Science Books & Films
These four books are part of the Read-it! Reader Science series of books and are designed to encourage the cultivation of problem-solving skills in midlevel elementary-school-age readers. All four books are written around some aspect of plant cultivation, which is integral to solving a problem in each book. For instance in The Grass Patch Project, a new student in class proposes to beautify the school grounds by planting a patch of grass for an Earth Day project, and in Friends and Flowers, a young girl who has just moved to town is told that she will have a new friend by the time a tulip, which she planted, has flowered. The text surrounding these issues then focuses on aspects of cultivation of the featured plant. The scientific content of the books is good for this level of reader. Although most of each book is written as dialogue, there are sidebars describing in more detail, for example, just what compost is. Each book contains a short glossary at the end, as well as an activity related to the book. Taken together, the four books show a nice cross section of urban and rural society, with different ages, sexes, and ethnicities represented. I recommend this series highly, particularily in an elementary setting in which environmental or gardening activities are part of the curriculum.
The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews
Julia and Lindsey live next door to each other and are best friends. They enjoy playing in the flower garden in Julia’s yard. One day, Julia says she is moving, and Lindsey is very sad. On moving day, Julia gives Lindsey a tulip bulb to remember her by. Lindsey misses Julia very much and thinks she will never have a friend like her again. Lindsey’s mother tells her that she will never find anyone exactly like Julia, but she will make new friends. Lindsey’s mother says that by the time the tulip blooms, Lindsey will have a new friend. Lindsey’s mother helps her plant and care for the bulb. All fall and winter, Lindsey thinks about Julia and the bulb, but nothing seems to be happening. In the spring, the bulb sprouts above the ground and puts on a bud. New people move into the house next door, and Lindsey makes a new friend the day the tulip bulb blooms. This science reader is a Green level book in Picture Window’s Read-it! Readers Science series. The growth of a bulb into a flower is described and illustrated. The text seems to be written on about a second grade reading level, but the story would be enjoyed and understood by younger children. Many pages contain boxes of small print with additional information about the growth of a bulb. At the end of the book is a chart showing the life cycle of a bulb, instructions for growing a bulb indoors, a short glossary, a list of books for related reading, and information on finding related websites suitable for young children. This beautifully illustrated little book relates to friendship, patience, science, vocabulary development, reading, and suggests the hands-on experience of planting bulbs either outside or inside. It would be a great addition to a library, classroom, or home school.
Children's Literature Comprehensive Database Newsletter
This title, part of the "Read-It! Readers Science" series (Green Level) deals with the issues of the loss of a friend (moving), patience, growth in nature, and making new friends. Before Julia's family moves away, she gives Lindsey, her next door neighbor "best friend," a tulip bulb to remember her by. Lindsey and Julia had greatly enjoyed the flower garden together. Lindsey looks forward to the bulb growing but is sad about the loss of her friend. With reassurance from her mother that she would make a new friend, Lindsey plants the bulb and patiently waits for spring. On most of pages there is an inset with botanical information about the growth of bulbs. The cartoonlike illustrations augment the story line and reveal what is happening to the bulb developing underground. Of course, as the tulip blooms a new neighbor moves in next door—a girl Lindsey's age who announces that "I love flowers." The perfect ending is just right for this level of reader. No special emphasis is placed on the fact that the families are of different races (African American and Caucasian)—they are just neighbors and friends. The efforts of various animals to eat the bulb provide a humorous moment, as well as the good advice to use hot sauce to make the bulb unappetizing to the rabbits and squirrels. The Green Level books incorporate more complex ideas, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
