Cascade Pass - Reviews

REVIEWS

ENVIRONMENTAL SERIES:
Great Review from Bioscience Magazine

BioScience October 2008 – American Institute of Biological Sciences - Growing environmental concern has recently spiked as a result of our gradual understanding and acknowledgment of global warming. The term itself has become part of the lexicon in both scientific and political arenas. Major socioeconomic decisions affecting not just the United States but the world have already been made, and will increasingly be made, on the basis of judgments about global warming. The topic is rife with controversy. Nonetheless, an introduction to global warming for children can take a direct and scientific approach. A Clean Sky: The Global Warming Story (ages 9 to 12) does just that. It is an appealing 48-page primer on global warming that young readers will enjoy. The book provides an objective understanding of a complex issue without adopting political overtones. Robyn C. Friend and Judith Love Cohen (an aerospace engineer) are accomplished writers of children's books on a variety of empowering subjects. Their approach to global warming is to discuss it from a can-do perspective: first explain the nature of the problem – how does global warming take place over time? – and then offer some possible solutions to fix it. For example, the term "greenhouse gases" is adequately defined along with the need to curb emissions, then terminology such as "carbon capture" and "geological storage" is introduced as alternative methods for reducing greenhouse gases. The result is a book that is both rational and engaging – optimism served objectively.

SCIENCE CAREER SERIES:
ENCOURAGE GIRLS IN SCIENCE & MATH

American Library Association - Booklist gave You Can Be A Woman Soccer Player (ISBN 1-880599-49-X, 1-880599-48-1 pbk) by Tisha Lea Venturini and Judith Love Cohen a good review. "This slim volume combines Olympian and World Cup-winner Venturini’s biography with a slight but informative introduction to women’s soccer many color photos, there is fuel for young fans’ enthusiasm here, both in images and in practical information.”

American Library Association - Booklist gave You Can Be A Woman Softball Player (ISBN 1-880599-47-3, 1-880599-46-5 pbk) by Sheila Cornell Douty and Judith Love Cohen a good review. "With help from Cohen, Olympic softball gold-medalist Douty shares the story of how she became a player on the first Olympic women’s softball team. Douty’s story is one of perseverance and discipline. Because of the phenomenal growth of the sport, many young girls want to play the game, so, when not in training, Douty works with kids at softball camps and clinics. Action photographs fill the book.”

American Library Association - Booklist gave You Can Be A Woman Basketball Player (ISBN 1-880599-40-6, 1-880599-34-8 pbk, 1-880599-39-2 and CD) by Tamecka Dixon and Judith Love Cohen a good review. "Women’s basketball is hot. Tamecka Dixon is a blossoming player for the Los Angeles Sparks. Tamecka’s dad started taking her to the basketball courts with him when she was just three years old. The story follows Tamecka’s hard work as she strives to be a good student and athlete. Many action pics of her on the court help to enliven this inspiring story. The authors also include the names and duties of the five team positions, with a very good diagram a good and needed effort.

School Library Journal reviewed You Can Be A Woman Egyptologist (ISBN 1-880-45-7, 1-880599-10-4 pbk) by Betsy Morrell Bryan and Judith Love Cohen (ill. by David Katz) and stated in part: "The writing is quite good; an Egyptologist shares how she became interested in the profession, what she does, and some of the more exciting discoveries she's made."

Science Books and Films gave You Can Be A Woman Zoologist (ISBN 1-880599-56-2, 1-880599-55-4 pbk) by Valerie Thompson and Judith Love Cohen (ill. By David Katz) their Recommendation. Their review stated in part: The professional women who prepared this book in support of women succeeding as zoologists can back up their thesis by their own success in field zoology.

Science Books and Films gave You Can Be A Woman Marine Biologist (ISBN 1-880599-54-6, 1-880599-53-8 pbk) by Florence McAlary and Judith Love Cohen (ill. By David Katz) their Recommendation Their review stated in part: Dr. Florence McAlary, the marine biologist profiled, helps expand the list of 21st-century career options.

Science Books and Films gave You Can Be A Woman Engineer (ISBN 1-880599-51-1, 1-880599-50-3 pbk) by Judith Love Cohen (ill. By David Katz) their Editor’s Choice. Their review stated in part: This book’s beautifully written text and focused message make it a highly recommended book for its target audience–young girls. Engineer Judith Love Cohen, because she heard and answered the call to a career in science and engineering, speaks with an authentic voice.

School Library Journal gave You Can Be A Woman Astronomer (ISBN 1-880599-17-1 pbk) by by Andrea Mia Ghez and Judith Love Cohen (ill. By David Katz) an enthusiastic review. The review stated in part:" Though the title seems calculated to keep boys away, there's nothing here that couldn't be read and understood by children of either gender. Ghez describes her lifelong fondness for puzzles and difficult questions that led her to become a scientist, and the excitement of using telescopes and other devices to study the heavens–particularly the birth of stars, her current field of research. The writing is simple but precise; rather than just mentioning the Hubble Space Telescope as one of her tools, she specifies which of its instruments she has utilized. Consider it as a replacement for Paul Sipiera's I Can Be An Astronomer (o.p.)"

Science Books and Films gave You Can Be A Woman Architect (ISBN 1-880599-44-7, 1-880599-04-X pbk) by Margot Siegel and Judith Love Cohen (ill. By David Katz) their Recommendation. Their review stated in part: Margot Siegel, the architect profiled describes in her own words what made her want to become an architect and how she proceeded toward her goal. The activities are easy to follow and go well with the book. This will be of interest to those who need to help expand the list of 21st-century career options available for girls and also boys.

Science Books and Films gave You Can Be A Woman Paleontologist (ISBN 1-880599-43-0, 1-880599-12-0 pbk) by Diane Gabriel and Judith Love Cohen (ill. By David Katz) their Editor's Choice. Their review stated in part: This is a nice book for helping girls understand that they can have a career as a paleontologist. The information is equally true for boys, but the book sticks to its purpose of explaining the career options to girls. Details are given and questions are posed for girls to evaluate whether paleontology would be a good career choice. It is obvious that a paleontologist wrote the book, because the information is accurate and complete. Overall, this book serves its purpose well.

Science Books and Films gave A Clean Sea: The Rachel Carson Story (ISBN 1-880599-61-0, 1-880599-16-3 pbk, 1-880599-62-7 pbk & DVD) by Carol Hilgartner Schlank and Barbara Metzger (ill. By David Katz) their Editor's Choice. Their review stated in part: This excellent book introduces the very young to one of our finest 20th-century naturalists who was also a pioneer advocate for cleaning up the environment. Charming drawings should engage children, as will the story. The five lesson plans included at the book's end should especially help teachers to involve the youngsters with investigations about life in the water and why a clean sea is imperative. The DVD echoes “the importance of keeping oceans free from pollution” while it is a “bright colorful look at all kinds of sea life.”
Susan Plaeger, Ph.D in microbiology and Associate Professor at UCLA wrote about You Can Be A Woman Botanist (ISBN 1-880599-41-1, 1-880599-31-7 pbk) by Kristin Bozak and Judith Love Cohen (ill. By David Katz). “This Presents the study of plants as a dynamic and exciting area of science. I particularly enjoyed the description of molecular botany. The always vibrant artwork of David Katz is particularly appealing here, with the wide world of flowers and plants as his subject matter.”

For more information about Cascade Pass, E-mail jlc@cascadepass.com