(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 Iconic Designs series. Spilsbury highlights key auto designers and groundbreaking designs since 1900, including the Ford Model T, Volkswagen Beetle, and Smart Car. A final chapter touches on "the future" with new technologies and energy sources. Organization issues aside--"Designer in Focus" and "From Concept to Icon" sections are randomly curated and placed--many photos and diagrams complement the straightforward narrative. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(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

(3) YA Primary Source Detectives series. This succinct overview focuses on the importance of organized marches within the context of the American civil rights movement. Targeted questions and thorough answers guide readers through the circumstances and challenges of specific marches. The archival photos are well chosen; sidebar material includes insights on using and interpreting primary-source materials. An appealing, accessible resource for budding researchers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(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

(4) 4-6 Zoom In On... series. From crime scene evidence and unusual insects to the creatures that live in our homes and on our bodies, scientists use microscopes to identify and better understand the world invisible to the unaided eye. Close-up photographs and insets combine with a simple, accessible text to provide a detailed if busy perspective on what the eye cannot see. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom in on... titles: Bizarre Bugs, Crime Scenes, Body Invaders, and House of Horrors.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Zoom In On... series. From crime scene evidence and unusual insects to the creatures that live in our homes and on our bodies, scientists use microscopes to identify and better understand the world invisible to the unaided eye. Close-up photographs and insets combine with a simple, accessible text to provide a detailed if busy perspective on what the eye cannot see. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom in on... titles: Bizarre Bugs, Crime Scenes, Body Invaders, and House of Horrors.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Zoom In On... series. From crime scene evidence and unusual insects to the creatures that live in our homes and on our bodies, scientists use microscopes to identify and better understand the world invisible to the unaided eye. Close-up photographs and insets combine with a simple, accessible text to provide a detailed if busy perspective on what the eye cannot see. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom in on... titles: Bizarre Bugs, Crime Scenes, Body Invaders, and House of Horrors.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Zoom In On... series. From crime scene evidence and unusual insects to the creatures that live in our homes and on our bodies, scientists use microscopes to identify and better understand the world invisible to the unaided eye. Close-up photographs and insets combine with a simple, accessible text to provide a detailed if busy perspective on what the eye cannot see. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom in on... titles: Bizarre Bugs, Crime Scenes, Body Invaders, and House of Horrors.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Anatomy of an Investigation series. After a comic-panel-story introduction, Spilsbury explains processes scientists use when they investigate deadly disease outbreaks. The discussion covers how the disease is contracted, how its spread can be stopped, as well as diagnostic measures, preventative steps, and treatments. Photographs, charts, sidebars, and maps support the text. The tiny-size type may be off-putting to some readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Shara Hardeson