(4) 4-6 Searchlight Books: How Does Your Body Work? series. Simple chapters introduce the basics of these five human body systems: their structure, function, and how the various components interact. A few sentences on each page accompany largely generic, full-color photographs, photo-micrographs, and labeled diagrams. Text boxes are included on each spread but are mostly redundant. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these How Does Your Body Work? titles: Your Circulatory System, Your Muscular System, Your Nervous System, Your Skeletal System, and Your Respiratory System.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Vroom-Vroom series. Each book describes the features and functions of a specific vehicle. The accessible texts are simple but informative; each page features a few sentences, a photo, and often a caption or label. Use of different typefaces may be frustrating for new readers, but the engaging texts and back matter (e.g., "fun facts") should draw readers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: Vroom-Vroom titles: Earthmovers on the Move, Fire Trucks on the Move, and Monster Trucks on the Move.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books series. This book describes iguanas' traits and characteristics. The text, in large, easy to read font, offers minimal, occasionally useful information ("An iguana can fight predators with its claws. It can also flick its tail like a whip"). Vivid photographs show the creatures in action. A map and anatomical diagram are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 On My Own Science series. Illustrated by Ryan Durney. This book for independent readers introduces three legendary sea monsters--kraken, mermaids, and sea serpents--and compares them to actual sea creatures. Jango-Cohen explains how each real "monster" (giant squid, manatee, oarfish) fits into the legend, providing a range of details about each one. Slick-looking illustrations ably support the text with eye-catching sea animals, but human figures look lifeless. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Cool Science series. These volumes introduce readers to cutting-edge technologies (listening devices, electronic arms, nanobots) in the fields of communications intelligence and biomechanical engineering. Each field's history, present-day technology, and potential future innovations are covered. The overly busy design is confusing, but many clear, well-captioned photos are included; shaded text boxes allow for kid-friendly examples (e.g., the CIA's "Acoustic Kitty" failure). Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Cool Science titles: Spy Technology and Bionics.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) K-3 On My Own Holidays series. Illustrated by Jason Chin. Each author provides a detailed explanation of the featured holiday or, in the case of Easter, describes how the holiday is celebrated in diverse lands, from Sweden to Ethiopia to Colombia. Some books' illustrations are less accomplished than others, but the short sentences in these thorough offerings are just right for beginning readers. Chinese and Cinco contain glossaries. Review covers these On My Own Holidays titles: Veterans Day, Easter around the World, Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Animals Animals series. These clearly written books describe each featured animal's physical characteristics, different species (except in Cheetahs), diet, and life cycle. Also discussed is the decline in all these animal populations, dramatically depicted in Cheetahs and Rhinoceroses with maps showing previous and current habitat areas. The crisp color photos, which often fill the page, should attract readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Animals Animals titles: Bats, Cheetahs, Camels, and Rhinoceroses.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Animals Animals series. These clearly written books describe each featured animal's physical characteristics, different species (except in Cheetahs), diet, and life cycle. Also discussed is the decline in all these animal populations, dramatically depicted in Cheetahs and Rhinoceroses with maps showing previous and current habitat areas. The crisp color photos, which often fill the page, should attract readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Animals Animals titles: Bats, Cheetahs, Camels, and Rhinoceroses.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Pull Ahead Books series. These small, square books discuss each animal's habits and characteristics, how they find food, and how they raise their young. The limited text and many photos work well together, and though the books are very brief, each provides an adequate introduction for beginning readers. A habitat map and labeled picture are appended. Glos. Review covers these Pull Ahead Books titles: Polar Bears, Flying Squirrels, and Red Foxes.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Early Bird Body Systems series. Using straightforward text, these accessible resources introduce the major body systems. Photos and illustrated diagrams complement the text, but some micrographs lack sufficient labels. Each book begins with a key-word preview that invites readers to be "word detectives" and concludes with tips for adults on reading with a child. Reading list, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Early Bird Body Systems titles: The Skeletal System, The Respiratory System, The Digestive System, The Muscular System, The Nervous System, and The Circulatory System.

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) K-3 Pull Ahead Books series. Useful for beginning readers studying community helpers, these books provide very basic introductions to some familiar professions. Vocabulary words are printed in bold and defined in a glossary. Supported by photos of people at work, the books also contain a brief list of historical and career facts. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Pull Ahead Books titles: Firefighters, Doctors, Police Officers, Librarians, and Teachers.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Pull Ahead Books series. These simple but informative books for newly independent readers introduce physical characteristics, habits, and growth cycles of the featured insect. Questions in the text are intended to encourage readers but are occasionally condescending. The close-up color photographs are engaging. Habitat map, labeled diagram. Glos. [Review covers these Pull Ahead Books titles: Hungry Ladybugs, Buzzing Bumblebees, and Monarch Butterflies.]

Reviewer:

(4) K-3 Pull Ahead Books series. In this simple, informative introduction to hummingbirds, Jango-Cohen discusses the small bird's plumage, feeding and nesting habits, and flying techniques. Questions in the text, intended to encourage newly independent readers, are occasionally condescending. The large, colorful photographs provide an up-close look at these "tricky fliers." Habitat map, labeled diagram. Glos.

Reviewer:

(3) 4-6 Animals Animals series. These clearly written books discuss each animal's anatomy, habitat, preferred foods, defenses, and life cycle, as well as how they're affected by hunting, their loss of habitat due to development, and, in the case of monkeys, their use in medical research. The crisp color photos, which often fill the page, should attract readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Animals Animals titles: Armadillos and Monkeys.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Animals Animals series. These books discuss octopus and butterfly physiologies, life cycles, eating habits, and defenses against enemies. Each book ends with a brief chapter about how the animal interacts with humans. The clear writing and crisp color photos, which often fill the page, should hold young readers' attention. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Animals Animals titles: Octopuses and Butterflies.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Pull Ahead Books series. Illustrated by Pamela Jane & Eliot Cohen. [illustrators=photographers]In these series books, the tone of the question-and-answer format attempts to engage the emergent reader while unremarkable color photographs merely reflect the simple text. These titles provide basic information for the younger transportation enthusiast. A few facts about each featured vehicle and a labeled diagram are appended. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Pull Ahead Books titles: Earthmovers, Trains, Dump Trucks, Fire Trucks, Farm Trucks, and Monster Trucks.]

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Pull Ahead Books series. [illustrators=photographers]In these series books, the tone of the question-and-answer format attempts to engage the emergent reader while unremarkable color photographs merely reflect the simple text. These titles provide basic information for the younger transportation enthusiast. A few facts about each featured vehicle and a labeled diagram are appended. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Pull Ahead Books titles: Earthmovers, Trains, Dump Trucks, Fire Trucks, Farm Trucks, and Monster Trucks.]

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 4-6 Animals Animals series. Combining color photographs, diagrams, and an accessible text, each of the books in this series provides a solid introduction to an animal. The short chapters include information about habitat, physiology, daily life, and threats from humans. The easy-to-read typeface will encourage reluctant readers. Lists of suggested reading, videos, and websites are appended. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Animals Animals titles: Leopards, Wolves, Dolphins, Seals, and Gorillas.]

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) 4-6 Animals Animals series. Color photographs and an accessible text introduce these feared creatures. The short chapters include information about crocodiles' movement, hunting habits, and nesting behaviors and about efforts by conservation groups to save this endangered species. The easy-to-read typeface will encourage reluctant readers. Lists of suggested reading, videos, and websites are appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) 4-6 Perfect Pets series. These basic introductions to four popular pets present historical, mythological, and practical information. Clear color photos with chatty captions combine with the straightforward text to create an accessible overview for prospective pet owners. A "Fun Facts" feature is appended to each book. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Perfect Pets titles: Freshwater Fishes, Horses, Snakes, and Small Birds.]

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale