(1) YA In this wide-ranging, amusing, and informative investigation of the insect world, Maloney features the ways in which insects are remarkable unto themselves as well as in relation to humans and the environment. The book opens with a chapter on the basics of insect anatomy and characteristics, with plenty of examples to illustrate their remarkable diversity, then turns to chapters that center on particular insect themes and meander into related topics. A chapter on the role of insects in decomposition includes discussions about forensic entomology, poop-eating dung beetles, and an escapade involving deer skull scavenging, for example. Maloney herself is the central character: an enthusiastic, unflinching, and unfailingly curious explorer of all things insect. She cooks with cricket flour; mail-orders painted lady butterflies, hissing cockroaches, and an ant farm; conducts citizen science insect counts in her own backyard; and interviews scientists to gather information about cutting-edge insect investigation. Her friendly, engaging text includes many analogies (exoskeletons as "the ultimate power suit") and jokey asides. Interspersed throughout are spot illustrations of insects that combine field-study precision for the bodies with large cartoonlike eyes and expressions. If readers are not already inspired by Maloney's antics, the final chapter provides an exhaustive list of ways to take action and preserve insect species. A suggested reading list and an index (unseen) are appended.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(3) K-3 National Geographic Kids Chapters series. National Geographic Kids Chapters series. These nonfiction chapter books should appeal to adventure-seekers. Readers follow three exciting stories of river expeditions navigating treacherous waters in Alaska, Africa, and Peru for research and conservation; and three stories of rock climbers setting records scaling the roof of Red Cave in Japan, Castleton Tower in Utah, and Mount Meru in the Himalayas. Engaging photographs and sidebars complement the dynamic texts. Websites. Ind. Review covers these National Geographic Kids Chapters titles: Rock Stars! and White Water!

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) K-3 Photographs by Chuck Kennedy. When guinea pig Philomena gets a pair of glasses, her sisters Audrey and Nora Jean also get pairs (despite not needing them). The same goes for handbags and frilly dresses until the siblings eventually come to the conclusion that "not everyone needs the same things." Readers will genuinely chuckle at the droll text and the accompanying up-close photographs of bespectacled guinea pigs wearing tutus.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) PS Photographs by Chuck Kennedy. Despite Mama's urging to get ready for school, Ready Rabbit gets distracted by his imaginative play, including stints as a pirate, astronaut, superhero, and Wild West stagecoach driver. The photographic illustrations are an odd but mildly amusing juxtaposition of Ready Rabbit (a sock puppet) and incongruous dollhouse furniture set against white pages. Mama's off-panel dialogue keeps Ready Rabbit center stage.

Reviewer: Sheila M. Geraty