Science Trade Books for Children Are an Important Tool for Learning About
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cience trade books for children are an important Technology & Engineering. Reading levels are based on tool for learning about science, developing publisher supplied information. scientific attitudes and stimulating an interest in reading. This tenth annual bibliography of Each entry contains: 1) a complete bibliographic science trade literature is conceived as an description of the item; 2) a summary of the general Seffective way to interest youngsters in learning about content; 3) the grade level; 4) a quality rating symbol science through books and, secondarily, to introduce that represents the reviewers’ editorial judgment of adults to the wide variety and high quality of science the book’s usefulness; and 5) the Dewey call number books for children. The bibliography can also be used of the book in the Hawaii State Public Library System. by school and public librarians as an effective selection This edition of the bibliography was produced using tool, through its quality ratings symbols, which can aid EndNote bibliographic software and MS Publisher. professionals in making purchase decisions. Quality Rating Symbols: In September 2013, the Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library sent out letters to approximately 75 children’s AA Strongly recommended, excellent. Outstanding book publishers requesting copies of their latest illustrations, black-and-white or color children’s science publications. That solicitation photographs. Exhibits all the best qualities of the resulted in the receipt of 211 titles, which are divided eight evaluation factors mentioned above. into 17 subject headings in this bibliography. Although publishers usually confined their contributions to the A Recommended, very good. Good illustrations, current year’s production, actual receipts were subject black-and-white or color photographs. Lacking to the interpretations and personal discretion of the in only one or two of the best qualities of the marketing staff at the individual publishing houses. eight factors of evaluation. Books in this category With some exceptions, most of the titles in this usually have a superior text but don’t quite have bibliography were published in 2014. state-of-the-art illustrations. The following eight factors were used as a guide B Good. Average to good illustrations, black-and- by the two librarians (with respective backgrounds white or color photographs. Slightly deficient in children’s and science literature), who both in two to three of the eight evaluation factors. independently rated the books: accuracy, currency, Books in this category usually have a good text author’s qualifications, organization and format, and illustrations but do not come up to the illustrative matter, literary qualities, balance and quality level of an “A” or “AA” rated book. objectivity and promotion of scientific attitudes and skills. The bibliography is arranged alphabetically by Abbreviations: author within the following 16 subject groupings: Distr. by – Distributed by Animals, Astronomy, Aviation & Space, Biography, GrLvl – Grade Level Careers, Earth Sciences, Environment & Conservation, Illus. By – Illustrated by Fiction, General Science, Life Sciences, Marine Life, NIDB – Not in (Horizon) Database Mathematics & Computer Sciences, Medical & p. – pages Health Sciences, Physics & Chemistry, Plant Life, and Table of Contents Noted series on animals, plants, and the environment, with this title focusing on reptiles. Defines what it means Animals .................................................................................. 2 to be a reptile, discusses their unique anatomy, diet, reproduction, and evolution. Broadly divides reptiles into Astronomy ............................................................................. 9 snakes, lizards, crocodilians, and turtles and details their Aviation & Space .................................................................. 11 individual characteristics with many examples. Concludes Biography ...............................................................................11 with a section on conservation. Extraordinary color photos, Careers ................................................................................. 12 illustrations, and sidebars complement a fact-filled text, Earth Sciences ..................................................................... 13 which is appended by an interview with a wildlife explorer, a glossary, and index. A free digital companion book can be Encyclopedias & References ................................................16 downloaded by purchasers of this title. Environment & Conservation ............................................. 16 Fiction .................................................................................. 