(3) K-3 Children in Our World series. Illustrated by Hanane Kai. This straightforward series gently describes difficult realities of the world through examples and language that will resonate with young children. Each volume explains why or how situations such as war or acts of racism might occur, the "people who help," and how children can better understand the issues and process associated anxieties. Soft, emotive art underscores the reassuring tone. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Children in Our World titles: Global Conflict and Racism and Intolerance.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Children in Our World series. Illustrated by Hanane Kai. This straightforward series gently describes difficult realities of the world through examples and language that will resonate with young children. Each volume explains why or how situations such as war or acts of racism might occur, the "people who help," and how children can better understand the issues and process associated anxieties. Soft, emotive art underscores the reassuring tone. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Children in Our World titles: Global Conflict and Racism and Intolerance.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Children in Our World series. Illustrated by Hanane Kai. This compassionate exploration of poverty uses gentle, age-appropriate language. Kai's muted illustrations blend well with relatable explanations of how and why people end up suffering from hunger and poverty and the effect this has on families. The lucid text also discusses the ways in which charitable organizations provide aid and makes suggestions for how young readers can help. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: History Hunters series. This series provides brief surveys of ancient civilizations. In each book, double-page spreads focus on an aspect of culture, politics, military, home life, etc. The layout--with its many illustrations, background colors, bold vocabulary words, and fonts--is eye-catching without being distracting. The unfortunately named "Deadly Secrets" guessing game in several sections adds an interesting challenge, but the information is sparse. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Edge Books: History Hunters titles: Ancient Greece, Ancient China, and The Mayans.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: History Hunters series. This series provides brief surveys of ancient civilizations. In each book, double-page spreads focus on an aspect of culture, politics, military, home life, etc. The layout--with its many illustrations, background colors, bold vocabulary words, and fonts--is eye-catching without being distracting. The unfortunately named "Deadly Secrets" guessing game in several sections adds an interesting challenge, but the information is sparse. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Edge Books: History Hunters titles: Ancient Greece, Ancient China, and The Mayans.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Emerging Nations series. For a series on the "fastest-developing" countries, these attractive volumes for report writers are already somewhat dated (not much is mentioned past 2013). Each book includes sections devoted to history, culture, political change, and economic development, as well as several double-page spotlights on major cities (Jakarta, Beijing, and Mumbai, respectively). Bright color photographs are plentiful and varied. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Emerging Nations titles: Indonesia, China, and India.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Emerging Nations series. For a series on the "fastest-developing" countries, this attractive volume for report writers is already somewhat dated (not much is mentioned past 2013). The book includes thorough sections devoted to history, culture, political change, and economic development, as well as several double-page spotlights the major city of Rio de Janeiro. Bright color photographs are plentiful and varied. Reading list, websites. Glos. Ind.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Oceans of the World series. These accessible, colorful volumes provide just the right amount of kid-friendly information about the geography, temperature, islands, resources, ports, people, animals, and famous places associated with the eponymous ocean. Bright, well-captioned photographs and many clearly labeled maps dot the engaging narratives. "Fun Facts" and a quiz are included in each volume. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Oceans of the World titles: Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Oceans of the World series. REVIEW MISSING

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) K-3 Oceans of the World series. These accessible, colorful volumes provide just the right amount of kid-friendly information about the geography, temperature, islands, resources, ports, people, animals, and famous places associated with the eponymous ocean. Bright, well-captioned photographs and many clearly labeled maps dot the engaging narratives. "Fun Facts" and a quiz are included in each volume. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Oceans of the World titles: Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(4) 4-6 Feel the Force series. The physics of force and motion are addressed through examples drawn from the popular topics of sports and space exploration. Rather than thorough explanation, both books emphasize vocabulary related to the pushes and pulls used to propel athletes or spacecraft as well as the friction that objects encounter. Color photographs and diagrams, activities, and a quiz are included in each volume. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Feel the Force titles: Win That Sprint! and Fly to Mars!.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) K-3 Exploring Sound series. The physics of sound, including pitch, frequency, vibration, and speed, are clearly and cleanly explained. The texts are aided by many color photos, diagrams, sidebars, and captions, though some busy spreads aren't designed well. Activities (e.g., making a trumpet from a bottle, tube, and paper) are varyingly feasible for a child. Accessibility and an encouraging tone strengthen the presentation. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring Sound titles: Making Noise! and Why Can't I Hear That?.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Exploring Sound series. The physics of sound, including pitch, frequency, vibration, and speed, are clearly and cleanly explained. The texts are aided by many color photos, diagrams, sidebars, and captions, though some busy spreads aren't designed well. Activities (e.g., making a trumpet from a bottle, tube, and paper) are varyingly feasible for a child. Accessibility and an encouraging tone strengthen the presentation. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Exploring Sound titles: Making Noise! and Why Can't I Hear That?.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Essential Life Science series. Each volume features a topic in grade-school life science. Using a question-and-answer format, the books discuss bacteria, viruses, fungi, and the like (Microorganisms); features of organisms that allow for survival (Adaptations); and evolution (Variation). Crammed layouts include fact boxes, color photographs, diagrams, and activities to extend the concepts. There's some misleading language, but the books are useful overviews. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Life Science titles: Microorganisms, Adaptation, and Variation and Classification.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 Essential Physical Science series. Accurately if somewhat jumpily, these question-and-answer-format books explain and illustrate their title principles. Topics such as clashing forces and uses for evaporation are covered on crammed spreads including several blocks of text, color photos with boxed captions, diagrams, and sidebars. Each book contains three experiments, some more practical than others. Overall, these are browsable, useful overviews. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Physical Science titles: Forces of Energy, Magnetism, and Solids, Liquids, and Gases.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Essential Physical Science series. Accurately if somewhat jumpily, these question-and-answer-format books explain and illustrate their title principles. Topics such as clashing forces and uses for evaporation are covered on crammed spreads including several blocks of text, color photos with boxed captions, diagrams, and sidebars. Each book contains three experiments, some more practical than others. Overall, these are browsable, useful overviews. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Essential Physical Science titles: Forces of Energy, Magnetism, and Solids, Liquids, and Gases.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Animals in Danger series. Each volume divides its continent into regions and highlights several endangered animals in each. Sidebars with species facts, charts, and maps accompany photos of exotic fauna. Each final section offers a simplistic suggestion for how kids can help. Heavy on the bolded vocabulary words, this series is best suited to comfortable readers ready for lots of new information. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Animals in Danger titles: Animals in Danger in Africa, Animals in Danger in Asia, and Animals in Danger in North America.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) K-3 Animals in Danger series. Each volume divides its continent into regions and highlights several endangered animals in each. Sidebars with species facts, charts, and maps accompany photos of exotic fauna. Each final section offers a simplistic suggestion for how kids can help. Heavy on the bolded vocabulary words, this series is best suited to comfortable readers ready for lots of new information. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Animals in Danger titles: Animals in Danger in Africa, Animals in Danger in Asia, and Animals in Danger in North America.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) K-3 Animals in Danger series. Each volume divides its continent into regions and highlights several endangered animals in each. Sidebars with species facts, charts, and maps accompany photos of exotic fauna. Each final section offers a simplistic suggestion for how kids can help. Heavy on the bolded vocabulary words, this series is best suited to comfortable readers ready for lots of new information. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Animals in Danger titles: Animals in Danger in Africa, Animals in Danger in Asia, and Animals in Danger in North America.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 4-6 Essential Physical Science series. The authors cover the basic physics of these two forms of energy, including explanations of how we see and hear and the ways in which humans use related technologies. Cluttered, brightly colored layouts feature the main text and additional facts in asides, boxes, and captions to the photos and diagrams. Several activities exploring sound and light concepts are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford