(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Cool Great Outdoors series. Each book provides an inviting introduction to outdoor exploration and recreation. The series offers a range of diversions, focusing on projects associated with the activities, such as glow-stick lanterns (Camping) and a plastic bag compass (Maps). There's not much depth to volumes, but with introductory chapters, materials lists, and step-by-step instructions with photos, these are accessible ways to foster enjoyment of the outdoors. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Cool Great Outdoors titles: Cool Birds & Bugs, Cool Maps & Geocaching, Cool Parks & Trails, Cool Backyard Camping, Cool Outdoor Activities, and Cool Outdoor Arts & Crafts.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Cool Great Outdoors series. Each book provides an inviting introduction to outdoor exploration and recreation. The series offers a range of diversions, focusing on projects associated with the activities, such as glow-stick lanterns (Camping) and a plastic bag compass (Maps). There's not much depth to volumes, but with introductory chapters, materials lists, and step-by-step instructions with photos, these are accessible ways to foster enjoyment of the outdoors. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Cool Great Outdoors titles: Cool Birds & Bugs, Cool Maps & Geocaching, Cool Parks & Trails, Cool Backyard Camping, Cool Outdoor Activities, and Cool Outdoor Arts & Crafts.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Cool Great Outdoors series. Each book provides an inviting introduction to outdoor exploration and recreation. The series offers a range of diversions, focusing on projects associated with the activities, such as glow-stick lanterns (Camping) and a plastic bag compass (Maps). There's not much depth to volumes, but with introductory chapters, materials lists, and step-by-step instructions with photos, these are accessible ways to foster enjoyment of the outdoors. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Cool Great Outdoors titles: Cool Birds & Bugs, Cool Maps & Geocaching, Cool Parks & Trails, Cool Backyard Camping, Cool Outdoor Activities, and Cool Outdoor Arts & Crafts.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Sandcastle: All About Your Senses series. These books for beginning readers offer a few facts about the senses in a clear and humorous way. Close-up photos of children's faces on left-hand pages illustrate and personalize the scant information. Three facts about each sense and a quiz are appended. Glos. Review covers these Sandcastle: All About Your Senses titles: Ears Are for Earrings, Eyes Are for Winking, Hands Are for Holding, and Mouths Are for Smiling.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Sandcastle: All About Your Senses series. These books for beginning readers offer a few facts about the senses in a clear and humorous way. Close-up photos of children's faces on left-hand pages illustrate and personalize the scant information. Three facts about each sense and a quiz are appended. Glos. Review covers these Sandcastle: All About Your Senses titles: Ears Are for Earrings, Eyes Are for Winking, Hands Are for Holding, and Mouths Are for Smiling.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Sandcastle: All About Your Senses series. These books for beginning readers offer a few facts about the senses in a clear and humorous way. Close-up photos of children's faces on left-hand pages illustrate and personalize the scant information. Three facts about each sense and a quiz are appended. Glos. Review covers these Sandcastle: All About Your Senses titles: Ears Are for Earrings, Eyes Are for Winking, Hands Are for Holding, and Mouths Are for Smiling.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Sandcastle: All About Your Senses series. These books for beginning readers offer a few facts about the senses in a clear and humorous way. Close-up photos of children's faces on left-hand pages illustrate and personalize the scant information. Three facts about each sense and a quiz are appended. Glos. Review covers these Sandcastle: All About Your Senses titles: Ears Are for Earrings, Eyes Are for Winking, Hands Are for Holding, and Mouths Are for Smiling.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard How-To Library: Cool Garden to Table series. Each book provides a brief description of the vegetable or herb; how to plant, grow, and harvest it; followed by lengthy picture lists of ingredients, cooking tools, and cooking terms. While not go-to gardening books, the six relevant recipes in each title (e.g., "Creamy Carrot Soup," "Berry Good Vinaigrette Salad") with easy-to-follow steps may help young readers accomplish their cookery goals. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard How-To Library: Cool Garden to Table titles: Cool Basil from Garden to Table, Cool Carrots from Garden to Table, Cool Green Beans from Garden to Table, and Cool Leaf Lettuce from Garden to Table.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard How-To Library: Cool Garden to Table series. Each book provides a brief description of the vegetable or herb; how to plant, grow, and harvest it; followed by lengthy picture lists of ingredients, cooking tools, and cooking terms. While not go-to gardening books, the six relevant recipes in each title (e.g., "Creamy Carrot Soup," "Berry Good Vinaigrette Salad") with easy-to-follow steps may help young readers accomplish their cookery goals. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard How-To Library: Cool Garden to Table titles: Cool Basil from Garden to Table, Cool Carrots from Garden to Table, Cool Green Beans from Garden to Table, and Cool Leaf Lettuce from Garden to Table.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard How-To Library: Cool Garden to Table series. Each book provides a brief description of the vegetable or herb; how to plant, grow, and harvest it; followed by lengthy picture lists of ingredients, cooking tools, and cooking terms. While not go-to gardening books, the six relevant recipes in each title (e.g., "Creamy Carrot Soup," "Berry Good Vinaigrette Salad") with easy-to-follow steps may help young readers accomplish their cookery goals. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard How-To Library: Cool Garden to Table titles: Cool Basil from Garden to Table, Cool Carrots from Garden to Table, Cool Green Beans from Garden to Table, and Cool Leaf Lettuce from Garden to Table.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard How-To Library: Cool Garden to Table series. Each book provides a brief description of the vegetable or herb; how to plant, grow, and harvest it; followed by lengthy picture lists of ingredients, cooking tools, and cooking terms. While not go-to gardening books, the six relevant recipes in each title (e.g., "Creamy Carrot Soup," "Berry Good Vinaigrette Salad") with easy-to-follow steps may help young readers accomplish their cookery goals. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard How-To Library: Cool Garden to Table titles: Cool Basil from Garden to Table, Cool Carrots from Garden to Table, Cool Green Beans from Garden to Table, and Cool Leaf Lettuce from Garden to Table.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Super SandCastle: Cat Craze series. These volumes contain useful information for cat lovers or cat-owning children who may be responsible for taking care of the family pet. Topics include the history of each breed, physical features, personality traits, and day-to-day needs. The texts are bland, but readers will enjoy the accompanying photos of cats and kittens as well as quizzes and helpful charts. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Cat Craze titles: Amazing American Curls, Delightful Devon Rexes, Outgoing Oriental Shorthairs, and Regal Russian Blues.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(4) K-3 Super SandCastle: Cat Craze series. These volumes contain useful information for cat lovers or cat-owning children who may be responsible for taking care of the family pet. Topics include the history of each breed, physical features, personality traits, and day-to-day needs. The texts are bland, but readers will enjoy the accompanying photos of cats and kittens as well as quizzes and helpful charts. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Cat Craze titles: Amazing American Curls, Delightful Devon Rexes, Outgoing Oriental Shorthairs, and Regal Russian Blues.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(4) K-3 Super SandCastle: Cat Craze series. These volumes contain useful information for cat lovers or cat-owning children who may be responsible for taking care of the family pet. Topics include the history of each breed, physical features, personality traits, and day-to-day needs. The texts are bland, but readers will enjoy the accompanying photos of cats and kittens as well as quizzes and helpful charts. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Cat Craze titles: Amazing American Curls, Delightful Devon Rexes, Outgoing Oriental Shorthairs, and Regal Russian Blues.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(4) K-3 Super SandCastle: Cat Craze series. These volumes contain useful information for cat lovers or cat-owning children who may be responsible for taking care of the family pet. Topics include the history of each breed, physical features, personality traits, and day-to-day needs. The texts are bland, but readers will enjoy the accompanying photos of cats and kittens as well as quizzes and helpful charts. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Cat Craze titles: Amazing American Curls, Delightful Devon Rexes, Outgoing Oriental Shorthairs, and Regal Russian Blues.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(4) K-3 Super SandCastle: Dog Daze series. These books provide very basic doggy details. Topics include appearance, training, and care; "All About Me" charts ("Things I Like: Being with my family," "Things I Dislike: Getting bored") and quizzes are also included. Though there are some useful specifics about the breeds' personalities and histories, the texts are generally rather vague. Vivid photographs of pups romping and posing add life. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Dog Daze titles: Burly Bulldogs, Chipper Chihuahuas, Daring Dalmatians, and Perky Poodles.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) K-3 Super SandCastle: Dog Daze series. These books provide very basic doggy details. Topics include appearance, training, and care; "All About Me" charts ("Things I Like: Being with my family," "Things I Dislike: Getting bored") and quizzes are also included. Though there are some useful specifics about the breeds' personalities and histories, the texts are generally rather vague. Vivid photographs of pups romping and posing add life. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Dog Daze titles: Burly Bulldogs, Chipper Chihuahuas, Daring Dalmatians, and Perky Poodles.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(4) K-3 Super SandCastle: Cat Craze series. These volumes contain useful information for cat lovers or cat-owning children who may be responsible for taking care of the family pet. Topics include the history of each breed, physical features, personality traits, and day-to-day needs. The texts are bland, but readers will enjoy the accompanying photos of cats and kittens as well as quizzes and helpful charts. Glos. Review covers these Super SandCastle: Cat Craze titles: Awesome Abyssinians, Sleek Siamese, Hip Himalayans, Marvelous Maine Coons, and Popular Persians.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(4) K-3 SandCastle: Baby Australian Animals series. A clean, inviting design frames the text in this early reader series about Australian baby animals. Group names, special habits and features, diets, and predators are covered (though some explanations are confusing or otherwise unsatisfying). Occasional sidebars support the texts and/or the (mostly) clear photographs. "Vital Statistics" and "Fun Facts" pages are useful for making comparisons among the animals. Glos. Review covers these SandCastle: Baby Australian Animals titles: It's a Baby Kangaroo!, It's a Baby Australian Fur Seal!, It's a Baby Flying Fox!, It's a Baby Spiny Anteater!, and It's a Baby Tasmanian Devil!

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) K-3 SandCastle: Baby Australian Animals series. A clean, inviting design frames the text in this early reader series about Australian baby animals. Group names, special habits and features, diets, and predators are covered (though some explanations are confusing or otherwise unsatisfying). Occasional sidebars support the texts and/or the (mostly) clear photographs. "Vital Statistics" and "Fun Facts" pages are useful for making comparisons among the animals. Glos. Review covers these SandCastle: Baby Australian Animals titles: It's a Baby Kangaroo!, It's a Baby Australian Fur Seal!, It's a Baby Flying Fox!, It's a Baby Spiny Anteater!, and It's a Baby Tasmanian Devil!

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi