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This review is the second part of a double feature here at 5 Minutes for Books. We have separated the reviews into two posts however, so that you can enter your comments separately. (Both of the reviews include contests.) To read the first review, click here. The winners from last week’s book giveaway are at the end of this review.
Non-Fiction from National Geographic
This review is authored by regular contributor Jennifer Donovan, book lover and mother of two of book lovers, who blogs at Snapshot.
When you think of National Geographic, if you’re like me, you think of outstanding photography and informative writing. They also publish some fantastic children’s books, and I am pleased to introduce some of them to you.
When my eight-and-a-half year old daughter saw Face to Face with Caterpillars on my stack of books to review, she grabbed it and 
named it hers. I’m always trying to encourage her to read some nonfiction, but something about the slimy caterpillar on the front cover made her curious to find out more. This book is filled with facts and photos of different types of caterpillars, as well as sidebars instructing kids how to find caterpillars and how to raise a monarch.
Call me squeamish, but Face to Face with Grizzlies was more appealing to me. However, when I read the opening chapter, which was the author’s account of a time when he got closer to a grizzly mama than was comfortable for him or the mama, I shuddered a bit. Filled with beautiful photographs of bears in the wild, this book looks at the life cycle of a bear, how they interact together, and the impact of humans on their lives in the wild. The sidebars in this book include how to not get eaten by a grizzly and don’t feed the bears.
A Little Peace could be a coffee table book in any home. The pictures of people engaging in activities from dancing to laughing to playing soccer are embellished with simple text suggesting ways to spread peace: “To give a wave, say hello, and spread a little peace.” The afterward by Richard Solomon, the President of the United States Institute of Peace, includes some quotes about peace from politicians, philosophers and of course John Lennon, along with some information about the education and promotion of peace.
Right in line with the July 4th Giveaways, I offer you a look at the Holidays Around the World Series. Celebrate Independence Day offers pictures of people enjoying picnics, fireworks, and other summer fun. It also gives a simple explanation of why we celebrate independence day. The end of the book offers “More about Independence Day” including how to have a three-legged race, a look at independence days around the world, and a recipe for deviled eggs.
The publisher has donated one book for giveaway. Leave me a comment telling me which of the four books most appeals to you. When I select a winner, I will send you whichever you book you requested.
Congrats to the winners of last week’s Fairy Chronicles book:
Dansp (comment number 30)
Mama Zen
Dawn
The Wooden Porch
CPA Mom and Soccer Mom Angela
Kathleen says
They all look amazing but my favourite is the Face to Face with Grizzlies. Bears are misunderstood creatures and I’m always looking for books that teach for when I homeschool my daughters. Caterpillars are cute but we could learn about them by seeing them for real while I can’t take my children to see grizzlies in the wild. As for the Independance Day book, I’m Canadian. The peace one looks good too but I’d rather have an instructional book.
Sherry Early says
Caterpillars here, but actually my five year old prefers ladybugs. Her favorite book right now is Eric Carle’s The Grouchy Ladybug.
Lauren says
We would love the Grizzlies or Caterpillars books!
LivingforGod says
My kids (especially my boys) would love to read Face to Face with Grizzlies. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!
Ashley Nichole Navarre says
“A Little Peace” sounds wonderful to look at with a big cup of coffee. I’ll take any of the four, though. Book lover all the way.
Karla Meachem (Empowering Christian Women) says
Face to Face with Caterpillars – my son would love this book!
Thanks for the entry!
Overwhelmed With Joy! says
Oh, please enter me in the drawing. They all sound great but I think I’d most enjoy the “Celebrate Independence Day” book. I’m not picky though.
devildogwife says
I would love Face to Face with Grizzlies for my daughter. She had a hard time deciding though. lol!
YoungMommy says
My kids would really enjoy the Face to Face with Caterpillars, too!
blondeblogger says
I think my kids would love the caterpillar book. Thanks! 🙂
Montserrat says
What a bunch of great books! Seeing as how we are butterfly crazy around here. Face to Face With Caterpillars would be a delight.
Janne says
Face to Face with Grizzlies is the one my children would probably like the best.
leah belle says
I like face to face with grizzlies.
Myrna says
The most interesting looks to be Face to Face with Grizzlies. Thanks for submitting my entry.
Caryn says
A Little Peace
Jessica Saunders says
Happy 4th of July I say!
Karen (mommy of three) says
I would love Celebrate Independence Day! I need some great ideas to use with my boys:)
Michele says
I would love to read “Face to Face with Grizzles”…it looks most interesting on the list of books!
Qtpies7 says
I would love the caterpillar book, but it seems to be the most popular! So I’ll break apart from the crowd and go for the Independance Day book!
Jen says
Face to Face with grizzlies would work into our homeschool curriculum.
Lacey says
My niece, who is sitting on my lap, said she would like the “callapidder” book.
Dawn says
I would love the book “A Little Peace” for my kids.
Andrea says
I would love to have the face to Face with Caterpillars book to read to my little boy when he gets a bit older!! 🙂
Amy K says
Wow! I would love to share the “Peace” book with my kids. I can only imagine the photography since it’s from Nat’l Geo! Thanks for offering such great contest!
Brooke says
oooooooh!!! That Caterpillar book looks spectacular!! I’m hitting the library today!
Jean says
Face to Face with a caterpillar looks like something my boys would enjoy.
Mama Zen says
My daughter likes to pretend to be a caterpillar, so I bet she would love that book!
Gretchen says
My bug-collecting daughter would love the catapillars book!!
Liz says
Face to Face with Grizzlies definitely looks the most interesting.
Wendy says
I think the 4th of July book looks good!
Laura says
What a beautiful book : )
Debi says
What a bunch of delightful books! I’ve got a bear fanatic here though that would just love the Face to Face with Grizzlies book.
Wonderful reviews!
Amberly says
My kids would love the caterpillar book best!
InsaneMom2Four says
The book Face to Face with Caterpillars sound so fun for my kiddos. They love stuff like that and while we are in the porcess of creating a butterfly garden it would come in handy. Thanks for offering this. :0)