(4) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Dugan. Wadsworth ably chronicles Theodore Roosevelt's 1903 camping trip with John Muir in Yosemite National Park. Incorporating a number of documented quotations from primary sources, in addition to less convincing invented conversations and interior monologues, she conveys Roosevelt's enthusiasm for Muir's work and the president's love of nature.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Dugan. This introduction begins with a world map showing each site. Lankford takes readers from ancient Egypt and Greece to present-day Europe, North America, and South Africa. Each double-page spread features accessible text on one page and on the facing page is a friendly, though unlabeled, illustration. There's not a whole lot of information, but the diverting overview may prompt further inquiry. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Dugan. Twenty-three short, rhythmic poems capture the whirl and whoosh and spin and scramble of familiar objects. Bits of breakfast cereal bob about in milk, pencil sharpeners whir, jump ropes loop around, washing machines swish, and ice cubes swirl ("watch them bounce / and belly flop") in these imaginative and kid-friendly poems. The cheerfully kinetic illustrations will be as appealing to readers as the verse.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Dugan. After describing the birthday traditions of seven diverse lands, including Finland, Mexico, and the Philippines, Lankford offers general information about birthday superstitions and, finally, instructions on how to throw a birthday party with an ocean theme. Like Lankford and Dugan's other Around the World books, this one is well conceived, interesting, and full of inviting images. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Karen Dugan. "With just one coin I / tumble out / from a round glass world / through a silver / spout." Twenty-nine playful poems describe ordinary but interesting objects, from a gumball to a snake. The riddle-poems, enjoyable to read aloud and to guess, are framed by partial illustrations of the answer and by scrambled letters that provide a further clue if needed.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Karen Dugan. Cricket and the gang from the Class Clown series will accept any excuse to bake, from excess zucchini to a school bake sale to a surprise party for their teacher. Cricket is a teacher's pet and the situations she gets into are pedestrian, but young readers will enjoy trying out her recipes themselves (with adult supervision): all desserts, and all included in the book.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Karen Dugan. From shopping for different honeys and teas to the variety of settings for tea parties, these twenty poems celebrate the joy of sharing tea with friends or just oneself. Following each poem is a teatime tip to add interest and originality to tea parties. Both the poems and watercolors are competent but lack energy.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Karen Dugan. The twin brothers of Lucas Cott (of the Class Clown series) are put in separate kindergartens in the same school. Marcus and Marius decide to switch places to settle an argument about who has the better teacher, but on the same day, their teachers decide to switch places to settle their own argument. This is irony at its humorous best for young readers, who will delight in anticipating the inevitable chaos.

Reviewer: Cyrena Musset | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 1998

(3) 4-6 Domino history, terminology, and fundamentals precede descriptions and rules for games played in eight countries. Because variations are slight, this is a book to dip into, not read cover to cover. Solitaire instructions, puzzles, and a recipe for edible "dominoes" are included. Full-page watercolor and gouache illustrations add decorative warmth. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.