Elaine Landau (1948–2013)

The photographs and format of this book are very compelling- my three-year-old can't put it down! Divided into mini chapters addressing different aspects of crocodiles and alligators, this little book is informative, sophisticated, and yet also child-friendly in its approach. The focus of this book is how the reptiles hunt-- there is less comparing and contrasting alligators and crocodiles here than in Gail Gibbons' book. A short, age-appropriate bibliography and index appears in the back. I show more am very impressed by this series ("Animals After Dark") and would gladly order it for any library. show less

Landau has selected excerpts from four published narratives by slaves who experience life as slaves in the American South in the 19th Century. As these examples were prepared for reading by young adults, they do not contain instances of the extreme violence that are usually present in such narratives. These stories do illustrated the perseverance of some of these people who were driven to take great risks in order become free and the callowness of many slave owners and dealers.

This is a good show more introduction to the literature on this subject. A good followup would be reading some of the slave narratives collected during the Great Depression by unemployed writers who were tasked with getting these stories from former slaves before they died. show less

This is a great beginner reference book for kids. There are four colorful chapters highlighted with pictures, a glossary and index, plus a suggested reading list. The chapters cover a lot of ground in its 32 pages. Beginning with "What is a Ragdoll?" children will learn the basics about this cute breed. They will learn about ragdoll's coloring and points, average size and size as compared to other breeds of cats and about this cat's "fluffy" coat that does shed, though very little.

Chapter show more two, "How the Breed Got Started" talks about the ragdoll breeds start in California in 1960 by a woman named Ann Smith. Then there is a little history regarding cats in Europe and Egypt. The third chapter, "So You Really Want a Ragdoll," is about the special needs of the ragdoll cat. Kids will learn about the type of pet ragdolls are and the special care needed when you bring one of these cats into your life.

The final chapter is called "Welcoming Your Ragdoll." The equipment that will be needed for a ragdoll along with veterinarian care is discussed along with the breed's day-to-day needs. Then there is a glossary listing the important words used in the book, a simple index so kids can look up topics. Finally, there is a list of recommended reading about the Ragdoll cat.

I found this to be a cute and informative little book. I am owned by one of those blue-eyed beauties, so I was especially curious to read this book. While I knew all the information it contains, I think it is a wonderful, complete primer on the ragdoll cat for children. Yes, this is a special breed and owners all do "fall in love" with the "best breed ever."

There is one bit of information I found confusing. The author makes mention of Matilda, a hotel cat in the 1930's who was large, white and blue eyed. While she does not call Matilda a ragdoll, including her in the book, with a general ragdoll description, seems to imply Matilda was a ragdoll. Then, in chapter two, the author states that the ragdoll "breed got its start" in California in the 1960's and calls it the "birth of the best breed ever." I do not dispute the latter claims, these cats ARE the best breed ever (and I think they know it), yet Matilda draws question to the decade in which the breed began. While minor, kids are sharp and will notice this discrepancy.

I think this is a great book for kids and a good one to read before getting one of these big, wonderful, wanna-be puppies. Mine acts just as described in the book and looks as described. If your child is interested in a gentle, affectionate cat, this is a must-read book before bringing a new pet home. It is a great starter reference book for kids. This book is not only a good read it can help your child learn how to use reference books now while they are soaking up knowledge like a sponge.

received galley from netgalley.com show less

Review copy from Lerner PublishingApril 2010: The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, about 50 miles off of the Louisiana coast. Eleven crew members died, and seventeen others were injured. The giant drilling rig burned for two days before it sank into the Gulf, but the worst damage was yet to come: the pipe from the oil well in the sea floor had broken and was leaking massive amounts of poisonous, thick oil. Ten days after the accident, the oil spill was the size show more of the state of Delaware! This is the story of how scientists, engineers, and oil rig crews worked together, trying many different ways to contain the oil spill, plug the well, and try to prevent more damage to the environment. Not everything worked well, and people and animals suffered because of the spill: people lost their jobs and homes, animals were killed when the toxic oil spread into their habitats, and in some areas, the environmental effects will last for years. Well-written and exceptionally well-designed, with excellent photos, graphs and maps, this is a timely story of disaster, hard work and tough choices. While avoiding the political controversy of the spill, Landau focuses on the environmental aspects and consequences. She includes short explanations of five other oil spill disasters, including the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska, and the Persian Gulf spills during the Gulf War of the early 1990's. There is also a section about what students can choose to do to make a difference! 5th grade and up. show less