Ford, Carin. Overview of the American Civil War Through Primary Sources.

Ford, Carin.  Overview of the American Civil War Through Primary Sources.  Enslow 2013  48p   $18.00  ISBN 978-0-7660-4124-0 elm/ms  series: Civil War Through Primary Sources  VG

“Introduces the American Civil War, including the causes of the conflict, background on the Union and the Confederacy, the major battles and important historical figures, and how the Union won the war.”  Upper-elementary and middle-school students who enjoy reading about history will appreciate this new title on the American Civil War.  Students will gain a better understanding of this important war through the use of primary sources, including portrait photographs, artwork, maps, illustrations, and personal quotations.  The author provided a great number of details on the causes of the war, information on the Union and the Confederacy, the various battles, key historical figures, and how the war was won by the Union.  Written in a story-like manner, the book conveys knowledge while also presenting a great many primary sources to help students feel more connected to what really happened so long ago. 

The author includes colorful graphics, a timeline of events, maps, artwork, portrait reprints, personal quotations, chapter notes, a glossary of terms, a list of books and Internet addresses, and an index.   Through the use of primary sources, each title in this series of six (as of this review) helps students understand the story of the war that reunited the Union and ended slavery forever.   

Civil War-Primary Sources                             --Charleen Forba-Mayer

Ford, Carin. Women of the Civil War Through Primary Sources.

Ford, Carin.  Women of the Civil War Through Primary Sources.     Enslow    2013 48p  $23.93  ISBN 978-0-7660-4128-8  elm/ms  series: Civil War Through Primary Sources  VG-BNS 

The roles that women played during the American Civil War are described, with examples of primary and secondary sources of information in the illustrations that are scattered through the book.  On both sides of the conflict, women worked at home to support the soldiers, making them packets called Housewives that were filled with needles and thread and other necessary supplies.  They served as nurses, spies, and in many cases, soldiers.  (They had to pretend to be men to do this.)  The writing is good, the layout is attractive, and the book includes an easy-to-follow timeline, a glossary, chapter notes, a list of books and internet addresses for further reading, and an index. The goal of the series, which is, in addition to teaching the kids some history, to teach them to discern the difference between primary and secondary sources, should have been discussed more overtly in a foreword of some sort.  Instead, the book relies on a teacher discussing this prior to looking at the book with the students.  Illustrations of primary-source materials are marked with a special designation, and those that depict secondary sources are not.  Women of the Civil War Through Primary Sources is a part of the Through Primary Sources series.  It includes books on the Gettysburg Address, African American soldiers, and an overview of the war itself.    

Civil War                                                         --Carol Kennedy

Rodriguez, Beatrice The Chicken Thief

Rodriguez, Beatrice The Chicken Thief
Enchanted Lion Books 2010 unp 14.95
978-1-59270-092-9 elem Animal stories E-BNe
The sly fox has taken the chicken and the chase is on. Bear, Rabbit and Rooster give chase to save the chicken in this entertaining book without words. One beautiful morning as the animals are all waking up, Fox has his eye on chicken. While everyone is busy Fox grabs chicken and makes off with her. At the first yelp from chicken her friends give chase to catch Fox but he always seems to be one step ahead of everyone.
As you cheer the heroes on to catch the fox, you also note that the relationship between the Fox and the Chicken is changing. Then come the questions: Did the Fox steal the chicken? Why is the chicken playing chess with the Fox? Aren’t they enemies?
The ending is a real surprise and will have the kids guessing as to what happened. A visually beautiful and funny story made for small hands. The colors are bright and interesting.

The panoramic open style book is an invitation for kids to share the book with friends.
The animals are likable and funny and the story will verbally develop as the kids follow the book to the surprise conclusion. Diaz, Magna
Picture books - Books without words