Why Did the Whole World Go to War?: And Other Questions About... World War II

by Martin W. Sandler, Robert Barrett (Illustrator)

Overview

Why Did the Whole World Go to War? helps children understand one of the 20th century's most tragic conflicts. It answers their most basic questions, including: What started World War II? How did Hitler take over so many countries so quickly? What happened at Pearl Harbor? Where were the fiercest battles fought? What ended the deadliest conflict in human history? A fascinating look at a complex topic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781402790447
Publisher:	Sterling Children's Books
Publication date:	01/01/2013
Series:	Good Question! Series
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.80(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Martin W. Sandler is the author of more than 50 books, two of which have been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. His book, The Story of American Photography / An Illustrated History for Young People (Little Brown) received The Horn Book Award. His Library of Congress American History Series (HarperCollins) has been a national bestseller Mr. Sandler has also won seven Emmys, for his television work, and has taught American history and American studies at both the University of Massachusetts and Smith College. He lives in Cotuit, MA.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 4–7—Arranged in a question-and-answer format, these books offer concise, accessible, comprehensive looks at important eras and events in U.S. history. Both titles have richly colored, detailed illustrations and photographs; maps; time lines; and large, clear print. Tables of contents are set up as a series of questions, such as, "Did Dr. King have kids?" "What happened to Dr. King?" "How did Hitler become so powerful?" "Why did Japan attack its neighbors?" The answers are worded in kid-friendly language that provides enough detail to explain the complexities of the era or person.—Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID

School Library Journal

A very simple overview of World War II. Sandler's approach to questions about WWII is unapologetically direct: "Hitler wanted Germany to take over other countries and rule the world." Subtle, no, but there's no quibbling about the bottom line. Some young readers will likely have questions about how A leads to B: Germany had to "get rid of its military" after World War I but was able to invade Czechoslovakia just two decades later, though Sandler does not explain how Germany reincarnated its military, for instance. With selected, specific topics, on the other hand, Sandler comfortably hands over the goods: on blitzkriegs, the Battle of Britain, the role of spies, great battles, the reason Anne Frank was in hiding and the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen. The artwork is appropriately dramatic—bold colors applied to a nubbly canvas, catching melodramatic moments—and appears alongside handsome and richly informative maps; there is a brief timeline as an appendix. Some glitches are less problematical—backward swastikas—and some are of greater concern. "World War II was the deadliest war in history. More than 15 million people lost their lives"—yes, like an additional 25-45 million people. Further reading and a bibliography are available at the series website but not in the book itself, making it difficult for young readers to delve deeper. An elementary steppingstone, but nothing more. (Nonfiction. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews