(4) K-3 Welcome to My Country series. This overview of Venezuela introduces readers to the South American country's geography, history, politics, economics, and cultural life, including food, festivals, and leisure activities. Even though the coverage is broad, large type and good-quality photographs with clear captions on every page make these books accessible to young readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) K-3 Welcome to My Country series. This book introduces readers to Africa's oldest republic, founded by African Americans in 1847. Briefly addressed topics include geography, history, economy, people, food, holidays, and leisure activities. Though not examined in detail, a sense of how civil wars have impeded the country's use of its rich resources comes through. Good-quality photos with clear captions enhance the text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) K-3 Welcome to My Country series. A gallery of smiling faces in colorful, captioned photos offers young readers a cursory glimpse at the people and sights of these two countries. Though the focus is on the government, economy, climate, culture, and lifestyle of today, both books highlight the history of struggle and recent attainment of independence from foreign rule. Map, "Quick Facts," reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Welcome to My Country titles: Welcome to Vietnam and Welcome to Singapore.]

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 First Peoples series. Historically, Bedouins were nomadic Arab desert dwellers; the Kurds were early inhabitants of parts of Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. Each of these series books gives a cursory introduction to one of these ethnic groups, discussing culture, traditions, history, and life today. The sketchy text is enhanced with color photographs and sidebars in a busy design. A list of additional resources, including websites, is appended. Glos., ind. [Review covers these First Peoples titles: The Kurds of Asia and The Bedouin of the Middle East.]

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg