Category: Nonfiction Books

understanding politics and government

2/18/2018

"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

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slot-together victorian dollhouse

12/30/2017

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"Mom, can you get the little house down?" My boys were won over instantly with this dollhouse! Three story building, eight rooms, six people, two pets, and a whole collection of furniture... a world of play awaits with the Slot-Together Victorian Dollhouse from Usborne.

Ever since joining Usborne Books & More, I have been curious about the little slot-together kits - this dollhouse and a theater. I have always love little things, and I've loved constructing my own toys. But would my two boys? Would they destroy it? Would they get bored?

I decided to take the risk and invite my boys (3.5 and 5) to help me put together this house. They were so excited! All the pieces come on foam boards and just need to be popped out, so no extra tools required. The enclosed book gives step-by-step instructions for building first the house, then the people and furniture.

And my boys were enchanted for the whole two hours we spent constructing everything from start to finish! They were eager to help, followed directions as I handed them down, and were careful with the little foam pieces. That's a win in my book! And, once construction was completed, the boys loved moving the pieces around and opening and closing the front wall to see everything inside. ("We have to close it now, the house is sleeping!")

There is so much to love about this kit: it's a great project, the pieces are well-made and so beautifully detailed (though some pieces benefit from Elmer's Glue reinforcement), you can tell your own stories as you play, and you can learn fun tidbits of historical info from the accompanying book.

It's that book that turns into a toy to be played with again and again!

"Book" benefits:

Hands on constructing experience will engage kids young and old
History meets contemporary playtime with the book for added reference
Info pages in book contain Victorian tips, tricks, and games to enhance creative play
Lots of little accessories make for detailed imaginative play (and can be stored in the sturdy box as needed)
This would make a creative and well-loved gift!

Buy the Slot-Together Victorian Dollhouse here! ($41.99, foam pieces in box with book)

Want more? Check out the Slot-Together Theater, too!

Click to see photos full-sized:

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my first thousand words

10/28/2017

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"Mom, how do you say 'frog' in Spanish?" I'm starting to get these questions on a regular basis from my almost-five year old. He is very curious - and I love that he is aware of different languages! So I have been quite eager to get my hands on Usborne's My First Thousand Words: Spanish.

And this book doesn't disappoint. It is comprised of 50 pages of pictures and words in Spanish! Each double spread focuses on a different theme: the tool shed, school, toy store, the countryside, etc. 15 of the double spreads show an illustration of the theme and are bordered by individual drawings of objects and their name in Spanish. The other 11 double spreads contain more individual pictures, like animals or sports.

What's great about this set-up is that the book has dual purposes: it introduces new words and is also a great look-and-find book! The illustrations are wonderfully detailed, which will make for hours of exploration and discovery.

But the book doesn't stop there: at the back, you'll find a comprehensive index of each word, how to pronounce it, and its English translation. The index is sorted by the words in Spanish, so it doesn't serve as an English/Spanish dictionary - but it is great for double-checking meanings and pronunciation! And if that's not enough, the book is internet linked, which means you can find it on the Usborne Quicklinks page for further pronunciation help and interesting facts about Spain.

It's that book you'll rely on as you introduce your kids to new languages!

Series benefits:

Picture/word association makes learning new translations simple
Alphabetized index supports correct pronunciation and translation
1,000 words are broken into themes, easily structuring learning
Look-and-find pictures add another element of fun!
You have 11 languages to choose from with these books!

Buy My First Thousand Words in Spanish here ($12.99, hardcover)
Check out all the books in the series here

Chinese, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Spanish

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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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the usborne outdoor book

3/16/2017

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"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?

One thing I love about this book is that it really is adaptable for kids of varying ages. My kiddos are toddlers, but there are already a bunch of activities within these pages I know they'll have fun with this summer. The activities are also well-suited to elementary school kids to do with families - but really, I can see middle school kids getting excited about so many of the ideas in The Outdoor Book. Heck, I would do them myself even if I didn't have kids!

And you're going to learn skills and interesting facts with each activity, which is even better. Talk about meaningful play! Ok, and one more thing: the book naturally will encourage interaction and collaboration, which is so important for kids. And adults. So many layers of goodness! Pick up a copy for you and your family... and get outside. :)

It's that book that will ignite a love for the outdoors wherever you are in life and in the world.

Book benefits:

Outdoor activities will tug at your kids to get out of the house and engage in meaningful play!
Activities are organized by type and varied by location - so you're bound to find multiple ways to play, wherever you are
Illustrations and captions give detailed instructions for how to make and do whatever you're trying out
Activities are supplemented by helpful facts that will teach as well as entertain
Tips for safety and environmental thoughtfulness are sprinkled throughout (never look at the sun, wear an oven mitt when handling hot food, don't pick leaves while they're still on a tree, etc.)
The glossary and index at the back of the book help build educational processes with your kids
This book would make a fantastic gift! It's well-made, beautifully designed, and filled with thoughtful activities kids and parents will love.

Buy The Usborne Outdoor Book here and get ready to play! (hardcover, $9.99)

Better yet - want a free copy? Schedule a book party with me! I'll send you a copy of The Outdoor Book when your party reaches $200 in sales - on top of all the rewards books you'll earn. :)