School Library Journal Review of Los pa’ses de donde venimos/Countries We Come From

This series goes beyond obvious topics to highlight unfamiliar facts about seven countries in South America and the Caribbean. Readers will learn about climate, natural resources, animals, etc., through maps, diagrams, and rich color photography. Digestible text blocks and simple sentence structures will encourage confidence and comprehension. Plenty of detail is provided without being overwhelming; elements are explored in a way to appeal to older readers, with a layout that is still kindergarten-friendly. Teachers may be interested in using this series to spotlight the cultures and customs of students whose families may be from the countries in this series. Similarly, educators will appreciate the resources for further reading, including a bibliography and a guide to online learning. Although available in English or Spanish, it is unavailable as a bilingual series. VERDICT This series provides an up-to-date exploration of some of the worldХs most influential cultures.