By Sheila Welch
Sheila recommends some of her favorite non-fiction books that will help your kids pursue some new hobbies.
SEEDS, written by Ken Robbins and illustrated with his large, clear photographs explains about seeds in general and about a variety of individual plant seeds. On one page, he shows how an acorn might be Aplanted@ by a forgetful squirrel, and the accompanying photo captures a squirrel=s confused expression. This is an attractive book that will interest toddlers through second graders.
WHY IS IT SPRING? by Sara Latta will help early elementary age kids understand the cycle of seasons caused by the tilt of the Earth as it moves around the sun. The whole book is organized in a question/answer format that is fun to read. The last few pages include an age appropriate experiment called AMy Shadow@ and a bibliography and an index.
A BACKYARD VEGETABLE GARDEN FOR KIDS by Amie Jane Leavitt answers questions concerning how, why, when and where for kids who want to grow their own food. The tone of the text is chatty and informal. Having had some experience with kids, veggies, and gardens, I appreciated the author's advice: grow only what you like to eat. This book is perfect for children from about 3rd through 6th grade who are already motivated to dig in the soil.
EARTH-FRIENDLY CRAFTS FOR KIDS by Heather Smith and Joe Rhatigan provides a wealth of directions for crafts for children ages six to sixteen all to be made from recycled stuff. Each project is explained with a combination of text and illustrations. The photos in the book depict children of various ages and ethnic backgrounds working together on a wide range of appealing creations. This book would make a great resource for parents, teachers, and librarians.
KIDS' FIRST COOKBOOK edited by the American Cancer Society is a surprising book because the tone is amusing and it's full of child-friendly recipes and ideas. It includes a glossary, an index, and a parents= section. The text is aimed at 4th graders on up. The main portion (pun intended) is divided into Breakfast, Snacks, Meals, Drinks, Pizza, and Goodies. I enjoyed the last section with its clever, simple recipes for things like AWorms in the Mud@ (gummy worms plus chocolate pudding) and an Edible Card (graham crackers with message written in pudding). Reading and following directions can be a chore for some children but not when the result is a delicious goodie.
About Sheila
Sheila Kelly Welch is a mother, grandmother and retired teacher. She counts among her children’s fiction books LITTLE PRINCE KNOW-IT-ALL and A HORSE FOR ALL SEASONS. Sheila's novel, WAITING TO FORGET, has been selected by Bank Street College and Pennsylvania School Library Association for their lists of best-books-of-the-year. Her most recent stories, MESS-UP MOLLY and BIG CAT AND KITTEN, are published on-line by MeeGenius.
