Checks and Balances: A Look at the Powers of Government

Kowalski, K. M. (2012). Checks and balances: A look at the powers of government. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner.

Checks and Balances: A Look at the Powers of Government is an excellent addition to any elementary school library.  Checks and Balances explains clearly the balance of powers between the three branches of the United States Government.  Teachers could use the book in classes to clarify those powers in early civics lessons.  The pictures are current and clear including the current Supreme Court and president.  This is an excellent choice to update a library, and is written for third through fifth grade.

Received Galley from NetGalley.com

Tall: Great American Folktales Edited by Donnie Lemke

Lemke, D. (2012). Tall: Great American Folktales. North Mankato, MN: Capstone.

Tall: Great American Folktales is a wonderful retelling of the tall tales of Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill, John Henry, and Johnny Appleseed in graphic novel format.  It is sure to be a hit, as well as fit a requirement in the TEKs, here in Texas.  The illustrations are superb and the stories true to the old tales.  Tall recreates the tales in a ways that the reader will remember them for years.  This is a definite purchase for my early elementary library.

Received Galley from NetGalley.com