Landforms is a beginning reader's basic overview of many of the different types of landforms that can be found on planet Earth. Simple text is paired with gorgeous photography of mountians, lakes, plateaus, and other impressive features of the land and water. There is an emphasis on time -- how some landforms can change rapidly, while others take a lot more time.

The end of the book provides a list of content words and high-frequency words, as well as some suggestions for further reading and other ideas to help children understand the science concepts presented in the book.

Overall, this is a great combination of literacy and science, which is visually appealing as well.

(Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.)

Scrounged From: NetGalley

Format: Kindle
Author: Mary Lindeen 
Pages: 32
Content Advisory: None

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When I recently came across a copy of Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie, I remembered it from the PBS show Reading Rainbow -- none of the details, but I knew it was a story about a father who asked his daughter to keep the lighthouse lights burning while he was away. 

It turns out this is based on a true story that took place in my home state of Maine in 1856. Not only did Abbie have to keep the lights burning by herself for weeks while the storm raged and her father was unable to return to Matinicus Rock, but she also had to tend to her sick mother, feed (and rescue!) her chickens, and help her three sisters as they managed the household. 

I still find this story moving even though it's written in reader style with fairly short, choppy sentences. Most of all, I love the story of Abbie's courage, and the simple father-daughter moment at the very end. 

Scrounged From: A homeschool book sale

Format: Paperback
Authors: Peter Roop, Connie Roop
Illustrator: Peter Hanson
Pages: 40
Content Advisory: A bit of peril when Abbie is almost hit by a giant wave.

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