Website Review: Virtual Labs

VIRTUAL LABS help students learn basic science laboratory techniques related to food science.

Developed through university and government agency collaborations, this website includes eight food science lab interactives designed to help students learn laboratory techniques and practice methods used by lab technicians and researchers.

Hands-on activities include testing for corn mold, bacteria sampling, gram staining, using the microscope, the pH scale & meter calibration, testing and adjusting pH, understanding water, and controlling water activity in food. Each activity provide an introduction, tutorial, and lots of opportunities for realistic practice.

Librarians will find these engaging interactives useful in both science classes. They may also be used in a makerspaces related to gardening or related science-based activities.

To try the labs, go to http://virtuallab.nmsu.edu/.

Book Review: Fly Guy Presents the White House

FLY GUY PRESENTS THE WHITE HOUSE by Tedd Arnold introduces young readers to the home of the President of the United States along with the basic of US government.

Designed for second grade readers, this engaging, informational book takes children on a tour of the White House. As Buzz and his pet fly explore the building and grounds, they learn about the president, presidential family, staff, and the history of the building.

The eclectic mix of typography and illustration types are likely to appeal to young readers. However, they could be distracting for very beginning readers.

Librarians will find this book appropriate for K-3 learners exploring the basics of government and the presidency. The simple story and field trip format will appeal to young readers.

Other books in the popular Fly Guy Presents series include bats, insects, sharks, space, dinosaurs, firefighters, and snakes.

Published by Scholastic on June 28, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Steve Spangler Science

The STEVE SPANGLER SCIENCE website is filled with engaging science experiments and projects for kids.

The Experiments section contains dozens of motivating science experiments for young people. Each experiment includes an overview, step-by-step instructions, a description of how it works, and additional ideas and information such as science fair connections and real-world applications.

The Videos section links to engaging videos that include science experiments along with related science programming. The videos are housed at a few different YouTube Channels.

A blog keeps users up-to-date with new ideas.

In addition to the quality information resources, the website also includes a Store section containing supplies needed for many of the experiments and the Teacher Training section featuring fee-based workshops. The Spangler Science Club is a subscription-based program.

Librarians will find that experiments and videos valuable in both science classrooms and maker stations in the library.

To visit the website, go to http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/.

Book Review: Gary's Garden

GARY’S GARDEN by Gary Northfield is a humorous graphic book for children featuring the fascinating creatures that live in the backyard.

From worms and caterpillars to birds and spiders, Gary’s backyard is filled with interesting animals, insects, and other critters. Each short chapter tells an engaging short story featuring new and different creatures.

The book’s sequential art and comic format will appeal to both younger as well as older children. The silly stories and goofy characters will keep even reluctant readers engaged.

Librarians will find this book to be very popular with a broad spectrum of children. The book concludes with dozens of character cards featuring the book’s characters. Use these cards to encourage children to write their own short, illustrated stories.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.garynorthfield.com/.

Published by David Fickling Books, an imprint of Scholastic on June 28, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Technology Review: NASA's Eyes

NASA’S EYES is a website and apps that can be used to explore Earth, the solar system, and the universe along with the spacecraft used for exploration.

While some of the interactives are browser-based, others require the NASA’s Eyes app.

Interactive visualizations include Juno, Eyes on the Earth, Eyes on the Solar System, and Eyes on Exoplanets. Solar system tours are also available.

The Events on Earth section explores recent events on our own planet including dust storms, fires, and hurricanes using satellite imagery.

DSN Now is a live web app that allows users to see which spacecrafts are currently active.

Finally, Experience Curiosity is a WebGL experience that allows users to learn about the Curiosity rover as it explores Mars.

Librarians will find this website a great way to get young people excited about space and space exploration. Use the website and apps to jumpstart research projects.

To visit the website, go to http://eyes.nasa.gov/

Technology Review: Disaster Detector

DISASTER DETECTOR from the Smithsonian is a learning game focusing on natural disasters.

Available in both web-based and app formats, players become citizens of Smithsonville. Using online tools, users learn to analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future disasters. They also learn to mitigate the effects of catastrophic events.

The interactive game includes tornadoes, volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, and more. Scientific tools include Doppler radar, anemometers, barometers, and seismometers.

Librarians will find this interactive learning experience to be popular with middle school Earth Science students and teachers. Use this tool to promote data literacy skills across the curriculum.

To play the game or download the apps, go to https://ssec.si.edu/disaster-detector.

Book Review: Brilliant Bats

BRILLIANT BATS by Laaren Brown is part of Scholastic’s “Icky Sticky Readers” series of young (Level 2) readers.

This short, informational chapter book provides basic information about bats, along with their habitats, characteristics, eating habits, and life cycle. The book also discussed ten particularly interesting bats. A glossary and index are also included.

The author’s use of interesting typography, up-close photos, and other illustrative elements add to the appeal.

Librarians know that anything with “icky sticky” in the title is likely to be popular. The level of ickiness is just right for first and second grade readers. Librarians need to be aware that this title includes stickers at the end of the book.

Other selections in this series include Deadly Dinosaurs, Super Sharks, and Scary Snakes.

Published by Scholastic on June 28, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: The Cyrus Tang Hall of China

THE CYRUS TANG HALL OF CHINA from The Field Museum is an online exhibition exploring the history of China.

Users begin by exploring the exhibition. The exhibition is divided into an introduction, five galleries, and two interactives exploring the diverse landscapes, ethnicities, social statuses, and lived experiences across time and space. Artifacts in the exhibition range thousands of years.

Each highlighted artifact includes background information, visuals, and background information.

The interactive elements allow users to explore information about China through a timeline and map video as well as a 360 virtual exhibit exploration tool.

Librarians will find the online exhibition to be an engaging way to experience the history of China. A supplemental website contains educational materials that focus on object-based learning approaches. These tools connect well with information skills and information inquiry activities in the library.

To visit the website, go to http://chinahall.fieldmuseum.org/.

To visit the educator toolkit, go to http://www.fieldmuseum.org/disc…/on-exhibit/china/educators/.

Book Review: The Memory Book

THE MEMORY BOOK by Lara Avery is a heart-breaking young adult novel exploring the life of a teen with dementia.

Sam McCoy is an outstanding high school student who discovers she has a rare genetic disorder causing memory loss and rapidly declining health. Told through short electronic diary entries, Sam uses the journal as a way for her to record and remember important events in her short life.

Librarians will find this title popular among a large teen audience who enjoy realistic, contemporary stories about teens facing medical challenges. The journal format along with the romance elements add to the appeal.

Published by Poppy, an imprint of Hachette on July 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Learning to Swear in America

LEARNING TO SWEAR IN AMERICA by Katie Kennedy tells the humorous story of a teen physicist enlisted to save the world from an asteroid.

When seventeen-year old physicist Yuri arrives in American to help NASA stop an Earth-killing asteroid, he finds his work environment frustrating. However after meeting Dovie and her family he slowly begins to understand American culture… just in time for the end of the world. Although somewhat predictable, the “teen saves the world” plot line is generally a hit with young people.

Librarians will find this young adult novel’s quirky characters and dark humor enjoyable and easy to sell to teens. The unusual combination of the near apocalyptic science with the humorous romantic elements add to the appeal.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.katiekennedybooks.com/.

Published by Bloomsbury on July 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Dara Palmer's Major Drama

DARA PALMER’S MAJOR DRAMA by Emma Shevah tells the humorous story of a girl who comes to terms with the fact that she’s not a amazing actress.

Dara and her best friend enjoy practicing their dramatic faces and anticipate getting lead roles in the upcoming musical. When Dara doesn’t make the cut, she thinks it’s because she’s a Cambodian adoptee. However she soon discovers that she simply lacks acting skills. Her humorous voyage of self-discovery will charm young readers.

Librarians will find this middle grade novel will appeal to youth readers who enjoy humorous realistic fiction. Of particular note is the focus on diversity, adoption, identity, and personal development. The title would be an excellent choice for reading groups and class discussions.

To learn more about the author, go to https://emmashevah.com/.

Published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky on July 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: The Great Fire of London

THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON website takes users through an interactive journey detailing the famous fire and the impact on individuals and society.

Developed through a partnership including the Museum of London, the website is divided into three sections: Children’s Game, Explore, and Minecraft Experience.

In the Children’s Game section, visitors are immersed in an engaging educational game. The mixture of audio narration, text, and attractive animated sequences are sure to capture the attend of youth. Users follow a couple young people who experienced the multiple day fire. As players work their way through the experience, they learn about primary source materials that document the actual event such as excerpts from Samuel Pepys’ diary. Readers are involved in the experience through active questioning woven throughout the game. Readers can dive deeper into the experience through exploring links to additional information.

In the Explore section, users are taken screen-by-screen through an interactive story that begins with where the fire started and how it spread through London. Other chapters include information about what happened to those who experienced the fire, how the government and world reacted, and how the fire transformed the city. Woven throughout the story are digital objects from the Museum of London and other online collections.

In the Minecraft section, students explore three immersive maps that allow them to explore the City of London of 1666 using Minecraft software. This experience will be particularly popular with youth who enjoy this popular software tool. A Minecraft login is required for use.

A Teacher page provides information for using each section with students. For users wishing to extend the experience, a website provides access to a large digital collection related to the Great Fire that contains objects, artworks, and documents.

Librarians will find this website to be an engaging way to explore world history and also learn about primary source materials found in digital collections. The project is particularly effective in showing how primary sources are used as evidence to better understanding this historical event.

To visit the site, go to http://www.fireoflondon.org.uk/.

Book Review: Nightmare Escape

NIGHTMARE ESCAPE by Greg Grunberg and Lucas Turnbloom is the first book in the exciting new Dream Jumper graphic novel for middle grades.

Like all kids, Ben has nightmares. What makes Ben unique is that his nightmares are real and he’s able to jump into the dreams of others. When his girlfriend is caught in an endless nightmare, Ben must defeat the nightmare monster with a little help from a talking rabbit. The book’s conclusion is satisfying, but leaves many questions unanswered and ready for the next book in this engaging series.

Librarian will find this graphic novel series popular among children who enjoy fantasy and adventure. The book’s high-quality, full-color illustration will add to the appeal. Build a library display featuring GRAPHIX titles to feature this new addition to the this popular collection. Or ,create a “nightmare” display featuring books connected to dreams and nightmares.

Published by GRAPHIX, an imprint of Scholastic on June 28, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story

NINE, TEN: A SEPTEMBER 11 STORY by Nora Baskin tells the thought-provoking story of the widespread impact of the 9/11 tragedy.

Told through the eyes of four children living in different part of the United States, this fascinating middle grade novel examines the day leading up to September 11, 2001 and the aftermath. Reflecting different backgrounds, races, religions, and personal challenges, each child experiences the 9/11 tragedy in a distinct way. As the chapters alternate among characters, the author skillfully weaves the lives of these four youth into a larger story that reflect the nation’s reactions to this tragedy.

While other novels may explore characters who were directly impacted by 9/11, Baskin chose to focus on the larger impact of the event on ordinary, young citizens making the novel relevant to a children across North America.

Librarians will find this work of realistic fiction an excellent way to immerse middle grade readers in the events surrounding 9/11/2001. Pair it with the many works of nonfiction available on this historical event.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.norabaskin.com/.

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon and Schuster on June 28, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: City Shapes

CITY SHAPES by Diana Murray is a beautifully illustrated picture book examining shapes found in everyday life.

Written for young children, the story follows a young girl as she discovers shapes all around her. Young children will find hidden shapes found throughout the book.

This engaging concept book encourages readers to re-read the story looking for shapes they may have missed the first time through.

Librarians will find that this colorful picture book provides an excellent exploration of shapes “all around us”. After reading the story, provide art tools or digital cameras and ask children to go out and find shapes in their world.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.dianamurray.com/.

To learn more about the illustrator, go to http://www.bryancollier.com/.

