Ubiquitous

Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors by Joyce Sidman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beautiful artwork! The visual presentation blends well with the subject matter. Each poem is about life forms from bacteria to humans. Poems paired with scientific information. Better suited for older students 3gr and up who can understand the concept of ubiquitous (found everywhere).

Will definitely add to my collection but may not be a match for bmj. Will not be a book for younger audiences.



I believe this one won awards for best book of 2010.


School Library Journal (March 1, 2010)
Gr 1-6-This volume of beautifully illustrated poems investigates the natural world, from the single-celled bacteria and diatom to the ever-present ant and dandelion. Well-researched science facts are paired with vivid poems to describe how these very special life-forms avoided extinction to become nature's survivors. The book begins 4.6 billion years ago with a newly formed Earth and continues through time as it introduces 14 types of life that are still with us today. Starting with bacteria (3.8 billion years old) and including mollusks (500 million years old), ants (140 million years old), and coyotes (2.3 million years old), the journey continues to the youngest of species, the "wise humans" or homo sapiens, that have inhabited the Earth for only 100,000 years. An illustrated time line helps bring this massive scale into the realm of children's understanding. Each spread includes a poem, amazing facts, and an exquisite, hand-colored linocut. Sidman uses a variety of poetic structures, including diamante, rhyming couplets, and unrhymed verse, and unexpected language choices to create diverse and vivid word pictures of each species. This melding of science and humor makes for enjoyable reading. The stunning illustrations engage readers and encourage questioning and further exploration. From the depiction of ant tunnels to the surprising perspective of blades of grass, the bold and colorful linocuts are incredibly detailed and successfully capture the essence of each creature as part of its larger environment. A delightful feast for the eyes, ears, and mind.-Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.
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