other innocent aquatic animals. Noting that this practice has a negligible ef- fect on beach safety, the film exam- ines possible economic and political motivations for the shark cull. In the classroom, the film can be used to promote discussion about the impact science, media, and politics have on environmental decision making. Due to some graphic images of the shark cull, it is probably best suited for high school students. – (EB)


Green Planet Films, 2014, (DVD), 50min, US $149 (colleges/universities) or $39 (K- 12), from <greenplanetfilms.org>


Solar-Powered Showdown Have you ever wanted to explore solar- powered gadgets with your class, but weren’t sure where to start? Picking up Nick and Tesla’s Solar-Powered Showdown should motivate students to get building. The book, by “Science


Bob” Pflug- felder and Steve Hockensmith, follows siblings Nick and Tesla as they use their ingenuity and scientific know- how to find and rescue their miss-


ing parents. The twins use a variety of solar powered gadgets (including a long-range rover, a spy birdhouse, and even a “guaranteed-not-to-explode- frankfurter heater-upper”) to outsmart the villains. Detailed instructions for building these devices are provided throughout the book, allowing stu- dents to get involved in the action. The book’s humour should appeal to stu- dents aged 8 to 12, although younger children may need support with vocabulary and gadget construction.


Over on the Farm Take young children on a visit to the farm to meet all the animals and sing, count and dance along together, without ever leaving the classroom. The story of Over on the Farm is based on the traditional song, “Over in the Meadow,” and is a continuation in the series written by Marianne Berkes. The lively illustrations by Cathy Morrison will have everyone giggling as children learn the movements, sounds and names of the baby animals. There’s a built in search and find game throughout the pages and lots of suggestions in the back. These suggestions includes a section on fact or fiction that sets one straight on the numbers of animals a mother would actually give birth to rather than the liberty that was taken in the book. Ways to integrate the book into Math, Science, Language, Music, Art and Cooking lessons are also included. The kindergarten to


third grade curriculum opportunities abound with this book that covers habitats, animal families, counting, movement and music. The website provides further links to help actively engage students. – (VU)


Dawn Pblications, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-58469-549-3 (pb), 32 pages, US $8.95, from <www.dawnpub.com>


Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt The relationship of gardener, garden and nature is beauti- fully depicted in Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt. Kate Messner has us following as a young girl and her Nana prepare their garden plans in the winter, create garden beds and plant seeds in the spring, care for and enjoy the fruit and vegetables in the summer, harvest in the fall and say goodbye as winter returns. The story is


Science teachers of older students can conceivably use the existing gadget designs as stepping stones to student- designed projects. – (EB)


Quirk Books, 2016, ISBN 978-1-59474- 866-0 (hb), 259 pp., US $12.95, from www. penguinrandomhouse.ca


Explore Rocks


and Minerals It’s time to shake things up with Explore Rocks and Minerals. Cynthia Light Brown and Nick Brown take us for


an exploration of the gems that make the world go around. The authors provide a crazy amount of facts about rocks, which you might need to help break things down for your students.


told as a back and forth above and below the ground, highlighting the relationship and importance of all insects and animals in nature and your garden. True respect is given to all creatures in this book as they explore each one’s purpose. Chris- topher Silas Neal beautifully draws two-dimensional images which highlight the symbiotic relationship between gardener and nature. At the


end of the story comes three informative pages which provide a closer look at each of the animals mentioned. This book is a wonderful way to help children of all ages value gardening, nature and life. – (BT)


Chronicle Books, 2015, ISBN 978-1-4521-1936-6 (hb). 52pp., US $16.99 from www.chroniclekids.com


Counting on the future Counting on the future by Matt Richter is a counting book for young children that is designed with sustainability in mind. On one side of each double page


spread are sequences, such as “three wind turbines” or “four solar panels”, which link numeracy with the symbols of a greener future. To reinforce the featured number, matching syllables encourage young learners to clap out the numbers. The opposite pages are mostly blank to encourage students to post photos, draw their own illustration, or add their own questions and ideas. A refreshing take on the more conventional counting book! – (TG)


Matt Richter, 2015, ISBN 978-0-9949847-0-8 (pb), 24pp., US $12.95/CDN $12.95 (no tax), from 705-385-8721 or kmrichter@ vianet.ca


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