Reviews (2)

Perfect for teaching about seeds.
This is an excellent book for younger students (K-3) about seeds and plants. I am using it as part of my summer school reading/writing program. First, I read the book to the students and we planted little radish seeds (they grow quickly) in see-through plastic cups. Later, the students read the book out loud to one another and we discussed the seed to plant concept. They also kept a journal to record their observations of their seeds with illustrations about every other day. This book presents a great opportunity to combine reading, writing and science.

Superb, simple explanation of plant life.
This book's big, colorful illustrations and simple language do a superb job of explaining subjects such as plant reproduction, seed dispersal, pollen transference, and seed germination. Although intended for a younger audience, I read this book aloud to my fourth grade students to quickly build their background knowledge. ... Read more

Book Description

"A scientifically accurate book which depicts the complex world of rain forests in easily understood text and sumptuous illustrations. The geography, climate and ecology of the rain forest are explained and the illustrations teem with the flora and fauna."--Children's Literature. ??? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Gail should hire an illustrator or a photographer !
Ms. Gibbons is a WONDERFUL writer. Her drawings, however, are definitely not in the category of her writing. They detract from her books. I am a children's librarian and I have seen time after time that kids will avoid her books because the pictures are so unappealing. This is a shame since the text is usually outstanding. Ms. Gibbons should think about getting an illustrator or a photographer to supply an equivalent to her text. If she were to do this, her books would reach a much greater audience.

An excellent, accurate book
This book can be used as an excellent teaching tool. It provides a great introduction to the rainforests, and is full of facts about animals, medicines, and plants that are found in the rainforests. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great reference
I read this book 2 years in a row for Spiders week at preschool. If you skip the history part, you're good! But its got a good reference book that is understandable at this age level. It talks about sizes, shapes and different webs. Very few non fiction books out there can be adapted for this age level with a variety of understanding---understanding this. But this is one of those books---and the kids love it too. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Historical info for kids
This is a history book that describes the lives of knights in the Middle Ages. The book describes how boys could become knights, what the rules of the code of honor for knights were, and what battles between knights were like. The book introduces a lot of factual material and vocabulary, but there is no plot or story line. At the end of the book, there is a short section describing some famous knights and their dragons. Personally, I found the book a bit dry, but kids who are fascinated with swords and armor may show some interest in it. The book has about 900 words.

Knights in Shining Armor
As an heraldic artist for over 40 years and with grandchildren becoming interested in ALL things, I found this book very helpful in passing on my interests. It has helped them to become intrigued with the Knights of the Roundtable and their play now includes slaying dragons and rescuing fair maidens.They also have started asking about the various insignia in all my books on heraldry.

The illustrations brought to life the costumes and customs of the era. The story was written simply so that any young child could readily understand what the author was saying.

Thanks to Gail Gibbons for such an interesting way for children to learn. ... Read more

Book Description

Soccer is fun - let's play!

Find all the basics in this lively guide.

• The markings on a soccer field
• What soccer players wear
• The positions, from forward to goalkeeper
• The excitement of pasing a ball
• The thrill of making a goal

All these and more are included, with a useful glossary at the end.

Reviews (1)

Great book for young students learning about weather.
I am a student teahcer. When I had to plan a unit for my kindergarteners about weather, I did not know how to teach it on their level. This book really helped me to come up with the right words to help the students understand what I was trying to get across to them. GREAT BOOK!!! I checked it out from the library at the school I am working at; however, I WILL be getting my own personal copy. Thank you Gail!!! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

MILK MAKERS
I understand why this was a reading rainbow book. It is a great experiment activity non-fiction book. This book exaplins how milk is processed. Most children most likely think that the milk in the fridge comes from the store. What they may not realize is that it comes from a farm miles away. This book goes into great detail how milk is made, and the makeup of cattle. it also gives brief descriptions of variuos types of cattle and dairy products. The illustrations use labels and bright colors. I think this is a good non-fiction book for children. It is in a language that they understand and it is easily read. The book is also very accurate as are all, her books. Gibbons was raised on a dairy farm and has made numerous trips to the dairy farm.
In close this is a good book for children, especially for a science unit. I would have this in my classroom library for childen to perhaps complete a report about milk or other products. Gibbons has a great series on the way variuos things are made.

Excellent resource book on farming and dairy production
This book is highly enjoyable and informative for children, and I think that every child with an interest in farming would be happy to own a copy. I strongly recommend this book to parents everywhere!

Excellent book!
this was such a great story for our kids to read - we live near a dairy farm and this book gave them a lot of insight into the real working of a dairy farm - it answered a lot of their questions and ours too! We love this book!

Milk Makers
This is a great book for kids - it is interesting, informational, and fun!

This is a great book to introduce children to milk productio
We took this book out from our local library and found it to be so good we are buying it! My husbands family were dairy farmers and we try to educate our daughters about dairy farming as much as possible. This book give enough educational detail about cows and milk production to be informative for a young child and encourage discussion about cows and the process of milk production. I recommend this book to anyone with a young child interested in cows, milk or farming. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Information rich book. Perfect for first and second graders!
The detailed illustrations in this book keep my second graders focused. The vocabulary is rich and the scientific information is clear and easy to understand. ... Read more

Book Description

Let's round 'em up and move 'em along! In words and pictures, Gail Gibbons captures all the excitement and adventure of the Wild West. Her colorful watercolors deftly re-create cowboys' clothing, equipment, and lifestyle, and the lively text includes descriptions of famous cowboys and cowgirls, as well as historical facts. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A nice introduction to farming.
This book provides basic information on farms and has colorful illustrations. The book shows what farms look like during the four seasons and describes the necessary chores for each season. It also discusses different types of farms and different farm animals. My second grade class enjoys reading this book as part of our farm unit. ... Read more

Book Description

Baseball is fun - let's play!

Find all the basics in this lively guide.

• The markings on a baseball diamond
• What baseball players wear
• The positions, from catcher to left fielder
• The excitement of the pitch
• The thrill of hitting a home run

All these and more are included, with a useful glossary at the end.

Reviews (3)

Introducing the game of baseball to younger readers
"My Baseball Book" by Gail Gibbons provides an introduction to the sport of baseball by describing the equipment, playing field, rules, players, and process of the game. The idea is to explain the basics to young readers (ages 3 to 7), so they will understand not only the markings on a baseball diamond, what baseball players wear, and all the positions, but also get a sense of how games are played and why a home run can be a big thrill. Most of the book is devoted to Gibbons describing a game between the Robins and the Owls, in which young readers get the chance to see hits, walks, runs, and other baseball plays in the context of a game.

Although this is supposed to be an introductory book to the game of baseball the information does get a bit technical at times, which means that an adult or older sibling is going to have to explain this a bit more. For example, at one point it is explained that in addition to being a strike if the batter swings and misses that it is also a strike if the batter does not swing but the ball passes through the "strike zone." There are dotted lines suggesting that the strike zone extends from the batter's armpits to his knees, but nothing to add that the ball also has to be over the plate (until you get to the term "strike" in the glossary in the back of the book). Still, on balance "My Baseball Book" is going to help kids by reinforcing what they are learning out on the field, which is the most important way of learning the game.

Nice pictures, needs more expainations.
My children enjoyed the pictures a lot, but did not understand everything the book was describing. If you were already familar with the sport it might be easier. Tends to read flat and technical.

Perfect!
This is a great book for kids! I bought it to introduce my six year old son to baseball. It covers how the game is actually played, rules of play, and reinforces important baseball terms. At just the right length, this book is perfectly titled - My Baseball Book. Great for any budding, young baseball fan! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Details
This is a great book because it offers detailed, factual information about seasons, and doesn't leave any of the important concepts out. It also has great illustrations that are labeled. Gibbons gives children credit for being intelligent enough to understand the complex ways in which our world works, yet understands their developmental needs, and therefore makes the text accessible. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent Science Book
This is an excellent book for children to learn about life cycles. The text and illustrations make the wonderful miracle of life come alive for the readers. Beginning with the egg and ending with the beautiful Monarch the author clearly explains the changes that take place. Information is also included about the migration patterns of these interesting creatures. The last pages explain how children can raise monarch butterflies so that they can observe this miracle of life first hand. I would highly recommend this book to teachers who teach life cycles as part of their curriculum

From Katrina Holder (7 years old)
I like this book because you can learn things about butterflys that you did not know before. You can also tell other people about it to. The pictures are very nice and pretty. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very informative and entertaining.
This book does a wonderful job explaining exactly how an item gets recycled. Its thought provoking and entertaining. The illustrations are wonderful. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good informational text.
This book is great for second language learners who need content information but lack high reading skills.

The Moon Book
Very factual information written on the level of a 1st-4th grade child.

Good to use in the classroom in conjunction with a unit on space. ... Read more

Book Description

How sweet it is. Thousands of bees visited more than one million flowers to gather the nectar that went into that one-pound jar of honey. Here's the buzz on how these remarkable insects work together to create this amazing food.

Book Description

This book about nature and the changing seasons focuses on a young boy and a very special apple tree. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A wonderful book for teachers of grades K-2!
The Seasons of Arnolds Apple Tree is an excellent book with illustrations that capture the changes in an apple tree throughout the seasons. I read this book with my kindergartners every September and they enjoy it very much. This is a wonderful picture book for kids and a great resource for teachers when teaching about apples, plant life and the four seasons. ... Read more

Book Description

‘Before the zoo opens each day a small army of keepers, vendors, and maintenance workers perform the daily tasks of cleaning and setting up. Then the crowds flock in. . . . The busy pictures are filled with details and action. The writing is crisp, clear, and informative.’ —SLJ.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1987 (NSTA/CBC) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great behind-the-scenes look at the zoo
For all the children who go to the zoo and enjoy looking at the animals, Gail Gibbons presents a wonderful behind-the-scenes look at all the work that makes it possible. From the zookeepers arriving in the early morning to feed the animals and clean their cages and the vendors preparing for the zoo's visitors, to the security guard locking the main gate and patroling the empty walkways, the book does a nice job of giving children a more in-depth view of the zoo. Veterinarians help sick animals and monitor the birth of baby animals. Construction workers build a new exhibit. Zoo keepers prepare the special foods that the animals eat.

Both my boys were able to easily relate things they'd seen at our zoo to the book. Their next visit, too, was filled with applying what they'd seen in the book to our zoo.

Gibbons' books are always excellent. Zoo brings alive a favorite place to visit in a very unique way. ... Read more