Kid Konnection: Gift Ideas from National Geographic Kids

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you some great books from National Geographic that are perfect for holiday gifts.

Summary: Sure, you know T-Rex was the meat-eating king and brontosaurus munched on leaves, but what else was on the dino dining menu during the Mesozoic era?

Meet the 'vores: carnivores, piscivores, herbivores, insectivores, "trashivores," "sunivores," and omnivores like us.

Readers will be surprised and inspired to learn about dino diets and they'll get to explore how scientists can tell which dinosaurs ate what just from looking at fossils. Journey through artist and author Hannah Bonner's whimsical world to learn how the dinosaurs and their contemporaries bit, chewed, and soaked up their food. -- National Geographic Kids

DINING WITH DINOSAURS: A TASTY GUIDE TO MESOZOIC MUNCHING by Hannah Bonner  is so cute! I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this picture book, but I ended up loving it. This book is extremely educational (which, as a mom, I loved), and it's entertaining too! It's the best of both worlds.

DINING WITH DINOSAURS teaches children (and their parents!) about what dinosaurs ate. It sounds like it could be boring (do I dare say that?), but with the terrific illustrations, it was anything but. The colorful drawings are all labeled with definitions and other interesting tidbits. There are even little comic strips titled "Ask a Scientist" thrown in for an even better way to learn.

In addition to lots of information about what dinosaurs eat, there is a great deal of information about dinosaurs and other plants and animals from the past. I discovered that there are actually six types of "vores" including carnivores, insectivores, herbivores, piscivores, sunivores, and trashivores! I also learned how their bodies were designed differently depending on their particular diet.

Overall, DINING WITH DINOSAURS is a fantastic book for kids who are interested in dinosaurs. Highly recommended!

Summary:Poaching and war damaged an isolated wilderness in West Zambia, reducing its lion population to just one: Lady, the last lioness. Witness Lady's fight for survival in this evocative narrative on the decline, fall, and rebirth of the Liuwa Plains. Follow Lady as she grapples with a landscape altered by human hands and discover how both Lady and humankind restore balance to the environment. 

More than a story about one brave lion, Rise of the Lioness offers a great introduction to life science by looking at the workings of an ecosystem, the methods of scientists and environmentalists, and explaining the interconnection between the plant, animal, and human systems. -- National Geographic Kids

Another fantastic book I recently read is RISE OF THE LIONESS: RESTORING A HABITAT AND ITS PRIDE ON THE LIUWA PLAINS by Bradley Hague. I have to admit that the photos in this book captured my heart. National Geographic is known for its amazing photographs, and this book definitely lives up to that reputation. Lions are such majestic creatures and this book certainly features their beauty.

Author Bradley Hague actually traveled to Zambia, Africa, to see the famed Lady of Liuwa and her family of lions. Lady was actually the only lioness left in the Liuwa Plains because of poaching. This book tells her story by teaching kids about the history of the Liuwa Plains and how Lady survived the changes to her home as well as the intrusion of humans.

As if Lady's story isn't amazing enough, this book also is a great way for readers to learn about the study of life science. There is detailed information about how an ecosystem works as well as the complicated relationship between plants, animals, and humans. This book is geared towards an 8 - 12 age range, but I think even older kids (and adults) will find it fascinating.

RISE OF THE LIONESS is both a beautiful book and an interesting story. A must-have for libraries and classrooms!

Summary: Classic stories and dazzling illustrations of princesses, kings, sailors, and genies come to life in a stunning retelling of the Arabian folk tales from One Thousand and One Nights and other collections, including those of Aladdin, Sinbad the Sailor, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. The magical storytelling of award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli dramatizes these timeless tales and ignites childrens' imaginations. -- National Geographic Kids

And last but certainly not least is TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS: STORIES OF ADVENTURE, MAGIC, LOVE, AND BETRAYAL by Donna Jo Napoli and illustrations by Christina Balit. This book is both big and beautiful (think coffee table book!) and contains many Arabian folk tales.

Many of you will recognize the stories and characters in the book like One Thousand and One Nights as well as Aladdin, Sinbad, and Ali Baba; however, this is a great way to introduce them to your children. These action stories royalty and adventures are bound to entertain kids of all ages. There are even reference materials for kids who want to learn more!

Needless to say, I found these stories to be extremely entertaining, but the illustrations are what make this book extra-special. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous -- both colorful and detailed, and I just love looking through the pages of this book. The drawings are almost magical!

In summary, TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS is a wonderful collection of Arabian folk tales that also happens to have some pretty beautiful illustrations!

Thanks to the Media Masters for providing review copies of these books.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!


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