(4) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Text was chopped and story lines trimmed to transform these previously published Lu and Clancy books into easy readers. In Magician (previously The Vanishing Cat), the dog detectives nab a larcenous cat; in Drop of Doom (originally The Carnival Caper), the canines sniff out thieves at a carnival. Each lightweight story features mildly amusing illustrations and directions for a magic trick. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: The Disappearing Magician and The Drop of Doom.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Kids Can Read series. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Text was chopped and story lines trimmed to transform these previously published Lu and Clancy books into easy readers. In Magician (previously The Vanishing Cat), the dog detectives nab a larcenous cat; in Drop of Doom (originally The Carnival Caper), the canines sniff out thieves at a carnival. Each lightweight story features mildly amusing illustrations and directions for a magic trick. Review covers these Kids Can Read titles: The Disappearing Magician and The Drop of Doom.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 1-3 Lu and Clancy series. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Canine friends Lu and Clancy nab two thieves who are attempting to rob passengers on the Drop of Doom, a scary carnival ride. The sketchy plot acts as a means of introducing five magic tricks performed by various characters. (Instructions for the tricks are included.) With its serviceable illustrations, this picture book is pleasant light fare for readers of short chapter books.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) 1-3 Lu and Clancy series. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Canine friends Lu and Clancy and two pups encounter a thunderstorm, get lost, and spend the night in a cave. There's not much substance to the story, which acts as a vehicle for several activities demonstrating the properties of sound; for example, there are instructions for making a cardboard kazoo. Adequate artwork contributes humorous details. More safety reminders for the tin can projects would be helpful.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Canine detectives Lu and Clancy hunt down a pair of jewel thieves by cracking the criminals' coded messages. Each double-page spread tracks the private eyes' progress and includes instructions for a secret code or language, as well as encrypted riddles, so readers can test their own code-breaking skills. Dog detectives clad as tourists and an ottoman with furry legs are two of the clever details in the humorous illustrations.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 1-3 Lu and Clancy series. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Dog detectives Lu and Clancy pursue a felonious feline who makes off with her audience's jewelry during a magic show. Mildly amusing illustrations depict characters that aren't fully anthropomorphized; they are shown sniffing and licking faces--as well as steering ships and balancing spoons on their noses. Instructions for four magic tricks (of more interest than the story) are included.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Pat Cupples. When Gina is asked to research technology for her science project, she begins to look at her everyday life with new eyes. Drawings illustrate both Gina's story and the thoughtful explanations of electronics and optics. The featured technology focuses on items girls actually use (TV remotes, cell phones, automatic door openers, and touch screens at the mall) without straying too obviously into stereotypes.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Breezy, second-person narration and an impish, math-loving character named Nora will help draw upper-elementary and middle-school girls into this collection of math activities, most of which involve applications of geometry. Whimsical illustrations in pastel pinks and purples provide visual clues for completing the activities. Text boxes include information about real-life women who rely on math in their careers.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) 4-6 America at Work series. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Jessie visits Grandpa's fish farm, then learns about her father's job as a fish and wildlife officer. Twins Jamie and Trish accompany Mom to the mine where she works before visiting Dad's steel plant. Using fictionalized formats to introduce two industries dependent on natural resources, the books identify terms, explain work procedures, and show the hazards of pollution, as well as some hopeful solutions. Ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 America at Work series. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Jessie visits Grandpa's fish farm, then learns about her father's job as a fish and wildlife officer. Twins Jamie and Trish accompany Mom to the mine where she works before visiting Dad's steel plant. Using fictionalized formats to introduce two industries dependent on natural resources, the books identify terms, explain work procedures, and show the hazards of pollution, as well as some hopeful solutions. Ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) K-3 America at Work series. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Uncle Erik, a forester, takes Cameron on a helicopter and foot tour of the forestry community in western Washington. The accessible text and cartoonlike illustrations provide clear information on how trees are cut down and transported for the production of lumber and paper, the unusual machines and vehicles used, and the environmental concerns that have led to selective harvesting and replanting. Ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) K-3 America at Work series. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Using a fictional framework to explore two different types of farms, the book introduces Nick, whose family owns a vegetable farm in Ohio, and his cousin Karin, who lives on a cattle ranch in Nebraska. The simple, informative text and friendly color illustrations follow each farm through a season, identifying the machinery, chores, and workers needed to keep each farm running smoothly.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta