(2) K-3 Illustrated by Chris Hsu. In a cheerful picture book populated by Hsu’s inquisitive cartoon humans, Albee traces the history of the number zero. From the ancient Babylonians who invented place value four thousand years ago, to the Romans who developed a system of Vs, Is, and Xs; from the Mayans who had a concept of zero but no way to spread their idea to the rest of the world, to the Indian scribe who invented a symbol for zero and the Persian mathematician who popularized it, the invention of zero was a worldwide effort with triumphs and setbacks. Parts of Europe were perhaps the last to adopt the Hindu-Arabic number system, with Roman numerals persisting into the eighteenth century in some banking operations. (A timeline gives a “blurry” portrait of when various ­developments occurred.) The narrative treads lightly but doesn’t gloss over ways in which Western xenophobia and religious fanaticism delayed zero’s adoption. Meanwhile, the illustrations get into the spirit of archaeological inquiry with touches such as heritage breeds of dogs and sheep in the portrayal of historical communities and a nod to Halley’s comet. Philosophical considerations (“why create a symbol to represent nothing?”) and mention of the fields (e.g., physics, computing) that arose as a result of the Hindu-Arabic number system round out the presentation, while a few notes about definitions, a world map, and a bibliography complete the back matter. Place this book in the hands of a budding numerophile and watch them start to put two and two together.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Stacy Innerst. Albee shares the story behind of image of George Washington on the U.S. dollar bill. Painter Stuart was known for being very entertaining during portrait sittings, but Washington isn’t charmed by the celebrated artist. Stuart sees potential for financial gain from replicas, so he perseveres until he finds a topic (horse racing) that engages the grumpy president. Innerst’s mixed-media illustrations match the text’s lighthearted mood. While this is basically just a book-length anecdote, the appended annotated timeline, notes, and selected bibliography provide some substance.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Eileen Ryan Ewen. Inviting readers into this spirited book, a bouncing red-rubber ball generates a path leading from the initial endpapers to the first words of text. Here readers discover properties of rubber: that it can bounce, stretch, roll, and be molded. Animated illustrations at times combine with text treatment to graphically reinforce features of rubber (e.g., under vignettes of children riding a rubber-tired tricycle, scooter, and bike: "It can r o o o o o o ll"). By posing three questions, Albee provides an outline of what readers can expect to learn about rubber: "Who discovered it? Where does it come from? How is it made?" As promised in the subtitle, she provides scientific explanations for each of the properties discussed in the introduction. Spot art supports clear, understandable explanations of scientific steps, as well as key historical moments of discovery. Throughout, Ewen's bright watercolor illustrations both pace and inform this lively text, creating a book as bouncy as the original red ball. Extensive back matter includes a note about the nomenclature of Indigenous people of South America who first discovered rubber, a discussion of environmental problems and historical conflicts involving rubber today, a timeline, a bibliography, and documentation.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2025

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Kaja Kajfež. This idiosyncratic biography of women who defied gender-normative clothing (for reasons strategic, practical, personal, etc.) is full of tantalizing historical details and a curious tone that acknowledges historical records are often imprecise, incomplete, or misleading. Twenty subjects, from ancient history (Amazon warrior Hypsicratea, first century BCE) through the twentieth century (African American pro baseball player "Toni" Stone), are profiled in surprising depth in each six- to eight-page chapter. The entertaining narratives are supplemented with archival images and quirky sidebar anecdotes, as well as full-page illustrated portraits. Meticulous source notes, an extensive bibliography, and an index (unseen) are appended.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) 4-6 From hunters and protectors to lap dogs and playmates, the role of dogs throughout human history is chronicled in classic National Geographic style. Albee's engaging prose details the fascinating ways in which their history has intertwined with ours. Packed with information and images in an eye-catching layout, this volume will give dog lovers new appreciation for their beloved companions. Reading list. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Chin Ko. These early-reader biographies offer simple narratives that touch on highlights of these (frequently covered) subjects' lives. Large font is surrounded by plenty of white space to aid emerging readers. The cartoonlike illustrations are slick but occasionally emotive; an appendix includes photographs and/or period paintings as well as contextual information. Timeline. Review covers these I Can Read Book titles: Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Reviewer:

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Chin Ko. These early-reader biographies offer simple narratives that touch on highlights of these (frequently covered) subjects' lives. Large font is surrounded by plenty of white space to aid emerging readers. The cartoonlike illustrations are slick but occasionally emotive; an appendix includes photographs and/or period paintings as well as contextual information. Timeline. Review covers these I Can Read Book titles: Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Reviewer:

(3) 4-6 A breezy text traces the use and abuse of medicines and poisons from prehistory to the twenty-first century. The entertaining narrative combines with liberally scattered cartoons, archival illustrations, and photographs. Myriad related sidebars are also included: "Tox Box" highlights specific poisons; "Poisoned or Not?" covers dubious deaths; "Nice Work If You Can Survive It" discusses occupations with poison risk; etc. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 I Can Read Book series. Illustrated by Chin Ko. These early-reader biographies offer simple narratives that touch on highlights of these (frequently covered) subjects' lives. Large font is surrounded by plenty of white space to aid emerging readers. The cartoonlike illustrations are slick but occasionally emotive; an appendix includes photographs and/or period paintings as well as contextual information. Timeline. Review covers these I Can Read Book titles: Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Reviewer:

(3) YA Albee comprehensively and conversationally examines how fashion has shaped history, and vice versa. Organized chronologically, the text explains how a trend or clothing item originated and what function it served, with numerous accompanying illustrations and photos; side boxes provide additional context (e.g., "How did [knights] go to the bathroom?"). A fascinating read for fashion and history aficionados. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Robert Leighton. Colloquial yet accurate language delivers abundant information about how insects have affected history--usually for the worse (e.g., the plague-causing fleas of the fourteenth century). Albee excels at combining narrative, sidebars, quotations, and snappy headings ("Critter Transmitter") into a witty unified text, extended by archival images, photos, and Leighton's cartoons. Although this could be sensationalized, it's merely engaging. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Robert Leighton. Eighteen chapters with short sub-sections, call-out boxes, humorous cartoons, and archival photographs cover the human struggle to deal with excrement and its resultant smells, pollution, and diseases. The book's design is unattractive, but the tongue-in-cheek tone and goofy humor ("When in Rome, Poo as the Romans Do") will appeal to the middle-grade set. Timeline. Ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Road to Reading series. Illustrated by Ilja Bereznickas. Walter really wants a job like his uncle's someday; after all, Uncle Roy's "office has a great view," and "the pay is terrific." The cartoon illustrations give Walter's rather ordinary remarks a comical new meaning; though the simple, large-print text never says so, the pictures reveal that Uncle Roy is a pirate whose "office" is a ship and whose "pay" is buried treasure.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert