(2) K-3 Illustrated by Sebastià Serra. This exploration of the evolution of weather, atmosphere, and climate sciences interweaves accounts of historical beliefs with current understandings. In the telling, Kudlinski emphasizes the important scientific practices of learning from mistakes and drawing on many different sources of evidence to develop knowledge. Cartoonlike digital and pencil illustrations feature children and adults experiencing weather in modern and historical contexts. Timeline, websites.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2015

(4) K-3 Encounter series. Illustrated by Rudy Faber. This text-heavy picture-book biography relies on lots of fictionalized dialogue to introduce fourteen-year-old Dicey, who worked as an informant during the American Revolution. Sneaking supplies to soldiers and warning of an impending Redcoat attack made Dicey a hero in her South Carolina colony. Digital illustrations with an old-timey oil-paint quality complete the story. An author's note and cornbread recipe are appended. Reading list.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Debbie Tilley. Ideas about the workings of our bodies, from health to the effects of disease, show how scientific concepts have changed over time. Kudlinski explains these advances, emphasizing in particular the imaging technologies that have contributed to the field. The explanations underscore the key scientific practice of revision. Humorous cartoon illustrations contribute to the light tone. Timeline, websites.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 History's All-Stars series. Illustrated by Meryl Henderson. Originally in the Childhood of Famous Americans series, these biographies are otherwise unchanged. Focusing on events in each figure's childhood, the congenial narratives read smoothly, with natural-sounding invented dialogue. Font size and leading are generous, creating an inviting reading environment. Each chapter includes a black-and-white illustration; the art is dated-looking in King. Parks appends an un-updated reading list. Review covers these History's All-Stars titles: Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr..

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by John Rocco. This equally cheerful companion to Boy, Were We Wrong About Dinosaurs! describes the history of theories about the solar system. The text shows how discrepant evidence and better tools can be the impetus for shifts in scientific thinking--and that it's perfectly fine to change ideas if the evidence supports it. Humorous caricature illustrations show scientists and explorers hard at work. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lindy Burnett. Like water rising with the incoming tide, anticipation swells for a little boy waiting to witness activity at the shoreline. Swirling gouache illustrations set the scene in this rhythmic exploration of the tide's ebb and flow, including how it sustains plant and animal life. The text occasionally sacrifices clarity to maintain the vibe, but beachcombers will enjoy the presentation.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lindy Burnett. "Settle down, sleepy Swallow. / Sunset has come.... / Open your eyes, little Bat. / The sun is gone." Set at dusk, this picture book portrays the "switch" in animal activity between the animals active during the day and those awake at night. The book's concept is clever--matching creatures that hunt for the same food--but the verse and illustrations are stilted.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(4) YA After walking from Texas to New Mexico, fifteen-year-old Parker collapses on Georgia O'Keeffe's doorstep. She feeds him; Parker steals a camera from her. When caught, he agrees to spend the next month working to repay his crime. The fictionalized biography of O'Keeffe provides the strength of the book, while a mundane mystery detracts from the fully realized historical backdrop.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(3) K-3 Science Links series. By describing plant adaptive behaviors as part of a struggle for scarce resources, Kudlinski is able to bring liveliness and drama to her topic. Color photos work closely with the text, illustrating the concepts under discussion and providing visual references for various plant species. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Science Links series. Although the series brings its usual open design, color photos, charts, and bold-faced vocabulary words to this discussion of the food pyramid and the nutrients bodies need to function, the occasionally patronizing tone drags this volume down. The information is clear and well organized, but there are better food-pyramid books available. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Jerome Wexler. Focusing on the ubiquitous weed, this book offers introductory information on its growth, parts, and manner of reproduction. The choppy text, with widely spaced lines and large print, is geared toward newly independent readers. The volume is illustrated with captioned and clearly labeled full-color photos (which are somewhat repetitive) and drawings and includes a note to adults. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Jerome Wexler. With simple texts and plenty of large (though somewhat repetitious) color photos, these introductory volumes supply young readers with basic facts about these plants. A "word detective" feature encourages children to find and define relevant terms used in the text, and a section for adults provides questions for discussion and run-of-the-mill activity suggestions. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(4) K-3 Early Bird Nature Books series. Photographs by Jerome Wexler. With simple texts and plenty of large (though somewhat repetitious) color photos, these introductory volumes supply young readers with basic facts about these plants. A "word detective" feature encourages children to find and define relevant terms used in the text, and a section for adults provides questions for discussion and run-of-the-mill activity suggestions. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli