March 1, 2017
K-Gr 4-Countries around the world are celebrated with bright, eye-catching photographs in this series. Short, simple sentences with controlled language make the books easy to digest and approachable. The appealing page layouts feature large, often full-page photographs, along with captions, diagrams, maps, relevant vocabulary words, and a section of engaging "Fast Facts." Each book covers various aspects of the country, including geographical information, history, daily life, traditions, and animals that live there. Several words in the country's native language are also explained. Employing a positive tone, the volumes invite readers to appreciate diversity across nations. VERDICT Written at a second grade reading level, this attractive series will appeal to older hi-lo readers as well as to early elementary students.
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 15, 2016
With bright photos and welcoming descriptors, like Full of Wonder and Breathtaking, the books in the Countries We Come From series present young readers with attractive overviews of individual countries around the world. Each begins with a world map showing the country's location and two to three sentences stating its population and the region of which the country is a part (e.g., Central America). Vibrant photos fill the ensuing pages, mixing full- and double-page spreads with circular pictures that spotlight specific elements of the land or culture. Readers will learn about the country's geography and wildlife; crops and/or industry; Native peoples, conquerors, and independence; and aspects of culture, such as language, festivals, cuisine, and popular pastimes. Ecuador shows off the blue-footed booby, unique to its Galapagos Islands, and reveals that despite being a small country, it produces most of the world's bananas. Fast Facts, a picture glossary, and an index round out these concise and reader-friendly introductions to some of the world's countries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)