Welcome to Russia (Welcome to My Country Series) by Fiona Conboy, Terence M. G. Rice, Rice Terence M. G.

Children's Literature

A country as vast as Russia, with a complex history and varied lifestyles, can hardly be covered adequately in 48 pages. What we have here is a very basic introduction to the land, history, government, people, arts, leisure activities, food, etc. Attractively designed, with readable type and color illustrations, chiefly photographs, on every page, this offers useful facts for reports and for some understanding of the complexity of Russia. The illustrations are sharply reproduced, adding useful visual information to supplement the text and single-sentence captions. They add a sense of humanity to the limited words. The choices of the necessarily limited number of examples for everything from composers to literature could be questioned, along with the mention of "enjoyment" of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. There is an index, a map, a list of "Quick Facts," a glossary of words printed in boldface, and a limited list of books, videos, and web sites for further sources of information. Part of the "Welcome to My Country" series. 2000, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 7 to 10, $22.60. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz

Parent Council Reviews

Using large photographs depicting tourist attractions, geography, wildlife, political personalities, and food, this volume offers an introduction to Russia for children. The guide also provides maps, a "Quick Facts" page, a glossary, and a resource list that includes books, websites, and videos. Readers will especially enjoy the many pictures of Russian children in this good first look at a fascinating country rich in history and diversity. Part of the "Welcome To My Country" series. 2000, Gareth Stevens Publishing, $16.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: A. Braga SOURCE: Parent Council Volume 8

School Library Journal

Gr 2-5-Two colorfully illustrated but flawed introductions. Each volume includes information on the nation's land, history, government, economy, religions, language, arts, leisure activities, holidays, and food. Unfortunately, brevity results in generalizations and superficiality. There are many omissions, particularly noticeable in the sections on food and the arts. France does not discuss music at all, and only mentions two painters, Manet and Monet; Russia ignores the balalaika. Both titles barely mention major cities, and Russia never refers to taiga, tundra, and steppe, crucial parts of the landscape. The picture captions and glossaries are more difficult than the text; in France, "aristocracy" is defined as "members of the upper class, who have usually descended from nobility"-clear as mud to an eight-year-old. There are also errors. Conboy and NgCheong-Lum list the Rhine as one of France's rivers, and state that, "For centuries, the French crossed the country by boat on these rivers." Since the Rhine is a border river, there is no way the people crossed the country on it. Victor Hugo died in 1885, and not in 1855 as the text states; Les Miserables is not "a novel based on the French Revolution." Russia talks about Santa Claus rather than Grandfather Frost. Thomas Streissguth's France and Russia (both Carolrhoda, 1997) are written in a very casual style, but are far more comprehensive than these titles.-Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

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