Not So Different

Title: Not so different : what you really want to ask about having a disability
Author: Shane Burcaw
Recommended for: Grades 1-4
Pages: 40
Call Number/Link:  E 362.43 BUR

Synopsis: Shane Burcaw was born with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy, which hinders his muscles’ growth. As a result, his body hasn’t grown bigger and stronger as he’s gotten older—it’s gotten smaller and weaker instead. This hasn’t stopped him from doing the things he enjoys (like eating pizza and playing sports and video games) with the people he loves, but it does mean that he routinely relies on his friends and family for help with everything from brushing his teeth to rolling over in bed.

Comments: This is a great book to start a conversation about disabilities with grade school kids. The photographs by Matt Carr are funny and engaging, which perfectly matches the text by Shane. The book is both realistic and lighthearted. My favorite story is about how he flipped out of his chair while playing soccer with friends (remember to always strap in!) and my favorite picture is the side view of his motorized wheelchair with labels like “joystick” and “rocket boosters.” 

 

Baby Dolphin’s First Swim

Title:   Baby Dolphin’s First Swim
Author:   American Museum of Natural History
Series:   not applicable
Recommended for:   a primary audience of preschoolers and early elementary school students, although it will also appeal to older kids and adults due to its clear appealing photos and interesting information
Pages:   approximately 25 p.
Call Number/Link:   E 599.53 BAB

Rating:   ****

Synopsis:

After a baby dolphin is born in the vast ocean, his mother and other dolphins help him as he learns and grows.

Comments:

How could you go wrong with baby dolphins?  Preschoolers can browse the book’s photos happily – and have fun learning a bit about dolphins.

i would guess that the book is actually intended for students in grades K-3, although it will appeal to a much wider audience.

 

 

 

Glow: Animals with Their Own Night-Lights

Title:   Glow:  Animals with Their Own Night-Lights
Author:   W.H. Beck
Series:   —
Recommended for:   pretty much anyone – it’s a very cool book
Pages:   
Call Number/Link:  E 591.472 BEC

Rating:  *****

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Why be afraid of the dark when there is so much to see? Whether it’s used to hunt, hide, find a friend, or escape an enemy, bioluminescence (the ability to glow) is a unique adaptation in nature. In this fun and fascinating nonfiction picture book, join world renowned photographers and biologists on their close encounters with the curious creatures that make their own light.

Comments:

This book is so cool!!!  The photos are stunning – and reason enough to pick up the book.  The glowing animals are set against a black background and their colors absolutely pop.  The text is presented in two levels of difficulty.  The larger print text is appropriate for reading the book out loud to groups of any age, starting with preschoolers.  Thanks to the photos, the book still works for elementary students and older.  Smaller text at the bottom of the page provides more detailed information about the animal in that page’s photograph.

It is the type of book that could intrigue kids enough that they’ll want to learn more about bioluminescence – and possibly spark an interest in science.

 

 

 

Allergies

Title:   Allergies
Author:   Ann O. Squire
Series:   True Books
Recommended for:  children and adults who want to learn about allergies
Pages:   48 pages
Call Number/Link:  E 616.97 SQU

Rating:   ****

 

 

Synopsis:

Provides clear, coherent information about allergies on a level that children can understand.  The explanation provided can also be useful for teens and adults.  Chapter titles include: What can it be?, Making a diagnosis, The big truth, anaphylaxis, Why am I allergic?, Treating allergies and New advances in allergy treatment.  The book’s end matter includes statistics, list of resources, a glossary and an index.

Comments:

This is a good resource for anyone wanting to learn about allergies, whether it’s because they have them, need to do a report or are just curious.  It would be a good choice if a teacher wanted his/her class to understand allergies and why some classmates need to avoid peanuts, eggs, wheat, etc. It also explained anaphylaxis, cross contamination and allergy-alert dogs.

 

Note:

I was also very impressed by two other True Books that came in today.  The first is titled Cancer and the second is titled Autism.  Both were written by Ann O. Squire, the author who wrote this book.