Our Presidents Rock! / Weird & Wonderful Creations

Title: OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK!

Author: Juliette Turner

Publisher: Zonderkidz

September 2014

ISBN:  978-0310730958

Genre: Nonfiction / History / United States

Did You Know …

John Quincy Adams owned a pet alligator?

Ulysses S. Grant received a ticket for riding his horse too fast down the streets of Washington, D.C.?

Gerald R. Ford briefly worked as a fashion model?

You are invited on a totally unique journey through presidential history with Juliette Turner, the National Youth Director of Constituting America. Through fun cartoons, quotes, great graphics, and Juliette’s quirky sense of humor, you’ll discover tons of fun new facts about the presidents of the United States and the role of the executive branch. These aren’t just a bunch of old men in suits! Many of them were ordinary people like you who overcame trials in order to become America’s leader, and all of them entered the political arena with the goal of protecting the country they loved. Written for kids by a kid, Juliette’s passion and excitement breathes new life into American history and the role of one of the most powerful positions in the world.

OUR PRESIDENTS ROCK! is a wonderful history book about our presidents. It includes terms in office, nicknames, fast facts, what he stood for and what he accomplished. It also includes his daily schedule, his history (before presidency), his personality, a timeline, top news events and much more. We enjoyed working through it as part of our homeschooling and learning about our presidents, but it is also excellent for Christian schools, libraries, and anyone interested in presidential history. Highly recommended. Written by a kid for kids, for ages 8 – 12 but perfect for any age. Available in paperback. 320 pages. 

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Title: WEIRD & WONDERFUL CREATIONS: Made by God: 4 books in one

Editor: Mary Hassinger

Publisher: Zonderkidz

October 2014

ISBN:    978-0-310-73124-5

Genre: Nonfiction / early readers

Weird and Wonderful Creations is a bind up of the nonfiction Made By God series. With photos and facts showing children the wonders of God’s creation, this collection includes four complete early reader titles as well as over 200 additional facts throughout the book. Some of the creatures featured include whales, tarantulas, bats, sea turtles, and more. All facts align with the Common Core Standards for informational reading for young readers.

Weird and Wonderful Creations includes:

·             Spiders, Snakes, Bees and Bats

·             Big Bugs, Little Bugs

·             Sea Creatures

·             Poisonous, Smelly, and Amazing Plants

My thoughts:  Filled with interesting facts about God’s unusual handiwork, the book contains lots of vague information about each creature. It is great for young children,

For older kids, I would’ve liked to have seen more information or to have the four individual books expanded so they could. Like seahorses, there are over six hundred kinds, but the pictures shown aren’t labeled what kind they are. They are just seahorses, That would’ve been interesting to know what kinds were pictured.

For children who are interested in WEIRD AND WONDERFUL CREATIONS God made, this would be a great book, for a gift, for homeschooling (toddlers, preschoolers or beginning elementary).

128 pages. Available in hardcover. Ages 4 - 8