(3) 4-6 Ranger Rick Kids' Guides series. These books present detailed guides for children who may have little experience with the titular outdoor recreations. Each uses a how-to format with step-by-step instructions; useful tips; and basic information related to sites, gear, food preparation, and activities. Illustrations, photos, and diagrams extend the readable texts on cleanly designed pages. Each book includes a working compass. Ind. Review covers these titles: Kids' Guide to Fishing, Kids' Guide to Paddling, Kids' Guide to Hiking, and Kids' Guide to Camping.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) YA Discovery! series. Superbugs discusses bacteria basics (structure, history, benefits) and explores the use--and overuse--of antibiotics. Circulating covers scientific breakthroughs such as type matching, fractionation (separating the blood's components), and blood substitutes. Both books clarify complex concepts with readable text and captioned illustrations that include black-and-white archival photographs and colorful magnifications of microscope images. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Discovery! titles: Superbugs Strike Back and Circulating Life.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 Kids' FAQs series. This book features a broad array of questions kids might ask about birds: for example, "how do birds fly?" and "how do they chew their food?" More specific questions focus on details unique to a particular species: e.g., "Why are vultures so ugly?" Lots of photographs add interest. Overall, the treatment is broad but informative. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 In this slight introduction to nine dinosaurs (from [f2]Stegosaurus to T. rex), each single- or double-page spread features basic information about each animal, such as what it ate, when it lived, its dimensions, and a few facts about its habits. The detailed illustrations, pronunciations, and "Dig This" text boxes enhance the adequate presentation. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(3) 4-6 Kids' FAQs series. "Why not get rid of alligators if people live nearby?" "Is it true that lizards can shoot blood out of their eyeballs?" A Q-and-A format provides plenty of interesting information about reptiles. The lively, conversational text and colorful photographs are combined in an accessible design, which should draw report-writers to this book. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Kids' FAQs series. This text carefully distinguishes insects and spiders, though true bugs aren't defined. The FAQ format promotes browsing; most questions seem natural ("How do crickets make that chirping sound?") and a few forced ("Why wouldn't we have chocolate if bugs disappeared?"). Colorful photos, most captioned, enrich the information. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Ecosystems in Action series. Occasionally dry but informative texts, illustrated with crisp color photos, use five specific locations (Adirondack forest, Sonoran Desert, Florida Everglades, Hawaiian rainforest, and Alaskan tundra) as examples of a particular ecosystem. The books discuss geological and climactic characteristics of each area, plant and animal adaptations and interdependence, and close with negative effects of humans on the ecosystem. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Ecosystems in Action titles: Life in a Deciduous Forest, Life in a Desert, Life in a Wetland, Life in a Rain Forest, and Life in the Tundra.]

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 4-6 Carolrhoda Nature Watch series. Clearly written text describes the characteristics of woodpeckers, focusing primarily on those of North America. The text differentiates between knocking behavior used to communicate, find food, or build a home, and discusses predators, raising young, and loss of habitat due to logging and development. Habitat maps and well-labeled color photos fill out the overview. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey