(4) K-3 Illustrated by Duncan Beedie. With memory techniques by Tracy Packiam Alloway, PhD. In each two-spread sequence, friendly cartoon figure Explorer Ben gathers ten items that he needs for a (paper-thin) adventure, then loses an increasing number of them in a mildly comical way. The book's purpose revolves around the serviceable included "Memory Tips," which help readers identify the items that Ben has lost and build new memorization skills. Tips for parents and a memory quiz are appended.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(4) K-3 Animal Babies series. This very basic book introduces mammals' births, habitats, maturation, and how they're cared for. The short, direct sentences are manageable for new readers, and the color photographs will hold their attention. Only some of the species pictured and discussed superficially are identified, which may frustrate children interested in richer information. A life cycle diagram concludes the book. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) PS Natural World series. Vibrant, close-up color photographs of eighteen identified insects are each paired with two or three labels for basic body parts; a handful contain a further zoomed-in image (e.g., a wasp's stinger) for preschoolers to marvel at. Simple word repetition is suited to young learners, and the picture glossary contributes more information about the highlighted insect parts. Suggestions for adults are appended.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 Animal Babies series. This very basic book introduces birds' births, habitats, maturation, and how they're cared for. The short, direct sentences are manageable for new readers, and the color photographs will hold their attention. The species pictured and discussed specifically ("This bird spits a smelly oil at predators") are unidentified, which may frustrate children interested in richer information. A life cycle diagram concludes the book. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) K-3 Animal Babies series. This very basic book introduces amphibians' births, habitats, maturation, and how they're cared for. The short, direct sentences are manageable for new readers, and the color photographs will hold their attention. Species are briefly identified and differentiated, but much of the information is quite vague, even confusing ("Some amphibians give birth to live babies"). A life cycle diagram concludes the book. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) PS Natural World series. Vibrant close-up color photographs of eighteen identified plants are each paired with two or three labels for basic parts; a handful contain a further zoomed-in image (e.g., thorns) for preschoolers to marvel at. Simple word repetition is suited to young learners, and the picture glossary contributes more information about the highlighted plant and flower parts. Suggestions for adults are appended.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen