(2) K-3 Illustrated by Adria Meserve. Seventeenth-century "natural philosophers" Galileo Galilei (who looked out into the universe using a telescope) and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (who looked closely into water droplets with a microscope) made their important scientific discoveries in astronomy and microbiology, respectively, using innovative improvements to the glass lens. As the cleverly constructed narrative moves chronologically through the lives of both scientists, it steps back and forth between them, highlighting the parallels in their experiences as well as emphasizing the practices and passions of science. Both men had creative aha moments, were meticulous inventors, and remained patient in the face of setbacks on their paths to discovery. They also depended on the scientific community and larger society for patronage and acceptance or rejection of their published scientific models, which led to challenges -- Galileo with the Catholic church and Leeuwenhoek with his unwillingness to share his lens technologies. Meserve's entertaining and informative illustrations are filled with details about the scientists, their objects of study, and the places and times in which they lived; the compositions employ inventive designs to underscore common features of the scientists' lives and work. Galileo and Leeuwenhoek are united in spirit in the final illustration of stars, planets, and the Milky Way filling the sky above a pond crowded with bacteria, microbes, and other tiny living creatures.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli. With musical support of Rachel Leach. In association with the London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor Simon (the LSO's musical director, Sir Simon Rattle, who provides a foreword) needs to assemble an orchestra. As he auditions musicians, readers are introduced to the orchestra's different instrumental sections and the role each plays as part of the whole. An online component provides forty-three musical tracks aligned with the text for a more immersive experience--including the two pieces performed by Simon's orchestra on opening night. The lively illustrations support the upbeat text. Notes about each track, a glossary, and an index are appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 My Family and Me series. Vacation highlights destinations such as cities and the country (though "Of course, the best vacations are on a beach"). Birthday touches on giving presents, making cards, and blowing out candles. Meal discusses different customs surrounding food. Quotes from children are provided in text boxes, and photographs showing happy family members of different ethnicities are included (some don't exactly match the text). Review covers these My Family and Me titles: Celebrating a Birthday, Going on Vacation, and Sharing a Meal.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) K-3 My Family and Me series. Readers learn about "welcoming a new baby" after it spends nine months in "mom's tummy." The text touches on visiting Baby in the hospital and helping out at home; special welcoming ceremonies are also briefly described. Quotes from siblings are provided in sidebars, and photographs showing happy family members of different ethnicities are included (some don't exactly match the text).

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) K-3 My Family and Me series. Vacation highlights destinations such as cities and the country (though "Of course, the best vacations are on a beach"). Birthday touches on giving presents, making cards, and blowing out candles. Meal discusses different customs surrounding food. Quotes from children are provided in text boxes, and photographs showing happy family members of different ethnicities are included (some don't exactly match the text). Review covers these My Family and Me titles: Celebrating a Birthday, Going on Vacation, and Sharing a Meal.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) K-3 My Family and Me series. Vacation highlights destinations such as cities and the country (though "Of course, the best vacations are on a beach"). Birthday touches on giving presents, making cards, and blowing out candles. Meal discusses different customs surrounding food. Quotes from children are provided in text boxes, and photographs showing happy family members of different ethnicities are included (some don't exactly match the text). Review covers these My Family and Me titles: Celebrating a Birthday, Going on Vacation, and Sharing a Meal.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan