November 1, 2015
Gr 1-3-Large, vibrant photos, many of children, are the strongest element of this attractive series. Clean layouts feature captioned double- or full-page photos and two to three sentences of simple text. Books open with a locator map and population statistics, and while topics vary somewhat by country, they generally include landforms, interesting animals, cities, crops, history, foods, and celebrations. The titles also feature a page with two simple words or phrases in the nation's language and conclude with a brief "Fast Facts" summary page. Coverage is upbeat and emphasizes the country's land, people, and animals rather than governments and institutions. VERDICT These offerings celebrate diversity and introduce nations that have strong ties with our own, making them good purchase choices.
Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
May 1, 2019
K-Gr 3-This series goes beyond obvious topics to highlight unfamiliar facts about seven countries in South America and the Caribbean. Readers will learn about climate, natural resources, animals, etc., through maps, diagrams, and rich color photography. Digestible text blocks and simple sentence structures will encourage confidence and comprehension. Plenty of detail is provided without being overwhelming; elements are explored in a way to appeal to older readers, with a layout that is still kindergarten-friendly. Teachers may be interested in using this series to spotlight the cultures and customs of students whose families may be from the countries in this series. Similarly, educators will appreciate the resources for further reading, including a bibliography and a guide to online learning. Although available in English or Spanish, it is unavailable as a bilingual series. VERDICT This series provides an up-to-date exploration of some of the world's most influential cultures.
Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.