(4) K-3 Awesome Animals in Their Habitats series. These early readers provide simplistic introductions to various habitats. In a few short sentences or less per page, the texts cover each habitat's flora and fauna, environmental threats, and simple ways children can help preserve them (e.g., "Try to use less paper"). Crisp photographs of featured wildlife complement the text, but stock photos of children awkwardly superimposed on some pages are distracting. Glos. Review covers these Awesome Animals in Their Habitats titles: Protecting Ocean Animals, Protecting Rain Forest Animals, Protecting Wetland Animals, Protecting Backyard Animals, and Protecting Grassland Animals.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Awesome Animals in Their Habitats series. With one or two short sentences per page, this early reader provides a simplistic introduction to types of farms as well as a discussion of humane treatment of animals; suggestions of how children can encourage these practices are included. Crisp photographs of featured animals enhance the text, but stock photos of children awkwardly superimposed on some pages are distracting. Glos.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Awesome Animals in Their Habitats series. These early readers provide simplistic introductions to various habitats. In a few short sentences or less per page, the texts cover each habitat's flora and fauna, environmental threats, and simple ways children can help preserve them (e.g., "Try to use less paper"). Crisp photographs of featured wildlife complement the text, but stock photos of children awkwardly superimposed on some pages are distracting. Glos. Review covers these Awesome Animals in Their Habitats titles: Protecting Ocean Animals, Protecting Rain Forest Animals, Protecting Wetland Animals, Protecting Backyard Animals, and Protecting Grassland Animals.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator of a popular classic kids' toy or game. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: American Girl Entrepreneur, Mr. Potato Head Inventor, Monopoly Mastermind, Pokémon Designer, Rubik's Cube Creator, and Yo-Yo Maker.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator of a popular classic kids' toy or game. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: American Girl Entrepreneur, Mr. Potato Head Inventor, Monopoly Mastermind, Pokémon Designer, Rubik's Cube Creator, and Yo-Yo Maker.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator of a popular classic kids' toy or game. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: American Girl Entrepreneur, Mr. Potato Head Inventor, Monopoly Mastermind, Pokémon Designer, Rubik's Cube Creator, and Yo-Yo Maker.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator of a popular classic kids' toy or game. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: American Girl Entrepreneur, Mr. Potato Head Inventor, Monopoly Mastermind, Pokémon Designer, Rubik's Cube Creator, and Yo-Yo Maker.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator of a popular classic kids' toy or game. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: American Girl Entrepreneur, Mr. Potato Head Inventor, Monopoly Mastermind, Pokémon Designer, Rubik's Cube Creator, and Yo-Yo Maker.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator of a popular classic kids' toy or game. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: American Girl Entrepreneur, Mr. Potato Head Inventor, Monopoly Mastermind, Pokémon Designer, Rubik's Cube Creator, and Yo-Yo Maker.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) K-3 Engineering Super Structures series. Each book in this series superficially introduces newly independent readers to a different type of engineered structure, noting its history, construction, uses, and maintenance. Every spread contains a few simple sentences--with new vocabulary in bold--plus accompanying photographs (including an awkwardly superimposed image of a child). A concluding "Think About It" question offers an opportunity for a bit of deeper reflection. Glos. Review covers these Engineering Super Structures titles: Dams, Bridges, Canals, Roads, Skyscrapers, and Tunnels.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) K-3 Engineering Super Structures series. Each book in this series superficially introduces newly independent readers to a different type of engineered structure, noting its history, construction, uses, and maintenance. Every spread contains a few simple sentences--with new vocabulary in bold--plus accompanying photographs (including an awkwardly superimposed image of a child). A concluding "Think About It" question offers an opportunity for a bit of deeper reflection. Glos. Review covers these Engineering Super Structures titles: Dams, Bridges, Canals, Roads, Skyscrapers, and Tunnels.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) K-3 Engineering Super Structures series. Each book in this series superficially introduces newly independent readers to a different type of engineered structure, noting its history, construction, uses, and maintenance. Every spread contains a few simple sentences--with new vocabulary in bold--plus accompanying photographs (including an awkwardly superimposed image of a child). A concluding "Think About It" question offers an opportunity for a bit of deeper reflection. Glos. Review covers these Engineering Super Structures titles: Dams, Bridges, Canals, Roads, Skyscrapers, and Tunnels.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) K-3 Engineering Super Structures series. Each book in this series superficially introduces newly independent readers to a different type of engineered structure, noting its history, construction, uses, and maintenance. Every spread contains a few simple sentences--with new vocabulary in bold--plus accompanying photographs (including an awkwardly superimposed image of a child). A concluding "Think About It" question offers an opportunity for a bit of deeper reflection. Glos. Review covers these Engineering Super Structures titles: Dams, Bridges, Canals, Roads, Skyscrapers, and Tunnels.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) K-3 Engineering Super Structures series. Each book in this series superficially introduces newly independent readers to a different type of engineered structure, noting its history, construction, uses, and maintenance. Every spread contains a few simple sentences--with new vocabulary in bold--plus accompanying photographs (including an awkwardly superimposed image of a child). A concluding "Think About It" question offers an opportunity for a bit of deeper reflection. Glos. Review covers these Engineering Super Structures titles: Dams, Bridges, Canals, Roads, Skyscrapers, and Tunnels.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Cool Makerspace series. This series centered on makerspaces should give middle-grade makers, crafters, and hobbyists fresh ideas to spark their creative imaginations. Framed with a boilerplate introduction to makerspaces and standard safety messages and materials lists, each volume offers stepped project directions illustrated with clear photos; useful "tip" sidebars appear throughout. Younger crafters may need some adult help, but they'll be motivated. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Cool Makerspace titles: Make It Yourself! Paper Pop-Up Art, Make It Yourself! Bots & Circuits, Make It Yourself! Collages & Sculptures, Make It Yourself! From Junk to Jewelry, Make It Yourself! Coloring & Doodling, and Make It Yourself! Comics & Graphic Novels.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Real Monsters series. A strong, sturdy fighter, the rhinoceros beetle is the "superstar" of this high-interest nonfiction-series title. Did you know that rhinoceros beetles' horn shapes vary depending on their diet when young? Each spread has a bold title, simple text, and engaging photos to focus information about this amazing insect for early readers. A short comprehension quiz is provided at the end. Glos.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Real Monsters series. After a somewhat lurid introduction, brief chapters provide overviews of the featured mammal's appearance, behavior, diet, habitat, and reproductive cycle as well as threats to its survival. High-quality stock photos accompany the accessible texts. Despite their sensationalized titles and pulp fiction–style design, the books actually address the misunderstood animals' "monstrous" reputations and advocate for their conservation. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Real Monsters titles: Tasmanian Devil and Spotted Hyena.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Real Monsters series. After a somewhat lurid introduction, eight or nine brief chapters provide overviews of each invertebrate's appearance, behavior, diet, habitat, and reproductive cycle as well as threats to its survival. High-quality stock photos (for the elusive squid, illustrations) accompany accessible texts. Despite sensationalized titles and pulp fiction–style design, the books actually address the misunderstood animals' "monstrous" reputations and advocate for their conservation. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Real Monsters titles: Giant Centipede and Giant Squid.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) K-3 Animal Superstars series. A strong, sturdy fighter, the rhinoceros beetle is the "superstar" of this high-interest nonfiction-series title. Did you know that rhinoceros beetles' horn shapes vary depending on their diet when young? Each spread has a bold title, simple text, and engaging photos to focus information about this amazing insect for early readers. A short comprehension quiz is provided at the end. Glos.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) K-3 Animal Superstars series. Emperor penguin essentials--size, habitat, life cycle, and more--are conveyed in a few simple sentences alongside each spread's bold title and engaging photos. For example, this unusual bird with "superstar" survival skills has waterproof feathers and huddles in colonies to resist Antarctic cold. A short comprehension quiz is included in the back matter of this high-interest nonfiction-series title. Glos.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo