Review by Booklist Review
The ABC format is perhaps not the best way to introduce countries to young students. Other than a brief overview, this volume in the Country ABCs series offers little or no context. For instance, A is accompanied by a short paragraph naming popular art forms, but just lacquer art is explained. Only W is for war gets into the particulars of the Vietnam War. Despite the random nature of the information, there's a lot of it. The illustrations, watercolors and gouache on textured paper, have the look of Asian art. Useful appended material includes facts in brief, a glossary, and a few Web sites and books. --Ilene Cooper Copyright 2007 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5-These well-researched, alphabetical introductions offer something meaningful and informative for every letter. A brief introduction places the country on the map, clearly stating its continent and showing its neighbors. Each page includes one letter, a few explanatory sentences, and, often, a related one-sentence "fast fact." The terms applied to the alphabet do not feel contrived, and they highlight a significant part of the country's culture. For example, "Q" in Venezuela is for queso blanco (phonetic pronunciation included), a cheese that does not melt when heated. The always-challenging letter "X" in Vietnam stands for xich lo, "a carriage ride by bike." The most captivating illustrations are seen in the expressive folk-art style of Venezuela's acrylic paintings. The art in Costa Rica also features acrylics, but in a less-engaging, realistic style. The pictures in Brazil are a bit cartoonlike and digital. The watercolor and gouache, realistic art makes Vietnam visually appealing. Back matter includes a list of encyclopedic facts (major industries, holidays, population, etc.), a useful glossary, a handful of basic words and their translations, and the FactHound link. Useful purchases with genuinely interesting facts in clear prose and colorful illustrations.-Julie R. Ranelli, Kent Island Branch Library, Stevensville, MD (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
