Malaysia

School Library Journal

ea. vol: maps. photogs. reprods. chron. index. (Enchantment of the World Series). CIP. Childrens. 1988. PLB $15.95. Gr 4-8 Both books describe the country and people, giving information on history, government, economics, and travel. The emphasis is on describing the country, especially cities and resort areas, with brief information on government and economics. Both books are beautifully illustrated with color photographs and contain maps, fact summaries, and an index but no bibliography. Generally the information follows that found in an encyclopedia but with more detail. Carran gives a great deal of historical information about Romania and deals at length with the Ceausescu regime and what communism has meant to the economy of Romania. Interesting information is included on food and customs, such as a wedding. Malaysia is full of information about the country, but the writing is very awkward and confusing. Paragraphs are short and quite choppy, and at times do not provide complete information. For instance, when discussing education, Wright mentions the length the school year, but not the day, and mentions only one subject. Both Carran's and Wright's books are hindered by a lack of statistics or specialized maps such as those found in Peter Barker's Eastern Europe (Silver Burdett, 1979). Margaret C. Howell, West Springfield Elementary School, Fairfax County, Va.