(3) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Illustrated by Mary Ann Fraser. Branley's classic explanation of water and clouds in the atmosphere receives new, gentle illustrations of children and animals experiencing water vapor and the weather it produces in their idyllic neighborhood. The inviting text and images belie the sophistication of concepts such as evaporation and condensation, which are covered masterfully at a level appropriate for beginning scientific thinkers. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Illustrated by Megan Lloyd. Branley's excellent examination of shifting plates, and the work of geologists is updated with dramatic paintings that present eruptions and explosions as well as scientists at work (though, regrettably a few of the illustrations are misleading in regard to scale). The inclusion of the tired and scientifically weak baking-soda volcano experiment is disappointing.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 1985

(4) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Illustrated by Edward Miller. Branley's text is updated with illustrations featuring a retro-style scientist dude and his dog. The clear and straightforward explanations demystify concepts such as weight and force using terminology accessible to younger readers. The illustrations inject liveliness into this challenging topic, but they distract from the excellent content and include a few inaccuracies. A page of gravity facts and an activity are appended.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Illustrated by Megan Lloyd. This update adds new illustrations to Branley's original text, which provides rigorous scientific information on the interior of the earth to help readers understand the underlying causes of earthquakes. The book contains helpful safety tips and historical examples. The awkward illustrations include a mix of images of earthquake destruction and scientific diagrams, some of which are not fully explained in the text.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Illustrated by Edward Miller. Newly illustrated with bland digital art, this edition accurately explains--in very simple terms--the position and function of the Sun with respect to Earth, as well as its physical characteristics. Comparisons facilitate the explanations, and two simple experiments conclude the volume.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Illustrated by True Kelley. Asserting that "you may become the first person to walk on Mars," the second-person text explains how one would travel there, describes the living conditions of the Mars Station, and discusses what an explorer would find. The simple prose is accompanied by kid-friendly illustrations; a captioned photo on the endpapers reveals names scientists gave rocks found on the surface, including Stimpy and Bamm-Bamm.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Illustrated by Holly Keller. A simple text ponders both the benefits and challenges of snow. Branley discusses how snow protects dormant plants, hibernating animals, and some people from the wind and cold, as well as how heavy snowfall affects springtime flooding. Keller's new illustrations are a good match for the spare, informative text. A few easy activities explore snow's different properties, and a list of websites is appended.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Illustrated by True Kelley. Branley provides detailed descriptions of the space station and the activities of its inhabitants, with many pages devoted to the station's architecture and construction. The text is straightforward yet consistently skillful at presenting scientific materials in terms that resonate with a child's fascination with space. Friendly cartoon illustrations and densely labeled diagrams accompany the text.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2001

(3) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Illustrated by True Kelley. Beginning with what observers on Earth see in the moon (a face, a rabbit, Jack and Jill), this newly illustrated edition offers a discussion of the findings of astronauts regarding physical properties of the moon, including lack of air and of weather, surface texture, temperature range, and gravity. In addition to colorful illustrations, a few photographs from moon missions are included.

Reviewer: Harry Clement Stubbs

(3) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Illustrated by True Kelley. Branley's clear and informative explanations cover how thunderclouds form, why they produce lightning, and how sound travels. Though thunder and lightning storms may seem scary, the book--with safety tips included--will help dispel fears. Newly illustrated, this edition of the book features colorful cartoonlike pictures.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Illustrated by Edward Miller. Children curious about the possibility of life on distant planets will find much to think about in this speculative yet scientifically accurate text. The new illustrations, which incorporate photographs of planets, are bright and colorful, but the slightly dated text does not include recent information on the search for microscopic extraterrestrial life forms.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Branley's clear and simple text explains two basic yet important physics concepts: very hot objects produce light, and we see because light from these objects travels to our eyes or reflects off everything else. Multiple examples from children's experiences reinforce these ideas. The illustrations work well with the text, although more emphasis on how light reaches our eyes would help readers' understanding.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Descriptions of how astronauts live and work on the space shuttle include the repair of the Hubble Space Telescope as well as the basics of eating and sleeping in space. Simple yet thorough explanations of gravity and weightlessness frame the otherwise descriptive text. The color illustrations include clearly labeled diagrams of space suits, space toilets, and meal trays.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Simple descriptions of the objects in the solar system include information on the sun, planets, moon, asteroids, and comets. The illustrations, which show the astronomer-narrator and a group of kids at an observatory, include photos of various space objects. Suggested activities at the back of the book include traditional comparisons of the relative sizes and distance of the planets, as well as websites to visit for further information.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.