The level of information in Platt’s narrative may be superficial, but the large trim size, cutaways of Ellis Island and other landmarks and intricate aerial views of Manhattan in this Through Time series entry capture a sense of the scale and bustling energy of “the city that never sleeps.” Cappon’s spread-spanning views open with a Lenape settlement, ca. 1600, close with a modern view looking south from Central Park and in between depict such watershed events as the British takeover (1664), a half-built Brooklyn Bridge (1882), the World’s Fair (1939) and 9/11. Easily digestible blocks of present-tense narration tucked into the corners supply a broadly brushed historical background, supplemented by pithy comments—a couple of them misleading: a reference to Brooklyn Bridge workers “crippled by a sickness called ‘decompression’” and a claim that the 1969 ticker-tape parade for the Apollo 11 astronauts extended into Queens (these will be corrected in the second printing)—attached to selected details. Not a guide that will be particularly useful to tourists but an adequate introduction for general interests. (Nonfiction. 9-11)
Pub Date: July 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7534-6416-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Kingfisher
Review Posted Online: June 3, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2010
Playful, provocative, and packed with perspective.
Did Christopher Columbus really “discover” a new world? Did the Pilgrims invite the Wampanoag to a friendly First Thanksgiving? Is July 4 truly the nation’s birthday?
Readers familiar with traditional narratives of America’s founding are invited to interrogate those myths in this interactive exploration of early U.S. history. A strong introductory framework asks whose stories endure and whose have been erased from the history books, emphasizing that Indigenous peoples remain part of the present, not just the past. Each spread presents a common misconception, then asks readers to flip assumptions aside by lifting a partial gatefold that reveals the true story beneath. Well-sourced explanations elevate figures and communities often excluded from history books, including women, Black Americans, and Indigenous peoples. Bold colors, graphic-heavy layouts, and energetic illustrations that make creative use of historical photos and images break complex ideas into bite-size pieces that encourage browsing over linear reading. A timeline, speech bubbles, and lift-the-flap “True or False” quizzes reinforce the book’s core message: History is layered, debatable, and dynamic. Though the book’s busy, nonlinear design may prove challenging for some, on the whole it works very well as an engaging historical overview. The content assumes a foundational knowledge of early U.S. history, making it most suitable for older elementary readers, though some visual choices skew younger. Backmatter includes more historical information and background on the book’s creation.
Playful, provocative, and packed with perspective. (glossary, resources, photo credits) (Nonfiction. 9-11)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
ISBN: 9798888599082
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 16, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2026
PERSPECTIVES
Arnold and Hewett (Stories in Stone, 1996, etc.) record the harrowing rescue of a baby gray whale who had become separated from her mother off the coast of California. She was discovered on January 10, 1997, exhausted, hungry, and near death. J.J. was 14 feet long when she was brought to SeaWorld as a young calf. Gaining 900 pounds in the first month, she had to be moved to a new home by crane. Her caretakers started planning on giving J.J. skills so that she could be released and survive on her own in the ocean. Divers put her food on the bottom of the pool, each day in a different location, so she could practice searching. Arnold is relaxed in her telling, allowing the already dramatic events to unfold naturally: “Everyone cheered as J.J. took a big breath, dove deep, and disappeared. The young whale was on her own.” Full-color photos capture the excitement of J.J.’s release, but also the hard work of preparing her for her return to the sea. (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-9)
Pub Date: March 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-8167-4961-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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