(4) 4-6 Basher Science series. Written by Tom Jackson. Physical science and engineering concepts are transformed into odd manga cartoon creatures, who explain--in hokey, pun-laden first-person narratives--their characteristics and/or purposes in the engineering process. Arranged in a field guide–like format, topics covered include scientific principles such as force and motion; classical mechanics; design processes; construction materials; and the buildings, vehicles, and technologies produced by engineers. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Basher Science series. Written by Dan Green. The pun-laden prose of this handbook accurately introduces microbes, or "bugs." Group color-coding of topics like "Bacteria Basics" is repeated throughout as individual subtopics speak for themselves (e.g., Helminth: "[I'm] A squirmy, wormy bag of fun..."), and anthropomorphized cartoon illustrations reinforce the point (Thermophile wears a hazmat suit). Standard data, such as capabilities and year discovered, accompany each subtopic. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Basher Science series. Written by Adrian Dingle and Dan Green. The jaunty prose of this handbook accurately introduces the periodic table. Group color-coding on the standard matrix is repeated throughout, as each personified element gives its own attributes (e.g., Calcium: "They call me 'The Scaffolder'") and oddly anthropomorphized manga characters reinforce the point (Calcium wears a tool belt and hardhat). Standard data (symbol, atomic number, etc.) accompany each element. Removable poster included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Basher Science series. Written by Dan Green. The pun-laden prose of this balanced discussion introduces major factors in climate change, such as El Niño and acidification. Color-coding of topics like "Greenhouse Gang" is repeated throughout as individual subtopics speak for themselves (e.g., Smog: "I'm a flagon of foul air, a can of cough and splutter"), and anthropomorphized cartoon illustrations reinforce the point. Standard data, such as capabilities and extremes, accompany each subtopic. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Basher History series. Written by Mary Budzik. This easy-to-navigate field guide–style volume includes brief rundowns of deities from ancient Greek, Norse, and Egyptian cultures. In the first-person voice of the god, each is given a two-page treatment, including a basic breakdown of major attributes and stories as well as a superfluous and cutesy emoji-looking illustration. A removable poster is included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Basher History series. Written by Dan Green. This easy-to-navigate field guide–style volume provides brief descriptions of the U.S. states and territories. In the first-person voice of the state, each is given a two-page treatment, including basic facts and what it's known for plus a superfluous and cutesy (and strangely anthropomorphized) emoji-looking illustration of the state. A removable poster is included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Basher Basics series. Written by Mary Budzik. In this chatty small-trim primer, genres, parts of a story, devices, and more are concisely defined and then introduce themselves: Horror warns "I'll give you the chills!"; Structure calls itself "Plot's conscience." Anthropomorphizing these concepts textually and in the manga-style illustrations may confuse young readers, but the field-guide format is fairly easy to navigate. A removable poster is included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Basher Science series. Written by Dan Green. Advanced concepts in quantum physics are introduced on two-page spreads that feature pun-heavy explanations and an awkward manga-like character to represent the concept. The field-guide presentation covers theories ("wave particle duality"), particles ("neutrino"), forces ("electromagnetic force"), and hypotheticals ("quantum teleportation"). Those with knowledge of physics will be interested, others may be perplexed. A removable poster is included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Basher Basics series. Written by Dan Green. The comprehensive coverage of space exploration introduces readers to missions (both historic and recent), their scientific or technical goals, and a few related science concepts. Although the descriptions in the pun-heavy field guide–like entries are informative, the stylized illustrations, in which concepts and spacecraft are transformed into manga characters, are an awkward fit. A removable poster is included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Basher Science series. Written by Dan Green. Following a brief introduction to oceans, the text employs an easy-to-navigate field guide–like format, where facts and figures about ocean habitats, processes, and animals that live in various areas (e.g., shore, reef, deep water) face illustrations in manga style; oddly, both creatures and inanimate forces such as waves and tides are anthropomorphized. A removable poster is included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) PS This simple, effective counting book introduces numbers one through twenty with the numeral and word appearing over a number line displaying its sequential location on the left-hand page; the opposite page includes a manga-like illustration with objects to count, and silly, often alliterative text describing the picture. Two final spreads review the numerals and countable items.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Basher Science series. Written by Dan Green. Section titles including "Cranium Crackers" and "Graph Gang" demonstrate the tone of this breezy little book. From number systems (Roman and Arabic numerals) to advanced mathematical concepts, the pun-heavy text touches on a wide variety of topics. Each section contains bulleted facts, definitions, tips, and examples. Manga-type illustrations add little clarity to the text. A removable poster is included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) PS Humorous alliterative sentences help budding readers build vocabulary. Each double-page spread features a single letter of the alphabet, displayed in both upper and lower case, and a nonsensical sentence of words starting with that letter; the full alphabet is also printed, with the featured letter underlined. Bold illustrations on brightly colored pages provide a visual feast for the eyes in this well-executed concept book.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo