(4) K-3 Illustrated by Susan Detwiler. Photographs by Brady Barr, Jessica Rosnick, and Mario Aldecoa. This accessible diary, in English with occasional Spanish words and translations, gives a fictionalized account of schoolchildren's hands-on study of American crocodiles in Costa Rica. Alexa records the progress of a baby croc from its hatching to its release in the wild. Page design is haphazard, but realistic drawings and photographs lend a you-are-there feel; back matter provides more information about crocs and conservation.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) K-3 National Geographic Kids Chapters series. With Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld. Barr presents four snake-centered stories from his world travels. Each section is broken into three chapters with age-appropriate vocabulary and plenty of excitement ("I had only one chance to grab the snake before it grabbed me"). As expected with National Geographic, this book offers clear, vibrant photographs and interesting scientific information; "Did You Know?" sidebars include additional facts. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters