Australia. The Land. (The Lands, Peoples, and Cultures Series). Erinn Banting. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2003. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.96 (pbk.), $19.96 (cl.). ISBN 0-7787-9711-2 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-9343-5 (cl.). Subject Heading: Australia-Description and travel-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Harriet Zaidman. ***/4
	Australia. The People. (The Lands, Peoples, and Cultures Series). Erinn Banting. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2003. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.96 (pbk.), $19.96 (cl.). ISBN 0-7787-9712-0 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-9344-3 (cl.). Subject Heading: Australia-Social life and customs-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Harriet Zaidman. ***/4
	Australia. The Culture. (The Lands, Peoples, and Cultures Series). Erinn Banting. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2003. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.96 (pbk.), $19.96 (cl.). ISBN 0-7787-9713-9 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-9345-1 (cl.). Subject Headings: Australia-Civilization-Juvenile literature. Australia-Social life and customs-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Harriet Zaidman. ***/4
	Ireland. The Land. (The Lands, Peoples, and Cultures Series). Erinn Banting. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2002. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.96 (pbk.), $19.96 (cl.). ISBN 0-7787-9717-1 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-9350-8 (cl.). Subject Heading: Ireland-Description and travel-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Harriet Zaidman. ***/4
	Ireland. The People. (The Lands, Peoples, and Cultures Series). Erinn Banting. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2002. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.96 (pbk.), $19.96 (cl.). ISBN 0-7787-9718-X (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-9349-4 (cl.). Subject Heading: Ireland-Social life and customs-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Harriet Zaidman. ***/4
	Ireland. The Culture. (The Lands, Peoples, and Cultures Series). Erinn Banting. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2002. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.96 (pbk.), $19.96 (cl.). ISBN 0-7787-9719-8 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-9351-6 (cl.). Subject Headings: Ireland-Civilization-Juvenile literature. Ireland-Social life and customs-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Harriet Zaidman. ***/4
	Pakistan. The Land. (The Lands, Peoples, and Cultures Series). Carolyn Black. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2003. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.96 (pbk.), $19.96 (cl.). ISBN 0-7787-9714-7 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-9346-X (cl.). Subject Heading: Pakistan-Juvenile literature. Pakistan-Description and travel-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Harriet Zaidman. ***/4
	Pakistan. The People. (The Lands, Peoples, and Cultures Series). Carolyn Black. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2003. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.96 (pbk.), $19.96 (cl.). ISBN 0-7787-9715-5 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-9347-8 (cl.). Subject Heading: Pakistan-Social life and customs-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Harriet Zaidman. ***/4
	Pakistan. The Culture. (The Lands, Peoples, and Cultures Series). Carolyn Black. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2003. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.96 (pbk.), $19.96 (cl.). ISBN 0-7787-9716-3 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-9348-6 (cl.). Subject Heading: Pakistan-Civilization-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Harriet Zaidman. ***/4
	Philippines. The Land. (The Lands, Peoples, and Cultures Series). Greg Nickles. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2002. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.96 (pbk.), $19.96 (cl.). ISBN 0-7787-9720-1 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-9352-4 (cl.). Subject Heading: Philippines-Description and travel-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Harriet Zaidman. ***/4
	Philippines. The People. (The Lands, Peoples, and Cultures Series). Greg Nickles. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2002. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.96 (pbk.), $19.96 (cl.). ISBN 0-7787-9721-X (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-9353-2 (cl.). Subject Heading: Philippines-Description and travel-Juvenile literature. Philippines-Social life and customs-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Harriet Zaidman. ***/4
	Philippines. The Culture. (The Lands, Peoples, and Cultures Series). Greg Nickles. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2002. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.96 (pbk.), $19.96 (cl.). ISBN 0-7787-9722-8 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-9354-0 (cl.). Subject Heading: Philippines-Civilization-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Harriet Zaidman. ***/4

These books are part of "The Lands, People and Culture" series published by Crabtree. All the books are suitable for research and interest reading for children in grades 3-6 and contain interesting, useful information as well as inviting photographs. The organization of each of the 32 page books follows standard style: two-page chapters are outlined in the table of contents and highlighted words are defined in a glossary on the last page, followed by an index.

     There are three books about each country, but there is no obvious reason for three books that all touch on the same subject. The volume about people includes the history of the country and the many activities in daily life from religion to sports to eating to education. The book about culture discusses the history, religion, holidays, education, music, art and literature. The book about the land touches more specifically on geography and wildlife, but it also includes information about the history, the politics, legends, daily living, etc. It would not be possible to discuss these topics in isolation from each other, but Crabtree Publishing has separated enough information so as to render the topic incomplete without the other volumes. Because information is repeated over the three volumes, one 48 page book could obviously be produced to cover the same topic now covered by three books. The pictures in these books are lovely, but there are obviously many large snaps of smiling faces designed to fill space. Since the school market is a likely target for these books, it's clear that Crabtree wants libraries and classrooms to buy three books instead of one for students who are doing research projects. In these days of dwindling and disappearing school library budgets, that can hardly be described as helpful. This approach clearly benefits Crabtree's bottom line and nothing else.

     The depth of information about each topic depends on the volume in which it is presented. For example, in Ireland. The Land, discussion about significant political issues shows little depth:

Ireland's history has not been peaceful. Since the 1100's, Britain has ruled all or part of the island. Irish resistance to foreign control grew stronger in the early 1900s when Irish nationalists organized political revolts against British rule. The south of Ireland gained full independence in 1949 and became the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom.

Some people in the north were happy to remain part of the United Kingdom. Others wanted to be united with the Republic of Ireland. These differences led to violence between the two groups After changes to the Republic's constitution in 1999 and agreements made by the British and Irish governments, the Irish are working together toward peace. (p. 5)

     Britain's history as an imperialist power, the deliberate settlement of British Protestants in Northern Ireland, the Easter Uprising and the IRA are discussed more thoroughly in Ireland. The People.

     Nevertheless, each book provides straightforward information about each topic. Captions under pictures provide clear explanations. Historical pictures and drawings are included. Subtopics within the chapters make information easy to find. Boxed information highlights specific events or people. The writing style and reading level are suitable for young researchers, and the content provides current information.

     Teachers and teacher-librarians should evaluate these books closely to see if the needs of their collections can be served by buying fewer of these books (the volumes on the people and the land are the most useful) rather than the whole set, or try to find a publisher that produces one volume editions containing comprehensive information.

Recommended.

Harriet Zaidman is a teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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