Reference books in Spanish for children and adolescents

Abstract

Atlas. By Mel Pickering. 2000. 48p. Two-Can, paper, $7.95 (1-58728-656-4). Gr. 2-5.

Atlases

Atlas. By Mel Pickering. 2000. 48p. Two-Can, paper, $7.95 (1-58728-656-4). Gr. 2-5.

Through colorful maps and drawings, this well-conceived, largeformat atlas introduces young Spanish-speaking children to the world's continents, regions, and countries as it encourages them to search for high-interest sites around the world. Informative sidebars highlight intriguing facts about each region.

Atlas escolar 2000. (Students' Atas 2000) . 1999. 32p. Editorial Everest, paper, $4.95 (84-241-1224-5). Gr, 4-7.

Basic information about the universe, the earth, and the continents of the world is presented through color maps and charts that describe geographical features, population, and such facts as weather and linguistic groups.

Atlas historico. (Historical Atlas). 1999. 153p. Ediciones SM, $35.95 (84-348-4115-0). Gr. 8-12.

In an appealing and concise manner, this large-format historical atlas presents an overview of the most important milestones in the history of the world, with emphasis on Spanish and European history. Especially valuable are the well-done color charts that explain cause-and-effect relationships of particular historical movements.

Larousse gran atlas universal. (Larousse Large Universal Atlas). 2000. 318p. Larousse Editorial, $43.95 (970-607-800-2). Gr. 8-12.

From a general description of the Earth, to satellite images, to recent physical and political maps of every region and country in the world, this beautifully designed, large-format atlas will satisfy every need. Numerous color photos, charts, maps, drawings, and a most complete index make this a first-choice atlas in the Spanish language.

Dictionaries

Diccionario enciclopedico 2001. (Encyclopedic Dictionary 2001). 4v. 1999. 1838p. Ediciones Larousse, $35 (970-22-0140-3). Gr. 7-adult.

Divided in two parts-dictionary of the Spanish language and biographical and geographic entries-and having more than 90,000 entries and 5,000 color illustrations and maps, this encyclopedic dictionary will be most useful to those who can afford only one reference source in Spanish, It is just as attractively designed as the six-volume Larousse enciclopedico universal listed on p.502. It is important to note, however, that with the exception of a name index in volume 4, there are no indexes.

Diccionario escolar de la lengua espanola. (Student Dictionary of the Spanish Language). 1999.674p, Espasa Calpe, paper, $10.95 (84-239-9070-2). Gr. 4-8.

As a practical, easy-to-use Spanish dictionary, this publication with more than 25,000 brief entries will be useful to students. It includes a straightforward grammatical appendix and a wellwritten prologue by Manuel Seco from the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language.

Diccionario Oceano de sinonimos y antonimos. (Oceano Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms). 2001. 1024p. Oceano Grupo Editorial; dist. by Gale, $35 (84-494-1534-9). Gr. 9-adult.

With more than 21,000 entries and 400,000 synonyms and antonyms, this is one of the most comprehensive thesauruses of the Spanish language. Users will appreciate the clear, easy-toread design as well as the appendixes, which include a dictionary of scientific and technical terms; a dictionary of 10,000 Spanish terms translated into English, French, German, and Italian; idiomatic expressions; neologisms; and proverbs. A CDROM is included.

Larousse diccionario School plus espanol/ingles. (Larousse School Plus Dictionary Spanish/English). 1999. 526p. Ediciones Larousse, $21.95 (970-22-0001-6). Gr. 8-adult.

Designed for students of the English language, this welldesigned bilingual dictionary includes more than 55,000 words and expressions and 80,000 entries. Serious students will find the chapter, "Como se usa este diccionario," a useful guide as they learn intricacies of the English language including phrasal verbs, prepositional phrases, and idiomatic expressions. With the exception of the British form colour, the forms and spelling correspond to the American English and note Latin American and Peninsular Spanish usages.

Webster's New Explorer Spanish-English Dictionary. 1999. 740p. Merriam-Webster/Federal Street, $19.95 (1-892859-08-4). Gr. 7-adult.

More than 80,000 Spanish and English words are included in this bilingual dictionary. Users from the Americas will appreciate the inclusion of American English and the focus on the Spanish spoken in Latin America, along with numerous regional labels. A well-done Spanish grammar section is included.

