Girls' Book: How to Be the Best at Everything by Foster, Philippa Wingate (Editor), Amanda Enright (Illustrator), Amanda Enright (Illustrator)

Children's Literature

Have you ever wondered how to blow the biggest bubble? Write an award winning haiku? Make a French braid? These are only three of the dozens of topics covered in this comprehensive instruction manual. Girls will find everything from the silly (how to cope with an alien attack, how to annoy your family and friends), to the serious (how to deal with a bully, how to study for exams). They will learn fun things such as how to make shadow puppets, yo-yo tips on how to walk the dog, and how to make fake vomit and other fake messes. They will learn tricks such as how to make a coin disappear or how to turn water into lemonade. And they will learn practical things like how to avoid jet lag or eat with chopsticks. There are approximately ninety topics in all. On the back cover the publisher claims the book has easy-to-follow directions and helpful illustrations. While the illustrations do help the reader to picture the process, I found several of the instructions confusing and had to read through them several times to understand what the author was trying to say. A companion book is available for boys. Reviewer: Pat Trattles

VOYA

Hodgepodge is the word for these two collections of such disparate subjects as "How to Tell When Someone Is Lying," "How to Whistle Really Loudly," and "How to Take the Best Photos." More than ninety topics are covered, ranging from a quarter to a full page in length. Although divided by interest to girls and boys—one book for each—most activities would profit anyone curious about them. Just enough information is provided to get readers started on the projects, a jumping-off point for searching out more details. There is no topical arrangement. Crafts, safety, sports, manners, and just-for-fun ideas are all thrown together. Cartoonish pencil illustrations accompany some topics to clarify directions. These books could be useful for program ideas for librarians, teachers, and others working with middle and high schoolers, who might then award participants with "Best at . . ." certificates. The covers feature retro art, which does nothing to attract readers. Although the activities inside are current, those who judge by the cover alone would think that the books are leftovers from the 1950s. They are likeable browsers or gift books but not must-buys.

Elaine Baran BlackCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information. - School Library Journal

Gr 4-7
Both of these titles are filled with fun tidbits and suggestions for "beating the rest" at myriad interesting things. They are certain to be popular with readers who have plenty of free time and an adventurous spirit. Examples of more than 150 combined skills ranging from benign (making bubble bath) to outrageous (ripping a phone book in half) to outrageously exaggerated (how to survive in outer space/how to cope if zombies attack). The titles open with disclaimers disavowing any responsibility for accidents or injuries incurred from acting on the information contained within-these texts must be used with heavy doses of common sense. The boys' text contains the more outlandish tips-"Fight off a crocodile." "Escape quicksand." In Girls , the suggestions are more sedentary: "Give yourself a perfect manicure." "Knit with your fingers." "Grow a crystal." But if taken in the spirit of fun, many readers will enjoy the experiences while those with an underdeveloped sense of irony might be better off skipping certain entries.

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