(4) K-3 In this book, which explores the shape of leaves from thirteen deciduous trees and explains why leaves change color, spare, simple double-page spreads are enhanced by brilliantly colored life-size photographs. This introduction is containing little information but handsomely presented.

Reviewer: Ellen Fader

(4) K-3 Backyard Buddies series. Photographs by Brian Grogan. These books encourage readers to pay close attention to two common backyard animals. The many activities included stress careful observation of the animals' behaviors and physical characteristics, requiring much patience from young scientists. Some of the graphs and diagrams are helpful in identifying animal parts, but the amateurish cartoons detract from the books' intent. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Backyard Buddies series. Photographs by Brian Grogan. These books encourage readers to pay close attention to two common backyard animals. The many activities included stress careful observation of the animals' behaviors and physical characteristics, requiring much patience from young scientists. Some of the graphs and diagrams are helpful in identifying animal parts, but the amateurish cartoons detract from the books' intent. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Large double-page color photographs, often containing aerial shots, are the centerpiece of this series. However, while most of the photos are well reproduced, others are fuzzy. The texts clearly describe the subjects' key physical characteristics and briefly examine how they are formed. The overall impact is lessened by an awkward design that places boxes of text over the photos. Ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 First Book series. 'Bats' covers physiology, behavior, and habitats of various types of bats and discusses ongoing conservation efforts. In a more choppy text, 'Apes' begins with a brief discussion of evolution, moves on to introduce different members of the great ape family, and concludes with a chapter on threats to these mammals. Both books, illustrated with full-color photos, are adequate overviews of their popular subjects. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Alix Berenzy. More of a celebration than an exploration, this book conveys the mysteries of migration. The spare, poetic text and repeated titular phrase set a lyrical tone, complemented by the soft, luminous pastel illustrations. But the overall effect is vague, and notes about the animals at book's end are not enough to elevate this so-called "song" to more informative heights.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(4) K-3 Perfect Pets series. Each title includes information about different breeds or varieties, pet care, and some of the history and mythology surrounding the animal. Some of the attractive, clear color photos are more informative than others. The lack of a table of contents or index may make it hard to find specific information, but overall the books provide useful, basic facts for potential pet owners. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Marissa Moss. From exotic terms like rhombicosidodecahedron to the more familiar hundred and symmetry, this volume tackles a different mathematical word or concept for every letter of the alphabet. The casual tone and funny examples will appeal to both math lovers and math-phobes. Like the body text, sidebars include whimsical illustrations and other math jargon beginning with the featured letter. Glos.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Look Once, Look Again series. Photographs by Dwight Kuhn. Each picture book introduces young readers to seven animals and plants in the featured habitat. Verbal clues accompanied by a photo showing part of the animal or plant are followed on the overleaf by a full picture and a few facts. Although the book is scant on information, children will enjoy the presentation. Brief suggestions for activities are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen

(4) K-3 Look Once, Look Again series. Photographs by Dwight Kuhn. Each picture book introduces young readers to seven animals and plants in the featured habitat. Verbal clues accompanied by a photo showing part of the animal or plant are followed on the overleaf by a full picture and a few facts. Although the book is scant on information, children will enjoy the presentation. Brief suggestions for activities are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen

(4) K-3 Look Once, Look Again series. Photographs by Dwight Kuhn. Each picture book introduces young readers to seven animals and plants in the featured habitat. Verbal clues accompanied by a photo showing part of the animal or plant are followed on the overleaf by a full picture and a few facts. Although the book is scant on information, children will enjoy the presentation. Brief suggestions for activities are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen

(4) K-3 Look Once, Look Again series. Photographs by Dwight Kuhn. Each picture book introduces young readers to seven animals and plants in the featured habitat. Verbal clues accompanied by a photo showing part of the animal or plant are followed on the overleaf by a full picture and a few facts. Although the book is scant on information, children will enjoy the presentation. Brief suggestions for activities are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen

(4) K-3 Look Once, Look Again series. Photographs by Dwight Kuhn. Each picture book introduces young readers to seven animals and plants in the featured habitat. Verbal clues accompanied by a photo showing part of the animal or plant are followed on the overleaf by a full picture and a few facts. Although the book is scant on information, children will enjoy the presentation. Brief suggestions for activities are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen

(2) 4-6 Scott provides a view of the universe that is now unfolding before the eyes of scientists and the rest of us through fascinating developments in photography. The striking photos are explained in captions and text, and the magnitude of time and distance conveyed by these images truly inspires wonder. A marvelous invitation to readers to further contemplate the "creative force at work in the universe." Ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Science Concepts series. These detailed discussions of two areas of the earth sciences are well-written and organized. Both start with the basic principles and underlying theories of their disciplines (energy in the atmosphere and plate tectonic theory) to place catastrophic events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and storms in context. Color photographs and too-small diagrams accompany the texts. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Science Concepts series. These detailed discussions of two areas of the earth sciences are well-written and organized. Both start with the basic principles and underlying theories of their disciplines (energy in the atmosphere and plate tectonic theory) to place catastrophic events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and storms in context. Color photographs and too-small diagrams accompany the texts. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Science Concepts series. In clearly written text, the authors define kinetic and potential energy, then cover the principles of sound, light, heat, magnetism, and nuclear reactions. The last chapter is devoted to alternative sources of energy that may power our futures. Helpful color photographs and diagrams accompany the text. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Science Concepts series. Published spring 1998.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Howard

(4) 4-6 Science Concepts series. Published spring 1998.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Howard

(4) 4-6 Science Concepts series. Published spring 1998.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Howard