Children of Mexico

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3Good-quality, engaging photographs are the strong points of these series entries. Unfortunately, the positive feelings that the texts attempt to engender are hampered by the fact that interesting bits of information are interspersed with didactic messages and observations that are rather judgmental and ethnocentric. For instance, in discussing aboriginal petroglyphs, Bickman asks, ``Don't you think a huge rock makes a funny history book?'' Other statements simplify concepts to the point of inaccuracy. In addition, instead of being organized into paragraphs, the simple, declarative sentences are laid out awkwardly in lists. The maps that begin each title have insufficient context for youngsters to ascertain where the nation is positioned in relation to other land masses or bodies of water. A country such as Russia or Mexico floating independently on the page emphasizes its shape, but gives no information as to its relative location. A better choice for this age group would be the ``Count Your Way Through'' series (Carolrhoda) or the ``Take a Trip To'' series (Watts).Melissa Gross, Beverly Hills Public Library, La Canada, CA