Moira Butterfield

Treehouses, apartment buildings with rooftop beehives, tents, houseboats: All are homes.

Starting with a scene that pictures many houses found throughout the book and ending with the same scene, now filled with people from many places, this volume will help kids think about similarities and differences in living arrangements. Each double-page spread features a different topic. First there are spreads on homes in urban places versus country living; roofs (steep ones for snowy countries, green show more roofs, flat roofs); doors, like the special orange wooden doors of Mongolian gers and the absence of them in North African or Bedouin tents; and the issue of walls or no walls. Then, there is a focus on the various different spaces in- or outside homes. Each spread features amusingly detailed paintings with different layouts, some complete scenes: The dining-space spread features a Western-style table and diners from different countries and eras adjacent to a Vietnamese family eating on a bamboo mat. Another spread contrasts four gardens: Bangladeshi floating gardens, the White House lawn, a Japanese garden path, and the “Vertical Forest,” in Milan. The people are diverse, cartoonish in style but with individual personalities. The book does not discuss homelessness, and everyone looks happy with their own situation. There are neither sources nor bibliography.

Children will find many answers to the question: “So what makes a home a wonderful place?” (Informational picture book. 6-9)

-Kirkus Review show less

Despite being scared of bees, I grabbed this book! Bees are so helpful and interesting to learn about, why not learn a bit more about them from a delightful picture book?

This colourful, beautifully illustrated book is a real hidden gem! A must read, if I might add. Not only is it an educational book, but it packs in some fun too! The first page opens up to a little "Where's Waldo" section where you're helping the bee find his mouse friend!

The entire book is told in a more story format - it show more feels like fiction but is definitely non-fiction. I really enjoyed that aspect because learning can be such a bore! Having the story so engaging and colourful is just what some young readers need. I think this is a great book for those picky readers that despite non-fiction!

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, words & pictures and Quarto Publishing Group for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. show less

This is a fun activity book that teaches appreciation for our World, learning about the rain forests and seas and the critters therein, and how one can help take care of them. No, it is not primarily a Save-the-Earth book. It is simply a fun way to learn while being creative in a number of venues.
description
The stickers are really pretty but not "grown up, fancy" pretty. Just colorful and nice. There is a page of stencils that kids can use to initiate their own drawings of the various show more objects and animals. The puzzles, pictures to color, paper craft activities, and questions (answers in back) make for fun time and engaged education.
description
I heartily recommend this colorful, 80 page book of activities for summer fun (well, anytime you want a great book of fun activities). It is sturdy with heavy duty pages and a wonderful fold out back page/cover of the seas and forests.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher to facilitate this review of my own opinions. I was not compensated for the review. show less

Beautifully illustrated cross-sections of various types of ecosystems, on very large pages. Intended for young adults, but a pleasure for any nature geek who wants a new way to think about the webs of life in our world.