Brown, James. A World of Information.

Brown, James. A World of Information. Candlewick Press   2017  63p $25.00  ISBN 978-0-7636-9348-0  all ages     Nonfiction  VG-BN        

This is an oversized collection of useful facts and trivia.  Each of thirty double-paged spreads presents a specific topic, including the anatomy of a bicycle, different types of knots, polygons, the Fibonacci Sequence, and musical notations, and the standardizations of paper sizes.  Each section is displayed in a monochromatic color scheme, with eye-catching graphics and photographs and fascinating facts.  The excellent page layout and choices of typefaces and colors enhance the offered information.  While the book presents, by necessity, a cursory overview of fascinating information, it is sure to whet the interest of its readers for more material. Highly recommended for all libraries.   

Information                                        --Susan Ogintz

Deering, Alison, & Bob Lentz. Sandwiches!

Deering, Alison, & Bob Lentz. Sandwiches!            Capstone Publishers  2017  144p.  $15.95   ISBN 978-1-62370-816-0          all ages   Nonfiction  VG      

This book includes “more than you ever wanted to know about making and eating America’s favorite food". It includes recipes, easy-to-follow directions, facts, trivia, and challenges, and allergy friendly substitutions along with local specialties.
    

After the informative text, the second-most important feature of this book is its visual appeal to readers.  The layout of the various pages is diverse and well-balanced between text and very descriptive, colorful illustrations. Cooking skill levels are grouped together so readers can successfully make a sandwich.  There are more than 50 recipes, five skill levels, and tons of tips and ideas.
The flow and balance of the text and visuals present a very stimulating book for both young and reluctant readers.

Warning! I do not recommend reading this book if you are considering a weight-reduction diet, even though it does provide dietary restrictions.  After gaining a few pounds, my favorite sandwich was the Chicken, Apple,and Brie combination.                              

Summary: This book includes “more than you ever wanted to know about making and eating America’s favorite food". It includes recipes, easy-to-follow directions, facts, trivia, and challenges, and allergy friendly substitutions along with local specialties.       

Cooking                                                                                 --Linda McNeil

Kenney, Sean Building Amazing Creations

Kenney, Sean Building Amazing Creations Macmillan/ Henry Holt         2017   382p   24.99  978-1-62779-018-5            all ages                       E-BN            

For any lover of LEGOs, Sean Kenney has chronicled his most amazing projects. Part biography, part an “I Spy” look at how LEGO pieces are repurposed in a creation, and an imagination kickstarter for Maker Spaces in schools. For all ages.      A coffee table book that is crammed with over 800 illustrations of Sean Kenney’s LEGO creations. Kenney is known for creating miniature and large scale LEGO animals, towns, buildings, flowers and portraits.  Kenney’s artistic efforts are on display around the world in corporate offices, public gardens, museums and art galleries. School librarians who are involved in Maker Spaces will undoubtedly know his “Cool” book series that show how to create LEGO projects. In the short text accompanying each creation, readers learn about his background of a college degree in computer science and how he became restive and pursued his passion of art by founding his own company to create LEGO sculptures. Text under illustrations encourages readers to look carefully at individual pieces that are used in creative ways such as a helmets for feet of robots or how to get a mirrored effect. Details from concept to finished creation include how projects are sketched, created, and shipped/installed provide insider knowledge that can kickstart readers to create their own unique LEGO creations. For any fan of LEGOs, for art students, for any person who appreciates intricacy of design. WOW, this book cannot be categorized as everyone, regardless of age, who opens it will be captivated by something.                            McNicol,Lois          Legos

Smith, Danna. The Hawk of the Castle: A Story of Medieval Falconry.

Smith, Danna. The Hawk of the Castle: A Story of Medieval Falconry. Candlewick Press      2017  35p   $16.99 Hardback   ISBN 978-0-7636-7992-7  all ages  Historical fiction  E-BN      

Readers will experience the art of falconry with a young girl and her father, the castle falconer, while they gain an understanding of the sport as well. The beautiful realistic illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline capture the quiet countryside and castle life of the Middle Ages.  The text supplies readers with the how, why, where, and when of falconry, a sport that has not really changed throughout the eras.  People in many areas today are interested in it. Bagram Ibatoulline’s illustrations realistically capture the quiet countryside and castle life of the Middle Ages.

This book would make a welcome addition to any secondary library that covers the Middle Ages.

Summary: Readers will experience the art of falconry with a young girl and her father, the castle falconer, while they gain an understanding of the sport as well. The beautiful realistic illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline capture the quiet countryside and castle life of the Middle Ages.

Falconry-Fiction, Middle Ages-Fiction                             --Linda McNeil

Jenkins, Steve. Animals By The Numbers.

Jenkins, Steve.  Animals By The Numbers.  Houghton Mifflin  2016  48p  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-544-63092-5         all ages  Nonfiction  E-BN              

This is a very detailed, easy-to-understand, and clearly organized book for any library that deals in any way with questions about animals. The book will entice any animal lover for hours. Researchers will be able to find some graphics to explain their reports.
Highly recommended for any age.     

Summary: A book of infographics, with facts, figures, and comparisons of animals displayed in colorful infographics to easily explain the data.           

Animals                                                                                                                       —Linda McNeil