It's True! This Book is Bugged

By Sue Bursztynski
Pictures by Mitch Vane
Annick Press, 2007
Ages 8-12
3.5/5

Spies and spying are perennially popular topics among younger readers, especially boys. This book describes the history of espionage, from ancient Rome to today's hackers. Written in a funny, conversational style, it includes information on famous spies, spy gadgets, and spying disasters.

Although it is divided into chapters and sprinkled with black and white cartoons, Bursztynski's book has enough dense text and difficult vocabulary that it would probably be most appealing to kids in the later grades of elementary school. The sense of humour expressed in the writing is appropriate to this age group as well.

Children will enjoy this book for its silly, irreverent tone and the fascinating stories it contains.

Eyewitness Books: Seashore

Written by Steve Parker
Stoddard Publishing, 1989
Ages 8-12
4/5

Parker's book contains information about the plants and animals that live on seashores around the world. Readers learn about seaweeds, tidal pools, crustaceans, mollusks, birds, marine mammals, and shoreline conservation. Facts and explanations are accompanied by colour photographs (many of which are extreme close-ups to allow for detail visibility), illustrations, and diagrams.

Parker shares interesting scientific information in simple, easily-understood language. The book is well-organized, with a table of contents, an index, and plainly labelled pictures. These features would be helpful for an elementary-school student learning how to use non-fiction resources for research. However, the book is still easily browseable, for readers who are more interested in casually reading about seashores.

Lucy Maud Montgomery: The Author of Anne of Green Gables

Written and illustrated by Alexandra Wallner
Holiday House, 2006
Ages 7-11
4.5/5

The graduate work I did before I started my MLIS focussed on the life and work of L.M. Montgomery, so I was prepared to be extra critical of Wallner's biography of a celebrated Canadian icon. Not only would I be looking at the criteria that make a good non-fiction book for children, but I knew I couldn't help analyzing pictures and text to see if Wallner had truly done her homework on Montgomery.

I'm pleased to report that I consider this book successful in both areas. Wallner's writing style is simple, with short sentences and a relatively basic vocbulary, but the book still manages to communicate the important facts about Montgomery's life. While sometimes a little date-heavy, the chronological arrangement of the story, from Montgomery's birth to her death, clearly shows how Montgomery went from a little girl in Cavendish, PEI to an internationally-renowned author. The thorough index at the back of the book makes this a good source for children learning to use non-fiction books for research projects, although the lack of headings within the text itself might prove confusing.

However, what really impressed me about Wallner's biography is the illustrations. First of all, it appears as though Wallner has actually researched PEI; the buildings, the beach (particularly the last two-page spread of the Cavendish capes), the home decor, and the red dirt are accurate colours and designs. When Montgomery moves from PEI to Nova Scotia and eventually to Ontario, the landscapes and buildings change too. In fact, Montgomery herself ages in the illustrations, and it is evident from the composition of several pictures that Wallner studied some of the well-known photographs of Montgomery when creating her paintings. In addition, the lightness and brightness of the illustrations reflects the happy, romantic mood Montgomery herself liked to create in her writings.

I also enjoyed several of the small details that might go unnoticed by a child, but would be noticed by a Montgomery fan or scholar. The little black cat on the dedication page looks like the cat Montgomery often drew as part of her signature. The homes in PEI are all wooden and no stone buildings appear until Montgomery goes to school in Halifax. Several of the outfits in which Montgomery is pictured are actually items of clothing she treasured and described in detail in her own journals. Indeed, whenever Wallner writes "Montgomery thought" she quotes directly from the journals.

Because she has often been dismissed as simply a writer for young girls, Montgomery's biographies (for children and adults alike) have not always been of the greatest quality. However, in my opinion, this is good non-fiction book for elementary school children who may be reading Anne of Green Gables (or one of Montgomery's other works) for the first time and might be curious about the author.

I Found a Dead Bird: The Kids' Guide to the Cycle of Life and Death

By Jan Thornhill
Maple Tree Press, 2006
Ages 8+
5/5

In simple, factual language, Thornhill's book explains what death is and why it is a necessary part of life. Thornhill describes what happens to bodies after they die and talks about different kinds of death, including when people kill animals for food, when people die in accidents, and when people kill other people. Although death can be a scary and emotional topic, Thornhill's calm, matter-of-fact tone allows readers to learn about death without making their curiosity seem morbid or inappropriate.

The creative layout and bright colours of the book are extremely attractive and draw the eye across each page. The text has been divided into smaller sections and placed in boxes, which makes it easier to read. Most of the pictures in this book are actually photographs. In fact, some of these pictures may be considered too intense by parents: for example, the stages of decomposition as illustrated by a decaying pig carcass, the child afflicted by smallpox, or the Tollund Man. One of the major strengths of this book is that it is constructed using the same template as more complex research materials, allowing children to gain experience in using things like tables of contents, headings, and indexes.

While not suitable for younger children, this book truly deserves the many awards and accolades it has received.