Book Review: "The Gruesome Guide to World Monsters"

Title: The Gruesome Guide to World Monsters

Author: Judy Sierra

Illustrator: Henrik Drescher

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Copyright Date: 2005

Age Range: 7+ (Parents use caution)

"I did not make any of this up.

Do you know why you should have baby teeth handy when visiting the Midwest? Or why you should bring a cucumber with you when swimming in Japan? How good are you at solving Russian riddles? From Boston to Bejing, from Moscow to Mali, any place you visit has its own terrifying tales of very real creatures. Complete with handy "gruesomeness ratings," this guide offers all the important facts on some sixty-three folkloric monsters and how (if possible!) to survive an encounter with them. Meticulously researched by Judy Sierra and illustrated in grotesque detail by Henrik Drescher, here is the ultimate resource for any world traveler, armchair or otherwise, hoping to make it home alive. " The Gruesome Guide to World Monsters summary.

This is a great book to bring out for Halloween. A little bit older, this book gives information about roughly sixty mythic monsters from around the world. While technically a fiction book, as it is about fictional creatures, these fictional creatures have their place in folklore in the real world. Judy Sierra gives a brief description of the creature, their location, how dangerous they are, and if escape is thought to be possible. Henrik Drescher gives creepy illustrations that one review from Publisher's Weekly describes as "grotesque mixed-media illustrations [that] look like doodles after nightmares".

Neither the book nor the author have won awards for their work, but that doesn't mean that this book isn't worth checking out. A word of caution, however: it should be stressed to children that the creatures in this book aren't necessarily real. Because many myths and creatures are created to teach and frighten children into behaving, more gullible children may be frightened. That said, most children tend to enjoy this book, and having an idea about different creatures from different parts of the world.

I think that librarians, parents, and teachers can all have fun with introducing this book to youth. Writing assignments prompting children to create their own creatures and art assignments to create those creatures could be two activities based off of this book. Regardless if you use this book to teach or entertain, it would be a good addition to any collection.

Publisher's Weekly Review: https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7636-1727-1

Book Review: "Earth Verse: Haiku from the Ground Up"

Author: Sally M. Walker

Illustrator: William Grill

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Copyright Date: February 13th, 2018

Age Range:  8-10 years

"In a stunning combination of haiku and impressionistic (but accurate) art, this one-of-a-kind book encourages readers to think playfully about our planet and its wondrous processes. Sibert Medal–winning author Sally M. Walker covers Earth’s many marvels — fossilized skeletons of plants and animals, terrific volcanic eruptions, the never-ending hydrologic cycle — in sometimes straightforward, sometimes metaphoric three-line haikus. Expertly drawn art by William Grill, author-illustrator of Shackleton’s Journey, provides a visual reference for each poem. In clear and creative back matter, Walker and Grill further use their skills to provide additional detailed explanations for the science behind each concept. A unique, artistic intersection of poetry and science, Earth Verse is sure to enthrall any and all readers interested in the world around them." Earth Verse: Haiku from the Ground Up summary.

In this picture book, Walker and Grill teach children about the many facets of the earth, from fossils deep in the earth to the atmosphere above. This book does a wonderful job of imparting information in a new way. It exposes children to the haiku writing form, with accompanying pictures to connect the words to the information.

The vocabulary is slightly more complicated, mostly due to the writing form, which makes it appropriate for not just the suggested age group, but even older children. Youth interested in poetry, for instance, might appreciate this writing form.

The illustrations range from encompassing two full pages to only taking up a fraction of the page. Illustrator William Grill uses page space to emphasize size and scale of the information being given.

This is a book released this year, so it hasn't had the chance to earn any awards or accolades. However, the author is a Sibert Medal winner, which is "awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States in English during the preceding year" according to the ALA.

Book Review: "Astronaut Handbook"

Title: Astronaut Handbook

Author: Meghan McCarthy

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Date: June 10th, 2008

Age Range: 5-8 yrs

"With an appealing text and funny, brightly colored illustrations, Meghan McCarthy transports aspiring space travelers to astronaut school in her young nonfiction picture book. Take a ride on the “Vomit Comet” and learn how it feels to be weightless. Try a bite of astronaut food, such as delicious freeze-dried ice cream. Have your measurements taken—100 of your hand alone—for your very own space suit. Get ready for liftoff!" Astronaut Handbook summary.

This book is more for younger kids who might be dreaming of being an astronaut one day. This book covers what it takes to be an astronaut, the different types of astronauts there are, the required training, and snippets of what it's like in space.  The illustrations are simple but easily identifiable, perfect for the age range suggested. 

The vocabulary is also well suited to the age range, containing identifiable words and life lessons to teach younger children. In the example above, the author points out that you need to be kind to each other and not fight.

This book might not have won any awards, but the website for the author/book more than makes up for any accolades lost. The website contains multiple reviews, from Kirkus to the School Library Journal. It also includes activities such as coloring pages and how to build your own paper tube rocket. Additional information on astronauts is also available. This book lends itself well to being placed in a classroom.