(4) 1-3 Step into Reading + Math series. Illustrated by Richard Walz. After mentioning some of the ways in which "super busy guy" Ben Franklin was "super smart," Murphy tells how Franklin devised a math puzzle he called "Magic Squares." The book concludes by explaning how readers can generate their own magic squares. While the text's informality may annoy some, the cartoonish illustrations capture the spirit of the narrative.

Reviewer: Mary R. Holt

(4) K-3 Step into Reading + Math series. Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. Unable to fall asleep, a child counts sheep and other animals by ones, twos, threes, fours, and fives. Then he counts backward by the same numbers, and by the end he's asleep. Watercolor illustrations depict friendly animals dancing around the wide-awake boy. Although this early reader features a large typeface and a very brief rhymed text, the reverse counting concept may be too ambitious for some.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty

(4) K-3 Step into Reading + Math series. Illustrated by Joy Allen. Each time Penny sells a cup of lemonade, she hikes up the price for the next customer. After her last sale, she's earned just enough money for her mother's birthday card. While the lemonade stand concept is unoriginal and the rhyming story's meter is uneven, the watercolor illustrations feature a whimsical lemonade-making contraption and life-size images of coins--an important visual detail for young readers.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Early Step into Reading and Math series. Two mice use six popsicle sticks in a variety of ways. Some of their creations are more imaginative (two swings, six flags) than others (three Ts). A confusing sequence involving swordplay and a disguise may require close or repeated readings to figure out. Illustrated with bright collage art, this is a simple, easy-to-read story.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin