Children's Book Reviews
Page Three of FourMillennium Pack
DK Publishing, October 1999.Paperback
Ages 9 - 12
ISBN: 0789447150.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
DK has created an interactive
activity pack which will be an invaluable
aid for teachers and parents explaining
human history of the last 1000 years. The kit contains
60 items, including a model of the space shuttle,
a record book, time capsule kit, and
a fabulous historical timeline to put the
events and people of this century in
perspective. Facsimile documents
such as the front pages of newspapers,
a wall chart of world maps and a timeline
of costumes are also endlessly fascinating.
This would be a wonderful Christmas gift for
any teacher or for children who have shown
an interest in history. Highly recommended.
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, Illustrated by Bruce Whatley
HarperCollins, October, 1999.Picture Book, 32 pages
All Ages
ISBN: 0060266082.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
In 1822, Clement C. Moore wrote the poem which
was to become the definitive description of
Santa Claus: "The Night Before Christmas."
Hundreds of editions of the family favorite have
been published, but this new edition from HarperCollins
is definitely worth a trip to the bookstore.
Award-winning illustrator Bruce Whatley (The Ugliest
Dog in the World, Whatley's Quest,
The Magic Dictionary etc.) has taken an interesting
approach to the pictures. Using elements from the
Victorian and 1950s representations of St. Nick,
and mixing them with a modern sensibility, Whatley
creates a totally fresh and magical view of
Santa Claus' flight through the night,
journey down the chimney, and his accidental meeting with
the narrator of the story. Gather the children round,
get a glass of eggnog, and share this lovely holiday
poem with your family this year.
Return to the January 2000 issue of The IWJ.
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