Reviews (2)

Here is the Perfect Kids' Book Series!
Not only does my niece love this book, I'm quite fond of the series, too! The illustrations are detailed and painstakingly accurate, but the real treasure is Dunphy's language. The motif may seem simple, but it actively tunes in a child's curiosity, making her or him eager to turn the page and see what's next.

Excellent for teaching about ecological systems, fun!
I really enjoy Madeleine Dunphy's "Here is the Coral Reef," as I do all of her other "Here is..." books (rainforest, arctic winter, southwestern desert, and wetlands). "Here is the Coral Reef" provides parents a fun, colorful medium for teaching children about the coral reef ecosystem. The cumulative verse format is an elegant way to teach about the interconnections between all life. The illustrations are gloriously bright, with just enough action to keep the kids going, but nothing gory. The story grows incrementally with each page, tracing the unseen threads of biological systems, and culminating in a montage of its reef-dwelling characters. Kids seem to like the repetition...but any parent knows how much children enjoy repeating their favorite stories, songs or videos over and over and over! I would highly recommend this subtle yet effective book for parents and educators (*****). ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A very worthy true story with terrific illustrations
Fay Stanley's very worthy true story, "The Last Princess," is the tale of the life of Princess Ka'ilulani of Hawaii (or "Hawai'i" as it's more correctly spelled throughout the book). The book is illustrated by Fay Stanley's daughter, Diane Stanley, and this mother-daughter team has come up with a captivating and sad true story about a portion of history little of us know anything about.

Princess Ka'iulani was the niece of the king of Hawaii when she was born towards the coming of the 20th century. Great rejoicing attended her birth, as the king himself had no children. By all accounts, Ka'iulani was cheerful, beautiful, polite, kind, intelligent, and more than worthy of taking over the throne when the time came. Unfortunately, Americans intervened and little by little usurped the king's power. By the time Ka'iulani returned to the island after her schooling in England, the Hawaiian islands were an entirely different place--and not for the better.

Ka'iulani appealed to President Grover Cleveland's better nature and although he did his best to help her, upon leaving the White House after his presidency, Ka'iulani now had no American political friends. It was far more in America's interests to annex Hawaii to America than it was to help this charming, serious princess regain her rightful access to the Hawaiian throne.

This is a terrifically absorbing tale. Ka'iulani is presented beautifully by the illustrations, which show different aspects of her personality while always emphasizing her dignity and popularity among the Hawaiian people. The two Stanley ladies have taken a little-known subject and presented it to us with power and handsome decoration, and the end result is highly compelling.

Educational, full of history and culture, nice pictures!
Gives children a real look at the history of Hawaii. A beautiful, sad and true story. Would like to buy a bunch more and give to children for gifts. ... Read more

Book Description

Your mission: To meet a continent full of weird and wonderful animals in their natural habitats, all in only one day

Your terrain: Field, swamp, river, coral reef, desert, scrubland, and forest

Your destination: Australia

Start in the hours before dusk and finish with the last rays of the setting sun. Meet unusual creatures you may not know, such as emus, echidnas, and a frog that lives most of its life underground. See familiar faces, such as the kangaroo and the koala, and learn more about how they live. Let stunning photographs and Jonathan Grupper's lively text give you a very special glimpse of the land and animals of Australia. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Fun text and stunning photos; about animals & sea life
This is a wonderful book! The text leads us on a journey from early morning (before sunrise) through the night, traveling throughout Australia. Stunning photographs with bright colors, show the animals and sea life of Australia. The entire focus is on animals and sea creatures. The storyline is captivating and interesting. My children loved the text, which held their interest completely, and the supporting photographs. An example of the creative text is this line "Suddenly, a sea eagle explodes on the scene, dive-bombing before you."

A great read and a different style of introduction to the wildlife of Australia than most other nonfiction books about this subject!

A visually stunning voyage
Have you ever dreamed about going on a scientific expedition to the North and South Poles? If you have, you will love "Destination: Polar Regions," by Jonathan Grupper. Published by the National Geographic Society, this book is directed towards younger readers. The combination of well-written text and beautiful full-color photographs make this book an outstanding choice.

The book focuses primarily on the many different animal species of the Arctic and Antarctic regions: ringed seals, caribou, ptarmigans, Adelie penguins, grizzly bears, Arctic sea stars, and more. The text gives interesting facts about each species. And the photographs capture many unforgettable images: a narwhal's tusk breaking the water, a mother polar bear cuddling with her cubs, a lone Arctic wolf standing atop a frosty hill, and more. Both beautiful and educational, this book impressed me greatly.

A Wild Trip
A photo essay journey across Australia focuses on some of the "world's weirdest and most wonderful" animals. Sharp, lovely color photos are clearly labelled. There is brief information on each creature. Two pages at the end give a background of the country itself. ... Read more

Book Description

Ted and Betsy Lewin's adventures take them from the northernmost tip of Australia to the southernmost tip. At the top, they interrupt a python's mealtime, encounter a ferocious pack of dingoes, and come face-to-face with a crocodile. Down at the bottom, they dine with rude kangaroos, meet their first platypus, and confront an ill-tempered sea lion!

The vivid colors, close-up paintings, and rich landscapes rendered in the Lewins' distinct watercolor styles, combined with action-packed narrative, will make you want to pack your bags and visit the land down under!

Book Description

Once, in the Dreamtime, the biggest frog in Australia woke up thirsty. So thirsty that he drinks up all the water from the oceans, lakes, rivers, billabongs, puddles, and even from the clouds. When he is done, the earth is parched, and the other animals are thirsty.

Wise old Wombat suggests that the animals try to make the biggest frog laugh, so the water will spill out of his mouth. But the frog barely hears Kookaburra's best jokes, and yawns at Kangaroo's acrobatics. Koala waddles ridiculously, but still no luck.

What will make the frog laugh and bring life back to Australia?

Find out in this colorful retelling of a classic Australian folktale. ... Read more

Book Description

by Julie Stewart Williams. Illustrated by Robin Yoko Racoma. This award-winning book describes and illustrates the life, activities and natural environment in the Hawaiian Islands before Western contact. Accessible to students yet informative for adults.

“…an engaging introduction to the original Hawaiian civilization…” Herb Kawainui Kane.

1997. 191 pp., 7" x 8 1/2". Acid-free text, softcover. ... Read more