What do you think?
Rate this book
An introduction to the geography, history, culture, and people of India.
- GenresNonfictionHistorySchool
144 pages, Library Binding
First published March 1, 2012
6 people want to read
About the author
Don Nardo
572 books25 followersDon Nardo (born February 22, 1947) is an American historian, composer, and writer. With close to four hundred and fifty published books, he is one of the most prolific authors in the United States, and one of the country's foremost writers of historical works for children and teens.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 7, 2018
This book teaches the history of India and it's diverse culture, the constant wars they faced up until more recent years, the caste system, the religions practiced, and the great poverty and economic growth they have currently at the same time. I don't think this was the best of the cultural books we've read, but it taught a few things we didn't previously know about. I think it is a good introduction to India.
February 29, 2024
This was an interesting and informative addition to our homeschool geography class. The material is presented in an easy to follow format with nice photographs that complement the text well.
Perfect for: Middle/High School.
Perfect for: Middle/High School.
November 20, 2023
So I've begun this project in which I read about the various countries of the world: one nonfiction book, one fiction book, and one book written by a person from that country. I started it when I figured out that I had no earthly idea where Myanmar was, at least in comparison to other countries.
Anyway, I've found the Enchantment of the World series to be extremely useful. It's a series of children's nonfiction books that covers various countries of the world in pretty good detail (for children's books, anyway). They're all structured the same way. Ten chapters, starting with a short introductory one, moving through geography, flora and fauna, history (often the longest one), government, economy, population, religion/culture, arts, and daily life.
They're educational, pretty light reads with plenty of pictures, but informative nonetheless. They're also, despite being undeniably US-focused, pretty nonjudgmental regarding religion and/or current world relations. The only one I read that was openly judgmental was the North Korea one, and, uh. It's North Korea. They do talk about various atrocities, but briefly, in children-focused language, and usually only the historical ones.
They can also be, by virtue of the publishing cycle, somewhat dated. I think the latest any of them go is 2015. Still, that's pretty damn recent for a published book, and I'm searching out the second editions where I can, since they're the most up-to-date. I'd definitely recommend these for kids, and also for people who have no earthly idea where, for example, Myanmar is.
Anyway, I've found the Enchantment of the World series to be extremely useful. It's a series of children's nonfiction books that covers various countries of the world in pretty good detail (for children's books, anyway). They're all structured the same way. Ten chapters, starting with a short introductory one, moving through geography, flora and fauna, history (often the longest one), government, economy, population, religion/culture, arts, and daily life.
They're educational, pretty light reads with plenty of pictures, but informative nonetheless. They're also, despite being undeniably US-focused, pretty nonjudgmental regarding religion and/or current world relations. The only one I read that was openly judgmental was the North Korea one, and, uh. It's North Korea. They do talk about various atrocities, but briefly, in children-focused language, and usually only the historical ones.
They can also be, by virtue of the publishing cycle, somewhat dated. I think the latest any of them go is 2015. Still, that's pretty damn recent for a published book, and I'm searching out the second editions where I can, since they're the most up-to-date. I'd definitely recommend these for kids, and also for people who have no earthly idea where, for example, Myanmar is.
November 1, 2012
Grade/interest level: Upper elementary (3rd -5th grade)
Reading level: Guided Reading Level T
Genre: Information book
Main Characters: N/A (informational book)
Setting: N/A (informational book)
POV: N/A (informational book)
Summary: India Enchantment of the World by Don Nardo is an informational book that describes the geography, economy, faiths, and cultures of India. India is described as the land of striking contrasts, due to its great diversity in geography and technology. Readers will learn about how India is considered to be a subcontinent, a larger country in the Asian continent. Readers will also learn about the many animals that call this subcontinent home including the Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, and the peacock. Nardo describes the vast culture of India with vivid details and history. Readers will learn about the India’s past as well as its present. Readers will also get a glimpse into the school and work lives of people living in India. The most notable features of this information book are the live action pictures as well as the very interesting section on Bollywood films.
Class Uses/Themes: I would use this book in my classroom during a social studies unit on India. I would have students break up into various groups to research the culture, social, economic, and political systems of India. I would use this book as well as other informational books in a text set so students can research their system.
Reading level: Guided Reading Level T
Genre: Information book
Main Characters: N/A (informational book)
Setting: N/A (informational book)
POV: N/A (informational book)
Summary: India Enchantment of the World by Don Nardo is an informational book that describes the geography, economy, faiths, and cultures of India. India is described as the land of striking contrasts, due to its great diversity in geography and technology. Readers will learn about how India is considered to be a subcontinent, a larger country in the Asian continent. Readers will also learn about the many animals that call this subcontinent home including the Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, and the peacock. Nardo describes the vast culture of India with vivid details and history. Readers will learn about the India’s past as well as its present. Readers will also get a glimpse into the school and work lives of people living in India. The most notable features of this information book are the live action pictures as well as the very interesting section on Bollywood films.
Class Uses/Themes: I would use this book in my classroom during a social studies unit on India. I would have students break up into various groups to research the culture, social, economic, and political systems of India. I would use this book as well as other informational books in a text set so students can research their system.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews