Llewellyn, Claire 1954-

views updated

Llewellyn, Claire 1954-

Personal

Born 1954, in Great Britain; married 1979; children: one daughter, one son.

Addresses

Home—Hertford, Hertfordshire, England.

Career

Longman Publishers, editor, 1978-84; Macdonald Children's Books, commissioning editor, 1984 beginning. Writer of children's books.

Awards, Honors

Times Educational Supplement Junior Information Book Award shortlist, 1991, for Take One: Rubbish, and award, 1992, for My First Book of Time.

Writings

FOR CHILDREN

My First Book of Time, illustrated by Julie Carpenter, photographs by Paul Bricknell, Dorling Kindersley (New York, NY), 1992.

Trucks, illustrated by Nicholas Hewetson, F. Watts (New York, NY), 1995.

Disguises and Surprises, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 1996.

Wild, Wet, and Windy: The Weather—from Tornadoes to Lightning, Candlewick Press (Cambridge, MA), 1997.

The DK Picture Encyclopedia, Dorling Kindersley (New York, NY), 1997.

Our Planet Earth, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1997.

Cities, illustrated by Roger Stewart, Heinemann Interactive Library (Des Plaines, IL), 1998.

The Encyclopedia of Awesome Animals, illustrated by Chris Shields, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1998.

Animal Atlas, World Book (Chicago, IL), 1998.

The Best Book of Bugs, illustrated by Chris Forsey and others, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 1998.

The Big Book of Bones: An Introduction to Skeletons, Peter Bedrick Books (New York, NY), 1998.

The Earth Is like a Roundabout: A First Look at Night and Day, illustrated by Anthony Lewis, Macdonald Young Books (London, England), 1999.

The Best Book of Sharks, illustrated by Ray Grinaway and Roger Stewart, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 1999.

The Big Book of Mummies: All about Preserved Bodies from Long Ago, Peter Bedrick Books (Lincolnwood, IL), 2001, published as The Complete Book of Mummies, Wayland (London, England), 2001.

Kid's Survival Handbook, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2001.

Slugs and Snails, F. Watts (London, England), 2001.

Reptiles ("Question Time" series), Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2002.

Who's Who in the Bible, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2002.

The Best Ears in the World (fiction), Smart Apple Media (North Mankato, MN), 2002.

Saints and Angels, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2003.

The Sea, Smart Apple Media (North Mankato, IL), 2003.

The Moon, Smart Apple Media (North Mankato, IL), 2003.

Eating ("Body in Action" series), Smart Apple Media (North Mankato, IL), 2004.

Push and Pull, Sea-to-Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2004.

Rainforest Animals, Sea-to-Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2004.

(Editor) Great Discoveries and Amazing Adventures: The Stories of Hidden Marvels and Lost Treasures, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2004.

Paint a Sun in the Sky: A First Look at the Seasons, illustrated by Amanda Wood, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

And Everyone Shouted, "Pull!": A First Look at Forces and Motion, illustrated by Simone Abel, Picture Window Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2005.

Navigators: Killer Creatures, Kingfisher (New York, NY), 2008.

Llewellyn's books have been translated into several languages, including Hebrew and Spanish.

"TAKE ONE" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Changing Clothes, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1990.

Growing Food, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1990.

Under the Sea, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1990.

In the Air, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1990.

Rubbish, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1990.

Bridges, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1990.

Winter, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1991.

Spring, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1991.

Summer, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1991.

Autumn, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1991.

"FIRST LOOK" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

First Look at Clothes, Gareth Stevens Children's Books (Milwaukee, WI), 1991.

First Look in the Air, Gareth Stevens Children's Books (Milwaukee, WI), 1991.

First Look at Growing Food, Gareth Stevens Children's Books (Milwaukee, WI), 1991.

First Look under the Sea, Gareth Stevens Children's Books (Milwaukee, WI), 1991.

"MIGHTY MACHINES" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Tractor, Dorling Kindersley (New York, NY), 1995.

Truck, Dorling Kindersley (New York, NY), 1995.

"WHY DO WE HAVE …?" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Day and Night, illustrated by Anthony Lewis, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 1995.

Rivers and Seas, illustrated by Anthony Lewis, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 1995.

Rocks and Mountains, illustrated by Anthony Lewis, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 1995.

Wind and Rain, illustrated by Anthony Lewis, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 1995.

Towns and Cities, illustrated by Anthony Lewis, Rigby Interactive Library (Crystal Lake, IL), 1997.

Deserts and Rainforests, illustrated by Anthony Lewis, Rigby Interactive Library (Crystal Lake, IL), 1997.

"I DIDN'T KNOW THAT" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Some Birds Hang upside Down; and Other Amazing Facts about Birds, illustrated by Chris Shields and Jo Moore, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1997.

Some Bugs Glow in the Dark; and Other Amazing Facts about Insects, illustrated by Mike Taylor, Rob Shone, and Jo Moore, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1997.

Some Snakes Spit Poison; and Other Amazing Facts about Snakes, illustrated by Francis Phillipps, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1997.

Spiders Have Fangs; and Other Amazing Facts about Arachnids, illustrated by Mike Taylor and Christopher J. Turnbull, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1997.

Sharks Keep Losing Their Teeth; and Other Amazing Facts about Sharks, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1998.

Some Plants Grow in Midair; and Other Amazing Facts about Rainforests, illustrated by Mike Taylor and Christopher J. Turnbull, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1998.

Chimps Use Tools; and Other Amazing Facts about Animals, illustrated by Chris Shields and Jo Moore, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1999.

Only Some Big Cats Can Roar; and Other Amazing Facts about Cats, illustrated by Peter Barrett and others, Copper Beech Books (Brookfield, CT), 1999.

"WHAT'S FOR LUNCH?" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Milk, Children's Press (New York, NY), 1998.

Peanuts, Children's Press (New York, NY), 1998.

Potatoes, Children's Press (New York, NY), 1998.

Chocolate, Children's Press (New York, NY), 1998.

Bread, Children's Press (New York, NY), 1998.

Eggs, Children's Press (New York, NY), 1999.

Oranges, Children's Press (New York, NY), 1999.

Peas, Children's Press (New York, NY), 1999.

"GEOGRAPHY STARTS" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Caves, Heinemann Library (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Coral Reefs, Heinemann Library (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Geysers, Heinemann Library (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Glaciers, Heinemann Library (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Islands, Heinemann Library (Chicago, IL), 2000.

Volcanoes, Heinemann Library (Chicago, IL), 2000.

"THE FACTS ABOUT …" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Arthritis, illustrated by Tom Connell, Smart Apple Media (North Mankato, MN), 2001.

Diabetes, illustrated by Tom Connell, Smart Apple Media (North Mankato, MN), 2001.

Epilepsy, illustrated by Tom Connell, Smart Apple Media (North Mankato, MN), 2001.

"MATERIAL WORLD" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Plastic, F. Watts (New York, NY), 2002.

Rubber, F. Watts (New York, NY), 2002.

Silk, F. Watts (New York, NY), 2002.

Wood, F. Watts (New York, NY), 2002.

Concrete, F. Watts (New York, NY), 2002.

Glass, F. Watts (New York, NY), 2002.

Metal, F. Watts (New York, NY), 2002.

Paper, F. Watts (New York, NY), 2002.

"LETS RECYCLE" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Save Energy, Chrysalis Education (North Mankato, IL), 2003.

Stop Water Waste, Chrysalis Education (North Mankato, IL), 2003.

Fight Air Pollution, Chrysalis Education (North Mankato, MN), 2003.

Let's Recycle, Chrysalis Education (North Mankato, IL), 2003.

Protect Natural Habitats, Chrysalis Education (North Mankato, IL), 2003.

"STARTING LIFE" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Butterfly, illustrated by Simon Mendez, NorthWord Press (Chanhassen, MN), 2003.

Frog, illustrated by Simon Mendez, NorthWord Press (Chanhassen, MN), 2003.

Duck, illustrated by Simon Mendez, NorthWord Press (Chanhassen, MN), 2004.

Tree, illustrated by Simon Mendez, NorthWord Press (Chanhassen, MN), 2004.

"WHY SHOULD I …?" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Why Should I Eat Well?, illustrated by Mike Gordon, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 2005.

Why Should I Help?, illustrated by Mike Gordon, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 2005.

Why Should I Listen?, illustrated by Mike Gordon, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 2005.

Why Should I Share?, illustrated by Mike Gordon, Barron's (Hauppauge, NY), 2005.

"START UP SCIENCE" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Sound and Hearing, Cherrytree Books (North Mankato, MN), 2005.

Electricity, Cherrytree Pub. (North Mankato, MN), 2005.

Forces and Movement, Cherrytree Pub. (North Mankato, MN), 2005.

Health and Growth, Cherrytree Pub. (North Mankato, MN), 2005.

Light and Dark, Cherrytree Pub. (North Mankato, MN), 2005.

Materials, Cherrytree Pub. (North Mankato, MN), 2005.

"LOOKING AFTER ME" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Exercise, QEB Pub. (Laguna Hills, CA), 2006.

Healthy Eating, QEB Pub. (Laguna Hills, CA), 2006.

Hygiene and Health, QEB Pub. (Laguna Hills, CA), 2006.

Stay Safe, QEB Pub. (Laguna Hills, CA), 2006.

"WATCH OUT" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Around Town, illustrated by Mike Gordon, Barron's Educational (Hauppauge, NY), 2006.

At Home, illustrated by Mike Gordon, Barron's Educational (Hauppauge, NY), 2006.

Near Water, illustrated by Mike Gordon, Barron's Educational Series (Hauppauge, NY), 2006.

On the Road, illustrated by Mike Gordon, Barron's Educational (Hauppauge, NY), 2006.

"I KNOW THAT!" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Hearing, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2006.

Seeing, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2006.

Smelling and Tasting, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2006.

Touching, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2006.

How Animals Grow, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2007.

How Bodies Work, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2007.

How Plants Grow, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2007.

How to Stay Healthy, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2007.

Day and Night, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2007.

Seashore and Tides, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2007.

Seasons, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2007.

Weather, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2007.

"LOOK AFTER YOURSELF" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Your Body, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2007.

Your Food, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2007.

Your Hair, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2007.

Your Teeth, Sea to Sea Publications (North Mankato, MN), 2007.

"UNDERSTANDING PLANTS" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

The Life of Plants, Smart Apple Media (North Mankato, MN), 2008.

Plants and Animals, Smart Apple Media (North Mankato, MN), 2008.

Plants and Humans, Smart Apple Media (North Mankato, MN), 2008.

Plants of the World, Smart Apple Media (North Mankato, MN), 2008.

"ASK DR. K. FISHER" SERIES; FOR CHILDREN

Ask Dr. K. Fisher about Animals, illustrated by Kate Sheppard, Kingfisher/Macmillan (New York, NY), 2007.

Ask Dr. K. Fisher about Dinosaurs, illustrated by Kate Sheppard, Kingfisher/Macmillan (New York, NY), 2007.

Ask Dr. K. Fisher about Reptiles, illustrated by Kate Sheppard, Kingfisher/Macmillan (New York, NY), 2008.

Ask Dr. K. Fisher about Creepy-Crawlies, illustrated by Kate Sheppard, Kingfisher/Macmillan (New York, NY), 2008.

"EXPLORING SCIENCE" SERIES; CHILDREN'S NONFICTION

Exploring Animal Life, Sea to Sea Publications (Mankato, MN), 2009.

Exploring Electricity, Sea to Sea Publications (Mankato, MN), 2009.

Exploring Forces, Sea to Sea Publications (Mankato, MN), 2009.

Exploring Health, Sea to Sea Publications (Mankato, MN), 2009.

Exploring Light, Sea to Sea Publications (Mankato, MN), 2009.

Exploring Materials, Sea to Sea Publications (Mankato, MN), 2009.

Exploring Plants, Sea to Sea Publications (Mankato, MN), 2009.

Exploring Sound, Sea to Sea Publications (Mankato, MN), 2009.

Sidelights

Claire Llewellyn is a prolific author of juvenile nonfiction whose contributions to numerous book series have enriched the knowledge of children in the United States as well as in the author's native England. One of Llewellyn's first books, My First Book of Time, was highly praised by reviewers for its enthusiastic and clear explanation of time zones, seasons, fractions, and the history of timepieces. Dubbing the work "comprehensive" in its scope, a Publishers Weekly contributor noted of My First Book of Time that Llewellyn presents her material "in exhaustive but never overwhelming detail." Other nonfiction books by Llewellyn include The Big Book of Mummies: All about Preserved Bodies from Long Ago, Our Planet Earth, and Some Plants Grow in Midair: And Other Amazing Facts about Rainforests. The author has also utilized her organizational and research skills—as well as her attention to detail—to produce The Encyclopedia of Awesome Animals, Animal Atlas, and Great Discoveries and Amazing Adventures: The Stories of Hidden Marvels and Lost Treasures, the last a compendium of interesting facts that Patricia Manning described in School Library Journal as "inviting, exciting, and eminently browsable."

Some of Llewellyn's most popular books are included in the multi-author "I Didn't Know That" series. Her series installment Some Snakes Spit Poison; and Other Amazing Facts about Snakes was described by Science Books and Films reviewer Edna DeManche as an "action-packed" "attention getter" of a book. In a text that speaks to kids in their own language, Llewellyn presents information on a variety of snakes, and adds quizzes and games to make the learning experience complete. Packed with information on everything from how spiders evolved, make webs, hunt, and communicate with each other, Spiders Have Fangs; and Other Amazing Facts about Arachnids is "loaded with fascinating facts and colorful drawings" that serve as a "fine starting point … for further learning," according to School Library Journal contributor Anne Chapman Callaghan. The Amazon rainforest environment is the focus of Some Plants Grow in Midair, and Llewellyn supplements this text with information regarding the relevant ecosystem's importance to Earth's ecological health. Each volume in the "I Didn't Know That" series contains an index, glossary, and projects and is illustrated with drawings that afford curious readers the chance to explore in search of hidden objects.

Nature topics are also the focus of Llewellyn's writing for the popular Kingfisher series "Ask Dr. K. Fisher," to which she has contributed four titles. Reviewing Ask Dr. K. Fisher about Animals and Ask Dr. K. Fisher about Dinosaurs, both of which pair Llewellyn's text with illustrations by Kate Sheppard, a Publishers Weekly critic described the books as "a winning mix of genuinely funny writing and informative content." Reviewing Ask Dr. K. Fisher about Dinosaurs for School Library Journal, Donna Atmur enjoyed the humorous "advice-column" approach, which weaves in interesting dino-facts. Llewellyn's book is "certain to amuse young dinosaur enthusiasts," Atmur concluded, predicting that Ask Dr. K. Fisher about Dinosaurs "is sure to finds a following." Other nature-based series by Llewellyn include the "Starting Life" series, about plant-and animal-development; the "Understanding Plants" series, and the "Geography Starts" books, which focus on different regions of the world. "The writing … is clear and direct and the child-enticing [format] … make these winners," concluded Dona Ratterree in her School Library Journal review of Llewellyn's "Starting Life" installments Duck and Tree.

Llewellyn covers a broad range of topics in her writing, and while she frequently focuses on nature, books such as her three-volume "The Facts About …" series delve into medical matters. In Diabetes, for example, she describes in what School Librarian contributor James Donnelly dubbed "careful, unsentimental" prose the causes, symptoms, and methods of treating the disease. Geared toward elementary-age children, each book in the series features a child who deals with the covered disease—other volumes deal with asthma, arthritis, and epilepsy—and the text relates their childlike concerns over their medical condition. Praising the series as a whole, Elizabeth Schleuther noted in Books for Keeps that Llewellyn mixes a clear, informative text with photographs, graphics, glossary, and information sidebars, and Tom Deveson in the Times Educational Supplement praised the books for "perform[ing] a useful informative task without sentimentality and with laudable directness."

Teaching young children important life skills is the focus of several of Llewellyn's series projects, such as her "Look after Yourself," "Looking after Me," and "Watch Out" series. Part of the last-named series, At Home focuses on potential hazards children should be aware of in their home, such as stovetops and electrical sockets, while Near Water discusses swimming-pool safety and proper cautions to take around rivers and coastal waters. Calling the books "well written," School Library Journal contributor Lynda Ritterman added that Llewellyn is successful in "posing questions about the various dangers and encouraging readers to think about the best course of action." Another series, the "Why Should I …?" books, educate children on important social behaviors, such as sharing, listening, and eating a balanced diet, but doing so with a humorous rather than preachy tone.

While most of Llewellyn's books for young researchers are organized into multi-volume series, several serve as one-volume resources containing a wealth of detail on a single subject. Paint a Sun in the Sky: A First Look at the Seasons pairs her text with art Amanda Wood's illustrations to introduce a years' worth of climate change, while And Everyone Shouted, "Pull!": A First Look at Forces and Motion gives children their first lesson in basic physics. In The Big Book of Mummies—published in England as The Complete Book of Mummies—Llewellyn discusses burial practices dating from 4,000 years ago in many different cultures, and explains why the study of mummies is so crucial to our understanding of the past. Noting that the book "lives up to its title," School Librarian reviewer Michael Kirby praised The Big Book of Mummies for its clear text, exemplary illustrations, and its graphically detailed description of Egyptian embalming rites. Other single-volume books include The Best Book of Bugs a compendium of insects that a Kirkus Reviews writer described as a "radiantly illustrated" introduction to every bug from ants and bees to spiders and worms.

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

American Reference Book Annual, Volume 30, 1999, Janet Hilbun, review of Our Planet Earth, pp. 417-418.

Appraisal, winter, 1999, Helen James and Leonard Garigliano, review of Some Plants Grow in Midair, pp. 53-54; spring, 2000, Barbara C. Sotto and Melvin S. Kaufman, review of Chimps Use Tools, pp. 150-151.

Booklist, May 1, 1992, Denia Hester, review of My First Book of Time, p. 1604; December 1, 1996, Hazel Rochman, review of Disguises and Surprises, p. 658; February 1, 1998, review of Our Planet Earth, p. 941; September 1, 1998, Karen Hutt, review of The Big Book of Bones, p. 116; October 1, 2003, Ilene Cooper, review of Saints and Angels, p. 332; April 15, 2004, Kay Weisman, review of Duck, p. 1444.

Books for Keeps, January, 1998, Ted Percy, review of Wild, Wet, and Windy, p. 19; November, 1999, Marget Mallett, review of The Earth Is like a Roundabout, p. 24; September, 2001, Elizabeth Schleuther, review of The Facts about Epilepsy, p. 26.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, July, 1992, review of My First Book of Time, p. 299.

Horn Book, July, 1992, Margaret A. Bush, review of My First Book of Time, p. 468.

Junior Bookshelf, June, 1992, review of My First Book of Time, pp. 112-113; December, 1996, review of Disguises and Surprises, p. 254.

Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 1992, review of My First Book of Time, p. 613; June 1, 1997, review of Some Snakes Spit Poison, p. 876; March 15, 1998, review of The Best Book of Bugs, pp. 406-607; July 15, 2007, review of Ask Dr. K. Fisher about Animals.

Magpies, July, 1995, review of Truck, pp. 33-34.

Publishers Weekly, May 4, 1992, review of My First Book of Time, p. 55; May 20, 2002, review of The Kid's Survival Guide, p. 69; July 30, 2007, review of Ask Dr. K. Fisher about Animals, p. 86.

School Librarian, August, 1995, Alasdair Campbell, review of Truck, p. 104; spring, 1999, John Feltwell, review of Animal Atlas, p. 40; summer, 2001, Michael Kirby, review of The Complete Book of Mummies, p. 95; winter, 2001, James Donnelly, review of The Facts about Diabetes, p. 218; spring, 2002, Joyce Banks, review of Slugs and Snails, p. 19, and Shirley Paice, review of Epilepsy, p. 51; spring, 2003, review of Who's Who in the Bible, p. 38; summer, 2005, Joyce Banks, review of Smelling and Tasting, p. 76; spring, 2007, John Feltwell, review of The Life of Plants, p. 38; spring, 2008, Godfrey Hall, review of Exploring Electricity, p. 45.

School Library Journal, August, 1992, Liza Bliss, review of My First Book of Time, p. 152; February, 1998, Peg Glisson, review of Our Planet Earth, p. 138; August, 1995, John Peters, review of How Things Work, p. 168; February, 1997, Lisa Wu Stowe, review of Disguises and Surprises, p. 93; September, 1997, Jeffrey A. French, review of Some Bugs Glow in the Dark, and Kathy Piehl, review of Deserts and Rainforests, p. 204; March, 1998, Anne Chapman Callaghan, review of Spiders Have Fangs, p. 197; July, 1998, Christine A. Moesch, review of The Big Book of Bones, p. 108; July, 1998, Karen Wehner, review of The Best Book of Bugs, p. 89; August, 1998, Ann G. Brouse, review of Some Plants Grow in Midair, p. 178; September, 1998, Eldon Younce, review of Potatoes, p. 193; January, 2003, review of Who's Who in the Bible, p. 126; February, 2003, Karey Wehner, review of Reptiles, p. 136; April, 2004, Christine E. Carr, review of Butterfly, p. 139; November, 2004, Dona Ratterree, review of Duck, and Sandra Welzenbach, review of Crocodile, both p. 128; October, 2005, review of Great Discoveries and Amazing Adventures: The Stories of Hidden Marvels and Lost Treasures, p. 48; October, 2006, Lynda Ritterman, review of Around Town, p. 128; February, 2008, Donna Atmur, review of Ask Dr. K. Fisher about Dinosaurs, p. 92.

Science Books and Film, October, 1995, James R. Hanley, review of Tractor, pp. 214-215; October, 1997, Edna DeManche, review of Some Snakes Spit Poison, p. 210; August, 1998, Katharine C. Payne, review of Sharks Keep Losing Their Teeth, p. 177; May, 2001, review of Some Plants Grow in Midair, p. 98.

Teaching Children Mathematics, September, 1994, David J. Whitin, review of My First Book of Time, p. 44.

Times Educational Supplement, April 6, 2001, Paul Noble, review of The Complete Book of Mummies, p. 22; April 13, 2001, review of "What Are" series, p. 22; November 16, 2001, Tom Deveson, review of "Facts About" series, p. 22.