Encyclopedias

Enciclopedia Mega Junior. (Encyclopedia Mega Junior). JeanPaul Dupre. 1999. 326p. Larousse, paper, $24.95 (970-607834-7). Gr. 5-7.

Divided into seven broad areas of learning-history, geography, art and communication, mathematics, physics, natural sciences, language-this encyclopedia highlights significant facts and issues of world knowledge. it includes a brief, easy-tounderstand text and colorful photographs, maps, drawings and charts, as well as informative sidebars. It is important to note that this edition, printed in Mexico, emphasizes the history and geography of Mexico.

Enciclopedia milenio. (Millenium Family Encyclopedia). 5v. 1999. Editorial Sudamericana, $99 (970-07-1667-4). Gr. 5-10.

This encyclopedia is made up of 700 one- and two-page articles. Originally published by Dorling Kindersley, London, it includes more than 10,000 clear color photographs, drawings, long with charts and brief, accessible text. Like other reference materials first published in Europe, it emphasizes European history, art, and geography. Despite this caveat, reluctant encyclopedia users will find the appealing design and format an inviting introduction to new ideas and specific information. Volume titles are: volume 1: Historia de la humanidad (History of Mankind); volume 2: La ciencia y el universo (Science and the Universe); volume 3: La naturaleza (Nature); volume 4: Pueblo y civilizaciones (People and Civilization); volume 5: Atlas del mundo (World Atlas). Enciclopedla de los paises del mundo. (Encyclopedia of Lands and People). By Sue Grabham. Tr. by Marisa Rodriguez Perez. 10v. 1998. Editorial Everest, $100 (84-241-1980-0). Gr. 5-8.

Originally published by Kingfisher Publications, London, this attractive encyclopedia provides an overview of all the countries in the world through simple text, informative sidebars, and color maps, photographs and drawings on every page. This is not an in-depth study of individual countries; rather, it highlights such aspects as the people, history, geography, economics, and customs that make each country unique. Volume 10 includes geographical facts, a glossary, and an index that refers the user to the other nine volumes, but which is confusing at best. Students in search of basic information about the continents and countries in the world will find these encyclopedias quite appealing. Enciclopedla Oceano de Mexico. (Oceano Encyclopedia of Mexico). 4v. 2000. Oceano Grupo Editorial; dist. by Gale, $63 (84494-1412- 1). Gr. 10-adult.

Divided into four broad areas, this encyclopedia provides an indepth overview of the geography, history, economy, and arts of Mexico up to the late 1990s. Despite a dry academic text, serious students will appreciate the detailed information provided, Numerous color and black-and-white charts and maps enliven this compendium of facts. Volume I covers the geography, ecosystems, and population of Mexico. Volume 2 covers the economy, history, and international relations. Volume 3 treats the people, science, and popular and fine arts. Volume 4 surveys communication, sports, and the states; and includes a chronology, biographies, and a name index. It is important to note, however, that with the exception of the name index, there are no indexes.

Larousse, el gran libro de preguntas y respuestas. (Larousse, the Big Book of Questions and Answers). 1999. 318p. Ediciones Larousse, $33.95 (970-607-928-9). Gr. 5-7.

In a question-and-answer format, this reference work provides answers to commonly asked questions in the sciences, geography, and history. Originally published by Larousse, London, and adapted for Latin American content, it includes more than 1,300 questions with one-paragraph answers such as, What is a superconductor? Which is the fastest mammal? How fast do we learn to talk? and What are the United Nations? Numerous color drawings, charts, maps, photographs, and sidebars as well as a glossary and an index invite readers to explore the world of knowledge.

Larousse enciclopedico universal. (Larousse Universal Encyclopedia). 6v. 2000. 1816p. Ediciones Larousse, $280 (97022-0071-7). Gr, 7-adult.

Attractively designed and easy-to-use, this well-organized resource has more than 90,000 entries and 5,000 color illustrations. Users will find an alphabetical list of words from current technical terms (e.g., biocombustible, cibernauta) to commonly used Anglicisms (e.g., chat, establishment) and Latin Americanisms. Encyclopedic entries have been updated to 1997. Even though this encyclopedia was published in Mexico, it devotes six pages to Spain, three to Mexico, and one-and-a-half to the U.S. Despite the unbalanced coverage, this is a most useful Spanish-language encyclopedia.

Oceano uno color: Diccionario enciclopedico. (Oceano One Color: Encyclopedic Dictionary). 2001. 1784p. Oceano Grupo Editorial; dist, by Gale, $35 (84-494-1548-9). Gr. 8-12.

More than 80,000 entries and 7,500 color illustrations, maps, and charts make this recently updated encyclopedic dictionary a useful addition to most schools and libraries. Especially noteworthy are the numerous contemporary scientific and technological entries as well as lexical and encyclopedic entries for Hispanic America. The good-quality paper and comprehensive coverage compensate for the cluttered design and small font. A CD-ROM is included.

Other Reference Sources

Diccionario de biografias. (Biographical Dictionary). 2001. 1071 p. Oceano Grupo Editorial; dist. by Gale, $35 (84-4941433-4). Gr. 8-12.

Biographical entries for more than 2,500 outstanding men and women from Biblical times up to Magic Johnson and the Brazilian race car driver, Ayrton Senna, are included. The volume highlights the achievements of monarchs, artists, philosophers, scientists, explorers, athletes, inventors, and others, More than 2,000 color and black-and-white photos, maps, and drawings add to its appeal and usefulness. The scarcity of biographical dictionaries in the Spanish language makes this a unique source for students and casual browsers. A CD-ROM is included.

Gran cronica Oceano del siglo XX. (Oceano's Great Chronicle of the Twentieth Century). 2001. 64p. Oc,ano Grupo Editorial; dist. by Gale, $28 (84-494-1247-1). Gr. 9-adult.

This fact-filled chronological account provides a year-by-year report on the scientific, technological, political, economic, social, and artistic events of the twentieth century. Through numerous black-and-white and color photographs, maps, and charts, and brief two- to three-page essays, it recounts the major incidents that influenced the 1900s, from the death of Oscar Wilde in 1900, to the effects of globalization in 1999. The lack of an index restricts its use to casual readers or persistent browsers. A compact disc with the music of the century is included.

Grandes personales. (Great Celebrities). 2000. 808p. Oceano Grupo Editorial; dist. by Gale, $23 (84-494-1689-2). Gr. 8-12.

Beginning with Buddha and ending with British scientist Stephen Hawking, this biographical dictionary describes the lives and achievements of 174 noteworthy men and a few women throughout history, using easy-to-understand narratives and color and black-and-white photos and drawings. As in its fourvolume predecessor, Grandes biografias (1992), each biography is four to six pages long and includes a time chart. Although the introduction states that there is a slant toward personages from the Spanish-speaking world, users will mainly find notable world scientists, writers, and statesmen as well as popular artists such as John Ford, John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis Presley. Historia del mundo moderno. (History of the Modern World). 3v. 2001. Oceano Grupo Editorial; dist. by Gale, $125 (84-4941797-X). Gr. 9-adult.

Highlighting the technical and scientific developments of the last five centuries and the influence of the U.S. in the modern world, this well-written and exquisitely designed encyclopedia reflects the changes in the world's economy, artistic development, and daily life, beginning with Europe in the sixteenth century and ending with the challenges of globalization in the late twentieth century. Serious students Of World history will find valuable information and ideas presented in a pleasing format. Unfortunately, indexes are not included-a serious shortcoming that limits use.

Libro de estilo universitario. (University Style Manual). By Carlos Arroyo lim6nez and Francisco loss Garrido Diaz. 1997. 556p. Acento Editorial, paper, $19.95 (84-483-0216-8). Gr. 9adult.

Written for university students, this style manual is also useful for editors, translators, writers, typesetters, and others involved in preparing Spanish-language manuscripts. Divided in five chapters, it includes an alphabetic listing of 8,000 entries on contemporary language issues, rules and recommendations regarding acceptable and unacceptable usage, publishing standards, and a bibliography. There is no index, but a thorough table of contents adds to the value of this manual.

Distributors (unless otherwise noted)

Bilingual Publications, 270 Lafayette St., Ste. 705, New York, NY 10012.

Lectorum Publications, III Eighth Ave., Ste. 804, New York, NY 10011-5201.