Common Sense. (WOW: World of Wonder). Michael De Medeiros. New York, NY: Weigl (Distributed in Canada by Saunders Books Co.), 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $9.95 (pbk.), $21.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-60596-063-0 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-60596-062-3 (hc.). Subject Heading: Common sense-Juvenile literature. Kindergarten-grade 3 / Ages 5-8. Review by Vanessa Sobkovich-Wiebe. **** /4
	Sight. (WOW: World of Wonder). Annalise Bekkering. New York, NY: Weigl (Distributed in Canada by Saunders Books Co.), 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $9.95 (pbk.), $21.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-60596-053-1 (pbk), ISBN 978-1-60596-052-4 (hc.). Subject Headings: Vision-Juvenile literature. Eye-Juvenile literature. Kindergarten-grade 3 / Ages 5-8. Review by Vanessa Sobkovich-Wiebe. **** /4
	Touch. (WOW: World of Wonder). James De Medeiros. New York, NY: Weigl (Distributed in Canada by Saunders Books Co.), 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $9.95 (pbk.), $21.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-60596-059-3 (pbk), ISBN 978-1-60596-058-6 (hc.). Subject Heading: Touch-Juvenile literature. Kindergarten-grade 3 / Ages 5-8. Review by Vanessa Sobkovich-Wiebe. **** /4

excerpts:

What is common sense?

How do you make choices? Common sense is when you make good choices based on experience and what you know to be true. Everyone has some common sense. (From Common Sense.)

What is sight?

How do you know the color of a crayon or the shape of a fruit? Our eyes tell us. With our eyes, we can see everything from stars to sand grains.Sight is one of our senses. It helps us learn about our surroundings. (From Sight.)

Sending a message

Can you tell what an object is just by touching it? When you touch something, nerves in your skin gather information about the object. This information is sent to your brain. Your brain lets you know what the object feels like. The way an object feels is based on texture, temperature, and pressure. (From Touch.)

All three books, Common Sense, Sight and Touch, are illustrated with large, eye-catching photographs to capture the attention of young readers. Each 24 page book has 12 two-page chapter spreads that are filled with facts supporting each chapter.

     Each book gives a general review of what each sense is and how it works. The flow of content and topics is fast paced and to the point, giving specific information directly to young readers.

     Contents and topics of Common Sense are as follows: What is Common Sense? (definition and overview), Using you Common Sense (experience/application), Back in Time (historical ideas of common sense), Brain Power (brain mapping), Thinking Parts (brain communication), Putting it to Action (daily application), Making Choices (choices and decisions), Animal Habits (animal differences), and Acting on Instinct (natural responses).

     Contents and topics of Sight include: What is Sight? (definition and overview), Let the Light Shine in (light and connection to sight), Spotty Vision (explanation of blind spots), Upside-down World (reflection/mirror images), So Long (depth perception), Seeing is Believing (Colours and mood), Beastly Points of View (animal optics) and Living Colour (optical illusions).

     Finally, the contents and topics of Touch are: What is Touch? (definition and overview), Sending a message (nerve and brain communication), All in a Touch (sensitivity), Getting a Feel (texture), Under Pressure (pressure), Reach Out and Touch (feelings/emotions), Animal Instinct (animal differences) and Losing Your Touch (numbness/loss of touch).

     In each volume, the introductory page explains the book's topic. Common Sense is the only book of the series to point out its relationship to the other senses and the idea of senses as a whole:

Senses help us experience the world around us. There are five basic senses. These are sight, taste, small, touch and hearing.

     The final chapter includes a test and recommended websites for further research. The last page of each book has an index plus a glossary that explains highlighted words in the text.

     The layout, photography, facts and resources of this series provide a wealth of information to readers of the intended age group. I recommend these books to schools or public libraries serving primary-aged children.

Highly Recommended.

Vanessa Sobkovich-Wiebe is the Head Librarian at Springfield Public Library in Dugald, MB.

NEXT REVIEW |TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - March 12, 2010.