Wilbur, Helen L. E is For Eiffel Tower

Wilbur, Helen L.         E is For Eiffel Tower 

 Sleeping Bear Press(Cengage)        2010   unp    17.95  978-1-58536-505-0            elm/ms                                   E-BNS 

 Learn about France by

reading each poem about the people, places, events, geography or foods of France. 

A letter of the alphabet introduces each new topic, and nonfictional support

information to explain each topic appears in the side margins.  A nation as

culturally and intellectually diversified as France is perfect for the

alphabetical journey through the country.  Starting with ╥A is for Amphitheaters,

Aqueducts and Arles,╙ the reader is in for an adventure.  There are not too many

books that are written for both adults and children; this book accomplishes just

that.  For children, the author has chosen the most interesting places, people,

foods, past times and geographical information, placed each into a poem that is

designed to please children and included a more advanced section or two in the

side margins of each two-page spread.  Topics range from Thomas Jefferson to hot

air balloons, and from Victor Huge to the Chartres Cathedral.  What a treasure! 

Readers do not have to love geography to appreciate this book.  Rarely have

illustrations and lay out been so perfectly combined!  Versailles looks like

something out of a fairy tale, and the wine and cheese pictured on the pages for

the letter W will entice the reader to jump on a plane to France!  All French

classes need multiple copies of this book because French teachers can interest

their students in cultural study by first reading this book, then by encouraging

continued research on any of the topics presented.  Libraries need a copy of

this because as nonfiction goes, the book is certain to persuade children that

nonfiction does not have to be boring!       Squaresky, Martha