School Library Journal - Jennifer Prince
Scooby Doo-scary illustrations and short sentences pair well here. Each volume begins with four or five statements that readers are informed may be either true or false. The basics about each subject are then presented, and the answers revealed in sidebars. For instance, in Pirates, after the statement that "Blackbeard used to make people think he was on fire," brief facts about other famous pirates are given and Rissman explains that, to scare his victims, Blackbeard would light strips of cloth and tuck them into his beard, making him look as though he was on fire. The narratives appear in large fonts and consist of two-to-three sentences per page. Full-color, modern photographs and period and original drawings appear throughout. Each volume concludes with an activity such as drawing a sea monster or learning to solve mysteries. Concisely written with attention-getting layouts. –Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Library, NC <i> School Library Journal </i> November 2010
November 14, 2011Library Media Connection - Jennifer Harkleroad
Each of the titles in this series is an attractive combination of graphic-novel-type illustrations, color photographs, and drawn and painted illustrations. Each high interest book has straightforward text and is packed with interesting facts and diagrams. Additional information related to careers in cryptozoology, "talking like a pirate," and detective tips provide more exciting information for the reader. This series will be a welcome addition to elementary school libraries. The books are written in such a way as to appeal to reluctant readers, balancing text with attractive, fun illustrations and trivia questions. Although pirates and sea legends are not part of most school curricula, these books will serve the need for nonfiction pleasure reading extremely well. Legends of the Sea will be a crowd-pleaser in school libraries everywhere! Bibliography. Glossary. Websites. Table of Contents. Index. – Jennifer Harkleroad, School Librarian, Thomas Crossroads Elementary School, Sharpsburg, Georgia <i> Library Media Connection</i> January/February 2011
November 14, 2011
