The countdown to 2000 has inspired some interesting books for young readers. Some are photo essays that reflect the history of the 20th century with striking photographs, succinct information and eyewitness accounts. Others are in the format of timelines showing the people and events that shaped the United States during times of war, peace, growth and exploration.
Some materials also provide children with ways to make memories of the millennium, such as record books and time capsules.Here is a sampling of the books and kits that I find intriguing, as well as some ideas to understand the 20th century and celebrate the 21st.
Scholastic "Kid's Almanac for the 21st Century" ($18.95) includes hundreds of full-color graphics with subjects from Aerospace to Zodiac. I like the tables and charts in an almanac-type format with access just enough information on each two-page spread. It also features easy explanations of the chronology of important dates, notable figures, and key terms.
"The United States in the 20th Century" (from the Scholastic Timelines series), by David Rubel (18.95), is divided by decades into separate headings of politics, everyday life, arts, entertainment and science/technology. The black and white and color photographs enhance the carefully laid-out text.
The millennium timeline "Sticker Book "(DK, $6.96 paperback) leaves spaces for reusable stickers to "fill the blanks" at the right spot in the history of the century.
The "Century for Young People" (Doubleday, $29.95) is a children's version of the bestseller by Peter Jennings and journalist Todd Brewster, which was a companion volume to the 27-hour television series of the same name. It features striking photos and clear writing.
"Visual Timeline of the 20th Century," (D.K. $15.95), is a large-size overview with more than 300 entries. There's lots of color photos with bits of information for quick reference.
Also by DK Publishers Inc. is the hefty "Children's History of the 20th Century" ($29.95) and "1,000 Makers of the Millennium" ($19.95). The first is a lavish chronology featuring government, sports, music, movies and theater. In the introduction children give their thoughts on the last century and the millennium ahead. Great rulers and thinkers, movers and shakers are the "makers" that are included as the 1,000 most remarkable individuals of the last 1,000 years. Both of these books are book-of-the-month selections, recommended for upper elementary-age students and above.
Younger readers will enjoy a less daunting size of book. "Junior Chronicle of the 20th Century" (DK, $39.95) is a month-by-month history with a picture for every story and event that will fit the reader from fourth grade and up.
For a more detailed journalistic format, try "20th Century Day by Day" (DK, $49.95). This is a dazzling reference that is perfect for older students and as family reference. There are thousands of color and black-and-white illustrations with text that looks like 100 years of lively newspaper writing.
"100 Years in Photographs" (Scholastic paperback. $11.99), has lots of interesting pictures -- all black and white -- but the text is often lost amid the photos.
Do you want to play Top 10? "Fantastic Millennium Facts" by Russell Ash (DK, $12.95, paper) features medical milestones, social and cultural events in sets of 10. This is packed with intriguing information and entertaining anecdotes. Ash is the author of the bestselling "Top 10 of Everything."
In the "Next Three Seconds: Predictions for the Millennium," compiled by Rowland Morgan and illustrated by Rod and Ira Josey (Puffin paperback. $6.99), readers find a jaunty way to find out what happens in America every three seconds or three hours or three years. For example, in three seconds Americans will eat 6,000 eggs, in three hours, 17 species of life will disappear from the tropical rainforest, and in the next three years, one rat could have 20 million descendants.
My two favorite ways of celebrating the millennium include books with interactive materials.
"Millennium Pack" (DK, $18.95) is filled with 60 separate items including a book to record impressions of the millennium for posterity; a poster portraying key people of the millennium; pressout models of buildings and the space shuttle; and facsimiles of historic documents. "Time Capsule for the 21st Century" (Sommerville House, $17.99) is a plastic tube that will ultimately hold records of the present time for the future. Included in the kit are envelopes, graph paper and a book with dozens of ideas for millennium celebrations.