(3) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. This easy reader offers newly independent readers a broad overview of some wild cats' attributes and adaptations. Bright, relevant captioned photos; brief "Fur Word" definitions; "Cool Facts About Wild Cats"; and jokes ("What side of a cat has the most fur? The outside") enhance the presentation. Glos.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. This leveled text for fluent readers is an accessible account of the "main gateway to America," where so many immigrants started their lives in the U.S. The layout is busy and colorful, crowded with archival photographs, captions, call-outs, and text with solid information; kids won't know the highlighted famous immigrants (e.g., songwriter Irving Berlin). A quiz is included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. This title for independent readers features an accessible text and plenty of colorful, captioned photos. The lively chapters offer a broad introduction to the eight species of bears, covering each one's habitat, physical adaptations, diet, and behaviors. Word-definition and "Weird but True" boxes and some jokes are interspersed throughout. A quiz and a photo glossary are appended. Ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. Earth's neighbor is explored in this friendly, informative account of the planet's characteristics, historical explorations, and possible future human missions. Helpful comparisons to phenomena on Earth help readers to understand past and present conditions on Mars. Colorful layouts include photographs and illustrations of Mars, its features, and spacecraft, as well as fact boxes and jokes. A quiz is appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Flip Nicklin. In this volume the cetacean family of mammals is explored with an emphasis on dolphins. Themed chapters are broken down into two-page sections detailing one specific aspect of the creatures. Multiple text boxes, sidebars, and varied illustrations and photos complete the presentation. At first glance the pages seem busy, but they remain clear and easy to read. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. Aimed at newly independent readers, the book describes bodies in the solar system--including planets, moons, and the sun--as well as space exploration. The reading level may be at a beginning level, but the content is not; nearly every sentence includes a new and sometimes sophisticated concept. Large color illustrations, a quiz, and weird facts round out the text. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 National Geographic: Everything series. With Beverly Joubert and Dereck Joubert. Similar in trim size and layout to National Geographic Kids magazine, this volume provides readers with lots of information about big cats, from types of creatures to locations and behaviors to conservation efforts. Striking photographs, including a useful "Photographic Diagram" labeling body parts and their uses, roar off the pages. A "What's Your Cat Purr-sonality?" quiz is included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky

(3) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. The question of which pets are better, cats or dogs, is the frame for this volume's comparison of the two types of animals: "Fur will fly in this battle of the pets!" Topics include ancestors, senses, diet, behavior, and communication. "Weird but True" sidebars along with corny jokes and lots of photographs maintain readers' interest until the "Final Showdown." Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sarah Novogrodsky

(3) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. This leveled reader offers very basic information about bats. Topics range from types of bats to bat diet to behaviors such as echolocation and hanging upside down; clearly delineated headings introduce each subtopic (e.g., "Hanging Out," "Bat Rescue"). "Bat Myths," such as consuming human blood, are debunked. Simple sentence structures, along with corny jokes and excellent well-captioned photos, increase accessibility. Glos.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 This book, based on a National Geographic television special, offers comparative information about migration habits of eight types of animals, from red crabs of Christmas Island to monarch butterflies of North America. After an eye-catching photographic introduction to each animal, accurate information is given about transportation methods, dangers faced, and migratory patterns. There's some busyness to the design but most readers will overcome it. Ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. In challenging but readable text for early independent readers, Carney highlights mummies discovered all over the world. Details such as 2,300-year-old vegetable soup in one mummy's stomach and another's still-soft hair and skin raise the bar on an already high-interest topic. Photographs don't shy away from showing human remains, but they aren't too gory. Vocabulary call-outs and some corny jokes appear throughout. Glos.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. Each volume employs simple sentence structures to convey basic facts about frogs or snakes, including life cycles, habitats, and feeding information. The excellent photographs showcase a variety of species in vivid detail. Vocabulary-word text boxes and goofy jokes ("What kind of snake never skips dessert? A pie-thon") increase accessibility. Review covers these National Geographic Readers titles: Frogs! and Snakes!.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford