In the Homeland Wales series, which is also available in Welsh under the title A wyddoch chi , Elin Meek has produced a rich resource suitable for seven to twelve year olds at school or at home. A glance at the contents page - 'Land of Hills and Mountains' through to 'Population' indicates that coverage of geographical topics is comprehensive for the age group, with physical, human, political and economic aspects referred to. This is confirmed in the self-contained individual sections which are full of facts, questions and answers. The highlighting of vocabulary in the body of the text and the useful index also strengthen its educational potential and value.But this is not a dry as dust reference book: the author knows her audience and lightens matters with quiz elements and quirky nuggets which serve to bring Homeland Wales to life for 21st-century children. For example, did you know that 'One of the earliest Snowdon Railway trains is still working today' and has travelled 'as many miles as if it had been to the moon and back four times!' It is also true that 'On 18 August 2004, fish fell from the sky onto the village of Knighton in Powys!' and 'In 1996, dozens of frogs landed in Llanddewibrefi'.Eric Heyman's cartoons serve to provide a commentary as well as raise a smile, and the visual presentation with its use of photographs, line drawings, careful colour choice and attention to layout, graphics and font selection has been calculated to produce a lively and attractive package which will engage a range of readers with its clarity and clean lines, and provide ample opportunities for practising information retrieval skills in a fun way.This is an essential bookshelf text for today's Welsh youngsters.