(2) K-3 Having taken readers on a tour of Caribbean coral reefs (Dive In, rev. 7/20), Munro explores another area rich in biodiversity: the Amazon rainforest, an intriguing and vibrant place. Here she showcases thirty animals (despite mentioning that rainforests contain two-thirds of the world's plants, no flora are featured). Each animal is depicted in actual size, displaying its unique and vibrant colors against a lush background, as seen through Munro's vivid, jewel-toned palette of acrylic inks. Short paragraphs provide pertinent facts about the creatures, ranging from diet, to protective defenses such as camouflage and venom, to mating practices. The book includes a maplike outline showing all thirty animals with accompanying color-coded numbers; the legend indicates which colors represent each class. An appended spread defines the four layers of the rainforest and provides a brief overview of the importance--and destruction--of these lands. A glossary, bibliography, suggestions for further reading and websites, and an index are included. A map depicting the world's tropical rainforests concludes the book.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(2) K-3 Munro takes readers on a virtual field trip to Caribbean coral reefs, showcasing the "rich diversity of life" found there. Full-bleed, double-page-spread illustrations (and a bonus gatefold, unseen) surround readers with ocean creatures in their natural setting, mimicking a snorkeling or diving expedition. Descriptions of animals (from fish to crustaceans to mollusks; from the spotted scorpionfish to the batwing coral crab to the reef squid) appear on each page, creating a near field guide. Because multiple animals appear on every spread, readers must examine each description and then match it with one of the creatures in the illustrations. Thus youngsters become inquisitive partners, rather than passive observers, in the aquatic experience. That Munro depicts the animals at their actual size, and with colorful inks that mirror the habitat, adds to the realism. All the creatures are identified in the main text, and an appended legend also names all the fish that are shown there. Endnotes emphasize the importance of coral reefs and the threats to their existence; back matter also includes a list of related readings and websites, a glossary, an index, and a map of "coral reefs of the world."

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(3) K-3 Twenty-one rodents are briefly introduced and appreciated in actual-size ink illustrations for comparison with one another; for larger rodents such as the capybara, only the head appears. Munro's message is that rodents are a diverse group of clever and useful creatures. Keyed to the understanding and interest of primary grades, with added information on each rodent at the end. Websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(2) K-3 An artist asks, "what should I paint?" Now we zoom in on objects in her studio, where Munro has incorporated photos of actual paintings and one sculpture. This is a book about art and artists, and also a puzzle book. Sharp-eyed viewers will be rewarded, though it might take a while to find references to all thirty-seven masterpieces. Back matter includes a key and notes on each work of art.

Reviewer: Lolly Robinson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(3) K-3 Each of ten two-page spreads features a maze of winding roads traveled by vehicles carrying locally sourced food; each spread segues to the next, and ultimately to a farmers' market, where locavores unite, shop, and recycle. Better still, readers are invited to scour the spreads for specified objects ("3 wind turbines," "1 boat-loading ramp," etc.). Answers appear at this well-executed book's end.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) K-3 This intriguing survey from 1989 includes such attractions as the Tower of London, a ride on a double-decker bus, and the Egyptian mummies in the British Museum. An illustration from the outside of a building or structure is followed by one from the inside, capturing a "you are there" feeling for each place. Brief information about each place concludes this fascinating, useful introduction.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc. | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 1989

(2) K-3 The ingenious author-artist presents young readers with another "pictorial Baedecker," this one a fascinating fest of New York holiday scenes from the 1980s. Large double-page spreads of such spots as Radio City Music Hall, FAO Schwarz, and Saint Thomas Church--all decked out in holiday splendor--provide much to pore over.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc. | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 1987

(3) K-3 Munro's detailed illustrations effectively convey the patterns of various snake species. Readers are invited to guess species, such as boas, rattlers, and cobras, from extreme close-ups of their colorful scales and some basic facts as clues; turn the page to find a view of each snake in its environment, along with information about its reproductive, behavioral, and feeding habits. Reading list, websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(2) K-3 Profiles of eight insects (and one spider) that make their own structures are presented. Each is introduced with a wonderfully close-up illustration and the question, "Where does it live?" Turn the page to see the organisms industriously building and maintaining their home. Detailed explanations on the construction techniques and purposes of the structures are interwoven with facts about each species' life cycles. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2012

(2) K-3 In an engaging guessing-game format, Munro presents fascinating fact-profiles of nine mostly familiar birds. Each double-page spread shows an egg close-up with clues about its producer; turn the page to find the answer as well as Munro's colorful, detailed illustrations of nesting habitats. A helpful list of the other animals in the illustrations encourages even more interactivity. Reading list, websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2011

(3) K-3 Twelve colorful mazes represent different ecosystems, from the rainforest to the tundra. On each double-page spread, readers are invited to search for hidden animals (more than three hundred fifty in all) as they wend their way through the maze. An answer key offers detailed information about each ecosystem, including climate, flora and fauna, and endangered species. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Pamela Mishkin

(2) PS Double-page spreads present "goers." The first depicts a fire station, with lift-the-flaps introducing personnel and equipment; a segmented foldout then shows the truck leaving the station on a duty call. There's much to contemplate, and toddlers will study each page. The volume's title gives youngsters ninety-five percent of the text's vocabulary. After hearing the book, children can read it on their own.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2009

(3) K-3 Munro's nearly wordless book presents eight familiar dinosaurs. For each, she starts with a double-page spread featuring the name of the dinosaur and its meaning, as well as the creature's "insides" (e.g., museum exhibit–type skeleton); turn the page, and we see the "outside": the dino in its natural habitat. The creative layout and clean illustrations invite careful observation. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 This book contains twenty-six mazes, one for every letter of the alphabet. Readers are challenged to navigate each tricky path while also finding specified objects along the way. The intricately inked illustrations, intentionally busy, are never overwhelming to the eye. Frustratingly, the paths occasionally disappear into the book's gutter. An answer key is appended.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio

(3) K-3 Munro conveys the delights of the circus in this sturdy lift-the-flap book featuring flaps within flaps. Readers begin by pulling back the tent flaps to enter the circus; the ensuing pages reveal all the action. The detailed ink and watercolor illustrations are bold and lively. One flap on each spread lists things for children to search for in the picture.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke

(2) 4-6 Young readers will delight in this series of twelve interconnected mazes (a companion to Munro's Mazescapes), set in a theme park. The real challenge is in tracing the spiraling tracks of the Cyclone ride, but along the way, readers can also search for people and objects hidden in each of the detailed illustrations. An answer key is appended.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2005

(2) K-3 In this innovatively constructed search-and-find game, Munro uses flaps within flaps to depict the interiors of a fire station, a passenger train, a barn, and eight other locales. The rhyming text is banal, but it gets the job done, presenting lists of objects readers must hunt for in each double-page spread. The detailed ink and watercolor illustrations are just intricate enough to make the search challenging.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2004

(2) K-3 Using her illustrations to paint a high-spirited picture of the state and its inhabitants, Munro's latest pictorial geographic guide introduces readers to the myriad natural and man-made landmarks of Texas and stretches the definitional boundaries of inside and outside. Backmatter consists of a map, an illustrated list of icons, and background information on each illustration.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2001

(2) K-3 These are reissues of two of Roxie Munro's insightful pictorial guides.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc. | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 1986

(2) K-3 This volume contains thirteen double-page, bird's-eye mazes, including a subdivision, a farming region, and an airport. Snaking through each spread--and from one page to the next--is a complex series of curved roads, which the reader must navigate. Along the way one can also examine the diverting minutiae found in the crowded layouts. An enclosed card contains six punch-out vehicles, which can be guided through the mazes.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2001