Castles

School Library Journal

Gr 2-5-Two entries in a series that takes a multidisciplinary approach to popular topics. Each short book includes history, art, crafts projects, a recipe, and a list of important words to locate in the text. While examples are given from around the world and across time, Castles focuses primarily on medieval matters and Pyramids on ancient Egypt. The colorful and dynamic page layouts, featuring abundant photographs and drawings, are likely to appeal to young explorers. However, readers will be disappointed to find that several of the generic elements promised on the front and back covers are missing. For example, there are no science experiments in Castles nor is there any mention of music in Pyramids. Boring math puzzles, tenuous justifications for the inclusion of specific crafts, and science projects that don't explain their basis or significance in Pyramids are further concerns. Stick with Avery Hart and Paul Mantell's Pyramids! (1997) and Knights & Castles (1998, both Williamson).-Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.