Published by Little, Brown, an imprint of Hachette Book Group on June 21, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Total Solar Eclipse

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE from Exploratorium provides a gathering place for news, information, and resources related to total solar eclipses.

The “About Eclipses” section includes nine short videos defining a solar eclipse and demonstrating what happens and how to view one. It also contains links to informational pages containing diagrams, maps, and other useful scientific facts.

The “Our Expedition” section takes users through the process of participating in a solar eclipse including live broadcasts, Tweets, blog entries, and suggestions for hosting an event.

The “Past Eclipses” section includes information about past eclipse events and webcasts back to 1998.

Librarians and science teachers will want to participate in the August 2017 event that will be appearing in the skies above the USA. The website will be updated as the event draws nearer. Create a bulletin board showing a map of the 2017 event and information about eclipses. Include books and other information to generate interest in this unusual event.

To learn more, go to the website at http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse.

Book Review: A Piece of Home

A PIECE OF HOME by Jeri Watts tells the story of a young boy who moves from Korea to West Virginia and his struggles to fit in.

When his father accepts a job in West Virginia, Hee Jun’s family moves from Korea to a strange new world where people speak and act differently. However, he soon begins to assimilate and feels increasingly comfortable in his new home.

Librarians will find this picture book to be an excellent addition to their growing collection of books focusing on immigration. Teachers will find the book to be useful in helping new immigrants as well as other children learn about the realities of living in an unfamiliar world.

Published by Candlewick on June 14, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: TATE Kids

The TATE KIDS website features a wide range of interactive activities exploring art topics.

Sponsored by UK’s Tate Gallery, users can easily access dozens of engaging art activities. The “My Gallery” section provides online space for sharing artwork.

The “Games” section includes over a dozen, engaging art games. Each game is identified as Level 1, 2, or 3. The games explore different aspects of art.

The “Videos” section provides over a dozen videos and clips focusing on art and artists. Each video is aimed at children and explores a focused topic of interest.

The “Tate Create” section introduces youth to off line activities such as mask making and Matisse cut-outs.

Finally, an adult space provides lesson plans and ideas for parents and teachers.

Librarians will find this hands-on, interactive website to be popular with art teachers. Many of the interactives work well on an electronic whiteboard. Consider weaving some of the hands-on activities into the library’s makerspace along with books and other resources.

To visit the website, go to https://kids.tate.org.uk/.

Book Review: Painting Pepette

PAINTING PEPETTE by Linda Ravin Lodding tells the charming story of Josette, her pet rabbit, and their artistic quest.

This beautifully illustrated picture book begins in the home of young Josette who lives in early 20th century Paris. After seeing all the family members represented in paintings on the walls of her home, young Josette goes on a quest to find an artist to paint a portrait of her rabbit, Pepette. From Picasso to Matisse, each artist captures a different aspect of the lovable bunny. However, Josette has her own vision of the perfect portrait.

Claire Fletcher’s watercolor illustrations bring each artist and their style to life.

Librarians will find this adorable picture book to provide an excellent introduction to famous artists of the Montmartre district in Paris during the 1920s. In addition to the historical connection, the story’s emphasis on different perspectives and thoughts on what’s “art” makes it particularly effective for discussions about the meaning of art.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.lindalodding.com/.

Published by little bee books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster on June 7, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: I Wanna Be a Great Big Dinosaur

I WANNA BE A GREAT BIG DINOSAUR by Heath McKenzie is an adorable picture book featuring a boy and an imaginary T Rex.

A young boy enjoys pretending he’s a dinosaur. When a T Rex shows up, the boy learns all about being a dinosaur. In turn, the boy shares his life as a human. Together they decide they can be whatever they want to be.

Librarians will find a huge audience for this picture book among young dinosaur lovers. Teachers will connect with the “be yourself” themes. The humorous, fast-paced story is perfect for story time and discussions. There are endless opportunities for imaginative play and art activities associated with the story.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.heathmck.com/.

Published by Sourcebook Jabberwocky on May 17, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.