Inside Outside by Anne-Margot Ramstein and Matthias Arégui {Review & 2-Book Giveaway 2-Winners USA/CANADA}

Books without words can seem to be worthless because the whole issue of literacy is the ability to read and write WORDS. Since early man, the desire and skill to communicate has been expressed. First of all the spoken word was the means of communication and then forms of drawings to represent their lives. So the transition to the means to write and read words is an achievement of mankind that should be guarded and appreciated.

So why the "wordless books" or books without words in today's world?

The simple reason is that the author/artist is encouraging the young reader to approach these works as adventures in discovery by the attention to minute detail.  Now let's look at two books whose approach is the concept of wordless "reading."

Inside Outside by Anne-Margot Ramstein and Matthias Arégui

ISBN: 9781536205978
Hardcover $18.99
Preschool-Grade 3
Buy on Amazon

My thoughts:  I like the concept of having children take the time to peruse the entire image and find details. I also like the concept of this book that causes the child to explore relationships between the outside and the inside. Snowing or storming outside;  safe and dry inside. Unhatched duckling inside; mama duck with babies outside. Diggers above ground or outside; a man inside a crystal cave exploring.

The illustrations are bold with limited detail but enough to enable the child to observe and understand the difference between the inside on one page and the outside on the next.

I can see this book being used in a variety of ways. Young children will delight in finding the details and learning the concept of what happens inside and what happens outside. I can also see this being used to some degree in a Special Education class to help these older students with limited understanding grasp concepts that border on being abstract.

About the book: From the creators of Before After comes another striking book of opposites, this time exploring the concepts of within and without with bright, bold graphics.

Safe inside its shell, a baby bird prepares to brave the world. A spelunker descends into a wide and glittering cavern while fellow explorers cluster around a crack in the earth. Fire-red ants march busily around their anthill, oblivious of a hungry anteater waiting above. Smart and stylish, this oversize art book takes a unique approach to the concept of inside and outside, offering clever and unexpected examples that will delight readers and spark conversations about context and perspective. Inside Outside is sure to find a place in collections, on coffee tables, in classrooms, and anywhere curious minds can be found.

Before After by Matthias Arégui & illustrated by Anne-Margot Ramstein 

ISBN: 9780763676216
Preschool-Grade 3
Hardcover $19.99
Buy on Amazon

My thoughts: The author and illustrator have created a  fascinating piece that will definitely open wide the doors of contemplation and discussion as to what is first and what comes after. Or rather which comes first and which comes later. But then.... we begin and end with day or is it night we begin and end with....

The two-page spreads show simple before and after such as acorn and mighty oak, caterpillar and butterfly. The illustrations are both bold and subdued. The color pallet distinguished by distinctly bold colors as well as some soft pastels. The drawings which are digitally generated are clean, clear, and simplistic.

This is definitely a book that school classrooms and libraries of every ilk need to procure. There is so much to be contemplated and there are concepts to be discussed and explored. A definite winner.

About the book: Everyone knows that a tiny acorn into a mighty oak grows, and a caterpillar emerges into a butterfly. But in this book, it's also true that a cow can result in both a bottle of milk and a painting of a cow, and an ape in a jungle may become an urban King Kong. Just as day turns into night and back again, a many-tiered cake is both created and eaten down to a single piece. Each spread or sequence of spreads explores a before and after.

 ~+~ GIVEAWAY ~+~

2 Winners Each Receive Both Books

Begins April 14

Ends May 12 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA/CANADA

NO P.O. BOXES, Please

(Canadian winners: phone number is required)

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DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of both books from Candlewick Press to facilitate my review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winners' copies are provided and shipped directly to the winner by Candlewick Press.

How Things Work (National Geographic Kids) by T.J. Resler [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN-13: 978-1426325557

Age Range: 7 - 10 years

Grade Level: 2 - 5

About the book: Ever wanted to take apart the microwave to see how it works? Crack open your computer and peek inside? Intrigued by how things work? So are we! That's why we're dissecting all kinds of things from rubber erasers to tractor beams! Read along as National Geographic Kids unplugs, unravels, and reveals how things do what they do. Complete with "Tales from the Lab," true stories, biographies of real scientists and engineers, exciting diagrams and illustrations, accessible explanations, trivia, and fun features, this cool book explains it all!

My thoughts: This is a super book for kids. The sense of humor the author brings makes the reading fun while sharing educationally pertinent information about how specific things work in today's world. Bits of scientific history are thrown in making the journey toward achievement to market an item understandable.

The illustrations just pop out at the reader grabbing attention and pointing to exciting information. There is a plethora of things to explore the inner workings. It should be understood, though, that this is a children's book and the complexities of how things work is not the actual goal. It is general, and understandable to ages 7 to 10, amount of knowledge. It will, however, be good reading for older kids and adults as well.

A great addition to home, school, and public libraries and one not to be missed. We expect no less from a National Geographic Kids publication!

GIVEAWAY ~~ FLASH

Begins December 4

ENDS December 12 @ 12:01 a.m ET

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review of my opinions which are freely given, without compensation. The prize copy is sent to the winner by the publicist or publisher.

The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts by Maja Säfström

About the book: An artfully playful collection of unexpected and remarkable facts about animals, illustrated by Swedish artist Maja Säfström.

Did you know that an octopus has three hearts? Or that ostriches can't walk backward? These and many more fascinating and surprising facts about the animal kingdom (Bees never sleep! Starfish don't have brains!) are illustrated with whimsical detail in this charming collection.

My thoughts: When this little book arrived, I removed it from the shipping box which I disposed of and then immediately found a seat in my recliner to delve into the pages of this rather unique little book of black and white drawings and sparse text.

What a delight! What fun! And interesting wee bits of fact to tuck away knowing that you are probably the only one in your acquaintance that knows that little nugget.

I found the style of imparting facts interesting and entertaining. Just the right amount of quirky prose that educates and entertains populated generously with Maja Säfström's quirky black and white drawings that are on-spot like the critters and  yet fun to look at.

Who is it for? Well, it is not touted as for children ages this to that or grade whatever to grade whichever. It is simply ageless. Children will enjoy it and ponder it and laugh at it. Adults will enjoy it and ponder it and laugh at it. They'll all stuff wee bits of odd facts into their craniums waiting for that momentous trivia moment. So get one and share it and laugh and giggle and say "Wow!" a bit.

Stockholm-based Maja Säfström is a very gifted graphic designer and you can learn more about here by clicking here.  @MajasBok Instagram And more from Penguin Random House

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the Blogging For Books Review Program on behalf of the publisher and author. Opinions are my own and freely given.