I like how he lays out the story of what each child is doing when the tornado hits.  Then he delves into the chaotic world of the adults who are stumped on how to overcome the despair that comes with the responsibility of rebuilding a town which has seen disaster more than once.  As the adults are brainstorming ideas on how to go about financing the rebirth of their town and their personal lives…one adult has a crazy idea. 

       That idea just happens to be putting together a talent show.  When that crazy idea is compared to the other crazy idea…well, let’s just say that the crazy idea of a tallent show…suddenly becomes very popular.  Not only that, but kids become empowered and energized and so do the adults.  Everyone pitches in to make it a success.  Each child discovers things about themselves and their friends that they never knew.

        Of course, as the town gets behind the talent show and it’s efforts to raise money for the school library, that’s lost all of it’s books in the tornado, trouble brews behind the scenes.  Characters and personal integrity are revealed and friendships are strengthened and lost in the process.  What I like about Dan’s book is that if one pays attention; lessons on positive personal development can be put to good use.  Discovering our own strengths and weaknesses and learning how to encourage positive self- growth and diminish the negative qualities we possess, can be very enlightening. 

        If you want to learn more about the writer Dan Gutman or his books check out his website here:  http://www.dangutman.com .   This book, The Talent Show was published in 2010 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.   I would say that this book is ideal for kids 7-12 years old.

         There are chapters on Hiking, Camping, Wildlife, Mini-Wildlife, Plant Life, Exploring The Shore, and Night Life.  Each chapter has activities, helpful hints, photographs and exploratory ideas.  It is so interesting in fact that I do believe a child looking for something to do will find it between these pages and not even realize that they are learning valuable information! 

           While the book fosters the idea of exploring the world we live in it also instills practical and solid information about the proper ways to do so; keeping safety and conservation in mind.  I really like how the book teaches kids to practice independent outdoor skills but also, instills the wisdom of keeping adults involved and informed about the activities.

           This book is a few years old, it was published in 2003 by Lark Books, a division of Sterling Publishing Co, Inc.    It was written by Joe Rhatigan  and the  photographs were taken by John Widman.

      For those who have not performed in front of an audience…there are some helpful ideas on how to relax your audience and help them focus on what you want them to focus on and how to distract them from the things that you dont want them to notice while performing a trick.  For tricks that use slight of hand motions there are some behind the scenes suggestions that will keep the audience guessing about how the magician was able to perform such a neat trick.

       Kids will love this book so that they can amaze anyone by doing these tricks in front of them.  It will make them an instant hit with their peers when they know how the trick is done and their friends do not. 

         The author of the book is Joe Fullman, the editor is Amanda Askew, the designer is Jackie Palmer, the illustrator is Mark Turner for Beehive Illustrations.  The publisher is Steve Evans and the creative director is Zeta Davies.  The book was published by QEB Publishing, Inc in 2008.  Their website can be found here:  http://www.qeb-publishing.com

        This book shows the joy of teamwork, friendship, and artistry.  I think most young children will enjoy the storyline as well as the shiny mylar colors.  The great thing about this book is the design of it…as it is a sturdy board book that will stand the test of time and the wear and tear of excited young fingers who will eagerly turn the pages. 

        No this is not a “new” book…it was copyrighted in 2002 .  The author is Jill Turner and the illustrator is Peter Townsend.  Here is the website for the book.   sales@thebookcompany.com.au  The publisher is Glenn Johnstone

        The subject of wetlands is very important.  Most of the time when we hear about wetlands it is in regards to legal fights between business or homeowners who are in a fight with agencies set up to protect the wetlands.  It is important to find a balance between life choices and protecting the wetlands life cycles. 

         The wetlands are a part of our ecosystems that help to improve the quality of life for people, plants and animals.  There are three main types of wetlands…each has it’s own function.  There are marshes, swamps and peatlands.  Each of those have several types of varieties.  Take for example marshes…there are saltwater and freshwater.  Each of them provides different functions for plant and animal life.  Many plants are only found in wetlands; the same with animals.  The wetlands provide breeding grounds as well as, a perfect environment for raising their young.

        Humans have started to understand the impact of destroying wetlands.  In the past, it was not unheard of to divert the water from the wetlands; trying to reclaim more ground for building and planting on.  In doing that…many things were destroyed.    Wetlands help to prevent flooding.  Man was not meant to live in some of those areas, many in coastal regions…and infact, in recent years, flooding has taken a huge toil on city’s and populations that have built businesses and homes, in areas that were formerly wetlands and paid a very high price in doing so.

       Since the 1900′s about half of the world’s wetlands have vanished.  In the United States, we loose about 100,000 acres every year.  Some species of animals and plants only live in wetlands…so when we lose the wetlands, often we lose those plants and animals as well.  Wetlands also help to clean up water that we use for drinking…it filters it, naturally, for us.

         This book was published in 2008 by the Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.   You can go to this website to learn more:  www.powerkidslinks.com/whab/wetland/ .   The world around us is beautiful and useful.  This book helps to explain some of what we see around us and why it is there.  This book is for Juvenile readers.  It is hardcover and full of fun and important information.

