Our Great Rivers and Waterways

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Concise summaries presented in an attractive format. These simply written, broad surveys can satisfy general curiosity while stimulating further exploration. All have average-quality, full-color photographs, maps, and tinted sidebars of special interest. Great Rivers describes Eastern water routes, the Mississippi system and tributaries, Western rivers, and finally lakes of America, including their role in the westward expansion. National Capital is not as detailed as a tourist guide book, but it does fill in the background of the city. A special note details the contributions of Benjamin Banneker to the design of the city. Most of the important government buildings, historical monuments, and other attractions are mentioned, including the new Holocaust museum. There are many other books about Washington D.C. for children, but this is a handy, up-to-date introduction. The map of the district does not show some of the places mentioned, such as the zoo. National Parks introduces three parks in each of four areas of the country, offering a general idea of the wide variety of parks and their histories. A list of all U.S. national parks with location, date, size, and features are appended.-Sylvia S. Marantz, formerly with Worthington Schools, Columbus, OH