Relativity

Critical thinking skills are vital for success in today’s world. Much of the text on handheld devices, computers, and online search engines minimizes the need to connect the dots, to recall knowledge, and push beyond the obvious. Michael Smith addresses this in his new children s book, Relatividad/Relativity. This bilingual rhyming story no easy feat in two languages and perfectly executed here gently guides elementary school children to begin thinking critically. Can critical thinking skills and focus be taught, by what method, and at what age can the process begin? Relatividad/Relativity is a clear and fun lesson that wrangles these complicated topics to a workable and enjoyable method for learning. The text on each page of Relatividad/Relativity compares and contrasts near and far, slow and fast, and so on. Once presented, however, the author emphasizes that there are no extremes or hard-and-fast rules instead there is relativity. Smith charges the reader with finding out what relativity is and follows up with, There is no high, there is no low, just levels of something taller or below. Lush illustrations by Octavio Oliva move the story along, providing the perfect amount of visual stimulation to keep children engaged from start to finish; warm, friendly, encompassing, they are a refreshing departure from the anime or superhero styles of many children’s books today. Teachers and parents will also enjoy the flow between Spanish and English and will find that reading the story over and over again is a pleasure rather than irritating. –Foreword ReviewsA great resource for a lesson on making comparisons. There is even a lesson on the use of the adverb really, which could be compared to the comparative adjective worse as it is presented in the text. If you are an elementary language arts teacher, then this is a perfect resource for you. The illustrations support the text very well and will help your students comprehend the text better. –Library Media Connection

Young readers learn the thought-provoking concept of relativity in this children’s book! Don’t be deterred this is not a scientific explanation. The rhyming story follows a young boy who is seeing the world in a way that each thing relates to another. The sky to the trees; the trees to the grass; the speed of a plane to the crawl of a snail. The delightful prose is accompanied by a unique visual a slightly hazy illustration in relation to the clarity of the text. Although the title Relativity may at first seem advanced for children, the book goes into detail to simplify the explanation of the concept. Children may not pick up on the theory after the first read, but the content can spark conversation at home or in a classroom. Children will come to appreciate the lesson taught in this book, and will likely recognize the theory of relativity when engaging in their own world. What’s the relation of this charming story to children’s literature? One unique, fun and informative book that stands out among others! –Children’s Literature