Model Masters: Dragons

Model Masters: Dragons. The book includes 4 dragon models, 32 page book, 6 (0.17 oz/5 ml) pots of paint, 2 (0.17 oz/5ml) pots of glaze, and a paintbrush. From the publisher:

Embark on an adventure into the enchanted lands of dragons, where you will discover the origins, powers, and legends of these mythological beasts. From the fire-breathing Western dragon to the three-headed hydra, assemble, paint, and display these magical and mighty creatures from worlds beyond your imagination!

Can't get enough of dragons? Looking for something fun--nice and artsy--to do? You may want to try making your own dragon.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Field Guide to Safari Animals

The Field Guide to Safari Animals: Explore Exotic Africa: Includes 59 Pieces To Assemble 8 Safari Animals and a Removable Diorama.

Published by Silver Dolphin, The Field Guide to Safari Animals is a fun and interactive book for kids (and those young-at-heart adults as well). From the publisher, "Young explorers can take the adventure of a lifetime with The Field Guide to Safari Animals. Inside this beautifully designed book, kids will discover the 1924 journal of fictional naturalist Rebecca Mayhew. Through her journal entries, they’ll read all about her exciting adventure across exotic Africa-from tracking lions in Nairobi to marveling at the birth of a baby giraffe in Botswana. Each page is filled with stunning photographs, maps, illustrations and fascinating facts about Africa’s most majestic animals. At the end of this incredible journey, kids can recreate animal scenes by setting up their own stunning display featuring a cool diorama and 8 different animal models. Let’s go on safari!"

Which animals are included in Safari Animals? A Lion, An Elephant, A Leopard, a Zebra, a Giraffe, a Greater Kudu, a Chacma Baboon, and a White Rhinoceros. Each animal has at least a two-page spread (sometimes more) giving readers details about the animals and their habitats. I liked how reader-friendly the book is. Not only is the book fun because there are animals to build and play with but the book is fun because there are hundreds of things to learn about as well. Fascinating facts that speak for themselves.

If safari animals aren't your thing, you may want to choose dinosaurs, ocean animals, or rain forest animals instead.



© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Explore Within A Medieval Castle

I don't know if there are words to say how incredibly fun this book is! It's called Explore Within A Medieval Castle, and it is published by Silver Dolphin Books. Here is their description:

Halt! Who goes there? Imagine swords clashing atop the towers and brave knights escorting their ladies in the courtyard! Explore Within a Medieval Castle takes young readers where they’ve never gone before: over the drawbridge and into a mighty castle. Once inside, they can explore its secrets, layer by layer, with a unique sculpted 3-D model. Every turn of the page reveals a new aspect-learn about castle design, medieval tournaments, preparing for battle, cooking in the castle kitchen, and more. This amazing, adventure is unlike any other book for kids-perfect for when they retire to their chambers.

The book isn't just easy on the eyes. (I mean, it is...who wouldn't love to look carefully at all the details...) But it's more than that. More than a toy. It's packed with information. Information just waiting for curious readers to absorb.

The book provides ample information on castles--why they're made of stone, the best locations to build a castle, etc. Including two-page spreads on the gatehouse, the Lord's men, the armory, daily life, inside the castle, on the attack, the great hall, the book has it all and more. And these details aren't overwhelming, everything is so reader-friendly.

I realize that this is a book that you really have to hold in your hands to grasp just how cool it is. And that's why I'm so happy that Silver Dolphin will be sponsoring a contest here at Becky's Book Reviews. That contest announcement is not quite ready--a detail or two remains up in the air--but later this week I hope to let you in on this wonderful little contest.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews