Kathiann M. Kowalski

Checks and Balances: A Look at the Powers of Government is an excellent addition to any elementary school library. Checks and Balances explains clearly the balance of powers between the three branches of the United States Government. Teachers could use the book in classes to clarify those powers in early civics lessons. The pictures are current and clear including the current Supreme Court and president. This is an excellent choice to update a library, and is written for third through fifth grade.

Received Galley from NetGalley.com… (mere)

ELIB 530A LibraryThing – Part E – experiment/activity This book begins with an explanation entitled “Where is Nature” and moves on to earth’s chemical composition, land formations, seasons, the water cycle and habitats. Thereafter each chapter addresses a different habitat in greater depth. The final two chapters cover how people affect nature in both positive and negative ways and ways in which to get out to enjoy it. Each chapter is filled with many text boxes that give detailed and very clear experiments to do as well as definitions of words in the reading. It has a complete glossary of words to know, a section on resources that includes Internet sites, organizations and a lengthy section on additional selected readings. This book covers a great deal of material but it makes it easily understood and fun. I wish I’d had this book when my kids were young. I especially liked Chapter 8 “The Watery World of Nature” because it very simply explained oceans, which are now more prevalent in my life since moving to the coast.… (mere)