An attractive book marred by factual mistakes.
In this new addition to the Tiny Travelers series, young readers learn a few facts about Colombia.
Following the same format as previous books in the series, the book begins with a map of the country adorned with objects readers are asked to look for on subsequent pages. Busy and brightly colored illustrations depict each locale with a cast of racially diverse children. Readers travel to Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Ciudad Perdida on the northern Caribbean Coast; pass through Bahía Solano on the Pacific Coast and down to the Amazon region in the south; visit the cities of Bogotá, Medellín, and Manizales in the Andes; and see natural wonders, such as the Tatacoa Desert and Caño Cristales. In each locale a small fact is given, and a “Did You Know?” section provides more details. Words in Spanish are in bold print. Unfortunately, a few facts are wrong. Contrary to what is stated, Bogotá is not in a valley and is not surrounded by mountains. (Mountains border its eastern edge, and the land opens up to a vast plateau known as the Bogotá savanna.) Caño Cristales is not called “the River of Seven Colors” but “the River of Five Colors.” (This review has been updated for factual accuracy.)
An attractive book marred by factual mistakes. (Board book. 3-6)Pub Date: Nov. 16, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-945635-80-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Encantos
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An engaging and enjoyable introduction to Puerto Rico.
In this new addition to the Tiny Travelers series, young armchair travelers go on a treasure hunt to the island of Puerto Rico.
Following the same format as other books in the series, the book starts with a double-page map of Puerto Rico. The map includes illustrations of the objects readers will have to keep an eye out for as they read the book, as well as a few quick facts about Puerto Rico. Busy and colorful double-page spreads inform children about the island: its love for celebrations; a style of music known as “Bomba”; some of the typical foods such as “mofongo” and “arroz con gandules”; the magical experience of seeing bioluminescence in Vieques; or exploring the rainforest of “El Yunque.” The information is presented in rhyming text; each page also includes a “DID YOU KNOW” tidbit, expanding on the information presented with a quick, fun extra. Readers are also directed to find a hidden object, usually depicted with “a glow” around it, though that yellow aura is not always easy to find against warm-colored backgrounds. A few words are presented in Spanish in boldface, accompanied by their phonetic pronunciations. As with the other series entries, there is a commercial side to the outing, as readers are encouraged to visit the website, where they can purchase related material.
An engaging and enjoyable introduction to Puerto Rico. (Board book. 3-6)Pub Date: Feb. 25, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-945635-30-4
Page Count: 22
Publisher: Encantos
Review Posted Online: March 24, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Preschool and school-age kids will enjoy this dash through history; here’s hoping they won’t reject the “baby book” format.
Two to three letters of the alphabet and a corresponding figure, event, or concept are presented on each double-page spread using the headings typical for ABC books: “A is for amendment” or “D is for Declaration of Sentiments,” for instance. These are accompanied by a couple of sentences of explanation and an illustration against a red-and-white or purple-and-white background. Relatively well-known historical figures appear, such as Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, but surprisingly, there is no mention of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The inclusion of unsung suffragists is a welcome sight, including Zitkála-Šá, a Yankton Dakota Sioux advocate for Native American suffrage, Nina Allender, a White political cartoonist, and Hattie Redmond, a Black organizer for suffrage in Oregon. Using a Disney-esque style and deep, bold colors, the art is accessible and fresh. A few modern children are included to illustrate concepts such as “Equal,” which depicts a diverse quartet of children, one of them using a wheelchair. Much of the information is painfully brief and, at times, undercuts some of the subjects; Alice Paul is here noted for sewing a flag with a star for each state that approved the 19th Amendment, but she did significantly more than act as a suffragist Betsy Ross. The board format is an odd choice for the content since much of this will go over the heads of babies and toddlers who may not even know what voting is.
Preschool and school-age kids will enjoy this dash through history; here’s hoping they won’t reject the “baby book” format. (Board book. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5037-5461-4
Page Count: 20
Publisher: Sunbird Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 31, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2020
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