(4) K-3 My Country series. These generic tours of the title countries feature captioned stock photos and simple prose. In each, a young narrator walks readers through brief sections on location, landscape, weather, family life, demographics, food, schools, customs, and landmarks. The basic information is well organized; the bright layouts will engage readers. Britain is less detailed than other volumes in the series. "Fast Facts" are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these My Country titles: France, Ukraine, and Great Britain.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) K-3 My Country series. This generic tour of the South American country features captioned stock photos and simple prose. A young narrator walks readers through brief sections on location, landscape, weather, family life, demographics, food, schools, customs, and landmarks. The basic information is well organized; the bright layout will engage young readers. "Fast Facts" are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 It's Amazing! series. This leveled-text introduction to custom-made high-speed vehicles is geared toward reluctant readers. Savery differentiates premium sports cars from racing cars and emphasizes the supercar's design and special features (largely ignoring the mechanics). Illustrated with colorful photos, the accessible if superficial text is supported by sidebars providing examples of the topic covered on each double-page spread. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 It's Amazing! series. This leveled-text introduction to popular comic-book superheroes, including Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, is geared toward reluctant readers. The accessible if slight text is supported by sidebars providing examples of the topic covered on each double-page spread and illustrated with movie stills, photos, and comic art. The superficial information probably won't be new to most of the book's audience. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 It's Amazing! series. This leveled-text introduction is geared toward reluctant readers. The superficial information covers pirates' life at sea, weaponry, and dress, as well as their place in history and popular culture. The accessible if slight text is supported by sidebars supplementing the topic covered on each double-page spread and illustrated with movie stills, photos, and archival drawings. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 It's Amazing! series. This leveled-text introduction is geared toward reluctant readers. The wide-ranging presentation covers land-based dinosaurs, flying reptiles, and ocean reptiles. Topics include biggest and smallest species, carnivores versus plant-eaters, their habitats, and extinction. The accessible if slight text is supported by dynamic color illustrations and sidebars supplementing the information covered on each double-page spread. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 It's Amazing! series. These leveled texts geared toward reluctant readers introduce monsters and fairies, describing their physical appearance; their good and bad purposes; how they relate to humans; and their roles in mythology, literature, and popular entertainment. The accessible if slight texts are supported by color illustrations, movie stills, and sidebars supplementing the information covered on each double-page spread. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these It's Amazing! titles: Monsters and Fairies.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 It's Amazing! series. These leveled texts geared toward reluctant readers introduce monsters and fairies, describing their physical appearance; their good and bad purposes; how they relate to humans; and their roles in mythology, literature, and popular entertainment. The accessible if slight texts are supported by color illustrations, movie stills, and sidebars supplementing the information covered on each double-page spread. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these It's Amazing! titles: Monsters and Fairies.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Been There! series. Savery's young narrator shares her journeys to two of the largest countries in Asia. Each double-page spread showcases a different stop and provides geographical and historical information. Though the information is superficial, the volumes provide accessible introductions to everyday life. Each book includes a full-color map of the narrator's route, photographs, common phrases, and fact boxes. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Been There! titles: China and India.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Been There! series. Readers travel with a young narrator as she tours the largest country in South America, stopping in Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. At each locale, readers learn about the culture, geography, and history of Brazil through text and photographs. Though the information is superficial, the volume provides an accessible introduction to everyday life. A map shows the traveler's route. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Been There! series. The young narrator shares her journey to South Africa, from Johannesburg to Durban to Cape Town. Through text and photographs, readers learn about gold mining, Zulu village life, and Nelson Mandela, along with more general historical, geographical, and cultural details. Though the information is superficial, the volume provides an accessible introduction to everyday life. A map shows the traveler's route. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Been There! series. A girl narrates her journeys to three European countries. Each volume starts with a list of things she already knows about the country and a map of her travel route. Double-page spreads then provide historical and geographical details, along with photographs. Though the information is superficial, the volumes provide accessible introductions to everyday life. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Been There! titles: France, Italy, and Spain.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Been There! series. A young traveler provides an account of her voyage through Mexico, including visits to Mayan ruins, Guadalajara, and the countryside. Through text and photographs, Mexico's geography, culture, and history are explored. Though the information is superficial, the volume provides an accessible introduction to everyday life. A map shows the traveler's route. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Been There! series. A girl narrates her journeys to three European countries. Each volume starts with a list of things she already knows about the country and a map of her travel route. Double-page spreads then provide historical and geographical details, along with photographs. Though the information is superficial, the volumes provide accessible introductions to everyday life. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Been There! titles: France, Italy, and Spain.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Been There! series. Savery's young narrator shares her journeys to two of the largest countries in Asia. Each double-page spread showcases a different stop and provides geographical and historical information. Though the information is superficial, the volumes provide accessible introductions to everyday life. Each book includes a full-color map of the narrator's route, photographs, common phrases, and fact boxes. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Been There! titles: China and India.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Been There! series. A girl narrates her journeys to three European countries. Each volume starts with a list of things she already knows about the country and a map of her travel route. Double-page spreads then provide historical and geographical details, along with photographs. Though the information is superficial, the volumes provide accessible introductions to everyday life. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Been There! titles: France, Italy, and Spain.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes