Reviews (12)

Brother Eagle, Sister Sky gets 5 stars from me!
Brother Eagle, Sister Sky is a great book about a human being's place on the earth. Kids will also have fun looking for pictures of The Ancestors of Native Americans in the illistrations. I think it's nice for kids to learn about our nations history, and this is a great way for them to do it.

There are sources to back up the content!
I wrote my review before reading other reviews here on Amazon. After reading reviews questioning the authenticity of the content of this book, I did an Internet search for factual information. A source at the National Archives and Records Association of the USA shows an article by Jerry Clark, which contains information to support the text of this picture book by Susan Jeffers. That article is footnoted with references to source material. There is apparently a huge debate over the authenticity of what Chief Seattle did or did not say. Because I found information to support the content of this book, I will go ahead and do a review and grant it 5 stars for the eloquent text and beautiful illustrations.

Text is based on an adaptation of a speech made by Native American Chief Seattle to the new Commissioner of Indian Affairs, during negotiations between the white settlers and the Suquamish and Duwanish tribes in the 1850s. The speech tells of the views held by the ancient peoples, such as humans cannot own land or air or water. The sacredness of the earth and all of its' inhabitants is explained. The connectedness of the human Native Americans to the Earth is eloquently described. This speech is a plea that if they sell the land to the white men, that the land and animals not be ruined. This message is thought to be the first plea and a forewarning of ecology, as Chief Seattle pleas that the land be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

The first and last pages (an unlabeled introduction and an unlabeled afterward) are factual and historical explanations to explain the body of the text. The text itself is a wonderful and poetically written explanation of the views of the Native Americans. If one wishes to explain these beliefs to a child without getting into the historical elements, simply skip the introduction and the afterward, which may be recommended for reading to the very young who are not yet ready to grasp historical facts and concepts. (My three year old was enthralled with this book, and I think even a two year old would be interested in the main text.)

The illustrations are stunning and detailed and are difficult to describe. Very high quality writing and gorgeous illustrations, not to be missed!

Teaching lies to children
Everything you will find in this book is [fiction]. While the artistic quality of the illustrations is remarkable, the content has no connection with historical reality. Chief Seattle never left the Puget Sound in his entire life. He never saw a living buffalo, much less the slaughter of buffalo herds. And, most importantly, he never said anything remotely resembling the message in this book. In fact, he was nothing like the gentle environmentalist depicted by Jeffers:...he never made the famous speech upon which this book is based. The actual speech was written in the 1970s by an environmental apologist, originally for a screen play. It is incredible that anyone would pass this off on their children. No matter how strongly you feel about the need to protect the environment, you have a duty to your children to communicate such ideas without resorting to this form of [rewriting history].

Chief Seattle never made this speech!
If you do some research you'll learn that this speech was actually written for a 1972 movie. Chief Seattle never wrote this speech. Though beautiful, who would want to teach their childen the speech by screenwriter Ted Perry? This book is known as a joke, but the joke will be on you if you buy it!

You don't have to take my word for it. Do you own research on Chief Seattle and urban legends to learn more.

Save a brain - RECYCLE THIS BOOK
This is the biggest load of feelgood propaganda I've come across since Stuart Smalley arrived on the set of Saturday Night Live - of course, that was a satire; this unfortunately is for real. Yes, fairy tales are integral parts of literature, and are as important as any other genre. But, fairy tales should be just that - fairy tales...based upon fantastical lands far far away not factual events that merit accurate stories. Regretfully, Ms. Jeffers fails to realize this important point. The result? Many children (and even some adults) will believe the cowdung disseminated in this book. The only reason this book warrants a "One Star" rating is because of its quotes of Chief Seattle and because zero stars was not an option. Want a good fairytale? Check out Robinhood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, or the now-popular Harry Potter series. Want to find accurate, historical portrayals of American Indians? (...) peruse titles under the subject headings of "History" and "Anthropology". ... Read more

Book Description

Take a trip to a unique habitat--the cloud forests of Central America! In his previous journey, Sneed Collard introduced the water habitats of Our Wet World--a "Reading Rainbow" selection and an NSTA/CBC Notable book. Now he takes the reader to the mountains of Costa Rica to see the glorious resplendent quetzal, the fierce margay, the slow-moving two-toed sloth, the startling harlequin frog, and dozens of other colorful and secretive animals. They inhabit a very special place, a rain forest of the mountains--the cloud forest. This lavishly illustrated book takes the reader on an incredible journey to this habitat, warns of the threats to it, and suggests what readers can do to help or to learn more. A glossary, a list of suggested websites and books, and a map are included. ... Read more

Book Description

Starting with the sun, food chains link together plants and animals invarious ecosystems to help them survive.Kids will be fascinated by these chains andtheir own links to the natural world. ... Read more

Book Description

An exciting journey of science discovery is as near as your own backyard. Just one small square is alive with creepers and crawlers, lifters and leapers, singers, buzzers, climbers, builders, and recyclers. Backyard invites children ages 7 and up to become nature lovers by looking, listening, touching, and smelling the world from the ground up! From the unique One Small Square series of science acitivity books. . .where children can explore exotic and familiar ecosystems in detail, one small square at a time. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

...a treasure-trove for the young explorer.
My three children have thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful illustrations, dynamic fact-filled text, and activities given in this book. We love the whole One Small Square series, but because this book has helped solve some mysteries in our own backyard, this one is our favorite! It also served as a great companion to several curricular themes and field trips during the school year.

Wonderful book for this summer when "there's nothing to do!"
We read this book over and over! My son learns something new every time. The illustrations are numerous and detailed. "Backyard" provides a great springboard for further exploration of the world. ... Read more

Book Description

From bugs to birds. . .from mosses to manatees. . .a swamp is a complex ecosystem. But young readers won't be swamped during this amazingly accessible wade through a small square of wetlands, filled with exotic wildlife. Here is a fascinating look at the characteristics of swamp life. . .and the reasons why its survival is so important. Beautifully illustrated, with fun-to-do experiments and activities, a swamp field guide, and a picture-glossary index and resource list. From the One Small Square series, called "science education at its best" by Science Books and Films. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

"Can you find any more fun stuff like this?"
Last night, as I was digging through the books and resources my children and I studied during our Great Egypt Semester, my 12 year old looked at our copy of Angela Wilkes' Deserts and said, "Dad, can you find any more fun stuff like that for our history?"
What a great little book, easily read by our then-first grader, enough full of fun facts to hold the attention-and seize the memory-of my older two a couple of years later.
This book (recommended to us in The Greenleaf Guide to Ancient Egypt), is chock full of fascinating pictures and facts about deserts around the world. In fact, Deserts helped us introduce a much-needed science component to our history study, since the history of Egypt was so influenced by its desert terrain.
I recommend this book heartily for any child who can read. If your child can't read yet, read it to them and then talk about it. ... Read more

Book Description

A fun exploration of one of the most interesting eco-systems in the North America. With delightful full-color illustrations and lively descriptions to help in identifying wetland types (swamp, marsh, or pond), plants, and animals, America’s Wetlands becomes an enjoyable family learning experience.

*Learn to distinguish animal tracks and sign
*Provides a list of common and scientific names, detailed species information, maps, resource list, and a glossary
*Also includes information on wetland areas open to the public ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Lively, fun, interesting
For a youngster this is the perfect introduction to an ecosystem found almost everywhere in the country. (Actually, I'm no youngster and I found the level was just right for me too.)

The illustrations are a delight--and accurate; the text quirky with sound science and bits of fun entertaining trivia.

If you're one of the few who doesn't have a wetland nearby, then you'll find some other books in this series that might cover your area (Prairies, Mountains, Deserts too) ... Read more

Book Description

Here is another model nature journal from a naturalist who has been journaling habitats since she was a youngster. In the desert she sees Gila monsters, watches scorpions with a black light and harvests saguaro flowers with a Native American family that helps her see this unique, arid environment with appreciative eyes. The "collage-style" journal features clippings of articles about animals and plants, stories of the native Tonoho O'odham, her own youthful journal entries, and even her own desert poetry. "Saguaro Moon" is a wonderful way to learn about the desert and also be inspired to keep a nature journal. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wow! Beautiful, educational and fun!
Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini began writing her fabulous books at age 14. In her fifth book, Kristin has taken her journaling habits and transformed them into interesting and educational masterpiece.

Saguaro Moon takes you on a journey through the Sonoran desert (and through the seasons) while educating you about deserts, the plant life, insects, birds, reptiles and other animals. Obscure facts are included along with references to other books, web references, and an invitation to become a Planet Scout. This is a great book for any child, teacher or home educator!

Wonderful Book!
This is a fun book that is interesting for anyone to read. It is well designed because there are journal entries as well as informative articles written by the author on every page. The illustrations are full of color and I enjoy the attention to detail that fills this book.

Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini has a talent in writing books that are fun and informative. This book details the changing of the seasons (month to month) in the desert environment as seen by a young girl and her friend. ... Read more

Book Description

You may think of the desert as a harsh, dry place where no one would ever want to live -- but think again.

The Desert People know. so do the animals. Both love the land, and "share the feeling of being brothers in the desert, of being desert creatures together."

Byrd Baylor's spare, poetic text and Peter Parnall's striking illustrations lime the sky, stone and sand of the desert in this haunting book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

ALL TEACHERS MUST READ IT!
HELLO, I AM 24 AND I WILL START TEACHING ON JANUARY. I WILL USE THIS BOOK WHEN TALKING ABOUT ANIMALS AND NATURE. IT IS A USEFUL BOOK FOR GRADES 4TH AND UP BECAUSE OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS AND THE MESSAGE IN POETIC FORM. A MUST READ BOOK! I RECOMEND IT HIGHLY. I AM USING IT NOW FOR MY CHILDREN'S LITERATURE CLASS.

Life in the desert.
This children's book describes the animal- and plant-life found in the desert in the southwest U.S., including the Papago Indians. Children learn more about what it is like to live in such an environment. The book was illustrated by Peter Parnall and was a 1976 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a book for children. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Book Description

Take a close look at your local lake, pond or woodland pool. Don't mind the mud - see it from a kid's eye view. Here is the journal and scrapbook of Klint, a young Planet Scout who kept notes for a year on his discoveries and became engrossed by the daily drama of turtles, crayfish dragonflies and water skimmers. After writing and illustrating three best-selling nature books as a teenager, Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini has now created a model nature journal. Based on her cousin Klint, she portrays an inquisitive boy who keep a journal/scrapbook as he explores lakes and ponds. The result is both fun and informative. David Sobel, co-director of the Center for Environmental Education, raves about this book as "a gift to the place-based education movement in North America. This lusciously illustrated picture book/field guide/treasure hunt is just the invitation teachers, parents and children need to get them exploring the ponds and lakes in their neighborhoods." The journal format creates a text that is easily accessible, but deep in information and intrigue. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful nature book for children!
I definitely recommend this book!It works on many different levels, and you will page through it many times, discovering new surprises with each reading.Kristin's latest book is a fascinating account of how keen observations of Nature can lead to a deeper appreciation.This book is vividly illustrated and describes a journal-making process that is valuable to any teacher or child.A great addition to any Nature-lover's bookshelf! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent Book! My 6 year old can't put it down.
I just read this book to my six year old son.The first words he said after finishing the book we're "mom, I really love this book.Maybe when I'm big I can buy some land and do the same thing".He's not really the type to have an opinion about books, so from my son, thats a compliment.

The way the book explains the process of habitat restoration was accurate, interesting and inspirational.My son also found the drawings captivating, he spent several minutes looking at every detail on each page.I would recommend it to anyone from 5 to 105. ... Read more