(4) 4-6 Citizen Kid series. Illustrated by Margo Thompson. After defining biodiversity, this thorough text examines related components that are threatening it, such as species interconnectedness, habitat destruction, and global warming. Pleasing acrylic-on-canvas art illustrates the book, though the young format is at odds with the dense upper-elementary text. Sections highlighting environmental organizations and how kids can help are appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Claudia Dávila. Children can develop basic understanding of physical science through this collection of well-designed experiments on materials, structures, matter, and motion. The concepts carefully build across the activities and are appropriately targeted to the intended audience. Cartoonlike children in the illustrations model the experiments or demonstrate the ideas. Tips for adults to help deepen learning are appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Text was chopped and story lines trimmed to transform these previously published Lu and Clancy books into easy readers. In Magician (previously The Vanishing Cat), the dog detectives nab a larcenous cat; in Drop of Doom (originally The Carnival Caper), the canines sniff out thieves at a carnival. Each lightweight story features mildly amusing illustrations and directions for a magic trick. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: The Disappearing Magician and The Drop of Doom.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) K-3 Primary Physical Science series. Illustrated by Claudia Dávila. Lively illustrations and conversational tex, along with entertaining hands-on experiments, make these slim volumes about the changeable states of matter and the properties of structures both appealing and informative. Speech bubbles help explain the concepts (e.g., "On a windy day, the air moves very fast"). Adults will also find these volumes useful for introducing the concepts; teaching suggestions are included. Glos., ind. Review covers these Primary Physical Science titles: Build It! and Change It!

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(3) K-3 Primary Physical Science series. Illustrated by Claudia Dávila. Lively illustrations and conversational tex, along with entertaining hands-on experiments, make these slim volumes about the changeable states of matter and the properties of structures both appealing and informative. Speech bubbles help explain the concepts (e.g., "On a windy day, the air moves very fast"). Adults will also find these volumes useful for introducing the concepts; teaching suggestions are included. Glos., ind. Review covers these Primary Physical Science titles: Build It! and Change It!

Reviewer: Elizabeth Shaver

(4) K-3 Kids Can Press Wildlife series. Illustrated by Nancy Gray Ogle. In a brief overview, general information about snake habitat, physiology, food, movement, and life cycle is offered in plain language for beginning researchers. The realistic illustrations add interest, as in the case of a head-on view of a Western diamondback rattlesnake. The account concludes that human fear of snakes can be overcome through education. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Kids Can Press Wildlife series. Illustrated by Nancy Gray Ogle. Various species of owls are contrasted pictorially through realistic paintings on simple page layouts. Habitats, body structures, nesting, and reproduction are briefly covered. The well-organized text is appropriately limited, yet not piecemeal, and seems useful for younger researchers. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Kids Can Press Wildlife series. Illustrated by Nancy Gray Ogle. Standard information about several types of bats, including such essentials as body structure, size, habitat, food, reproduction, and echolocation, is briefly presented in an orderly progression. Illustrations accurately illuminate the text, and most pages have a boxed "Bat Fact" superimposed for added interest. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Kids Can Press Wildlife series. Illustrated by Nancy Gray Ogle. Comparative facts about two kinds of North American otters (river and sea) are presented in rather pedestrian text with color art illustrating their bodies and activities. A boxed "Otter Fact" is printed on some pages, and a few "Words to Know" are appended, but the otter's natural playfulness and curiosity aren't well conveyed. Ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 1-3 Lu and Clancy series. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Canine friends Lu and Clancy nab two thieves who are attempting to rob passengers on the Drop of Doom, a scary carnival ride. The sketchy plot acts as a means of introducing five magic tricks performed by various characters. (Instructions for the tricks are included.) With its serviceable illustrations, this picture book is pleasant light fare for readers of short chapter books.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) 1-3 Lu and Clancy series. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Canine friends Lu and Clancy and two pups encounter a thunderstorm, get lost, and spend the night in a cave. There's not much substance to the story, which acts as a vehicle for several activities demonstrating the properties of sound; for example, there are instructions for making a cardboard kazoo. Adequate artwork contributes humorous details. More safety reminders for the tin can projects would be helpful.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Starting with Science series. Photographs by Ray Boudreau. These are engaging presentations of familiar science demonstrations, such as using levers and pulleys, making a worm farm, growing seeds, and creating condensation. Accessible designs, featuring clear, readable texts and bright, colorful photos of children performing the activities, add appeal. A boxed text explains "what's happening" in every experiment, and a note to parents and teachers concludes each book. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Step-by-step instructions with clear color illustrations explain how to raise mealworms at home, and how to carry out simple experiments that let young scientists discover firsthand where mealworms prefer to live and what they like to eat. Also included are directions for making a "bug catcher" for other insects. The book provides a fine introduction to metamorphosis for bug-loving kids. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.