(3) K-3 Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. After Sarah Roberts was removed from her classroom by a police officer, a little-known 1847 Supreme Court case set the tone for Boston to eventually become the first major American city to end segregation in schools. Watercolor and gouache paintings capture the historical era. The valuable book's extensive back matter includes "What Happened to Our Heroes?" and an author's note. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Michael Slack. Goodman offers solid information about spacecraft, flight, and the effects of space on the human body in this "travel guide." Readers are encouraged to imagine packing for a space trip, training for the effects of weightlessness, eating and drinking on a space station, and the views from above earth. Cartoon illustrations, photographs, quotes, and asides crowd the pages. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) K-3 Illustrated by David Slonim. A wisecracking canine treats young readers to a humorous tour of the world of dogs, including how they came to be such close friends with people; why there are so many different breeds and how they are different from one another; and explanations of various dog postures, sounds, and behaviors. Amusing cartoon illustrations match the light tone of the informative text. Bib.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) K-3 Step into Reading series. A little background history surveys the topic from the first trains to the trains of the future, presenting solid but simply stated information about a topic young readers love. Photos illustrate train types and parts, holding interest with visual surprises such as an elephant emerging from a boxcar and a "pusher" in Japan packing people into a car.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 On My Own Science series. Illustrated by Phyllis V. Saroff. In clear and accessible language, this book for independent readers describes efforts to establish a new migrating flock of whooping cranes. The engaging illustrations portray the cranes' natural habitat and scientists' methods of raising chicks. This detailed look at a successful conservation project would be a good choice for endangered species units for younger grades. Reading list, websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(3) K-3 Step into Reading series. Photographs by Michael J. Doolittle. This introduction to the two-wheeled vehicle includes information on its invention and history, uses for motorcycles, and trivia. Varied action photographs in addition to an enthusiastic text ("motorcycles are awesome") rich with attention-grabbing facts (the first few pages are devoted to the Knievels and the last chapter focuses on kids participating in motocross racing) make this an action-packed easy reader.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Elwood H. Smith. Under silly headings such as "War and Pees," Goodman gives readers the poop on, well, pee. Included in the informative text are facts about humans (astronauts urinate in funnels nicknamed "Mr. Thirsty"), animals (female elephants poop and pee simultaneously), and uses for pee (WWI soldiers used "urine-soaked cloths" as gas masks). Smith's cartoonish illustrations nicely complement the potty humor.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 1-3 Ready-for-Chapters: Brave Kids series. Illustrated by Doris Ettlinger. Hazelle, who has been living in a New York City orphanage, suddenly finds herself on a train to Texas to be placed with a family. Based on a real-life orphan-train rider, this fictional account typifies the experiences of many orphans at the turn of the century. Gentle black-and-white illustrations and a thorough afterword enhance the book. Reading list.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Elwood H. Smith. This volume briefly describes the biological function of human elimination, recounts the history of toilets and toilet paper, and explains what happens to waste after it's flushed away. A breezy tone and comical illustrations keep things fairly tasteful, even when exploring such topics as the amount and frequency of animal elimination and the souvenirs one can buy at Alaska's Moose Dropping Festival.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(2) K-3 Photographs by Michael J. Doolittle. This photo-essay traces the rise of the Random House building from conception to completion; a brief text outlines some of the construction jobs and challenges. Dramatic photos will attract youngsters and whet their appetites for more information. Goodman conveys respect for the builders and awe at the precision and effort it takes to erect such a structure.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2005

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Lee Christiansen. Goodman fixes on a spot in New York City to conceptualize time. Each double-page spread presents one point in time ("15,000 years ago"), from the present through the age of dinosaurs, the Ice Age, the age of volcanoes, and more. This device works well, aided by careful art covering subjects as varied as the Lenape Indians and glaciers. A timeline is appended.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Step into Reading series. Photographs by Michael J. Doolittle. This book presents a brief overview of the history of helicopters, including information about how they work and their many uses. Plenty of photographs enhance the text, which is divided into six chapters and uses a large typeface. The subject may draw in reluctant readers.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Photographs by Dorothy Handelman. In this concept book, human inventions are compared to their prototypes in nature. Some work better than others: e.g., a photograph of a child in army fatigues precedes a picture of a leopard camouflaged in a tree; but comparing a sleeping bag to a monarch caterpillar's chrysalis is a stretch. In general, the close-up photos and brief text will appeal to budding naturalists.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(3) 1-3 Ready-for-Chapters: Brave Kids series. Illustrated by Doris Ettlinger. Based on the experiences of a real twelve-year-old drummer boy in the Union Army, this is a fictionalized account of Robert's service during the Civil War. Robert runs away from home to volunteer for duty, ends up capturing a Confederate soldier, and much later is invited to the White House to meet President Lincoln. The black-and-white drawings add to the tale's drama. An author's note provides historical details. Reading list.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(3) K-3 Silly Millies series. Illustrated by Steve Pica. When confronted by feeding time at the zoo, a zookeeper may ask for help. A variety of situations is presented ("the giraffes do not have much water") with the question "what do you do?" Light in tone and fun for the beginning reader, this story combines humor with interesting facts about care for zoo animals. The pen-and-wash illustrations are appealingly cartoonlike, with a good use of white space.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) K-3 Silly Millies series. Illustrated by Steve Pica. Using a humorous approach to life on a farm, Goodman creates situations ("you find eggs in the hay") and asks the reader, "What do you do?" The answer combines factual information with a light, child-friendly manner. The cartoonish illustrations are appealingly done in watercolor washes with ink.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) 1-3 Ready-for-Chapters: Brave Kids series. Illustrated by Doris Ettlinger. This story is based on an episode in the real Cora's memoirs about growing up on the Iowa prairie at the turn of the nineteenth century. While on their way to make a house call, Cora and her doctor father encounter a fast-spreading prairie fire and survive thanks to their courage and ingenuity. The accessible text is accompanied by soft black-and-white drawings. Bib.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Photographs by Michael J. Doolittle. With clear examples, this book discusses the ways in which plants have adapted to survive, such as having leaves that maximize sunlight, flowers whose color or shape attracts pollinating insects, or seeds that can travel. The layout encourages readers to guess at some plants' adaptations before turning the page to get the answer, but a number of the color photos are too small or don't show enough of the plant. Ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Michael J. Doolittle. Goodman follows a team of space camp attendees from arrival to successful completion of their weeklong mission at the U.S. Space Academy in Huntsville, Alabama. The kids run a simulated space shuttle flight, build and test rockets, and train on a series of weightlessness simulators. Plenty of color photos show the children engaged in a variety of activities. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Photographs by Michael J. Doolittle. With clear examples, this book describes the ways in which animals have adapted to survive, such as keeping warm or cool, being camouflaged from predators, or attracting a mate. The layout encourages readers to guess at some animals' adaptations before turning the page to find the answer, but a number of the color photos are too small or only show a portion of the animal. Ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey