Sunday, May 8, 2011

Book Review- I is for Inuksuk: An Arctic Celebration

By Mary Wallace
Published by Maple Tree Press
Released on September 1st, 2009
Source- book for review from publisher
4 stars

Presented in the form of an acrostic, I is for Inuksuk highlights the traditional way of life of Inuit people. Each letter of the word "Inuksuk" is represented by another Inuktitut word — I is for Inuksuk, N is for Nanuq, U is for Umiak, and so forth. Dazzling full-spread illustrations begin each section, and opposite the first page, the words are written in Inuktitut symbols. Readers then learn more about each Inuktitut word and how it represents the people and natural environment from which it comes. Throughout the book, small vignettes showcase Wallace’s love and knowledge of the Arctic landscape, its people, and its culture (quoted from Goodreads).

I Is for Inuksuk: An Arctic Celebration is a fabulous book that provides rich details about life in the Arctic and the traditions of the Inuit people. With it's brightly illustrated pictures, readers learn about the way of life of Inuit and their traditional alphabet. The book also includes a wonderful guide of Inuit pronunciations, as well as words. The author does a wonderful job at teaching readers about the history of the Inuit people, Inuksuk, and she also provides facts about the animals featured in the book. The most fascinating element of the book for me was reading about and learning the native alphabet. I think this is great for classroom and home settings.

Book Review - Me vs. You: Head to Head Brain Races

Written by: Michael Sherman
Published by: Scholastic Klutz
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Source: Received from publisher for review
Ages: 8 and up
3.5 out of 5 stars - A very good toy.

Synopsis (from Klutz.com): Prepare yourself for a one-on-one, head-to-head challenge. Even better, a whole bunch of them. We took classic pencil games — word searches, jumbles, scavenger hunts, puzzles, speed mazes, and more — and added the thrill of competition. This is more than just a book. It’s two books, actually. Designed to be split into two hand-held pad-and-pencil sets, one for you, one for me, it’s the ultimate, low-tech, take-it-anywhere boredom buster.

I have to admit that when I recieved this in the mail, I set it aside for our Spring Break Road Trip. I knew that all of my three kids would need distractions and now that their ages span from 6 to 12 years of age, I knew that variety would be the key. So I tucked the Me vs. You, handy small clipboard-style pads into my Toy Bag. Sure enough, my 12 and 8 year-old asked for them immediately.

The content of the pads (which are perfectly sized for elementary school hands) varies from mazes to word scrambles to different styles of puzzles appropriate for the 8-12 year old crowd. The only thing that we didn't do is follow the recommended competition guidelines.



Both of my children found the games challenging and I liked that they worked to together to solve the puzzles rather than setting it up as a competition. It's the mom in me. I have to negotiate through enough tantrums, fits and general malaise every day without setting up a formal competition between them. The Me vs. You clipboards are definitely going to be our take-alongs to the beach and park this summer. Check them out next time you're in a book store.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~