From School Library Journal
Gr 2-4--Serviceable titles for young report writers. The print is large and the information is up-to-date. Basic overviews are provided of of each country--geography, lifestyles, history, economy (including major crops, minerals, and manufactured goods), and arts and culture. Simple maps suitable for tracing are included. One might question the size of the Mexico City metropolitan area or the information on China's Great Wall, but these are minor quibbles. Coverage of Chinese history is very selective, the focus generally being on the later dynasties--the Mongols with Kublai Khan, the Ming, and the Manchu--and, of course, the Communists. In Japan, some subjects, such as history and the description of written Japanese language, suffer from the brevity of the coverage. Early rulers are described as coming from the Yamato region, but this area is not shown. Also, ruling families, such as the Yamato and Tokugawa, should not be pluralized by adding "s." Each spread usually has one-to-three full-color photographs and/or reproductions. The layouts are lackluster; pictures are often overlapped, with no clear differentiation between them. The appendix includes a very short glossary (six-to-eight words), some organizations to contact, and a listing of online sites. The last, unfortunately, are generally out-of-date or age inappropriate.Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VACopyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Card catalog description
Introduces the history, geography, economy, people, and culture of the country with the largest population in the world.

ANNOTATION

Introduces the history, geography, economy, people, and culture of the country with the largest population in the world.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Children's Press is pleased to introduce True Books for a new generation!

Completely redesigned for today's young, investigative reader, True Books are an indispensable addition to any collection. Each book guides the reader through the facts that nurture their need to know.

The new, dynamic True Books design features: -- an inviting and interactive page format-- a readable and attractive typeface-- large, bold, and brilliant full-color photographs

The True Books series takes the young reader beyond the standard, fact-filled text by adding avenues for further discovery. Each book includes a variety of sidebars, highlighting extra facts that will fascinate children. In the Important Words section, young readers will find a glossary of words that will both challenge and expand their vocabulary. Each book includes a To Find Out More section, where every curious reader can find a list of related books to read and organizations to contact.

True Books also point readers to the vast electronic universe of information on the Internet. Each book will list: -- e-mail addresses to help the reader contact individuals and organizations-- appropriate newsgroups and mailing lists-- FTP sites to download fun and useful software

Begun in the 1950s, True Books are universally embraced as the definitive nonfiction series for young readers. Now in its third incarnation, the True Books series has once again evolved to meet the needs and tastes of modern readers and educators.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal