(4) K-3 Illustrated by David Biedrzycki. Big, boldly colored beetles illustrate this themed alphabet book, which features a well-chosen array of beetles from African goliath to zinc metallic. Refreshingly unrhymed, the conversational text gives carefully selected information about habits and habitat, though occasional anthropomorphic or silly comments are jarring, and distinctions between beetles and bees, spiders, and cockroaches pop up unexpectedly.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by David Biedrzycki. Using even numbers from zero to fifty as an organizing principle, Pallotta imparts a smattering of facts about a variety of unusual marine creatures, from giant manta rays to land-dwelling fishing bats. Although Biedrzycki creatively incorporates the escalating numbers of creatures in his digital illustrations, some, tiny and blurred in the background or partially shown, are difficult to spot. This is primarily a marine-science book.

Reviewer: Erica L. Stahler

(4) K-3 Illustrated by David Biedrzycki. Danny describes the day he took the dory out alone and encountered members of a marine food chain--plankton, shrimp, sand eels, mackerels, bluefish, tuna, killer whales, and a humpback whale--and almost became part of it himself. The end reveals he's actually playing with his toys in the bathtub. The smooth acrylic illustrations capture the action better than the flat text.

Reviewer: Emma Loy-Santelli

(4) K-3 Illustrated by David Biedrzycki. These two picture books feature some questionable choices--e.g., Boat uses "steamboat" instead of "submarine" for S and includes "submarine" under E for "electric boat." Also, sometimes the brief text is a bit esoteric or confusing--e.g., Boat uses "quffa" (a basket boat) for Q, noting it is often spelled with a g or a kh. For most young children, however, the striking pictures will command their attention.

Reviewer: Jack Forman