(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

(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: Christina Dorr

(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: Christina Dorr

(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: Christina Dorr

(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