Home → Book Reviews

The Magic School Bus Presents the Human Body

The Magic School Bus Presents the Human Body

Reviewed by: Danielle K. Grady - Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 3, 2014

Review

This Magic School Bus presents series is the best way to introduce children to our world. In this edition it is the human body and what child is not curious about his or her own body. With fun and adventure Ms. Frizzle takes you on one of the best school bus rides of your life. Bright and colorful pages include photographs and drawings and facts.

Includes two awesome pages of facts and another with "words to know"

Overall Book Score: good

About the Book

Author:

Jackson, Tom

Illustration Quality: good

Publisher: Scholastic

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre: adventure, graphic novel

Audience: grades k-3

Binding Type: paperback

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780545683647

Price: 6.99

The Magic School Bus Presents Planet Earth

The Magic School Bus Presents Planet Earth

Reviewed by: Danielle K. Grady - Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 3, 2014

Review

This Magic School Bus presents series is the best way to introduce children to our world. In this edition it is the Planet Earth and With fun and adventure Ms. Frizzle takes you on another great school bus ride. Every child loves dirt and this book encourages further exploration of the earth around them. Bright and colorful pages include photographs and drawings and facts.

Includes two awesome pages of facts and another with "words to know"

Overall Book Score: good

About the Book

Author:

Jackson, Tom

Illustration Quality: good

Publisher: Scholastic

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre: adventure, graphic novel

Audience: grades k-3

Binding Type: paperback

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780545680127

Price: 6.99

The Magic School Bus Presents Sea Creatures

The Magic School Bus Presents Sea Creatures

Reviewed by: Danielle K. Grady - Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 3, 2014

Review

This Magic School Bus presents series is the best way to introduce children to our world. In this edition it is Sea Creatures. Amazing color photography mixed with the cartoon classroom take students and of course the ever delightful, Mz Frizzle, on another great adventure. Each of her students asks a question pertaining to the creature and has it answered. Includes two incredible pages of facts and another with "words to know".

Overall Book Score: good

About the Book

Author:

Jackson, Tom

Illustration Quality: good

Publisher: Scholastic

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre: adventure, graphic novel

Audience: grades k-3

Binding Type: paperback

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780545683661

Price: 6.99

The Magic School Bus Presents Wild Weather

The Magic School Bus Presents Wild Weather

Reviewed by: Danielle K. Grady - Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 3, 2014

Review

This Magic School Bus presents series is the best way to introduce children to our world. In this edition it is Wild Weather. Amazing color photography mixed with the cartoon classroom take students and of course the ever delightful, Mz Frizzle, on another great adventure. For every child who is curious about hurricanes, tornadoes, thunder, snowstorms and so much more, this book gives the child the basic answers to their questions. Includes two incredible pages of facts and another with "words to know".

Overall Book Score: good

About the Book

Author:

Callery, Sean

Illustration Quality: good

Publisher: Scholastic

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre: adventure, graphic novel

Audience: grades k-3

Binding Type: paperback

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780545683678

Price: 6.99

The Magic School Bus Presents Our Solar System

The Magic School Bus Presents Our Solar System

Reviewed by: Danielle K. Grady - Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 3, 2014

Review

This Magic School Bus presents series is the best way to introduce children to our world. In this edition it is Our Solar System. Amazing color photography mixed with the cartoon classroom take students and of course the ever delightful, Mz Frizzle, on another great adventure. Filled with Frizzel facts this series is a non-fiction companion to the original Magic School Bus series. Each of the eight planets is presented on two pages of facts and photos, plus the sun, comets and much more. Includes two incredible pages of facts and another with "words to know".

Overall Book Score: good

About the Book

Author:

Jackson, Tom

Illustration Quality: good

Publisher: Scholastic

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre: adventure, graphic novel

Audience: grades k-3

Binding Type: paperback

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780545683654

Price: 6.99

The Little Chef

The Little Chef

Reviewed by: Danielle K. Grady - Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 3, 2014

Review

There is something about this book and recipes that was off putting. Almost like foods we wouldn't make and the pictures seemed dated. Also the warning at the back of the book was kind of amusing, Warning: The recipes in this book contain ingredients to which people may be allergic. Such as nuts. Then they have the children making caramelized sugar and using skewers etc. Offers other titles to buy, web sites and the five basic food groups diagram.

Overall Book Score: fair

About the Book

Author:

Segarra, Mercedes

Illustrator: Curto, Rosa M.

Illustration Quality: fair

Publisher: Scholastic

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre: graphic novel

Audience: grades k-3

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780766042612

Price: 16.95

Charlie and the New Baby

Charlie and the New Baby

Reviewed by: Danielle K. Grady - Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 14, 2014

Review

Charlie the dog is king of the ranch until a newborn calf is brought in from the pasture and placed in his bed, under his blanket and he seems to be getting all the TLC usually reserved for Charlie. He soon sees through that and learns that there is plenty of love for all. The pictures are bright and colorful and quite expressive. The quality of the book is fair/poor, unless it is this copy only that is bad, I'm concerned that it will not hold up in library circulation.

Overall Book Score: fair

About the Book

Author:

Drummond, Ree

Illustrator: deGroat, Diane

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Harper Collins

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: preschool, grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: fair

ISBN: 9780062297501

Price: 17.99

The Case of the Vanishing Honeybees

The Case of the Vanishing Honeybees

Reviewed by: Danielle K. Grady - Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 6, 2014

Review

The cover gives the impression that this is a sweet storybook about honeybees, when in fact it is a very important book describing the life and work of the bee and how it effects our lives. It explains why we need honeybees, their crucial importance to the human race and our food supply. It also tells us of the mystery of worldwide loss in the honeybee population. There is no clear cut answers to this problem. Author's note, facts, ways to help honeybees and Global Rescue efforts are included as well as glossary and websites.

Overall Book Score: excellent