Some books have that ability of being able to teach without being boring. With their own unique quirkiness, they impart knowledge to their readers while being fun to read. In today’s post, I bring you two books, one that is on solid earth and the other takes you, the reader, to outer space! Note: the post does have affiliate links and clicking through them and ordering these or other books will mean a small commission for me. so thank you!
Book Description: Listen to the music of the trees. This joyful book follows the life cycle of a tree as it grows from seedling to mature tree, and finally gives way to a new sapling. At every stage of the tree’s life, children are seen playing under its branches. Each season brings with it new sounds, whether it’s the chirping of birds in the spring or the flitter flutter of leaves in the fall. As well as a home for animals, the tree provides a canopy for a summer picnic, and a perfect place to hang a swing. Most important of all, when old age fells the tree, it provides an acorn from which a new tree will grow. Colorful illustrations with lots of small details will capture the attention of young readers, while the lyrical text makes this an ideal read-aloud book. It can also serve as the perfect introduction to nature’s life cycles.
My thoughts: I have mixed feelings about this book. The illustrations are delightfully detailed and truly beautiful while the text is simple enough to read to and with young readers. The rhythmic flow makes it a good book to read aloud with page turns adding pauses to the text at the right times (but a couple of pages seemed written a bit differently where that flow seems off). The words go between being brilliant (Quiet sparkles everywhere…..till springs rings through the frozen air) and bland. As the tree goes through it’s life cycle from a seed back to, well a seed again, the reader is taken through the same across the pages of the book with those wonderful illustrations and accompanying text.
Notes: This is perfect for teaching about the life cycle of a tree, as well about the changing seasons and their impact on life around us. Parents and teachers can have outdoor activities set around this book easily. And kids and parents can play I Spy games on each page of the book, given all the details in the illustrations.
Rating: B
Reading Level: Ages 4 to 8
Reread Level: 5/5 — definitely worth going back again to enjoy the illustrations and discover new details.
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Buy it on Book Depository
Book Description: You’ll learn something new about this huge universe of ours every time you turn the page in The Know-Nonsense Guide to Space. Start by learning about the different planets in our solar system, all the way from Mercury to Neptune (and even dwarf planet Pluto!). Then reach out further and discover about the Milky Way Galaxy and other neighboring galaxies (and what is in them). On the journey through space, learn about different terms like asteroid belt, nebula, and supernova. Even learn about mysterious black holes! The Know-Nonsense Guide to Space turns what can at times be dry topics into something approachable and fun. Full of quirky and hilarious illustrations, kids will love learning so much they might even laugh out loud
Rating: A
Reading Level: Ages 8 to 12
Reread Level: 5/5
Buy it on Amazon
Buy it on Book Depository
Disclaimer: thank you to NetGalley for both the digital ARCs above. The thoughts represented are my honest opinion of the books
Joining in with all other wonderful readers for It’s Monday, What are you Reading over at TeachMentorTexts.
I’m going to have to check into The Know-Nonsense Guide to Space. Actually, probably the whole series. Thank you for bringing it to my attention, Vidya! Hope you have a wonderful reading week!
Tree Song looks (and sounds) beautiful. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Have a great reading week!