The Hmong of Southeast Asia (First Peoples)
Grade 4-6-Colorfully bordered spreads introduce each group, the  habitat in which they live, the plants and animals native to the  region, and early contacts with outsiders. Later spreads  consider traditional and modern lifestyles: home construction,  foods, clothing and fashion, languages, performing arts, crafts,  recreation, myths and spirits, and rituals associated with birth  and death. The attractive layouts feature photographs, usually  in full color, as well as adequate maps. Text boxes with  colorful backgrounds expand on the information. A list of  up-to-date books, videos, and Web sites, along with  organizations to contact, concludes each volume. Inuit gives  very small dimensions for the blocks of snow used in making  igloos; Hmong focuses primarily on those living in northern  Vietnam. And, oddly, Yanomami pictures a miner's hand holding  liquid mercury; the accompanying text states that "Mercury is  very poisonous," while the glossary notes that it "can harm  people who eat, drink, or touch it." Overall, however, these  series entries are good choices for reports.Diane S. Marton,  Arlington County Library, VACopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.