(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jannie Ho. When Santa's reindeer go on strike, he auditions various other animals. But the elephants are too heavy (they bust through a roof), and the cats are easily distracted by a mouse. Luckily, the reindeer are lured back with promises of a whirlpool and sauna. Children will enjoy the jaunty rhymes (though they occasionally stumble) and the embossed cartoon illustrations on thick cardstock.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jannie Ho. In this entertaining Halloween-themed story, a boy mistakenly boards a bus filled with a ghoulish cast of characters, including a mutant mummy driver, a pumpkin head, and a witch named Dolores. Bright, playful digital illustrations and zippy rhyming text bring this wild ride to life. The embossed cardstock pages will stand up to repeat readings long after Halloween is over.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. These books use high-interest topics (jets, search-and-rescue missions, gold mining) to explain scientific principles in chemistry and touch on physics; Confusion is a more general overview of states of matter. The texts are easy to read but suffer from some oversimplification and disorganization of material. The many engaging photographs and occasional diagrams will draw in reluctant readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Panning for Gold, State of Confusion, Search and Rescue, and Fighter Jet.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. With a flashy design that includes diagrams, text boxes, captions, and average-quality photographs, these titles serve as introductions to the topics of the earth's structure, landforms, and the causes and effects of weather. Reluctant readers will likely be able to comprehend the rudimentary scientific explanations but will need to look elsewhere for more in-depth treatment of these subjects. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Storm Tracker, World's Wonders, and To the Core.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. Readers learn the history of mapmaking (X Marks the Spot) and put their directional skills to the test by trying to figure out how to get from Paris to Calais, France (Lost!). Although the books' busy design can be difficult to navigate, they feature simple texts that will engage readers through hands-on tasks and interactive questions. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: X Marks the Spot and Lost!.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett

(4) 4-6 Fusion series. Scant text introduces the subjects of these books, the titles of which reflect their "high-interest twist" (Cow is about how scientific inquiry led Edward Jenner to the smallpox innoculation). Though some bolded words are defined on their pages while others only in the glossary, the large (often close-up) photos, varying type, and colorful backgrounds will attract readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Fusion titles: Skin Deep, Who's in Control?, Body Warriors, and Has A Cow Saved Your Life?

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Science Links series. With color photos of athletes and active children, this brief, well-organized volume uses sports as a means to discuss the way muscles and joints work. For instance, basketball introduces the ball-and-socket joint in the shoulder; gymnastics relates to the spine. Diagrams show how the skeleton functions, while sidebars add sports-related notes and bold-faced words indicate vocabulary. Websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Let's Meet Biographies series. These basic biographies of Washington, black educator and founder of the Tuskegee Institute, and abolitionist Truth, a former slave, are engaging and clearly written, although occasionally the books' brevity results in what feels like unfinished thoughts. Archival black-and-white photos appear in an attractive layout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Let's Meet Biographies titles: Let's Meet Booker T. Washington and Let's Meet Sojourner Truth.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Slangy descriptions and an upbeat tone will help draw readers into this annotated webliography. Recommended Internet links are grouped by topic: general reference, math, English, history, geography, and science (but take note, four of the links are already dead). Most pages feature a screenshot of the website and a quote from a student who visited the site. Sections on Internet safety and search engines are included. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Compiled with input from 'net-savvy children, these annotated website directories suggest pages where young Internet surfers can read about their favorite celebrities and sports teams or find games and craft projects. Breezy info bites, black-and-white screen shots of websites, and a warning about safe Internet practices make for kid-friendly books. Unfortunately, these volumes are already behind the times: each has five or more dead links. Glos.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Compiled with input from 'net-savvy children, these annotated website directories suggest pages where young Internet surfers can read about their favorite celebrities and sports teams or find games and craft projects. Breezy info bites, black-and-white screen shots of websites, and a warning about safe Internet practices make for kid-friendly books. Unfortunately, these volumes are already behind the times: each has five or more dead links. Glos.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Compiled with input from 'net-savvy children, these annotated website directories suggest pages where young Internet surfers can read about their favorite celebrities and sports teams or find games and craft projects. Breezy info bites, black-and-white screen shots of websites, and a warning about safe Internet practices make for kid-friendly books. Unfortunately, these volumes are already behind the times: each has five or more dead links. Glos.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger