"Corn" by Gail Gibbons

This is a unique informational, non-fiction book that is entirely about corn. The attractive illustrations and interesting facts highlight the history, uses, types and growth of corn in a child-friendly manner. The labeled diagrams are useful for younger readers while the history, planting and harvesting descriptions may be more suitable for older readers. In the classroom this book could be used to spark inquiries about the different indians who used corn and what they used it for, the uses for corn today, the different types of corn and their similarities/differences, and so much more. I think that many people overlook the importance of corn and many children don't realize how important corn is for many everyday processes in today's society. The design of the cover is nice because the title is written in big letters spelled out with kernels of corn. The bright colors are what drew me in to take this book off the shelf, and I was very pleased to have read it. I learned a lot about corn that I had not known before. It really isn't just a crop that takes up a large portion of Iowa's farmland! Overall this children's book is a must-read, especially for those living in the Midwest.