Trudee Romanek

When you pick up Wow! in your hands, you won't feel anything unusual about its ordinary hard cover, or hear anything special as you flip its smooth glossy pages. You'll see many colorful illustrations perhaps, but nothing truly spectacular. It even has that wood-pulpy, inky odor of your typical picture book. And if you're brave enough, you'll discover the taste is not very appetizing. Left to your senses alone, there is nothing about this book that will wow you in any way, and yet it truly show more is one of "the most interesting book(s) you'll ever read about the five senses."

Did you know, for example, that a 15-year-old girl has invented talking glasses to help the visually impaired, that your brain is more likely to believe your eyes than your ears, or that dogs can sense when their owner is about to have an epileptic seizure by the smell. Aside from the numerous interesting anecdotes throughout the book, Wow! includes simple, easy to understand diagrams and drawings to help illustrate complex science terms and concepts for children. And even more interesting than that, there are several hands-on experiments that kids can conduct in a matter minutes with simple household items.

Wow! is suitable for any age, though children will be more likely to appreciate the colorful illustrations and the fun activities. There is something interesting on every page and it truly may be one of the most interesting books you'll ever read about the five senses. It can be seen, touched, smelled, heard and tasted (preferably not) in the new books section of our childrens' library under the call number J612.8 Romanek.

Reviewed by Shaun show less

This novel is a must for anyone interested in learning about improv. It tells the story of a high school improv team from the point of view of one of its members. The novel portrays the difficulties of being a teenager, anxious to get on with life and to decide what that life will be. An easy read, but a relatable struggle for many teenagers interested in the arts.

"Achoo!" is a book all about germs and diseases, how to prevent them, and how to identify them. It presents the information in a fun way, that it makes it more appealing to kids. The graphics in the book are informative and attractive, and I feel that they are one of the most appealing aspects to this text. On every page you will find a section along the side, where there is an interesting fact, activities for students to learn about diseases or sicknesses. This book would be best as a show more reference tool, where students can go to learn more information about a specific question they have. For example, you can read about and do an activity that will show you exactly what it feels like to have a fever. This book also talks about personal hygiene, and how to make sure that you are staying healthy. show less

"The books are well constructed overall. Readers could read the text continuously, but each book is structured in short, clear sections that permit readers to zero in on specific issues as needed. The visual design complements the written text effectively and is also organized for browsing, with numerous sidebars, highlighted key terms, and a rich mix of full-colour images, both photographs and artwork. The books also contain typical useful features such as in-line glossing (as well as a show more glossary), an index, biographies of high-profile historical Islamic figures, and a list of texts for further research, including online sources."

Complete review appears in RESOURCE LINKS Vol. 17, Issue 5, pp. 14–15 (as part of the series Life in the Early Islamic World) show less