HISTORY
Released: Sept. 1, 2005
The Maestros continue their "American Story" series with a lucid, opinionated account of the American Revolution, from the end of the French and Indian Wars to George Washington's resignation as Commander-in-Chief.
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HISTORY
Released: Aug. 31, 2000
Partly filling the historical gap between their New Americans: Colonial Times, 1620-1689 (1998) and A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution (1987), the Maestros examine King William's War, Queen Anne's War, the War of Jenkins' Ear, and other half-forgotten conflicts usually lumped together as the French and Indian Wars.
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HISTORY
Released: March 1, 1998
"As a starting point for research, the quick explanations of many different topics will be useful, and the index and additional back matter will give readers direction in pursuing fuller coverage on a variety of topics. (maps, index) (Nonfiction. 6-10)"
This entry, fourth in The American Story series (third chronologically), covers colonization by the English, Dutch, French, and Spanish, as well as the displacement of the Native Americans, brings in the Pilgrims, Puritans, the beginnings of the Triangle Trade, and comments on the shifting patterns of alliances and warfare between Europeans and native peoples.
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RELIGION
Released: Aug. 16, 1996
"Still, this is, in many ways, a revelatory work and a provocative introduction to a complicated subject. (index) (Picture book/nonfiction. 7-11)"
An illustrated synopsis of the genesis and basic ideas of each of the world's major religions, as well as of some minor ones.
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HUMOR
Released: Feb. 29, 1996
"A great addition to the venerable I Can Read series. (Picture book. 4-8)"
``Moosic'' is the answer to the question in the title, perfectly reflecting the goofy tone of this worthy sequel to the father-and-son team's first book of riddles, Riddle City, USA! (1994).
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NATURE
Released: April 1, 1995
"Her prose—firm, yet supple—is a model of writing about science for children. (maps, diagrams, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 7+)"
ANIMALS
Released: Nov. 1, 1994
"Have you hugged a bat today? (Nonfiction/Picture book. 5-8)"
Bat's aren't evil, just strange, and the bum rap they have received since day one is undeserved.
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HISTORY
Released: March 22, 1993
"A simpler, more focused treatment than Cribb's Money (in the Eyewitness format, 1990). (Nonfiction/Picture book. 7-10.)"
A useful history covering the ancient practices of bartering and using commodities (salt, grain, tobacco) as media of exchange, plus the development of metal and paper currency and contemporary cashless methods of payment; handsomely illustrated with many expansive landscape paintings resembling those in the Maestros' The Discovery of the America (1991), maps, and meticulous drawings of coins and bills.
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ANIMALS
Released: Oct. 1, 1992
"Attractive, but not essential. (Nonfiction. 8-10)"
An introduction, with softly colored drawings that—while large and colorful—are sometimes fuzzy.
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HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS
Released: Aug. 1, 1992
"Sure to be as popular as Maestro's Halloween Howls, 1983; fortunately, the sturdy paper should withstand a lot of use. ``What holiday is a hoot? Owloween.'' (Nonfiction. 7-10)"
Sixty riddles based on wordplay that's clever enough to be intriguing as well as funny—each, with its answer, on a full, small page with an illustration that's gruesome enough to suit the occasion but also colorful, well drawn, and usually comical.
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SPORTS
Released: Feb. 28, 1992
"Useful and attractive. (Nonfiction/Picture book. 5-9)"
Josh, who looks about eight, recounts a pleasant family outing incorporating safe biking practices (e.g., riding on the right, ``single file, and not too close together, in case we have to stop suddenly'').
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FOOD & COOKING
Released: Jan. 30, 1992
"Let's-Read-and-Find-Out-Science'' series. (Nonfiction/Picture book. 4-9)"
A straightforward, carefully detailed presentation of how ``fruit comes from flowers,'' from winter's snow-covered buds through pollination and growth to ripening and harvest.
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HISTORY
Released: May 27, 1991
"An outstanding introduction. (Nonfiction. 6-10)"
The Maestros do a real service here in presenting the more familiar explorers in the context of all the migrations that have populated the Western Hemisphere, beginning with the Ice Age journeys across the land bridge from Siberia to Alaska.
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