El libro peligroso para los chicos. (The Dangerous Book for Boys)

By staff -- Críticas, 7/15/2007

Gr 3+–This fabulous encyclopedia-like volume is filled with topics likely to intrigue young adventurous minds. Written in accessible language, the book gives just the right amount of information on a remarkably wide range of topics, including invisible inks, soccer, dinosaurs, the solar system, extraordinary stories, and the poems everybody should know by heart. In an age of video games and technology-driven play, young independent readers will find the presented activities and trivia fascinating. They will learn dog tricks and the main parts of speech; how to use calligraphy; and how to build a tirachinas (slingshot), a tree house, and the best paper airplane, among other things. The traditional font and old-feel illustrations (mainly black-and-white diagrams and colorful drawings that resemble 1950’s postcards) give this volume the look of a treasured antique passed on to younger generations. This translated edition has been adapted to include topics and stories that fit the tradition of Hispanic culture, like the origin of some Spanish words and the most common trees found in Spain and Latin America. The translation is free of regionalisms that could have muddled communication of basic facts. Although directed mainly to pique the interest of boys, much of the content will appeal to readers of both genders. Perfect for short reading sessions, this book will be particularly appealing to parents who long to share experiences of their own childhoods with their children.—Liliana Barro Zecker, Associate Professor, School of Education, DePaul Univ., Chicago, IL