Booklist Online Gives Fascinating World of Birds A Great Review

The Booklist Online is part of the American Library Association. BrainFood Learning was recently notified The Fascinating World of Birds has received a favorable review with the review published in January 2013. We are really excited to receive a wonderful review by such a highly regarded organization. The entire review is below.

birds_front_500__46168.1322240558.1280.1280Following an introduction to bird basics (all birds are vertebrates, lay eggs, and have feathers and hollow bones), this instructional program focuses on 10 species of birds, beginning with ostriches, the largest and fastest bird. Characteristics of all featured birds, including penguins (males incubate eggs), Canada geese (fly in V formations), and eagles (the symbol of the U.S.), are included. The program also highlights the hummingbird (the smallest species, ability to fly backward), woodpecker (pecks up to 10,000 times per day), macaw (screeches very loudly), pelican (scoops fish with throat pouch), American robin (migrates and returns to the U.S. in spring), and owl (quietly sneaks up on prey). Live-action footage shows the avian species in their native habitats, and onscreen captions highlight bird names and other terms. Colorful nature footage, kid-friendly trivia, and review questions accent this solid, well-priced video for classroom use.

— Candace Smith

Video Librarian Highly Recommends The Fascinating World of Insects

Fascinating World of Insects
Fascinating World of Insects

Video Librarian is the video review magazine for public, school, academic, and special libraries, as well as video fans who are interested in a wider variety of titles than what’s found in the average video store. The reviews are written by staff, librarians, teachers, and film critics. Video Librarian recently reviewed the Fascinating World of Insects in the September/October 2012  issue and gave the video 3 1/2 out of 4 stars with the Highly Recommended designation. The review is below:

Colorful still  photos, microphotography, and live-action footage are combined to illustrate a  variety of bugs in action—accompanied by cheerful background music—in this  handsomely produced nature documentary. A female narrator introduces young  viewers to the fascinating world of insects: what they eat, how they benefit  humans, and how they respond to threats. Many will recognize several of the 11  featured specimens: grasshopper, ladybug, rhino beetle, firefly, mosquito,  honeybee, water strider, ant, praying mantis, dragonfly, and butterfly. Although  the squeamish may cringe at close-up shots of eyes, proboscises, and larvae, the  program avoids scary depictions of insects devouring each other or being  consumed. Body parts are clearly illustrated—legs, wings, horns, and so on—while  new vocabulary words such as “entomologist” and “species” appear onscreen  against a vivid green forest background as definitions are given. Five quizzes  provide opportunities to recognize and name insects (or parts thereof), test  one’s knowledge of characteristics, and choose (from multiple choices) the  meanings of the “big words” introduced in the film. Also newly available is The Fascinating World of Mammals. Highly recommended. Aud: E, I, P.  (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)

The Fascinating World of Mammals Receives a Very Favorable Review by School Library Journal

The August 2012 issue of the School Library Journal has a very favorable review of The Fascinating World of Mammals. The review is written by a Linda Teel an Associate Professor in the Academic Library Services department at East Carolina University. The review is below:

A narrator introduces ten incredible mammals via beautiful live-action videography. Close-ups of a giraffe, moose, lion, dolphin, elephant, beaver, chimpanzee, bat kangaroo, and bear quickly engage viewers as each mammal is clearly identified by name using a subtitle. The animals are presented in their natural habitat, offering an accurate perspective of their everyday lives. For example, beavers are shown building a dam and a kangaroo boxing match is filmed. Interesting and amazing facts cover such topics as size, diet, care of young, community living, life span, and other unique features. Unfamiliar vocabulary words are shown on-screen as an age-appropriate youth presents each definition. The second part of the program provides a five-part review ranging from flash cards to multiple choice questions. A valuable acquisition for public libraries and elementary school media collections.–Linda M. Teel, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC