(4) K-3 Jungle Babies of the Amazon Rain Forest series. Each of these seven books focusing on a specific baby mammal found in the Amazon River region offers information on habitat, physical appearance, communication, predators, mother-baby relationship, and maturation. Adorable close-up, clearly labeled photographs of the critters and short (if clunky) sentences make these generic books appropriate and manageable for new readers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Jungle Babies titles: Capybaras, Giant River Otters, Jaguars, Kinkajous, Pink River Dolphins, Squirrel Monkeys, and Three-Toed Sloths.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) K-3 Jungle Babies of the Amazon Rain Forest series. Each of these seven books focusing on a specific baby mammal found in the Amazon River region offers information on habitat, physical appearance, communication, predators, mother-baby relationship, and maturation. Adorable close-up, clearly labeled photographs of the critters and short (if clunky) sentences make these generic books appropriate and manageable for new readers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Jungle Babies titles: Capybaras, Giant River Otters, Jaguars, Kinkajous, Pink River Dolphins, Squirrel Monkeys, and Three-Toed Sloths.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) K-3 Jungle Babies of the Amazon Rain Forest series. Each of these seven books focusing on a specific baby mammal found in the Amazon River region offers information on habitat, physical appearance, communication, predators, mother-baby relationship, and maturation. Adorable close-up, clearly labeled photographs of the critters and short (if clunky) sentences make these generic books appropriate and manageable for new readers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Jungle Babies titles: Capybaras, Giant River Otters, Jaguars, Kinkajous, Pink River Dolphins, Squirrel Monkeys, and Three-Toed Sloths.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) K-3 Jungle Babies of the Amazon Rain Forest series. Each of these seven books focusing on a specific baby mammal found in the Amazon River region offers information on habitat, physical appearance, communication, predators, mother-baby relationship, and maturation. Adorable close-up, clearly labeled photographs of the critters and short (if clunky) sentences make these generic books appropriate and manageable for new readers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Jungle Babies titles: Capybaras, Giant River Otters, Jaguars, Kinkajous, Pink River Dolphins, Squirrel Monkeys, and Three-Toed Sloths.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) K-3 Jungle Babies of the Amazon Rain Forest series. Each of these seven books focusing on a specific baby mammal found in the Amazon River region offers information on habitat, physical appearance, communication, predators, mother-baby relationship, and maturation. Adorable close-up, clearly labeled photographs of the critters and short (if clunky) sentences make these generic books appropriate and manageable for new readers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Jungle Babies titles: Capybaras, Giant River Otters, Jaguars, Kinkajous, Pink River Dolphins, Squirrel Monkeys, and Three-Toed Sloths.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) K-3 Jungle Babies of the Amazon Rain Forest series. Each of these seven books focusing on a specific baby mammal found in the Amazon River region offers information on habitat, physical appearance, communication, predators, mother-baby relationship, and maturation. Adorable close-up, clearly labeled photographs of the critters and short (if clunky) sentences make these generic books appropriate and manageable for new readers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Jungle Babies titles: Capybaras, Giant River Otters, Jaguars, Kinkajous, Pink River Dolphins, Squirrel Monkeys, and Three-Toed Sloths.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) K-3 Jungle Babies of the Amazon Rain Forest series. Each of these seven books focusing on a specific baby mammal found in the Amazon River region offers information on habitat, physical appearance, communication, predators, mother-baby relationship, and maturation. Adorable close-up, clearly labeled photographs of the critters and short (if clunky) sentences make these generic books appropriate and manageable for new readers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Jungle Babies titles: Capybaras, Giant River Otters, Jaguars, Kinkajous, Pink River Dolphins, Squirrel Monkeys, and Three-Toed Sloths.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) K-3 Jungle Babies of the Amazon Rain Forest series. Following the series formula, two-page chapters introduce the South American tapir calf and discuss physical characteristics, differences between adults and babies, habitat, behavior, defenses, and growth. The text is simple and easy to read; the close-up well-labeled photographs make this rather odd-looking mammal look cute. New readers will find this first nonfiction book accessible. A map and picture glossary support the text. Reading list. Ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Writing Builders series. Illustrated by Carlos Aón. These five installments introduce fictional duos of kids tackling various writing projects. Though the series' solid information and writing tips are mostly suited to middle graders, they may not appreciate the childish framing stories and illustrations (unattractive in some books). Concise, helpful step-by-step instructions for building the titular piece of writing conclude each volume. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Writing Builders titles: Rick and Rachel Build a Research Report, Frank and Fiona Build a Fictional Story, Jesse and Jasmine Build a Journal, Nell and Nan Build Narrative Nonfiction, and Olivia and Oscar Build an Opinion Piece.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Writing Builders series. Illustrated by Jan Lieffering. These five installments introduce fictional duos of kids tackling various writing projects. Though the series' solid information and writing tips are mostly suited to middle graders, they may not appreciate the childish framing stories and illustrations (unattractive in some books). Concise, helpful step-by-step instructions for building the titular piece of writing conclude each volume. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Writing Builders titles: Rick and Rachel Build a Research Report, Frank and Fiona Build a Fictional Story, Jesse and Jasmine Build a Journal, Nell and Nan Build Narrative Nonfiction, and Olivia and Oscar Build an Opinion Piece.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Writing Builders series. Illustrated by Steve Cox. Each book in this series features a fictional story in which the title student duo produces a writing project. Colorful cartoon illustrations (of ranging quality) combine with perky, helpful narration to show how the multicultural cast of students organize, write, and revise; pictures, format, and tone seem aimed at an audience too young for some of the projects. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Writing Builders titles: Isabella and Ivan Build an Interview, Seth and Savannah Build a Speech, Ben and Bailey Build a Book Report, Leah and LeShawn Build a Letter, Bridget and Bo Build a Blog, and Evan and Erin Build an Essay.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Writing Builders series. Illustrated by Randy Chewning. Each book in this series features a fictional story in which the title student duo produces a writing project. Colorful cartoon illustrations (of ranging quality) combine with perky, helpful narration to show how the multicultural cast of students organize, write, and revise; pictures, format, and tone seem aimed at an audience too young for some of the projects. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Writing Builders titles: Isabella and Ivan Build an Interview, Seth and Savannah Build a Speech, Ben and Bailey Build a Book Report, Leah and LeShawn Build a Letter, Bridget and Bo Build a Blog, and Evan and Erin Build an Essay.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. These books present descriptions, histories, personal anecdotes, and, in Curses, cross-cultural variations on the title topic in four brief chapters. Stock photos and illustrations--some adequate, some cheesy, some unhelpful--break up the texts. Although a few sidebars and photo captions offer alternative explanations for strange occurrences, the texts tend to present the supernatural as fact. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Mysterious Encounters titles: Curses and Ghost Hunters.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Innovators series. This standard-issue biography describes Davis's rise to jazz greatness and his contributions to the genre; the text skims over his problems with drugs, alcohol, and depression. After briefly mentioning his early life, the volume focuses mostly on his career and how Davis transformed modern jazz. The writing is accessible but bland. Many vivid photos help liven things up. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. These books present descriptions, histories, personal anecdotes, and in some cases cross-cultural variations on the title topics in three or four digestible chapters. Stock photos and illustrations--some adequate, some cheesy, some unhelpful--break up the texts. Although a few sidebars offer alternative explanations for strange occurrences, the texts tend to present the supernatural as fact. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Mysterious Encounters titles: Time Travel, Burial Grounds, La Llorona, Stonehenge, and The Dover Demon.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 4-6 Monsters series. This brief volume superficially touches on background about ogres, including appearances in fairy tales and mythology, children's literature (Shrek!, the Narnia and Spiderwick books), books for grownups (the Lord of the Rings volumes), film (mostly adaptations of the works listed above), and video games. Accompanying illustrations include paintings, movie stills, and book covers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Monsters series. These volumes include background about the title monsters, including purported sightings of swamp monsters and appearances in literature and film by the grim reaper figure. Illustrations ranging from historical artifacts to movie stills and book covers add interest to the somewhat dry writing. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Monsters titles: The Grim Reaper and Swamp Monsters.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) 4-6 Mysterious Encounters series. This clearly written book presents descriptions and anecdotes of bizarre tales, and readers will enjoy pondering some of the gross "it could happen to you" accounts. Sidebars provide additional explanations and information. Cheesy stock photos and illustrations break up the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 4-6 Young Heroes series. Profiling two young Canadians, these inspiring if preachy biographies present challenging social issues (child labor and homelessness) through real-life tales of childhood activism. Both Kielburger and Taylor were spurred by personal experiences, and these books emphasize how individual action can lead to worldwide change. Suggestions are included for how readers can get involved with these causes in their own communities. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Young Heroes titles: Craig Kielburger and Hannah Taylor.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Do It Yourself series. These books intersperse information on life- and physical-science topics with well-worn demonstration experiments that illustrate the featured scientific principles. Magnets and Electrical rely on materials more readily found in classrooms than at home. Color diagrams illustrate steps in the experiments; photographs help break up the texts. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Do It Yourself titles: Growing Plants, Electrical Experiments, Experiments with Light, Gravity, and Magnets.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford