Shopping Cart
Poop Is Power! Review - Book Links November 2017

Poop Is Power! Review - Book Links November 2017

Posted by Rourke Educational Media Admin on

The eye-catching tome entertainingly addresses how waste, human and otherwise, can be converted into energy. Though the tone is lighthearted and the gross-out factor is undeniable, the author keeps the focus on clearly articulated concepts. Thoughtful page design, comprehensive discussions, and fairly unusual activities encourage critical thinking. - Book Links, November 2017 VIEW NOW

Read more →
State Guides - School Library Journal Review November 2017

State Guides - School Library Journal Review November 2017

Posted by Rourke Educational Media Admin on

Red, white, and blue–themed guides for elementary schoolers curious about U.S. states. Each entry contains a photo and a short paragraph or two of general history. The photos are of high quality, but the information included is limited. For example, the entry for Nevada’s flag doesn’t explain its “Battle Born” motto. Historic Monuments is the most notable of the bunch for its coverage of a wide variety of landmarks that commemorate natural, Indigenous, and U.S. history. However, the text could be more specific in places; for instance, the entry for the Natchez National Historical Park only mentions “American Indians” instead...

Read more →
Make It! - School Library Journal Review November 2017

Make It! - School Library Journal Review November 2017

Posted by Rourke Educational Media Admin on

The projects in STEM activity books often function solely as concept demonstrations and do not result in durable, useful, or fun creations. By contrast, the five projects in each volume of this series are attractive (LEGO monogram in Craft and Design), handy (DIY touch screen gloves in Circuitry), or undeniably cool (an airboat in Moving Machines). Not incidentally, they provide visual and kinetic demonstrations of key scientific principles, demystifying everyday magic like touch screens, electricity, and motion. The concepts build in complexity along with the projects—simple assembly jobs using LEGO lead to 3-D printing projects in Craft and Design 3-D,...

Read more →
Craft It! - School Library Journal Review November 2017

Craft It! - School Library Journal Review November 2017

Posted by Rourke Educational Media Admin on

Little kids remain the most prolific makers of all. Without access to income or even allowance, and allowed a great deal of aesthetic leeway in their finished products, young kids need and want to make things to give to all of the great people in their lives. Using this series, they can decorate premade picture frames, shape and decorate salt dough, and learn how to stamp and glue their way into the hearts of family, friends, and teachers. Steps are numbered and formatted vertically so that they’ll be easy to follow. Most projects include a planning step—always a good habit....

Read more →
Ocean Animals - School Library Journal Review November 2017

Ocean Animals - School Library Journal Review November 2017

Posted by Rourke Educational Media Admin on

The focus of these sea creature profiles is on physical characteristics, with some data about behavior and life cycles. In Sea Horses, for example, readers learn how the animal’s tail, ridges, eyes, and pouch help it thrive. The progression of facts doesn’t always flow smoothly from one spread to the next, but the information is generally engaging. Photos are often quite effective. In Octopuses, for instance, images of suction cups and color changing are visually striking, though the depiction of the animal’s home is less successful. Of the four titles, Flying Fish is overly vague, lacking substantial information about habitat and...

Read more →

Newsletter Image

Stay in Touch!

Sign up to learn more about deals and new arrivals.