HOW THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD WERE BUILT

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HOW THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD WERE BUILT

Name: HOW THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD WERE BUILT
Author: Ludmila Hénková
ISBN: 978-80-00-06134-4

by Ludmila Hénková ; illustrated by Tomáš Svoboda ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 12, 2021

Not wonderful.

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A Czech import surveys the legendary Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The ancient world was filled with architectural marvels, but few have captivated European-based cultures like its so-called Seven Wonders (which would most accurately be called the Seven Wonders of Cultures Surrounding the Mediterranean). These wonders are the pyramids of Giza, the hanging gardens of Babylon, the statue of Zeus at Olympia, the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the lighthouse of Alexandria, each of which is discussed herein with varying levels of success in a breezy tone that’s more conversational than educational. When explaining why there are only seven, the author states that, “Well, there are seven days in the week, seven sacraments, and seven virtues. In the Middle Ages, there were even seven liberal arts. The number seven denotes completeness and mysticism—what do you think?” In other words: shrug emoji. Savvy readers may point out that the seven sacraments, virtues, and liberal arts were grouped after the ancient wonders and are culturally defined rather than universal. Fact and fiction blur more with specific wonders. The text acknowledges that the hanging gardens may not have existed but also lists a recipe for how the walls were constructed. The Colossus of Rhodes fairs slightly better, although a conversation written into the text has no historical basis. The absence of citations and a bibliography means curious readers will be left stranded. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Not wonderful. (Nonfiction. 8-12)

Pub Date: Oct. 12, 2021

ISBN: 978-80-00-06134-4

Page Count: 56

Publisher: Albatros Media

Review Posted Online: July 13, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2021

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

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AMAZING RIVERS

100+ WATERWAYS THAT WILL BOGGLE YOUR MIND

From the Our Amazing World series

by Julie Vosburgh Agnone ; illustrated by Kerry Hyndman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 3, 2021

An intriguing package for curious readers that both celebrates and informs.

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Fascinating facts about rivers.

In the vein of the publisher’s Amazing Islands, by Sabrina Weiss and also illustrated by Hyndman (2020), this volume describes freshwater waterways around the world. Opening with a page of general definition, Agnone and Hyndman go on to use more than 100 examples of rivers from around the world to explain topics such as source and flow, what and who can be found in and around rivers, how they’re used, how they’ve been spanned or channeled, threats, and gems, ores, and other treasures. There are plentiful examples of wildlife, human activities, and natural wonders, including caves, waterfalls, ice pancakes—even a river that reverses its flow seasonally. The Colorado, Tigris and Euphrates, Amazon, Yangtze, and Li rivers get chapters of their own. Each big subject is addressed in short, titled paragraphs set on colorful, stylized illustrations on a double-page spread. The layouts are varied, with close-ups and vignettes as well as maps and broad river scenes. There is interesting use of shadow and texture. The people shown are racially diverse. At the center of the book, a foldout map of the continents of the world shows all the rivers described. Sadly, the index doesn’t include them all. The text may be challenging for some readers, but the presentation has plenty of browser appeal. There’s an extensive list of sources, all available on the internet.

An intriguing package for curious readers that both celebrates and informs. (Nonfiction. 8-11)

Pub Date: Aug. 3, 2021

ISBN: 978-1-912920-26-6

Page Count: 64

Publisher: What on Earth!

Review Posted Online: June 1, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2021

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

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I WANT TO BE AN ENVIRONMENTALIST

by Stephanie Maze ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2000

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This glossy, colorful title in the “I Want To Be” series has visual appeal but poor organization and a fuzzy focus, which limits its usefulness. Each double-paged layout introduces a new topic with six to eight full-color photographs and a single column of text. Topics include types of environmentalists, eco-issues, waste renewal, education, High School of Environmental Studies, environmental vocabulary, history of environmentalism, famous environmentalists, and the return of the eagle. Often the photographs have little to do with the text or are marginal to the topic. For example, a typical layout called “Some Alternative Solutions” has five snapshots superimposed on a double-page photograph of a California wind farm. The text discusses ways to develop alternative forms of energy and “encourage environmentally friendly lifestyles.” Photos include “a healer who treats a patient with alternative therapy using sound and massage,” and “the Castle,” a house built of “used tires and aluminum cans.” Elsewhere, “Did You Know . . . ” shows a dramatic photo of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, but the text provides odd facts such as “ . . . that in Saudi Arabia there are solar-powered pay phones in the desert?” Some sections seem stuck in, a two-page piece on the effects of “El Niño” or 50 postage-stamp–sized photos of endangered species. The author concludes with places to write for more information and a list of photo credits. Pretty, but little here to warrant purchase. (Nonfiction. 9-11)