(4) 4-6 United States Presidents series. A clearly written, if overly favorable portrait recounts Bush's life from boyhood through his schooling and career successes and failures up until June 2003. His strongly held positions on contentious national issues are described and balanced by explanations of his opponents' views. The text is complemented by sidebars of document excerpts (e.g., his first Inaugural Address) and black-and-white photos. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Explorers! series. Three explorers--of Asia, of South America, and of North America--are profiled in these brief biographies copiously illustrated with photos and reproductions. Unfortunately, the texts' lack of detail can prove confusing (e.g., in Pizarro we learn that "They took [the gold] to their ship," yet the fact that Pizarro and his men have a ship is news to us). Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Explorers! titles: Marco Polo, Francisco Pizarro, and Leif Eriksson.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman