What's So Great About...?
Book Reviews
Lane Education Service, January 2008
On Francis Scott Key
This title is an addition to the Robbie Reader/What’s So Great About...? series of biographies of historical figures. In this book we learn about F. S. Key, most well-known as the author of “The Star Spangled Banner.” His life is chronicled from his years as “young Frankie” to his last years as district attorney of Washington, D. C. Written in simple, chapter format, also included are several historical photos and maps which aid in the understanding of the subject. The back matter is very useful and includes a great “Timeline in History.” One possible drawback to this book would be the price. I recommend it as a good all around title.
Lane Education Service, January 2008
On Ferdinand Magellan
Having written and edited over two hundred books, Jim Whiting briefly but skillfully retells the story of Ferdinand Magellan and his seafaring adventures. Born in Portugal in 1480, Magellan spent much of his life traveling on the sea. At that time, Arabia was becoming wealthy by selling spices at a high price to Europeans. Magellan wanted to find a new way for his country to get spices, but the king of Portugal treated Magellan badly and soon Magellan became friends with the king of Spain who gladly financed the expenses towards finding a shortcut passage to the Spice Islands of the Philippines. This 32 page book is one of a series of biography books. With a sturdy hardcover binding, his book is set with large-print type and includes illustrations and diagrams on nearly every page as well as a timeline and glossary. The information is condensed and the writing style is suitable for younger grade levels primarily because of the use of short sentences and simple words. Any words that may need any explanation have been printed in bold and are pronounced and defined in the glossary. This history book of condensed facts should have an equally condensed audience of a third to fifth grade level. Ferdinand Magellan is like an informational picture book. Ferdinand Magellan is a very good choice for grade school readers studying Magellan, Portuguese and Spanish history or trade ship history, but is possibly a bit too simplistic for a middle school reading level.
School Library Journal, January 2007
On Sam Houston, Annie Oakley, and Robert Fulton
These easy-to-read titles provide basic introductions to key American figures. Sporting a large font, plenty of white space, and boldface glossary words, they will fill a need for collections in which beginning-reader biographies are popular. Each title includes colorful maps that help readers place the action. The accompanying reproductions, illustrations, and photographs do a good job of highlighting the texts. The books are straightforward, well-organized, positive explorations of their subjects.
School Library Journal, November 2006
On Francis Scott Key and Henry Hudson
Brief but serviceable introductions to notable figures in American history. Kjelle recounts the story of the U.S. national anthem's composition and then details Key's life from childhood through his civic offices and death. It's a worthwhile alternative to Steven Kroll's embellished narrative in By the Dawn's Early Light (Scholastic, 2000). Smalley relates Hudson's four unsuccessful voyages in search of a northern passage to Asia, culminating in abadonment by his crew. Hallmarks of the series are highlighted vocabulary, glossaries, time lines, bibliographies, and indexes. Illustrations are credited and captioned...With the demand for easy-reader biographies, these titles should find use in most collections.
Children's Bookwatch, October 2006
On Annie Oakley, Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Ferdinand Magellan, Francis Scott Key, Henry Hudson, Jacques Cartier, Johnny Appleseed, Robert Fulton, and Sam Huston
A new "Robbie Reader" series from Mitchell Lane Publishers, 'What's So Great About...?' is comprised of ten 32-page biographies especially designed, written and illustrated for young readers in grades one through four. Enhanced for school and community libraries collections with full-color laminated covers, reinforced library bindings, color photography, a chronology, a bibliography for further reading, thematically appropriate web addresses, a glossary, and an index, the individual titles shocase the lives of Annie Oakley, Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Ferdinand Magellan, Francis Scott Key, Henry Hudson, Jacques Cartier, Johnny Appleseed, Robert Fulton, and Sam Huston. Although the superbly crafted introductory biographies highlight the life and accomplishments of outstanding figures in history are available individually for $16.95 each, school and community libraries would be very well advised to acquire the complete ten volume set for their young students and patrons.
