures   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Economics - General    5. General    6. Economics    7. Juvenile Nonfiction / Social Science / General    8. Study and teaching   

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 4-6    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Social Science - General   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Social Science - General   

Reviews (14)

My Senator And Me: A Dog's Eye View Of Washingion, D.C.
This book is delightful. A very cute book for kids to learn about how the Senate is run. Such a cute idea to use Ted's dog through the dog's eyes and voice. I'm not truly a Ted Kennedy fan, but this was very well written, and the illustrations are excellent. I hope he does a second book using both of his dogs. Children will love reading it, as well as adults. I buy them for my grand children and end up keeping some myself for my own collection.
THE DOG'S NAME IS SPLASH!!!
His dog's name is Splash!!!
He was already named Splash
That's right - the dog was named Splash by the previous owner before Mr. Kennedy got him.So, focus on the book and not the politics.I think it's a cute book (I also own a PWD)and have given it to both of my teacher daughters for their classrooms. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Dogs    2. Animals - Pets    3. Children's 9-12    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. General    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Legislators    10. People & Places - United States    11. Social Science - Politics & Government    12. Splash (Dog)    13. United States   

Reviews (2)

A VOLUME RICH WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
According to Webster's, gnomes are "dry, wizened little old men."Not so!They are irresistible ruddy cheeked playful little individuals who have amazing adventures. The most amazing Gnomes compilation ever!
The Complete Gnomes, by Wil Huygen, is amazing. Not only does this book include information, but pictures and stories as well. The way the book is compiled is also very good. The pages are very easy to follow and well explained. The pictures are also very good. Overall, this book deserves 5 star's. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. European - German    2. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    3. General    4. Humor    5. Sociology    6. Special Subjects In Art    7. Fiction    8. Folklore    9. Picture books   

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (7)

Excellent for Car Trip with Kids
This was wonderful for our vacation travel, and really helped keep the peace.With three kids who are almost always bored and rambunctious in the car, this was a travel lifesaver.They love the classics like myths, Shakespeare, and King Arthur.This story was not new to them, but they still listened attentively.We never heard a peep.Sean Bean's accent is lovely to listen to and added authenticity to the story.We are planning to buy more audio books for future trips.

Beautifully narrated and fairly complete introduction to Arthur
As others have mentioned, it's truly Sean Bean's narration that sets this recording apart. He does a fabulous job making the story come alive and, well, his voice is just utterly lovely as well.
Enjoyable for those long car rides
My boys enjoyed this and listening to Sean Bean's voice lent a nice touch to it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adaptations    2. Arthurian romances    3. Audio: Juvenile    4. Children's Audio - 9-12    5. Children's audiobooks    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Classics    8. Fairy Tales & Folklore - General    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Legends, Myths, & Fables - Arthurian    11. Books on Tape/CD    12. Folklore    13. Myth & legend told as fiction   

Reviews (2)

Museum of Native American art
This is the best, most extensive book on Native American crafts for children I have ever seen.Teachers doing a unit on Native Americans will find this book a tremendous resource for creating all kinds of not authentic, but good semblances of Native American crafts.Using mostly ordinary materials, there's enough here that you can create a classroom museum and invite others to see it.In your display you can have: miniature teepees and wigwams, an "adobe" house, pottery, "bark" boxes (made of brown paper), chamois and bead pouch, coup stick, breechcloth, leggings, grass anklets (made of yarn), warbonnet, headband, breastplate, and much more.These clothing items can also be used in a play or other enactment.In addition, there are some interesting recipes, including: corn soup, steamed clover, fried squash blossoms, roasted pumpkin seeds, and other more familiar foods.

EXCELLENT!
More than Moccasins is this homeschooler's dream come true.Homeschooling a six year old, who is also a very hands-on learner, this book fits the bill.Each section, from Indian dwellings to pottery to traditional games, has activities that are fun and EASY TO DO!Very general household itemscan be turned into bakeable clay for pottery, teepees, etc.So many bookswith crafts require tedious materials that are difficult or cumbersome toobtain.Plus each section has a bit of information and history on thatparticular area of Native American culture ~ short enough for the youngerset but detailed enough to provide accurate historical information to goalong with the project.There are MORE activities, games, crafts andrecipes than you could ever do in an entire unit.This is a book I willreturn to over and over.GREAT JOB! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - General    2. Activity programs    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Indians of North America    6. Juvenile Multicultural Studies    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. People & Places - United States - Native American    10. Social Science - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    11. Study and teaching    12. American history    13. Culture & customs    14. Juvenile Nonfiction / Ethnic / Native American    15. North America   

Reviews (6)

This is a must-use for any middle school classroom!
This true story written from the perspective of an 11-year-old immigrant, truly sums up the immigrant perspective.My 4th grade students, journaled each day as if he or she were the central character, and begged for each of the five chapters.This book alone, replaced a 4-week unit that I had used previously to emphasize the impact of immigration on our state.Written by the author's daughter, with photos showing then and now, it is wonderful.FYI: We used, as the final journal entry, an account written by Yehuda when he finds his journal 70 years later and recounts the years since arriving in America.

Character traits nicely parallel our school's program.
The story reads well for any student needing to understand the trials and tribulations of people immigrating to the U.S.Important character traits are developed and their importance in reaching a goal are emphasized. Theartwork makes a dramatic statement to anyone who opens the book. Elementarystudents should be attracted by this outstanding feature. As a schooldirector and recently retired teacher, I purchased a copy for each of ourelementary libraries because of the qualiy of this book.

Great book for all ages!
This review is from Debbie,Paul,Ryan and Melissa. We all modelled for the illustrator,Laurie McGaw, of this book. It was a wonderful experience since some of our grandparents left Russia and Poland because of the war and wefelt we could relate to the people in the book.The book has been presentedto the our childrens' school in conjunction with the Holocaust unit.Teachers and kids alike found the book to be very interesting andbeautifully illustrated. We recommend it to all nationalities and ages.Itis not only a book about Jewish people, but also a book about what anyimmigrants coming to North America might have experienced. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 People & Places    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. History - United States/20th Century    5. Immigrants    6. Jewish children    7. Jews, Russian    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile Social Science (General)    10. Juvenile literature    11. New York    12. New York (State)    13. People & Places - United States - Other    14. Social Issues - Emigration & Immigration    15. Social Science - Sociology    16. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - History - General    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. History - General    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. People & Places - General    6. Social Science - General    7. Juvenile Nonfiction / Social Science / General    8. Schools