Nonfiction Monday: On the Move with Trains, Motorcycles and Ambulances!

by Lee Sullivan Hill
Lerner Publications
978-0-7613-3921-2

by Laura Hamilton Waxman
Lerner Publications
978-0-7613-3922-9

by Lee Sullivan Hill
Lerner Publications
978-0761360261

Review copies from publisher

We reviewed Big Rigs and Fire Trucks On the Move back in November, and loved them - as have our patrons. We were happy to receive review copies of these three books in the series, and plan to fill in the ones we are missing as soon as the cumbersome end-of-fiscal-year-budget-process will allow us to order things again!

We don't really have a lot to add to our previous review of this series (we shouldn't say that, because now they won't send us any more). Same quality binding and great format, with exciting fonts, easy text, and big attractive pictures.

Ah, but Lerner, beware the eagle eye and sharp memory of a four-year-old! Miss Ami was test-driving Ambulances on the Move with her young son, and he suddenly jumped up and ran to his bookshelf. He returned with this book from Scholastic:



and showed her that the photo on page 9 of that book was the exact same photo as that on page 19 of Waxman's. Nothing wrong with two books using the same stock photos, but THEY WILL KNOW. It's all good, though - he was still excited about the book, and he is, of course, and exceptionally perceptive child.

Another 5 out of 5 for this series, perfect for preschool/beginning readers. For more reviews of great nonfiction books for kids, check out today's post at Shelf-Employed (love that blog name!)

Dr. Seuss, by Laura Hamilton Waxman, as reviewed by Fegan

What better follow-up to yesterday's yummy link than a new Seuss biography from Lerner Publishing?



The first thing that intrigued me was the cover photo: usually biographies of Dr. Seuss feature pictures of him in his later years, with the white bushy hair. This one gives a slightly younger Seuss surrounded by a few of his many characters. Since there are so many Seuss biographies out there (but never enough come March), it's nice to see one that immediately starts off a little different.

The illustrations throughout the book are the second thing that caught my eye. I loved all the period photos interspersed with Geisel's artwork. The text matches up nicely, giving little bits of history (i.e. the Great Depression, Prohibition, etc.) in context with the events of Geisel's life. Parts are a bit whitewashed, such as the problems Geisel had in college, but I suppose appropriately so for the age group - I would put this around 2nd or 3rd grade.

This book is part of the History Maker series from Lerner, which features dozens of other historical figures. Nicely bound and attractive as well as well-written, we recommend the whole series for libraries or personal interest. Review copy provided by the publisher.