(3) K-3 Blazers: U.S. Federal Agents series. Colich gives young readers background information on the two U.S. intelligence agencies and then discusses the life of an agent: recruitment, required training, and job responsibilities including special and dangerous tasks. The informative volumes combine short, clearly written sentences and briefly captioned color photographs. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Blazers: U.S. Federal Agents titles: CIA Agents and FBI Agents.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) K-3 Blazers: U.S. Federal Agents series. Colich gives young readers background information on the two U.S. intelligence agencies and then discusses the life of an agent: recruitment, required training, and job responsibilities including special and dangerous tasks. The informative volumes combine short, clearly written sentences and briefly captioned color photographs. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Blazers: U.S. Federal Agents titles: CIA Agents and FBI Agents.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Snap Books: Go-To Guides series. Both books provide suggestions and directions for games, crafts, and food appropriate for the common teen and preteen activities of babysitting and hosting a slumber party. Illustrated with color photos of kids of various ethnicities, the suggested activities are both simple and creative. Babysitter emphasizes safety and responsibility; Sleepover emphasizes the hostess's role in planning ahead and caring for her guests. Reading list. Review covers these Snap Books: Go-To Guides titles: A Babysitter's Guide to Keeping the Kids Entertained and A Girl's Guide to the Perfect Sleepover.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) 4-6 Snap Books: Drawing Amazing Animals series. Illustrated by Jason Juta. These books start with a boilerplate introduction and list of tools; slight information on each of eleven animals is followed by four to six wordless step-by-step instructions for drawing it. Encouraging tips in callout boxes vary in helpfulness, but layout is consistent and well organized. The series is recommended for readers with drawing experience as texts do not address proportion or adding color/shading. Review covers the following Snap Books: Drawing Amazing Animals titles: Drawing Ocean Animals and Drawing Wild Animals.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) 4-6 Snap Books: Drawing Amazing Animals series. Illustrated by Juan Calle. These books start with a boilerplate introduction and list of tools; slight information on each of eleven animals is followed by four to six wordless step-by-step instructions for drawing it. Encouraging tips in callout boxes vary in helpfulness, but layout is consistent and well organized. The series is recommended for readers with drawing experience as texts do not address proportion or adding color/shading. Review covers the following Snap Books: Drawing Amazing Animals titles: Drawing Ocean Animals and Drawing Wild Animals.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(4) K-3 Exploring Materials series. Each book introduces a specific material using simple, kid-friendly questions that provide information such as where the material comes from and how it is used. At times the text can be repetitive ("Chalk is soft rock" and "Chalk comes from rock") or could benefit from further explanation, but the short sentences and clear photographs are ideal for beginning readers. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring Materials titles: Metal, Plastic, and Rock.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) K-3 Exploring Materials series. Each book introduces a specific material using simple, kid-friendly questions that provide information such as where the material comes from and how it is used. At times the text can be repetitive ("Chalk is soft rock" and "Chalk comes from rock") or could benefit from further explanation, but the short sentences and clear photographs are ideal for beginning readers. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring Materials titles: Metal, Plastic, and Rock.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) K-3 Exploring Materials series. Each book introduces a specific material using simple, kid-friendly questions that provide information such as where the material comes from and how it is used. At times the text can be repetitive ("Chalk is soft rock" and "Chalk comes from rock") or could benefit from further explanation, but the short sentences and clear photographs are ideal for beginning readers. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring Materials titles: Metal, Plastic, and Rock.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) K-3 First Facts: Your Favorite Authors series. These brief biographies of three beloved children's authors are well suited to newly independent readers. There's not much depth, but the accessible texts give young fans basic information about each subject as well as a bit of insight into what inspires him or her. The profiles are accompanied by color photographs; the unflattering illustrated cover portraits are unfortunate. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these First Facts: Your Favorite Authors titles: Mo Willems, Dav Pilkey, and Barbara Park.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee