Archives for December, 2010
Posted by As you may have noticed, we’re experiencing some difficulties with our poll on the DogEared finalist page. We are working to fix the issue this afternoon. Please visit the finalist page this evening to vote, and thanks for your patience!
-DogEared
Posted by BOOK NAME: Mamba Point
AUTHOR: Kurtis Scaletta
If you don’t like snakes, it’s time to get over your fears because this is an amazing book! This is the second time I’ve reviewed a book that takes place in Africa and the contrast is intriguing. Reading a story such as Mamba Point provides us with an easy journey and chance to escape.
Linus’ family must move from the USA to Africa because his dad got a job there. Getting used to life in Africa comes with many challenges. One of them is getting used to the big black snakes in the area called mambas. They are one of the most dangerous snakes in Africa. When being in a new country gets overwhelming, Linus loves to draw and he secretly brings a mamba to his apartment when no one is home and he sketches the snake! But even though much joy comes to him through the snake, some near disasters take place that change Linus forever.
I think this book really ties together animals and humans in a different way than usually thought. I find this book quite different because it is a new experience for both the snake and Linus. I bet everyone would love this book, especially animal lovers. But Mamba Point is more than just a story about a bond between a boy and his snake. It’s about having a chance to reinvent yourself that many of us can only dream about.
This book will enchant and delight you as you journey with Linus to Africa. Together you and he will learn about African culture, snakes, friendship, and most importantly, truths about themselves. By the way, my mom still isn’t convinced that a snake makes a good pet!
Posted by The 2011 Hands-On Explorer Contest is now closed. No new entries will
be accepted by the judges. It’s time to wait to find out who won!
The ten finalists of the 2010 DogEared Blogger contest have been chosen! Click here to read the reviews and vote for your favorite. Cast your vote in the poll on the right side of the review page.
Voting ends on December 10, so be sure to come back once a day and vote for your favorite review! Tell all your friends to help vote. The three reviewers that receive the most votes will become our new DogEared Bloggers!
Posted by BOOK NAME: National Geographic Kids Almanac 2011
AUTHOR: National Geographic
Hey guys! Nice to see you again. I hope you enjoy my review on the National Geographic Kids Almanac 2011. This book has some of the most amazing pictures ever, and great details.
You can read about all sorts of different animals…from polar bears to green sea turtles and everything in between. There’s information about endangered species and some of the most awkward animals I’ve ever seen. For example, the horse-zebra named Eclyse. It’s solid white in the middle and on the legs. But on the head and near the butt it’s brown with black stripes. You can find a section about albino animals…which are white animals with red eyes-there’s a picture of an albino alligator, and a wallaby.
They have a section on Going Green-by helping the environment. For example, the book has information on conserving electricity and planting trees which gives us more oxygen.
At the end, you can read about future possibilities like a 3D magazine, a hotel in space, and robots.
The other chapters include Your World 2011, Super Science, Geography Rocks, History Happens, Culture Connection, Awesome Adventure, and Wonders of Nature.
There’s no sports section, which disappoints me a little bit. I liked the animal pictures the most, and I would definitely recommend this book.
Posted by Baby animals are always adorable, but this fluffy young cub at Denmark’s Aalborg Zoo also has an adventurous side. The zoo has released pictures of the three-month-old Siberian tiger cub exploring her new surroundings.
Siberian tigers are the biggest cats in the world. They are an endangered species, with only 400-500 animals living out of captivity.
You can see more pictures of the baby tiger and other baby animals on the Zooborns website.
Get the facts on tigers in the Creature Feature.
Find out more about the Big Cats Initiative.
(AD) Zooborns also published a book of the new animals born at the world’s zoos. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums gets 10% of each book sale!
Photograph courtesy of Tambako
BOOK NAME: The Mother-Daughter Book Club
AUTHOR: Heather Vogel Frederick
December’s book is The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick. It’s the story of four sixth-grade girls who join a book club with their moms. Thanks for suggesting this book, Learn more about this month’s book on the Book of the Month page.
Look for a copy of the book in the local library, or ask your parents to help order it online. We will read the first three chapters of the story for our meeting on Wednesday, December 8. See everyone there!
-DogEared
