(3) 4-6 Smithsonian: Exploring the 13 Colonies series. Straightforward, informative histories of four of the original thirteen colonies each explore the colony's unique characteristics, settlers, leaders (colonial and Native American), and events leading to involvement in the Revolutionary War. A balanced mixture of paintings, charts, documents, and maps effectively complements the narratives. Common Core–related questions are appended. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Smithsonian: Exploring the 13 Colonies titles: Exploring the Virginia Colony, Exploring the Georgia Colony, Exploring the Pennsylvania Colony, and Exploring the New Hampshire Colony.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) PS Illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw. A boy describes his baby sister's use of the self-coined word shwatsit and his ultimately successful quest to derive its meaning. The story, based on the author's own childhood, has humor and heart, if not the most original rhymes ("'Shwatsit' this and 'shwatsit' that! / 'Shwatsit' dog and 'shwatsit' cat!"). The bright illustrations depict a tight-knit, loving family.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw. When night falls, a cow cannot resist the urge to give long slurpy kisses across the foreheads of little ones fast asleep. The result: untamably wacky morning bedhead. A short but lively rhyming text and cozy, muted acrylics make a good read-aloud that offers an entertaining explanation for the spiky cowlick.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) 4-6 Women Who Win series. Each book in this generally adulatory series on female sports stars traces an athlete's career from childhood to the present. The texts touch on the stars' backgrounds and struggles to overcome setbacks but focus mainly on descriptions of important competitions. As a whole, the series provides some insight into what it takes to succeed in professional sports. Color action photos, statistics, and a chronology in each book will please fans. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire