E is for Eiffel Tower: A France Alphabet

Ideal read for middle-grade children, learning about different countries.

Wilbur, Helen.
E is for Eiffel Tower: A France Alphabet.
September 2010.
Sleeping Bear Press.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

A great deal about the culture and contributions of France are shared in this alphabetic tale. From Amphitheaters, Aqueducts, and Arles to Zest, there's little left to the imagination, as readers learn all there is to know about France and the French culture. The book is ideal for many ages, but seemingly most appropriate for children 8+. Older children will find much benefit from the side-barred text that provides additional detailed information about the alphabetic topic at hand!

Learning/Reading Activity:

• Choose an appropriate activity based on your child's interests from the Teacher's Guide provided by Sleeping Bear Press.
• Introduce children to the French language using one or more of the following titles: French Picture Word Book by Hayward Cirker, Un Deux Trois: First French Rhymes by Opal Dunn, or First Thousand Words in French by Heather Amery.
  

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!

Lily's Victory Garden

Children connect to WWII when learning about how one young girl decides to become a part of war efforts in her own community.

Wilbur, Helen L.
Lily's Victory Garden.
April 2010.
Sleeping Bear Press.
Review copy provided courtesy of publisher.

Wilbur tells a moving story about a young girl who is willing to take chances and do all that she can to be a part of the war effort during WWII. Lily, a young girl, spends time with her older brother Jack, collecting tin to help with war production during WWII while Jack delivers the newpapers. During their collection walks, Jack shares with Lily his knowledge about the war and one family in particular - the Bishops, who happen to be the first family in their town to lose a son (a soldier) in the war. As war efforts continue in their town, Lily learns another way in which she could possibly contribute and takes to waiting in line for a plot in the community garden. When Lily is denied space due to her age, she goes to extreme measures to make sure she plants a victory garden of her own somewhere. While she meets many challenges, Lily's persistence pays off as she does grow her own victory garden - and make a new friend in the process!

I'll leave you with one final thought... my thoughts about the Tales of Young Americans Series (Yes, that's me, quoted on the back cover of Lily's Victory Garden)!


Learning/Reading Activities:

• Check out the Teaching Guide provided courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press! There are lots of wonderful activities inside.
  

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Affiliate, so any purchases you make after clicking these images will result in my receiving a small percentage of the sale price!