(4) K-3 Explore My World series. This is a straightforward introduction to the planets and the solar system. In the introductory description of life on Earth, readers may be confused by the poorly aligned text and photos; a clearer but simplistic description of the sun and the planets and their moons follows, with large color photographs, illustrations, and captions. A "Build an Alien" drawing activity is included.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(4) K-3 Explore My World series. Detailed color photographs of dolphins swimming and feeding enhance this volume, though the lack of explanatory captions is a missed opportunity at times. A somewhat fanciful text is still clear, engaging, and full of intriguing facts about behavior, simple anatomy, and development. A final spread shows photographs of different kinds of dolphins (including an orca) not pictured earlier in the volume.

Reviewer: Renée Wheeler

(3) K-3 Zig Zag Book series. Basic vocabulary and factual information in rhyme introduce young readers to the parts and functions of the skeletal system. Cheerfully colored backgrounds and pictures of smiling children enliven the book. Appended questions ("What would you look like without your bones?") encourage further discussion.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Zig Zag Book series. Baines describes eggs' colors, shapes, and sizes and provides some information about the animals that produce them, including the classic development sequence of the chicken (not specifically identified). Brightly colored backgrounds contrast with excellent color photographs, sometimes overlaid with sketches pointing out important features. The open-ended questions on the final pages encourage discussion.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) PS Zig Zag Book series. This series introduces very young children to scientific inquiry, in this case focusing on bear hibernation and elephant communication. The easy-to-read main texts are supplemented with factual asides in smaller font. Engaging animal photographs on colorful backgrounds are outlined in white. Accessible texts and thoughtful design make these books amiable introductions to their subject matter. Concluding spreads include thought-provoking questions. Review covers these Zig Zag Book titles: A Den Is a Bed for a Bear and What Did One Elephant Say to the Other?.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) PS Zig Zag Book series. This series introduces very young children to scientific inquiry, in this case about the solar system. The accessible main text is supplemented with factual asides in smaller font. Engaging space photographs and other images outlined in white are set on colorful backgrounds. Accessible text and thoughtful design make this an amiable introduction to the subject. A concluding spread includes thought-provoking questions.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) PS Zig Zag Book series. This series introduces very young children to scientific inquiry, in this case focusing on bear hibernation and elephant communication. The easy-to-read main texts are supplemented with factual asides in smaller font. Engaging animal photographs on colorful backgrounds are outlined in white. Accessible texts and thoughtful design make these books amiable introductions to their subject matter. Concluding spreads include thought-provoking questions. Review covers these Zig Zag Book titles: A Den Is a Bed for a Bear and What Did One Elephant Say to the Other?.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(2) PS Zig Zag Book series. Thirteen short sentences describe skin in all its glory; additional facts appear in smaller print. Photographs of people, outlined in white and reproduced on brightly colored pages, serve as diagrams for important elements. A concluding spread lists questions, ideas, and experiments, spurring youngsters to think about the concepts mentioned and beginning the process of scientific inquiry.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2008