11/01/2013
PreS-Gr 2—Herrington explores seasonal changes in weather, plant and animal life, and people's activities. Spreads consist of a few simple sentences, plus a fact box and/or caption opposite full-page color photos. The titles introduce concepts such as animal migration and hibernation, although only Spring notes that seasons in northern and southern hemispheres are opposite. Most of the stock photos are adequate. Some fall colors are garish, and people can look more posed than spontaneous. Each book includes a brief picture glossary and instructions for a simple science activity, such as making a sun print or rain gauge with adult help. Suggestions to take a nature walk or start a science journal encourage readers to continue observing seasonal signs. Accompanying publisher websites offer articles and web links from Grolier Online.
With the use of dynamic photography and brief descriptions, Herrington depicts the events of summer. On page 7, young readers learn how to identify the season by comparing it to other seasons utilizing a simple tree and later learn from the Fun Fact section that summer begins on either the 20th or 21st of June. Section headers identify topics such as an exploration of plants, animals or weather changes. On page 28, students have the opportunity to challenge their new scientific knowledge about summer in the Let’s Explore section, while page 30 gives them the chance to create their own sun prints using easy to find household items and thus understand how the sun fades unprotected items. The glossary provides basic terminology and straightforward images help the reader understood the more complex vocabulary. This book belongs in schools and public libraries and is part of the “Rookie Read-About Science” series. Reviewer: Julia Beiker; Ages 4 to 8.
