"Look and Find Transportation" by Thierry Laval

"Look and Find Transportation" 

by Thiery Laval

40 pages /  Print / Non-Fiction

Summary: A pull-out, search, and find book for all things transportation. Readers visit an airport, city, construction site, train station, and seaport. Each location has many vehicles, tools and people to find. A great read for anyone that is curious to learn new vocabulary about transportation.

Evaluation: This book is very fun to read and interact with. the pages fold out on both sides to reveal a large illustration. Readers need to find the picture of the new vocabulary on the page, which is great for reinforcing learning. Children learn best when they can see and do something. Many of the new vocabulary words are new for children, but they may have seen them before (for example: "scaffolding". Scaffolding is on almost every corner in NYC where there is construction.). I expect readers to seek out the new vocabulary when they walk around outside. This book is great to share with a partner while they look for the picture of the words on the page. Children love transportation vehicles, so this book will be a hit!

Appeal Terms: realistic, engrossing, leisurely, engaging, fact-filled, life like

"The Arrival" by Shuan Tan

"The Arrival" 

by Shuan Tan

128 pages /  Print / Fantasy

Summary: In an imaginary world, a man must leave his wife and daughter behind to create a better life for them. Through illustrations only, Shuan Tan tells us an inspiring story of immigration and a man's love for his family. We follow the man's struggle of not knowing his new country's language, and finding a place to live and sleep. After some time, the wife and daughter and reunited with the man in the new country and build a new life together instead of isolation.

Evaluation: A beautiful story of immigration that captures the emotions of arriving in a new place with no knowledge of the language, culture or people. Shuan Tan uses an imaginary world, with imaginary text for the man to read, which makes the reader feel alien just as much as the protagonist in the story. The illustrations allow us to look into the mind and backstories of the characters in the story to help the reader realize that everyone in the imaginary land is an immigrant too. This book is a great way to introduce a unit on immigration. The artwork is captivating, Tan uses different dark shades to signal to the reader different passages of time and perspectives. We are to believe that every immigrant has left their country to escape some dark force, or make their life better. The book reads like a filmstrip, which makes for a very interactive reading experience.

Appeal Terms: adventure, graphic novel, historical, science fiction, engrossing, dark, hopeful, mystical, melodramatic, episodic, plot centered, resolved ending, family centered, life like, vivid, multiple point of view, imaginary, introspective

"A Log's Life" by Wendy Pfeffer, Illustrated by Robin Brickman

"A Log's Life" 

by Wendy Pfeffer, Illustrated by Robin Brickman

32 pages /  Print / Realistic

Summary: "A Log's Life" brings us through the amazing life cycle of tree as it falls, decomposes and gives life to a new tree. Many animals and insects depend on a tree in each stage of its life. The book reads like a story, but it is very educational. Realistic illustrations add to the value of this fascinating book.

Evaluation: This book is an excellent tool for understanding and appreciating nature's greatest gift, trees. A teacher could use this book in a science class to introduce a unit on earth science. The illustrations and text are very meditative, making you feel like you are walking through a shady forest. The message of this book with surely make readers appreciate trees and how many creatures interact with it. The message of rebirth (of the tree) is beautiful and could be used as a metaphor for human life.

Appeal Terms: animal, realistic, engrossing, easy, engaging, event oriented, fact-filled, life like