(4) 4-6 Scooby-Doo! Scooby-Doo Solves It with S.T.E.M. series. Illustrated by Christian Cornia. Scooby-Doo and friends uncover the banal truth behind a mutant crocodile and a chemical reaction–causing ghost using their knowledge of electricity and chemistry. Cartoon illustrations and spooky trappings add atmosphere to these elementary physical-science stories, but the scientific explanations are stilted and the tiny font hampers readability. "Science and Engineering Practices" appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Scooby-Doo! Scooby-Doo Solves It with S.T.E.M. titles: Scooby-Doo!, a Science of Chemical Reactions Mystery and Scooby-Doo!, a Science of Electricity Mystery.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 4-6 Scooby-Doo! Scooby-Doo Solves It with S.T.E.M. series. Illustrated by Christian Cornia. Scooby-Doo and pals use their knowledge of topics such as sound waves and energy to unmask a Pied Piper–like zombie and a ghost with electrical powers. Cartoon illustrations and mildly spooky mysteries add flavor to this mid-elementary physical-science series, but the scientific explanations feel forced and the font is too small. "Science and Engineering Practices" are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Scooby-Doo! Scooby-Doo Solves It with S.T.E.M. titles: The High-Voltage Ghost and A Song of Zombies.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) K-3 Yogi Bear's Guide to the Great Outdoors series. Illustrated by Christian Cornia. The cartoon bear teaches sidekick Boo Boo about animal tracks in Jellystone Park. Photos of tracks accompany the ho-hum text, which is generally informative. On the page, the characters lack the appeal they have in the original TV cartoon. A related activity and critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(4) K-3 Unmasking Monsters with Scooby-Doo! series. Illustrated by Christian Cornia. In these books, Scooby thinks he sees a legendary creature ("rombie," "rampire," "rerewolf"), and the gang launches into a discussion of monster lore as Shaggy and Scooby try not to freak out. The speech-balloon text superficially covers appearance, behaviors, and weaknesses. The familiar--and not scary--cartoon illustrations and undemanding texts make these adequate introductions for young monster fans. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Unmasking Monsters with Scooby-Doo! titles: Scooby-Doo! And the Truth Behind Zombies, Scooby-Doo! And the Truth Behind Vampires, and Scooby-Doo! And the Truth Behind Werewolves.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 4-6 Warner Brothers: Wile E. Coyote, Physical Science Genius series. Illustrated by Christian Cornia. Warner Brothers' evergreen duo of Road Runner and his hapless would-be predator Wile E. Coyote illustrates the physical principles of energy, forces, and motion. The Acme devices Wile E. uses (e.g., renewable-energy-fueled Bio-Buggy 2000) serve the purpose well and the illustrations are engaging, but the high-reading-level explanations seem at odds with a cartoon-watching audience. Occasional diagrams expand the cartoons. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Warner Brothers: Wile E. Coyote, Physical Science Genius titles: Wile E. Coyote Experiments with Energy and Wile E. Coyote Experiments with Forces and Motion.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian