(3) K-3 Illustrated by Tom Leonard. Facts about marine species are featured for almost every letter of the alphabet, from "A is for Atlantic Spotted Dolphin" to "Z is for Ziphius" (q, u, and x are shortchanged). The result is an extended tour of life in and near the oceans, including less-familiar species and their relations. Nicely detailed illustrations of the animals in their habitats help support the text.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Shennen Bersani. This rather unfocused concept book introduces different types of butterflies and also teaches young readers counting, colors, and how to say "butterfly" in more than twenty different languages (without pronunciation guidance). The vibrant, digitally manipulated Prismacolor-pencil art draws readers in as they encounter each new butterfly and counting challenge. The book is jam-packed with information but a bit overwhelming.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(4) PS Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss. "A turtle did one. It made a little bubble. / When a pig did it, it was nothing but trouble." Yes, this is a book about farting. What makes it a parent's worst nightmare is that it's actually pretty good. Its humor lies in the juxtaposition of the stomach-turning subject matter with the soft, almost dainty illustrations of flatulent animals.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) PS Illustrated by Tom Leonard. "A playful dolphin pushed a coconut into ocean currents. The coconut floated to an island and a palm tree grew!" Text and pictures show the many ways seeds are planted and trees grow worldwide. Double-page spreads feature an animal/seed pair (e.g., squirrel/acorn; wren/juniper berry) and a brief explanation of how planting takes place. Realistic illustrations enhance the overly simplistic text.

Reviewer: Pearl Higgins

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Rob Bolster. Palotta describes twenty-nine construction vehicles and tools (he's so enamored by the subject he starts again at A after presenting Z), including a jackhammer, mobile rock crusher, and X-bracing. The informative text occasionally includes sound effects ("Eeeeee...BOOM!") and some distractingly random diversions and jokes. The watercolor paintings look almost like photographs in their realism and detail.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Shennen Bersani. Counting from one to forty-nine by odd numbers, this book offers brief information about various marine animals, including basking sharks, limpets, lumpfish, and horseshoe crabs. The text is mostly factual but occasionally forced ("Yay! Thirty-three!"). Counting the creatures in the realistic illustrations--as the text invites readers to do--isn't always easy, but the arithmetic theme is secondary.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Illustrated by David Biedrzycki. Big, boldly colored beetles illustrate this themed alphabet book, which features a well-chosen array of beetles from African goliath to zinc metallic. Refreshingly unrhymed, the conversational text gives carefully selected information about habits and habitat, though occasional anthropomorphic or silly comments are jarring, and distinctions between beetles and bees, spiders, and cockroaches pop up unexpectedly.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by David Biedrzycki. Using even numbers from zero to fifty as an organizing principle, Pallotta imparts a smattering of facts about a variety of unusual marine creatures, from giant manta rays to land-dwelling fishing bats. Although Biedrzycki creatively incorporates the escalating numbers of creatures in his digital illustrations, some, tiny and blurred in the background or partially shown, are difficult to spot. This is primarily a marine-science book.

Reviewer: Erica L. Stahler

(4) K-3 Illustrated by David Biedrzycki. Danny describes the day he took the dory out alone and encountered members of a marine food chain--plankton, shrimp, sand eels, mackerels, bluefish, tuna, killer whales, and a humpback whale--and almost became part of it himself. The end reveals he's actually playing with his toys in the bathtub. The smooth acrylic illustrations capture the action better than the flat text.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Rob Bolster. These two picture books feature some questionable choices--e.g., Boat uses "steamboat" instead of "submarine" for S and includes "submarine" under E for "electric boat." Also, sometimes the brief text is a bit esoteric or confusing--e.g., Boat uses "quffa" (a basket boat) for Q, noting it is often spelled with a g or a kh. For most young children, however, the striking pictures will command their attention.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) K-3 Illustrated by David Biedrzycki. These two picture books feature some questionable choices--e.g., Boat uses "steamboat" instead of "submarine" for S and includes "submarine" under E for "electric boat." Also, sometimes the brief text is a bit esoteric or confusing--e.g., Boat uses "quffa" (a basket boat) for Q, noting it is often spelled with a g or a kh. For most young children, however, the striking pictures will command their attention.

Reviewer: Jack Forman