(2) K-3 Gaiman, who serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency, used social media to ask people about their memories of being warm, to draw attention to--and raise money for--those unhoused or displaced due to violent conflict. He wove respondents' words into the free-verse poem that is this compelling picture book's text. The twelve loose stanzas are vivid and specific with relatable details. Each is interpreted by a different artist (with fascinating explanatory notes from the illustrators appended), including Yuliya Gwilym, Petr Horaek, Oliver Jeffers, and Nadine Kaadan. What makes us warm? Physical things like blankets, radiators, fireplaces, coats and gloves, and hot cocoa, as well as more abstract concepts such as a smile, memories, safety, or a kind word. The double-page spreads create entire scenes that expand both the context and the meaning of the lines--all in only three colors: shades of black, white, and orange. It's an unusual palette; the orange is especially effective in conveying heat and warmth, and the grayscale provides a unifying thread across the various artistic styles. Midway, the illustrations feature several scenes of refugees and migrants, but the hopeful conclusion depicts children at play and at home with the words, "You have the right to be here." One other intriguing element is the graphic look of the text, with spacing that varies and key words in a larger font size--creating another telegraphic poem-within-a-poem.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Science in Action series. The physical science topics of sound, light, force, motion, and states of matter are explained through their applications in contexts with broader appeal (Glaciers and Stars are about matter more than their title phenomena). The textbooklike prose, accompanied by stock photographs, detailed diagrams, and well-aligned activities, emphasizes key vocabulary words. Although aimed at elementary-school readers, the concepts are much more advanced. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Science in Action titles: The Science of Color, The Science of Glaciers, The Science of Music, The Science of Race Cars, The Science of Roller Coasters, and The Science of Stars.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Science at Work series. With one to three brief sentences per page, these leveled readers serve as adequate, albeit simplistic, introductions to mass, temperature, and other physical science topics. Photographs show everyday objects that illustrate the concepts--though some photos may need explanation--as well as obviously posed children of various ethnicities engaging in activities or pondering the information. Glos. Review covers the following Science at Work titles: Electricity at Work, Magnetism at Work, Elements at Work, Light at Work, Mass at Work, and Temperature at Work.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Annie Patterson. Arnold's explanations of how humans and animals regulate their body temperatures are simple, accurate, and organized into major sections: "Our Bodies Keep Us Warm or Cool," touches on features and mechanisms such as fat, sweating, and shrinking blood vessels; "What We Do to Be Warm or Cold" addresses behavioral techniques (sunbathing, migrating, etc.). Patterson's watercolors engagingly illustrate and expand the text. Glos.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Pebble Plus Bilingüe: Ciencia física / Physical Science series. Temperature provides some interesting facts about historical temperature extremes and instructions on how to make your own thermometer. Motion discusses the movement of the earth and of wind, water, and electricity and includes instructions for making a pinwheel. Color photographs illustrate these somewhat oversimplified bilingual texts. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pebble Plus Bilingüe: Ciencia física / Physical Science titles: Todo sobre la temperatura / All About Temperature and Todo tipo de movimiento / All Kinds of Motion.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(4) 4-6 Easy Genius Science Projects series. Dozens of life- and physical-science activities are presented with background information, step-by-step instructions, and suggestions for extending to the science fair level. Many of the experiments are quite involved, requiring access to difficult-to-obtain scientific materials, the use of mathematics, and careful data collection (sometimes over extended periods of time). Color illustrations and important safety information are included. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Ace Your Science Project titles: Ace Your Animal Science Project, and Ace Your Ecology and Environmental Science Project, Ace Your Human Biology Science Project, Ace Your Math and Measuring Science Project, Ace Your Physical Science Project, and Ace Your Science Project Using Chemistry Magic and Toys.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Simple Science series. This book describes characteristics of temperature. Easy-to-read sentences using simple vocabulary and occasional small boxed photographs appear on left-hand pages. Information is selective; it would be better to know what a thermometer does than who made the first one and that mercury is a component. Each facing page contains a large, bright photograph that reinforces the text. An activity is included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 My World of Science series. Bright, attractive photos--often of children engaged in various scientific activities--are the best part of these limited books that present opposites. The texts sometimes struggle to define terms in short sentences for an uninitiated audience. This updated series, which includes some quiz-type questions, could be a good starting point for young researchers. There are sixteen other fall 2008 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these My World of Science titles: Hot and Cold, Flexible and Rigid, Soft and Hard, and Transparent and Opaque.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA Physical Science in Depth series. Each volume broadly covers a physical science topic, presenting factual information through textbooklike writing. The content is comprehensive in scope but rarely goes beyond a cursory treatment of facts. All volumes include asides about scientific practice (modern and historical) and unusual facts. Captioned photographs and diagrams illustrate the pages, which are decorated with colorful borders. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Physical Science in Depth titles: Heating and Cooling, Forces and Motion, Electricity and Electrical Circuits, Energy, Sound, Light, and Magnets and Electromagnetism.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Measuring the Weather series. In this revised and updated meteorology series, different aspects of measuring and forecasting the weather are examined in volumes suitable for report-writers and young weather trackers alike. Measurement tools and systems used by professional meteorologists are explained and adapted for student experimentation. Each volume is clearly illustrated with color photos and charts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Measuring the Weather titles: Cloud Cover, Forecasting the Weather, Precipitation, Temperature, and Wind and Air Pressure.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Betsy Lewin. Residents of Lumberville try to beat the heat in ways that are surprising and amusing. The story gathers momentum as the temperature rises, climaxing in a late-night community get-together. Lewin uses ink and watercolors dominated by blues, purples, and oranges to depict the blisteringly muggy setting. She outdoes herself in the final spread: what look like actual water droplets splatter her illustrations.

Reviewer: Nell Beram | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2007

(3) YA Planet under Pressure series. Each of these titles presents a reasonably comprehensive overview of the competing environmental and economic pressures humans have exerted on our planet. The dire scenarios of dwindling water supplies, burgeoning population, and careless or inadvertent slaughter of animal species are daunting. The questions raised far outweigh the solutions proposed, but students will get a decent introduction to these issues. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Planet under Pressure titles: Animals under Threat, Water, and Climate Change.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(2) K-3 In this off-the-wall book, woolly mammoths Oscar and Arabella love the Ice Age's long winter months, but suffer when summer rolls around. "There was only one solution. They would have to give each other a haircut!" No one will mistake this ditty for an informational book: the lighthearted tone is set right away and sustained throughout, and the unrestrained illustrations suit the story admirably.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2004

(4) K-3 Sensational Science Experiments series. Each book offers a range of projects designed to teach specific concepts. While the text is excessively wordy, the experiments are interesting and easy to implement. A ribbon symbol denotes projects that may be appropriate for a science fair. Color illustrations include readily understood charts, graphs, and representations of the suggested experiments. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Sensational Science Experiments titles: Really Hot Science Projects with Temperature and Super-Sized Science Projects with Volume.]

Reviewer: Karyn Ginsburg