How the World Works

Frank Hodge — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:22:19 +0000

One of the most special books I have seen recently is from the Pop-Up category. This is identified as ”A hands-on guide to our amazing planet.” HOW THE WORLD WORKS by Christiane Dorian , illustrated by Beverley Young (Candlewick Press, 2010, $17.99) is truly an amazing enterprise. The book is loosely based on a series of questions young readers might ask. For example the first question is “What on earth happened?”And answers “astronomers think that 13.7 billion years ago the whole universe emerged from a tiny invisible dot.” (The Big Bang Theory) This leads to information about the planets, the sun, asteroids and comets.

Then nearly 4.6 billion years ago the earth, in a section called Our World, is formed.
This opening is followed by sections as “When did life begin?” followed by questions How did life begin? Is the earth moving beneath our feet? Then on to questions about weather, plants, the sea, etc. The responses to each query are very basic and provide enough information to satisfy the young inquisitive mind.

The format will have great appeal to young readers. As questions are raised various methods of pop-up structures are there to be opened and/ or investigated. The artwork is attractive and provides ample information to lead the reader to more exacting scientific answers and details.

Usually I have found most pop-up books, with the exception of those done by Robert Sabuda, inadequate and many very fragile making them not appropriate for youngest hands and fingers. This one however, is built more sturdy and useable. Personally, I found this book filled with good information directed at young readers say, grs. 2-4.

Leaf Trouble

Frank Hodge — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:53:41 +0000

Every year we watch the leaves change from greens to vivid hues of orange, red and yellows. While enjoying this yearly panorama get out LEAF TROUBLE by Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church (Chicken House, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc, 2009, $16.99) and introduce the very young readers to Pip Squirrel. One early fall day Pip falls from his oak tree home. While on the ground a leaf falls. Poor Pip is certain his beloved home tree is falling apart. He must return the leaf immediately. As the leaves fall Pip is determined to affix them back to the branches. He enlists his sister, Blossom, to assist him. The job is made even more difficult when a strong wind gust shakes the tree causing hundreds of leaves to come free. Pip tells his mother about the tree dying and she explains what is happening. She tells Pip and Blossom to be happy for the tree and for themselves.

The artwork here is brilliant. The vivid colors ultimately remind Pip , “They’re the colors of the sunset!” A genuinely charming and informative book for the younger readers to explain, in their language, this wonderful miracle of nature. Picture book, available now.

Hodge-Podge Books » nature

How the World Works

Leaf Trouble