(3) K-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. On their Tennessee farm, Lorraine and Pa Paw make beautiful music together--he on his harmonica, and she on her pennywhistle. However, when things begin disappearing on the farm and a fierce storm arises, Lorraine and Pa Paw have to depend on their voices to make music and chase away fear. Written in rhyming verse and realistically illustrated with setting-evoking detail, the folkloric story is one of nostalgia and finding joy.

Reviewer: Monique Harris

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. Stewart's updated text advocates strongly for fish conservation. Each double-page spread features a particular species (e.g., northern pike), along with a threat to its environment (power plants) and a vague solution ("find other ways to make electricity"). Bond's clear, vivid acrylic illustrations contribute to a handsome presentation. A few general fish facts are appended. Reading list, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. In this affectionate book, each double-page spread's simple narrative begins with a problem one of eleven different turtle species faces, e.g. habitat destruction, followed by a sometimes-obvious solution: "When people protect these natural places, turtles can live and grow." Detailed acrylic art accompanies the text, and boxes offer facts about each reptile; endpapers contain a distribution map. Bib.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. Each double-page spread features brief information about how humans can help protect bats, a sidebar about a particular bat, and a detailed acrylic illustration. The book's conservation message occasionally oversimplifies (e.g., stating that we can help bats by stopping use of pesticides, which are, as the text says, only a possible cause of the deadly white nose syndrome in bats). Bib.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. Stewart's text advocates strongly for fish conservation. Each double-page spread features a particular species (e.g., northern pike), along with a threat to its environment (power plants), and a vague solution ("find other ways to make electricity"). Bond's clear, vivid acrylic illustrations contribute to a handsome presentation. "Fascinating Fish Facts"--"Most brands of lipstick contain ground-up fish scales"--are appended. Websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. Stewart educates readers about the effects of human activities on frog populations and the steps people can take to help them thrive in their natural habitats. Richly detailed acrylic illustrations showing many different species bring the diversity of frogs to life; sidebars give more information about individual types of frogs. The text's repetitive refrain ("...frogs can live and grow") becomes tiresome. Bib.

Reviewer: Pamela Mishkin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. Realistic illustrations of various birds in their habitats highlight what they need to thrive and what people can do to enhance their survival. Each double-page spread provides brief general information about birds; particular species are featured in sidebars. The balance of nature in ecosystems is emphasized while promoting basic ideas of conservation. Bib.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. Batten distinguishes between mammals (including humans) and other animals such as snakes, fish, and insects. All have "a way of sleeping," even if it's during flight. While the presentation isn't nuanced and the page design is uninspired, the information is straightforward and accurate. Realistic acrylic illustrations complement the text. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. The lone Native American woman and African American man on the Lewis and Clark expedition describe their roles in the historic journey. The point-of-view alternates with each turn of the page, but there are not enough visual or written clues to make these abrupt changes successful. The paintings give details of time and setting. Map, reading list, source notes, websites.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. Children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and in many settings think of God when they worry about a sick friend, fly a kite, listen to the organ at church, or watch baby birds leave the nest. In spite of the stiff illustrations, the voice of the child narrators and the inclusive examples of ways humans understand God's presence in the world makes this a successful vehicle for discussion or meditation.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) K-3 Smithsonian's Backyard series. Illustrated by Higgins Bond. Groundhog leaves his mother and siblings and digs his own burrow nearby. The illustrations feature a realistically rendered creature exploring a suburban backyard and garden, eating beans, encountering the family dog, and defending himself. The text sticks with the animal's point of view, but the illustrations take a few missteps.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. This dully designed, serviceable volume makes the point that there are many species where parenting is either shared or completely taken on by the father (referred to throughout as "the daddy"). Songbirds, penguins, seahorses, primates, and a few other mammals are featured with details about the father's role in birth and care. The realistic acrylics show the animals in their natural environments.

Reviewer: Hilary Breed Van Dusen

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. A leisurely paced narrative follows a young bighorn sheep in the Rocky Mountains from birth through his first year and includes many narrow escapes from predators. The illustrations are somewhat awkward but realistic and detailed. Appended are an illustrated glossary and a foldout panorama, which readers can search for flora and fauna from the story.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(4) K-3 Scholastic Question and Answer series. Illustrated by Higgins Bond. Questions range from the titular ones to "Is hurricane damage getting worse?" and "Can animals forecast earthquakes?" Both books contain solid introductory information about these four natural phenomena in accessible language and style. Because of the question-and-answer format, however, the explanations are brief and not always clear. The numerous illustrations are occasionally static and lurid. Ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Scholastic Question and Answer series. Illustrated by Higgins Bond. Questions range from the titular ones to "Is hurricane damage getting worse?" and "Can animals forecast earthquakes?" Both books contain solid introductory information about these four natural phenomena in accessible language and style. Because of the question-and-answer format, however, the explanations are brief and not always clear. The numerous illustrations are occasionally static and lurid. Ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Higgins Bond. A strawberry poison frog's growth from tadpole to mature adult provides an excuse to introduce the exotic creatures and setting of a Costa Rican rainforest in words and lush, detailed illustrations. A double-page picture glossary foldout summarizes and identifies flora and fauna. A note explains that La Selva is a biological research station run by the Organization for Tropical Studies.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges