(3) 4-6 STEM on the Battlefield series. Each book in this series discusses how a field of STEM has been instrumental--from ancient times to the present--in developing advanced technology that aids combat forces in war operations. The readable texts include sidebars of additional facts or profiles of important people, plus numerous captioned photographs and illustrations that add clarity and interest. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these STEM on the Battlefield titles: Codes, Ciphers, and Cartography, Hovercrafts and Humvees, Robots, Drones, and Radar, Dirty Bombs and Shell Shock, Smoke Screens and Gas Masks, and Torpedoes, Missiles, and Cannons.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Fact Finders: Animal Scientists series. This informative series centers on abilities common to various animals. After a two-page introduction, each book breaks down the title ability into subtopics explored in two-page case studies, such as chemical communication of skunks and metamorphosis of frogs. Engaging captioned photographs and sidebars are included on clean layouts. The books end without conclusions, but the material is compelling. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Fact Finders: Animal Scientists titles: Amazing Animal Communicators, Amazing Animal Shape-Shifters, and Amazing Animal Tool-Users and Tool-Makers.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) K-3 Fact Finders: Animal Scientists series. This informative series centers on abilities common to various animals. After a two-page introduction, each book breaks down the title ability into subtopics explored in two-page case studies, such as chemical communication of skunks and metamorphosis of frogs. Engaging captioned photographs and sidebars are included on clean layouts. The books end without conclusions, but the material is compelling. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Fact Finders: Animal Scientists titles: Amazing Animal Communicators, Amazing Animal Shape-Shifters, and Amazing Animal Tool-Users and Tool-Makers.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) K-3 Fact Finders: Animal Scientists series. This informative series centers on abilities common to various animals. After a two-page introduction, each book breaks down the title ability into subtopics explored in two-page case studies, such as chemical communication of skunks and metamorphosis of frogs. Engaging captioned photographs and sidebars are included on clean layouts. The books end without conclusions, but the material is compelling. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Fact Finders: Animal Scientists titles: Amazing Animal Communicators, Amazing Animal Shape-Shifters, and Amazing Animal Tool-Users and Tool-Makers.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) K-3 Even More SuperSized! series. Opening with a clear comparison--"A trumpeter swan can weigh more than 30 pounds. That is about as much as a three-year-old child"--this accessible book is a good resource, despite some cheesy section titles ("Dipping for Dinner"). Simple text, stock photos, and a map introduce the habitat, diet, life cycle, physical characteristics, and behavior of the swan. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Even More SuperSized! series. Simple text, stock photos, and maps introduce the habitat, diet, life cycle, physical characteristics, and behavior of the featured animal. Despite some cheesy section titles, the clear comparisons ("With its arms stretched out, the octopus is about as long as a minivan") and straightforward text will help readers understand more difficult concepts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Even More Supersized titles: Giant Pacific Octopus, Walking Sticks, and Giant Weta.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Even More SuperSized! series. Simple text, stock photos, and maps introduce the habitat, diet, life cycle, physical characteristics, and behavior of the featured animal. Despite some cheesy section titles, the clear comparisons ("An English mastiff weighs about as much as a refrigerator") and straightforward text will help readers' comprehension. Information about caring for these animals is included. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Even More SuperSized! titles: Flemish Giant Rabbit and English Mastiff.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Even More SuperSized! series. Simple text, stock photos, and maps introduce the habitat, diet, life cycle, physical characteristics, and behavior of the featured animal. Despite some cheesy section titles, the clear comparisons ("The deadly cobra is about as long as a pickup truck") and straightforward text will help readers understand more difficult concepts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Even More Supersized titles: Cane Toad and King Cobra.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Even More SuperSized! series. Simple text, stock photos, and maps introduce the habitat, diet, life cycle, physical characteristics, and behavior of the featured animal. Despite some cheesy section titles, the clear comparisons ("The deadly cobra is about as long as a pickup truck") and straightforward text will help readers understand more difficult concepts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Even More Supersized titles: Cane Toad and King Cobra.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Even More SuperSized! series. Simple text, stock photos, and maps introduce the habitat, diet, life cycle, physical characteristics, and behavior of the featured animal. Despite some cheesy section titles, the clear comparisons ("With its arms stretched out, the octopus is about as long as a minivan") and straightforward text will help readers understand more difficult concepts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Even More Supersized titles: Giant Pacific Octopus, Walking Sticks, and Giant Weta.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Solve That Crime! series. These volumes provide brief but informative introductions to the subjects of crime and forensic science. Some of the books offer specific information on the forensic process while others focus on the broad context of the topics. Colorful graphics and sidebars are intended to grab the interest of young readers but also clutter the pages. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Solve That Crime! titles: At the Crime Scene!, Crimebusting!, Crime Under the Microscope!, Virtual Crime!, Bones Speak!, and Counterfeit!

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Countries of the World series. These titles will meet the needs of upper-elementary school report writers. Topics include climate, geography, ecology, culture, and economy, illustrated with plentiful maps and an abundance of photographs that provide local flavor. Given the countries' complex historic and current relations with the United States, the discussions of politics and history are (perhaps deliberately) glossed over. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review includes these Countries of the World titles: Vietnam and Iran.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Elements series. Each of these books defines an element, then describes what risks are associated with it and where it fits in the periodic chart. Numerous captioned color photos and sidebars augment the accurate, well-organized, but information-dense sections. Glos., ind. Review covers these Elements titles: Manganese, Iodine, Nickel, and Mercury.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Elements series. Each of these books defines an element then describes where it's found, how it's used, how it's combined, what risks are associated with it, and where it fits in the periodic chart. Numerous captioned color photos and sidebars augment the accurate and well-organized but information-dense text. Glos., ind. Review covers these Elements titles: Tin, Fluorine, Tungsten, and Platinum.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian