It really took me a long time to decide whether or not to read Magic School bus books, because of the references to magic and the impossible, but I grudgingly started reading them. I still think they are difficult to read-aloud, and kind of a pain, but there they are.
Now, for those non-super-picky moms, if you like Magic School Bus, you'll like this addition. Ms. Frizzle isn't teaching class, she's on vacation. But, it's a similar style book, and it shares some of the same style information as the other books.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
The Egyptians: Builders of the Pyramids By Katherine Reece
This again is much of the same information in many other Egyptian books, but with fewer pictures. This is not one of my favorite books because it doesn't have as many pictures as some of the other books, and it doesn't have very exciting text, so it really could easily be replaced with a more fun and interesting book.
Pyramid (DK Experience) by Peter Chrisp
Now, I know that many of you have seen a lot of pyramid books already, and may be wondering if there is such a thing as too many pyramid books (I know I am). However, this book is a bit different. Despite providing unique viewpoints for the information that is provided (a lot of ariel views and inside of 3-dimensional shots), there is a low text-to-picture ratio, so there isn't too much text on most pages, and what is there is rather unique. There is also a running list of voabulary words on the bottom of the pages, so words you might not ordinarily think to define, such as mallet or organs, have a quick and easy definition, but also more complex words such as serdabs and plumb line, so you don't have to go look them up to figure out what they are talking about, or just skip the definition. I really like this one.
How to Be an Egyptian Princess by Jacqueline Morley
Similar to the other Egyptian books it presents much of the same information, in a little bit different format. Actually, I had a little bit higher expectations for this one. It is a National Geographic book, so the pictures are all very good although most are drawings and not photographs. There is a quiz at the end. If we hadn't already done countless books about Ancient Egypt with basically the same information, we would have enjoyed this one a lot more.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Voyage to the Pharos by Sarah Gauch
Young boy goes on a boy with his father and can't wait to see the Pharos lighthouse. Describes simply a bit of ship life, including a storm, and the final reaching of the lighthouse. More pictures than text, including one fun one about how big the lighthouse must have been.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Mummies, Tombs, and Treasures by Lila Perl Yerkow
Having read several books on ancient Egypt recently, we have decided to forgo this one. 120 pages in length, and with mostly text covering its pages, with a few photographs scattered throughout, this is a bit more in-depth history study. However, since we have already added in a plethora of books about this subject, this just seemed to be too much, despite its recommendation. Perhaps for Core 6, where it could easily be a reader.
The Three Princes by Eric A. Kimmel
Subtitle: A Tale from the Middle East
Story of a princess who needs to decide between 3 princes which one to marry, two wealthy, and one poor. She is in love with the poor one, but still sends them all out on a journey to find the most wonderful treasure in the world.
One finds a crystal ball, with which he can see anyone in the world and what they are doing, one finds a flying carpet, which can take him anywhere in the world, and one finds a magic orange, that can heal anyone in the world.
They peer into the crystal ball together, and see the princess is sick, and then take the flying carpet to see her in order to give her the orange. When she is better, she has to decide which one helped her the most, as none of the three could have saved her without the other two.
Story of a princess who needs to decide between 3 princes which one to marry, two wealthy, and one poor. She is in love with the poor one, but still sends them all out on a journey to find the most wonderful treasure in the world.
One finds a crystal ball, with which he can see anyone in the world and what they are doing, one finds a flying carpet, which can take him anywhere in the world, and one finds a magic orange, that can heal anyone in the world.
They peer into the crystal ball together, and see the princess is sick, and then take the flying carpet to see her in order to give her the orange. When she is better, she has to decide which one helped her the most, as none of the three could have saved her without the other two.
The Golden Sandal by Rebecca Hickox
Subtitle: a Middle Eastern Cinderella Story
Keeps the essence of the Cinderella story the same, although the fairy godmother is a little red fish, and the "prince" is the brother of a wealthy bride.
Does involve some "magical" transformations.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Once in the Year by Elizabeth Yates
Once in the Year: A Christmas Story
The first sequel to Mountain Born.
This book starts out on Christmas Eve, a few months after Biddy dies. Peter's mother tells of one winter, long ago, when she found a flower in a little patch of forest on Christmas Eve that was blooming, even though the rest of the woods were covered in snow. They leave to go to town for a service, I think.
Peter stays home with Old Benj who begins telling him a beautiful rendition of the Christmas story. However, in his version, the animals talk to each other at midnight, and he has heard them before.
Peter stays up until midnight, and then goes out in the barn, and hears the animals telling of the first Christmas as well.
The first sequel to Mountain Born.
This book starts out on Christmas Eve, a few months after Biddy dies. Peter's mother tells of one winter, long ago, when she found a flower in a little patch of forest on Christmas Eve that was blooming, even though the rest of the woods were covered in snow. They leave to go to town for a service, I think.
Peter stays home with Old Benj who begins telling him a beautiful rendition of the Christmas story. However, in his version, the animals talk to each other at midnight, and he has heard them before.
Peter stays up until midnight, and then goes out in the barn, and hears the animals telling of the first Christmas as well.
Look Inside an Egyptian Tomb by Brian Moses
Rating: 6.5/10
Takes you through the different parts of things found inside a tomb, but I was expecting more of an actual walk-through books, as if you were inside.
Discusses burial chambers, thrones, amulets and other thing found inside tombs. Lots of photography with some dramatizations as well.
Takes you through the different parts of things found inside a tomb, but I was expecting more of an actual walk-through books, as if you were inside.
Discusses burial chambers, thrones, amulets and other thing found inside tombs. Lots of photography with some dramatizations as well.
The Little Brown Jay: A Tale from India by Elizabeth Claire
Rating: 6/10
A retelling of a classic story. A princess who has a terrible sounding voice falls in love with a blind prince, but is afraid to speak with him. She talks it over with a little brown jay. Jay agrees to give her his voice. She wraps him up with blue shawl, and he wishes he were a better color. Magically, they swap, his voice for her color, she marries the prince, he becomes a blue jay with a terrible voice.
References to magic lotus flower.
End of book has 5 pages of text about different things about India. Book is very small (22 pages with pictures and large font, except last 5 pages have more text).
A retelling of a classic story. A princess who has a terrible sounding voice falls in love with a blind prince, but is afraid to speak with him. She talks it over with a little brown jay. Jay agrees to give her his voice. She wraps him up with blue shawl, and he wishes he were a better color. Magically, they swap, his voice for her color, she marries the prince, he becomes a blue jay with a terrible voice.
References to magic lotus flower.
End of book has 5 pages of text about different things about India. Book is very small (22 pages with pictures and large font, except last 5 pages have more text).
Monday, November 1, 2010
Miriam and her brother Moses by Jean Marzollo/Exodus from Egypt by Mary Auld/Exodus by Brian Wildsmith
Rating: 8.5/10
Miriam: This is kind of a fun book. There is a little song to go with, and cute fishes on the bottom of each page making comments, but basically a young child's retelling of the Moses story. I used it as part one in a three part story, each one starting at the beginning, and going a little further into the story.
Alternative: The Moses Basket
by Jenny Koralek
We didn't enjoy this book as much. I felt it took too many liberties with adapting the Moses story, and the text wasn't as engaging, but if you want an alternative for a slightly older age group or a child who doesn't want quite as "babyish" a book as the one listed above, this is a consideration.
Exodus from Egypt:
Rating: 7/10
This story we used as the second book. It briefly touches on the story of Moses as an infant, and then goes into the plagues and the parting of the red sea. Cartoon like in nature, it is another fun book for young children.
Alternative: Moses: the Long Road to Freedom by Ann Keay Beneduce
Again, a book older children might enjoy more than younger children, it gives an accounting of the 10 plagues of Egypt.
Exodus:
Rating: 7/10
Takes the story one step further, and discusses the exodus, and then goes on to talk about the wandering in the desert.
All three of these books can easily be read in one sitting, as can the first two alternatives.
Alternative: Angels Sweep the Desert Floor by Miria Chaikin
Again, another alternative to the book above, this one is much longer with more text and fewer pictures. It describes Moses's trek through the desert and to the promised land, up until the time he dies, from the perspectives of the angles watching over him. For time constraints, and a general not liking of the liberties taken in this book to describe what the angels did and said, we did not do this book, but it is an option.
Miriam: This is kind of a fun book. There is a little song to go with, and cute fishes on the bottom of each page making comments, but basically a young child's retelling of the Moses story. I used it as part one in a three part story, each one starting at the beginning, and going a little further into the story.
Alternative: The Moses Basket
by Jenny Koralek
We didn't enjoy this book as much. I felt it took too many liberties with adapting the Moses story, and the text wasn't as engaging, but if you want an alternative for a slightly older age group or a child who doesn't want quite as "babyish" a book as the one listed above, this is a consideration.
Exodus from Egypt:
Rating: 7/10
This story we used as the second book. It briefly touches on the story of Moses as an infant, and then goes into the plagues and the parting of the red sea. Cartoon like in nature, it is another fun book for young children.
Alternative: Moses: the Long Road to Freedom by Ann Keay Beneduce
Again, a book older children might enjoy more than younger children, it gives an accounting of the 10 plagues of Egypt.
Exodus:
Rating: 7/10
Takes the story one step further, and discusses the exodus, and then goes on to talk about the wandering in the desert.
All three of these books can easily be read in one sitting, as can the first two alternatives.
Alternative: Angels Sweep the Desert Floor by Miria Chaikin
Again, another alternative to the book above, this one is much longer with more text and fewer pictures. It describes Moses's trek through the desert and to the promised land, up until the time he dies, from the perspectives of the angles watching over him. For time constraints, and a general not liking of the liberties taken in this book to describe what the angels did and said, we did not do this book, but it is an option.
The Winged Cat and other tales of ancient civilizations by deborah nourse lattimore
Rating: 0/10
DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!!
How's that for a warning?
Includes 3 stories:
1. The winged cat--girl who is not dead visits the underworld to save a cat, ghost of cat guides her through the underworld by helping her read the magic spells. Much discussion of gods being worshiped and demons waiting to devour.
2. The demon Pazuzu and the tower of Babel--boy prays to demon god to protect him from sandstorm, and is saved. Finds dog who he names after demon god Pazuzu to thank god for saving him. Goes with old man as slaves to paint pictures of gods and goddesses on walls. Is presented to Nebuchadnezzar (not sure how, since it is a tower of Babel story?). Tries to trick him by pretending he is the god Marduk. King tries to sacrifice dog Pazuzu to Marduk. Boy tells king he is dishonoring god Pazuzu by doing so, and must not. Dog turns into demon and sends a sandstorm to save boy.
3. The prince and the golden ax--princess wears charms, reminds brother that although she has the gift of spells, they must still honor the goddess Diktynna. They go to feast games, brother win competition and declares himself more powerful than the goddess after he wins. They anger the goddess, and have to set out on a series of quests to retrieve items to appease goddess. Boy continues boasting each time he accomplishes one. Princess weaves spells to help them through and boy uses strength. Goddess gets angry and sinks city.
DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!!
How's that for a warning?
Includes 3 stories:
1. The winged cat--girl who is not dead visits the underworld to save a cat, ghost of cat guides her through the underworld by helping her read the magic spells. Much discussion of gods being worshiped and demons waiting to devour.
2. The demon Pazuzu and the tower of Babel--boy prays to demon god to protect him from sandstorm, and is saved. Finds dog who he names after demon god Pazuzu to thank god for saving him. Goes with old man as slaves to paint pictures of gods and goddesses on walls. Is presented to Nebuchadnezzar (not sure how, since it is a tower of Babel story?). Tries to trick him by pretending he is the god Marduk. King tries to sacrifice dog Pazuzu to Marduk. Boy tells king he is dishonoring god Pazuzu by doing so, and must not. Dog turns into demon and sends a sandstorm to save boy.
3. The prince and the golden ax--princess wears charms, reminds brother that although she has the gift of spells, they must still honor the goddess Diktynna. They go to feast games, brother win competition and declares himself more powerful than the goddess after he wins. They anger the goddess, and have to set out on a series of quests to retrieve items to appease goddess. Boy continues boasting each time he accomplishes one. Princess weaves spells to help them through and boy uses strength. Goddess gets angry and sinks city.
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