New Zealand ABCs: A Book about the People and Places of New Zealand ANNOTATION
An alphabetical exploration of the people, geography, animals, plants, history, and culture of New Zealand.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - J. H. Diehl
This concept book combines an ABC format with a country study of New Zealand. Full of neat fact bites, the book covers a multitude of subjects, from Aotearoa—the name given the country by its original native settlers—to the Treaty of Waitangi, which certified Queen Victoria as leader of New Zealand in 1840. Many of the entries are simple yet informative, for example "S is for sheep," and "O is for ocean." A child used to finding disparate bits of information printed in a variety of typefaces on a computer screen would be at home with this book. With brief entries for each of its subjects, the book skips like a travel guide from past to present, from geography to zoology to politics to sport, without any apparent cohesive plan aside from plunging forward through the alphabet. Rather than acting as a unifying device, the colorful illustrations add to the book's busy feeling. But the information on each page is substantive and sure to appeal to young researchers. 2004, Picture Window Books, Ages 5 to 11.
School Library Journal
Gr 2-4-These titles contain well-chosen details that go beyond what might be found in encyclopedia entries or typical country books. For example, the first book includes Canadian comedians and currency (loonie); New Zealand offers an alternate name for the country-Godzone, short for "God's Own Country." The factual approach in the writing makes it user-friendly for young researchers. A synopsis of important facts is appended. The digitally prepared illustrations, although colorful and bright, are too primitive and "sketchy" for books of this nature, and provide little information. Child appeal is limited, although the many unique facts will make these titles useful tools for independent research projects.-Corrina Austin, Locke's Public School, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
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