Reviews (2)

What a great book!
This book is recommended for ages 9-12, but my 6-year-old ate it up and my 4-year-old enjoyed it too. I bought it because my girls are going through a knights and castles thing, and this was recommended as a good place to learn about them. I thought we'd just read that section and put it on the shelf until the other subjects came up. Well my 6-year-old saw things differently. She loves this book. She loves the way it is laid out and what she is learning from it. She had no interest in Vikings or Romans or Egyptians before this, but now she wants more on all these topics. And it is a fun book for me to read too. It is reminding me of things I hadn't learned since I was a child, and the diagrams are so clear that maybe I am learning things better than I did when I was a child.

Four books in one, excellent information!
WOW, this is a compilation of four different civilizations, it includes ALOT of information on understanding how these ancient groups lived. I have learned alot of interesting facts every time I haved looked through the pages. The illustration in it is amazing, there is not a corner left empty in this huge book! ... Read more

Book Description

Discover the turbulent past of this vast land -- from empire and communist superpower to today's federation.

Here is a visually stunning introduction to the fascinating and diverse land of Russia. Superb color photographs of costumes, crafts, jewels and palaces offer a unique "eyewitness" view of Russia and the lives of its inhabitants through the ages. See a Mongol warrior's imposing suit of armor, the stunning diamond-encrusted crown jewels, beautifully painted wooden crafts, and the spectacular architecture of Russia's most famous cities. Learn about the sinister secret police, how religious icons are restored to their former glory, about the opulent and extravagant life-styles of the tsars, why the peasant, Pugachev, was locked up in a cage, and about the revolutionary Bolsheviks. Discover the importance of the Russian Orthodox Church, the 13th-century paper made of birch bark, what happens inside a banya, the great tradition of tea drinking, and much, much more! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Russia Revealed
A few years ago, my father came home from a trip to Russia, he brought some matroyoshka nesting dolls and a gold toned porcelain hand painted serving dish. Now that one of my best friends is living in Russia, I was even more interested in seeing what her new world looks like.

As the largest country in the world, there is so much to see although I would not mind heading over there to see a Siberian tiger! You will love the pictures of the ice festival in which the winter is enlivened with sculptures carved out of ice. There is also some interesting history to the story.

This is a journey from Early Russia to the New Russia. While this book is written for children, adults will find it very interesting for the historical details alone.

Educational!

A beautiful account of the history of Russia - not just for
If you are afraid that you need to read War and Peace to learn about Russia, fear not. Russia (Eyewitness Books) succinctly and beautifully illustrates the life and people of Russia. The content is a bit deep for the audience of 9 to 12 year olds. But there is something here for lovers of things Russian of any age. ... Read more

Book Description

Take a tour of the Big Apple and discover both familiar and hidden spots: inside and outside the Statue of Liberty, the American Museum of Natural History, the New York Stock Exchange, the subway station at Times Square, Madison Square Garden, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the historic Flatiron Building, and more. ... Read more

Book Description

Venture inside and outside our nation's capital for an extraordinary look at some of its many majestic locations: the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the Capitol, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the National Air and Space Museum, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, RFK Stadium, and more. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fantastic picture book of Washington D.C.
My son is 5 and has become very interested in the buildings of Washington D.C.I had a hard time finding a book that had a lot of pictures withoutall the verbage.This book is the best that I have found!Delightfulpictures will hold the interest of the very young.Recommended for thepre-book-report set! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Great way for kids to record their experiences
This book is a good way for kids to keep up with their writing skills over the summer, and record a description of their summer adventure to look back on years to come. The book is compact enough to travel with, and has good prompts to help kid's think about things to write. ... Read more

Book Description

Cape Cod for Kids Coloring and Activity Book is a beautifully illustrated trip through Cape Cod's towns.Illustrated and published by a local Cape Codder, the 34 pages of Cape Cod landmark illustrations and activities will transport you back to your Cape Cod Visit in an instant. Cape Cod for Kids Coloring and Activity Book is full of fun coloring and activities for kids of all ages.Reminisce with your kids about all the sites you visited during your stay on the Cape and mark future points of interest.Perfect as an inexpensive gift or your own Cape Cod keepsake. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Cape Cod On The Move
My daughter purchased the book for some friends and loved it, so I decided to get one for my Grandson. Nicholas lives in Atlanta and we only get to see him once a year or so. We wanted him to have something to remember us and his visits by. He loves the book so much, we keep one at the house for him to use here, when he comes!

Small Town Book Makes BIG Waves!
A lifetime Cape resident, I purchased Cape Cod For Kids Coloring and Activity book for two little friends of mine that came to visit with their parents over the summer. They completely enjoyed reliving their summer vacation by coloring the carefully chosen and depicted Cape Cod scenes. The activities range in difficulty, so you can buy it for a child of almost any age. A perfect gift for the child who loves to live on or visit the Cape! ... Read more

Book Description

Commemorates, in words and pictures, the wild and civilized wonders of living in Alaska. A perfect introduction to the 49th state for young readers. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Accurate information & beautiful photos!
This is an excellent book for children and adults to learn more about Alaska. It is beautifully photographed. We lived in Fairbanks, AK for 19 years! We gave it as a Christmas gift to our family members. Well cone. ... Read more

Book Description

This lovingly illustrated coloring book is designed to educate and inspire artists of all ages and abilities. The subject matter emphasizes those aspects of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket that make them so very special.

Accompanied by informative text by Adam Gamble, subjects include: Thornton Burgess, bike paths, Native Americans, summer baseball, scientific explorations, the Aquinnah Cliffs, birds, catboats, cranberries, windmills, saltworks, whales and whaling, lifesaving, lighthouses, seals, clamming, the pirate ship Whydah, and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful Images from Cape Cod's Rich Heritage
Coloring Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket by James Owens is a delightful book. I have given many copies as gifts to both young and old, as the artwork is superb and of a much higher quality than your average coloring book. It also presents a fun way to learn about Cape Cod history by including text with pictures such as: Thornton Burgess, The Aquinnah Cliffs and The Judah Baker Windmill. I would highly recommend this book as a gift for young children or for anyone convalescing and needing an engaging activity. ... Read more

Book Description

Make way for a Journey Around San Francisco! A friendly pelican guides explorers of all ages on a beautiful tour of the city, pointing out intriguing sights and fascinating history along the way. Ride a cable car. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Explore Alcatraz, the Presidio, and Muir Woods. Learn about San Francisco's diverse population and rich cultural life. A journey awaits on every page.

Martha Zschock lives with her family on Cape Cod. Field trips with her third grade students inspired her first book, Journey Around Cape Cod and the Islands from A to Z. Carol Chittenden, owner of Eight Cousins Children’s Books in Falmouth, Mass., wrote, "For years we’ve sought a high-quality children’s picture book about Cape Cod. . . . Hallelujah, it’s been worth the wait." (Cape Cod magazine)

School Library Journal praised Journey Around New York from A to Z as "a wonderful testament to a diverse city and its equally diverse residents." Booklist called it "an outstanding introduction that imparts a sense of the city’s diversity along with some of its grander sights." ... Read more

Book Description

From the Brooklyn Bridge to Broadway, from Central Park to Chinatown, from the Macy's Parade to the Metropolitan Museum of Art -- New York City has it all! Millions of visitors from around the globe are drawn to the Big Apple year after year. Now explorers of all ages can "visit" whenever they please with JOURNEY AROUND NEW YORK from A to Z. This enchanting child's-eye guide to New York excites, educates, and enthralls readers with beautiful, detailed watercolor images and a fun and accessible but sophisticated text.

A proud and perky pigeon tour guide expertly escorts readers on a beautiful circuit of the city, pointing out interesting sights and fascinating facts along the way. Each page illuminates a New York theme with catchy alliterative headlines ("Journalists jot juicy jargon" or "Fifth Avenue is famous for fashion"), mini-history lessons, and fascinating facts. Thirty-two vivid pages celebrate the vibrancy, culture, and diversity of New York City. Martha Zschock's brilliant watercolor paintings provide an abundance of cheerful, authentic detail to explore, engaging readers while they become "instant experts" on one of the world's most exciting cities.

JOURNEY AROUND NEW YORK from A to Zis special because it has tremendous cross-generational appeal. Children and adults alike will thrill at this wonderful, whimsical jaunt through the alphabet and New York City. The book is also distinguished by a witty sense of humor, with its quirky pigeon-about-town narrator. The pigeon pops up on each fanciful page in surprising, amusing, and characteristically New York places. He can be found, for example, chopsticks in wing, enjoying a dim sum feast. He joins the Rockettes' kick line, appears as a balloon in the Macy's parade, rides the subway with commuters, and even turns up as conductor at Lincoln Center.

Take a JOURNEY AROUND NEW YORK from A to Z! Getting around New York has never been this easy – or as much fun! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A beautiful, fun book; a must-have (at least for NY'ers)!
I bought this book for my 9-month-old twins. They won't be able to read it for a while, but it's waiting for them on their bookshelf as soon as they're ready for paper pages!! It's not a baby book, but I couldn't resist it when I saw it.

As a New Yorker, I'm a discriminating critic - this book is chock full of interesting text, great detail and fun illustrations. The quality is great. And all the adults that see it feel compelled to read it cover to cover.

So it's really a fun, fun gift for a family with kids, whether or not they live in or plan to visit New York.

Would give it ten stars if I could!
What an innovative concept! Amazing art and fun-filled facts! Like an alphabet soup of NYC history and sites; a joy for kids and adults. (Not just for kids) Native New Yorkers and visitors are sure to love it! ... Read more

Book Description

Could you leave all the things you love for the adventure of a lifetime?

As a junior in high schoool, Megan McNeill Libby left behind the familiar comforts of suburban New England to live abroad as an exchange student. Now, in this charming collection of thoughts and vignettes, she takes readers of every age on a delightful, memorable tour through her year in France. Poignant and endearing, innocent yet wise. Postcards from France captures her adventure in vivid detail: waging war with the French language and the magic moment when she finally understood everyone around her; her wonderfully hilarious attempt at making Thanksgiving dinner--with a deer; her feelings of lonliness on the first day at a foreign school, and so much more. The perfect letter from a friend, Postcards is a rare gem of a book that will delight anyone who has ever dreamed of traveling or living in a foreign country.

Reviews (10)

A teenager¿s postcards expanded into a book.
The author of Postcards from France, Megan Libby, was just 16 when she went to France in 1994 as your typical AFS student. But she wasn't typical: she had her eyes wide open and was able to record, in a series of letters and postcards sent back home, what a humbling experience it is to be a newcomer in another culture. By turns comedic, touching, insightful, and revealing, Postcards from France is always refreshing - and it's highly likely this talented young author will go on to write more books that will be a pleasure to read.

Inspiring!
I've been on two two week exchanges to France...both the best experiences thus far in my life. I related with this book so well. I laughed, I cried, and then I read it again. My parents read it, and have decided that after my two two week exchange experiences, and my one week family vacation experience (when I was nine) in France, that it's time for me to go spend a year there. I loved every page of this book. The author did a good job of conveying the feelings of an exchange student. She told of how it isn't always easy, but in the end you don't want to leave. Thank you Megan for an inspiring book that has helped to mold my future...I'll bring your book with me when I go to France...and I'll treasure it for the rest of my life

Achetez ce livre !
Yes, this book is very witty and very easy to read. I am en route to France for a year next year as an American exchange student, and I found this book to be very helpful for every aspect of the process--except I wish she added more information like "Why did she switch host families?" and about school. She barely mentioned anything about homework, the lycée, or anything like that. But I loved everything else about the book. It was intriguing and exciting. And also, it's a very nice quick read. If you are, going to be, or was an exchange student, this book is a must-have. Anther book I recommend is The Exchange Student Survival Kit. Au revoir!

C'est tres bon
I am planning on studying abroad to France in 2003 and this book has helped me out in many ways. It told me exactly what I need to know before I go, how the French people are, the school system, and it gave me encouragement. Just reading about how she doesn't regret going makes me want to go even more. I just wished she would have added more about how to handle so much school! Anyway, this book is great to read, even if you aren't planning on going to France. It has a lot of interesting facts that I could never imagine possible. Great book.

Tres bien
The moment I saw this book in the bookstore, I knew I had to get it because Megan did what I have always wanted to do: be an exchange student in another country. This book is just so charming, delightful, and cute. I finally was able to be an exchange student this summer in a Spanish speaking country, and while I was not gone a whole academic year but only for a couple of weeks, I always had this book by my side because so many things were the same. So if you have ever been an exchange student before/hosted one in America, or are going too I recomend this book right away, and if you are just looking for a good book to read you'll have a ball. ... Read more

Book Description

A children's book for all ages, this vivid, enchanting alphabet book is packed with fascinating information about historic sites in Boston, Cambridge, and environs. (Lexington, Concord, and Salem are included, as well.) ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Take A Trip to Historic Boston
JOURNEY AROUND BOSTON is another title in the series created by author, artist and one time teacher Martha Zschock. Zschock was a third grade teacher at the time she wrote the book. As a teacher she has the respects both the natural curiosity and intelligence of children. A mallard, a duck often associated with the city thanks to Robert McCloskey's immortal MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, leads visitors on a tour of Boston and the vicinity. Her book includes the familiar tourist attractions as well as lesser known and perhaps even ignored places in Boston. It serves as a wonderful introduction to Boston and its illustrious history.

This book is a must for any family with young visitors coming to the city of Boston. It will also be of interest to the children of Boston who wish to learn a bit about the city and its history.

fun guide for middle school visitors or residents
It seems a bit strange to use an alphabet book format for middle schoolers, but the idea is well-executed in this nicely illustrated guide to Boston. The book begins with an undetailed map of the Boston vicinity, continues with a paragraph of introduction, and then moves on to the alphabet. Each letter gets a full page and has an alliterative title with a few explanatory sentences and some related factoids. For example, "M" is entitled "Minutemen made ready at a moment's notice"; text describes the events in Lexington and Concord on April 18, 1775; watercolor pictures show the Minuteman statue in Lexington and the Old North Bridge in Concord; factoids tell us that British soldiers were called "regulars" and that the midnight riders (Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott) called out "The regulars are out! The regulars are out!" as they rode through the night. End pages depict an alphabet of objects other than those seen in the book, such as Magnolia for "M".

With nice art and layout, this book imparts quite a few interesting facts about Boston, though one thinks it might have benefitted from an overarching coherence with which to motivate the more sophisticated young readers at which it is purportedly aimed.

Beautiful Illustrations!
Take a tour of Boston with this beautifully illustrated book. The A to Z format is great for the little ones, while the fun facts about Boston and illustrations keep kids of all ages enthralled. I could stare at the illustrations all day myself! ... Read more

Book Description

A gorgeous, informative look at one of this country'smost fascinating and complex cities

Here is Los Angeles in all its many forms and guises, beautifully illustrated by collage artist Elisa Kleven--a native of L.A.--and narrated by L.A. journalists Julie Jaskol and Brian Lewis. From Hollywood and the La Brea Tar Pits to Watts Towers and the Getty Museum, twenty sites of interest are explored in large, detailed, whimsical pictures and in text that is both thoughtful and easy to read. Elisa Kleven has observed L.A. closely and translated its sights and rhythms into her magical artwork, just as she did for San Francisco in the best-selling City by the Bay (Chronicle). A map, introductory essay, and further fun-filled facts round out this tour of Los Angeles, giving readers in any part of the U.S. an appreciation of its long history, varied ethnic groups, and diverse, colorful neighborhoods.

Packed with people and places to look at and pore over, this book can be used by a wide range of children, teenagers, and adults. Perfect for use at home as well as in libraries and schools, it will tie into the subjects of California history, Spanish heritage studies, American individualism, and urban life. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Celebration of what LA has to offer
This book shows Angelenos and the world that there is much diversity to celebrate and enjoy in Los Angeles and it does it in a fun, colorful way. The illustrations are delightful and the text informative. Even long-time residents will learn something new. Fun for adults as well as kids. We bought them as gifts for everyone on our holiday list.

A combination of magical illustrations and informative text.
As residents of Los Angeles we are thrilled to have a book which highlights our city, its diversity and its vivacity. Each page is a jeweled mosaic. We will enjoy introducing our grandchildren to their city in picture and word.

Excellent Book!
This book is one of those rare children's books that teaches the adult as well as the child. I can only hope that the authors and the illustrator work on capturing the magic of other cities, just like they did with Los Angeles!

Kleven's detailed collages bring Los Angeles to life
Elisa Kleven consistantly ups the ante, no one working in publishing today has her eye for detail. Her colorful and inviting spreads paired with Jaskol and Lewis' informative and fun text make this book a winner. Only Kleven and company could make L.A. so appealing and inviting! ... Read more

Book Description

parents dreading the fidgeting and whining that usually accompany family airplane travel will welcome this unique new collection of at-the-seat activities. From designing your own airport to finding your way in the sky. . .from crossing time zones to understanding jet lag. . .from who's in the cockpit to what's in the black box. . .Just Plane Smart! is packed with fascinating facts, funny cartoons and riddles, brain-teasing puzzles, and high-flying things to do. Lap-sized, lighthearted, humorously illustrated, this fun-filled travel companion will stretch kids' imaginations, satisfy their curiosity, and keep them occupied--at 30,000 feet or at home on the ground. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Airplane fun for the road.
How to beat the wiggles in the seat for the plane ride? How nice to have a book full of fun things to do. Young travelers will love all these great activities.

All kinds of airport tests and games. Tell your parents thing they don't know about airport travel. Like where your bags go? Sometimes we wonder why there go to a different city. But this book is alot of fun.

This is a must for air travel.............. ... Read more

Book Description