(4) K-3 Flip the Flaps series. Lift-the-flap half pages encourage readers to uncover the answers to basic (if random) questions about the various types of shelters that house insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals (Homes) or information about jungle-dwelling creatures (Jungle). The somewhat scattered texts detract from the visual appeal of the carefully detailed nature illustrations. Ind. Review covers these Flip the Flaps titles: Animal Homes and Jungle Animals.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) PS Backyard Books series. Illustrated by Tudor Humphries. Speaking directly and simply to preschoolers, these books spin off from the title questions to discuss the life cycles of snails and ladybugs from their hatching to maturity. Both books conclude with unnecessary, tongue-in-cheek explanations of how a human child is different from a ladybug or a snail. Detailed illustrations give close-up views. More facts are included in a "Did You Know" section at the end of each book.

Reviewer: Sara Pearce

(4) PS Backyard Books series. Illustrated by Tudor Humphries. Speaking directly and simply to preschoolers, these books spin off from the title questions to discuss the life cycles of snails and ladybugs from their hatching to maturity. Both books conclude with unnecessary, tongue-in-cheek explanations of how a human child is different from a ladybug or a snail. Detailed illustrations give close-up views. More facts are included in a "Did You Know" section at the end of each book.

Reviewer: Sara Pearce

(3) YA A handsome, sophisticated collection of prose and poetry paying homage to the natural world includes excerpts from Alan Paton's 'Cry, The Beloved Country', Ovid's 'Metamorphoses', and John Muir's 'The Animals of the Yosemite' as well as quotes from Buddhist scriptures and Native American chiefs. Each selection is illustrated by a different artist.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.