(3) 4-6 This collective biography briefly presents the contributions of twenty-four women who served the revolutionary cause; they include nurses, spies, messengers, needle workers, and even soldiers. The short segments are preceded by a geographic key. Captioned black-and-white period reproductions illustrate the text, and sidebars explain terms such as petticoat and sampler. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Animals of the Rain Forest series. Short, choppy sentences with glossary words printed in bold-faced type and close-up color photos with dull captions characterize this brief introduction to the king vulture. Redmond discusses the raptor's habitat, physical characteristics, habits, life cycle, and threats from deforestation. Report writers will find this an adequate if bland resource on an unusual topic. Habitat map. Glos., ind.

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(4) K-3 Step into Reading series. Illustrated by Bryn Barnard. This easy-to-read book offers facts about the physiology and behavior of giant squid, which have never been observed alive by scientists; it also explains that accounts of the huge mollusks attacking oil freighters and fighting baby whales are likely untrue. Although the book is a good introduction to the topic, it's marred by mediocre art and poorly reproduced photos.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Step into Reading series. Illustrated by John Manders. This short book explains Lewis and Clark's capture of a prairie dog to send home to President Jefferson. Redmond keeps the tone light, and the cartoony illustrations add humor; it appears the trip was fun for all. This is an easy-to-read introduction to the Lewis and Clark story, but even very young readers will figure out the explorers most likely drowned almost an entire prairie dog town to capture just one.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Doris Ettlinger & Doris Ettlinger. In this interesting and little-known historical anecdote, a carrier pigeon named G. I. Joe transports a message to American troops during WWII and prevents the bombing of an Italian village. Despite some unfortunate anthropomorphizing ("G. I. Joe was not afraid"; "G. I. Joe was smart"), the easy-to-read text and uncluttered illustrations will be accessible to beginning readers.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Despite a bit of preachiness, numerous color photos and anecdotes about elephant behavior will win readers to Redmond's point of view: that we can and should preserve elephants by refusing to buy ivory. Each spread covers a different aspect of elephant life, while scientist and celebrity quotes plead the cause. The status of the fight to save the elephant, however, hasn't been updated since the 1991 edition. Ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Nature on the Rampage series. Descriptions of a variety of storms, slides, and other natural disasters compose the bulk of the books in this series, along with basic information about meteorology or earth science and accounts of historic events. The origins of the disasters are identified; however, the explanations lack clarity, and similar information is repeated across volumes. Color diagrams and photos are helpful. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Nature on the Rampage titles: Landslides and Avalanches, Thunderstorms, Blizzards, Drought, Ice Storms and Hailstorms, Tsunamis.]

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Nature on the Rampage series. Descriptions of a variety of storms, slides, and other natural disasters compose the bulk of the books in this series, along with basic information about meteorology or earth science and accounts of historic events. The origins of the disasters are identified; however, the explanations lack clarity, and similar information is repeated across volumes. Color diagrams and photos are helpful. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Nature on the Rampage titles: Landslides and Avalanches, Thunderstorms, Blizzards, Drought, Ice Storms and Hailstorms, Tsunamis.]

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford