Quick Tools and Treasures

This week I chose an easy to read book, after last week's mammoth challenge. But in a way, by reading my first non-fiction offering I've set myself up for a hard to review book.

It's kind of easy to review a story once you know it's components, things like character, plot development and vocabulary kinda of come naturally like that feeling when you've mastered a second language and can smoothly jump from one language to the other and back. But what elements are there in a non fiction book to review? How do you convey the effectiveness of an author's use of language? Do the pictures bring sky value to the text?

I thought very carefully once I spent my first hour reading my choice of book this week. I felt I owed it to myself to make this choice a positive one. 

China has been in the news recently for all the wrong reasons sadly; so I thought the timing of this book couldn't be better. I've always had a fascination with Chinese history and culture and there is so much to like about the country that brought us map making, fireworks and the single largest man made structure in the world (the only one visible from space no less).

Tools and Treasures of Ancient China is part of a series of books by searchlight books which explores ancient civilisations. Written by Candice Ransom, yes that is actually her name, it tells us about Chinese history, Geography and culture. It is 38 pages long with each page containing 1 paragraph, 1 image and a caption. It is broken into 4 clear and concise chapters and contains a glossary at the back as well as an index and a set of online links with which you can study the subject further. 

The pictures are well laid out and the text is easy to read without being too babyish. Brightly coloured captions are easy to read and it tells us the basics about the lives of rulers and regular people.

Worth a read with some interesting nuggets of information about China's Dynasty rule, the building of the Great Wall and many other things besides, this book is ideal for any child who is a fairly secure reader. Year 1 children (5 year olds) might struggle with some of the tougher words but on the whole they could probably read and understand most of it.

Book 6 in my blog challenge and my easy to read non-fiction book!

Book Title: Tools and Treasures of Ancient China
Author: Candice Ransom
First Published: 2014
Pages: 38
Suitable for: children aged 5 (more able readers) and up.
Interesting words: civilisations, dynasties, ancient