19 Bardoe, Cheryl. BEHOLD THE BEAUTIFUL DUNG BEETLE. Illus. General Science ................................................................... 19 by Alan Marks. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2014. 32 p. Life Sciences ........................................................................ 21 $16.95. GrLvl K-3. Quality AA; J 595.7649 Ba. Well told, important story on the dung beetle and Marine Life ........................................................................... 22 its place in the web of life. What happens to all the waste Mathematics & Computer Science ..................................... 23 products or dung that animals produce? Dung beetles Medical & Health Sciences .................................................. 24 help process it and utilize it for their own livelihood. There Physics and Chemistry ...........................................................25 are three types of dung beetles: rollers, tunnelers, and Plant Life .............................................................................. 25 dwellers. All dung beetles eat as they work, rolling balls of dung, tunneling to store their dung, or dwelling right on top Technology & Engineering .................................................. 26 of a pile of dung. What was once unwanted waste becomes fuel for the life of the dung beetle, an ancient symbol of life and renewal. Wonderful watercolor illustrations done on Animals (67) Fabriano 5 paper complement a sensitive, well written text. A section on Finding Dung Beetles and Fascinating Facts Arlon, Penelope. FANTASTIC FROGS. Series: Scholastic About Dung Beetles is appended, along with a glossary Discover More. New York, NY: Scholastic, 2013. 32 p. $3.99. and bibliography. GrLvl K-2. Quality A; J 597.89 Ar. Level 2 reader on the world’s fantastic frogs. Explores Berger, Melvin and Gilda Berger. 101 ANIMAL BABIES. New the frog’s unique anatomy, habitat, predators, camouflage, York, NY: Scholastic, 2013. 112 p. $8.99. GrLvl 2-5. Quality A; J defenses, diet, metamorphosis, reproduction, and 591.392 Be. conservation. Sharp color photos and sidebars enhance Very browsable compilation of interesting facts the informative text, which is appended by a list of record- about a wide range of animal babies. Explores parental breaking frogs, a glossary, and index. A free, all-new behavior, independence, how long the baby stays with its digital book, Fantastic Frogs Reading Fun, is available for mother, feeding, usual number of siblings, different terms download to purchasers of this book. for animal babies, and the role of the father. Color photos of 101 animal babies and their parents are arranged in no Arlon, Penelope and Tory Gordon-Harris. PUPPIES AND particular grouping, but range from insects, to reptiles, to KITTENS. Series: Scholastic Discover More. New York, amphibians, and mammals. An index and list of photo credits NY: Scholastic, 2013. 32 p. $7.99. GrLvl Pre-3. Quality AA; J are appended. Any student or adult would love to dip into 636.707 Ar. this book at random and check out the animal baby facts. Solid introduction to the subject of puppies and kittens for the early grades. Explores the early development ———. 101 ANIMAL RECORDS. New York, NY: Scholastic, of cats and dogs after they are born, until they are ready to 2013. 112 p. $8.99. GrLvl 2-5. Quality A; J 590 Be. leave their mothers and be on their own. Covers behavior, Nice compilation of 101 animal records and interesting diet, siblings, play, vocalizations, training, various breeds, facts for the early grades. Details superlatives on a and wild cousins. Excellent color photos in both static wide range of insects, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and and dynamic poses enhance the engaging text, which is invertebrates in no particular subject order. Color photos appended by a glossary and index. Purchasers of this title enhance the unusual facts presented in the text, which is can receive a free digital companion book with more facts, appended by an index and list of photo credits. videos, and fun activities. Boothroyd, Jennifer. ENDANGERED AND EXTINCT ———. REPTILES. Series: Scholastic Discover More. New BIRDS. Series: Lightning Bolt Books - Animals in Danger. York, NY: Scholastic, 2013. 80 p. $12.99. GrLvl 2-5. Quality Minneapolis, MN: Lerner, 2014. 32 p. $26.60. GrLvl K-2. AA; J 597.9 Ar. Quality A; J 598.168 Bo. 2 Noted series on extinct and endangered animals, ends with ways that readers can help endangered reptiles. with this title focusing on birds. Presents the definition of Color photos, illustrations, and sidebars enhance the a bird, gives examples of various endangered and extinct simple but informative text. A glossary, bibliography, and birds (both ancient and modern), their diet, reproduction, index are appended. behavior, habitat, and how