by Fiona Macdonald & illustrated by John James & Gerald Wood ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 15, 1997
In the First Facts series, a look at life in ancient Rome, presented in double-page spreads, each of which is centered on one fact, such as ``Rich Romans Ate Flamingos and Peacocks'' and ``Many Roman Soldiers Couldn't Speak Latin.'' Each spread contains a few paragraphs of information, numerous small captioned pictures, and a box of additional facts. The approach is somewhat scattershot: While each page is loaded with interesting details, they are only loosely related. Further, the pictures are often small for the amount of information they are intended to convey; perhaps because the spreads are crowded, it is sometimes hard to locate the appropriate caption for the picture (and at least in one case, two captions are switched). Finally, it's something of a misrepresentation to state baldly that ``conquered peoples resented Roman rule.'' Macdonald (A Samurai Castle, 1995, etc.) offers much to intrigue readers, but they will have to work harder to extract the facts than they would in other, better designed books on the subject. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 7-10)
Pub Date: Jan. 15, 1997
ISBN: 0-87226-496-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1996
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by Jackie Mims Hopkins & illustrated by Craig J. Spearing ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2010
“The great state of Texas is waiting for you. / Come travel the land and meet people, too. / Then pick a direction—north, south, east, or west— / and you can decide which parts you like best.” So begins this rhyming introduction to 16 Texan sites and cities, from Amarillo (“There are plenty of cattle, but few armadillo”) to Big Bend National Park. Laudatory and cliché-riddled as a promotional brochure, the short stanzas (one per spread) promise visitors cowboys and cattle, grapefruit and roses in faltering, sing-song rhymes: “Due west in the desert is grand old El Paso, / where tumbleweeds whirl through as swift as a lasso.” The limited text often tries to convey too much, too perkily, and just ends up baffling. (The eight-page appendix fleshes out each entry, if readers persevere.) Spearing’s full-bleed colored-pencil illustrations on textured paper sometimes have a static, paint-by-number look, especially the people. Sweeping rural and urban landscapes contrast with boxed insets highlighting Texas icons from oil wells to a portrait of Sam Houston. A bumpy ride through the Lone Star State. (Informational picture book. 7-10)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-57091-725-7
Page Count: 44
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: June 20, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2010
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by Jackie Mims Hopkins ; illustrated by Henry Cole
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by Jackie Mims Hopkins & illustrated by Jon Goodell
by Michael P. Spradlin & illustrated by Layne Johnson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2010
In this rousing, as-historically-accurate-as-possible recreation of the Pony Express’s first ride, Spradlin introduces readers to the crazy-wild brainchild of three businessmen to expedite mail over the near-2,000 miles from St. Joseph, Mo., to Sacramento, Calif. Accompanied by Johnson’s artwork, which has the energy of rolling thunder and the colors of a sunset, and with an engaging sense of drama and urgency, the author follows the riders over the varied landscapes they covered, through the heavy weather they encountered and past the occasional hostile reception they received from Native Americans (though his bell-clear author’s note clarifies that hostilities were rare). When he can introduce factual material—the names of riders, the number and character of station stops, the price of $5 for ½ ounce—he does so with a light hand to keep the pedagogy at a distance. For all its iconic status, the Pony Express lasted for only a year and a half before the transcontinental telegraph drew a sleeve across its windpipe, but it was an inventive enterprise full of bodacious frontier spirit, which this book plays to the hilt. (bibliography, further reading, map, timeline) (Informational picture book. 7-10)
Pub Date: March 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-8027-9652-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: Dec. 22, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2010
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by Michael P. Spradlin ; illustrated by Spiros Karkavelas
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