(4) K-3 A+ Books: My First Animal Kingdom Encyclopedias series. Broad information on insects is arranged by subject--e.g., classification, diet, senses, helpful insects--in two-page sections. Each busy spread includes a sampling of related words and their definitions and small but clear stock photos printed over a large background photo. Some terms may need further context for understanding, but the cursory volume provides a good starting point for gleaning information. Reading list.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) 4-6 Blazers: Killer Animals series. This book presents a simple account of the cobra, its characteristics, behaviors, and diet. The text gives very basic information. Vocabulary words are defined throughout the volume. While the photographic illustrations add interest, some are of poor quality. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Country Explorers series. This first look at China gives some history and geography as well as touching on several aspects of everyday life--family, food, health, school, transportation, recreation, and language (spoken and written). A brief retelling of the Chinese Cinderella, Ye Shen, is included. Illustrations and maps help clarify the easy-to-read but choppy text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) 4-6 Events That Shaped America series. These overviews of key events in American history--an account of the first European colony to survive in North America, the settling of California as a result of the Gold Rush, and the turning point in the Civil War--are sometimes so brief that they are misleading. The books also discuss the aftermath of the events and are illustrated with period reproductions, photos, and maps. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Events That Shaped America titles: The Battle of Gettysburg, The Settling of St. Augustine, and The California Gold Rush.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 American Indian Nations series. Each of the books in this series examines a Native American group: the East Coast Powhatan and Wampanoag and the Blackfeet in Montana and southwestern Canada. Brief, choppy sentences are accompanied by contemporary and archival photographs, illustrations, and sidebars. Directories, map, reading list, recipe, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these American Indian Nations titles: The Powhatan, The Blackfeet, and The Wampanoag.]

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Native Peoples series. In each of the short books in this series, present-day information (religion, government) about a Native American tribe is sometimes intermingled with historical events, which is potentially confusing. The text is illustrated with color illustrations and photos and includes a related game or craft and relevant addresses and Internet sites. There are four other new books in this series. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Native Peoples titles: The Apsaalooke (Crow) Nation, The Utes, The Cree Tribe, and The Osage.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) K-3 Native Peoples series. In each of the short books in this series, present-day information (religion, government) about a Native American tribe is sometimes intermingled with historical events, which is potentially confusing. The text is illustrated with color illustrations and photos and includes a related game or craft and relevant addresses and Internet sites. There are four other new books in this series. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Native Peoples titles: The Apsaalooke (Crow) Nation, The Utes, The Cree Tribe, and The Osage.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) K-3 Raintree Biographies series. Each of the dryly written books in this series begins with a character-defining event--Roosevelt's driving alone through the Tennessee mountains despite a death threat; Boone's rescue of his daughter from Indians--and then proceeds to briefly summarize their lives. Each double-page spread is broken up by reproductions and photos, as well as quotes and text boxes. A timeline is appended. There are five other fall 2002 books in this series. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Raintree Biographies titles: Crazy Horse, Frederick Douglass, Daniel Boone, Eleanore Roosevelt, and Thomas Jefferson.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 Heinemann Profiles series. These standard-issue biographies feature an easy-to-read text, captioned photos, quotations by and about the subject, and rather busy layouts. Occasionally the text is misleading, but overall the facts are presented in a fairly balanced manner. Depending on the subject, a time line, a list of films, or a list of recordings is included in each book. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Heinemann Profiles titles: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, Henry Ford, Elvis Presley, George Lucas.]

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee