Celebrations and Special Days

November 1, 2015

Gr 1-3-As the series title suggests, this set invites readers to compare their own lives to those of a diverse group of children from all around the globe. The books focus on topics that are of interest and will be familiar to kids. Bright, attractive photos (often four to six per spread) are the strongest element. The texts are comprised of simple paragraphs with basic content and well-written captions, supplemented by circular sidebar insets. A "Where in the World" map locates all mentioned cultures. The tone is cheerful, but sections about children who lack safe food, water, or the opportunities afforded to American children will encourage readers to empathize with those who are less fortunate. These volumes introduce other cultures even as they emphasize the universality of the needs for shelter, clothing, food, education, and celebrations and play. VERDICT Strong choices for early readers.

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2015
This series focuses on kid-friendly topics. Each book attempts to introduce complex subjects--e.g., Home touches on slums and refugee camps--but the few brief sentences fall short. Color photos are well chosen, but the busy layouts are difficult to decipher, as are small world maps. With adult guidance, these books could prove useful for reports. There are four other spring 2015 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)