Autumn (Get Set...Go!)

Ruth Thomson is an award-winning editor and writer of children's information books, specialising in literacy and art books. She lives in London.

Grade 4-6-- Seasonal craft ideas and activities are the highlights of these visually appealing, large-format books. The brief sections of text offer an assortment of seasonal topics with minimal details. Many words and concepts introduced lack contextual definitions, and glossaries are not included. In Autumn, the unexplained "deciduous" offers no clues as to differences in trees. The spreads on festivals focus on a few different religious observances of holidays that occur during the particular season. In Autumn, Judeo-Christian festivals are covered, but in Winter, Hanukkah is omitted. Whitlock's series on the seasons (Bookwright) is similar in format, but its scope encompasses many more winter-related topics and less crafts and activities. His presentation on holidays covers numerous festivals celebrated around the world . The subject of winter itself is covered sufficiently by Whitlock, while Thomson assumes preknowledge and opens the book with changes that occur in the fall. Whitlock's books also include glossaries. Both series provide numerous color photographs in overviews of the season. The craft projects and activities in Thomson's titles are enjoyable, easy to accomplish, and have accompanying photographs that are clear and instructive. --Ellen Dibner, East School, Long Beach, NY
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.