For today's nonfiction Monday, I'm highlighting a book that's currently unavailable. Yes, I realize the oddness of linking to Amazon for a book you can't get there anymore, but can get anywhere else. But, these books will come back, hopefully really soon. I'm mad at Amazon and rating both companies a "fail" but, I don't have the time to reevaluate my associates relationship and where to link to and all that right now. I need to madly finish reading and reviewing books for my Guardian Challenge.
I read Sheinkin's King George: What Was His Problem?: The Whole Hilarious Story of the Revolution when it was shortlist for the Cybils last year. His latest effort, about westward expansion, was nominated this year. This is the story of westward expansion of the west--the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Short sections, cartoon illustrations, and the most excellent back matter makes this a solid book with excellent kid appeal. I especially like how he breaks his bibliography into type of source and subject.
One note is that everyone is portrayed as a cartoon characature type of illustration. This is true in his other books as well. It's an illustration style that really works but... even though they fit with the style of the series and style of every other person depicted, cartoon characatures of Native Americans and Chinese immigrants made me cringe, because of our past with such images. Especially because they're wearing stereotypical dress, which is historically accurate, but... something about it twisted in my gut. Maybe I'm being too sensitive or careful, but...
It's still a great and enjoyable book that I think kids will really like.
Roundup is over at Wild About Nature, where they're celebrating their first birthday with prizes!
Book Provided by... my local library
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