The Ultimate Homeschool Physical Education Game Book
by GuyBailey, Educator’s Press
$19.95, 190 pages
Okay, tell me you remember all the rules and details about games like “Four-Square”, “Red Light”, “Tetherball”, ?Kick-Ball? or sixteen variations of Tag and I’ll tell you to get this book anyway because it’s packed with new ideas and fun P.E. games for one, two, three, four or a small group of children (and adults). Plus, it includes rules and details for all the old favorites. There’s a nice introduction which explains why physcial education is important and especially how games work to increase fitness levels while building confidence, self-esteem, team work and good old fashioned family relationships. I highly recommend this book because it’s easy to use and understand, has clear explanations and diagrams and it covers a much needed area in homeschooling.
~ Jane Boswell

AMERICAN GRUB: Eats for Kids from All Fifty States
by Lynn Kuntz and Jan Fleming (Gibbs Smith, Publisher; $7.95 - paper - 80 pages)

The perfect recipe for teaching history and cooking basics to kids is this: pair delicious, easy-to-make dishes with a sprinkle of state history and you have American Grub – a fun, informative guide to all fifty states through fifty simple, yet enticing, recipes that are easy for kids to follow and fun enough to encourage a little learning too.

Complete with easy-to-understand general cooking instructions and plenty of safety guidelines, American Grub guarantees hours of fun in the kitchen for kids of all ages. The fifty individual recipes are prefaced with interesting facts about each state: The New Mexico "Buenos Dias Tortillas" recipe retells the famous legend of the Seven Cities of Gold and the Missouri "Show Me Cream ‘n’ Cone" reveals the origins of ice cream. Without even realizing it, kids learn the basics of United States history, geography, and food traditions while they measure, mix, and bake.

With a variety of tasty recipes for appetizers, desserts, and entrees, budding child chefs can plan any number of healthy, balanced meals for themselves and their families. For breakfast try the South Dakota "Flappin’ Jacks" and a Rhode Island "Little Rhody Fried Egg-in-a-hole." Dinner calls for some Louisiana "Down on the Bayou Gumbo" with Kentucky’s "Finger Lickin’ Chicken" and a slice of Mississippi "Mud Pie" for desert!

THE World Beneath Our Feet
by James Nardi, Oxford University Press, 215 pages

The publisher describes this hardcover edition: “This colorful book for young adults profiles the uncommon world of the common soil and more than 100 creatures who live in it.

Dr. Nardi (Once Upon a Tree, Close Encounters with Insects and Spiders) explores a secret world teeming with life, from the smallest of bacteria to the biggest groundhogs. THE WORLD BENEATH OUR FEET introduces students to the thriving ecosystem that recycles and renews
the raw material of life.”

When I received this book for review, I was impressed with the illustrations and the photos on every page. Although the text is suitable for older readers, the book will be interesting to any child who enjoys exploring his or her own backyard, catching insects, digging in the dirt, watching chipmunks and comes to you with an endless stream of questions about new discoveriens. We plan to use this often with our young grandsons.

This book will be used for many years and is, like all of Oxford University Press’ publications, quality-bound, scholarly, AND readable.
~ Jane Boswell


Candlewick Press New Picture Book Titles
I am most fond of children’s picture books which feature children as the main characters. I also appreciate lovely artwork - as do children, of course. Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA) has three new delightful titles: A Long Way by Katherine Ayres, illustrated by Tricia Tusa, Annie Rose is My Little Sister, written and illustrated by Shirley Hughes and My Grandma is Coming to Town written by Anna Grossnickle Hines and illustrated by Melissa Street. Candlewick Press offers hundreds of titles for all ages at their web site: http://www.candlewick.com.

My Grandma Is Coming to Town by Anna Grossnickle Hines and illustrated by Melissa Street, might help young children know that it is okay to feel shy - even with a well-loved grandma. Many children will relate to the long-distance relationship that Albert shares with his grandmother. It seems so easy to talk to her on the phone regularly - and exchange gifts and pictures. But suddenly, meeting his special friend is like facing a stranger. When Grandma finally arrives for an exciting and long-anticipated visit, Albert is shy. He overcomes his timidity with a little humorous, loving and gentle help. (Hardcover)

Annie Rose is My Little Sister by Shirley Hughes
Children and parents everywhere know the pleasures and torments of siblings. Annie Rose and her big brother play lots of games together. Of course, there are some things Annie Rose is too little to do and evern some things her big brother would rather do without her. But if Annie Rose is ever sad or angry, there is only one person who can make her feel better... (from inside the book’s jacket)
Beautifully detailed paintings bring the intriguing world of young children alive. (Hardcover)

A Long Way by Katherine Ayres

Children can travel to another galaxy in a big packing box! A Long Way uses few words. The ink and watercolor illustrations narrate the story. A little girl delivers a gift to grandma - in an especially creative way... by “car”, “boat”, ?air? and ?subway?. A trip that’s really only takes a hop, skip and a jump turns into an adventure of the imagination. (Hardcover)