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Children's Book ReviewsThe Amazing Pop-Up Pull-Out Mummy Book by David HawcockDK, October 2000.Hardcover, 12 pages Ages 9-12 ISBN: 0789465078. Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
This is the fifth in the popular Pop-Up Pull-Out books series, which includes
the titles Amazing
Pop-Up, Pull-Out Space Shuttle and the
Amazing
Pull-Out, Pop-Up Body in a Book.
The book opens to showcase a full-color five foot high fold out
of the mummy of Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun. The pull-out
contains interesting information about
the embalming process, Egyptian culture and facts about
mummies from all over the world. The well-written text and the
beautiful illustrations are sure to make any child have visions of
Indiana Jones dancing in his head; archaeology certainly seems
more exciting when it is presented in this unique fashion. This
is a fantastic addition to any classroom where Egypt is on the
lesson plan, and would also make a great addition to your child's
home library.
Dorling Kindersley's Children's AtlasDK, September 2000.Hardcover, 160 pages Ages 9-12 ISBN: 0789458454. Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
With all of the recent geopolitical upheaval of the last twenty years,
the necessity of a good, detailed, accurate atlas cannot be overstated.
Now DK has revised and updated its children's atlas, with fantastic
results. The large atlas contains more than 50 innovative
three-dimensional computer-generated maps, informative text, and over
1,000 photographs, illustrations, and diagrams. The maps are
organized by continent. Each region is depicted in a detailed and
informative double-page layout which demonstrates the geography
of the continent. Within the continent, the region is divided by
country or group of countries. There is also a glossary and index
with more information about each country. Each double page spread
features interesting facts and beautiful photographs about the region
under study. Although the book is called a children's atlas, it would
still make a wonderful reference book for an adult, as well.
This is a must-have for the family library, especially if you have
school-age children.
The Rose and the Beast: Fairy Tales Retold by Francesca Lia BlockHarperCollins, October 2000.Hardcover, 240 pages Ages 14 to Adult ISBN: 0060281294. Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
The talented Francesca Lia Block turns her hand
to the reinterpretation of classic fairy tales in
this fascinating short story collection.
Block takes the classic stories of
Snow White, Thumbelina, Cinderella,
Rose Red and Rose White, Bluebeard, The Ice Queen,
Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty and Little
Red Riding Hood and turns them upside down and
inside out. In "Bones," Bluebeard becomes an aging
Hollywood producer who preys on young, aspiring
actresses. In "Wolf," little red riding hood is molested
by her stepfather, and the identity of her savior is
a pleasant surprise. In "Tiny," little Thumbelina
becomes a garden spirit who longs to find her true love,
and Sleeping Beauty pricks herself with a heroin needle.
No one writes quite like Francesca Lia Block, the author of the Weetzie Bat novels and Violet and Claire. Her prose is sensual, lush, and lyrical, yet it also has a hard, modern edginess about it. "Rev found, strangely, that she was hungry. She ate the sweet and spicy, creamy lime-stung mineral water. She breathed the gardenias. She watched the woman's eyes. They were like the eyes of old-time movie stars, always lambent, making the celluloid look slicked with water, lit with candles." Her fairy tales are set in what could be modern-day Los Angeles, but it is L.A. as seen through a lense of wonder and enchantment. Older teens through adults will enjoy the wonder, cruelty, beauty and hope that Block conjures up when she weaves her enchanting stories. Highly recommended. --Claire E. White Return to Book Reviews Index ** To visit the archives of children's books reviewed in The IWJ, please click here. |
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