(2) K-3 Illustrated by Yas Imamura. Redding gives readers the biography of a tree--the very tree under which Isaac Newton sat when he began thinking about gravity and motion. Expressive language details its growth: "The tree's tips ballooned with blossoming buds, swarmed by bees until petals fell away to reveal growing apples." When, circa 1665, Newton observes that one of those apples falls straight down, he connects that force with the force that keeps the moon in the sky, a thought process explained in the illustrations rather than in the animated text ("Isaac came up with the answer: gravity! Universal gravity!"). The tree becomes a tourist attraction until lightning strikes around 1820. Still, a living root remained, and as science branched out in many directions, so did the tree; in modern times it inspired such visitors as Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. And, in 2010, almost two hundred years after the lightning storm, scientists took a piece of the tree up to the International Space Station. There it floated, prompting this enthusiastic conclusion: "Nearly 350 years later, Isaac was right!" Rich shading marks the earth tones in the illustrations, with the browns particularly resembling highly polished wood. Appended with brief biographies of Newton, Einstein, and Hawking; a timeline of Newton's life; and a bibliography.

Reviewer: Betty Carter

(2) K-3 This busy, boisterous, and information-­packed picture book explains the multi-step maple-syrup-making process--from tree to table. Bear, anthropomorphized and wearing cold-weather garb, begins her project when the temperature is below freezing at night but above freezing during the day: "sugaring time!" The third-person main text narrates Bear's undertaking as she locates a tree, drills into it, collects sap, and more. Tools are labeled throughout (brace, spiles, evaporator), and occasional sidebars include additional facts. The illustrations, too, help scaffold ­readers' understanding; one picture demonstrates how it takes forty gallons of sap to create one gallon of maple syrup. Bear's pancake-loving ­companions, Squirrel and Dog, follow her process impatiently, inserting questions, affirmations, and comic relief. (When Bear cuts a hole in a milk jug, Dog breaks the fourth wall and declares, "I lost scissors privileges long ago.") Sound effects and speech-bubble dialogue emphasize these humorous moments, while the watercolor and graphite illustrations, rendered in light hues, emit a cool winter vibe. This dynamic title succeeds in showcasing the complexity, can-do spirit, and fun behind "maple syrup splendor." Back matter includes an author's note and suggestions for further reading.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(3) K-3 Gibbon's lightly updated introduction to agriculture and farming takes readers through the year, detailing seasonal "Outside Chores" and "Inside Chores." Three pages of additional information about different kinds of farms (dairy, grain, cattle, etc.) and farmers' markets conclude the book. Gibbon's trademark illustrations, with clean lines and compositions, are as accessible as ever.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. Growing up in northwestern Cameroon, Tantoh Nforba loved the rich soil and earned the nickname "Farmer." As an adult, he has become an effective advocate for clean water and safe agricultural practices. This heartening story conveys the importance of sound agricultural practices across farms, schoolyards, communities, and nations. In Zunon's colorful mixed-media illustrations, the vibrancy of people, water, and soil showcase the movement Farmer Tantoh has built. Glos.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2019

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Essi Kimpimäki. The informative text of this series entry asks readers basic questions about life on a farm. Shining light behind recto pages reveals animals, buildings, and plants hidden in each full-color picture. Turning the page reveals the black-and-white image answer. While text from each verso page unfortunately shows through, the flashlight gimmick should engage young readers. A final spread provides additional facts about farm life.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(3) 4-6 Photographs by Jennifer S. Larson. An introduction includes information on plant growth, North American hardiness zones, soil pH, pollination, and supplies. Each of the four chapters that follow group projects by growing method (from seeds, cuttings, etc.) and include one or two recipes for the resulting vegetable, herb, or fruit. Plentiful bright, close-up photos illustrate the step-by-step directions. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Perry Taylor. Readers get an inside look at each step of the development of Violet the hen's chicks, including a day-by-day guide to anatomical formation. After the eggs hatch, human kids learn how to care for chicks. Detailed line and wash illustrations add clarity on every spread. Aside from some playful anthropomorphism in the text, this is a solid scientific introduction to raising chicks in a classroom or at home. Glos.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(3) K-3 Teacher Mrs. Best brings eggs into the classroom for an incubation project with her kindergartners. Clear, informative text details the hatching process, and further egg/chick information is provided in captions and sidebars. Some of Arnold's bright, sharp photos of beady-eyed chicks and wide-eyed children span across spreads, enhancing this thorough, well-designed book. Additional questions and answers are appended. Reading list, websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(4) K-3 Bumba Books: Places We Go series. With cheerful graphics, bright photos featuring kids of different ethnicities, bare-bones text, and sturdy construction, this series brings early elementary students on typical field trips. Depicting experiences as universal, the volume risks overgeneralizing, but question bubbles ("Why do you think apple trees are planted in rows?") help young readers think more about the topic. The book includes a table of contents and picture glossary. Reading list. Ind.

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(4) K-3 Welcome, Fall! series. These volumes briefly describe autumnal activities at a pumpkin patch and an apple orchard. Although the abbreviated, choppy texts and colorful photos provide scant information, the books could serve as a springboard for classroom discussions on farm life. A craft project is included, but the instructions are unclear and adult assistance may be required. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Welcome, Fall! titles: Apple Orchard and A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Welcome, Fall! series. These volumes briefly describe autumnal activities at a pumpkin patch and an apple orchard. Although the abbreviated, choppy texts and colorful photos provide scant information, the books could serve as a springboard for classroom discussions on farm life. A craft project is included, but the instructions are unclear and adult assistance may be required. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Welcome, Fall! titles: Apple Orchard and A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 How Is It Made? series. Close-up color photos spill across the gutter to illustrate each step in the creation of the titular items, from raw agricultural material (cotton and wool, cacao beans, milk, peanuts) to final product. Two or three simple sentences add very basic but level-appropriate explanation to each spread's picture; curious young readers may seek out more substantive information. A few additional facts are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers these How Is It Made? titles: How Is a Sweater Made?, How Is Chocolate Made?, How Is Ice Cream Made?, and How Is Peanut Butter Made?.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 How Is It Made? series. Close-up color photos spill across the gutter to illustrate each step in the creation of the titular items, from raw agricultural material (cotton and wool, cacao beans, milk, peanuts) to final product. Two or three simple sentences add very basic but level-appropriate explanation to each spread's picture; curious young readers may seek out more substantive information. A few additional facts are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers these How Is It Made? titles: How Is a Sweater Made?, How Is Chocolate Made?, How Is Ice Cream Made?, and How Is Peanut Butter Made?.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 How Is It Made? series. Close-up color photos spill across the gutter to illustrate each step in the creation of the titular items, from raw agricultural material (cotton and wool, cacao beans, milk, peanuts) to final product. Two or three simple sentences add very basic but level-appropriate explanation to each spread's picture; curious young readers may seek out more substantive information. A few additional facts are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers these How Is It Made? titles: How Is a Sweater Made?, How Is Chocolate Made?, How Is Ice Cream Made?, and How Is Peanut Butter Made?.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 How Is It Made? series. Close-up color photos spill across the gutter to illustrate each step in the creation of the titular items, from raw agricultural material (cotton and wool, cacao beans, milk, peanuts) to final product. Two or three simple sentences add very basic but level-appropriate explanation to each spread's picture; curious young readers may seek out more substantive information. A few additional facts are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers these How Is It Made? titles: How Is a Sweater Made?, How Is Chocolate Made?, How Is Ice Cream Made?, and How Is Peanut Butter Made?.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Who Made My Lunch? series. Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman. In each book, a child prepares to eat something but first learns how the food is produced by being transported to various places involved. The second-person texts cover countries of origin, growing and harvesting conditions, and processing details. Simple, engaging illustrations featuring a diverse cast of kids will appeal to young readers. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Who Made My Lunch? titles: From Cocoa Beans to Chocolate, From Grapes to Jelly, From Milk to Cheese, From Milk to Ice Cream, From Peanuts to Peanut Butter, and From Wheat to Bread.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Who Made My Lunch? series. Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman. In each book, a child prepares to eat something but first learns how the food is produced by being transported to various places involved. The second-person texts cover countries of origin, growing and harvesting conditions, and processing details. Simple, engaging illustrations featuring a diverse cast of kids will appeal to young readers. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Who Made My Lunch? titles: From Cocoa Beans to Chocolate, From Grapes to Jelly, From Milk to Cheese, From Milk to Ice Cream, From Peanuts to Peanut Butter, and From Wheat to Bread.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Who Made My Lunch? series. Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman. In each book, a child prepares to eat something but first learns how the food is produced by being transported to various places involved. The second-person texts cover countries of origin, growing and harvesting conditions, and processing details. Simple, engaging illustrations featuring a diverse cast of kids will appeal to young readers. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Who Made My Lunch? titles: From Cocoa Beans to Chocolate, From Grapes to Jelly, From Milk to Cheese, From Milk to Ice Cream, From Peanuts to Peanut Butter, and From Wheat to Bread.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Who Made My Lunch? series. Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman. In each book, a child prepares to eat something but first learns how the food is produced by being transported to various places involved. The second-person texts cover countries of origin, growing and harvesting conditions, and processing details. Simple, engaging illustrations featuring a diverse cast of kids will appeal to young readers. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Who Made My Lunch? titles: From Cocoa Beans to Chocolate, From Grapes to Jelly, From Milk to Cheese, From Milk to Ice Cream, From Peanuts to Peanut Butter, and From Wheat to Bread.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) K-3 Who Made My Lunch? series. Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman. In each book, a child prepares to eat something but first learns how the food is produced by being transported to various places involved. The second-person texts cover countries of origin, growing and harvesting conditions, and processing details. Simple, engaging illustrations featuring a diverse cast of kids will appeal to young readers. Reading list, websites. Glos. Review covers these Who Made My Lunch? titles: From Cocoa Beans to Chocolate, From Grapes to Jelly, From Milk to Cheese, From Milk to Ice Cream, From Peanuts to Peanut Butter, and From Wheat to Bread.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges