Books of the Week: The Junior Geography Detective Squad Series by Elysabeth Eldering

Today I have a fun and inovative book. How much do you know about the different states in the union? I know I'm rusty on my facts as I studied the US many years ago.

Elysabeth is in the process of developing this great series of 50 books to teach our children, and us, all about each state and all US territories like Puerto Rico.

Here is her synopsis of these most interesting books:

Matt Patterson, Guy Lombard, Mary Beth Patterson and Jolene Ariette take on the newest handheld game to help them in their study of social studies course of US History (geography and trivia information about each state). Each book in the series will be presented as the game giving them "clues" which are basically facts and trivia information that can be found most any place about the states. The kids have to guess the state by the end of the book. Readers are encouraged to participate in guessing as well. Guesses may be changed during the story as no one is expected to get the state immediately. Some clues are more helpful than others and some are just downright fun. This is a fun way of learning something you never knew about state history and geography.

There are bonus clues to five territories throughout the series, one per book with a total of ten per each of the territory (Guam, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, US Samoan Islands). The ten clues will not come consecutively; the five territories will be one clue every sixth book for each of the territories. There will be a bonus clue section at the end of the series, recapping the clues, which book they appeared in and what the territory is in that book.


Teacher's guides are available through special order from 4RV Publishing. They are available only as a PDF download. The teacher's guides will contain six research projects/discussion questions, a science experiment based on one of the clues in the book (where possible), a secret message puzzle (cryptogram, word search, scramble or other such puzzles alternating per state), and an end of book quiz (about fifteen per book - a mixture of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and True/False questions).

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I've looked at the first one and it's very complete. What a great way to learn about our country, and if you're not in the US this is a great way for you to learn about it too.
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Books may ordered from

4 RV Publishing

Elysabeth Eldering

posted by Joy Delgado
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Raising Bilingual Children

In this day and age, being bilingual is really a must. Speaking only one language, what ever it is, limits you in many facets of life. For our children growing up in this century, they are at a great disadvantage.

Not sure how to start? Here are a few websites that can help you on your way.

The Multilingual Children’s Association has tips for getting started, resources, a bulletin board and more. They have community pages to help you find other families going through the same things you are. Dig around, I know you’ll find things to help you get started.

Another helpful site is Multilingual Munchkins. On the home page you’ll find links like Language Corner, Parents Corner and Reading Corner. The link I like best is the Activity Corner. In there they have a whole page dedicated to activities based on children’s books. They’ve taken books and found or created crafts, cooking and other activities that relate to the book. This site also has a yahoo group you can join and share with families all over the world as you teach your children multiple languages.

Looking for a book with an activity book and a teacher's guide that can help you get started? Check out mine over at Laughing Zebra - Books for Children. I also have lots of activites and interactive things on my web site.

See you back here on Monday with another great book that goes beyond reading.

Let's go to the Library!

Libraries are a wealth of information and inspiration. Living in Puerto Rico the past few years this is something I’ve missed. That’s not to say there are no libraries here, just that there aren’t any near me. So, what do I do? Turn to the internet. There I’ve found everything my heart could possibly desire.

Here are a few websites I’ve collected over the years:

The Internet Public Library
Here you can; ask a librarian questions, read newspapers, in the side bar you can link references, reading room, kidspace, teenspace and more. Check it out, it’s worth the trip.

Another site is Public Libraries.com
This lists all the libraries in the US. Not just public city or county libraries, but State library and archives, Library of Congress, Presidential libraries, College libraries and Law libraries.

Pick a state, pick a city, pick a library. If the library has it’s own website (most do) you can access it from here.

One of the biggest most comprehensive sites is the Library of Congress.
Here you’ll find resources, general information and more library resources down the side bar with numerous links under each heading. You can look at past and present exhibitions, leaf your way through their vast digital collections and library catalogs. If you need information, this is a great place to start.