(4) 1-3 Animal Planet Adventures series. Illustrated by Bryan Langdo. Word puzzles (Zoo) and a riddle (Puppy) are featured in two mild mysteries, both involving missing animals. Scattered throughout the stories are single- and double-page spreads of photographs and facts about habitat, animal care, veterinarians, zoo employees' duties, and more. Full-color cartoon illustrations accompany the fictional stories. Review covers these Animal Planet Adventures titles: Zoo Camp Puzzle and Puppy Rescue Riddle.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Disappearing Acts series. These slim books examine the tree frogs and emerald boas camouflaged within the wetlands and rainforests. Basic facts such as the subjects' habitats, life cycles, anatomies, and survival techniques are explained in simple, sometimes vague text ("An emerald boa can stay in the same position for long periods of time"). The glossy photos are the most appealing element of the series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Disappearing Acts titles: Green Tree Frogs and Emerald Boas.

Reviewer: Betsy Murray

(4) K-3 Gross-Out Defenses series. Each book begins with a predator-versus-prey anecdote describing the featured animal's means of self-protection. Though defenses are the focus, standard animal facts (habitat, diet, young) are also covered. The short sentences of main text, accompanied by large and vibrant photographs, are easy to read; sidebars are a little less accessible to the intended emergent reader audience. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Gross-Out Defenses titles: Prickly Porcupines, Smelly Skunks, and Tricky Opossums.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) K-3 Gross-Out Defenses series. Each book begins with a predator-versus-prey anecdote describing the featured animal's means of self-protection. Though defenses are the focus, standard animal facts (habitat, diet, young) are also covered. The short sentences of main text, accompanied by large and vibrant photographs, are easy to read; sidebars are a little less accessible to the intended emergent reader audience. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Gross-Out Defenses titles: Prickly Porcupines, Smelly Skunks, and Tricky Opossums.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) K-3 Gross-Out Defenses series. Each book begins with a predator-versus-prey anecdote describing the featured animal's means of self-protection. Though defenses are the focus, standard animal facts (habitat, diet, young) are also covered. The short sentences of main text, accompanied by large and vibrant photographs, are easy to read; sidebars are a little less accessible to the intended emergent reader audience. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Gross-Out Defenses titles: Prickly Porcupines, Smelly Skunks, and Tricky Opossums.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(4) 4-6 Horse Power series. This series introduces readers to the various jobs horses perform. Accompanied by both black-and-white and color photographs, the easy-to-read two-page sections offer history and discuss how horses are trained and cared for. The information is slight but accessible. Reading list. Bib., glos. Review covers these Horse Power titles: Police Horses, Show Horses, Therapy Horses, Working Horses, Military Horses, and Race Horses.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo