No name

Science 4 for Young Catholics

Book cover: 'Science 4 for Young Catholics'
Author(s): 
Dr. Gregory Townsend
Number of pages: 
250 pages
Copyright: 
2015
ISBN: 
9781607040903
Publisher: 
Seton Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Sample Pages
Subject(s): 
Science
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Resource Type: 
Text
Review: 

This 4th grade science textbook is nicely laid out and easy to use. Each chapter begins with a brief biography of a famous Catholic scientist, like Copernicus, Mendel and Pasteur, followed by four literal comprehension questions. The goals of the chapter and an outline are also provided at the beginning of each chapter. Interspersed among the text of the chapters are experiments, activities, and review questions. There are also review study pages at the end of the chapter.

Since it is a Catholic text, the author inserts things to think about which are distinctly Christian. For example, in the chapter about plants, the text offers an explanation of the plant dying to release a seed. There is a picture of a Crucifix on the page and an accompanying caption explains, " . . .a flower dying to produce a seed reminds us of how Jesus suffered and died in order that we might have new life."

The topics covered in this course are The Heavens; The Earth, Moon and Space; Oceans, Weather and Climate; Water and Material Things; Machines; Living Things; The Wonder of Man; and Health. Many states require a health component and this last chapter handily takes care of that requirement.

The topics are arranged in the order of creation, which is great for religion, but not necessarily good for the study of science. If done that way, the student starts with things which are least known to him (the heavens), instead of those things which are most known. However, most secular science texts also start with things least known, like cells. A significant drawback to the text is that there are few if any true "thinking" questions. The questions for review are all explicitly literal comprehension. Even the experiments and activities do not ask the student to reflect about what he has observed or to draw conclusions. That seems to leave out a very important element in the study of science.

If supplemented with discussion and hands on activities, this could be a useful text because of the information it provides. The chapters do not rely or build upon one another, so you could teach the topics in any order you choose.

The 2012 and later editions feature updated and improved full-color illustrations as well as a new glossary and index. With the first edition (from 1999), some of our reviewers had concerns about some "cheesy" illustrations (such as a cartoonish picture of a sun with sunglasses in the astronomy section). We are happy to update our review to reflect that this is no longer an issue.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Margot Davidson
First reviewed: 
09/26/2001

See How I Grow

Book cover: See How I Grow
Author(s): 
Angela Wilkes
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1994
ISBN: 
9781564584649
Publisher: 
Dorling Kindersley
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
The Human Body
Grade / Age level: 
Preschool
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 

This well-worn book has been kicked-around, chewed on and well-loved by my young children since my second oldest received it for Christmas just before the birth of his new baby sister (he was two at the time). The book is a photo-story of the author's daughter as she grows from a new baby to an active toddler. Each two-page shows a number of pictures of the baby doing whatever she does best at that given age. It's a very simple idea, although with my adult fussiness I would only complain that the pages are a bit busy and I sometimes wonder if my very young children understand that all the pictures are of the same baby.

While not a board book, the pages are extra thick and have held up pretty well considering the wear-and-tear in our household. In fact the only major damage so far is that the front and back end-pages have been torn-off (which happily did not damage the actual text of the book). This is really a pre-preschool book (Ages 1 - 4).

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
3/17/01

Sense and Sensibility

Book cover: 'Sense and Sensibility'
Copyright: 
1995
Publisher: 
Columbia Pictures
Subject(s): 
Fiction
Grade / Age level: 
All ages
Resource Type: 
Videos
Review: 
Adapted from the novel by Jane Austen

Though more serious in nature than Emma, Sense and Sensibility portrays life in a more beautiful, if not always more fair, time. Three sisters and their mother are being turned out of their family estate upon their father's death because of the laws of succession to their half-brother, whose scheming wife prevents him from helping them out financially. After they move to a small cottage in the country, the family find friends and happiness in unexpected places.

Quibble:

There are a few very small parts that might be troubling to children (e.g. a blood-letting scene when one of the characters is sick), but it is otherwise suitable for family viewing.

Additional notes: 

PG, 136 min, Color

Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
6-24-03

Sewing with Saint Anne

A Sewing Book for Catholic Girls
Book cover: 'Sewing with Saint Anne: A Sewing Book for Catholic Girls'
Author(s): 
Alice M. Cantrell
Number of pages: 
110 pages
Copyright: 
2002
ISBN: 
9780976469124
Publisher: 
Catholic Heritage Curricula
Binding: 
Spiralbound
Subject(s): 
Sewing
Review: 

Today's young women can benefit in many ways from the lessons learned whilst sewing. Among them are the genuine self-esteem gained by completing a challenging task, patience both with oneself and with the project at hand, and quiet perseverance with a task that takes longer than expected. Sewing with Saint Anne is a delightful book that organizes and simplifies the steps needed to learn how to sew. The majority of the projects would appeal to a young lady from about age six onward if she had help, or from about age ten with just a little help. Many happy, productive hours can be spent by a mother and her daughter(s) or a group of young ladies and their teacher learning this useful, lifelong skill.

Sewing with Saint Anne is divided into three main sections: the lessons, Homemaking Projects, and Gift Projects. The lessons and projects are intermixed with interesting historical notes and quaint illustrations. There are twelve lessons that will be repeated any number of times as various projects are completed. The lessons begin with the basics of threading a needle and sewing a seam, continue with basting and hemming, and finish with the more difficult skills of gathering and embroidery. All but one of the lessons can be completed without the use of a sewing machine, although one may certainly be used; the final lesson is about sewing machines.

The sixteen projects are grouped into Homemaking Projects and Gift Projects, and patterns are included for each one. Permission is granted to photocopy the patterns for the purchaser's family only. Homemaking Projects are at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels and include a pincushion, a hand towel, a napkin, an altar cloth, and a lap quilt among others. Gift Projects are either for beginning or intermediate students; these include a hair scrunchie, a baby bib, a gift bag, and four others. Instructions for each project are clear and easy to follow with step-by-step guidance and profuse, uncluttered hand-drawn illustrations.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

This book was donated for review by Catholic Heritage Curricula

Reviewed by: 
Susan Kalis
First reviewed: 
8-2-04

Shadow Hawk

Book cover: 'Shadow Hawk'
Author(s): 
Andre Norton
Number of pages: 
246 pages
Copyright: 
1960
Publisher: 
Bethlehem Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Historical Fiction
Setting: 
Ancient Egypt
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 6-8
High School
Review: 
Set in approximately 1590 B.C. in Ancient Egypt and Nubia, this historical novel tells of Rahotep, an Egyptian nobleman who commands a small but capable force of Nubian archers. He and his archers offer their services to the Pharaoh Sekenenre, who wishes to finally throw off the rule of the Hyksos invaders and restore Egypt to its former glory. The young and sometimes rash Rahotep finds himself in the middle of a complex web of traditional court protocol, scheming temple priests and treacherous plots to take the life of the Pharaoh. He is finally caught in the web himself, falsely accused of an attack on the Pharoah's life. Escaping, he must choose between rescuing the Pharaoh from another plot and proving his innocence or simply making his escape to safety elsewhere - having a strong excuse after the false accusations. He chooses to help the Pharaoh and becomes involved in several impressive battles with the goal of an all-important first great victory against the Hyksos - necessary to rally Egypt's confidence and support.

This dramatic story makes you feel like you've been dropped right into Ancient Egypt to experience life among soldiers and courtiers in dangerous times. The plot rivals the great adventure novels - secret plots overheard, dangerous undercover missions, daring military campaigns - and offers more besides. The characters are well-portrayed, not overly-simplified or stereotyped. The noble characters fight with courage and honor, and the author shows death and killing as an unfortunate consequence of a just war, not something to be gloried in or dwelt upon in a crude fashion (a remarkable departure from so many books and movies made today).The treacherous plottings in the court and the temples vividly and accurately portray those insidious evils that mix truth and lie into a complex deception. This sort of literature helps children to develop a strong moral sense of right and wrong and the intellectual skills necessary to distinguish the two. Suitable for upper grade school or high school.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
4-13-02

Shakespeare for Kids

His Life and Times
Book cover
Author(s): 
Colleen Aagesen
Margie Blumberg
Number of pages: 
149 pages
Copyright: 
1999
Publisher: 
Chicago Review Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Literature
Setting: 
England
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Review: 
Additional notes: 

This book was donated for review by Chicago Review Press.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
11-30-04

Sharks

Book cover: Sharks
Author(s): 
Seymour Simon
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1995
ISBN: 
9780060230296
Publisher: 
Harper Collins
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Fish
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Review: 

Seymour Simon is well-known for his numerous photo-essay-type of picture books for elementary-aged students. Most of his books center around one specific well-defined topic and are illustrated with full-page photographs of the subject. This book is no exception. Sharks is an unpaginated, 32-page picture book, with approximately half of those pages containing full-color photographs of sharks.

The text begins by reassuring the young reader that shark attacks on humans are relatively uncommon and continues with a comparison between sharks and other types of fish. Several pages describe the characteristics of different kinds of sharks, leaving the reader with a sense of how varied these fish truly are. There are also two pages that describe the different types of shark reproduction; for my young non-readers, I skipped the paragraphs that described "external fertilization" and "internal fertilization". The book closes by reminding the children that sharks do not attack people very often, despite what they may have heard, and gives several suggestions for staying safe whilst swimming.

As usual for Seymour Simon's books, the photographs are of high quality and are truly the highlight of the book. Two of the photographs show the teeth and jaws of sharks up close, and my sensitive 5-year-old was horrified. Even so, my 3-year-old was fascinated. One photograph shows the birth of a lemon shark, which is born live as are human babies; my little readers didn't understand this and breezed right by it. The most popular picture of all was that of a hammerhead shark. The children were incredulous that any living creature could look so odd. Weeks later, they still talk about the hammerhead and are anxious to see one at an aquarium.

Reviewed by: 
Susan Kalis
First reviewed: 
4-18-01

Shh! We're Writing the Constitution

Book cover: Shh! We're Writing the Constitution
Author(s): 
Jean Fritz
Illustrator(s): 
Tomie dePaola
Number of pages: 
64 pages
Copyright: 
1987
ISBN: 
9780698116245
Publisher: 
Paperstar/ Penguin Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
History
Setting: 
American Revolution Era
United States
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Review: 

A surprisingly in-depth account of the characters involved in the writing of the United States' Constitution and many of the fascinating details of life at that time, the struggles involved in such a monumental task, and the somewhat humorous attitudes and actions of our Founding Fathers. Approximately 4th grade reading level, but could be read aloud to younger children (and would be informative for older ones as well).

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
9-13-2000

Show, Don't Tell!

Secrets of Writing
Author(s): 
Josephine Nobisso
Illustrator(s): 
Eva Montanari
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
2004
Publisher: 
Gingerbread House
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Review: 
Show Don’t Tell! Secrets of Writing by Josephine Nobisso About 25 years ago, I attended a workshop for teaching writing in which the presenter talked about writing that "shows" as opposed to writing that merely "tells." As she described her method, I thought it was astounding and could quite possibly revolutionize the writing of my students. When I tried to teach it to middle school students, though, I had to break it down into components: What exactly is “showing” writing? How I wish I had had Nobisso’s book at that time. She breaks it down and makes it highly entertaining. She begins by making the case for writing that shows. It requires specific nouns, clarifying adjectives, and action verbs with their modifiers. However Show Don’t Tell only deals with the nouns and adjectives. (A sequel dealing with verbs and adverbs is promised.) A lion who is a writer does the narration, and he is instructing the other animals on how to make their writing more engaging. He says that merely adding adjectives to a noun doesn’t cut it, and adjectives should never end a sentence (as in, She is pretty) because that would only tell the reader something, not show it. The lion leads the other animals on a lesson in finding the noun that is “just right” to show the reader the ideas he has in his imagination, and then adding adjectives only if it helps to clarify the sentence. After the instruction, the lion asks the animals to do an exercise in which they feel, smell, and hear something and have to write about it. Your students can do this exercise as well since a little mesh patch, a scratch-and-sniff strip, and a push-button noisemaker are included in the book. Having the exercises makes the book so much more valuable and makes Nobisso’s point—children can write in a way that engages the reader’s imagination. My favorite line in the book is this: “One of the secrets of good writing lies in being not fancy, but honest.” The illustrations are fantastic (oh dear, I ended my sentence with an adjective! I’m not showing it to you very well.). The text font and size for this book vary by who is speaking and is not printed conventionally on the page. Your kids will love looking at it, though some might be bothered by having to figure out who is talking or where the lion’s narration comes back in. And, even though it looks like a picture book, I think a middle- or high-school student could read it and get something out of it. You would need to read it aloud to younger children, sitting right next to them so they can see the varied text and discuss who is talking. And then, revisit it often as you practice writing that shows.
Reviewed by: 
Margot Davidson
First reviewed: 
5-7-2010

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