           If the book was written for adults it would be a tourist guide written in small print with photographs and written descriptions of where to go, where to stay, and how much everything costs.  However, this is written for children; so it tells about things that interest them.

           There are sports, heros, dinosaur footprints, activity centers, famous food places, orchards, planetariums, bridges, lighthouses, animals, water parks, inventors, museums, festivals, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Bear caves, boats, trains, ferries and so very much more to explore. 

           No boring old pictures in this book…the whole book is illustrated and in a fun way…turn the book in different directions and you find something new to peak your interest.   The book was illustrated by Wendy Popko. Kids will love this book.  It is fun to discover new places and things to see in your own back yard. 

            Hidden Michigan was copyrighted in 2006; and was published by Mackinac Island Press, Inc.  Here is there website:  www.mackinacislandpress.com

       The book talks about safe ways of watching and observing butterflies so as not to harm them.  It also teaches about the environmental harm that butterflies suffer when people use pesticides.  I think that the book is well rounded and of interest to elementary and middle school children.  It is an early introduction into the study of nature and the effect that human beings have on nature by the choices that we make in our daily lives.

       The book encourages children to make butterfly gardens as a way to help butterflies survive by providing food and water for them to live.  It also gives them a safe place to watch and observe the life process of the butterfly population.  I liked this book on all levels.  It is small in size which is perfect for those in the younger bracket of readers.  It is only 48 pages, but it has alot of information.

       The book was written by Diane Bair and Pamela Wright.  It was copyrighted in 2000 and was published by Capstone Press.   You can visit them here:  http://www.capstone-press.com.  It is classified as Juvenile literature.   You can learn more about the North American Butterfly Association here at:  http://www.naba.org or about butterflies in general at:  http://www.butterflies.com.

         This book is one of those rare books that comes to life as you turn the pages.  The pages are filled with photographs of life that most of us will never see or experience.  It is vibrant with colorful plant life and animal life.

           Much of the rain forest is a mystery.  There is various life forms on the ground level, in the trees and on top of the trees or in the canopy.  There is the hairy pink toed tarantula, gorillas, anteater, flowers, beetles, river dolphins, parrots, tribal people, howler monkeys…and really, so much more.  You have to see this book.

           We get to see how Dr. Nalini as well as other scientists explore all levels of the rain forest.  Each page is filled with interesting facts about the plants, animals and trees.  As much fun as it is to see and read…Dr. Nalini makes sure that she tells us how important the rain forest is to people all over the world. 

          The rain forest is important to the stability of the world’s climate. Many of the plants in the forest canopy is being tested and researched for making medicines.  The book even touches on the people of the rain forest and how they live in a somewhat hostile environment.  The book has interesting pages and filmy see through pages which amazingly have different pictures on each side.

             It is a fun book to read and experience.  I think both boys and girls will enjoy this book and seeing a glimpse into a world that they often hear about on the news and in school. 

             Rain Forest is published by Kingfisher, a Houghton Mifflin Company.  It was copyrighted in 2006

       This book was written by Paul Zenon and it was published in 2008 by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.    Simple Sleight-Of-Hand is one of the books in a series of books on magic.   There are three other titles in the series, Gimmicks and Card Tricks (Illusions for Intermediate Magicians), Cool Card Tricks (Techniques for those Advanced Magicians), Magic of The Mind ( Tricks For The Master Magician).

       The book has word descriptions, hints and techniques as well as photo illustrations to help a student of magic learn both verbally and visually.  This book will teach simple “tricks” that will impress the young magician’s friends and family, with it’s “Wow, how did you do that; factor!” 

        The author has alot of television experience with his magic and has even had his own show.  There are loads of websites that are referred to in this book including:  http://www.magiccastle.com, http://www.magic.org, http://www.magictimes.com, http://www.magictricks.com, as well as the publishers referral link:  http://www.rosenlinks.com/am/ssha.  

        The photography in this book is outstanding.  First off, it starts off explaining cold light and the science behind it; such as, in every kid’s flashlight of choice….a glow stick like the kind used at halloween; or, glow in the dark jewelry for young ladies.   I always wondered what was in the center of those things that you had to snap to make them glow.  Wonder what common household ingredient it is?  You have to read the book to find out!

        Now the creatures in the book; some are underwater and some are creatures that scientist’s and doctors are using to advance medical treatments and discoverys.  Truly, the photography is amazing…underwater…black light…infrared pictures.  You have to see the jellyfish and the octopus that glow underwater.  It is an eye popping book.

        Another interesting section for any child who spent time outdoors chasing fireflies with a jar to capture that glow will want to read up on the firefly and the cold light abilities that they are born with. 

         This book was written by Anita Sitarski and you can tell that she is a lover of learning.  She teaches about all of the interesting things around us and what makes them special; both in nature and man made.   The book and is a very fun read.  

          The publisher of the book is Boyds Mills Press, copyright 2007; www.boydsmillspress.com.  The photographers and such are too numberous to mention but they all did an outstanding job.