Discover More: Human Body by Steve Setford. 112 p. Scholastic Inc., June, 2014. 9780545667760. (Finished copy courtesy of publisher for review.)
The challenge of overview books on any subject is what to include. Too little detail might not pique interest or be useful and too much detail might overwhelm. This volume is so crammed with photos and facts, it does overwhelm. In the best possible way. It's so dang gorgeous that one does not mind revisiting it again and again.
The subject of the human body is endlessly fascinating and so complex that students need to revisit the topic a number of times in their journey from kindergarten to senior year of high school. Hopefully, they delve a bit deeper each time. Indeed, entire tomes are written about each organ let alone body system.
The system approach is usually the way units and overview books are organized. This one takes a slightly different approach. Chapters are entitled, "Your amazing body," "On the move," "Skin you're in," "Body Engines," "Fuel for the body," and "In Control." The familiar body systems are laid out on pages 18 and 19 with arrows pointing to the pages containing information at each illustration.
Oh, the illustrations! Each one is a feast for the eyes. There are historical drawings, photographs, artists' renderings, MRI and other computerized images and charts. Lots of "Wow!" factor here. Especially compelling is the close-up photo of the iris and pupil…or the nerve bundle…or the cells dividing. Can't choose. Of course, a few elicit, "Ew!" If the standard, 3mm head louse enlarged to fill a page doesn't make you start scratching, the ultra-enlarged photo of eyelash mites might send you over the edge. I would've appreciated knowing how many times photos such as these were enlarged but I don't think it will occur to most kids.
The accompanying downloadable ebook, Be a Brainiac, is filled with fun brain teasers. A three-page glossary, index and photo credits conclude this volume. Make room on the 612 shelf for this one. It won't sit.
Discover More: Ancient Egypt by Penelope Arlon. 80 p. Scholastic Inc., June 24, 2014. 9780545627399. (Finished copy courtesy of publisher)
I was so tickled to see a new Discover More book when I opened the box from Scholastic. And doubly so to see it was about ancient Egypt. Fifth and sixth graders study ancient civilizations in social studies and I can never keep enough books on my shelves. My love for this series is no secret. They're just about an automatic purchase for me and especially loved by my browsers and fact hounds.
The cover is bold and enticing with the iconic image of King Tut's golden visage dominating. The book is divided into three sections: Discovering ancient Egypt; Everyday life; and Afterlife. Tidbits of information float on collages of captivating images. One might be brought up a bit short by the up-close and personal photograph of a partially uncovered, unidentified mummy. I was brought up a bit short while poring over the photos of tomb treasures. The ornate scarab beetle piece is intricate. Even everyday objects, such as drinking cups and bowls are beautifully crafted. There's a photo of a baboon mummy's coffin, a golden mummy mask, and even a wrapped cat mummy. But I was a bit disappointed to see that a painted coffin or sarcophagus was labeled, "mummy." I can't say whether the piece is a coffin or a sarcophagus because I don't know what it is made of but I do know it's not a mummy. It may contain a mummy and I'm not sure why the picture is labeled so when the above mentioned baboon coffin and cat mummy were correctly labeled.
The use of the "Nile River" as a timeline was graphically interesting if a bit difficult to follow. The double-page spread of ancient inventions juxtaposed with their modern counterparts was rather cool. I might've arranged those in chronological order rather than the pyramid of images though. There were also times when I would've appreciated a sense of scale, most notably in the line-up of the great pharaohs. There's Khufu's statue, which the caption claims to be the smallest royal statue ever found that appears to be larger than the statue of Pepi II directly to the right. Each pharaoh sculpture rests on a base containing bits of information about dates, periods and significance and captions for each float above their heads with a short description. Cleopatra, the final pharaoh and intriguing ruler in her own right (Thank you Vicky Alvear Shecter) has a caption that reads, "Cleopatra was regarded as a great beauty." Really? That's all?
A later section about the other famous female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, contains a confusing paragraph. While I appreciate the challenges of distilling a subject's influence into two pages, the final paragraph says she disappeared mysteriously; asks if she was murdered; then states that her successor, Thutmose III had her mummy moved. Was she found or was her body found? The disjointed details annoy and do not illuminate. Sure, this overview is meant to tantalize and spur further reading but the tidbits should satisfy somewhat as well.
Thankfully, the double-page spread on mummies in the Afterlife chapter correctly identifies coffins and mummies. Unfortunately, the spread entitled, "How to build a pyramid," is woefully short on details. Basically, it says to cut big stons and build it. The photograph of the Great Sphinx of Giza is at odds with the statement that it is the biggest statue made out of a single stone. It sure does look like bricks make up its legs and haunches. There was some room in the description for an additional sentence explaining how the Sphinx was uncovered. Given that this series does not supply resources for suggested reading, I would've appreciated that. I could not access the bonus ebook. Perhaps it's not uploaded as yet since the book releases next month.
Individually, these are quibbles. Collectively, they disappoint a bit. Still, I look forward to future installments but will read them with a more critical eye hoping this was just a blip.
Discover More: Titanic by Sean Callery. 111p. Scholastic Discover More Series. Scholastic Inc., February, 2014. 9780545505123. (Finished copy courtesy of publisher for review.)
I must admit to sighing when I saw this entry in the Discover More series. I have really enjoyed the entries so far and asked myself, "Do I really need another Titanic book?" Interest in this disaster certainly ebbs and flows over the years I've been a school librarian. Some years, it seems I can't have enough and other years, what I do have languishes. Interestingly, circulation did not spike back in 2012, the centennial of the sinking.
The Discover More series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine as each entry consistently interests and pleases. Titanic is no different. A boatload of information is packed between the covers. Everything from the rivalry between transatlantic ocean lines to the reasons why people immigrated to America to the nitty-gritty of the construction of the Titanic and more, all accompanied by fascinating drawings and photographs. Side bars provide additional resources, mini-glossaries and suggestions of places to visit and people to look up. Each chapter asks the reader to ponder questions and then provides evidence but allows the reader to draw his or her own conclusions. The bonus E-book contains five survival stories.
This would be good for report writers and perfect for your fact hounds to devour for its many bits of trivia and wonder.
