(4) K-3 Blends series. Each dull but serviceable easy-reader text repeats a particular blend at least once per spread (e.g., in CR, "I use crayons to make crafts"), providing opportunities for new readers to practice reading the featured letter combination. Bright, relevant photos enliven the spreads. A list of words featuring each blend is appended. Effective if not very enthralling companions to classroom reading lessons. Review covers these Blends titles: Crazy Crayons: The Sound of CR, What Do I Bring?: The Sound of BR, Shoes: the Sound of SH, I Am Glad: The Sound of GL, My Flower Garden: The Sound of FL, and What and Where: The Sound of WH.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) K-3 Blends series. Each dull but serviceable easy-reader text repeats a particular blend at least once per spread (e.g., in CR, "I use crayons to make crafts"), providing opportunities for new readers to practice reading the featured letter combination. Bright, relevant photos enliven the spreads. A list of words featuring each blend is appended. Effective if not very enthralling companions to classroom reading lessons. Review covers these Blends titles: Crazy Crayons: The Sound of CR, What Do I Bring?: The Sound of BR, Shoes: the Sound of SH, I Am Glad: The Sound of GL, My Flower Garden: The Sound of FL, and What and Where: The Sound of WH.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) K-3 In the Barnyard series. Basic information about each farm animal's physical appearance, offspring, diet, and their importance (as livestock or as companions) is supplemented with informative facts in sidebars. Although the information at times ranges from too general ("Dogs are smart and gentle") to too specific (puppies' eyes don't open "until they are nine days old"), the bright, lively photos and inviting subjects are appealing. There are four other fall 2016 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following In the Barnyard titles: Sheep, Cows, Goats, and Dogs.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) K-3 Consonants series. With no preamble beyond its subtitle (e.g., "The Sound of Hard C"), each volume provides a collection of uninspired, loosely connected easy-reader sentences that feature a particular consonant sound: "At the cabin, I wear my cap. / At the cabin, I call my cat." Bright, full-page stock photos add visual appeal to these dull but serviceable literacy-development supplements. Review covers these Consonants titles: Boxes for Max, A Day with George, Malls, The Cabin, Vets, and Wish and Win.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox