A solid civics and civil-liberties primer.
Based on the Canadian animated video series of the same name, this collection of six stories about a diverse democratic city and its governing body frames some of the very important conversations that adults need to have with children about rights and freedoms and accepting difference.
Each story begins with a problem facing the councilors or the citizens, which is then followed by a vote on some law—but the real lesson comes when the execution of the laws brings unintended and “unfair” consequences. Mayor Moe observes the squabbling, untidy city council and decides to impose a uniform, for instance. This excludes Councillors Twist and Cuddly, who are required by their religions to wear head coverings, so the city council re-examines its law. Councillor Bug often breaks the fourth wall to point out when a law or consequence of a law is unfair. It’s a kid-friendly device, as is the book’s built-in interactive element. Each story ends with an extended discussion, followed by questions. These questions (What was the purpose of the law? Was it achieved? Were there any problems that arose from it?) will prompt conversations and ensure clarity on the messages received from each tale. Further reinforcement comes in a wrap-up note at the end. Patel’s comical illustrations, also based on the animated series, are consistently entertaining; the vibrant and charismatic creatures offer a rainbow of fur colors and body types and a broad range of expressions.
A solid civics and civil-liberties primer. (Nonfiction. 7-12)Pub Date: April 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-77138-208-3
Page Count: 44
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: Jan. 8, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2016
An inviting collection of insightful, interesting and often wacky and weird facts and stories about U.S. presidents and...
A fascinating and entertaining insider's intimate view of the White House through the eyes of 70 children and grandchildren of our commanders in chief.
Through first-person accounts from letters and interviews, Rhatigan reveals the perks and problems of living in America's most famous residence. A bowling alley in the basement and chefs available to make any food you want sound great, but you also have to put up with reporters following your every move and Secret Service agents never letting you out of sight. Readers learn how life in the White House has changed since John Adams and his family first occupied the mansion, who were the worst behaved presidential children, about the menageries of animals that have come and gone, and what kind of relationships children had with their parents. Factoids sprinkled throughout the text offer anecdotes about White House weddings, gifts presidential kids received and ghosts that supposedly haunt the mansion. Attractively designed in a scrapbook format with appropriate use of red, white and blue, the text is abundantly illustrated with photographs and archival images.
An inviting collection of insightful, interesting and often wacky and weird facts and stories about U.S. presidents and their families. (appendices, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)Pub Date: July 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-936140-80-0
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Imagine Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 29, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2012
More-systematic treatments abound, but the airy tone and quick-facts presentation give this some potential as a...
In Basher’s latest set of breezy “self”-portraits, 58 gods, demigods and mythological creations of diverse sort step up in turn to the microphone.
The entrants are limited to the ancient Egyptian, Norse and Greco-Roman pantheons and arranged in no particular order within their respective chapters. They range from the usual celebrities like Poseidon (“rhymes with ‘Joe Biden’ ”), Odin and Osiris to some who have gotten less press, such as Hebe—“Waitress to the Olympians”—and Gefjon, Aesir goddess of plowing. Along with mixing in such non-Olympians as Odysseus, Budzik swells the ranks by lending voices to Bifrost, Yggdrasil and even the battle of Ragnarok. The author’s introductory claim that the gods gave mortals “something to believe in and ideals to aspire to when life was looking bleak” is massively disingenuous considering the speakers’ own accounts of their exploits (Hel complains, “It’s really grim here. I get the dreariest dead”). Nevertheless, the sex and violence are toned down to, for instance, Hera’s tart reference to “my hubby’s mortal girlfriends” and Isis’ allusion to “complicated family vibes” (following her brother/husband Osiris’ dismemberment by their brother, Seth). In a radical departure for Basher, some of his dolllike cartoon figures bear grimaces rather than cutesy smiles.
More-systematic treatments abound, but the airy tone and quick-facts presentation give this some potential as a lighter-than-air refresher. (chart and foldout poster of Greek/Roman equivalents) (Mythology. 10-12)Pub Date: July 22, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-7534-7171-5
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Kingfisher
Review Posted Online: May 27, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2014
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