Customer Reviews

Journey Around Boston From A to Z (Journeys)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It seems a bit strange to use an alphabet book format for middle schoolers, but the idea is well-executed in this nicely illustrated guide to Boston. The book begins with an undetailed map of the Boston vicinity, continues with a paragraph of introduction, and then moves on to the alphabet. Each letter gets a full page and has an alliterative title with a few explanatory sentences and some related factoids. For example, "M" is entitled "Minutemen made ready at a moment's notice"; text describes the events in Lexington and Concord on April 18, 1775; watercolor pictures show the Minuteman statue in Lexington and the Old North Bridge in Concord; factoids tell us that British soldiers were called "regulars" and that the midnight riders (Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott) called out "The regulars are out! The regulars are out!" as they rode through the night. End pages depict an alphabet of objects other than those seen in the book, such as Magnolia for "M".

With nice art and layout, this book imparts quite a few interesting facts about Boston, though one thinks it might have benefitted from an overarching coherence with which to motivate the more sophisticated young readers at which it is purportedly aimed.

JOURNEY AROUND BOSTON is another title in the series created by author, artist and one time teacher Martha Zschock. Zschock was a third grade teacher at the time she wrote the book. As a teacher she has the respects both the natural curiosity and intelligence of children. A mallard, a duck often associated with the city thanks to Robert McCloskey's immortal MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, leads visitors on a tour of Boston and the vicinity. Her book includes the familiar tourist attractions as well as lesser known and perhaps even ignored places in Boston. It serves as a wonderful introduction to Boston and its illustrious history.

This book is a must for any family with young visitors coming to the city of Boston. It will also be of interest to the children of Boston who wish to learn a bit about the city and its history.

I love Boston. I really do. This beautiful, progressive city known for being an academic, cultural and historical mecca is brilliantly presented in this delightful book.

This book will take readers alphabetically through the city that has long established itself as the Cradle of Amerian History. The alphabet format is good and effective as readers will more easily remember the sites in and around Boston. The map of the Boston area is also a good idea and an excellent added touch.

Using alliterative sentences is another good mnemonic device; readers will readily make associations with the places they are reading about in this delightful book about Boston. Readers also get text with chronicled detailed history about the places and historical events that took place in the Boston area. The lovely illustrations and rich history will delight readers of all ages. I highly recommend this one.

A wonderful book to see Boston and find out about Boston. I would recommend this to anyone (adults and children) about to visit Boston. I am looking forward to buying more books by this author and illustrator.

I discovered this book while doing a search for travel guides
to Boston. I was surprised when this book popped up 2nd in the
list, but since I collect children's illustrated books, I had to
take a look, and found it to be absolutely wonderful. I do have
to admit that it certainly would be for the very top end of the
picture book gang, not those just learning their ABC's. But so
what. It is wonderfully informative with beautiful illustrations.

Whenever I run into an ABC book, I first look to the X's to see
how the author handles that. I am pleased that this author
did not feel compelled to use X's in the beginning of the words.
Her X's became "Extraordinary Exhibits excite viewers." That is
so much better than yet another xylophone.

Perhaps my favorite page was "Y": Yarns have been spun at Ye Olde Union Oyster House for Years". The page was so compelling, I made special effort to get to the Oyster House though it wasn't
on my original agenda.

Besides a very attractive architectural illustration of the Oyster House, there is an insert that shows some of regional foods such as Boston Baked Beans and Boston Cream Pie. Below the
pictures is a short paragraph about the pictures. In this case
there is information about baked beans and why they were so popular with the Pilgrims. Below that is a wavy line (as there is on each page) with another bit of information, this time about
lobster which is usually available in the waters close by.

In September I am going to Cape Code and her A to Z book on
Cape Cod will be part of my planning. I hope she keeps this
wonderful series going, and if she branches out into Europe -
so much the better! If you are reading this, Martha, I am going
to London in the Spring next year and Venice in the fall, just
in case you are looking for your next subject.

Highly recommended.

I thought this would be great for my children but I enjoyed it, too! Lots of info about Boston and it's history! Made our trip there even more interesting! Would recommend it highly and wish there was one for every city!

My 4.5 year-old daughter got this as a present when we moved to Boston. She absolutely loves it! Because it's like 26 short stories (each letter is about a different topic), she can pay attention easily and doesn't get bored. And she's discovered that there is a duck in each illustration, so she loves to find the duck hiding on each page (especially since the duck is usually doing something funny or wearing a silly costume). The only issue I have with the book is that a few topics are tough to read to a little kid (slavery, revolutionaries being shot, and the hanging of Quakers, for instance). But it's easy enough to skip the sentences that are too complicated for bedtime stories and it doesn't detract from the book at all.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a baby book! This is my staple baby gift! The series is fabulous; lots of cities are featured! Education, exploration, and fantastic illustrations!

Take a tour of Boston with this beautifully illustrated book. The A to Z format is great for the little ones, while the fun facts about Boston and illustrations keep kids of all ages enthralled. I could stare at the illustrations all day myself!

Length:: 0:56 Mins

I wouldn't have even choosen a star for this review but it makes u choose at least one! I hope I loaded the video correctly so that u can see the condition it is in...terrible!