My Body. (Now We Know About). Mike Goldsmith. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $7.95 (pbk.), $18.36 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-4738-3 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-4721-5 (RLB.). Subject Headings: Human body-Juvenile literature. Human physiology-Juvenile literature. Human anatomy-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Sherry Faller. **½ /4
	Caring for our Bodies. (Now We Know About). Deborah Chancellor. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $7.95 (pbk.), $18.36 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-4735-2 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-4718-5 (RLB.). Subject Headings: Hygiene-Juvenile literature. Health-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Sherry Faller. **½ /4
	Healthy Eating. (Now We Know About). Deborah Chancellor. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $7.95 (pbk.), $18.36 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-4737-6 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-4720-8 (RLB.). Subject Heading: Nutrition-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Sherry Faller. **½ /4
	Being Safe. (Now We Know About). Jinny Johnson. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $7.95 (pbk.), $18.36 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-4734-5 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-4717-8 (RLB.). Subject Headings: Safety education-Juvenile literature. Accidents-Prevention-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Sherry Faller. **½ /4
	Good Manners. (Now We Know About). Deborah Chancellor. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $7.95 (pbk.), $18.36 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-4736-9 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-4719-2 (RLB.). Subject Headings: Etiquette for children and teenagers-Juvenile literature. Courtesy-Juvenile literature. Respect-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Sherry Faller. **½ /4
	Saving Water and Energy. (Now We Know About). Philip Steele. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $7.95 (pbk.), $18.36 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-4740-6 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-4723-9 (RLB.). Subject Headings: Water conservation-Juvenile literature. Energy conservation-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Sherry Faller. **½ /4
	Recycling. (Now We Know About). Mike Goldsmith. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $7.95 (pbk.), $18.36 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-4739-0 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-4722-2 (RLB.). Subject Heading: Recycling (Waste, etc.)-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Sherry Faller. **½ /4
	The Weather. (Now We Know About). Mike Goldsmith. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $7.95 (pbk.), $18.36 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-4741-3 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-4724-6 (RLB.). Subject Heading: Weather-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Sherry Faller. **½ /4

excerpt:

People you live with probably tell you not to waste. If everyone started saving instead of wasting, it could make a big difference to Earth. …Small changes do make a difference. If everyone on Earth cared about saving resources, it would help. We need to find ways to protect Earth's resources before they run out. (From Saving Water and Energy.)

"How can I make a difference in my life?" might have been the question that sparked the origin of this ‘here's how' series. Written for a younger audience, these eight books use a question and answer format to get the point across. Preaching at times, they cover the personal topics of body systems and caring for your body, eating right, and safety. Interpersonal skills like manners, recycling and being environmentally friendly are also covered. The book on weather seems not to fit in this series. It is the only one that does not address the reader personally in the form of you, I or we.

     The "Now We Know About" series is suitable for grade 1-3 science and social studies topics and has a refreshing inquiry approach. Many chapter titles are questions: "How do I stay safe at home?" and "What is a smoke alarm?" A variety of children from different ethnic backgrounds are pictured, along with diagrams, captions and colourful backgrounds. The pages are energetic with text and colour photographs splashed across a double page spread. Interesting features are the ‘Talking Point' boxes and the ‘Word Wizard' ovals. The boxes have a question that a child may likely ask as well as its answer. A question for open discussion in these boxes may have made the books less authoritative. The ‘Word Wizard" defines unusual or new words. Of interest, the glossary explains the bolded words in the text but does not include the wizard words. The contents page and index are easy to use.

     My Body is a great introduction to the body systems and how they work. Questions like, ‘Why do I breathe faster when I run?' and ‘How can I look after my lungs?' lead the discussion. Photos of real x-rays and enlarged microscopic views are complemented by drawings of body systems and cross-sections of the eye and ear.

     After learning about your body, Caring for Our Bodies is the logical sequel. In this book, children learn the virtues of eating well, keeping fit, and caring for skin, bones, muscles, eyes and ears. They can learn why keeping clean is important and how to deal socially with illnesses.

     Eating Healthy explains the food groups and what they do for our bodies. Allergies and food sensitivities are touched upon. Children are encouraged to eat balanced meals.

     All kinds of safety rules and guidelines are covered in Being Safe. The usual home, fire, traffic and play safety tips are mentioned. On-line safety, stranger danger and safety around animals are welcome inclusions.

     Good Manners is a great resource for teaching social responsibility to younger children. The use of ‘magic words' is recommended as well as suggestions for holding your temper and apologizing. Showing respect, welcoming others and being thoughtful are some other topics. The pages on table manners offer good suggestions. The ‘manners around the world' section does not include enough content but will spark an interesting discussion.

     Saving Water and Energy discusses the natural and man-made resources, like water, wind, solar and geothermal energy. Suggestions are made for how to save energy indoors and out. Recycling and global warming are mentioned.

     Recycling is an in-depth discussion of what recycling is and why we do it. The usual recyclables, like paper, metal, plastic and glass, are covered. In addition, concrete, tires, old technology and toys are recommended for recycling. Composting is viewed as something a child could easily do.

     The Weather explains common weather phenomena, like clouds, winds, rain and snow, in simple language. Hailstones, fog, thunderstorms and lightning are touched upon. Extreme weather, such as the Antarctic cold and desert conditions, is mentioned. The content in this book is very superficial, and the book could be used as an overview before starting further research.

     In conclusion, this series is recommended for elementary school libraries because it covers so many of the curriculum topics for grades 1 to 3. Teachers will find the Good Manners, Caring for Our Bodies, Eating Healthy and Recycling titles the most useful.

Recommended.

Sherry Faller is a teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB.

NEXT REVIEW |TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - April 9, 2010.