(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator(s) of a popular classic kids' product. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: Barbie Developer Ruth Handler, Board Game Builder Milton Bradley, Crayola Creators Edward Binney and C. Harold Smith, Lego Manufacturers the Kristiansen Family, Play-Doh Pioneer Joseph McVicker, and Slinky Innovators The James Family.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator(s) of a popular classic kids' product. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: Barbie Developer Ruth Handler, Board Game Builder Milton Bradley, Crayola Creators Edward Binney and C. Harold Smith, Lego Manufacturers the Kristiansen Family, Play-Doh Pioneer Joseph McVicker, and Slinky Innovators The James Family.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator(s) of a popular classic kids' product. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: Barbie Developer Ruth Handler, Board Game Builder Milton Bradley, Crayola Creators Edward Binney and C. Harold Smith, Lego Manufacturers the Kristiansen Family, Play-Doh Pioneer Joseph McVicker, and Slinky Innovators The James Family.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator(s) of a popular classic kids' product. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: Barbie Developer Ruth Handler, Board Game Builder Milton Bradley, Crayola Creators Edward Binney and C. Harold Smith, Lego Manufacturers the Kristiansen Family, Play-Doh Pioneer Joseph McVicker, and Slinky Innovators The James Family.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator(s) of a popular classic kids' product. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: Barbie Developer Ruth Handler, Board Game Builder Milton Bradley, Crayola Creators Edward Binney and C. Harold Smith, Lego Manufacturers the Kristiansen Family, Play-Doh Pioneer Joseph McVicker, and Slinky Innovators The James Family.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers series. Each of these engaging biographies introduces readers to the creator(s) of a popular classic kids' product. The texts are generally positive (and overuse exclamation points) but don't ignore difficulties and hardship, both personal and business-related. Captioned photos, archival reproductions, and "Fun Fact" boxes liven up the pages. The topics have ready-made kid-appeal; readers will glean insight into product development and the challenges of running a business. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Toy Trailblazers titles: Barbie Developer Ruth Handler, Board Game Builder Milton Bradley, Crayola Creators Edward Binney and C. Harold Smith, Lego Manufacturers the Kristiansen Family, Play-Doh Pioneer Joseph McVicker, and Slinky Innovators The James Family.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Special Ops series. Each of these books highlights an important mission of a special operations force and details the history leading to the unit's creation. Matter-of-fact, choppy texts drily cover each unit's entry qualifications and training process, as well as the specialized skills and tools/weaponry used. Lots of photos and graphics help break up the accessible texts. A few "Extreme Facts" are appended. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Special Ops titles: Army Rangers, Delta Force, Green Berets, Marine Force Recon, Navy Seals, and Pararescue Jumpers.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Special Ops series. Each of these books highlights an important mission of a special operations force and details the history leading to the unit's creation. Matter-of-fact, choppy texts drily cover each unit's entry qualifications and training process, as well as the specialized skills and tools/weaponry used. Lots of photos and graphics help break up the accessible texts. A few "Extreme Facts" are appended. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Special Ops titles: Army Rangers, Delta Force, Green Berets, Marine Force Recon, Navy Seals, and Pararescue Jumpers.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Special Ops series. Each of these books highlights an important mission of a special operations force and details the history leading to the unit's creation. Matter-of-fact, choppy texts drily cover each unit's entry qualifications and training process, as well as the specialized skills and tools/weaponry used. Lots of photos and graphics help break up the accessible texts. A few "Extreme Facts" are appended. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Special Ops titles: Army Rangers, Delta Force, Green Berets, Marine Force Recon, Navy Seals, and Pararescue Jumpers.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Special Ops series. Each of these books highlights an important mission of a special operations force and details the history leading to the unit's creation. Matter-of-fact, choppy texts drily cover each unit's entry qualifications and training process, as well as the specialized skills and tools/weaponry used. Lots of photos and graphics help break up the accessible texts. A few "Extreme Facts" are appended. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Special Ops titles: Army Rangers, Delta Force, Green Berets, Marine Force Recon, Navy Seals, and Pararescue Jumpers.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Special Ops series. Each of these books highlights an important mission of a special operations force and details the history leading to the unit's creation. Matter-of-fact, choppy texts drily cover each unit's entry qualifications and training process, as well as the specialized skills and tools/weaponry used. Lots of photos and graphics help break up the accessible texts. A few "Extreme Facts" are appended. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Special Ops titles: Army Rangers, Delta Force, Green Berets, Marine Force Recon, Navy Seals, and Pararescue Jumpers.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Special Ops series. Each of these books highlights an important mission of a special operations force and details the history leading to the unit's creation. Matter-of-fact, choppy texts drily cover each unit's entry qualifications and training process, as well as the specialized skills and tools/weaponry used. Lots of photos and graphics help break up the accessible texts. A few "Extreme Facts" are appended. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Library: Special Ops titles: Army Rangers, Delta Force, Green Berets, Marine Force Recon, Navy Seals, and Pararescue Jumpers.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 Checkerboard Library: Movie Makers series. Each bio-critical profile focuses on the director's success on one film or franchise. Complemented by photos and sidebars, the narratives intermix details regarding the subjects' personal lives and their professional careers. While the adulatory biographies read like rave reviews themselves, they do provide an excerpt from both a positive and a negative review of the film. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Checkerboard Library: Movie Makers titles: George Lucas, J. J. Abrams, Jennifer Lee, Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg, and John Lasseter.

Reviewer: Jack Forman