Encyclopedias

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Post Annotations Here: //(submitted by Pat Henderson)// Very large text, colorful pages including colorful subject headings on each page. Large photographs and diagrams. Limited subjects, but all suitable for elementary. States and countries have a highlighted "fact file" box to group quick facts together. Other subjects have facts highlighted with "key facts" or "key dates" or "did you know". Easy to use, and I highly recommend for elementary. Reviews: Wilson's Children 10/01/07, Booklist 01/01/06, Library Media Connection 04/01/06.
 * Heinemann First Encyclopedia****,** Heinemann Publishing, Chicago, IL, 2006

//(submitted by Pat Henderson)// **The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia,**  Kingfisher, New York, NY, 1991 Comprehensive science topics, from abacus to zygote. Large text and color illustrations. Reading level is for middle school, and I would recommend for middle school. Reviews: Wilson's Children 10/01/07, Wilson's Junior High School 08/01/07, Booklist 10/15/06, Book Links (A.L.A.) 03/01/08.

//The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals//, edited by David W. Macdonald, Princeton University Press, 2006 Covers “every known living species from aardvarks to zorros” in one volume. Entries are arranged according to taxonomy. Features full-color photos and color illustrations on almost every page. “Fact files” for many animal families list species and their characteristics, provide an illustrated size comparison to humans, and provide a distribution map. In the back matter, every single species is listed for ease of identification. There is also a glossary and a thorough index.

//Encyclopedia of the American Civil War: A Political, Social, and Military History//, edited by David S. Heidler et al, ABC-CLIO, 2000 This five-volume set contains over 1600 essays covering (according to the preface) “every conceivable subject and significant person connected the the causes, course, and consequences of the war.” Over 500 historical photographs and artworks are included throughout. The final volume offers over 250 primary source documents, Union and Confederate army personnel lists, battlefield maps, and an extensive bibliography. The encyclopedia is also available as an e-book.

//Earth: The Definitive Visual Guide,// edited by James F. Luhr, DK Publishing, Inc., 2003 This is a stunning book, sure to attract student interest due to the beautiful photographs, but also with comprehensive and informative text. This is a one-volume encyclopedia is divided into five parts covering formation of the earth, land, oceans, and atmosphere, and plate tectonics. Detailed maps and graphic illustrations complement the photos. Features and tables (e.g. types of rocks, geologic timeline) are packed with information. Man’s impact on earth is also explored.

James Chambers, Editor in Chief Infobase Publishing, 2008 The first volume of this five volume set has general information in regards to career guidance and preparation. It also lists 93 industries with 5-7 page articles on each. Information includes industry background, structure, outlook as well as organizations and websites to further research. The remaining four volumes contain 747 career articles alphabetically arranged. Articles contain several main sections such as job overview, job requirements, work environment, job outlook and sources for more information. Additional information is found in the form of interviews with professional in the field, profiles of pioneers and book and websites for more info. The end of volume 1 contains a cumulative job title index as well as an index of related organizations and websites
 * Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance 14th Edition**

Joseph M. Costagno, Editor in Chief Scholastic Library Publishing, 2005 A six volume set outlining geography, history and economy of the countries of the world. The focus is to give the reader insight in to the life of the people of these countries with content selected to give an unbiased understanding among various populations. The preface also sets forth that the editorial policy of this resource is presentation of fact vs. opinion. Effort is made to eliminate bias and stereotypes. A substantial list of contributors and reviewers are listed. The set is arranged by continent with countries listed alphabetically within the appropriate volume. Language is appropriate for late grade-school to middle school. Colorful maps, flags and photographs. Each entry contains a graphic with facts and figures however, since it is not updated annually this resource is best used probably best to get a general sense of the culture and physical land rather than obtain accurate statistical information.
 * Lands and Peoples**

Kristina A. Vaicikonis, Senior Editor World Book Inc, 2007 A six volume set arranged alphabetically by individual nation or political/geographic unit. All articles are at least two pages long and keeping entries as full page entities makes it easier to follow along with information. Great page lay-out and use of maps and graphics. A Fact Box for each entry highlights key information. One unique feature found in many of the entries is a timeline including significant events in the country’s history. Comprehensive index in volume six.
 * The World Book Encyclopedia of People and Places**

1. **//The Historical Encyclopedia of Costumes//**. Albert Racinet. New York: Facts on File, 1988. Fairly thorough documentation of historical costuming. Pertinent for having students relate to period attire as relates to a story, play, or re-enactment. Mostly pictures, easy to use. Lynn. 2. **//Encyclopedia of the American Constitution//**. Edited by Leonard W. Levy. New York: Macmillan, 1986. Set of encyclopedias geared toward mature students or adults. Full of elaborately detailed entries. Lynn. 3. **//DK First Space Encyclopedia//**. New York: DK Publishing, 2008. DK produced a wonderful encyclopedia about space that targets elementary through middle school students. Information is thorough and accurate, but brief enough to cover the main points without losing the student in the jargon. Full of detailed photos and illustrations. Lynn.

// 1. //// Encyclopedia of the Victorian Era // James Eli Adams, Editor in Chief Grollier Academic Reference, Danbury CT 2004 4 Volume Set

These books are not too big and have beautiful covers. I particularly liked the synoptic table of contents which would be very helpful for students when they are choosing or narrowing down a research topic. Entries include topic headings of Biographies, Politics, Diplomacy & War and Visual Arts & Architecture. The Appendix includes a listing of primary documents. Overall, it is a great resource.

2. //The Encyclopedia of Witches & Witchcraft//, 2nd Edition Rosemary Ellen Guiley Checkmark Books 1999

This was a great book to look at because it is so specific. The entries are listed A-Z and seemed very comprehensive. It would be a great resource for a research paper or even just to browse through and learn something about the topic.

// 3. //// Encyclopedia of American History: Three Worlds Meet, Beginnings to 1607 Vol. 1 // Facts on File, New York 2003 This is a great high school resource. At the beginning, it has a list of entries by topic which is a great beginning resource guide for students in US History as they determine a topic for a research paper. Volume II of this series has 10 volumes and covers the years 1608-2000.

~Joanne T.

Index of maps, Thematic Indexes, Biographical Index, Cultural and Literary Index, Index of Philosophy, Religion, Politics and Scholarship, Index of Places, Index of Science and Technology and Exploration, Index of Wars and Battles . This set is beautiful – each entry is signed and covers all the major events from 1300-1700. The indexing is terrific and the use of illustrations and timelines is a wonderful addition. This is an encyclopedia that I could just read for fun. Highly recommended by School Library Journal. ** [|Alternative Lifestyles, and Radical Ideas in U.S] ** **. History Editor: ** Gina Misiroglu Index of documents This set covers many obscure topics, for example, I had never heard of //Boston Marriages//. A relationship between two women who had decided to live independently of men and were financially responsible for themselves, most common in the 19th century in New England, sometimes romantic most times not. I really like the inclusion of primary documents
 * *Title: [|Renaissance and Reformation] Editor: ** James A. Patrick **Publisher:** Marshall Cavendish **Year:** 2007 **Volumes:** 6 Volume Set **Scope and Coverage:** 1300-1700 **Subject:** European History/Renaissance to Reformation **Audience:** Grades 9-12 **Features:** Timeline, Glossary, Resources for further study, Bibliography, Places to go**,** Internet Resources**,** Resources for Younger Readers**,** Directory of Articles**,** List of maps
 * Title: [|American Countercultures: An Encyclopedia of Nonconformists,] **
 * Publisher: ** Sharpe Reference **Year:** 2009 **Volumes:** 3 Volume set **Scope and Coverage:** Puritans to Present **Subject;** American History **Audience:** Grades 9-12
 * Features: ** Topic Finders at the beginning of each volume, Filmography, Bibliography

This is a beautifully illustrated set. Entries are alphabetical with an artful illustration of deities, gods and mythic figures. The set also includes places in mythology and and an explanation of their importance. Final volume contains: Glossary, Names and Places, Family trees of legendary figures, Suggested readings, Cultures index, Cumulative index
 * Title: [|Myths and Legends of the World] Editor: ** John M. Wickersham **Publisher:** Macmillan Reference **Year:** 2000 **Volumes:** 4 Volumes **Audience:** 9-12 **Scope and Content:** World Mythology and Religion **Subjects:** World History, World Literature **Features:** Complete table of contents in volume 1**,** Ease of use with alphabetical listings

**Rourke’s Native American History & Culture Encyclopedia**. Vero Beach: Rourke, 2009. This encyclopedia gives the history of Native Americans from the time the Europeans arrived to the present. There are more than 200 Native American tribes represented. Not only are the tribes represented, but information is given about other people involved in their history, events, and items. For example, beadwork is discussed. This could be used by third graders on up. - Michelle M. This ten volume set has information on 400 animals on how and where they live. Each animal has one page of information, which includes a colorful picture and a map of where the animal lives. They are arranged alphabetically by the more common name of the species. Thus, Black Abalone comes before Death Adde. There is a set index at the end of each volume. The animals include amphibians, arthropods, birds, fish, mammals, other invertebrates and reptiles. - Michelle M. This twenty volume set includes animals, plants, other organisms such as bacteria and fungi, and the places they live. There are illustrations and photographs, and a general description. There is also a box with important details for each subject, along with a map indicating where the subject lives. Each subject is given two pages. There are also 50 guidepost articles, which cover large group of animals along with specific habitats and biomes. This is for upper elementary and up. - Michelle M.
 * Amazing Animals of the World 3**. Danbury: Grolier, 2006.
 * Wildlife and Plants** 3rd Edition. Tarrytown: Marshall Cavendish, 2007.

A collection of interviews, rare images and eyewitness accounts of paranormal and unexplained phenomena, with topics ranging from UFOs to psychic activity and sea monsters. A complete guide to World Wrestling Entertainment that includes alphabetically arranged entries that profile wrestlers and information on the history of the World Wrestling organization since 1960. A big book with glossy captioned photographs. The boys love this one!! A collection of facts about preserved people from around the world, including Egyptian mummies, bog bodies, Einstein’s brain and the Ice Man. Many color photographs. The book has maps showing the areas of the world in which these preserved people have been discovered.
 * 1) **__Encyclopedia Horifica: The Terrifying Truth! About Vampires, Ghosts, Monsters and More__**__.__ By Joshua Gee, Published 2007, Scholastic, New York.
 * __W W Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to World Wrestling Entertainment__.** By Brian Shields & Kevin Sullivan. Published 2009, by DK, New York.
 * __The Encyclopedia of Preserved People: Pickled, Frozen, and Mummified__** __Corpses from Around the World.__ By Natalie Jane Prior. Published 2003, Crown Publishers, New York.

//Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of Foods and Recipes of the World// edited by Karen Hanson, U X L, Detroit, MI, c2002. //Exciting, Engaging, Rare Information, Interesting, Useful for Foreign Language and Home Economics// This 4 volume set profiles the dietary lifestyles of much of the world. The encyclopedia includes 70 entries, alphabetized by country, and more than 700 traditional and modern recipes from 57 countries. The body of each country profile includes seven headings: geographic setting and environment; history and food; foods of the country or culture group; food for religious and holiday celebrations; mealtime customs; politics economics and nutrition; and a bibliography. The encyclopedia also includes a full index, photographs, illustrations, a readers guide, chapter on measurements and conversion, chapter on getting started with cooking, and a glossary.

//World Book's Encyclopedia of Flags// World Book, Chicago, c2007. //Rare, useful, resourceful, well-organized// This 12 volume encyclopedia provides readers with articles on flags of every nation in the world, historical flags and flags of organizations and political groups. Two page entries are arranged alphabetically and include a picture of the flag, information about the country's history, fast facts (capital, government, largest cities, languages, religions, etc.), maps, and a history of the nation's flag. The encyclopedia also includes a guide on how to use the set, as well as a full index to all entries.

//Dinosaurs of the World// introduction by Mark Norell, edited by Chris Marshall, Marshall Cavendish, New York, c1999. //Interesting, Science Curriculum, Great References Included, Well Organized// This 11-volume encyclopedia provides readers with more than 200 articles on dinosaurs, groups of dinosaurs, animals that lived alongside the dinosaurs, and other dinosaur-related topics. Articles are included in alphabetical order and are labeled in three categories: ornithischian dinosaurs, saurischian dinosaurs and general topics. Articles include titles, summaries, fascinating facts box, color artwork, main text, captions, photographs, pronunciations, dinofacts, skeleton close-up, information panels, family tree, size indicators, locator maps, timelines, cross references to other articles in the series. The encyclopedia also includes an introduction to dinosaur science, a chapter on how to use the set, a tree of life diagram, a brief history of the earth, a dinosaur timeline, a chapter on where the fossils are, dinosaur family tree, information on dinosaur hunters, places to go, things to do, a glossary, a pronunciation guide, geographical index and a comprehensive index.

__One Million Things: a Visual Encyclopedia__ Peter Crisp DK Publishing, c2008. This was my favorite of the encyclopedias I explored this week. Designed for grades 3-6, this single volume treasure contains information about a million different things. What distinguish it are the incredible photographs and images that “both illustrate and educate.” Each is like a work of art and each provides as much information as the text. A comprehensive Table of Contents lists the eight major subjects covered and includes Nature, the Human Body, Science and Technology, Space, Earth, People and Places, History, Art and Culture. I really liked the cool fun fact pages at the end of the book that list, in varying sized texts, enticing tidbits about each topic. While this is an extremely informative work, it would probably be used less for research and more for exploration and discovery. It will certainly engage students in learning and inspire them to learn more! AS

__Career Discovery Encyclopedia.__ 5th Edition J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company. c2003. This 8-volume encyclopedia for upper elementary and middle schools students contains over 500 job descriptions arranged alphabetically from accountant to zoologist. The entries describe what the job entails, education and training required, job outlook and additional resources including listing of professional associations. Fact boxes summarize school subjects and personal skills required, salary range and outlook. Black and white photos are not terribly exciting, but they break up the text. Each volume contains a table of contents listing each career covered, a glossary and an index. I thought this was an interesting and inspiring resource for the age group. AS

__Africana: the Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience__ Anthony Appiah, and Henry Louis Gates. Basic Civitas Books, c1999. This enormous, 2095 page volume has much the same impact as an unabridged dictionary. It inspires awe and curiosity. Though it is written for an adult audience and much of its content is high there is much for an upper elementary student to explore, especially the biographical entries and the many illustrations and maps. As its title implies, the work includes articles on both African and African American topics and covers everything from history and culture to geography and politics as well as famous people. Arranged alphabetically, from affirmative action to zydeco, the work contains about 3000 articles of varying lengths. Even though it is outdated, I think this is an important and impressive resource for any multicultural collection. AS

__Childcraft : the how and why library__ World Book, Chicago, 2000 I selected this encyclopedia set as a favorite because it includes accurate information on a wide range of topics in language that is easy for young children to understand. I also like that the work is organized by subjects based on how children learn and what they want to know. -Deb Morley


 * __Encyclopedia of emancipation and abolition in the Transatlantic world__**
 * Edited by Junius Rodriguez**
 * Sharpe Reference, Armonk, NY, 2007**
 * I selected this as a favorite as I found this encyclopedia to be a unique and important work on the struggles to abolish slavery. The reports of individual escapes, violent rebellions, mass organizations, decisive social actions, and major wars are fascinating to read about. I particularly like the biographies that are included, as they reveal the perspectives of slaves, slavery advocates and defenders, and abolitionists. -Deb Morley**

__Planets, stars, and galaxies : a visual encyclopedia of our universe__ Written and illustrated by David A. Aguilar, contributing writers Christine Pulliam & Patricia Daniels National Geographic, Washington D.C., 2007 I chose this as a favorite because the content and visual images are both educational and exciting. I like that it was written in collaboration with National Geographic, and that it is an easy to use reference for young readers needing a reference for a school report. -Deb Morley

1. “The World Book Encyclopedia,” edited by Paul A. Kobasa. (World Book Inc: 2008).

World Book serves to meet the reference needs of students in elementary school, middle school, and high school. The encyclopedia features various entries from various fields, such as area studies, biological sciences, humanities, physical sciences, social sciences, and more. Colored illustrations and maps are included, as well as cross-references, a pronunciation key, and a set index. Highlighting the 2008 edition are new and expanded articles on electronic games, Google, Inc., George Clooney, and Maria Sharapova, among many others.-Tessa

2. “Endangered Species 2nd Edition,” edited by Julie L. Carnegie and Allison McNeill. (The Gale Group: 2004).

This is a three-volume work, divided into mammals; arachnids, birds, crustaceans, insects, and mollusks; and amphibians, fish, plants and reptiles. Each volume features a reader’s guide, endangerment and its causes, endangered species fact boxes and classification, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Resources, Endangered Species Act, and Words to Know. Some animals on the list include the jaguar, the red wolf, and the Chinese alligator. -Tessa

3. “A Scholastic Kid’s Encyclopedia: Science,” by David Rubel. (Scholastic Inc: 1998).

This encyclopedia features more than one hundred easy-to-read topics covering five branches of science, focusing on astronomy, biology, earth science, the human body, and physics and chemistry. Each branch is coded by color so that you can see how the topics are related. Each topic begins with a short definition. Important scientific topics from Adaptation to Wind are arranged in alphabetical order. The topics are listed in the table of contents. They are grouped according to the branch of science to which they belong. There is one page in the table of contents for each branch of science. The easiest topics to understand are marked with a green circle. You can use the index at the back of the book to look up specific subjects, such as dinosaurs or space flight that may occur in more than one topic. You can look up difficult words in the glossary at the back of the book. There are more than four hundred colorful photographs, illustrations, and diagrams. Cross-references on every page help young readers look up information. For ages 7 and up.-Tessa 1) //**Middleton, John, and Joseph Miller, Eds. **//The New Encyclopedia of Africa.//** Detroit: Gale, 2008. This encyclopedia is a five-volume set, volume one contains topics A-C. The intent of this encyclopedia is to cover what is a more “updated version to reflect the deep and complex changes in the idea of “Africa”. There are 1, 121 articles; of these 821 are essays on specific topics, 53 composite entries on independent countries; 96 of them are on particular cities and towns, and there are 305 biographies. This encyclopedia did not include articles on particular ethnic groups because it did not want to unfairly emphasize a group simply because it is more known in the world. It does include a list in an appendix at the back of the book of 1,000 ethnic groups or more. There are diagrams, maps and illustrations, photographs and tables to help with the clarity of the information. This encyclopedia contains an appendix has a chronology of Africa and one on the period of history covered in a particular volume. Each volume also includes an 8 page insert on various aspects of the African culture. There are bibliographies included after each article. The clarity of articles and the photographs really make this an appealing choice to the students. LE
 * //

2) Cook, Bernard. **//Europe Since 1945: An Encyclopedia//**. New York: Garland, 2001 The aim of this encyclopedia is to be a comprehensive survey of the political, economic, social, and cultural changes and trends. The 1,700 entries are arranged alphabetically. Volume 1 begins with a subject guide that organizes entry headings under broad subject categories such as "Alliances," "Art," "Cold War," and "Crime." There is a political emphasis in the encyclopedia: "Political Figures" is the category with the most entries (two-thirds of the content, in fact), broken down by individual countries and then by names. The subject guide allows the reader to scan all of the entries in a few minutes, making the encyclopedia an efficient browsing source. Another useful feature is the "Chronology of Major Political Events Since 1945," which starts with the January 1, 1945, recognition of the provisional government of Poland by the Soviet Union and ends with the March 2000 election of Vladimir Putin as president of Russia. This is an expensive reference resource with a list price of $425.00. LE

3) Grendler, Paul, Ed. **//The Renaissance: An Encyclopedia for Students//**. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 2004. This is a four volume set, each volume containing articles alphabetized under the volume’s particular range, volume one covers topics under A-C. This encyclopedia is a condensed version of Charles Scribner’s Sons Encyclopedia of the Renaissance (1999), (we also have in our collection) which won extensive awards and was hailed as the essential reference resource on the Renaissance. This set is written on the level a student would understand. It coves people and events beginning in Italy about 1350, and broadens geographically to the rest of Europe in the middle to late fifteenth century. There are 461 entries arranged alphabetically. Each page contains a major column containing the article plus a minor column containing things useful to the student such as: entry titles, brief definitions of unfamiliar terms small illustrations, lists of rulers or sidebars that help to explain the information in the main article. There is a chronology at the beginning of each volume, and 60 color plates, organized into visual essays (such as “Daily Life”), which helps the visual learner organize the information presented. Cross references appear at the end of each article. There are many black and white illustrations, maps and genealogical charts are also given. There is an extensive index in the back, listing topics and their volume and page number. The information is very accessible and would be a great resource for the student beginning their research on this time period. LE

__DK Millenium family encyclopedia__, Jayne Parsons and Gill Shaw (eds.). New York: DK Publishing, 1997. Volumes 1-4 include 700 entries; volume 5 consists of and index and gazetteer, charts, fact boxes, lists, and tables. Ex.: volume 1 includes 8 pages about Asia, but also includes an entry for China, while the entry for the Carribean is not followed by an individual entry for Haiti in a later volume. Amazing illustrations. - Rachel

__Endangered animals__. Danbury, CT: Grolier Educational, 2002. Ten volumes, with the first volume providing an overview of the subject and describing conservation efforts. Each volume includes a glossary, further print and web references, full index, along with an index of animals by family. Each entry consists of a two-page spread including a photograph and a map indicating the habitat of the subject. Full paragraphs introduce authors responsible for each group of animals (birds, mammals, etc.). - Rachel

__2004 Compton’s encyclopedia and fact-index__, Anthony L. Green (ed.). New York: Encyclopedia Britannica, 2004. Twenty-six volumes. A table of contents organizes the entries in each volume into broad categories such as Arts, Medicine, Geography, etc., and Potpourri, for entries that are more miscellaneous. There are also a few pages containing interesting questions, with page numbers within the volume where those questions are answered. Volume 26 is intended as a kind of blown-up index: a “miniencyclopedia.” Updated photographs. - Rachel

__Scholastic Encyclopedia of the United States at War__. June English and Thomas D. Jones. New York: Scholastic, 1998. This is one in a series of similar encyclopedias from Scholastic that includes volumes on presidents and Native Americans. It is rich in information, using a variety of photographs, illustrations, maps, and other primary sources to engage the reader. Wars from the American Revolution to the Gulf War are covered in short sections with descriptive headings. Each war includes sections on battles, major events, and the war’s aftermath. The topic focus would be valuable in an elementary or middle school library, where wars may tie into other subjects or are simply an area of interest for the student. __Dorling Kindersley Children’s Illustrated Encyclopedia, New Edition__. Karen O’Brien, Senior Editor. New York: DK Publishing, 2000. Like other Doris Kindersley publications, the Children’s Illustrated Encyclopedia has an attractive, clear arrangement with brief (one or two page) entries for each topic. Continents are given more in depth entries which include flags of nations, wildlife, and geographic information. One of the most useful features of this encyclopedia is the “Find Out More” section at the end of each entry, which cross-references other entries in the book. For example, the entry on air lists atmosphere, earth, oxygen, pollution, and weather as helpful terms to learn more about the topic. The ready reference “Fact Finder” section has additional information on history, timelines, science, nature, and the environment. This book would make a good addition to an elementary or middle school library. __The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia__. Boston: Kingfisher, 2004. The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia is an engaging encyclopedia for elementary or middle school students. The table of contents is illustrated, and clearly organized by historical period. The chronology of the book spans from 40,000 B.C. to recent years (the last entry is “The War on Terror”). Entries are arranged attractively with a combination of photographs and illustrations, and written in a tone that would be easy for intermediate level students to understand. The ready reference section in the back of the book includes a small section for internet links, timelines of rulers and wars, and other information. The alphabetical index makes it easy to locate specific information on various topics. This book would make a good addition to an elementary or middle school library.