Kidspace [Website]

KidSpace is a parallel website to Internet Public Library with topics of interest to children at a level that children can understand. The website consists of various collections of more websites organized in groups such as "Health & Nutrition," "Reading Zone" and "Math & Science." The links that are provided within each grouping are also at a level appropriate for children and the sites I looked at were mostly well.

It seems obvious that some thought has gone into checking the links in this site for reading level and appropriateness. I only found one inactive link, and most of the linked sites are approprite for a higher reading level. I only found one link that I would say was for younger children. The site is colourful, nicely laid out with little scrolling and clicking to do to get where you want to go. There is also a function that allows children to ask a question which I did not test for speed or accuracy. The main criticism I had was with the search function which seem to take children to the parent site to do the search over again. So, in effect there is no search on the KidsSpace site.

Big George / Eric Pringle, ill. Colin Paine

Big George is "England's very first visitor from outer space." George crashed on earth in the earth year 1103 and he lost all memory of who he was and what he was doing there. Big George is the story of an alien with the long neck who towers over and frightens all of the earthlings he meets except for Tilly Miller. Tilly is a young girl who is being forced into marriage to the local Baron's son. This story tells of the adventure that Big George and Tilly go through to protect each other from the angry and powerful Baron.

Big George is not a highly sophisticated novel, but it does tell and interesting and compelling story. I think the best part about science fiction is how it mixes human drama and miraculous events to tell a story. In this this regard science fiction is much like fairy tales and I think they speak skillfully to the human condition. Big George speaks to the fears and desires of children who approaching young adulthood. The language of Big George is not highly advanced so it might be good for those children starting to read chapter books. The illustrations are very rudimentary and they speak to the humorous appeal of the book.