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a blog about usborne books & more

usborne big picture book of general knowledge

9/27/2017

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"The best ice skaters can spin around on one foot up to 115 times without stopping" (p. 15). Also, at the annual La Tomatina festival in Spain, people throw around 1 million tomatoes at each other (p. 10). Oh, and one more thing: most Ancient Greek and Roman marble statues were originally painted (p. 25). 

When I first opened ​The Usborne Big Picture Book: General Knowledge, I sat at my desk and pored through it for about half an hour. Every page is packed with interesting facts... I couldn't put it down! And there are so many tidbits of information, I am still learning something each time I pull it off the shelf. (Did you know a guy named Dave Kunst walked around the world in the 70s over the course of four years?) 

One thing that makes this book so captivating is the way the information is presented. Each page is its own theme - Back in Time, On the Move, Animals, Natural Wonders, Record Breakers, etc. - and the facts are all presented with creative illustrations, so it's both a visual and written experience. Check out examples in the photos! You come for the pictures and stay for the fascinating info. :) 

Incidentally, did you know that submarines extract oxygen from sea water, so the crew inside can breathe? (that's from page 9, "On the Move") Sorry, I can't help myself. Ok, so picture my excitement about all this stuff and translate it to kids! They will love exploring these pages and sharing their new finds with you. And what a great way to find topics they want to delve into deeper! This would make an incredible homeschool book... or really, an incredible book to have at the home of anyone who wants to learn something new.

It's that book that makes you more knowledgeable and more curious at the same time.

Oh, and by the way, Bangkok's name in full is Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit (p. 3). 

Book benefits:
  • This book feels substantial - between the sturdy hardcover binding, the thick pages inside, and the close to 10" by 12" dimensions
  • Each page is packed with facts, so you'll be learning over the course of multiple explorations
  • Illustrations are detailed and engaging, drawing you in before you read a single word
  • Facts are shared in bite-sized pieces that beg for further research by curious learners
  • This book is internet-linked (through Usborne Quicklinks), so you have a jumping off point for follow-up learning!

(Speaking of the internet, did you know an early form of the internet, known as the arpanet, was launched in 1969? p. 32...)

Buy the Usborne Big Picture Book of General Knowledge here! (hardcover, $14.99)
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bob is a unicorn

9/23/2017

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"Bob is not a unicorn. Everyone can see that. Everyone but Bob." These are the opening lines from Bob is a Unicorn, written by Michelle Nelson-Schmidt. The premise of this one is simple: Bob approaches various friends, asking them to play with him in different ways. Each one dismisses him, though, until Bob finally finds the perfect friend to play with him.

This is a pretty subtle book. You don't even see Bob until the end of the book; the story is told through dialogue as Bob approaches each animal, and all you see is the animal he is talking to and the conversation they have. By the time you reach the end of the story, you come to see that Bob is (SPOILER ALERT :) an elephant pretending to be a unicorn, and the friend who plays with him is a little girl pretending to be a fairy. 

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The power of this book is in the different ways Bob's friends dismiss him. Here's one example: 
   Hey, Bob. 
   Hey, Ted. 
   What's that thing?
   It's my horn. I'm a unicorn. See?
   No, not really.

And another: 
   George, I don't suppose you --
   Bob, don't you have more important things to do?
   I'm being a unicorn today.
   It looks like you're wasting time to me.

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As with many of Michelle Nelson-Schmidt's books (she is author of Cordelia and Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster, among other powerful picture books), this is one that seems to be written as much to the adults as to the children. It's hard to read this as a parent and not hear myself in some of the dismissals... I'm too busy. What are you doing? Don't you have something better to do? Well, sometimes we just need to set our work aside and embrace the power of make-believe.

Now, I will say, the set-up of this story is a little off-beat because it is written completely in dialogue - I've seen a few reviews that marked it down because the style is "awkward". But I would say, embrace it; the simplicity of the dialogue is part of what makes the message stand out. Each time I have read this book with my four-year old, he asks to read it again as soon as we get to the end. I think that's because he, too, is unaccustomed to that style of storytelling... but as soon as you see where the story ends up (the contrast of the friend who is willing to play along), everything falls into place. So just read it twice! And besides, it's a great opportunity to pull out all your character voices. :)

​It's that book that gently reminds us all to be both playful and accepting.​

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Book benefits:
  • The story teaches an important lesson about playfulness
  • Illustrations are simple, but sweet - with a meaningful change in style to highlight make-believe (see the fairy, above)
  • Book is valuable for kids and adults alike :) 

Buy Bob is a Unicorn here! ($6.99, paperback)

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the gobble gobble moooooo tractor book

9/14/2017

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"'Can I come?' asked Cat. 'I can do the sound the engine makes when it starts to wiggle and jiggle...'" So speaks one of the sweet characters in this playful book about make believe. Jez Alborough's Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book (published by Kane Miller) is a sure winner for anyone in your life under the age of, well, 99. Let me explain.

While Farmer Dougal is asleep, Sheep climbs into his big red tractor and starts pretending to drive, making the noise when the engine is turned on: "BA-AA-A-A-A-A". Along comes Cat, who asks to join in with the "PURRRRR" of the engine as it wiggles and jiggles. The animals are quickly joined by Turkey, Mouse, Goose, and Cow, each of whom has their own sound to contribute to the make believe game. Soon, they are replicating the tractor's noises so well, Farmer Dougal wakes up, certain someone is driving away with his tractor! But when he looks out the window, all he sees are his animals peacefully grazing in the field near his tractor.

I'm a big fan of this book because (1) the animals just pretend to drive the tractor (much more playful and safe!), (2) everyone contributes to the game in a unique way, (3) it's all about effective collaboration, really, and (4)
(3) the noises are so much fun to read aloud with kids! 

It's that book you can't resist reading aloud, loudly.

Book benefits:
  • Sturdy hardcover book with large, full-color pages are perfect for family read-alouds
  • Illustrations are brightly colored and whimsical
  • Story encourages imaginative play (what other noises would you add to the tractor?)
  • The story invites conversation about collaboration and teamwork

​Buy The Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book here! ($15.99, hardcover)
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    Hi there! I'm Christine - Usborne Books & More independent consultant, kids' book fan, English teacher, mom of two boys. 


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Christine Bailey
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This website is designed by Christine Bailey, Independent Consultant with Usborne Books & More. Usborne Publishing Ltd and Usborne Books & More - EDC Publishing - Kane/Miller books have no connection with this web site and the pages therein and do not sponsor or support their content.
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