(4) PS Illustrated by Steve Mack. Foreman Frankie and friends pave a highway, with verses to the tune of "Yankee Doodle" relating each step--mixing concrete, moving dirt, adding ditches and drainage pipes, and so on until the job is completed. Bright, blocky illustrations of machines and smiley, hardhat-wearing characters combine with a cheerful (though not always easily singable) text to create a sense that hard work is worth doing.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Steve Mack. A pleased penguin takes a shower as "The water in Flo's Inn flows in frozen." A Christmas elf faces down a menacing dog: "Sammy stammered as he told the stray in the sleigh to stay." Brightly colored, bold-hued pictures add clarity and humor. An appended "Make Your Own Tongue Twister" page helpfully provides letter combinations that "can be particularly difficult to pronounce."

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Steve Mack. Just the right humor permeates this scientific introduction to coprolites, or trace fossils of ancient animal feces, including those of dinosaurs. A lively combination of history, field techniques, and brief biographies, the text clearly explains terms such as lithify through definitions, anecdotes, photographs, and cartoon-style illustrations. Headings such as "Who dung it?" lead to brief test-your-knowledge questions. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian