The World Around Us: Life Science | Series Made Simple
Introducing children at a young age to books on science is key in helping them forge real-world connections and gain a better understanding of the natural world around them. Thankfully, you’ll find a...
View ArticleFriendly & Fearsome Animals | Series Made Simple
From land to water to air, the usual array of animals is attended to this season. What makes these selections timely is twofold: first, a large portion of the animals are either approaching or at the...
View ArticleFrom Teacup Pigs to Flying Dragons: Wild and Wacky Animal Books | Series Made...
Whether it’s an eye-catching cover, a school assignment, or their own curiosity, children often find their way to the 590s and 630s. Animal books from the series below employ a variety of approaches to...
View ArticleAmerican History Comes Alive | Series Made Simple
American history can be a tough sell. It’s yesterday’s news, people dressed in funny, old-fashioned clothes, a hodge-podge of dates, wars, and obsolete politics. Right? Not necessarily. It’s all in...
View ArticleNew Angles on Nonfiction | Editorial Series Made Simple
As SLJ’s new nonfiction reviews editor, I see a diverse range of informational books for children and teens. From picture book biographies to weighty scientific tomes, it all crosses my desk at some...
View ArticleWe Need Diverse Series Nonfiction | Series Made Simple Fall 2014
“We need diverse books” has of late been the rallying cry in the children’s and YA lit sphere, with authors, librarians, artists, and others emphasizing that exposing young people to inclusive...
View ArticleBut I Have GPS!: Geography | Series Made Simple Fall 2014
When most people think of geography, their minds go to maps. Though GPS may have eliminated the need for them, geography is so much more than mere cartography; it’s a complex, interdisciplinary field...
View ArticleA World of Conflict: World History | Series Made Simple Fall 2014
As we watch violent clashes in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, it’s easy to assume that the entire world is in conflict. Sadly, this state of affairs is nothing new. Much of recorded...
View ArticleBeyond the All-American Athlete: Sports | Series Made Simple Fall 2014
Mo’ne Davis was the top story of the 2014 Little League World Series: before her team lost in an elimination game, the 13-year-old became the first girl to pitch a complete game shutout. Though sports...
View ArticleTall Tales & Scary Monsters: Mythology | Series Made Simple Fall 2014
“Cannibalism makes for interesting stories,” notes one of the authors below. So do, as this season’s select set of offerings demonstrates, accounts of encounters with ghosts and cryptids, the exploits...
View ArticleKeeping It Current: Social Sciences | Series Made Simple Fall 2014
The study of social sciences and current events is crucial for students. These fields not only align with Common Core State Standards—they reflect and help shape the way we all live our daily lives....
View ArticleGo, Kid, Go!: Health & Wellness | Series Made Simple Fall 2014
What kind of book motivates us to take care of ourselves? The most effective health and wellness titles inspire rather than lecture. These series are like running partners: friends who cheer us on....
View ArticleOf Machines & Mathematics: STEM | Series Made Simple Fall 2014
Responding to the Common Core and STEM philosophies, math and science series books now regularly incorporate questions prompting reflection and observation, problem solving activities, and hands-on...
View ArticleFlora, Fauna, & Food Chains: Life Science | Series Made Simple Fall 2014
Here’s a decidedly mixed bag of natural science offerings suitable for classroom sharing, assignment reading, individual study, browsing, or a combination of uses. A wide variety of subjects are...
View ArticleEngage & Immerse: General Science | Series Made Simple Fall 2014
From the four elements to the four corners of the world, these series encourage discovery and impart knowledge of the natural and human-made worlds, for the most part doing so in such engaging ways...
View ArticleTell Me a (Life) Story: Biographies | Series Made Simple Fall 2014
How many ways can you tell a life story? There are a variety of styles, as the books in this collection prove. “The Great Minds of Science” integrates cultural and biographical information seamlessly,...
View ArticleJobs, STEAM-Style: Careers & Skills | Series Made Simple Fall 2014
Adults sometimes give children and teens mixed messages about the future. We want them to enjoy their youth, but we also tell them that it’s never too early to start thinking about their future....
View ArticleBeyond Pinterest: Arts & Activities | Series Made Simple Fall 2014
Projects for rainy days, party crafts, classroom activities: the books in this section have got you covered when it’s time to bust out the glue or bake some cupcakes. Crafts build artistic skills and...
View ArticlePerfect Pets & More: Domestic Animals | Series Made Simple Fall 2014
The recent emphasis on nonfiction, partly the result of the introduction of the Common Core State Standards, is having the appreciated effect of more books for beginning and early readers, a trend...
View ArticleTrash Eaters, Shark Divers, & Other Wonders: Wild Animals | Series Made...
With so many animal titles published each year, it can be hard to distinguish one from another. Sometimes the series premise helps: a straightforward grouping by animal type, such as insects, sharks,...
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