"Am I a citizen?" "Who decides what is legal?" "Can you trust the media?" "How can one person change the world?" These are just a few of the questions Usborne's new book Understanding Politics & Government sets out to answer.

In over 100 pages, the book sets out to explain what government is, how governments are run, how political systems have evolved, what different political ideologies stand for, and how to approach big questions - immigration, terrorism, feminism, war, freedom of speech. It provides context on how countries have ended up with the political systems they follow, breaks down difficult processes like elections, and offers different opinions on major topics.

Politics has never been a straightforward topic to introduce to kids, and I think it's safe to say the topic is getting more complicated now that information, mis-information, and endless perspectives are right at our fingertips 24/7. This book is a must-have for kids and adults alike!

For parents and teachers, it provides a jumping off point to start discussions, along with topics worthy of further research - and a collection of online resources to build that research. For kids, the book breaks down difficult topics into easy-to-digest nuggets and, most importantly, raises questions kids should be thinking about.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the variety of perspectives it offers on difficult topics. It presents the good and bad side of media, of prisons, of free speech. It models debates about the environment, under-representation, immigration, and more. And, the book offers pointers on how to debate and argue effectively. Because yes, it's possible! These are conversations we need to be having - and we need to be teaching kids to ask questions, then search out various perspectives and sources to make informed decisions.

It's that book that makes you curious and excited about politics, rather than apprehensive or confused.

Book benefits:

• The book combines history, civics, and debate with relevant facts in manageable chunks
• Illustrations and graphics engage readers instead - no overwhelming pages full of tiny print!
• Big questions are presented from multiple perspectives
• Glossary defines important terms for easy reference
• Internet quicklinks bring a whole new layer of information with quality websites and videos

Buy Usborne's Understanding Politics & Government here! ($12.99, flexi-binding, which is not quite hardcover but stronger than regular paperback)

• written by Alex Frith, Rosie Here, and Louie Stowell
• illustrated by Kellen Stover
• politics experts: Dr. Huge Drochon and Dr. Daniel Viehoff

They're those books that'll keep you turning pages, dreaming about life beyond our planet.

​Book benefits:

• Engaging writing style and illustrations
• Plot is creative, enticing you to keep reading
• Series contains a continuous plot, but each book has its own central plot line

Buy the books separately here... (paperback, $5.99 each)
... or buy the series and save! (7 books, $35.99)

• this set doesn't include the series finale at the moment, though

Here's a quick video review: 

"Hmm... how about sand darts? that looks fun.... oooh, twig rafts! or made some wild art, like Andy Goldsworthy? Aww, or build a bird bath? WHOA, marshmallow cookie sandwiches!" That's my inner dialogue as I flip through The Usborne Outdoor Book, trying to decide which activity I want to try first with my boys this summer.

This book makes my heart happy. First of all, it's so beautiful: a hardcover book filled with detailed, full-spread color-saturated illustrations and simple handwriting-style fonts. Right off the bat, I want to pore over every page, soaking in the drawings and reading every caption. 

But beyond the design, every page contains a thoughtful, creative outdoor activity I am itching to go outside and try! ​​As with all of the Usborne non-fiction books I have seen so far, The Outdoor Book (written by Alice James and Emily Bone) is an impressive balance of creativity and fascinating information. It starts with a couple pages on how to be safe when playing outside (dressing properly for the weather, drinking water, bringing a map, etc), then jumps into a compendium of ideas organized by surroundings (see pictures below of the table of contents).

And what are these magical activities I keep alluding to? Things like tracking the tide along the ocean, damming a stream, (and then breaking it up when you leave), making a hiding hole for a frog, examining leaves and seeds, tying knots, drawing a map, sending encoded messages... and did I mention making marshmallow cookie sandwiches over a campfire? 

Want to see more? Check out my video!