(4) K-3 Prehistoric World series. The formulaic volumes in this series offer scientific fact and speculation about various dinosaurs. The adequate text touches on physical appearance, feeding habits, and how the dinosaurs may have cared for their young. Muddy illustrations are accompanied by fact boxes listing each creature's name and where and when it lived. A family tree and list of online sources are included in each book. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Prehistoric World titles: Ankylosaurus and Other Armored Plant-Eaters, Apatosaurus and Other Giant, Long-necked Plant-Eaters, Triceratops and Other Horned Plant-Eaters, Tyrannosaurus and Other Giant Meat-Eaters, and Velociraptor and Other Small, Speedy Meat-Eaters.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Prehistoric World series. The formulaic volumes in this series offer scientific fact and speculation about various dinosaurs. The adequate text touches on physical appearance, feeding habits, and how the dinosaurs may have cared for their young. Muddy illustrations are accompanied by fact boxes listing each creature's name and where and when it lived. A family tree and list of online sources are included in each book. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Prehistoric World titles: Ankylosaurus and Other Armored Plant-Eaters, Apatosaurus and Other Giant, Long-necked Plant-Eaters, Triceratops and Other Horned Plant-Eaters, Tyrannosaurus and Other Giant Meat-Eaters, and Velociraptor and Other Small, Speedy Meat-Eaters.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Prehistoric World series. The formulaic volumes in this series offer scientific fact and speculation about various dinosaurs. The adequate text touches on physical appearance, feeding habits, and how the dinosaurs may have cared for their young. Muddy illustrations are accompanied by fact boxes listing each creature's name and where and when it lived. A family tree and list of online sources are included in each book. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Prehistoric World titles: Ankylosaurus and Other Armored Plant-Eaters, Apatosaurus and Other Giant, Long-necked Plant-Eaters, Triceratops and Other Horned Plant-Eaters, Tyrannosaurus and Other Giant Meat-Eaters, and Velociraptor and Other Small, Speedy Meat-Eaters.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Prehistoric World series. The formulaic volumes in this series offer scientific fact and speculation about various dinosaurs. The adequate text touches on physical appearance, feeding habits, and how the dinosaurs may have cared for their young. Muddy illustrations are accompanied by fact boxes listing each creature's name and where and when it lived. A family tree and list of online sources are included in each book. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Prehistoric World titles: Ankylosaurus and Other Armored Plant-Eaters, Apatosaurus and Other Giant, Long-necked Plant-Eaters, Triceratops and Other Horned Plant-Eaters, Tyrannosaurus and Other Giant Meat-Eaters, and Velociraptor and Other Small, Speedy Meat-Eaters.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) K-3 Prehistoric World series. The formulaic volumes in this series offer scientific fact and speculation about various dinosaurs. The adequate text touches on physical appearance, feeding habits, and how the dinosaurs may have cared for their young. Muddy illustrations are accompanied by fact boxes listing each creature's name and where and when it lived. A family tree and list of online sources are included in each book. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Prehistoric World titles: Ankylosaurus and Other Armored Plant-Eaters, Apatosaurus and Other Giant, Long-necked Plant-Eaters, Triceratops and Other Horned Plant-Eaters, Tyrannosaurus and Other Giant Meat-Eaters, and Velociraptor and Other Small, Speedy Meat-Eaters.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Cultures of the Past series. These series books are sure to draw report writers and history buffs alike: they provide in-depth overviews of the history, religion, and culture of, respectively, Victorian England and Renaissance Italy. Copiously illustrated with period reproductions and modern-day photos, these books focus on the literary and artistic achievements of the eras. A timeline and a list of relevant websites are appended. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Cultures of the Past titles: Victorian England and The Italian Renaissance.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) 4-6 Around the World In... series. These two series books sketch events in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas (1800 includes Australia). Anecdotes, modern-day references, and an emphasis on daily life in the historical period keep the text interesting. Maps, archival reproductions, and color photos illustrate the pages. This crosscultural approach makes these overviews useful resources. A list of related Internet sites is included. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Around the World In... titles: 1800 and 1500/]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(3) 4-6 Letters from the Homefront series. The books in this series provide vivid accounts of the American home front during three wars fought by U.S. troops overseas. With excerpts of letters from soldiers and their families, political leaders, and schoolchildren, the volumes consider the social, economic, and cultural climates of each era, as well as domestic war support and protests. The creative design includes clear photos and a time line. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Letters from the Homefront titles: World War I, The Vietnam War, World War II.]

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Letters from the Homefront series. The books in this series provide vivid accounts of the American home front during three wars fought by U.S. troops overseas. With excerpts of letters from soldiers and their families, political leaders, and schoolchildren, the volumes consider the social, economic, and cultural climates of each era, as well as domestic war support and protests. The creative design includes clear photos and a time line. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Letters from the Homefront titles: World War I, The Vietnam War, World War II.]

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Letters from the Homefront series. Excerpts of letters written by soldiers, their families, children, and national leaders provide compelling documentary evidence in these well-written and creatively designed volumes. The full range of domestic life is covered--political protest and war support, displaced families, and civilian life. The books in this series are complemented by clear black-and-white photos, color paintings, and sketches. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Letters from the Homefront titles: The Revolutionary War and The Civil War.]

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Cultures of the Past series. Offering balanced, thoughtfully interpreted material, this book effectively introduces Japan's early culture. The five sections allow considerable scope, from Samurai culture to its influence on modern business practices. Reinforcing the text are a number of extensions, including illustrations (generally period art), a map, a time line, and brief samples of literature. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 If You Were A . . . series. These spirited if occasionally corny introductions to four different professions emphasize each's idiosyncrasies, pleasures, and social value. The descriptive prose is sure-footed, but the color photographs, featuring workers of both sexes and many races in action, sometimes have a contrived feel. Each book ends with a page of photos of tools of the trade and images of workers through the ages. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 If You Were A . . . series. These spirited if occasionally corny introductions to four different professions emphasize each's idiosyncrasies, pleasures, and social value. The descriptive prose is sure-footed, but the color photographs, featuring workers of both sexes and many races in action, sometimes have a contrived feel. Each book ends with a page of photos of tools of the trade and images of workers through the ages. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 If You Were A . . . series. These spirited if occasionally corny introductions to four different professions emphasize each's idiosyncrasies, pleasures, and social value. The descriptive prose is sure-footed, but the color photographs, featuring workers of both sexes and many races in action, sometimes have a contrived feel. Each book ends with a page of photos of tools of the trade and images of workers through the ages. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 If You Were A . . . series. These spirited if occasionally corny introductions to four different professions emphasize each's idiosyncrasies, pleasures, and social value. The descriptive prose is sure-footed, but the color photographs, featuring workers of both sexes and many races in action, sometimes have a contrived feel. Each book ends with a page of photos of tools of the trade and images of workers through the ages. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 While they don't offer anything new, these volumes are adequate replacements for outdated career books in elementary school libraries. The straightforward texts lack depth but contain easily digestible facts with audience appeal. The large, clear color photos feature a multiethnic cast of men and women. A brief note on the history of each occupation is appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(4) K-3 While they don't offer anything new, these volumes are adequate replacements for outdated career books in elementary school libraries. The straightforward texts lack depth but contain easily digestible facts with audience appeal. The large, clear color photos feature a multiethnic cast of men and women. A brief note on the history of each occupation is appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(4) K-3 While they don't offer anything new, these volumes are adequate replacements for outdated career books in elementary school libraries. The straightforward texts lack depth but contain easily digestible facts with audience appeal. The large, clear color photos feature a multiethnic cast of men and women. A brief note on the history of each occupation is appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan

(4) K-3 While they don't offer anything new, these volumes are adequate replacements for outdated career books in elementary school libraries. The straightforward texts lack depth but contain easily digestible facts with audience appeal. The large, clear color photos feature a multiethnic cast of men and women. A brief note on the history of each occupation is appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Amanda Sullivan