(3) PS Illustrated by Polona Lovšin. This tailor-made Mother's Day offering and companion to Daddies Are Awesome celebrates all that (feline) mamas do. For example: "Mommies are clever. / They know when you're sad. / They'll hug you and kiss you / when you're feeling bad." A good match for the affectionate text, the soft-hued illustrations portray various breeds of mother cats cuddling, protecting, and playing with their little ones.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Polona Lovšin. This tribute in verse extols the virtues of loving (dog) fathers. "Daddies are playful. / They swing you around. / You ride on their shoulders / or hang upside down." The illustrations swing between sweet and goofy in their depictions of the various dogs partaking in father/child activities. The large font; repetitive structure; inviting use of white space; and happy, warm-eyed pooches combine for an accessible celebration of fatherhood.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) K-3 Animal Planet: My Life in the Wild series. Illustrated by Gary Hanna. A young emperor penguin relates the story of its life, from egg to egg-keeper ("After laying our egg, my partner sets off on her long trek back to our feeding ground..."). The text is easy to follow, with accessible vocabulary and an engaging narrative voice. Accompanying digital-looking illustrations are lifelike and vivid. Additional facts and a quiz are appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(3) K-3 Animal Planet: My Life in the Wild series. Illustrated by Mick Posen. The life of a cheetah in the wild is all about finding food, even as a baby. This volume focuses on a cheetah cub as it learns to hunt with its mother. The first-person text is easy to follow, with accessible vocabulary and an engaging narrative voice. Accompanying digital-looking illustrations are lifelike and vivid. Additional facts and a quiz are appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(4) K-3 National Geographic Science Chapters series. After a brief introduction to the topic, this easy-to-read volume explain how forest fires begin, spread, and cause damage. The science is thorough yet accessible, and the clean design features many dynamic photographs (including those on the striking endpapers), charts, and diagrams. An unfortunate mistake or typo greatly underestimates the cost of fighting forest fires. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow