(2) K-3 Illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon. This account of evolution through Earth's history centers on life in and near the oceans, beginning with the emergence of single-celled microbes and continuing through cycles of growth and extinction to the present day. Shreeve adeptly communicates high-level scientific concepts in just a few paragraphs per page as she highlights key events in the transition from sea to land, including the separate emergences of arthropods (millipedes, crustaceans, and insects) and, later, lobe-finned fish, whose land- and sea-based descendants are familiar to us as reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Preston-Gannon's use of color in the friendly illustrations skillfully represents the climatic conditions in each major era: bright, multicolored spreads of tropical seas filled with animals represent periods of species growth and are interspersed with less hospitable, barren landscapes. The many animals portrayed within the spreads--most with stylized black dots for eyes, which help readers to locate them--are labeled with captions identifying the species and providing additional noteworthy facts. On the final pages, an inviting, colorful, and animal-dense illustration summarizes the entire timeline.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2021

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Joey Chou. Freddy is nervous about the first day of school, so his mind turns to outer space: instead of putting on shoes, he puts on moon boots, and so on. His fantasy (or is it?) features flat, chunky digital art--just right for a story featuring a rocket ship, planets, and other geometric marvels. Space facts are appended. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Candice Hartsough McDonald. Following his parents' separation, a boy must get accustomed to two homes. He also starts at a new school, where he eventually grows confident enough to help another new student acclimate. The unusually perceptive story makes its point using impressively spare text. Accompanying illustrations with a soft but deliberate touch are ideally suited to this gentle tale.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 1-3 Ready-for-Chapters: The Adventures of Hector Fuller series. Illustrated by Pamela Levy. These books make a welcome addition to the world of chapter books, introducing Hector the wumblebug. With a pleasing Wind-in-the-Willows flavor, these two stories take Hector on simple but well-plotted adventures. The books have distinct characters, story patterns, and humor. A full-page illustration accompanies each chapter. Review covers these Ready-for-Chapters: The Adventures of Hector Fuller titles: Hector Finds a Fortune and Hector Springs Loose.

Reviewer: Becky Levine

(3) 1-3 Ready-for-Chapters: The Adventures of Hector Fuller series. Illustrated by Pamela Levy. These books make a welcome addition to the world of chapter books, introducing Hector the wumblebug. With a pleasing Wind-in-the-Willows flavor, these two stories take Hector on simple but well-plotted adventures. The books have distinct characters, story patterns, and humor. A full-page illustration accompanies each chapter. Review covers these Ready-for-Chapters: The Adventures of Hector Fuller titles: Hector Finds a Fortune and Hector Springs Loose.

Reviewer: Becky Levine