(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Brita Granström. This is an informative and playful picture-book introduction to the British Library's wide-ranging collection of more than 150 million items. Manning highlights some of its most prized possessions, including the ancient St. Cuthbert Gospel, the Magna Carta, and Shakespeare's First Folio. Beautiful collage art incorporates photographic images of the items into its design. Spreads also include sidebars of additional information about each piece. Glos.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Brita Granström. This book explores the eating habits of ten dinosaurs. Each double-page spread includes a short, trite poem, fairly random sidebar information with small line art, and an expansive watercolor and pencil illustration of the creature, mostly with its food of choice hanging from its mouth. The book isn't substantial enough for a meal, but dino fans may discover some tasty morsels. Glos.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 This well-designed introduction to human body parts and their functions features eight half-page flaps that lift up to reveal simple views of internal organs. The terminology allows for different levels of comprehension ("Your food goes down your food pipe to your tummy, or stomach"), and the cartoon illustrations in bright colors help make the science approachable. Ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Dinosaur lovers will find plenty of original projects here, although the quality and age appropriateness vary widely. Included are directions for building a dinosaur nest, making dioramas and costumes, playing dino tag, and cooking up "dinosaur dung." The factual information in the book and the loose cartoon sketches of children making the projects will help readers get started on their own. Ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) PS These charmingly illustrated books compare human maternal behavior and basic hygiene with that of animals, using both similarities and differences to elucidate the concepts. Each double-page spread juxtaposes scenes of humans with captioned spot illustrations of their animal parallels, an approach that works well in Supermom, but that in Wash muddles an unnecessary story line of preparing to go to a party. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Erica L. Stahler

(4) PS These charmingly illustrated books compare human maternal behavior and basic hygiene with that of animals, using both similarities and differences to elucidate the concepts. Each double-page spread juxtaposes scenes of humans with captioned spot illustrations of their animal parallels, an approach that works well in Supermom, but that in Wash muddles an unnecessary story line of preparing to go to a party. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Erica L. Stahler

(4) 1-3 A Viking tells how he acquired his scars, while details of Viking life accompany the cartoonlike watercolors. Two different typefaces distinguish between the Viking's exaggerated (we later learn) narrative and the historical lore. The humorous illustrations suit the Viking's tale but undermine the (unsubstantiated) factual information. The book's inconsistent tone is a bit unsettling, but the information presented is intriguing. Glos.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian